บท 108: Attacked
Ryomaru's first reaction was, "Oh." There was a momentary emptiness, a lack of sensation that left him listless. It felt like he had been suspended in a void. But almost instantly, clarity hit him like a bolt of lightning.
Rising to his feet, Ryomaru's face took on an intensity that belied his tender age. "Samui, Mabui," he said, his voice firm yet laden with urgency, "Take Hinata, Hanabi, and Temari to Konoha, but do not enter the village."
Before anyone could question him, his body was enveloped in a cloak of lightning chakra. Those familiar with the technique were aware of the strain it put on the user's body. He shouldn't be using it, especially in his injured state, but Ryomaru's determination shone through. With blinding speed, he sprinted forward, heading straight for Konoha.
"Ryomaru!" Hanabi's voice rang out, a mix of fear and disbelief. But he was already a blur in the distance, leaving the rest to catch their breath and make sense of the sudden turn of events.
"Why did he leave like that?" Hanabi whispered, her eyes teary, frustration evident in her voice.
Hinata, equally puzzled, could only shake her head in response. The elder Hyuga tried to make sense of the situation but came up short. Mabui and Samui, while seasoned shinobi, were similarly caught off guard.
It was Mabui, with a sudden realization, who broke the silence. "Shit," she muttered, a word one wouldn't usually hear from the composed kunoichi. "In my shock over the Raikage's death, I didn't think of its immediate ramifications."
Mabui's gaze met Samui's. The gravity of the situation dawning on her, Samui's expression turned somber. With Ryomaru's father gone, there was no one to deter those with avaricious ambitions. Those in the shadows, eager to exploit the power Ryomaru held or the lineage, now saw an opportunity.
"Miori is still in Konoha," Mabui whispered, the weight of the words not lost on anyone.
Hinata's eyes widened, "That's why he left in such haste."
Ryomaru, with his cloak of lightning chakra flaring around him, sprinted towards Konoha with an intensity fueled by concern for his mother. With each step, the forest underfoot became a blur, the wind howling past his ears as he tried to process the sudden news of Raikage-sama's death.
Ryomaru, with every ounce of energy he could muster, was blazing through the forest. The wind streamed past him, tousling his black hair while his ice-blue eyes remained focused on the destination ahead.
He knew that with the death of Raikage-sama, his family was at risk, especially Miori. Ryomaru had never entirely trusted Hiruzen or anyone in Konoha with her safety. After all, danger could lurk even within the walls of the Hidden Leaf.
"Mum…" he whispered, imagining her waiting for him at home, unaware of the potential danger around her.
Inside Konoha's former Uchiha Clan compound, nestled amongst the structures now turned over for various purposes, lay the house where Miori and Ryomaru resided. Miori moved gracefully around the kitchen, a soft hum accompanying her. Her white hair, reminiscent of a serene winter, swayed gently, casting pale blue glimmers in the afternoon light.
Distracted by the scent of the dish she was preparing, she ventured into the living room. Ryomaru's picture on the mantle made her stop, her heart swelling with maternal love. She gazed at his photograph, her ice-blue eyes reflecting the likeness between mother and son.
"It feels like an eternity since I've seen him," she murmured, placing a hand on the frame. "Being away from him for this long... I never imagined it'd be so tough. I wonder what he's been up to."
She took a moment, lost in her thoughts, imagining Ryomaru laughing with his friends, training, and experiencing mission outside of Konoha.
Suddenly, Miori felt the familiar tingle of foreign chakra, like a drop of cold water running down her back. "That's not just one or two," she whispered, bending low and touching the wooden floor beneath her. Sensing through the vibrations, she quickly deduced, "Over fifteen... What's happening?"
Without wasting a moment, she moved stealthily toward the bedroom, where a large, ornate mirror stood. Its icy surface seemed to pulse in sync with her own chakra. With a determined glance at the mirror, Miori stepped forward, her form dissolving into the glassy reflection. Within moments, she was gone from the room.
Ryomaru, having pushed himself beyond limits to reach Konoha, stopped at the village's outskirts. Instead of rushing in, he cautiously patrolled the borders, keenly observing any movement. To his dismay, he recognized the presence of ROOT agents scattered around. Danzo was supposed to have been exiled from Konoha as part of Ryomaru's student exchange deal. The mere presence of his agents indicated a breach of their agreement. Realization dawned upon Ryomaru; Danzo either had prior knowledge of the peril the Raikage was in or his impending demise. A chill ran down Ryomaru's spine. "I never asked how the Raikage died," he mused, "But if Danzo knew before me..."
Ryomaru's eyes darted between the agents, his face a mask of determination. "I need to find out more before I can act," he thought, considering his next move.
Ryomaru summoned a reflective surface from thin air, and its shimmering façade revealed the forest close to his home. Stepping inside, the world around him morphed, and he was instantly amidst the dense foliage. Even before he could steady himself, he felt a familiar, comforting chakra signature. Miori was nearby.
Peeking around a sturdy tree trunk, he found her. Miori was hunkered down, her ice-blue eyes scanning the area with an alertness that belied her gentle nature. The wind rustled, causing her white hair to dance around her face.
Softly stepping up to her, Ryomaru placed one hand over her mouth to stifle any sounds of surprise and pulled her into a tight embrace with the other. For a split second, Miori stiffened, but as she recognized the familiar feel and scent of her son, her body relaxed into his hold. Her eyes filled with tears, and she clung to him, having missed him dearly.
Pulling back slightly, Ryomaru whispered, "It's me, Mum. I'm here."
Miori nodded, her voice thick with emotion. "Ryo… I've missed you so much."
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