[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! For Only $5][www.p@treon.com/zaelum]
[Thank You For Your Support!]
====
"Dr. Sōsuke!!" Hearing a familiar voice, Ino quickly turned around, her eyes lighting up with excitement as she greeted "Dr. Sōsuke."
Sakura, though not as animated as Ino, still had a favorable impression of the doctor who had taught her and greeted him warmly.
"Sorry to interrupt your conversation. I just heard you talking about Hagoromo Gensou, and I'm also very interested in learning more about him."
Gensou explained with a "sincere" expression.
He was curious about how ordinary people, not those high-ranking individuals who saw everyone as part of their own circle, viewed him.
Upon hearing this, although she didn't understand why "Dr. Sōsuke" was so interested in Gensou, Sakura unhesitatingly voiced her opinion:
"Hagoromo Gensou must be a big bad guy like Orochimaru. Otherwise, why would the Hokage and everyone else be so wary of him?"
Upon hearing Sakura's words, Ino immediately stopped admiring the handsome doctor and quickly retorted, "Being wary of someone's strength doesn't mean they're a bad person. You have to look at their entire life's actions to judge them."
"Forcing people to hand over secret techniques? Kidnapping Sasuke?" Sakura retorted bluntly.
Ino's expression faltered but quickly waved her hands dismissively, "Those are isolated incidents. You can't judge someone's entire character based on a few actions."
Before Sakura could continue arguing, Ino adopted a revealing expression and said, "You won't believe it! Because of Gensou's reappearance in the ninja world, I specifically went to our clan's library and found a book recording his life written by our ancestors."
"Cough, cough, you know, the Yamanaka clan has been around since the Warring States period and, as experts in intelligence, has uncovered many secrets of the ninja world."
"The Yamanaka clan's reputation is well known," Gensou nodded.
Although not as prominent as the top ninja clans of the Warring States period, the combination of the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, along with their ally the Sarutobi clan, made their collective influence significant in the ninja world.
Sakura, from an ordinary family, could only feel envious.
"So," Ino snapped her fingers dramatically and revealed, "according to our ancestors' records, the real Hagoromo Gensou is nothing like we imagined."
"Sakura, do you remember those knight novels and comics we used to read when we were kids?"
Don't doubt the existence of knights in the Naruto world. This is a world where things like rap and English phrases are casually mentioned.
Sakura, hearing this, glanced embarrassedly at "Dr. Sōsuke" and quickly waved her hands, "We're ninjas now, why bring up childhood stuff?"
Recalling the embarrassing memories of clinging to those novels and comics, fantasizing about the handsome protagonists riding white horses, kneeling before them to declare their love, and even arguing with Ino over which protagonist was better, made Sakura feel like she was being executed on the spot.
However, Ino's next words made her shock override her embarrassment.
"Actually, during the Warring States period, Hagoromo Gensou's actions were very much like those of knights and heroes in the stories."
"What???"
Sakura immediately forgot her childhood embarrassments, unable to believe her ears, "Hagoromo Gensou? A knight? A hero?"
She couldn't reconcile this image.
The man who had approached her, whose mere presence made her tremble with fear; the man who Naruto, Kakashi-sensei, and the Hokage were all wary of; the man who had schemed to live a second life, causing the entire ninja world to tremble in fear of what he might do next.
Could he really be the knight and hero Ino described?
Hagoromo Gensou raised an eyebrow at this.
Then he and Sakura listened to Ino's detailed recounting.
"In the 132nd year of the Fire Nation calendar, in the village of Fuyū, a ninja tyrannized the villagers, killing 23 people and taking 14 women, torturing 10 of them to death. No one dared resist. Hagoromo Gensou encountered this and killed the ninja in anger."
Old memories resurfaced in Gensou's mind as Ino spoke.
He remembered that year, at the age of fourteen, he had left the Hagoromo clan's territory, traveling through the ninja world and passing through a village called Fuyū.
There were many villagers, but the atmosphere was oppressive, even during a wedding.
Upon learning that the village's only ninja was marrying a bride and had already killed ten young women, Gensou didn't hesitate to kill the mediocre ninja.
