Chapitre 143: INTERLUDE_4.1: Changing Fate
Want to read ahead of schedule? Head over to Patreón @
[ https://www.patreón.com/fictiononlyreader ]
[https://kó-fi.com/fictiononlyreader]
The link is also in the synopsis
———
.
Shisui couldn't remove his eyes from the funeral wake arrangement. The photograph they used of his father was taken before the Third Shinobi World War. His father looked young, in his prime as a shinobi; his smile was brimming with vitality, and even the simple photograph could convey the confidence the man exuded— so much different from the image Shisui had of his father in the recent year. The injuries suffered in the war had drastically changed his father— the man wasn't the same, physically or mentally.
The iryo-nin attached to Shisui's father's unit had been killed by the enemy in the same encounter that he had been grievously injured. Even though they had managed to prevail and wipe out the enemy squad, Shisui's father wasn't able to get proper treatment fast enough, and they had to amputate his leg to stop the infection from spreading. Shisui's father's shinobi career was all but over; people who continued on after losing a limb were rarer than a hen's teeth. If it was just that, it wouldn't have been fine, but Shisui's father had taken the abrupt change as bad as one could— soon after, his health deteriorated, and his mind took it the hardest— dementia overtook the once bright mind.
The clan had helped and subsidized the treatment. Shisui's father had been a chunin for several years; as such, money wasn't a sore spot even when Shisui's mother was a housewife.
But Shisui remembered the earlier days when he had just graduated. Because his father had never activated his Sharingan, he wasn't treated the same as other chunin who had activated their bloodline limit. Even though they had money, and the clan was helping, that help was only monetary— they didn't have the connections to get the best iryo-nin to look at his father.
Only after Shisui had become a jonin was he able to get the best treatment for his father. But perhaps it was too late by then… or else, Shisui's father would've been alive today.
Shisui bowed his head, gripping the prayer beads in his hands tight enough to nearly crush them. Death was part of a shinobi's life, but that familiarity didn't make it any easier to face and accept. Especially when the person was the reason why Shisui was a shinobi in the first place. It was clear from the day Shisui was born that he was going to be a shinobi, and Shisui didn't have any other aspiration— he had only known being told that he would be a shinobi since before he could remember, and he was fine with it.
Ever since when he was in the academy and performed well, his father's face would light up. Shisui had chased the feeling he had on seeing his father's pride for his ever since.
He had trained harder and longer every day, and had not let go of the number one position in the academy until he was the Rookie of the Year. He had activated his Sharingan before most could pass the Uchiha's rite of passage by mastering the Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu; he had mastered his clan's eyes when most were still awestruck at what a one-tomoe Sharingan could do. He had achieved the pinnacle of the Sharingan most Uchiha could only dream upon, knowing that it would only ever be that— a dream.
'Pinnacle,' a bitter arc tugged on his lips.
He had achieved the pinnacle most of his clan didn't even know about. The memory of the day he had achieved the historical milestone was in many ways worse than what he was feeling now. He at least knew his father would never be the same as the man he admired and would even pass before his time— but what he had done on that day his eyes had changed was not something he ever thought he would.
Shisui closed his eyes to calm down his heart which plunged deeper into an ocean of sorrow. He wished to drown but could not let him do so. Shisui glanced beside him at his mother, who looked devastated— he had to be strong for her.
She was putting on strong front for him just like he was for her, and if she saw her son crumble, she wouldn't be able to hold it together. The years after the war had been far tougher for her than it had been for him. While he could take his mind off using work, his mother had remained at home, caring for her husband every day, watching the man she loved slip away.
He loosened his grip on the prayer beads and began moving beads so that if his mother looked, she would think he was holding up fine.
The wake had ended, and the guests left, Shisui had his mother sent to their only relative's home to rest. He was going to stay the day and keep vigil overnight. Just when Shisui thought everyone had left, he felt a presence behind him. He didn't need to turn to know that it was Itachi.
A lot of important people from both inside and outside of the clan had come to visit the wake. Not because they knew Shisui's father but because they knew Jonin Uchiha Shisui and wanted to pay respects. Shisui hadn't spoken to a single person; if the Hokage had visited, he would've not spoken to him. Itachi and his family had taken care of the guests for him and his mother— and for that, he was deeply grateful.
"It hurts," said Shisui, not looking back at Itachi. "I could tell that father would never return to his former self, but there was this little thing in the bottom of my heart that refused to let go, the little spark that burned— that father would recover back one day, any day now— and I held on to it tight."
