Kapitel 165: Apple Trafficking
As I wielded the ice cream scoop and retrieved the Rinnegan from Nagato's head, now that I had finally succeeded in resurrecting Mikoto and was catching up with everyone (the expression she made when she found out she had children was priceless), a persistent thought kept nagging at me.
What if... I were to give Madara's Rinnegan to Mikoto?
I mean, it may sound obvious, but both are Uchiha, and due to the clan's kinship, Madara's eyes would have enough compatibility with Mikoto for her to wield their power after a relatively short period of adaptation.
And unlike Nagato, the eyes wouldn't be a huge burden for her; they would tire her if used with too much intensity in quick succession, but nothing a rest and a few drops of my invention's eye drops couldn't compensate for.
She could leap from the three-tomoe Sharingan to the Rinnegan in a single bound.
Heck, she wouldn't even need Hashirama's cells once she finished studying and modifying them!
Though it would take me a few days...
But, since I have more and more people under my responsibility, I need to consider all approaches, and I realized that, while I doubt Mikoto would turn against me at this point, there still remains the question of her children.
I don't want to save Itachi, and I don't want Sasuke to come to the village.
Regarding Itachi, I don't think I need to give details. It's an absolute NO.
If, when everything is over, Sasuke doesn't kill him or his illness doesn't, I'll think of something.
As for Sasuke... while I wouldn't mind if Mikoto helped him straighten out his life or offered him various forms of support, I don't want him in Seimeigakure or near my children, Karin, or Fu.
It's worth noting that I already told Mikoto about this point (with some nerves, I must admit), and with a sigh, she indicated that she understood my decision and would respect it.
I didn't know it, but those words lifted a weight off my shoulders.
She knows that if she needs anything, I'll still help her; I just don't want her personal matter to suddenly involve the whole village.
It wouldn't be fair, and she's aware of that.
I left Nemu with the Rinnegan to start studying it according to the guidelines I wrote on a list, and when I woke up the next day, I moved to Kumogakure to meet with the messenger from Iwagakure.
I still used the place reserved for us in Kumo for our visits, and after notifying of my arrival, the messenger arrived just half an hour later.
And the thing is, the messenger seemed familiar to me, but I couldn't quite place him...
Wait a moment!
—Greetings, Seimeikage, my name is Akatsuchi, and I bring an urgent message from our Fourth Tsuchikage —he introduced himself, trying to appear formal— Thank you for agreeing to see me promptly.
So this is the so-called shield of Onoki...
Well, the big guy had lost a lot of weight, and I can tell it's recent; he doesn't even have puffy cheeks anymore.
No wonder it took me a second to recognize him!
Is the guilt of not being able to protect Onoki from Orochimaru consuming him, or did it make him lose his appetite?
—Hello —I returned the greeting while trying to appear serene. Laughing at his attempt not to show surprise at seeing my height would have been improper— How is the little Kurotsuchi doing? I'm sorry about your grandfather —I said sincerely.
Not that I really meant it; I still vividly remember the meeting with that old man.
I just didn't expect Orochimaru to be the architect of his death, that's all.
—I appreciate your consideration —he replied as he turned his head to look at the Kumo ninja who guided him here— Could we speak alone?
The Kumo ninja (whom I don't know) looked at me, and I nodded while throwing him an apple. That way, he'll have something to enjoy while he waits for me. And it seems he knows good stuff when he sees it because he happily left the room.
Akatsuchi doesn't seem to understand about the apple, but he quickly focused on the matter at hand.
—First of all, the Tsuchikage wants to apologize for the misunderstanding that occurred during your last visit to Kumogakure and hopes you don't hold a grudge for what happened. She is willing to be a good host if we are given the opportunity to make amends.
Ah, the "persecution" Pakura and I "suffered" when we were forced to leave early. Yeah, I understand why Kurotsuchi might think I'm resentful about that.
And she's not just apologizing through a messenger (that would be insincere), but she extends an olive branch (figuratively) by inviting me. It's worth noting that she must be very busy with the succession of the position, so setting aside time to be a good host is a genuine gesture of wanting to make amends.
—That was years ago, and no one was hurt —I waved my hand to downplay it— I'll be happy to come by when I have the time; she must be very busy now.
I remember not killing any of the pursuers, right?
I can see him visibly relax; whatever he has to tell me, I suppose it would have been harder if he still harbored grudges about something like that.
But come on, do I seem like someone with such a small heart?
—This is the message I must deliver to you in person only.
He handed me a scroll, and I took it, but I raised an eyebrow when I noticed it had a seal.
—Do you mind opening it? I'm not good with seals; I skipped that lesson.
Though a bit puzzled by the request, he nodded, and after forming some manual seals and hitting specific points on the scroll, the seal disappeared, and I could open it and read it.
After quickly finishing it and rereading it to make sure I didn't miss anything, a few minutes passed as I reflected on its content. I leaned back as I rubbed my chin with the lobe of my left ear, closing my eyes and humming occasionally.
I admit I might have taken a few extra minutes, when I realized Akatsuchi was sweating buckets while waiting for my response.
It was fun.
— I see —I opened my eyes and looked directly into his— I have no problem with these conditions, although I would also like to raise some points, and I have to talk to the others.
—The Tsuchikage is willing to negotiate as long as the main points mentioned can be upheld —Akatsuchi assured.
I nodded, and after speaking a few more minutes with him, I dismissed him and stared at the scroll before calling the ninja who left and telling him I want to meet with Mabui.
When he nodded and left again, I punched the table to vent some frustration. Now I know the reason why Onoki died at the hands of Orochimaru, and I'm upset.
The den den mushi rang, and I picked it up as the snail assumed Ameyuri's features.
—There's a situation; we need your decision.
—Is it about the new Fire Daimyo? —I asked— Does he ask for our help to defend his territory? No, he'll still want to cling to Konoha for that. He wants another golden apple, doesn't he?
—How did you know? —Ameyuri stopped for a second, stunned by my question.
—Because he didn't eat the one we gave him; he had the guts to sell it to Onoki behind our backs!
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein