Malphegor
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HSU: Ch. 09
🕑 Added 2024-11-12 17:10:03 +0000 UTC"She's really defecting to Konoha?" the head of the guards asked quietly.
"Better opportunities there than being hunted by her own village," Masashi replied. And better intelligence for us.
After his brief exchange with the head of the guards, Kumika came out. Masashi saw her and led her away.
A while later, after the daimyō and his family were ready, the group resumed their journey.
"What is that…?" someone suddenly called out.
Under the deep blue sky, a lake surrounded by sparkling ice peaks stretched out ahead. The wide river channel had transformed into a long wall of ice and snow.
"Father, look! The entire river..." the daimyō's son exclaimed.
"What jutsu is this?"
The daimyō and his son were watching and occasionally glancing at Masashi, who slapped his forehead—he'd forgotten about this.
He stepped forward, unsealed the river path, and redirected the lake water back into it. Afterward, he rebuilt an ice bridge to replace the wooden one he'd previously destroyed with his ice release.
As the convoy crossed the bridge, people couldn't help but reach out and touch it, shivering from the chill.
"Please move quickly," Masashi said, scanning the surroundings. "The bridge is stable, but we shouldn't stay."
"But this is remarkable! How did you—" a guard started.
"It's just chakra manipulation. Nothing special in our world," Masashi cut in, urging them to cross quickly.
The mission was finally nearing completion. It had been over half a month already, and they'd made excellent time thanks to Masashi clearing the way with his jutsu. It was practically a highway he'd created.
Several days later, they finally reached the mission's destination.
Once inside the residence, the daimyō efficiently completed a personal letter to the Hokage, handed it to Masashi, and assured him that as soon as the extra amount for the mission was confirmed by Konoha, he'd promptly pay the balance.
"Your service has been exemplary," the daimyō noted. "The journey was remarkably swift."
"Speed and efficiency are Konoha's hallmarks, Daimyō-sama," Masashi replied. And good pay is mine.
As an ally of the Land of Fire, the Land of Hot Water used the same currency system, making the transaction seamless.
Before departing, he pulled Kumika aside. "Remember, until we reach Konoha, you're my prisoner. Act accordingly."
"I know how to play my part. I was a spy, after all," Kumika responded dryly.
"Good. Just don't play it too well."
After expressing his thanks, Masashi began the return journey with Kumika. The way back to Konoha was swift; in just a few days, they could already see the west gate of Konoha in the distance.
"It's larger than I expected," Kumika observed, her eyes scanning the walls.
"Konoha prioritizes infrastructure. Unlike Kumo's militant focus," Masashi replied.
Regarding Kumika's identity, the Konoha shinobi at a supply point had already sent word back to the village. Otherwise, they would have been intercepted by the ANBU as soon as they entered the forest surrounding Konoha.
Business was bustling as ever in Konoha. People came and went, and a line had already formed at the west gate. Being a law-abiding shinobi, Masashi obediently waited his turn… or not. This wasn't a formal mission. Some rules are meant to be circumvented.
He grabbed Kumika, and they leapt from tree to tree right to the gate, landing directly in front of a chunin registering arrivals.
"Uchiha-san, there's a line—" the chunin started.
"Special circumstances. You've been briefed," Masashi said, already moving past.
The chunin looked up and noticed Kumika's headband, slashed through with a scratch, marking her as a rogue shinobi from Kumo. He wasn't surprised; he'd already been informed about her and even seen her photo.
What puzzled him was, why bother with the headband?
Masashi was summoned directly to the Hokage's office, so he nodded his thanks and took Kumika with him.
On their way to the Hokage building, they passed by Konoha shinobi who couldn't help but glance at Kumika. Perhaps they were surprised a rogue shinobi could appear so openly in the village, or perhaps they wondered if they could trade her head on the black market.
However, with Masashi there, no one approached her. Business was good, and offending a fellow shinobi over one bounty was unnecessary.
Upon reaching the Hokage building, they stopped jumping; the ANBU would fight anyone bouncing around here. They verified their identities and took the stairs up.
Better to follow protocol here, at least.
Since his reincarnation, he hadn't been to the Hokage's office. Guided by an ANBU shinobi, they walked along the circular corridor to the office at the top floor. The guards at the door gave them a once-over, their scrutinizing gaze staying on Kumika for a few seconds.