He stared at the picture of his smiling father.
Losing someone you loved was terrible.
War that took them away was terrible.
The people who fought in the war were terrible.
Shinobi were terrible.
He was terrible.
Shisui stood up and faced Itachi. He stared into Itachi's eyes; they were so young, and yet they knew so much. He knew the story of when Fugaku had taken Itachi into an active battle to show him the reality of war to get rid of the romantic stories that children dreamt of. The motivation was right, but Shisui knew it had been too early.
And yet that was partly the reason why Itachi was the person and shinobi he was today.
"… There's no use waiting for the Lord Hokage and the clan to broker a peaceful agreement," Shisui said to Itachi. "With Danzo poisoning the ears of the council and other clan heads, the road to peace has become even harder."
They didn't know how, but Danzo had somehow figured out that the Uchiha Clan was planning a rebellion— he had used all but accused the Uchiha clan at a council meeting he had called— but he had no definite proof, so he could only point to the recent moves the clan had been making.
Of course, without any proof, neither the council nor the clan heads would move; it helped that the Hokage had reprimanded Danzo for what he was trying to do and hadn't hidden it, meaning it had reached the ears it intended. But that didn't mean the various clan and other powers wouldn't safeguard themselves and pay closer attention to the Uchiha. Once again, after the Nine-Tails invasion, the Uchiha had eyes on them.
Danzo, being the snake he was, had been going around the village, whispering in any ears he found.
There was already tension building inside the village.
The problem lay with the Hokage. Their greatest supporter had promised to do everything to maintain the peace between the village and the Uchiha Clan— but it was understood by both parties that once the situation crossed a line where that promise couldn't be fulfilled, the Hokage would side with the village and protect it… even if it meant turning the entire village against the Uchiha and those who supported them.
War was a shinobi's livelihood— but it was terrible, so it couldn't be allowed to burn in one's home.
If nothing changed, the Hidden Leaf village would be in a war with itself.
That couldn't be allowed to happen.
"It's time for me to do that," Shisui glanced down at Itachi. "Danzo would keep spreading his poison until he gets the entire village, and the more he does, the more pressure the Lord Hokage will face. We need him to be at our side for the sake of the clan and the village."
"…Are you sure?" asked Itachi.
"I need to give the Lord Hokage the comfort of knowing that the clan won't rebel…. Once he knows that, he will be the shield and spear we need. Once I convince him, he will make sure that Danzo can't wrongfully accuse the clan… and once we ensure the clan won't rebel, I can eventually take care of Danzo…"
Itachi's eyes widened as Shisui's eyes changed to a pattern unique to him.
"… if he doesn't stop, I'll make him silent… forever."
Shisui had held onto the hope that one day his father would recover.
So, he knew the truth that it hurt.
Hope hurts.
If he wanted something, he needed to take it on his own.
———
.
Fugaku sat in a seiza in a secret clan basement of the Uchiha Clan. Around him sat other leaders and elders of the Uchiha Clan. He could sense their confusion as he was the one to call them but hadn't given them the reason why they had been called to such a hastily scheduled meeting.
"Fugaku, why have you called us all here today?" asked one of the clan elders.
Ever since Danzo had begun spouting his mouth off, the clan meetings, which were mandatorily attended by everyone who was free now, were done in shifts not to attack attraction in case someone was watching. It was risky for them to give clues that they were planning something. But today, Fugaku had called all of the "leaders", breaking the protocol he himself had established.
"Shisui has some important information," Fugaku addressed the people gathered. "He has some important information regarding a recent meeting between the Lord Hokage and Danzo… He wanted everyone to be here before he shared the information."
Fugaku himself didn't know what Shisui wanted to talk about, but if Shisui, an ANBU member, had considered the information to be sensitive enough that it could only be discussed in the deepest underground basement, then he wasn't going to argue.
Everyone turned their head towards the dark staircase, the only entrance, to the basement. Shisui appeared after a few seconds. He was dressed in a casual blue samue and was slightly drenched. It seemed the rain had begun pouring since they were underground.
"… Is everything alright, Shisui?" asked Fugaku.
Shisui gazed at the people in the group before facing Fugaku and nodding.
Fugaku observed Shisui. It had been a month since Shisui's father had passed, and he could still see that the death still weighed on Shisui's mind.
