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96.66% - BORUTO and NARUTO: What We Will Be Someday / Chapter 58: PART 5.

Capítulo 58: PART 5.

Meetings were one of the many things that turned his stomach. It would be laughable (and disgraceful) if it was due to fear, but it was not.

From time to time; When the clock struck the time and the date was listed, Tsunade was in the habit of at least commenting as little as possible between the discussions between the Advisors and the rest of the council.

But today would not be one of those days.

On this particular occasion, she was the one who had to speak. Well, that was a pretty low-key way of saying that I owed an explanation to the Council Elders, and the rest.

Shizune had given him the information with just a hint: The members of the council had gathered, and they were waiting as soon as possible for the Hokage to arrive to get everything that had been going on for him.

She was no fool, and she knew that many, the vast majority being manipulated by the two Elders, would turn against her idea of resting their elbows in the face of this strange situation.

The affairs that the village had with Trozani had been closed to his eyes. Trozani had asked for their help in the disappearances of his Ninjas, and upon coming up with the theory that they had disappeared with something related to a scroll that did not belong to Konoha, the elders considered that the deal was already done.

However, knowing the elders' lack of tact, and acknowledging their complex morals, they would have taken it as a betrayal for Tsunade to accept without question, the Scroll that they claimed was of interest only to the deceased Hokage, and the village hidden from the outside world.

"They are not able to recognize the fear they have of them. Saturo-sama showed enough evidence in front of Kakashi, and I had no choice but to believe in the story of the danger that hangs over Konoha... Haven't you thought about that detail, at least?"

Elders Homura and Koharu were abnormally uneasy when they discussed Trozani and his existence the first time.

Tsunade was able to recognize in his time that perhaps the reason was the uncertainty of the techniques that were used there.

Kakashi argued in front of her that Saturo used to replace the techniques created by his people, with others that he considered less influential!

Tsunade swallowed dryly.

How many dangerous techniques are created there? How easy is it for an average person to create such a ruthless skill?!

The parchment was the only proof of what would happen if the King allowed the free creation of the techniques.

The Slug Hokage believed that the silence the King kept when he deceived his own people about the creation of the techniques they themselves created was clever.

Although it was not something Tsunade would do, as she herself personified brute force and the consequences of not following his orders; But equally intelligent.

By the time the Scroll came into her hands from the King, she had revealed the truth to the Ninjas and more important people, including the clans.

Subsequently, it spread discreetly like wildfire, with civilians being the only innocent minds in this cosmic game... as surely, so were the victims of the cataclysm at the time.

"It's inconceivable... To bestow such an amount of trust on people we don't know... Just because they say they come from Konoha, can't be the absolute truth!" The fussy old lady on the council, he argued. 

Everyone at the table, made up of clan heads and important members of their own families; Chunin, and Jōnin Important, were unfazed by the reactions of the respected woman, who fought side by side with the third Hokage.

"How irresponsible, Tsunade. While I might consider habitual behavior in you, I wouldn't expect you to act without consulting us; Not when things have escalated so much!"

"We have accumulated a significant number of testimonies." A Chunin added. He passed the stack of papers in his hands to the Elder next to him: Homura. While he read the names and testimonies over him, the jet Chunin continued. "The owners of the grocery stores, people who frequent the cemetery, and the landlady herself. Everyone agrees that the children appeared just after the Portals."

"Is there anything about the three adults?" Homura asks. 

"Only the Landlady's." Replies the youngest, looking genuinely disappointed. He watched his hands on the table. "He described the Man perfectly, and says that he was only present with the children at certain times. He could not explain the time lapses, but other witnesses agreed that he was sometimes accompanied by the Anbu that Tsunade-sama interrogated."

"That woman." Koharu grunted to herself. The wrinkles on her face didn't make the Hokage respect her more, and when she saw Tsunade under the wrinkled skin of her face, the blonde just looked away, and Koharu accentuated his frown. "He proved to have an uncertain ability for us, and Inoichi himself confirmed that he came from a Konoha that was turned to ashes. I can buy you that, though with a lot of complaints."

Koharu took a moment to accentuate in his mind the fragments of the written interrogation that had been provided to him.

Her wrinkled brow made her look as if she knew there were so many things that only added to Tsunade's reason, who was desperate to find a little piece of sugar in the salt water, just to annoy the blonde.

Tsunade leaned her back on the back of her chair, and put a hand on the table, considering it enough not to appear disrespectful to those who still had doubts.

"I decided what was most convenient at the time, I couldn't risk it." The blonde sighed. Their eyes went over the familiar faces of the family leaders, now they were nothing more than elongated faces as they were not taken into account in that decision-making. "If we had let them go, we would have been left without information. I cannot overlook what the King said, let alone what Inoichi saw in his memories."

Surprising everyone, it was the head of the Hyuga clan who took the floor.

"Did anyone mention anything about just letting them go?" Hiashi Hyuga let out an exasperated sigh, but kept calm so as not to appear disrespectful in front of his Hokage. "They could have left them in the place where they were interrogated, they could even have sealed them so that they could serve us later. Things seem to get uglier and uglier to allow a pulsating threat to return after being released by ourselves."

"The problem with that medium is another, Hyuga-sama."

All eyes were directed in a particular direction. The voice that had respectfully called out to the head of the Hyuga Family, was a man, and not just any man.

It was the main head of the Nara family: Nara Shikaku.

The man was well known, even beyond the borders, as it was thanks to his mind that they were saved from the casualties of war in the past, even though he was very young at the time.

Sharing similarity with her own son, Nara Shikaku was unfazed by the stinging stares that were thrown at her.

They didn't think it possible for just a couple of people to agree with the Hokage without being loyal supporters of it, like Shizune.

So, being devoted to his principles, Shikaku remained calm, and his head held high; His eyes were sharper than the gazes with deep-seated tension.

"Those three adults can be made up of two experts in battle, and one person in the theoretical field. They already make up a threat with the first two, but the third person seems to be a woman who safeguards additional information about the defenses that could be granted to us if we allow them to stay in Konoha."

"Ha!" The leader of the Inuzuka clan let out a wry laugh. "Are you suggesting that we sell ourselves for two more lines of details that we are tired of hearing? I think it's absurd!"

Tsunade did not take his eyes off Shikaku, who remained impassive; His usual expression bruised by wounds from battles won.

"It couldn't be further from the truth of my words, Inuzuka-san." He answered. "What I was trying to say was that if we decide to proceed with the method that Hyuga-sama mentioned, unfortunately, and by extension, the children who encounter them will also be affected. The treatment they suggest has to do with the safety of these children, not so much with that of adults... To ask more, it seems that they prefer that, of the three, it is the non-Ninja woman who remains outside of all punishment."

After making sure that everyone took the initiative to measure their own words, Shikaku looked at Tsunade.

"Am I wrong, Tsunade-sama?"

Homura and Koharu looked restlessly at Tsunade.

The blonde could only grab a little air, and make the weight of having to explain everything in detail, go away in a single breath.

"No... you're right, Shikaku." She said, grateful that someone took the time to read all the notes Shizune wrote when Tsunade spoke with the Inuzuka of the future. 

He cleared his throat. That was supposed to be confidential, just between the two of them, and she was open to deals if that information was hidden from others, and Tsunade was going to comply.

In none of the copies of the exchange, the surname is mentioned. Glancing sideways at the leader of said clan, Tsunade wondered if it was really true... but I didn't want to find out either.

He already had a lot on his hands, and honestly, he cared less about the family or personal matters that these people might have, unless they had to do with the cataclysm that Inoichi witnessed in memories.

Koharu didn't take his eye off Tsunade, but when he was about to ask, Tsunade raised her voice.

"The three adults have the names of Soku, Ro and Akita. Apparently, the latter was a Ninja, but she retired and was part of a department specializing in modern technology."

There were murmurs of surprise. Engineering was a foreign field for them, since it was one that the Sand Village used to handle with more caution and detail. They were in times of war, and any detail that could give them military power pleased them. But Tsunade was not going that way, and she saw many disappointed faces.

"He agreed to lend us his knowledge, only under the circumstances of defending us from people who come from the future. If not, she demanded that we keep her out of all that."

"And why do you think you have the right to 'Demand'? It's not in the place to do it!" Homura, the old man with glasses, protested. Tsunade closed his eyes, a similar reaction was expected. "The best option is, if she wants to protect those children, to give us everything that has to do with defenses, weapons, and even detailed information on the technology she handled. It's a fair price, considering that one of the adults will be out of questioning."

Many agreed, and they proved it by commenting among themselves.

Tsunade exhaled a long sigh as she massaged her temple, feeling the pressure growing between her fingers.

His back sank into the back of the chair, tense and heavy, as if the thoughts swirling in his mind were a ballast he couldn't let go.

The atmosphere in the council room was dense, fraught with unspoken expectations and a tension that electrified the air. The warm light that filtered through the windows could not dispel the seriousness of the situation.

Around her, the familiar faces of clan leaders and elders watched her cautiously, assessing every word that escaped her lips.

The Hokage, on the other hand, tried to keep her composure, but inside her thoughts crowded one after another. The weight of loyalty to the third Hokage and the pact with the first king of Trozani.

The scroll, that mysterious artifact, had been protected under a sacred oath, and now that it had been activated, he felt the pressure to honor that treatment.

But beyond historical loyalty, he now had to deal with the political complexity of the second king, who had entrusted him with the scroll and who, no doubt, expected reciprocity in terms of security and support.

It was like walking on a thin wire, one wrong step could cost them much more than trust between nations.

She was about to speak, when the old lady Koharu, who had been silent until then, slightly straightened up in her seat and asked the ninja in front of her to pass her some documents.

Tsunade watched sideways, surprised that the elders, particularly Koharu, had gone so deep into the interrogations.

I didn't think they had bothered to read everything so thoroughly, but now I saw that he had been wrong.

Koharu, his face stern and wrinkled like the bark of an old tree, took the papers in his hands before casting a calculating glance at Tsunade.

"Here you go." The old woman said, holding out the documents to Tsunade, but with an expression that denoted her distrust. "Soku, the Anbu, stressed in her interrogation that anything related to the deal between the covenanters and the scroll is blocked in her memories. A mental barrier, according to her."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow as she took the papers. Some lines were highlighted with neat underlining, as if Koharu had studied every word.

The Hokage flipped through the pages quickly, finding the fragment that mentioned the mental barrier imposed on Soku's memories.

It wasn't something Tsunade had anticipated at the time he witnessed the interrogation, but if Inoichi, a master of the mind, hadn't managed to unravel those memories, then that wasn't a mere obstacle.

