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Naruto: IHCS Ch. 51
🕑 Added 2025-08-01 00:26:38 +0000 UTCA cursed spirit was created, so today wasn't entirely fruitless, but Shiratori still didn't accomplish his main goal.
That goal was to join Chiba's mission.
It was nearly impossible to gain Hanzō's approval openly and honestly.
He understood his own value very clearly. There was no way Hanzō would agree to let him take such a risk.
Not only Hanzō, but also Chiba, Sakikawa, and Kuroi would not agree either.
So... should he sneak out again like last time?
He touched his chin. Although the risk of being discovered was high, the odds of success were also high.
Who was Shiratori?
A true-born gambler.
In this situation, he wouldn't hesitate to take a gamble. He'd bet that by the time Hanzō found out he was gone, it would already be too late.
His crow had been watching Chiba, Sakikawa, and Kuroi the entire time. He knew exactly when they would depart.
Once the plan was set, he lay peacefully on his bed.
This mission was indeed dangerous, so to ensure his safety, he would work hard tomorrow to collect emotional energy and strengthen each of his cursed spirits.
---
The next day at noon, the moment Hanzō left the training grounds, Shiratori quietly slipped out right behind him.
But the two went in completely opposite directions.
Hanzō, as usual, went to the office to handle the administrative affairs of Ame.
Shiratori, on the other hand, headed toward the village gates.
"Shiratori?"
The guard on duty at the gate happened to be Mizu, a ninja whom Shiratori had once saved on the battlefield.
In fact, most of the ninjas in Ame had been saved by him at some point.
Mizu was surprised to see him appear at the gate. After glancing around to confirm that he was alone, he curiously asked, "Why are you here?"
"I want to go out and find someone," Shiratori replied honestly. "Back when I was wandering, I had three friends who were also orphans. I want to check on them and see how they're doing."
Mizukusa fell silent for a moment.
Of course, he knew Shiratori's past, who didn't? He was a victim of the Land of Rain's wars. After his parents died on the battlefield, he had wandered the country alone.
His silence wasn't just due to sympathy for his tragic past, there was also a harsher, more realistic reason.
Those orphan friends he spoke of had likely died during their time in exile.
How could three orphaned children survive through a war?
But when he saw the hopeful light in the boy's eyes, he couldn't bring himself to say it.
No matter how talented Shiratori was or how skilled he had become in medical techniques, he was still just a child, he still viewed the world with innocent eyes.
How could he bear to shatter that innocence?
If he knew the truth, it would cause him great pain.
Rather than let him suffer now, better to let him go and search. If he found no one, at least he'd have closure.
"I'll go with you," Mizu offered. Her only concern was Shiratori's safety.
But seriously, would Shiratori ever let Mizu meet with Jiraiya...?
Wouldn't that be like throwing oil on a fire?
"No need! You still have his duties, right? I can do it myself!" he assured him.
Mizu glanced at the other ninja on duty. Indeed, it was hard to leave, the watch duty was too important, and leaving it to just one person would be too risky.
Seeing the hesitation on his face, Shiratori quickly added, "Besides, I might be even more amazing than you now! I've learned a lot from Hanzō-sensei lately!"
Looking at his confident expression, Mizukusa was stunned, then couldn't help but laugh.
Right!
How could he forget about his talent?
His strength might have already surpassed his own.
Still, he patiently reminded him, "You must not leave the boundaries of the Land of Rain, understood? If you can't find them, come back. You must return before nightfall, otherwise, I'll tell Hanzō-sama..."
Shiratori immediately nodded, "Okay, okay!"
Once Mizu saw that he truly listened, he finally opened the iron gate.
Shiratori leapt through the gate and waved back at Mizu.
"I'll definitely be back before nightfall!"
He ran off into the distance.
Jiraiya, Yahiko, Nagato, Konan, just wait!
He was back to collect emotional energy.
---
At a seaside wooden cabin, Konan sat at the shore, resting her chin on her hand, gazing at her reflection in the water.
"I wonder how he's doing now... not a single piece of news," she sighed.
Yahiko stood beside her, throwing a stone into the calm sea.
The stone skipped five times across the surface before sinking into the water, sending ripples outward.
With hands on his hips, he smiled confidently.
"He's super strong, he'll definitely be fine! He's probably off somewhere living the good life! One day we'll just go and join him! Hahaha..."
Konan and Nagato looked at Yahiko, whose blind optimism brought a smile to their faces.
"You're right. He's way more capable than we are. He must be doing well," Konan nodded.
Nagato looked at the rippling water.
What he wished for most was that the four of them could always be together, everything else didn't matter.
"Nagato!"
"Konan!"
"Yahiko!"
A voice rang out from the distance, it was Jiraiya.
The three of them turned around at the same time to look. And what they saw made them freeze.
"Is it really...?" Yahiko asked in a daze.
Nagato instinctively took a step forward.
But before he could move farther, a figure dashed past him at lightning speed.
It was Yahiko, rushing toward Shiratori, who was standing beside Jiraiya. From afar, he already had his arms open wide.
"We missed you so much!"
With a brilliant smile, he hugged him tightly.
Shiratori smiled just as brightly and hugged him back.
His joyful eyes looked toward Konan and Nagato in the distance.
[Affection detected]
[Multiple sources: +3000 points each]
[Total accumulated: 12,000 points]
[Energy transferred to Rika]
[Development progress: 62.7%]
Such good kids!
All of them!
It was worth the journey he made just to come visit them.
"I missed you all so much!"
He patted Yahiko on the back.
Yahiko let go, then waved at Konan and Nagato.
"What are you two still standing there for? He's back!"
It was only then that Konan and Nagato seemed to come back to their senses. With a start, they rushed toward him. Konan leapt forward and hugged him tightly.
"You've grown taller, Konan," Shiratori said with a smile as they pulled apart.
Konan's cheeks turned slightly red.
Then he looked over at Nagato, who was standing off to the side. He extended a hand toward him.
"Aren't you going to give me a hug, Nagato?"
