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GSiN: Ch. 86
🕑 Added 2025-05-07 10:50:46 +0000 UTC---Ryouma's POV---
I watched as Shiori pondered for a moment. Her eyes narrowed slightly, this was the same expression she wore when analyzing an opponent's technique.
Recently, the Kiri battlefield hadn't had any decent combat missions.
The end of a war never came cleanly. If I had to describe it, it was more like the slow fading of a flame, missions dwindling until suddenly peace was the new normal.
Moreover, with me having completed my mission, it showed that Kiri's surrender was likely imminent. Soon, there would probably be no more missions that could help her hone her skills.
After thinking about it, she nodded slightly. "Alright, but I need to ask the clan leader for permission."
"Fugaku? He's been pushing for reduced Uchiha presence on the front anyway," I commented.
Shiori's posture stiffened slightly. "It's still protocol. The clan tracks our movements, especially during wartime."
Always following protocol, except when she decided the rules didn't apply. Typical Uchiha contradiction. Or tsundere?
Naturally, Fugaku agreed. After all, with Kiri on the verge of defeat, the battlefield no longer urgently needed combat power like before.
---
"Your timing is fortuitous," Fugaku said as he signed the release form. "I was actually planning to rotate several clan members back to the village anyway."
He turned to Shiori, his expression serious. "While in the village, check in with the medical division. That issue we discussed previously needs monitoring."
Shiori gave a slight nod. "Understood."
Exiting the command center, I stopped and looked at her. "You don't need to pack anything?"
Shiori gestured to her small utility pouch. "A kunoichi travels light. Anything else is unnecessary attachment."
"You sound like you're quoting the clan manual," I said, amused.
Shiori replied softly, "No, I don't."
Then, she extended her left hand toward me and turned her face away, looking to the side. Her body language was stiff, almost formal like someone forced to participate in an uncomfortable ritual.
I felt like some kind of sect leader...
I looked at her in confusion, noticing her eyes darting around, not daring to meet my gaze. Just as I was about to ask what she was doing, she seemed a bit irritated and urged in a low voice, "Aren't you using the Flying Thunder God Technique? Hurry up. Isn't holding hands enough? What else do you want to grab? I don't have all day to stand here with my hand out."
"Oh, so that's what this is about," I realized.
Hearing that, I finally understood, so she didn't know the specific requirements for the Flying Thunder God Technique's teleportation. Well, that was normal. Anything related to the Book of Seals was essentially a separate path from the Uchiha clan.
Besides, I remembered that I'd never taken her along with me using the technique before.
"The technique doesn't actually require hand-holding, but it does need me to establish a chakra link with my... passenger? Oh, by the way, your hand looks kind of sweaty," I said with a grin.
"Shut up and just get on with it," Shiori muttered, slightly embarrassed.
I chuckled, then grabbed her left hand. In the next instant, I activated the Flying Thunder God Technique.
---
In a puff of smoke, Shiori and I appeared in my room.
"So this is what spatial-time ninjutsu teleportation feels like? Just like that, we're back in the village. What an impressive jutsu." She walked to the window of my room and looked out at the streets of Konoha.
"It is. All the techniques invented by the Second Hokage are quite remarkable," I said with some emotion, then continued, "So, what do you plan to do next?"
She leaned lazily on the windowsill, resting her chin on her hands.
"Back to the compound? Or do you have other plans in the village?" I asked, curious.
She tilted her head slightly and glanced at me out of the corner of her eye. "Why, are you asking me out on a date?"
"Of course not. To be honest, I've got quite a bit to take care of now that I'm back. If you want to stay and sunbathe, suit yourself. I'm heading to the Hokage's office. Later."
With that, I formed a hand seal and vanished from the room.
---
The next second, I appeared in a small alley not far from the Hokage Building. After all, which user of the Flying Thunder God Technique wouldn't leave marks all over the village?
This particular spot was one that Minato had shared with me. Since no one usually came here, it wouldn't scare anyone if I suddenly teleported in.
I entered the Hokage building and was walking down the corridor when I saw Danzō emerge from the Hokage's office with a dark, brooding expression.
Bang!
The door slammed shut behind him with enough force to disturb the dust motes floating in the sunbeams from the high windows. As he turned to leave, his visible eye narrowed as he spotted me standing at the end of the hallway.