Koharu continued, his tone growing more skeptical.

"I don't think it's possible. There is always something else we can get out if we press hard enough. If Inoichi didn't see it, that doesn't mean there's no way to break that barrier. They need our help now, which puts us in an advantageous position."

Koharu's words floated in the air with an implied threat, as if she was willing to do whatever it took to get more information out of the Anbu and the children who had arrived in Konoha.

Tsunade closed her eyes for a second, pondering what that meant. I couldn't let that pressure get out of control.

Soku, Ro, and Akita had already shown signs of wear and tear, and she knew that the loyalty and trust they needed could not be built on coercion.

Before Tsunade could reply, Shikaku, with his usual calmness, decided to intervene. His tone was soft, without raising his voice, but his words cut with surgical precision.

"I understand your concern, Koharu-sama." He began, his eyes fixed on the old woman, but with his mind clearly working on a deeper level. "But there's something we all need to remember. Among those children, one of them is a Genin from Konoha. He is not simply a spectator in all this."

The murmur in the room died down as eyes turned to Shikaku. The leader of the Nara clan maintained a relaxed posture, but his sharp mind was aware of every reaction.

"Akita, the woman whom Tsunade-sama interrogated, confessed that this young Genin is the one chosen as the mediator. If what she says is true, this girl could be the key to any future communication or conflict related to Konoha. We cannot ignore the role it plays."

Tsunade, grateful for Shikaku's discreet support, let her words resonate in the room.

The Nara's comment had been calculated; it did not directly contradict Koharu, but it did establish an argument that pushed the council to be more cautious with its decisions.

The Hokage knew that Shikaku was always three steps ahead, and while he didn't openly show it, his loyalty to Konoha's stability made him a valuable ally at times like this.

Koharu frowned, clearly annoyed by Shikaku's intervention, but she couldn't deny what he was saying.

"Mediator or not." He said in an icy tone. "Konoha must put his own interests first. If this girl is so important, we must make sure that what she has in her hands does not turn against us."

Shikaku bowed his head slightly, as if accepting the point, but without retreating from his posture.

"Of course. But pushing now could backfire. If you really are the mediator, it is better that you collaborate with us voluntarily, and for that we need your trust, not your fear."

Tsunade nodded imperceptibly, knowing that Shikaku had once again managed to divert the conversation onto more manageable ground. Koharu could continue to insist on squeezing more information, but Tsunade felt that, at least for now, he had bought some time.

The air in the council room was thick, charged with a tension that seemed to amplify with every word that was spoken. Tsunade, frowning, massaged his temple as he tried to collect his thoughts.

Soft afternoon light filtered through the windows, bathing the room in a golden glow that only underscored the gravity of the situation.

The silence was heavy, broken only by the faint whisper of papers being moved, while the elders assessed the situation. The stern faces of the counselors offered no comfort, and the Hokage couldn't help but feel the weight of responsibility crushing her.

Tsunade's inner conflict was apparent to anyone who knew how to read her body language. He had a commitment to the agreement made between the Third Hokage and the first king of Trozani: to protect the scroll, to keep the peace.

However, that same scroll had been activated, and now it was to honor the loyalty of the second king, who had entrusted it to Konoha.

Could he afford to fail in both promises? His fingers drummed on the back of his chair, his mind torn between duty and strategy.

Shikaku's soft, yet firm, tone broke the silence, attracting the gazes of everyone in the room.

"We should not judge her just because she is a girl." He said calmly, his voice soft, but full of meaning. His words echoed through the room, and although he didn't raise his voice, he captured everyone's attention, including the elderly. 

Koharu, with his years of experience, watched him with a mixture of skepticism and curiosity, but remained silent, waiting for what would come next. Shikaku held a moment of silence, as if weighing his every word before continuing.

"What Inoichi saw in his mind." Shikaku continued. "It is more than enough to give us an idea of what could be unleashed. We are facing a possible war. And we cannot afford to pass up a resource that could prevent bloodshed."

Tsunade watched him out of the corner of her eye, grateful for his indirect support. Always so calculating, always measuring his words to achieve the greatest impact.

Despite not openly showing interest in the situation, Shikaku was providing a strong defense for his case.

Shikaku paused briefly, his gaze wandering around the room before landing back in Tsunade. His serenity contrasted with the growing tension in the room, especially when he added:

"Two Anbus, both highly trained, are following a girl of just thirteen. The woman, capable of launching beams of electricity with deadly precision... Man, able to hide his Chakra and that of others, making them completely undetectable. What kind of girl can get two ninjas of that caliber to follow her faithfully?"

Tsunade's eyes narrowed, a mixture of anxiety and determination reflected on her face. He knew that the scales were beginning to tip, but there was still resistance, especially from the elders.

Koharu exchanged a glance with Homura, who frowned, clearly uncomfortable with the idea of trusting such a young girl.

Even so, the atmosphere was clearly affected by Shikaku's words. A profound silence followed, before he, in his ever-controlled tone, added the last:

To better defend ourselves against possible enemies of the future, we must count on it and on those who support it.

It was at that moment, when Shikaku's words were still ringing, that the door opened with a soft creak. The figure that appeared at the entrance made the already tense atmosphere almost unbearable. All eyes turned to the entrance, and absolute silence enveloped the room.

Danzo had entered.

Their presence commanded respect and, at the same time, caused deep discomfort. Tsunade's face hardened, the golden glow of the evening light underscoring the shadow in her eyes.

He didn't expect it, but he wasn't entirely surprised either. Danzo always found a way to insert himself into the most critical issues. The problem was that his entry meant one more political battle.

"Tsunade." Danzo said, his tone as cold as ice as he closed the door behind him. He offered no bow of respect, only a slight glance that swept over those present in the room before landing on Tsunade. 

Tsunade pursed her lips, keeping an eye out for some of the elders to straighten up in their seats, listening to what he had to say. He wouldn't support her, he knew, and even worse, he would try to manipulate others against her.

Tsunade's thoughts ran frantically. Danzo wasn't here out of simple curiosity, no, he was looking for control, and if they let him speak, he would get it.

The room remained enveloped in a suffocating atmosphere, full of unexpressed tensions and repressed feelings.

The air, though dense, was permeated with a sense of contained expectation, as if the atmosphere itself were waiting for the next word to unleash conflict. Evening light streamed in dimly through the windows, casting long shadows on the faces of those present.

Tsunade, sitting in her chair, maintained a rigid posture, her hands resting on her lap, though every muscle in her body seemed ready to jump.

When Danzo entered, the silence became even heavier. Tsunade's gaze did not lose sight of him at any time.

She watched him with that slow but calculated gait, his figure wrapped in a dark cloak that seemed to absorb the light from the surroundings.

Danzo's every move was measured; He knew how to handle his presence, how to occupy a space so that everyone could feel his power without having to raise their voices.

Danzo scanned the room with his eyes, assessing each member as if he had already anticipated his thoughts, before finally deciding where to sit.

Shikaku, always discreet, showed hardly a visible reaction. But Tsunade, who knew him well, picked up on what others didn't.

A slight click of the tongue, so subtle that no one else would have noticed. Shikaku also felt the discomfort that Danzo's presence generated, though his face remained stoic.

Tsunade couldn't help but think that, like her, he knew exactly the kind of complications that Danzo's entrance would bring.

Finally, Danzo took a seat, right near Koharu and Homura. The faint sound of the chair scraping against the floor echoed in Tsunade's mind, reverberating like an echo that brought back unwanted memories.

The last time Danzo had been so close to power, he had betrayed the village's trust.

A flash crossed his mind: Yamato's team on their mission to get Sasuke back... the serious face of Sai, the Anbu who had been secretly assigned by Danzo to infiltrate Orochimaru.

And then, the revelation that still boiled his blood: Danzo had sent Orochimaru a complete record of the Anbu, while pretending to support the mission.

Traitor.

A shiver ran down Tsunade's spine. His gaze hardened. The memory was fresh, and with it, the words Akita had whispered to him before Tsunade left for the meeting.

"Someone close to you, knows everything."

Danzo?

Doubt pierced her like a sharp blade. Tsunade tensed, trying to keep her composure. She could not afford to be vulnerable now, not in front of Danzo or in front of the elderly.

But the thought enveloped her, clouding her judgment. If Danzo knew more than he was showing, if he had access to information he shouldn't... His mind wandered momentarily, getting lost in the labyrinth of conspiracies and betrayals that always seemed to surround Danzo.

While Tsunade was still immersed in her thoughts, the meeting continued without her noticing. The voices of the others became a distant hum, mingling with the echoes of their own memories and suspicions.

It was only when Danzo's tone, with its usual mixture of coldness and arrogance, broke through the air, that Tsunade returned to the present.

"The thought of the Third Hokage..." Danzo began, his tone calm but charged with subtle malice. "It's harmful in situations like this. It doesn't matter if there are children involved."

The words caused Tsunade to open her eyes wide, her heart racing as fury began to boil inside her. Danzo, as always, aimed directly at the wound, with no qualms about stabbing him in the back.

"If what worries you is that those children are from Konoha and that we must protect them." Danzo continued, directing his cold gaze towards Tsunade without blinking. "Then they're wrong. The one who failed to protect them was the Hokage who fought in the future and died. We have the obligation to watch over our Konoha, the one of now."

Danzo's words fell like a hammer on the table. Homura's expression hardened, but not in disagreement.

Instead, Koharu nodded slowly, though with a visible doubt on his face. They, as always, gravitated toward Danzo's pragmatic reasoning, even when it bordered on the cruel.

Tsunade gritted her teeth, biting her lower lip as she tried to contain her rage.

How could they hear such words and not stand up for those children?

The mere fact that Danzo used the death of the Third Hokage as justification for his ruthless logic was an offense in itself. But what irritated him most was that, despite the twistedness of his argument, some of the elders seemed to be leaning in his favor.

Shikaku, who had remained silent until now, kept his gaze downcast, but Tsunade noticed how his eyes followed Danzo with an intensity that could not be ignored.

Shikaku disagreed.

He knew it, but, as always, his approach was strategic, waiting for the right moment to intervene.

The air in the room became thicker. Tsunade could feel the weight of anticipation, the growing pressure of having to respond, of maintaining control.

But the discomfort that Danzo generated inside her, along with Akita's warning, kept her in a state of alert that almost suffocated her. Danzo wasn't just there to participate in the discussion, he was there to take control, to manipulate Konoha's future to his convenience.

And Tsunade, now more than ever, knew he couldn't afford it.

The room, though brimming with powerful and influential figures, seemed to weigh heavier than ever on Tsunade's shoulders. The flickering lights of the dying day barely managed to illuminate the tense and expectant faces of those present.