"What did you want to tell us, boy?" asked the same elder as before.
Shisui looked at the elder for a moment before stepping forward and sitting down, facing everyone in the room.
"… The Lord Hokage knows about our plans," said Shisui.
Fugaku's eyes narrowed, and the sound of sharp intake filled the room as everyone sat straight at Shisui's words, who gazed at everyone for a moment,
"He has known since last year. The reason he has been trying to reach out to us is in an attempt to stop the clan and fix the relationship."
Fugaku's mind started to race. There were a hundred questions that suddenly became a matter of utmost concern. If the Hokage knew about their plans to overthrow the government, then every single clan member was in grave danger. He needed to change—
"I thought perhaps if the village extended their hand, perhaps the clan would let go of their plan," said Shisui. Fugaku gazed up at Shisui. The way Shisui had said that had some very specific connotations. Before he could speak up, Shisui continued, "But I now believe that it's too late for our clan…. We can't go back…. Everyone in this room has made up their mind, and everyone else will follow whether they like it or not.
But, if I can change the minds of everyone here, I can change the direction of the clan…"
A bad feeling settled deep in Fugaku's stomach. Shisui's words were ominous. It was clear that he had revealed the clan's plan to the Hokage and had put the entire clan's safety and future in jeopardy.
"Shisui—"
Fugaku's words died in his throat when Shisui looked up, and the Sharingan glowed in the dim room lit by oil lamps. But then the familiar three-tomoe design changed into something Fugaku had never seen before.
"Itachi hates the mandatory meetings…. But I'm glad that when I said it was mandatory, everyone showed up."
"S-Shisui, what is that…"
Shisui's Sharingan had turned into a four-sided pinwheel. Everyone in the room dumbly stared at Shisui, but they looked like every nerve in their body was tense as if ready to move at a moment's notice, but they didn't and simply stared into the different eyes.
"Our clan's cursed," said Shisui; his laugh was deeply hollow. "These eyes demand a terrible sacrifice for its power…. Do not worry, elders; I made the sacrifice once, and I can make it again. For the clan's sake, for the village's future, I will make this sacrifice, I will carry the burden."
Before Fugaku, or the others, could do or say anything, pressure descended on their head. As they stared into Shisui's eyes which slowly rotated, they felt as though their bodies had been detached from their control, and all they could do was gaze.
"It's okay. You will not remember this. When you open your eyes next time, you'll have a different worldview," said Shisui. "Do not worry; I will not cripple the clan. I agree that Uchiha needs strength, but we don't need to ruin the village to get it. The Uchiha will be strong, and the Hidden Leaf will appreciate the clan for it."
The last thing Fugaku saw before his vision turned black was a tear slip down Shisui's cheek.
.
———
Chat with me and the rest of the community on our DISCORD server.
The link is in the synopsis!
Chapitre 144: CH_5.1 (144): ARC-05!!!
Want to read ahead of schedule? Head over to Patreón @
[ https://www.patreón.com/fictiononlyreader ]
[https://kó-fi.com/fictiononlyreader]
The link is also in the synopsis
———
.
A big group of shinobi sat around in the thick bushes deep within the lush green forest that spanned hundreds of kilometers. They sat in silence, tending to their weapons, checking their ghillie suit, and applying face paint and insect repellent in preparation for the task that had made them travel so far from the Hidden Leaf village.
Nenro glanced at the three shinobi teams, including his, participating in the current mission. Until two months ago, he didn't believe he would be traveling outside the Hidden Leaf into a deep forest away from most civilization for a mission— usually, shinobi worked near towns and cities where their clients resided, but for the current mission, they had been hired to go deep into the forest.
The client?
Nenro looked to his front, where his friend Takuma sat on the ground with his legs crossed, observing a rough map of the area that they had drafted in the jungle itself in the past three days. Eight months back, Takuma had told them that he had been given the command of a small team in the Police Force, but if Nenro had been told that eight months later, Takuma would be recruiting him for a mission on behalf of the Police Force, he would not have believed it. After all, Takuma was an outsider in the Police Force, a genin at that; even if he was placed in a great position, there was a limit to the freedom he would have in the Uchiha home ground.
"Do you understand this, Masaaki?" Takuma said.
Nenro glanced to the right where Masaaki, his hometown friend, and roommate, was squatting and squinting down at the map.
"No," Masaaki replied.