The matter was simple, just a minor effort for him, but for the villagers, it was a lifelong memory that spread and was somehow recorded by the Yamanaka clan.
"In the 133rd year of the Fire Nation calendar, in the town of Hakuryō, a Kaguya clan ninja with the Shikotsumyaku lost control and slaughtered 3,125 people. Gensou encountered him, fought for half a day, and killed him despite being severely injured."
Gensou recalled a Kaguya ninja whose Shikotsumyaku was highly developed and who had been consumed by killing intent.
The crazier the Kaguya clan members became, the more dangerous they were.
Back then, as a young man, he had taken a long time and nearly lost his life to kill the ninja.
Was it unwise to provoke such a formidable enemy?
Seeing so many people die, including a little girl in pain who, despite trembling, reached out to him before collapsing and never standing up again.
How could he stand by?
"In the 135th year of the Fire Nation calendar, during a great famine, the lord of Ishikawa Castle refused to open the granary, leading to cannibalism outside the castle. Gensou killed the lord in anger, opened the granary, and saved countless lives."
That year, Gensou witnessed the true horror of "famine and cannibalism" described in history books.
What infuriated him more was seeing the lord of Ishikawa Castle hosting lavish banquets, throwing large amounts of leftover food to stray dogs out of "kindness."
Without a word, Gensou threw the "kind" lord to the dogs as well, and then opened the granary, as the books recorded.
Of course, this act angered the higher authorities.
"In the 136th year of the Fire Nation calendar, he killed three ninjas who practiced forbidden techniques using human organs…"
"In the 137th year of the Fire Nation calendar, he killed twelve nobles who hunted humans for sport…"
"In the 138th year of the Fire Nation calendar…"
Listening to Ino recount the life of Gensou incident by incident.
Sakura went from disbelief to shock to silence, her face complex with emotions.
Gensou himself remained silent for a long time.
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My Patreon For +20 Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!! For Only $5][www.p@treon.com/zaelum]
[Thank You For Your Support!]
====
[August Poll!! New Fanfics Are Out!!] [Remember To Vote On Patreon!! THE VOTE IS FREE!!] [Reviews Are Also Counted!!]
[Naruto: Infinite New World]
[Slashing Through Worlds: Starting from the Soul Society]
[One Piece: My Piltover Technology is Far Ahead]
====
It was clear that Ino had truly absorbed the contents of the book describing Gensou's life. Many events that even Gensou himself had almost forgotten were remembered by her and recounted clearly at this moment.
Unknowingly, this young lady from the Yamanaka clan, like her ancestor who wrote the book, had become a devoted admirer of Hagoromo Gensou.
After all, if the ancestor hadn't genuinely admired Gensou, how could they have written a book detailing his numerous significant deeds, filled with words of praise?
Gensou was unaware that he had such an admirer from the Yamanaka clan in the past.
To be honest, he felt that the book's praise for him was somewhat excessive.
Gensou knew well that he wasn't the true hero or saint as depicted in the book.
He greatly admired those who, even without any power, bravely faced danger, determined to change everything for their ideals.
For him, his actions along the way were more a benevolent expression of possessing great power rather than a dedicated pursuit of justice.
Those acts of vengeance were carried out on the foundation of his formidable strength and were done on the side rather than being his main purpose.
In truth, Gensou's philosophy had always been simple, far less complicated than the Five Great Shinobi Villages and other factions perceived.
When he crossed over from a world without magic and first experienced the real flow of a power called "chakra" in his body, allowing him to do things beyond human capabilities, his philosophy became clear.
That was to keep moving forward, to see what lay at the end of chakra.
Perhaps there was a door.
A door leading to higher realms.
For Gensou, if he could find that door, open it, and see the scenery beyond, that would be perfect.
Of course, the beauty of life is not only in the result but also in the journey.
During this journey, stopping occasionally to admire or change things within his capability was only natural.
This was a simple and pure ideal, yet others always thought of it too complexly.
Those with conspiracies in their hearts always suspected others of similar motives, as if everyone shared their inner thoughts.
Gensou shook his head, returning to reality.