Between the clan leaders, the Jōnin in charge of security, decryption, and medical affairs, and the former advisors, the tension was palpable, but the atmosphere was not only one of concern, but also of distrust.

The silence of those in the most secluded seats, such as the leaders of the Nara and Aburame clans, spoke for itself.

Shikaku Nara stood still, his gaze fixed on the ground, but his eyes, though narrowed, revealed that his mind was always on the move, thinking of possible strategies.

Beside him, Shibi Aburame, silent and almost motionless, barely reacted to the situation, as if everything he heard had already been calculated and evaluated beforehand. Inoichi Yamanaka, on the other hand, shifted nervously in his seat, feeling the weight of uncertainty in the room.

However, the focus was on Danzo. Though Tsunade knew she would never harm Konoha, she was also aware that his methods, as dark as the shadows he seemed to wield, ran counter to everything she stood for, everything that stood for the Will to Fire.

His earlier betrayal, handing over the Anbu information to Orochimaru, was still etched in his memory. Danzo had done this not out of hatred for Konoha, but to ensure that Orochimaru would not attack the village. A calculated sacrifice, like everything he did, but unacceptable to Tsunade.

And the worst thing was knowing that, if Danzo had more power, he would do the unthinkable: declare Sasuke a renegade in the eyes of the world, allowing any village to hunt him down and kill him without having to worry about Konoha's retaliation.

Tsunade knew, because in her mind, she saw Naruto. He couldn't let what happened to Sasuke reach the point of no return, not as long as Naruto still considered him a brother.

Sasuke was still young, still manipulable, and Konoha had a future, even if it was one that, according to that cursed scroll, was destined for destruction.

Danzo, as if reading Tsunade's thoughts, let out an ironic sound. He didn't look at anyone in particular, but his voice echoed with a mixture of sarcasm and coldness.

"Maybe we should take advantage of it." He said, calmly. "and find out who it was that allowed this to happen." His words dragged away, full of insinuations. "That way we could prevent it from becoming Hokage at all costs. Even—" He added, a smile barely visible on the edges of his mouth. "... not allowing him to be a ninja if that mysterious Hokage from the future is already among us."

The comment fell like a bombshell. The elders, Koharu and Homura, nodded almost automatically, but before the agreement could be consolidated, Shikaku raised his voice, interrupting unexpectedly.

"Playing with the future is not so simple." He said in a tone that combined respect and firmness. "One wrong move and we could be damned."

Danzo, always quick to respond, did not miss the opportunity.

"Akita... No? She was clear that the changes will not harm the people of the future. That's what parchment is for, right?" He snapped unscrupulously, looking at those present with his visible eye full of conviction. "How the future happened is their problem. We, who were shaken by their troubles, should be concerned about what is happening now."

Tsunade leaned forward in her seat. Fury boiled inside her, but she couldn't afford to explode. He caught everyone's attention by placing his hand firmly on the table, the sound echoing through the room, cutting through the whispers and doubts that began to flow.

"I've already made a deal with Akita." He said, maintaining a controlled but firm tone. "They'll give us whatever defense we need, but only if we swear to keep the children safe."

A murmur of surprise ran through the room. Everyone present, except the elders, seemed shocked by the revelation. Shikaku, ever calculating, closed his eyes for a moment, processing the information.

Koharu stood, pointing his finger at Tsunade in anger.

"How can you do this to us?!" He exclaimed, his face contorted with anger and disbelief. "That was an unprepared move!"

Tsunade watched as the old counselor trembled with indignation, but did not respond immediately. Instead, his gaze drifted to Danzo.

He, as usual, kept his eyes straight ahead, without moving or reacting. He didn't even look at her, as if what she had just revealed was of no interest to him, or worse, as if he already knew.

He would not lose sight of Danzo. If he turned out to be the traitor Akita mentioned, he would not allow his plans to be carried out.

Then, tempted to provoke a reaction, Tsunade spoke calmly, intending to make him uncomfortable:

"Akita said that we have an enemy within Konoha."

The silence that followed was overwhelming. Every pair of eyes in the room turned to her, and the murmurs ceased completely. Danzo remained impassive, his expression as cold and calculating as ever. There was not the slightest change in his countenance, not a wrinkle of concern.

"The traitor could be present right now." Tsunade added, his voice unchanging as he cast an icy glance at Danzo, waiting for some reaction. But nothing. 

As the elders looked at each other, shocked by the revelation, Tsunade sighed, feeling frustration grow in her chest. Danzo was impenetrable. Not a word, not a gesture. It was as if he had foreseen all this and was simply biding his time.

"Although I couldn't get him to know who the traitor is..." He said, looking sideways at Danzo. "Akita made it clear to me that we couldn't take any chances. That's why I've made the deal, and there's no going back."

Koharu and Homura began to murmur to each other, trying to guess who this supposed traitor was.

Tsunade, on the other hand, was thinking about the lie he had just spouted. Akita had mentioned a traitor, but he was not allowed to elaborate. The warning had been clear: they couldn't get too involved in Konoha's affairs of the past.

But that hint was just what he needed to keep Danzo in check.

Breaking the speculation, Tsunade cleared her throat.

"Because of this revelation, I request that you allow me to act cautiously and alone. I will call another meeting only when necessary, but, because of the possibility of betrayal, I cannot speak too much."

"What if they're lying to you?" Koharu asked, his voice full of doubts, anxious. "Maybe 'betrayal' is a strong word, Tsunade. It could just be a misunderstanding."

Tsunade gritted her teeth.

They knew.

They were suspicious of Danzo, but they did not dare to expose him directly.

Looking at the three old men out of the corner of his eye, he clasped his fingers on the table and announced:

"From now on, I will deliver encrypted information to every clan chief and involved in these meetings, and I will do so through my Anbu. This way we avoid meeting in person."

Some Jōnin, surprised, began to whisper among themselves. One of them asked:

"What if the traitor is out of this room? In any department that gives you access to this information?"

Tsunade sighed, tired of the speculation, but knowing that the seed of doubt had already been planted. He watched the exchange of nervous glances, the discussions in low voices.

Shikaku, sitting in the background, watched everything in silence, oblivious to the whispering, as if he were watching a game of Shōgi that had not yet ended.

Tsunade held her ground, the atmosphere around her being filled with subdued murmurs.

The Jōnin and clan leaders, seated along the table, discussed in whispers the possibility of the Hokage taking the reins alone.

Among them were renowned figures, each with an expression of caution or uncertainty: the leader of the Aburame clan, with his impenetrable countenance and dark glasses that hid his eyes; beside him, the head of the Hyuga clan kept his composure, but his fingers gently drummed on the table, revealing the tension he felt.

Others, such as the leader of the Inuzuka clan, crossed their arms, looking less convinced.

Tsunade glanced sideways at the elders, Koharu and Homura, knowing that they both shared a knowledge she could not ignore: the matter of Trozani.

Although both were suspicious of Danzo, their silence in the face of the possible betrayal of Sarutobi's former companion was a testament to their reluctance to expose him.

At that moment, Koharu leaned over to Homura and whispered something inaudible to him. The old man, ever meticulous, straightened up in his seat and addressed Tsunade with a mixture of discretion and firmness.

"We will accept it, Tsunade." Homura said, his voice raspy but clear. "But it must stay in Konoha, no matter what happens outside the village. If the Sand, which has already been informed, should face a similar situation, we will help them to save face. But no one else outside of here should know what is happening."

Tsunade closed her eyes for a moment, letting out a faint sigh of resignation. I knew they were caught in a dangerous game and that the decisions they made now would have profound repercussions. Still, he nodded.

"I accept it."

At that moment, the atmosphere was interrupted by a soft knock on the door. Everyone present, from clan leaders to elders, turned their attention to the entrance, tense.

The door slowly opened, revealing a visibly anxious Shizune. His countenance was grave, and his nervousness was palpable as he hurried toward Tsunade, apologizing with a hurried bow to the room.

Shizune whispered in the Hokage's ear, his voice barely audible to the rest. —

Silence took over the place, as if every person in the room could sense that something important was coming.

The calm was fragile, sustained only by the tension that dominated the room. The whispers that had once filled the room evaporated instantly, and everyone's eyes were fixed on Tsunade, waiting for his reaction.

"What do you say?!" Tsunade exclaimed, his voice ripped with surprise and disbelief. He slammed up from his seat, staring at Shizune intensely. 

Shizune, embarrassed but firm, nodded once more, confirming what she had just communicated to him.

Tsunade's expression changed from surprise to a mixture of fury and frustration, as she stared into space, lost in thought. A cold sweat began to form small droplets on the sides of his forehead, slowly sliding away as his mind processed the gravity of the situation.

Koharu, always insightful, broke the silence.

"What's going on, Tsunade?" She asked with a mixture of concern and authority, her brow furrowed as Homura glanced at her sideways, waiting for an answer. 

Tsunade didn't respond immediately.

Instead, she stood still, motionless, her eyes still lost in some undefined point in the room. Each person in the room was waiting for her answer, but she seemed to be struggling with something internal, information that had altered her entire plan.

Shikaku noticed the small details: Tsunade's pursed lips, the slight tremor in her hands, the icy gaze in the direction of the door.

As the rest whispered nervously to each other, he looked up at the entrance, wondering what it was that had upset the Hokage so much.

 


Capítulo 59: PART 6.

The midday sun fell mercilessly on the vast lands of the Land of Fire, its heat radiating even from the stone slabs that paved the road.

The skies were clear, the air permeated with a soft but constant heat that made the atmosphere feel dense, almost still. The wind barely moved the leaves of the trees that lined the path, and the little birds sang lazily from the branches.

The feudal lord of the Land of Fire walked out of the building with a slow, relaxed step, as if neither the heat nor the weight of his responsibilities could affect him.

Her rich but comfortable clothes fluttered lightly with every movement. Beside him, walked an old friend, with a sterner face and hands weather-beaten.

The noble friend, dressed in sober and elegant tones, maintained an erect composure, but his expression reflected a certain uneasiness.

His dark, piercing eyes, which had always been quick to catch the subtleties of the surroundings, were slightly narrowed by the sun, but there was a deeper concern in his countenance.

"These days have been... Strenuous." The feudal lord sighed, fanning himself lazily with his silk fan, decorated with golden motifs. His tone was calm, almost disinterested, as if the burden he carried was only a slight annoyance in his privileged life. 

The friend made a faint sound of nod, almost like a murmur under his breath, before asking discreetly, as if fearing that someone might hear them, although they were relatively alone on the trail.