Takuma didn't look bothered; instead, he asked Masaaki what he didn't understand and explained that part of the plan of action once more.
Nenro wasn't the only one, Takuma had contracted Masaaki as well to participate in the mission.
Technically speaking, the Leaf Military Police Force's jurisdiction encompassed all the Hidden Leaf shinobi— current and, in some cases, even retired— meaning no matter where the shinobi were, they could have a run-in with the Police Force if in suspicion of violation of the law. But, in reality, the Police Force only operated in the Hidden Leaf and some areas around it. They couldn't stretch their hands more than that as they didn't have any of the manpower to do it. The Uchiha was but one clan, and even with their allied clans, they only had enough people to cover ground inside the Hidden Leaf, which had the highest density of shinobi of any place in the world.
However, situations arose when the Police Force needed to operate outside the Hidden Leaf. In those cases, the Police Force would recruit shinobi to assist them, as generally, they couldn't spare officers for excursions outside the village.
This was one of those situations. Nenro and Masaaki and their respective teams had been recruited to aid the Police Force for a mission outside the Hidden Leaf.
"What do you think, sirs? Any suggestions that you would like to add?" said Takuma.
Nenro wasn't surprised that Takuma had recruited two teams, as there was plenty of precedent for it. The point of surprise was the composition of the two teams.
In the circle sat the chunin team leaders of Nenro and Masaaki's team. They observed the map as well and worked for the past three days to draft it and construct the strategy based on it, along with Takuma and all three teams.
It all started when Takuma came to Nenro and Masaaki with the proposition of a mission outside Hidden Leaf's borders. He told both of them that he needed two teams and had come to them because they were his friends. Takuma didn't just want them, he wanted one of the chunin Nenro worked under, and he wanted to exploit the Akimichi connection through Masaaki. He explicitly told them he needed a chunin leading their teams and wanted them to bring a chunin who wasn't arrogant jerks and would be willing to work together without their egos getting hurt.
Takuma hadn't told them any details about the mission; he wanted to meet the chunin before revealing anything. That wasn't common, but it wasn't strange— it was the Police Force, and they might want to keep details confidential until a few things were finalized.
He and Masaaki went to the chunin they liked working with and presented them with the possible opportunity for a mission collaboration with the Police Force. It wasn't difficult to get the chunin interested when the Police Force was involved, and it only took a few days to set up a meeting. They thought Takuma would be bringing a Police Force chunin to the meeting, but when they arrived, Takuma was the only one there.
There was no Police Force chunin; Takuma was leading the operation.
It was then that Nenro realized why Takuma had asked them not to bring someone with fragile egos. It was going to be a Police Force mission, and with no chunin involved, Takuma, a genin, was the highest authority— they would be technically working for him.
Nenro did not think the meeting would go successfully, but surprisingly, Takuma sold the mission so well that the chunin agreed on the spot, knowing the stipulation that Takuma had the final say in any and all matters. He had managed to convince a chunin from a shinobi family that Nenro invited, and the Akimichi chunin Masaaki had brought along with him.
Only after the chunin agreed did Takuma share the mission details.
They were going to hit a big drug farm and laboratory, which was known to be the source of an in-demand stimulant currently popular in the Hidden Leaf.
Shinobi confrontation was expected—making it an official B-rank mission.
B-rank mission…
Nenro hadn't been on a B-rank mission. He had done C-rank missions in high double-digits, but a B-rank mission wasn't something even floated to him. He was well-liked by all the chunin he worked for, but his background as an outsider from the Hidden Leaf hindered him— he hadn't ever been considered for a B-rank mission by any of them. But Takuma brought him one— and more importantly, Takuma had made it so that Nenro was the one to pitch it to a chunin. That was big. It had a significant impact on his reputation— he could now be seen as someone who had connections in places high enough to get a B-rank mission.
Most B-rank missions were taken by teams made-up of all chunin and were usually led by a jonin, tokubetsu jonin, or a highly experienced chunin. Genin was rarely involved in B-rank missions because the base criteria for a B-rank mission was a conflict against enemy shinobi— and genin were rarely ever in those situations; the most they faced were bandits, who were trained shinobi. The rare B-rank mission, which did come by a genin without fail, went to the genin teams led by a jonin leader.
It wasn't in the cards for Genin Corp shinobi like them, even for genin like Masaaki, who was sponsored by one of the major clans.