"Ryouma, I believe you're supposed to be at the Kiri battlefield, aren't you?" he asked in a measured tone. "Or has Kiri perhaps experienced some... significant change in circumstances?"
Wow, he was fishing for information before Hiruzen could brief the council.
But I replied casually, "I have some special intel that needs to be delivered to the Hokage. Time-sensitive matters. You understand how these things go, Danzō-sama."
"Indeed," He pursued his lips. "Though one wonders why such information couldn't be delivered through the proper channels."
"Some messages are best delivered in person," I replied with a slight smile.
With that, I walked past him and headed straight for the Hokage's office. Behind me, his low voice rang out, "Come to Root, Ryouma. I will groom you to become Root's successor. You and I are the same kind of person. Someone who understands that sometimes darkness must be embraced to protect the light."
I had no idea what kind of scheme he was cooking up now. Was he trying to collect "rare talents" again?
Though we might both be pragmatists, our definitions of necessary sacrifice differed greatly. He saw people as pieces on a shogi board. And I saw the board itself as flawed and in need of redesign.
"No need. I have no grand ambitions, being a jonin is enough for me. And I prefer working where some people can see me, Danzō-sama," I said over my shoulder. "Shadows may be tactically advantageous, but they make for poor company."
"When you change your mind, and you will, my offer remains open," He spoke, unfazed.
The confidence of a man who believed history inevitably bended to his will. How exhausting it must be to live that way.
I ignored him and knocked on the Hokage's office door.
---
"Come in." Hiruzen's voice came from within, tired but composed.
When I opened the door and entered, he quickly suppressed the anger that Danzō had stirred up just moments before. Putting on a warm, kind expression, he asked, "Ah, Ryouma. You must have returned from the Kiri front with urgent news, right?"
I nodded slightly. "News that couldn't wait for regular channels, yes."
"Then by all means, share what you've learned," he gestured to the chair.
He at least attempted to be genuine in his interactions.
I handed over two scrolls to him.
"This one requires immediate medical examination," I said, placing them carefully.
I began explaining the events of my mission to the Land of Water. I told him how I destroyed Kiri and even fought Madara.
Hiruzen's pipe stopped halfway to his mouth. "What did you just say?"
"Madara," I repeated calmly.
Watching his expression shift from calm to surprised to utterly shocked, I couldn't help but laugh.
That laugh brought him out of his daze.
"Are you absolutely sure that was Madara?" He leaned forward. "Not an imposter? Not someone using a transformation technique?"
"With respect, Hokage-sama, I know the difference between a transformation jutsu and the real thing." I spread my hands and replied, "Mangekyō Sharingan and a full-body Susanoo, exactly like the descriptions I found in Lady Tsunade's records. It was definitely him. And he's extremely strong, I could only force him to retreat. Killing him wasn't possible."
Hiruzen twitched at the corners of his mouth.
"Madara alive... after all this time," he muttered, visibly aging before my eyes.
"Sigh…" After a long sigh, he asked again, "Do you think the Uchiha clan could be in contact with him? Or any indication that certain elements within the clan might be sympathetic to whatever he's planning?"
I shook my head. "Judging by his demeanor, it doesn't seem like the Uchiha clan has any ties with him. If anything, he seemed dismissive of the current Uchiha leadership."
"Hmm…" He thought for a moment, then smiled kindly at me. "You've worked hard on the Kiri front. I also heard you recovered the stolen Byakugan from the Hyūga clan. Given the current state of Kiri, that war should be ending soon. When it does, the village will certainly reward you. For now, take some well-earned rest. I'll need to convene the council immediately."
I understood, this was Hiruzen politely dismissing me. I nodded in acknowledgment and was about to turn and leave when I noticed the deep worry on his face. So I spoke with a grin, "Don't worry, Hokage-sama. Konoha still has me. One Madara doesn't outweigh an entire village of will and determination. The Will of Fire burns brighter than his vendetta."
And it had to be said, coming from someone who had just fought Madara and lived to tell the tale, my statement really should make him feel a little more at ease.
Maybe I should have become an actor, instead of a ninja? Then again, wasn't a ninja to be an imposter, liar, actor and assassin?
Comments
Hersh Jobanputra
I need more. More now. More please.