"You mean... That problem?" The nobleman whispered with some apprehension, his eyes searching for some trace of an answer in the feudal lord's carefree face. 

The feudal lord nodded slightly, still fanning his face with lazy elegance. Their eyes, often lost in distant thoughts, showed no hurry to answer, as if everything, even the subject they were broaching, was insignificant in its own way.

"Yes, yes... more riots." He said finally, with a carefree air that contrasted with the gravity of his words. "Those people... those who came out of the doorways..." He let the phrase float in the air, almost as if it were part of the warm afternoon breeze. 

The friend frowned, glancing sideways at the feudal lord. Although they shared a friendship of many years, the nobleman had always been more aware of the dangers of the world, more prudent in his handling of delicate situations.

"Execute them...?" He asked in a low voice, but full of disbelief. His tone was a mixture of surprise and fear. He couldn't understand why the feudal lord would take such an extreme stance. 

The feudal lord let out a slight laugh, one that barely showed any real emotion, as he moved his fan in a nonchalant manner.

" What other option do we have?" He replied calmly, looking straight ahead as they walked. "We don't know where they really come from. Some say they are of parallel dimensions, others believe that they are disturbed spirits. We can't risk it..." His eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke, as if he was deep in thought, pulling away from the conversation for a moment. "It's easier that way. Safer."

The noble friend closed his lips with a tight line, his eyes darkened with worry as his thoughts came and went.

The two continued walking, their sandals resounding softly against the stone, as the wind finally managed to move a few leaves on the trees, filling the space with a faint natural whisper.

Finally, the friend dared to ask again.

"And that mediator of the nations...? The one who asked permission to investigate in the village..." His voice, now more controlled, hid a genuine but fearful curiosity. 

The feudal lord stopped fanning his face for a moment, looking up at the sky as if considering the words before uttering them. Then he let out a deep sigh, heavy with exasperation.

"Oh, yes. The mediator..." he said at last, in a tone of annoyance. "He wants to dig into the hidden village. I suppose this whole thing has him as nervous as the rest. But—" He paused, the fan resuming its slow, rhythmic movement. "I'm too tired to deal with it now."

The friend glanced at him sideways, an eyebrow raised at the feudal lord's evasive reply. But he said nothing more.

I knew that, in time, I might be able to get a clearer answer. For now, what mattered was what hadn't been said: the growing tension over the unknown, the mysteries of the portals, and the decisions the feudal lord was making, or avoiding making, on his behalf.

The midday heat seemed to have intensified even more as the last monks began to disperse with quiet murmurs among themselves.

The soft orange and brown robes of the religious stirred in the occasional breeze, and some of the nobles present were already beginning to climb into their elegant carriages. The wooden wheels creaked slightly on the stone pavement, creating a soft echo that blended with the whisper of the wind.

The feudal lord watched the scene with his usual calmness, his silk fan moving to and fro in an almost hypnotic rhythm. In the distance, his bodyguards were approaching, moving with military precision while making sure to keep the proper distance.

Each was sheathed in shining armor, with swords at their sides, always ready for any eventuality. The feudal lord did not even give them a direct look; his confidence in them was absolute.

Beside him, his noble friend stood motionless for a moment, his dark eyes filled with palpable concern. He cleared his throat before he spoke, his tone measured but charged with genuine uneasiness.

"Are you going to allow that mediator to enter Konoha... As if nothing happened?" He asked, carefully avoiding pronouncing Mifune's name, though they both knew exactly who he meant. 

The feudal lord paused in his fanning, his eyes narrowed, and he raised an eyebrow with an almost offended air. The question seemed to have struck a chord, though his expression remained unfazed.

"Tsunade is in charge of Konoha, not me." He said in a calm but firm voice, which made it clear where his responsibilities ended. "My duty is to the Land of Fire, and nothing else. The mediator has my permission to go into the country, but what happens inside the hidden village is none of my business. My work is already done."

The noble friend frowned slightly, but did not insist. He knew well that the feudal lord did not usually change his mind once he had decided something. However, his concern continued to grow.

"Why did you allow me to do it?" The friend asked, cautiously. Although the feudal lord was rarely fazed by external issues, it was obvious that the situation with portals was different. 

The feudal lord paused, staring at the horizon for a moment before answering. The fan was still in his hand, but his pace had slowed. He looked as carefree as ever, but his words carried a different weight.

"Because, although we have executed several people who came out of those portals, there is something that does not add up." He said quietly, but clearly. "If it's not just here, in the Land of Fire, but in other places... then it is bigger than we imagine. I don't like things that slip out of my hands. That's why I gave Mifune the benefit of the doubt."

The noble friend nodded slowly, understanding the logic, though he still didn't feel entirely comfortable.

"Tomorrow I will give the order to pause the executions." The feudal lord continued. "Until we hear from Mifune."

The nobleman blinked, visibly surprised.

"Mifune-dono...?" He repeated, almost incredulous. 

The feudal lord looked up at the sky, watching as a gentle cool breeze began to move through the clouds, barely cooling the sweltering heat of the day.

For a moment, he seemed lost in thought, enjoying that brief respite that nature offered. Then he looked down, but his expression had become more serious, though he still maintained the same usual calmness.

"Mifune-dono witnessed the same thing in the Iron Country." He said slowly, with a barely perceptible shadow of concern in his tone. "You want to get to the bottom of this. If there's anything we can do to prevent more indiscriminate killings, then I'll allow it."

The noble friend, until that moment relatively calm, opened his eyes in surprise.

"Did portals appear in the Iron Country too?!" He asked in disbelief, almost unable to process what he had just heard. 

The feudal lord nodded, but before he could say anything more, he waved his hand, as if to downplay the matter.

His bodyguards were already next to him, and with an elegant movement, he prepared to get into his carriage. The nobleman looked at him as they helped him into the vehicle, unable to shake the feeling that all of this was bigger than any of them could handle.

The feudal lord sat comfortably inside the carriage, his fan hiding a smile that only his calm eyes reflected. Just as he was about to close the bamboo curtains, the noble friend, visibly worried, approached the window with a hurried step.

"Will you give me permission to go to Konoha?" He asked almost urgently. "I could question Mifune-dono personally. I need more details about what happened in the Iron Country."

The feudal lord looked at him from the window, his expression almost amused by his friend's concern. He made a faint nonchalant sound before answering.

"I'm too tired to give more details." He said with a friendly smile, which was hidden behind his fan. "From now on, Konoha has a duty to solve this on his own."

With an affectionate farewell, he closed the bamboo curtains, signaling the driver to move forward. The carriage began to move slowly, its wooden wheels echoing over the stones, slowly moving away from the building.

The nobleman stood motionless, watching the carriage recede into the distance. His shoulders slowly fell, as if the weight of worry was finally crushing him.

"He will never change..." He muttered to himself, letting out a deep sigh, full of resignation 

 

火 

 

The Hokage room, unlike Tsunade's usual office, had a more ceremonious layout.

Two large armchairs facing each other, separated by a low table, where Mifune sat in front of the Hokage, with a tranquility that bordered on coldness. The details of the tatami under his feet and the subtle decorations of the place seemed insignificant in the face of the gravity of the situation.

Tsunade was the first to speak, her tone formal, but with a slight note of impatience.

"Mifune-dono, I appreciate the blessing of your visit, but I wonder what urgency your presence in person has required." He asked, bluntly, while his fingers drummed softly on the armrest of the armchair. 

Mifune, serene, looked away at the window, as if meditating before speaking. He briefly observed the hustle and bustle of the Anbus in the streets, noticing a vigilance that did not seem usual. His gaze returned to those present and, after a slight sigh, he decided to speak.

"Konoha seems more protected than usual." He commented softly, although his observation was not a simple reflection. He knew what it meant to increase security in a village like that. 

Koharu, always quicker to respond, intervened before Tsunade.

"We are going through some difficulties." He said in a firm voice. 

While Homura added:

"Nothing that we can't handle in a short time."

Mifune nodded with an almost imperceptible gesture, letting the silence linger for a moment before continuing. Then, with the same serenity that characterized him, he released the information for which he had traveled to reveal:

"I'll be direct. In the Land of Iron, portals have appeared. From them emerged people... who died shortly after. These people claimed to be from Konoha."

The tension in the room increased instantly. Koharu and Homura straightened up, their faces tinged with alarm, but they maintained a rigid grip on their emotions.

Tsunade, on the other hand, barely let his eyes narrow, giving away what that information was provoking inside. Mifune watched, measuring each reaction accurately. He had said what he had just said, and now he was waiting for answers.

"And what is the reason for your visit, Mifune-dono?" Tsunade kept her composure, though her words came out more cautiously. "I hope this isn't an attempt to accuse us of something without evidence."

Mifune didn't flinch.

He had seen all kinds of diplomatic situations in his life, and this one would be no different. With an almost disconcerting serenity, he replied:

My visit is not an accusation, but a request for clarity. The appearance of people who claim to be from your village, only to die shortly after, raises serious questions. Not only in the Land of El Hierro. I'm here to determine if this is a matter involving Konoha, intentionally or not.

Homura cleared his throat, his gaze fixed on Mifune as he added:

"And what is your conclusion so far?"

Mifune, glancing sideways at the window once more, went direct.

"I'm here to ask you directly if you know anything about this. I'm not here for speculation, but for the truth. The words of those dying suggest a threat... and I want to know if you are aware of it."

The air in the room became dense, full of uncertainty. The elders looked at Tsunade, expectantly.

It was evident that this conversation was going to escalate if it was not handled cautiously. Tsunade knew she couldn't keep hiding everything she knew, but revealing too much would put Konoha in an even more delicate position.

"We are aware of certain... Irregularities." He said finally, with a mixture of caution and firmness. "It's not an attack, or something that's under our control. But it is not for me to reveal the whole truth to you without further ado."

Mifune stared at her, his face unchanged at all. He had been through many conflicts, and he could see when someone tried to avoid an answer.

"If there is anything that affects the stability of nations, Tsunade-dono..." His tone was formal but charged with authority. "You have a responsibility to inform us. I need the truth, not just what you're willing to share."

The room fell silent again, with everyone present exchanging glances, measuring the words that would come next.

Tsunade kept her gaze fixed on Mifune, her golden eyes reflecting the intensity of the conversation.

The elders, Koharu and Homura, exchanged worried glances, almost as if trying to warn the Hokage not to talk more than necessary. Tsunade felt the weight of their gazes, as if in that silent exchange they were asking her to be prudent, but they were also uneasy about what was being revealed.

With a suppressed sigh, Tsunade closed her eyes, deep in thought. The situation was more serious than I had imagined. His lips tightened, and after a few seconds, he decided to speak again.