At this moment, Ino was proudly asking Sakura, "So, Sakura, do you still think Hagoromo Gensou is a villain like Orochimaru?"
"I... I don't know."
Sakura felt her worldview had been severely shaken, her mind in a fog.
For a twelve-year-old with limited life experience, the world and people were supposed to be black and white.
Someone who caused so much pressure for Konoha and the ninja world, like Gensou, should be a villain in her imagination.
Yet, listening to Ino's recounting of Gensou's life, she realized he couldn't be labeled a villain.
So, what kind of person was Gensou?
Sakura felt like there were two little figures in her mind fiercely battling each other.
At this point, Gensou spoke, "In the real world, some things and people aren't judged by good or bad. Conflicts of interest, conflicts of ideals, make it normal for heroes and saints to fight to the death."
Sakura still didn't fully understand, but she gleaned one thing.
"At least, we don't have to worry about Sasuke being in danger with Gensou, right?" she said, her eyes brightening.
"Seriously, Sakura? You're still thinking about Sasuke at a time like this?"
Ino was exasperated and ignored her friend, turning to "Dr. Sōsuke" with a triumphant air, asking, "Dr. Sōsuke, you've heard all this. What do you think of Gensou now?"
"Well…"
Gensou rubbed his chin and smiled faintly, "A highly unstable threat to the balance and peace of the ninja world."
Ino: "…"
For the first time, she felt that the handsome "Dr. Sōsuke" had become "repulsive."
Bidding a quick goodbye to an exasperated Ino and a Sasuke-obsessed Sakura, Gensou prepared to return home as the evening approached.
Suddenly, he paused, sensing a familiar surge of secret technique energy. His eyes narrowed as he turned towards the distant source.
"There are always those self-righteous people who believe the world should operate according to their whims, not realizing that the world is the world. And they are just insignificant ants."
Gensou's eyes darkened as he muttered to himself, "Once again, peace has been shattered by your own doing."
Turning back time a bit.
Having left the Konoha Memorial Stone, Suzumebachi, who had decided to end the intertwined fate of the Hagoromo and Konoha clans, spent his final moments buying his son's favorite foods and an expensive toy he had always wanted, hoping to leave his son with a wonderful evening to remember.
After finishing his shopping, he walked home with bags in hand.
Seeing the light inside his house, he imagined his thoughtful son had already cleaned the house, sitting patiently on the sofa, occasionally glancing at the door, waiting for his return.
Suzumebachi smiled as he reached the door, about to take out his key.
Whoosh! Whoosh! A faint whistling sound broke the air.
Suzumebachi's face changed.
Before he could react, a group of black-robed, brightly masked ninjas surrounded him.
The leader spoke coldly, "Suzumebachi, there's a task requiring your cooperation. Come with us to the Root base."
Suzumebachi clenched his fists, "Root? I'm a direct subordinate of the Hokage, a member of the Intelligence Analysis Squad. You have no authority—"
He was cut off by the Root ninja, "This is Lord Danzo's order."
Suzumebachi tried to argue further, but the Root ninja acted swiftly, subduing him in an instant.
In the end, Suzumebachi could only glance at his house, then was knocked unconscious.
The group disappeared quickly, leaving behind the fresh vegetables and toys scattered on the ground, unattended.
Soon, the door to the house opened.
Suzumebachi's son peeked out, looking at the empty surroundings and the items on the ground, confusedly asking, "Dad?"
Suzumebachi couldn't respond.
When he regained consciousness, he found himself in a dark chamber.
Before him sat a man known as the "Darkness of the Shinobi," perched on a cold chair, his hands resting on the top of his cane. He looked at Suzumebachi coldly and asked:
"I ask, you answer."
"What is Sōsuke's true identity?"
(End of Chapter)
Bạn cũng có thể thích
bình luận đoạn văn
Tính năng bình luận đoạn văn hiện đã có trên Web! Di chuyển chuột qua bất kỳ đoạn nào và nhấp vào biểu tượng để thêm nhận xét của bạn.
Ngoài ra, bạn luôn có thể tắt / bật nó trong Cài đặt.
ĐÃ NHẬN ĐƯỢC