After Tsunade stormed out, Danzo straightened up, his expression darkening. "Tell me why!" he demanded, his voice laced with venom.
Despite his underhanded tactics, Danzo had always justified his actions as necessary for the greater good of Konoha and, by extension, for Sarutobi Hiruzen. Yet now, he found himself threatened by a younger ninja, and worse, with Hiruzen's apparent collusion.
"Reiki has awakened a special bloodline limit," Sarutobi Hiruzen stated flatly. "He can read and transfer memories."
Danzo's eyes widened with ambition. A special bloodline limit like that would be invaluable for the Root organization, allowing them to extract information from captured enemies or potential threats with unprecedented ease. The ability to present a soul as evidence was incredibly powerful. It could change everything.
"I must have him!" Danzo insisted, his ambition rising. "Think of the possibilities! We could eliminate mistakes in our operations and strengthen the Root's reputation."
"I can't agree to that," Hiruzen replied, shaking his head firmly. He had seen the potential Reiki held, even at such a young age. The boy was only eight; who knew how powerful he could become? Hiruzen refused to let someone like Danzo have influence over Reiki. Danzo's methods had become increasingly ruthless, and the Hokage feared for what he might do.
"We're equals here, Hiruzan. You should confirm your position as Hokage quickly," Danzo pressed. "With that, we can train Reiki as the next Hokage. It'll foster loyalty to us."
Without waiting for a response, Danzo turned and left the office. Sarutobi Hiruzen watched him go, a heavy weight settling in his chest. The idea of a new Hokage was a pressing matter, especially with the death of Sarutobi Shinnosuke during the war. Orochimaru had returned from the battlefield, and he now seemed to loom as a candidate for the role.
"What is Orochimaru doing?" Hiruzen wondered aloud, realizing he hadn't seen the once-prominent ninja since his return. It struck him as strange; after gaining such acclaim on the battlefield, Orochimaru should have made an appearance to maintain his image in the village. Something wasn't right.
---
Meanwhile, Reiki arrived at the interrogation department, accompanied by Yura. They were greeted by Yihe, the head of the department.
"Yura, what brings you here tonight?" Yihe asked, perplexed. As one of the Hokage's personal guards, it was unusual for him to be out at such a late hour.
"Lord Hokage sent me to bring Reiki here for interrogation," Yura explained. "You and I are to assist him."
Yihe raised an eyebrow, confusion etched across his face. "Assist him? Am I really assisting a kid?" The idea felt absurd. He was responsible for interrogating criminals and spies, not babysitting a child.
"This is the Hokage's arrangement. No need to question it," Yura replied, though he understood Yihe's confusion. The details of Reiki's special abilities were classified, and not everyone was privy to them.
"Understood. Let's get to work," Yihe conceded, albeit still baffled. As they moved deeper into the department, he wondered if Reiki was secretly an important figure, maybe even the Hokage's illegitimate son. His thoughts spiraled as they entered a dimly lit room filled with the remnants of past interrogations.
Reiki, for his part, was evaluating his surroundings. After his training, he was eager to gain practical experience in a real-world setting. The interrogation department would provide plenty of opportunities for him to hone his medical skills.
"Where should we start?" Reiki asked, his youthful innocence contrasting sharply with the grimness of the environment.
"Let's begin with these individuals," Yihe said, leading them to a cell containing three men tied up and battered. "They were caught selling village secrets to enemy nations. We need to find out who their contacts are."
Reiki's expression turned serious as he assessed the situation. "Can I treat them first?" he asked, concern for their well-being creeping into his voice.
"What?!" Yihe and the prisoners exclaimed in unison. Treating them? This was an interrogation, not a medical examination!
"Complete information can only be extracted when they're in good mental condition," Reiki explained, exasperated. "If I help them recover even a bit, they might be more cooperative."
The two prisoners exchanged glances, bewildered, while Yihe was taken aback. "You're a medical ninja, but this isn't a hospital!" he protested, still struggling to wrap his head around the situation.
"I know what I'm doing," Reiki insisted, his resolve firm. He had an opportunity to gain valuable experience, and he wasn't going to squander it.
"Fine," Yihe relented, "but let's keep it quick. We don't have much time." He could see Reiki's determination, even if it seemed unorthodox.
As Reiki approached the prisoners, he began to channel his chakra, ready to heal their wounds and prepare them for questioning. Each healing touch served a dual purpose: restoring their bodies and sharpening his skills in medical ninjutsu. This was his chance to improve while playing a pivotal role in uncovering the truth behind the espionage.
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Gimme Power stones I'm Poor
Yura's understanding deepened as he watched Reiki work. Yihe, however, remained perplexed. He thought Reiki was simply there to assist with interrogations, but the young boy was taking a completely different approach.
"Just do what you need to do," Yihe finally conceded, unsure of how to proceed.
"Got it," Reiki replied, placing his hand on the first man, who was tied up on the left.
*Ding!*
*Emergency treatment completed: 12 solid chakra points and 2 healing points obtained.*
Minutes passed as Reiki worked. The conditions in the interrogation department were brutal, as expected. The man lay there, battered and bruised, a testament to the cruel methods used to extract information.
As Reiki's chakra flowed into the man, he regained consciousness. Confused, he blinked at the small boy in front of him, realizing this was a medical ninja—something he hadn't expected in a place like this.
"Why are you helping me?" the man asked, his voice trembling.
Reiki's serious demeanor reminded the man of his own child, nearly the same age. The guilt and shame of his actions weighed heavily on him. He had put his family at risk through his greed, and now he feared they might become refugees because of his choices.
"Thank you, son," the man said, tears welling in his eyes. "Are you really here to help with the interrogation? I'll tell you anything."
In that moment, the man's resolve crumbled. He realized his persistence in hiding the truth was pointless, especially when his family was in jeopardy.
"Tell me what you know," Reiki urged sincerely. "If you confess, you might be treated leniently. The village could give you another chance."
"My main contact is Sanya Grocery Store," the man rushed out, glancing at the others in the cell. "I don't know about the others, but I have account books at home detailing everything. Just don't tell my family what I did. They don't deserve this."
As he spoke, his face brightened a little. The weight of his secrets was lifting.
"Immediately monitor Sanya Grocery Store. If you find anything, apprehend the individuals," Yihe ordered. "Yura, take him home and retrieve the account books. And be discreet—don't alert his family."
While Yihe was surprised, he quickly shifted into action. In just ten minutes, Reiki had solved a problem that had stumped the department for over a month.
"It's not that complicated. I'll check for myself," Reiki declared, the red glow of his healing fading as a new blue light enveloped his hands.
The man, who had initially appeared vibrant, now stared blankly into space as Reiki's blue chakra enveloped him.
A ball of light emerged from Reiki's fingertips, holding the man's memories. "This guy lied," Reiki stated calmly. "Sanya Grocery Store isn't his contact point; he mentioned it offhand. His ledger is at home, but there are powerful ninjas there. He'll escape if we don't act quickly. Plus, his wife and children are under an illusion."
Reiki continued, "The actual contact point is at Gunmei Hotel."
The man's face paled, horror dawning upon him. "How did you know?" he gasped. He thought he had been clever, but a mere child had seen through his deception.
"People's hearts can be cunning," Reiki replied matter-of-factly. "You let your desperation cloud your judgment. Now, let's move quickly."
"Go investigate and report back immediately," Yihe ordered, his voice steady but urgent. "Reiki, right? You can take a breather now. I'll prepare some food for you, and we can continue after you eat."
Yihe led Reiki out of the cell, still trying to comprehend the boy's extraordinary abilities. He had completed an interrogation with just a touch—an unconventional method that yielded results.
"Before I go, I'll relay this information back to the Hokage," Yihe announced, disappearing into the shadows to deliver the critical news.
As they walked away, a new figure stepped out from the darkness—Morishita, one of the Hokage's elite guards.
"Reiki's safety is now your responsibility," Yihe instructed Morishita. He had expected his superior to keep a close eye on the boy, but Morishita's appearance was unexpected.
Morishita had survived the last war, single-handedly taking down over thirty jonin from Kumogakure and bringing Hiruzen back safely. The presence of such a formidable ninja only reinforced how highly the Hokage valued Reiki.
---
Back in the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen reviewed the details Yura had brought him. "Is this how it went?" he asked, his eyes narrowed in concentration. "Did you see him forming seals?"
"No," Yura replied, shaking his head. "I recorded the entire process. From the man's expression, I believe Reiki's claims are genuine. I've also reviewed the memories."
"Is it truly a bloodline limit?" Hiruzen pondered, mulling over the implications.
"Yura, your primary duty from now on is to protect Reiki. Ensure no one harms him," Hiruzen ordered decisively. He knew the potential of Reiki's abilities could be crucial for Konoha's future.
"Understood, Hokage-sama," Yura affirmed before vanishing to carry out his new mission.
---
As Reiki sat in the interrogation room, the earlier tension eased, he felt a sense of pride wash over him. He had not only healed someone but had also uncovered crucial information. It was a taste of the power he could wield—a power he was only beginning to understand.
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Gimme Power stones I'm Poor
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