"Can you give me more details about it, Mifune-dono?" She asked, her tone more controlled, although the tension did not leave her. 

Mifune, always serene, nodded slowly. He took a moment before answering, as if the words were carefully selected in his mind.

"People began to appear about two or three weeks ago. At first, the witnesses seemed disoriented, and then, little by little, they began to emerge in various parts of our lands." He explained calmly. "However, due to the scattered nature of the events and the confusion they brought, I couldn't get there earlier to inform you."

Tsunade's eyes snapped open, and surprise was evident on her face. Beside him, the elders were unable to hide their own astonishment.

Koharu tensed his hands on his lap, while Homura leaned his body forward slightly, his face showing a mixture of concern and disbelief.

Homura was the first to speak, his voice full of uncertainty and doubt.

"Mifune-dono, are you saying that these... incidents occurred weeks ago? And only now do you arrive with this information?"

Mifune was unfazed by the questioning. With the same impenetrable serenity, he answered:

"That's right. When I arrived in The Land of Fire, I presented myself to the feudal lord to ask for permission to investigate. He granted me his permission to come to Konoha. My destiny was clear from the beginning."

The feudal lord's name echoed through the room with a heavier weight than expected. Both Koharu and Homura exchanged another look, now concerned about the possible implications of the country's leader already being aware of the situation.

"The same has happened in other parts of our territory." Mifune continued. "While many people apparently managed to survive the portals, some of them have disappeared, while others cause disturbances. That is what worries us the most."

Tsunade listened silently, but Mifune's words echoed more intensely in his mind.

He remembered what Akita had mentioned to him earlier, about people who could take advantage of misinformation and chaos. His heart pounded as he realized that what seemed like an isolated phenomenon might be just the tip of the iceberg.

He swallowed, feeling the situation get more complicated with each detail revealed. Mifune was watching her with a calm expression, but his eyes betrayed a caution he had not shown until now.

"I don't blame you for what has happened in my country." Mifune added, his tone respectful. "But I need to know why, among all the people who appeared, some claimed to be from Konoha."

Tsunade felt the weight of his words fall on her shoulders. He couldn't help but think about the possibility that his village was somehow connected to these events, even if it was indirectly. And yet, he had no clear answers.

Tsunade was in a compromised position. Mifune's words, along with Koharu and Homura's stern gazes, made her feel caught between two opposing forces.

He knew that the elders did not want him to speak, that had been the condition for continuing to count on his support in difficult decisions.

But on the other hand, the urgency of the situation could not be ignored, and the mention of people from Konoha appearing in the Iron Country made her deeply uneasy.

Would they be people from his village? ¿... Of the future?

The Hokage bit her lip hard, as she felt the pressure mount. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to calm his mind and find a way out of this crossroads. When he opened them, his decision was made.

"I'm going to explain everything." She finally said, breaking the tense silence that had taken over the room. 

Hearing this, Koharu leaned forward, anger and fear mingling in his expression.

"Tsunade, you can't...!" He tried to stop her. 

Homura, more serene, but equally firm, added:

"It's unwise to reveal such information... You know what the deal is!"

Mifune, always observant, did not let that exchange pass him by. His eyes narrowed slightly as he caught the tension between the advisors and the Hokage, giving him a clear sign that something much bigger was being hidden.

Tsunade, ignoring the protests, rose from his seat with an ironclad decision.

"Listen to me, Mifune-dono." He said in a deep voice, advancing a step. "This is much more complicated than a simple space-time Jutsu. What is happening is unprecedented, and we are trying to deal with something that we do not fully understand."

The mediator of nations looked at her with his usual calmness, but this time his gaze contained a spark of curiosity and distrust.

"What do you mean, Hokage-dono?" He asked in a serious tone, staying in place, but clearly expectant. 

Tsunade bit her lip again for a moment, aware that what she was about to say might change the course of events. In the end, he breathed out a deep sigh and straightened up, making a final decision.

"I'll take you to the person who probably has some of the answers you're looking for." He declared, his gaze fixed on Mifune. The elders, hearing that, exchanged alarmed looks. 

Koharu rose abruptly, his voice trembling in disbelief.

"You can't be serious! She...! It has not yet been decided what we will do with it!"

Homura, though more restrained, expressed similar concern, leaning forward and squinting.

"Tsunade, you know perfectly well who you mean. If you expose it, all our effort can fall apart."

But Tsunade, maintaining his defiant posture, fixed his gaze on Mifune. There was a tense, almost explosive serenity in his eyes, like a storm that threatened to break loose. Mifune, undeterred, slowly stood up, without losing eye contact.

"I have come to Konoha to find answers." He declared in a firm voice. "If you assure me that your village is not behind this with the intent to harm, then I will follow you wherever necessary."

Tsunade nodded, almost as a sign of truce.

"I'll prove it to you." She said, in a tone that denoted both his confidence and his concern. The elders, though clearly upset, resigned themselves to the Hokage's decision, knowing that they could no longer stop it. 

The atmosphere in the room became even denser. The tension, far from dissipating, seemed to grow with every second, but there was a firm resolve in Tsunade, a determination that kept both Koharu and Homura silent, though not without their reservations.

Mifune, with his unwavering calmness, nodded a small gesture indicating that he was ready to follow her.

 


Capítulo 60: PART 7.

Mifune watched Sumire with calculated serenity. The young woman, who wore a simple purple dress and white stockings that highlighted her pale skin, appeared emaciated, with the marks of her recent suffering still evident in her hunched posture and the dull sparkle in her eyes.

Standing in front of everyone in the room, she didn't look up, keeping her eyes fixed on the floor, as if carrying a weight she couldn't share. Beside him, Tsunade maintained a grave but controlled expression, aware that every word he said had to be carefully selected.

"The girl is recovering." Tsunade said firmly, her eyes moving briefly to Mifune. "The state in which you see it is a result of its exposure to the moon, and that is why we have arranged this room so that it receives fresh light during the day and artificial light at night. It's not something we take lightly."

Mifune, despite his usual composure, showed a trace of doubt as he frowned slightly. Although he did not take his eyes off Sumire, his voice sounded curt as he spoke:

"Are you telling me that this isn't some kind of joke?" He asked, although his tone made it clear that he expected more than what was being shown to him. 

Tsunade shook her head, not brusquely, but with unflinching seriousness. He turned his gaze slightly to Akita, who was beside Sumire, one hand resting on the young woman's shoulder in a protective gesture.

Akita, with his slightly disheveled brown hair and the doctor's uniform he wore, projected a mixture of strength and concern. Beside them, their faithful dog, rested quietly on the bed behind them, as if he understood the tension of the scene.

Akita is another survivor of the portals. Tsunade explained. "She can corroborate what we're saying.

Akita bowed her head in respectful bow to Mifune, not taking her hand off Sumire's shoulder. When he straightened up, his gaze was fixed on the samurai with a serious, almost defiant expression as he introduced himself.

"I'm Akita. My mission role was to provide medical and technological support." She said in a clear tone, but also with a caution that revealed that not everything could be shared so easily. 

She did not mention her last name, a detail that did not go unnoticed by Mifune, who observed her with an analytical gaze, looking for any trace of deception in her words.

The silence that followed was dense, only broken by the almost imperceptible sound of Akita's dog settling further into bed. Mifune didn't respond right away, evaluating every gesture, every word.

Akita took a careful breath before continuing, aware of the gravity of the moment.

"I know who you are, Mifune-dono." Akita said, his tone now more direct. "Although I didn't expect it to be so soon, I knew that this meeting would be inevitable at some point."

Mifune narrowed his eyes, his frown revealing a deeper concern. The air in the room became even more tense, and his question was more of a demand for explanations.

"Did you expect to talk to me? Why?" His voice cut through the atmosphere, charged with the authority that came from someone who had seen much more than he wanted to admit. 

Akita swallowed, but did not look away. He knew that he could not be weak before him.

"I hoped that the circumstances of the other villages would become... Uncontrollable." Akita said, with a firm tone, but he couldn't hide the implication behind his words. 

Mifune straightened up immediately, as if the gravity of the situation had just become much clearer.

His eyes, which until then had been cold and calculating, flashed with alarm at the possibility of a threat that could extend beyond Konoha. Akita's words echoed with a warning echo, and Mifune understood that what was happening there was not an isolated matter

Mifune kept his eyes open, trying to hide any traces of surprise or nervousness. His countenance was still that of a calm and in control man, but something in the atmosphere made him uncomfortable, as if the truth he was about to hear was much more than he expected.

Sumire, still with her head down, dared to speak at last, her voice muffled, but full of respect.

"I'm Sumire." He said, avoiding mentioning his last name in a deliberately controlled tone, as if each word was carefully measured. "According to the rules of the scroll, I can't tell you my last name, except to the Hokage." He paused slightly, looking up for a moment at Mifune. "I don't want that information to be used for bad purposes."

Mifune watched her closely, his eyes scanning every feature of the young woman as she slowly lifted her face.

Her haggard appearance, combined with her seriousness and calm tone, made her understand that she was not just any girl. Although her posture denoted vulnerability, there was something deeper about her, something Mifune could not ignore.

Sumire took a deep breath, as if she were preparing to let go of a truth that weighed on her shoulders.

"The portals..." He began, his voice just a whisper that filled the room with its emotional charge. "A threat appeared not only in Konoha, but in several other places. The adults of my time had no choice. They were forced to open the parchment that brought us here... until his time."

Mifune frowned slightly, his hand clenching the sheath of his sword as an unconscious way of maintaining his composure. He was a man of discipline, but what Sumire was saying was something that even his years of experience could not have foreseen.

"The people who turned up dead in the Land of Iron... they were from Konoha." Sumire looked down for a moment, a gleam of sadness in her eyes as she remembered what happened. "Many more people from Konoha are scattered, and the Hokage ordered a group of Shinobi to go undercover to control the portals and try to save the people from being swallowed to death."

Tsunade, who had stood his ground up until that point, couldn't help but look shocked.

That was new information to her, and her reaction didn't go unnoticed by Mifune, who quickly turned her gaze to the Hokage, noting that even Konoha's leader wasn't fully aware of the situation.

The elder advisors, Koharu and Homura, exchanged quick glances, clearly bewildered by what they were hearing.

His expression of distrust intensified, and his attention turned to Sumire. Noticing the inquisitive gazes of the two elders, Sumire bowed her head in deep bow, acknowledging the weight of the situation.

"I'm sorry if my words aren't credible..." Sumire said with a mixture of humility and regret, her eyes fixed on the ground again. "I know I'm young, and that they have no reason to trust me. But what I say I don't do it only for the children who accompany me... I do it to prevent this from happening again."

