Zander
patreon
Chapter 117 – Before the Hunt
🕑 Added 2025-07-15 14:07:02 +0000 UTCChapter 117 – Before the Hunt
The lab was quiet.
Cold light from crystals filled the wide space with a steady glow. Deep underground, far below the Hokage Tower, the forge chamber now rested. The fires had dimmed. The heat was gone.
And there, resting beside the tall silver armor stand, was the finished Golden Iron Halo.
Hajime stood in silence.
He looked at it, the radiant ring forged from alloy and power, floating just inches above the polished floor. Its surface gleamed with faint etchings, the runes glowing gold in response to his presence.
But for now, he left it untouched.
With calm steps, Hajime walked up the winding stairs of the lab. The heavy door to the surface opened without a sound. In less than a second, he vanished in a flicker of space.
The Hokage's office was already alive with morning light.
Tsunade sat behind her desk, her golden hair tied back, her robe loose at the collar. Scrolls and mission documents were scattered before her. She held a steaming cup of tea but wasn’t drinking. Her focus was sharp, reading casualty reports, border activity, and shifting clan requests.
Then the door opened.
She looked up.
No one knocked.
Hajime stepped in, tall, composed, still in his black undersuit.
Tsunade smiled a little. "Good Morning."
Hajime nodded. "Morning."
He took one more step forward, his silver eyes calm but clear. And said straight to the point.
"Tsunade, I want to hunt the Akatsuki. I want to eliminate Orochimaru. . They're all threats to Konoha... and to you. And I will bring back Sasuke, as I know you don't want the last Uchiha to Dissapeared."
Her eyes narrowed at that last part.
She set her tea down, stood, and walked around the desk.
"You're sure?"
"Yes."
"No backup?"
"I move faster alone."
There was a silence. Then she stepped closer. Her hand rose, resting against his chest.
"Just be careful," she said softly.
He met her eyes.
Then she leaned up and gave him a light kiss on the lips.
"Come back to me, Hajime."
He nodded.
And with a flicker of space, he vanished.
Back in the lab, silence reigned again.
Hajime reappeared in the center, standing across from the silver armor stand and the golden halo resting beside it. He looked at both for a moment.
This would be the last time they waited.
He raised one hand.
A wave of psychic energy rippled through the room. The armor pieces stirred.
Click.
The boots rose first, then snapped onto his feet with magnetic force.
Whir.
The greaves floated and slid into place over his legs. Plates aligned with a hiss of chakra-lock seals.
Shunk.
The torso armor, lined with reinforced sinew fibers and chakra-resistant steel, connected to his body. It felt heavy. It felt right.
His arms stretched out as the gauntlets clamped into place, the fingers flexing in response.
The pauldrons attached next, their silver edges gleaming in the soft light. Each part locked with exact precision.
The helm hovered last.
For a moment, Hajime stared at it.
Then it flew forward and sealed around his head.
A low hiss.
Then, shhk, the red lenses of the helmet flickered.
They pulsed.
Then turned bright blue, like twin stars bursting to life.
The warp-light inside him surged. The helmet’s systems connected fully to his body and mind.
And finally, the halo.
The Golden Iron Halo lifted off the floor without touch. It rose like a sun behind him, slow and smooth, spinning once.
Its runes activated in order, one by one, until the entire ring shimmered like a divine circle.
Then, with a soft chime, it rotated into place and locked into the back of his armor.
The moment it attached, the air changed.
The chakra crystals in the walls and ceiling dimmed.
The blue glow from Hajime’s helmet and the Golden Halo overpowered everything else.
Power flowed. Psychic energy expanded in waves, and Hajime could feel his senses stretch to the far edges of the compound. Every breath of wind. Every grain of dust. Every living presence.
He was complete.
The Halo synced with his armor, and he felt it open.
Golden Iron Halo - Full Activation
Radial Defense Field
Psychic Amplifier Core
Energized Blade Projection
Combat Mode Shift
Self-Regeneration
Bullet Time
His mind sharpened. His focus narrowed.
Now, it could begin.
But before he could teleport out, he paused.
He sensed two chakra signatures.
Not hostile. Familiar.
Sakura. Ino.
They were approaching the lab entrance.
He lowered his hand.
He would wait.
Earlier - Sakura’s Perspective
The Hokage Tower halls were peaceful.
Sakura had just finished her progress report with Tsunade. She spoke about her latest healing techniques, chakra string control, and fast-response antidotes.
But before she left, Tsunade said, "Hajime’s already moving. He said he’s going after S Ranks Missing Nins. And Orochimaru. And he plans to bring Sasuke back."
Sakura froze.
A hundred thoughts flooded her.
Sasuke...
But more than that, it was Hajime.
She bowed and left the tower in a rush.
She knew she couldn't go with him. He was beyond her. But she couldn’t just sit still.
So she ran.
Yamanaka Flower Shop
Ino was adjusting a bouquet when Sakura burst in.
"Sakura?"
"Hajime’s going. Now. Tsunade told me."
Ino’s smile faded fast. "Where?"
"After the S Rank Missions nin. Orochimaru. Sasuke, too."
Ino frowned. "Forget Sasuke. What matters is he’s going to fight S Rank Missing Nins, alone."
They both looked at each other.
They wanted to go.
But they knew.
They’d only slow him down.
Sakura shook her head. "We can’t stop him. But we can say goodbye."
"Let’s go," Ino said.
Present - Lab Entrance
Hajime stood still, glowing blue in the dim lab.
His armor radiated power. The halo spun slowly behind him, casting golden light.
The heavy lab door opened.
Sakura and Ino stepped in, both holding a large, sealed bento container between them.
Sakura smiled softly. "We bought you something. Enough food for weeks. Chakra-packed and nutritious."
Ino added, "Don't get yourself blown up before lunch."
Hajime was quiet for a moment.
Then, the helmet hissed. The helmet floating up, showing Hajime face, his slight tousled black hair, sharp Jaw, and Handsome mature face.
"Thank you," he said, as he hold the Helmet.
They both smiled.
Sakura stepped closer. "Come back. Okay?"
Ino folded her arms. "And when you do, we’ll be waiting."
Hajime turned.
And putting his helmet back on.
He faced the space ahead.
One thought. One will.
And space began to twist.
The hunt had begun.
End of Chapter 117 – Before the Hunt
[Was quite busy:(]