Until now, that is…
The current mission was a special one. According to the intel Takuma had, the drug farm was run by a rogue Hidden Leaf chunin (missing-nin) and had a number of civilians who were trained in chakra, making them genin-equivalent, protecting it. Two chunin and ten genin were a suitable mix of people to take care of the farm while the situation still qualified as a B-rank mission.
Moreover, the missing-nin was in the Hidden Leaf Bingo Book, making it attractive for the two chunin who could claim the bounty on his head if they apprehended the missing-nin. It was one the centerpieces of Takuma's pitch during the meeting with the chunin.
"Looks right to me," replied the Akimichi chunin. The man was short, but big in the way that every Akimichi was.
"I have no problem as well," said Nenro's chunin leader.
Even though Takuma was the client and the mission leader, he naturally had to give up some authority in the presence of two chunin. But if Nenro was asked, he had done it magnificently. Takuma had made them feel respected, made them feel valued for their experience, and had used their suggestions and advice every step of the way— it not only made sense from a team synergy standpoint, but it was also common sense to listen to more experienced shinobi.
Takuma had kept his position as the leader— someone who listened to his team's opinions and incorporated them into the strategy, allowing the team to feel they were being valued.
And finally, Takuma had 100% left the missing-nin to the two chunin. They could approach that problem in any way they wanted without any real intervention from him as long as they got what he wanted— the drug farm shutting down and more than enough evidence against those involved.
"How do you feel, Takuma? Your first B-rank mission, and you're leading it. I don't think I've ever known a genin to be in this position," asked Nenro's genin, smiling.
Takuma looked up from the map and lightly shook his head. "Not my first B-rank mission, sir."
Everyone was surprised. Even Nenro and Masaaki.
Takuma continued, "I was involved in the Land of Frost incident. The investigation closed last year… they categorized it as a B-rank." Takuma chuckled, which sounded hollow to Nenro. "This will be my second… and I sincerely hope everything goes fine this time."
Nenro looked at Masaaki, who shook his head. Takuma hadn't told them that the investigation had closed.
Currently, the Land of Hot Waters and the Land of Frost were at war against each other; the latter being the aggressor. But the truth of the matter was much bigger— The Hidden Leaf was supporting the Hidden Steam while the Hidden Frost was being backed up by the Hidden Cloud. The Hidden Leaf and the Hidden Cloud were engaged in a proxy war against each other on lands foreign to both. The two great shinobi villages weren't officially at war against each other, but people understood that the two superpowers were currently going through a simmering conflict under the guise of supporting their smaller allies.
Nenro wondered if the Land of Frost incident factored into Hidden Leaf's current stance.
He would have to ask Takuma about the details later.
The sound of chimes sang, and immediately everyone stiffened up and took out their weapons. They had laid wire traps that pulled on bells to alert them in case someone approached vicinity. They could hear the sound of footsteps and the rustle of bushes, and the tension rose until they heard a sharp whistle that calmed everyone down.
A moment later, three genin appeared into view. One each from Nenro, Takuma, and Masaaki's team. They were the scouts.
"How was it?" Takuma asked his teammate, Minoru, a sensory-nin—a valuable asset to the team. Nenro was surprised when Takuma told Minoru he worked for him as part of his team. He realized he didn't know much about what Takuma did in the Police Force.
A valuable asset, thought Nenro as he looked around.
A B-rank mission was a huge thing for a genin, so when Takuma told the chunin he needed three genin each on their teams, it was clear that the chunin would try to sell the precious chance to have a B-rank mission on their resume to the highest bidder. It was an open secret, something Nenro was sure Takuma had anticipated.
Masaaki's chunin had brought along an Akimichi and a Yamanaka, while Nenro's chunin had brought along an Inuzukaand a Yuhi. On Takuma's side, other than Minoru, who was a civilian-born shinobi, he had purchased a Fuma and an Uchiha along with them.
Nenro was sure that if not for Takuma insisting that Nenro and Masaaki be on the teams, they wouldn't have been able to be part of something like this. For that, he was extremely grateful.
"It's time… the chunin is on the farm," Takuma announced as he stood up after taking in the information from scouts.
Nenro took in a deep breath before he stood.
He had been given an opportunity, he was going to make the most out of it.
.
———
Chat with me and the rest of the community on our DISCORD server.
The link is in the synopsis!
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
200+ Classement
Power Stone 
109 Power
stone Vous aimerez peut-être aussi
Commentaire de paragraphe