Mifune remained silent, watching her as he processed what she was telling him. Sumire looked up once more, her eyes filled with determination.

"I don't intend to reveal anything unnecessary about the future... but I am ready to work with you, Mifune-dono, so that you can warn the other villages of what is happening. I only ask that you do it discreetly, for the good of all."

The silence that followed was absolute. The elders did not know how to react to such a statement, and the Hokage continued to stare at Sumire, assessing the veracity of her words. Mifune, for his part, was dumbfounded.

The information he had just received not only changed his perception of the situation, but also posed a threat that extended far beyond the Land of Iron.

The samurai looked at Sumire with a mixture of wonder and respect, acknowledging that although she was young, she had matured in the midst of extreme circumstances.

After a long moment, he finally spoke, his tone firm, but with a caution that showed he was beginning to believe in the gravity of what had been presented to him.

Mifune stood in complete silence, his face unperturbed like a stone carved by the wind over the years.

The room was charged with a subtle but palpable tension, as if everyone in it was holding their breath. Only the occasional sound of Akita's dog's breathing, which settled even more into bed, disturbed the dense silence.

Mifune's eyes, cold and calculating, drifted briefly to Tsunade, searching for confirmation, something more concrete than the words of an afflicted child.

He knew that, if all of this turned out to be a hoax or a misinterpretation of the facts, not only would his credibility as leader of the Land of Iron be compromised, but also Konoha's reputation and stability.

Mifune's analytical gaze returned again and again to Sumire, as if trying to decipher the secrets he could still hold, but his true judgment would come from the Hokage.

With a barely perceptible sigh, Mifune finally spoke, his voice charged with a dangerous calm.

His tone was neutral, but his words carried an underlying weight. What we are discussing here is not a minor issue. If this reaches the other villages and is proven to be untrue, Konoha would be exposed, and my position as a mediator between the nations would not be the same. I need you to confirm the veracity of what this girl says, beyond what has already been mentioned.

The elders, Koharu and Homura, exchanged a quick glance. Their years of experience made them see the danger involved in the situation, and they both tensed up, as if the risk they perceived had just become much more real.

Homura's muscles twitched, as Koharu tilted his head forward slightly, an expression of alertness and distrust tinged his face.

Tsunade, sensing the change in the atmosphere, nodded slowly, knowing that he could not retract what he had already said. He took a deep breath before speaking, and his tone reflected a mixture of conviction and caution.

"Sumire is not lying. Which proves the veracity of his words... it is the existence of Trozani, a village he mentioned in his story." Tsunade paused briefly, his eyes sweeping over those present to gauge their reactions. "We haven't been able to make contact with them since the situation broke out, but I sent a couple of Jōnin to notify the king of Trozani about the appearance of Sumire and the others. They are on their way right now."

Trozani's name caused a slight contraction in Mifune's frown. He had heard vague rumors, legends perhaps, about places beyond the great nations, but he had always regarded it as unverifiable information.

However, the direct mention of the Hokage gave him a reason to reconsider. Mifune, though serene, was a deeply pragmatic man. He did not trust blindly, but he did not refuse to explore the possibilities either.

"Hokage-dono... you mentioned something earlier about Trozani." Mifune narrowed his eyes, evaluating each word carefully. "You said that Trozani had requested Konoha's help due to the disappearance of his own ninjas. Do you know anything else about it? Because, if so, this could change the whole dynamic between nations."

The elders looked down, clearly tense at the new turn of events. Tsunade, though always controlled, let out a small grimace of bewilderment, as if she herself were still processing all the information.

But before he could answer, Akita, who had remained in the background, moved forward slightly. His eyes shone with a seriousness that surprised everyone, especially Tsunade.

"We suspect those ninjas were swallowed by the residual portals." Akita spoke with unexpected firmness, and his intervention cut the air in the room. "Before the scroll was fully activated, there were already cracks in reality. We believe that those cracks appeared before the cataclysm that brought us here... And it's possible that the family that helped activate the scroll was directly involved."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by the assurance in Akita's words. The young woman continued, without stopping, aware of the seriousness of what she was revealing.

"That family is descended from people from the village of Trozani... the Ninjas in question may have been sacrificed or used as intermediaries. While Trozani requested Konoha's help, we believe that those residual portals absorbed his Ascendants. And, as far as we know, Konoha is no stranger to this practice. The scroll was activated by a life swap, where the lives of the covenanters were offered... but only a few were saved."

The mention of sacrifices caused the air in the room to become denser. Even Mifune, always unfazed, let a faint shadow of worry cross his face. His thoughts raced along, trying to fathom the magnitude of what Akita had just revealed.

Sumire, who had until then maintained her reserved posture, slowly looked up. Although their eyes showed signs of exhaustion, there was a firm determination in them.

"It's true, Mifune-dono... what Akita says is true. The parchment didn't just bring us here... He also claimed lives in the process. And if we don't act soon, it may not be just Konoha or Trozani who are at risk. This could be extended to all villages."

The samurai remained silent, his face expressionless. He knew that the situation required immediate action, but he also understood that acting rashly could have devastating consequences. The mention of sacrifices and residual portals was not something that could be ignored, and although everything inside him begged him for caution, he also understood that there were truths that could not wait.

Finally, after a long silence, Mifune spoke, his tone as firm as ever, but now with a shadow of concern.

"If what you say is true, Hokage-dono, the other nations must be warned... But we cannot do this without more concrete evidence." His eyes, sharp as his sword, locked on Tsunade. "I must accompany your Jōnin and verify the situation in Trozani personally. Only then can we move forward with the certainty that this threat requires."

The room was kept in a deathly silence, weighed down by unspoken words and repressed emotions. Tsunade, grimacing awkwardly, took a deep breath before speaking, feeling the weight of what he was about to reveal.

"Mifune-dono..." He began, his voice low but firm. "The King of Trozani is under very specific restrictions." His eyes briefly met Mifune's before drifting toward the ground. "For various reasons that I cannot detail at this time, you are prohibited from any type of communication with the outside. The only time he was able to ask Konoha for help was an exception... something that will not happen again easily."

Mifune watched her with his dark, piercing eyes, his expression impassive as the steel of his katana.

He didn't make any gestures, but the tension in his posture revealed that he didn't like Tsunade's words. Trozani's rules, secrecy, did not fit with his vision of honor and transparency.

The complexity of the situation became apparent, and as Tsunade explained, her thoughts were interrupted.

Suddenly, a quick movement disturbed the calm. Sumire stepped forward, dropping her body in deep bow, her hands outstretched forward, forehead touching the ground. The echo of his head banging echoed through the room.

Surprise took hold of everyone. Akita, who was beside him, drew back instinctively, his lips barely whispering:

"Sum up..."

Sumire's bow, so deep and sudden, seemed to break the rigidity in the air, crumbling any expectation of contained silence. Sumire, her voice trembling but clear, began to speak, her pleading tone echoing through every word.

"Mifune-dono..." His voice cracked slightly as he pronounced his name, but not out of fear, but out of the desperation that emanated from within. "Please... Listen to what I have to say. I... I am aware that I do not have the right to ask for much, but... I beg you to believe me." Sumire raised her head slightly, and her eyes sought Mifune's, trying to connect with him, to convey the truth of her situation. "From Konoha... only a few managed to survive. The children, the majority... and beyond its borders, there are other survivors." Sumire swallowed, trying to steady herself, but her voice was still full of anguish. "But those who were left out... They have a very clear mission: not to interfere, not to cause more problems. They must control everything that has to do with the future."

The silence was broken again by the murmurs of the elder counselors, who began to protest vehemently.

"Reckless!" Koharu exclaimed. "You are not in a position to make such offers!"

"You are weakened, you do not understand what you are asking for." Homura added, his tone more severe than usual. To them, Sumire had always been a low priority, someone not worth listening to. 

However, Sumire did not back down from his words. He knelt down completely, leaning his body even more toward the floor, until his forehead touched him once more, this time with such intensity that the sound echoed through the room. The echo left a mark on the atmosphere, silencing any protests. Akita stepped back, incredulous, as Tsunade, surprised, watched the young woman's determination.

Mifune, although he maintained his serious expression, could not hide his surprise. Sumire's tear-filled eyes reflected an honesty that could hardly be ignored.

"Mifune-dono, please..." Sumire continued, her voice now barely a whisper, but still charged with strength. "I can help you. I can prove what I say... But I need time. Just a couple of days." She looked up at him, her face wet with tears, but with a determination that seemed unwavering. "I beg you... Help me protect what is still left. I can give you information that will be crucial in mediating between the villages, but... It must be just between you and me."

Mifune stared at her, his mind processing every word. He hesitated, but deep down, something told him that Sumire wasn't lying. However, his pragmatism and sense of duty did not allow him to act without question.

"I understand your position, Girl." He said at last, in a voice that did not lose its authority, but now carried a softer note. "But explain something to me... How am I supposed to trust someone who isn't even transparent with their own Hokage?"

Sumire closed her eyes tightly as she heard the question, feeling the weight of her own betrayal, of the secrets she still held.

Memories began to flood his mind like an overflowing river. She saw herself again at the academy, running through the halls alongside Boruto, Sarada, and the rest of the team. He remembered the laughter, the jokes, the mischief... the first time she spoke to Sarada, shyly inviting her to be his friend in one of the classes. He recalled the InoShikaChou, their togetherness and strength, and how they used to spend their afternoons training together.

And then, the darkness of his betrayal... how she had tried to damage everything she loved, only to be forgiven and welcomed back into the academy. Konoha had accepted it, even after all.

Sumire swallowed, her tears falling to the ground as her voice cracked with every word.

"No... I don't do it only for those who are here, inside the village." His voice was just a thread of whispers. "I also do it for those who are outside... for those who... they were once my friends..."

The most painful memory struck his mind: the last time he saw Boruto, walking away from the house he shared with Eida, Kawaki, and Daemon. He had gone to look for Kawaki, who had disappeared, but what he found was a deep void in his heart.

His determined face, full of life and betrayal; Boruto had discovered that Kawaki had failed in his attempt to catch the Seventh Hokage, and fled after misfortune befell Konoha. Sumire would have liked to follow him; tell her that she knew what was going on... but the plan would not work, and Boruto would die in the worst case.

"I just want to..." Sumire clenched her fists, her voice trembling. "I want that someday... I can see my friends again, even though Konoha is no longer my home."

Tears overflowed, wetting his face as he slowly raised his gaze to Mifune. His forehead showed a slight bruise from the blow on the ground, but his eyes, though flooded with tears, shone with a mixture of pleading calm.

