Chapter 48: Going Rogue
A/N: Our target is to reach 500 powerstones by next Sunday for another Double Release. This story's continuation depends on your support—so don't forget to give the story powerstones! Goal: 500 Powerstones!
Goro spent most of his day in the holding cell, passing time by talking to the system. The emptiness of the cell gave him lots of time to think, but the food, surprisingly, wasn't as bad as he expected. It was definitely better than the jail meals from his past life, and for now, that was something to be grateful for.
On the second day of his imprisonment, Goro was abruptly woken by a loud banging at his door. He groaned, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as the door creaked open. A man in a trench coat entered, placing a tray of food on the ground with a metallic clatter. Without a word, he turned and left.
Goro sat up on the bench, his joints stiff from the uncomfortable sleep.
'Another day in paradise...'
It was simple, just a fresh piece of bread with some soup. Not much, but enough to keep his stomach from growling.
A few minutes later, Ibiki appeared at the bottom of the stairs, his face a little softer than before. Goro's eyes immediately flicked to the man walking behind him, a ninja in a standard Leaf uniform with a cigarette dangling unlit from his mouth.
'Asuma-sensei... It's about time I got out of this place.'
Asuma came down the steps, hands in his pockets, the cigarette bobbing slightly between his lips. He surveyed Goro's cell and let out a deep sigh, his expression clearly displaying his frustration. "To put him in here... You guys aren't thinking straight."
Ibiki forced a stern expression, recomposing himself, and said, "While he didn't seem suspicious during the interrogation, the evidence and witness accounts pointed to him being guilty. We couldn't just ignore that."
'It's like he's being forced to keep me locked up here.'
Goro stayed seated, finishing the last of his bread. Keeping his cool as he watched the scene play out, the only thing he could do was wait and see if Ibiki would let him out.
'Asuma just needs to vouch for my innocence, and things will hopefully go smoothly from there. If it doesn't play out how I want, I'll commence the next step of my journey to power a little earlier than I would've wanted.'
Asuma removed the cigarette from his mouth, holding his head in confusion. "I can't possibly understand why you've got a team member of mine in jail. You've clearly made a mistake. I read the report like you said, and I can confirm that the Third Hokage was aware of Goro's team placement."
Ibiki folded his arms, keeping up the strict act. "Until we get concrete evidence to the contrary, this is where he stays," he said, not budging.
Asuma, beginning to get irritated, responded, "And I'm here to make sure you get that evidence. Goro didn't do this. Like I said, the Hokage was aware of Goro's team placement."
Goro leaned back against the wall, letting out a slow breath.
'I'm not liking how this is going. It seems Danzo is forcing Ibiki not to release me... I don't even think Ibiki himself wants to keep me here. He just sounds like a robot repeating the same answers over and over.'
Ibiki sighed heavily, rubbing his temples as if trying to dispel a headache. "The reason we're being so strict about this is because the elders want him to remain here. Under normal circumstances, I'd let him go unless there was concrete evidence against him. But the elders... they view him as too much of a liability. They don't want to take any chances."
Ibiki glanced at Goro before turning back to Asuma. "And although I might not agree with it, if he's to remain in custody, he'd have to be transferred to an actual prison."
Asuma's eyes hardened, the mounting irritation spilling over into his voice. "This is ridiculous. You can't seriously be considering sending him to prison. Just let the boy go."
Ibiki's posture relaxed, and he sighed again. "I want to, believe me. But as long as there isn't a Hokage in place, the elders are running the show. Until a new Hokage is appointed, they're filling the role. There's not much I can do about it."
'Danzo is using Homura and Koharu as tools to keep me locked up. His plan probably has something to do with me growing resentment towards the Leaf. Danzo's a smart man, but he isn't smart for messing with me...'
Goro stretched his legs while he lay back on the bench, his arms resting under his head.
'The outcome has already been decided then. It's fixed; there's nothing Asuma can do for me. This would be so easy if I could just use the Impure World Reincarnation jutsu and have the Third Hokage speak for himself. I can't risk them finding out about my ability to use such a jutsu. It'll just make me look worse... Not to mention that I'd need a live sacrifice...'
Asuma, sensing Goro's discontent, turned to him, his voice calmer now. "Hang in there, Goro. I'll see what I can do," he said, aiming to reassure Goro.
Goro nodded at his sensei, but he knew that nothing could be done.
Ibiki, noticing the tension in the air, stepped closer to Asuma. "Look, Asuma, I'm with you on this. I don't want to keep the kid locked up. But for now, the best thing you can do is wait."
Goro, however, wasn't sure how long he could wait. He had already spent the majority of his past life in a cell, so he wasn't enthusiastic about spending any longer in the holding cells.
Goro sat up, the metal bench creaking.
'They've given me no other choice...'
Goro stood up, stretching his body as he walked closer to the cell door. "I'm leaving the village," he stated calmly, looking at his sensei, then at Ibiki. "I can't stay in a place that refuses to act with justice."
Ibiki's expression shifted, the seriousness of Goro's words setting in. His gaze hardened upon hearing Goro's declaration.
Asuma, though, didn't take the threat seriously. His voice lighthearted, he scolded, "Even if you're joking, that's a bit far, don't you think? Given the situation you are in, those words will be taken seriously, so next time don't just say anything that comes to mind."
Brushing off the dust from his pants, Goro replied, "I'm serious, Sensei. I no longer have a reason to stay here if my time is going to be spent unjustly in a cell."
Realizing Goro wasn't joking, Asuma pleaded, "Give me some time to figure things out. I can fix this. If you leave now, the village will see you as a criminal. You know that."
Ibiki, standing beside Asuma, nodded in agreement. "Your sensei's right. Running now won't do you any good. The elders will see it as proof of guilt. It's better for you to spend your time in prison. At least there you will be provided with meals. How long can a chunin like yourself live with barely any money? You'll end up resorting to crime to make money and be hunted."
But Goro shook his head, his resolve unshaken. "I don't know how long that will take, but I can't sit around waiting for the village to decide my fate. I can take care of myself."
Ibiki's voice cut in, sharper now. "Do you understand the implications of what you're saying? Even statements like that could be considered treasonous." His tone held a warning, but it wasn't enough to sway Goro.
Without a word, Goro flexed his arms, and with a sharp snap, the handcuffs that had bound him fell apart, the metal clattering to the ground.
Both Asuma and Ibiki tensed, but before they could react further, Goro grabbed the cell door, his strength immense as he tore it from its hinges. He dropped it to the ground with a heavy thud that echoed through the lower levels of the holding cells.
Placing his hand on Goro's shoulder, Asuma said, "Think about this. Don't be rash."
Goro shrugged Asuma's hand off and replied, "See you soon, Sensei." In an instant, Goro flickered out of sight, disappearing before either of them could stop him.
"Goro, wait!" Asuma yelled, rushing up the steps, but it was too late. Goro was already gone, the cell where he stood just moments ago completely empty.
Reminder: Our target is to reach 500 powerstones by next Sunday for another Double Release. This story's continuation depends on your support—so don't forget to give the story powerstones! Goal: 500 Powerstones!
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