"Masashi's here? Let him in," came the voice from within.
The ANBU opened the door, ushering them in. Inside, Masashi glanced around. The office was as he remembered it. For the leader of the foremost village, the place was surprisingly modest in size and decor, with a cluttered desk to boot.
Minato was lounging on a couch, sipping tea. His relaxed expression quickly turned into a grimace as he burned his tongue.
"Masashi, have some tea," he said, sticking his tongue out.
"Hokage-sama, here is the letter from the daimyō." Masashi handed over the letter and then took a seat on the couch, as the Hokage had invited him to do.
Minato set aside the pleasantries and read the letter carefully.
"I see."
Placing the letter down, he turned to Kumika, who stood nearby. "I've reviewed your situation and discussed it with the Third Hokage. There shouldn't be any issues, but we still require you to undergo a review by the ANBU. This is standard protocol, so I hope you understand."
"I understand, Hokage-sama," Kumika replied, visibly relieved.
Minato's attitude gave her confidence in Konoha. As for the screening, if he had waived it altogether, she'd have immediately started planning her escape.
"The Interrogation and Intelligence Divisions will meet with you initially. As long as you're sincerely joining Konoha, the process will be quick. We'll also work on relocating your family to the village, but that will take some time."
"For now, we'll create the appearance that Masashi killed you in battle, so we'll need your cooperation in this regard."
Meanwhile, Masashi was busy pouring himself a cup of tea. The flavor seemed awfully familiar. One sip again confirmed it was one of the special blends enjoyed by the clan elders.
He recalled that Minato's and Fugaku's wives were close friends. But he couldn't remember her name, only that this new Asura's mother was a member of the Uzumaki clan.
Reflecting on the past, he smiled with a hint of nostalgia. Those days mooching off the rich had been pure joy. He was feeling wistful for those times.
"Masashi, you're smiling like Jiraiya-sensei right now…"
Interrupted from his memories, Masashi looked up.
Minato was holding a letter and watching him with that calculating look he reserved for complex political situations.
"It seems that you and the daimyō have been getting along quite well. He rarely praises anyone like this. I'm truly impressed."
Let's get to the real point—the payment. "Hokage-sama, it's just a matter of respecting each other," Masashi replied neutral.
This wasn't the point he wanted to focus on; he didn't want to hear this right now.
"Based on the circumstances you encountered, we discussed and decided to raise the mission fee to 800,000 ryō. Masashi, you'll receive 712,000 ryō. Considering your extra contributions this time, you don't have to wait for the daimyō to settle the remaining balance—you can take the money right away."
Nice! That's what I wanted to hear.
Masashi sprang up from the sofa but didn't forget to follow formalities.
"Thank you, Hokage-sama, and thank you to the village for nurturing me."
Kumika, standing to the side, looked on with envy. So this is how Konoha operates... different from Kumo's directness.
She had taken on the mission of assassinating a prominent leader using her position. If she hadn't run into Masashi, she would probably be counting money in the Raikage's office by now.
Minato, on the other hand, looked a little perplexed. The young Uchiha's enthusiasm for money was either refreshingly honest or suspiciously convenient.
But recalling Masashi's background, he understood.
The Uchiha clan didn't receive many missions throughout the year.
When he wasn't yet the Hokage, even in peacetime, he would get a few S-rank and a dozen A-rank missions each year. While it didn't compare to the legendary White Fang, earning 30 to 40 million ryō a year was a steady outcome.
Of course, a jonin's expenses were considerable, especially with ninjutsu development. Thirty to forty million ryō sounded like a lot, but it went fast.
It was the same for Masashi. Without the clan's financial support, he wouldn't have been able to train in the Yang Release technique.
"Don't rush, Masashi. I still have something to discuss with you."
Seeing that the Uchiha was about to leave, Minato quickly called out to him.
"Huh? Hokage-sama, I still need to go back to the clan to report my safe return. You know how the elders are."
"Your uncle and aunt wouldn't count as elders just yet." Rising, Minato pulled Masashi back onto the sofa and then addressed the kunoichi, "Kumika, thank you for your work. The ANBU at the entrance will escort you to the Intelligence Division."