Mifune, while maintaining his seriousness, couldn't help but feel a deep impression by the sincerity and pain he saw in front of him. Sumire, a girl who had made mistakes, was now willing to kneel and plead with every fiber of her being for something bigger than herself.

"Please, Mifune-dono..." He said finally, his voice breaking, but with an almost unbearable firmness. "I need your collaboration... because if we don't act, it will be too late."

Mifune watched her silently, measuring her words with cold judgment, but something inside him knew he had already made his decision.

The room was plunged into a tense silence, broken only by Sumire's heavy breathing, who still remained with her forehead pressed to the floor. Mifune, standing in front of her, maintained his imperturbable expression, though he struggled with a growing sense of uneasiness inside. His gaze, sharp as his sword, did not leave the young woman, but something in his words had managed to break through the barrier of his rigidity. He took a deep breath before speaking.

"You have spoken from the heart, Girl." He said, his tone serene but full of weight. "But sincere words are not always enough to guarantee the truth."

A murmur of approval ran through the council elders surrounding Mifune. One of them, a man with a stern face and a suspicious look, stepped forward. It was Homura, who challenged Sumire behind her glasses.

"Mifune-dono." He began, bowing his head slightly. "we cannot afford to trust a girl who acts without the Hokage's knowledge. What assures us that it is not being manipulated? This is a sensitive issue, and we should not be carried away by emotions. Let us settle this problem between us only..."

Koharu nodded, as if the speech had given them the confidence they needed to express their disapproval. A current of distrust began to permeate the atmosphere. Sumire, still on her knees, felt the pressure growing around her, but her determination did not waver. He slowly raised his head, his eyes moist but resolute, and looked at Mifune directly.

"If you will allow me, Mifune-dono." He said in a trembling voice, but full of sincerity. "I can prove my loyalty. In three days I will be ready to present evidence for what I claim. I'll give you the information you need to mediate between the villages, but I just need a little time. Please give me that opportunity."

Silence fell again over the room. Mifune narrowed his eyes, considering his words. Although his face remained unchanged, doubt began to manifest itself in the form of a slight cold sweat that beaded his forehead. For a moment, he closed his eyes, immersed in an internal conflict that no one else could perceive.

He saw with his own eyes the dead people come out of those portals. Or, he saw them later. However, the encounter was the same, and the end result was inevitable: They were all dead.

They all belonged to somewhere, a family; The village where they were born had supposedly sent them to save others, at the cost of their own lives.

As a leader, he had to make a decision that could have repercussions internationally.

"You have three days." He finally answered, opening his eyes slowly. "But if I can't see clear evidence or have direct contact with the king of Trozani at that time, I'll look for another way. The Feudal Lord wants to get to the bottom of this as well, and I will not hesitate to inform you of what is occurring here."

Mifune's decision was firm, but Sumire felt a knot in her stomach upon hearing the implications. I hadn't foreseen that this would escalate so quickly. The Feudal Lord, other villages, everything was going beyond their control. His breathing quickened as his gaze was fixed on the ground. He felt a gentle pressure on his shoulders; Akita, who had been silent until then, had come forward to comfort her.

"I'll be fine..." Sumire murmured, without looking at her, trying to convince them both that their resolve did not waver. 

"Are you sure about this?" Akita whispered worriedly, leaning toward her. "It's a bad idea, you're pressured and don't have a solid plan. We could lose everything."

The counselors began to murmur among themselves, more and more convinced that the young woman was acting rashly. One of them, with an expression of disgust, commented aloud:

"How can we trust someone who barely knows what they are doing? This is irresponsible."

Tsunade, until now silent, watched everything with a mixture of scrutiny and surprise. Though she didn't want to admit it, Sumire's words and her despair were sinking in. Although the situation was delicate, something in Sumire's delivery made him doubt his initial toughness.

Akita, with his constant support for the young woman, was also a sign that perhaps there was more to this situation than what he was seeing. Was Sumire really able to handle this without intervention? Tsunade's dilemma was reflected in her clenched fists, the uncertainty becoming palpable in every bated breath.

Sumire, feeling the weight of all eyes on her, finally lifted her head, her eyes shining with the trail of slowly drying tears on her cheeks. Despite the exhaustion and fear, there was a flame of conviction within him that refused to go out. He looked at Mifune directly, his voice firmer this time.

"I assure you, Mifune-dono, that in three days you will be able to meet the King of Trozani." She declared with a resolution that surprised everyone, including herself. "I know it seems impossible, but I will do whatever it takes to keep that promise."

The counselors were dumbfounded, unable to believe what they had just heard. For decades, they had known of Trozani's existence, but they had never exchanged words with their king. How could a simple Kunoichi achieve what no one had achieved before?

Mifune, though still not entirely convinced, closed his eyes again. This time, his countenance showed a mixture of resignation and partial acceptance. Sumire had ignited a spark of doubt in him, but also one of hope. The possibility that all this was true, however remote, was enough to give it a chance.

"Three days." He repeated, opening his eyes slowly. "That's what I grant you. No more."

The atmosphere became dense, as if everyone present was holding their breath. The elders of the council exchanged nervous, bewildered glances, while Tsunade kept her attention fixed on Sumire, trying to decipher whether her determination was real or the result of desperation.

The silence in the room was almost unbearable, until finally Sumire bowed her head once more, in respect and acceptance. He knew that the weight of the world was now on his shoulders, but he had no choice.

And with those words, the fate of everyone in the room was suspended in the air, uncertain, but loaded with impossible expectations.

Tsunade wondered if she had made the right decision to believe this little girl. But when he saw Akita, for a moment he saw a proud smile behind that serious face, used to support the violet-haired one in front of Mifune.

The slug's Hokage let out some air, and that small exhalation was like releasing a bubble of poison that had consumed its soul. For the first time in a long time, he was beginning to breathe unimpeded.

"Maybe we should take advantage of it." She recalled, in Danzō's calm, cold voice, echoing from deep within his memories. "And to find out who it was that allowed this to happen."

Tsunade closed her eyes for a moment, deep in thought. Although she apparently maintained a serious expression, inside she was genuinely surprised by Sumire's audacity. There was something about that girl, about that firm determination, that awakened a spark of hope in her.

What if he was really telling the truth? Tsunade allowed himself to contemplate that possibility. If, in a moment of crisis, a Hokage had managed to save a few of his own and, even after a cataclysm, was still ready to help the village... So, could it be possible that that same Hokage had placed his trust in a girl like Sumire?

Conflict was entangled in his chest, a silent battle between logic and hope. But, at the same time, some pride began to blossom in her. If Konoha had survived long enough to see the birth of a girl like Sumire, a young woman who, despite everything, was not afraid to stand up to the greatest leaders, then perhaps Konoha was never in bad hands.

Tsunade half-opened her eyes, a new clarity illuminating her gaze. If what Sumire said was true, if she was truly able to keep that promise, then Konoha, her Konoha, not only had a future, but she was also in the right hands.

火 

Moonlight filtered through the branches of the trees, illuminating the ground of the Feudal Lord's grounds. The glow was dull, almost oppressive. Everything seemed perfectly normal and routine, as if the constant glow was just another part of the surveillance surrounding the property.

Mirai rested her hand on the trunk of the tree. The rough bark felt real under his palm, a reminder that what he was doing was absolutely illegal. He hadn't crossed the fence yet, but just being here already meant a transgression. His heart was beating irregularly, a knot forming in his stomach.

This tree is within the Feudal Lord's grounds, he thought, and though he hadn't taken a single step further, he already felt the weight of guilt gnawing at his conscience. He closed his eyes for a moment, as if by doing so he could erase the feeling.

The impulse to squeeze the trunk tightly and break it was strong, but I had neither the ability nor the will to do so. Any noise, no matter how minimal, would be enough to alert the guards who patrolled tirelessly. If they discovered it now, it would all be useless.

He peeked carefully from his position, hidden in the leafiness of the branches. He had a clear view of the terrain from there, he had checked it several times. Two guards were moving on their rounds, walking from left to right in front of the front door. Beyond, the Feudal Lord's room, designed to avoid situations like this.

Going around the building completely would be the only option, although he could not ensure that there were no more guards hiding in the darkness.

He took the note from the Man of the "Hidden Sunset" from his pocket. The paper was crumpled, worn from the times I had reread it. The most important instruction was highlighted in crooked letters, misspelled on purpose: "This note must be destroyed before the mission."

He had read those words so many times that he didn't need to read them anymore, but he still went over them in his mind. Every time I looked at the paper I felt the weight of what I was about to do. It was a task that demanded silence, invisibility, and complete indifference to the consequences. The slightest mistake could mean the end.

A sneeze echoed nearby, a guard passing too close to the tree. Mirai held her breath, cold sweat running down her back. Fear was always present, like a constant shadow. Although the guards hadn't detected her, her mind kept imagining that at any moment someone would see her, that her presence would be discovered.

He thought about what his mother had told him about the ninja tasked with protecting the Feudal Lord: the best, trained to detect even the slightest hint of threat. And yet here she was, hiding in plain sight. Either it was much better than he had realized, or the guards had become complacent, too accustomed to the security of such an unfrequented vacation mansion.

Modesty didn't come naturally to Mirai, but she still found it hard to believe that she could go unnoticed for so long. Something didn't fit, but I didn't have time to speculate. He shook his head, pushing those thoughts away.

Again he looked at the note. If he had to destroy it, the state it was in no longer mattered. "If I get caught, the note must disappear," he thought. That said everything about the nature of his mission.

The content of the paper was clear: a vague description of the object he was to steal, its shape and weight. Mirai wrinkled her face, almost in disgust. "Why do the rich invest so much in something so ugly?" he thought.

Even covered in gold, such a ridiculous wedding gift was pointless, especially if the couple ended up divorcing later.

Mirai put the note away again. Time was against him, and he still hadn't advanced beyond the first step. I was alone in this. And he knew it.

Mirai dangled one foot off the branch, the edge of her sandal brushing against the bark of the tree. The cold of the night clung to his skin, and every part of his body seemed to resist. Doubted. The emptiness beneath her feet felt endless, a crack separating her from the fence and beyond.

He closed his eyes tightly, so tight that his eyelids began to hurt, as if doing so might disappear, vanish into the darkness without a trace.

"I must." He repeated to himself, although his mind was already full of excuses, of ways to go back. "I have to."

The weight of the words of that man, the Man of the "Hidden Twilight," crushed his thoughts. The images he had forced her to see were repeated in her mind, insistently. The faces of the ninjas of the future, calm, smiling, frozen at the exact moment before their death.

Familiar faces, faces of allied countries, faces of those she had once respected or could have admired. They all bore the same mark: the word "REDACTED" emblazoned over their features, in a deep, cruel red, like a final sentence.

His heart was pounding, racing, pushing his breath at a frantic pace. A cold sweat covered his forehead, and the tension in his body was unbearable.

She could feel her muscles tense, as if she was stuck in an intermediate state, halfway between acting and surrendering.

But what would happen if I didn't? If I didn't cross that wall now, if I didn't manage to steal the object... his friends, Shikadai... they would all end up like those ninjas in the images. Smiling, but with death sealed on their faces.

The memory of the promise she made to Shikamaru came back to her mind, pushing her to keep going. Protect Shikadai and his Friends. That promise had brought her this far, and now she couldn't afford to fail.

Finally, he gritted his teeth, forcing himself to move his body. He raised his leg, bent it, and straightened up on the branch. The air felt heavy, as if the environment itself wanted to stop her, but Mirai forced herself to lift her head. If he didn't move forward, it wouldn't just be his future that would be marked with that cursed word. With trembling hands, he prepared to jump.

Just then, a whisper broke the stillness of the night.

"Mirai..."

His heart skipped a beat. His hands clung to the bark of the tree in desperation, his nails digging into the wood as he tried to take in what he had just heard. Someone was calling her. The soft, almost inaudible sound reverberated in her ears, making her feel like a dead man was stalking her. He opened his eyes sharply, a cold panic running through his body, unable to move.

He was dead. It had to be.

The voice had been so low, so calculated, as if it were a shadow wanting to take it away. It wasn't a guard's voice, it wasn't an animal... it was something much worse. Slowly, he forced his body to spin toward the ground, his hand trembling over the tree trunk.

There, in the semi-darkness, right at the foot of the tree, he saw it.

Shikadai, his gray cloak wrapping around him, looked down at her with a seriousness he had seen only in his father. His face was tense, and in his eyes there was no reproach, only a silent understanding. But that look said it all: He knew what he was doing, and why he was doing it.

Mirai felt the weight of guilt fall on her suddenly.

Mirai froze for a moment, watching Shikadai with a tumult of emotions, as if a storm was raging within her. I couldn't process it.

Annoyance. Sadness. Fault. Anger devoured her for having been caught just before committing something irreparable. Shame, like a blow to the gut, because it was Shikadai who had discovered it.

And deep down, an unrelenting anger, the same anger that she had been burying since the day she said goodbye to him, cursing the secret she was supposed to carry.

I remembered it perfectly. How he had seen her sneak away in the dark, how she spoke to him in a hurtful way, a voice full of rudeness that was not her own. He had told her to be silent, not to mention it to anyone, not to make others worry.

He had convinced himself that it was for his good, that keeping him out of it would protect him, but deep down he knew that this was nothing more than a lie. And yet, he hadn't wanted to apologize. Until now.

A high-pitched whisper escaped his lips, filled with pent-up anger, a mixture of frustration and sadness.

"What are you doing here?!" He asked, gritting his teeth as he glanced sideways at the other side of the fence. 

His eyes flew back to Shikadai and he slid down the branch, landing hard next to him and the rest.

But they were not alone. Boruto, Sarada, and Mitsuki were with them, standing at a distance, watching with heavy looks. They knew that the situation was delicate, and although they did not want to get involved, they were already too much inside.

Mirai put both hands to her hair, tugging at it as a cry of frustration choked down her throat.

His eyes burned with fury and grief, and when he looked down, he realized that not only was Shikadai there with his team, but also team seven. Sarada, Mitsuki, and Boruto looked at her as if they had betrayed their trust, but with the same sorrow one feels when one sees someone fall from grace.

Mirai, still caught in her inner whirlpool, approached Shikadai in a furious whisper, barely holding back her rage.

"Why are you here?!" He snapped, his voice low but full of tension. "I told you to go back! To keep quiet... You didn't have to come here!"

Shikadai didn't seem fazed. His face was serious, and in his eyes there was a mixture of determination and something else. Annoyance.

"Namida heard everything." He said, bluntly. "He heard what you said to the Great Old Woman. That you left us in charge of being able to carry out these clandestine missions. He told us everything!"

Shikadai's words fell like a heavy stone on Mirai. Anguish grew inside her. Not only had she been discovered, but Namida had heard everything. That meant they knew about the ninjas of the future, they knew about the papers, they knew about the threat that was lurking in them, that threat that had already begun to eliminate Shinobi who hadn't even gotten to live that life.

The memories of those faces marked with the word "ELIMINATED" came back to her mind, crushing her.

Boruto, with a look full of pity, intervened, like a worried younger brother.

"Neechan..." He said in a soft tone. "We can help you. We know this is dangerous. Not only for us, but for you too."

Mirai closed her eyes for a moment. The weight of his words, the truth of everything she had been hiding, hit her harder than she had expected. She had been discovered, and now she could no longer pretend that she was doing it just to protect them.

When he opened his eyes, his gaze was dull. He didn't look at Shikadai directly, but his words were like a dagger.

"I asked you to keep quiet so as not to cause trouble for the Great Elder." He whispered in a tense voice. "You've done enough for us." You didn't have to come here, especially with your team... nor with Boruto-kun's team."

Shikadai tensed, his jaw clenched. Disappointment crossed his face, and for the first time, he raised his voice a little, clearly hurt.

"I told you that time, Mirai." He replied, unable to contain his anger. "You're not immortal. I'm a Chunin, too. I can defend myself, I'm not a helpless child!"

Mirai tried to silence him, her words dry and calculated.

"Come back. This is not something you need to decide, Shikadai."

But Shikadai did not hold back any longer. He raised his voice, frustrated, almost hurt by what he saw in front of him.

"You're not Nara Shikamaru!" He shouted, echoing in the tense silence of the night. "You can't handle everyone by yourself. You are Sarutobi Mirai!"

And then, something in Mirai broke.

Anger, sadness, guilt. Everything was intertwined in a tangle of emotions that suffocated her. His mind darkened, and the world around him became distorted. When I looked at Shikadai, I didn't see him anymore. He saw his father, Shikamaru.

He saw all the memories of his childhood, the peace of Konoha, the Genin who walked through the village without worries, the simple missions, the life before the war.

The papers with the word "REDACTED" flashed in his mind, but instead, images of his mother, Kurenai, would appear telling him that everything would return to normal. That he would come back later.

Suddenly, something overtook her. Before he could control it, his hands moved instinctively. He caught Shikadai by the neck.

A muffled cry from Boruto echoed through the night.

"Mirai!"

ChouChou and Inojin shouted at the same time.

"Shikadai!"

Shikadai opened his eyes wide, not out of fear, but out of surprise. His expression was one of pure bewilderment, looking at a Mirai he didn't recognize. She wasn't the older sister, she wasn't the friend who had always trusted him. It was someone else.

Mirai held him tightly, her teeth clenched, her gaze fixed, but empty. He raised his other fist, as if all the pain, rage, and fear had taken over. And, on the verge of tears, he pointed it directly at Shikadai's face.

But it didn't hit him. He stopped him. She trembled, gripped by an emotional breakdown that made her feel more broken than ever.

Mirai's fist trembled, still suspended in the air, unable to move forward. The force it exerted on Shikadai's neck was not so much physical, but emotional, as if all the frustrations and fears had crystallized in that moment, squeezing, suffocating.

Boruto, with the caution of someone approaching an injured animal, raised his hands in front of him, his face full of concern.

"Neechan...!" He said in a soft voice, but full of alarm. "Is it still you...? It's Shikadai, please remember!"

Sarada, beside him, had taken a defensive stance, her fists clenched in preparation to move if necessary. But his face was full of conflict.

What should I do?

Shikadai was his friend, someone he had grown up with, and Mirai... Mirai was a companion she deeply respected, someone who had taken on the role of a silent captain for all of them.

To intervene meant to break something much deeper than a simple mission dispute. It was evident that what was happening between them was not just a matter of hierarchies or rules; there was something else.

Sarada frowned, her gaze intense, examining their every move. And then he saw it. Something that no one else seemed to notice.

Mirai's eyes were not focused on Shikadai, nor on his surroundings. They were trapped in another reality, in another time. Sarada opened her eyes a little more, with surprise, but also with the serenity of someone who is beginning to understand.

Before she could act, her instinct alerted her.

He turned on his heel immediately, the air around him changing from a tense calm to something more dangerous. Mitsuki, who was watching her with her usual detachment, approached with a question on his lips, but Sarada raised a hand, signaling her to wait.

"What's wrong?" Mitsuki asked in his usual neutral tone. 

Inojin, who had been watching the scene between Mirai and Shikadai with growing concern, interrupted before Sarada could answer.

"There is something coming." He said with his gaze fixed on the direction of the feudal lord's compound. "The ninjas inside are noticing... they are coming towards us. I can feel them."

The conflict within the group intensified. They had to act fast. They couldn't let Mirai and Shikadai continue in that confrontation, not with the threat approaching. But Mirai had not yet returned to reality.

She was still trapped, her hand clutching Shikadai's shirt, who looked at her with a mixture of horror and defiance. His eyes showed sadness, but also a silent challenge, as if he was waiting for her to give in, to try to hit him

"We have to get them out of here!" Boruto said, desperate, looking at the others as he tried to get closer to Mirai without triggering a violent reaction. 

"Hurry up!" Chou Chou urged, moving uneasily, as if her body was ready to run. 

But Mirai did not react. He didn't blink, he didn't let go of Shikadai. She seemed to be trapped in a place she didn't know how to get out of.

That's when a loud scream echoed from the other side of the fence.

"Who's there?!"

The sound cut through the air like a knife, and immediately all eyes turned to the direction of the voice. The ninjas of the feudal lord. They were approaching, leaping to the top of the fence, looking around, their silhouettes cast by the distant lights of the complex.

Time seemed to stop for a second. Everything that had been chaos, doubts, and tensions, was condensed into a single need: to disappear.

When the ninjas jumped the fence and landed nimbly on the ground, they did so silently. Their gazes swept the area for intruders.

But, when her eyes finally landed on the spot where Mirai and the others had been... there was no one there anymore.

The clearing in the forest where the internal battle had been fought was empty, as if the conflict that only moments before threatened to explode had never existed.

The feudal lord's ninjas looked at each other, confused. They had felt something, they were sure there was someone there. But now, everything was calm.

Mirai, Boruto, Shikadai, and the others, had vanished into the darkness.

 

 


PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES
CassieNilonis CassieNilonis

I apologize for the translation errors! Occasionally (mostly, haha) a dialogue or text is interpreted as something different. I appreciate how you continue to read!

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