"Understood, Hokage-sama." Knowing her cue, she tactfully took her leave, casting one last curious glance at the room.
After the door closed, Minato sat back down across from Masashi and refilled his tea. They quietly drank tea, neither of them speaking.
Masashi genuinely sipped his tea, while Minato sipped his as he observed the young man before him.
His impression of the Uchiha clan wasn't the best, but it wasn't entirely negative either. If there was a problem, it was that the Uchiha clan had one of the lowest integration levels in the village.
It wasn't just them, though. The way ninja clans function inherently promotes strong independence.
In this era of one nation, one village, the coalition-style setup of ninja clans that existed when the villages were first established has long since vanished. Over the decades, many ninja clans have either vanished or dissolved.
Today, only eight ninja clans actually persist in Konoha, with the Uchiha and the Hyūga wielding the strongest power thanks to their bloodline-inherited ocular techniques.
The Uchiha clan's power came from a few exceptional members, while the Hyūga clan derived its strength from consistently powerful members.
In the Uchiha clan, only a select few awakened the Sharingan, while nearly all Hyūga clan members had the Byakugan.
However, the tide of time cannot be stopped. As a product of the previous era, ninja clans as a whole were declining.
The fundamental conflict between the Uchiha and the Hokage's office didn't stem from any past dark history; rather, it's rooted in a difference in perspectives.
The Hokage's office viewed the village as a large family where everyone should contribute to the well-being of the whole. In contrast, the Uchiha would say, "The Hokage was not a family member, so it wasn't their concern."
That immediately shuts down the conversation.
Of course, Minato knew it wasn't as simple as that; he was aware of the grudges and resentments that ran deeper than mere politics.
People like Obito and Shisui gave him hope for the future.
While he was willing to become cold for the sake of the village, the Uchiha were still comrades, and he would never abandon them lightly.
Obito struck Minato as simple, passionate, and endearingly reckless. Shisui seemed delicate and full of compassion. Both were individuals who cherished their comrades.
But the Hokage's office was never quite sure about Masashi. A puzzle wrapped in power and wrapped again in careful indifference.
Based on the information the ANBU had collected, Masashi was incredibly strong. With the Water Release techniques he demonstrated on the Kiri battlefield, unless the Second Hokage was resurrected, no one in Konoha could rival him in that art.
The difference between him and Shisui was that while Shisui thrived in crowded settings, Masashi seemed to hold back when there were many people around.
A young, exceptionally talented Uchiha who didn't broadcast his achievements and was a bit elusive—this was very un-Uchiha-like.
He hoped Masashi's apparent focus on money was genuine. Giving him more missions would be no issue at all.
The Third Hokage had also expressed that if Masashi were like Obito or Shisui, he'd have no objection to giving him additional missions.
Strictly speaking, the Third Hokage's concern lay with the clan's elders; he always had high hopes for the younger generation.
Minato felt it was time to have a formal conversation with Masashi. He put down his tea and carefully considered his words.
Masashi looked at him with an expression that seemed to say, "What exactly are you trying to do?" So we're playing this game now.
Minato felt somewhat affronted.
He was the Hokage. Didn't that mean more than mission pay?
"Masashi, you're very strong, aren't you," Minato said, his gaze sharp.
"I don't quite understand," Masashi frowned. "Haven't I always been strong?"
"…"
Good grief, he took back his earlier judgment. Masashi was very much a typical Uchiha.
"Shisui earned a name for himself on the battlefield, but you haven't. Do you know why?"
"Maybe it's just that I've encountered weaker opponents. Since they didn't run, I had no choice but to finish them."
It wasn't that they didn't run; they simply had nowhere to run.
Minato thought of the Kiri ninjas, who were defeated by Masashi. Even though they were the enemy, he felt a bit sorry for them.
What a dismal way to go.
"Speaking of which, Masashi, your Water Release resemble those of the Second Hokage!"
"Hokage-sama, as you know, the Second Hokage was so fond of using Water Release that his techniques were widely copied even before Konoha was founded. It's just that our clan isn't that interested in that style."
But you clearly are. Minato held back his mental commentary and decided to get to the point.
"Masashi—"
"Hokage-sama, could you be more direct?"
"Alright, I want to ask—what are your views on the village and your clan?"
