章節 10: PART 2.
Mirai struggled to hold back the scream that threatened to escape from her throat.
She was exposed, with no alternative to retract. He stood on a taut rope of judgment, testing his confidence.
His options were limited and he considered them rigorously, taking advantage of any minimal distraction as an excuse for his delay. All because he didn't want to tell the truth.
She felt everyone present have their eyes riveted on her, waiting for anything she had to say. Mirai was caught in the spotlight like a hopeless insect.
"And now what do I do?" He asked himself inwardly.
In his mind, he scolded himself endlessly. He screamed and tossed and turned, but on the outside he was impassive. He closed his eyes tightly, with a thoughtful expression on his face. However, his pursed mouth betrayed his nervousness.
What would you say? What would be the best option for everyone?
He closed his eyes looking for a small escape from reality, a mental space where he could discuss his options.
"I didn't mean to hide something so important from you, but I needed this time to reflect on it." She murmured, frowning in a grimace and closing her eyes again when she realized that the children were looking at her expectantly.
However, inside, Mirai was firmly denied.
"No, that's not right. I had enough time to think." She said to herself. "And the more I did it, the more I realized that they are not ready yet."
His shoes sank into the sand, giving him a little distraction to further release his thoughts. His walk stopped when everyone claimed to want to know more about the compass, he had accidentally mentioned a few minutes ago.
Ever since they left the territories of Konoha, Mirai had had plenty of time to reflect. Adding up the hours without sleep, he had had enough time to clear up the doubts that hindered his progress on this journey.
She wanted to be prepared, ready for whatever they found in the place marked by Tanaka-san. However, she wasn't even sure what awaited them in that silent fate.
As they progressed with the children, I got to know them individually. Perhaps not in the way I would have preferred, but in an understanding way. They all seemed equally affected and silent, but at least he had had a chance to get to know their thoughts while they were away from Konoha.
His heart was relieved as Tsubaki expressed his love for the village during one of the rest breaks.
Although she had been visibly grieving and with a dull twinkle in her eyes, she shared how Konoha had changed her and how much she wished she had told her family about her experiences in the village. After a good while of tears, she finally shared her sorrow with Mirai. Tsubaki regretted not having responded to the last letter she received from her family.
In the time Mirai had spent thinking while the children slept or rested, she had managed to glimpse through the haze of memories and helplessness that enveloped them.
He had made the decision to protect them, no matter the circumstances. When Tanaka-san revealed the harsh truth to him, he understood that there would be no turning back; This time, there would be no one else to protect her. Now he was responsible for the lives of those children, because their parents, heroes or not, had wanted him.
The parents of those children had trusted her to lead them to what might be their last hope.
Therefore, he could not afford to let his guard down. Revealing information to them lightly would not help them.
However, hiding most things from them wouldn't be helpful either. If they didn't know enough, they might not act in time. She recalled how she had cried at the sight of the children in pain for more than an hour.
"Shikadai is very cunning, and Sarada is very focused..." Mirai thought, but then she firmly rejected the idea. "No, I can't... I can't tell you everything. They still don't have things clear."
Mirai didn't care if the children knew about the compass or where they were going. However, faced with the possibility of facing a multitude of complications, he refused to consider that alternative.
The uneasiness in her heart persisted, like a shadow that followed her at every step. He had lost his mother and had never had the time to grieve his loss.
The mastery of the Space-Time Jutsu and the sudden independence had forced her to quickly adapt to difficult situations. However, their learning did not advance at the same pace as their experiences.
Looking back was always painful. All emotions were revived when it was already broken, running the risk of causing even more damage. But she was doing it, because she understood that if she didn't, no one would protect those children.
If she told them all about the people who had conspired with the adults of Konoha, there was a chance that they would rebel against her. That was what he called "Rebellion".
What if the emotions of the moment affected them and rebelled against their orders? Mirai wouldn't forgive her if something happened to them...
If she couldn't act irresponsibly, much less could she allow them to act that way. Especially the blond with a mustache, who looked at her judiciously as he crossed his arms. Everyone was waiting for an explanation, and he was looking for the truth he knew she was hiding.
As he pondered his next words, he heard the Uzumaki's insistences in the distance. Although I was still mentally organizing what I was going to say, I was already improvising on the fly.
"This..." Mirai began, cracking a forced smile. "The superior with whom I spoke handed me the compass and told me to go northwest to deliver something of great importance to him."
The children reacted with surprise. The news that they would continue on their own had been sudden, and most had vented their hearts without questioning about it further.
Mirai carried them forward while they slept a little, using the journey to reflect on what she had lost since they had arrived in the Sands of the Windland.
"What is important?" Namida asked, stepping forward. The lie Mirai had devised hurt when she met the girl's eyes. "Why do we have to head northwest? What's there?"
Mirai swallowed hard and frowned. Just as he was about to concoct another white lie, Hako spoke from behind the group, holding his pink puppet by the hand.
"Why a compass? It is very unusual for a Shinobi to carry a compass with them." He said, leaving his companions thoughtful.
"You're right..." Mirai heard Shikadai murmur. "We can easily be guided by the sun or the moon."
At that moment, Mirai met Shikadai's gaze. He was visibly distressed, not so much by discovering the lie, but by his own inability to think clearly, something he had once been able to do.
"Did he tell you why we should go there?" Shikadai asked, breaking the tense silence that enveloped the group.
Mirai was speechless at seeing him like this. She felt as if the truth was strangling her. All eyes fell on her, almost pleading. He inhaled deeply, holding back a gasp that threatened to escape him as he nearly freely revealed all that had been entrusted to him.
"The timeline ceased to exist." Mirai remembered the words of the Chunin Man.
Among the many things I vaguely remembered from the barrage of information, there was that "taboo." The topic I didn't want to get to, but which would surely be talked about the moment the children were desperately looking for an answer.
Protect them not only from people of their time, but also from individuals of the past. Among them could be anyone: wanted assassins, ninjas from allied villages, even Konoha's own ninjas. I couldn't burden them with that worry, because if I did, all the tranquility they had had until now would vanish.
They would go deeper and deeper into the unknown, until they reached that taboo. That topic that no one wants to talk about, but that every child knows is there, latent, waiting to be addressed.
She didn't want them to think about Konoha. He preferred to make them wait and talk to them when things were calmer in their environment.
The teenager took a deep breath. Confidently, he rummaged through the pockets of his cloak and handed young Nara the heavy compass. It was big and a little rusty.
"I didn't tell them anything because I didn't think it was necessary." He lied. "The compass has been useful to me at times when I was distracted... And this." He took a small bag out of his pocket. All the Genin and Chunin looked curiously at the object he was holding. "It's to give it to a person. But I have no idea who it could be... So, try not to comment on this detail so lightly."
"Does that gentleman know anyone around here?" Enko asked, raising eyebrows. "I mean, we haven't talked about it, but..."
To travel to the past, to awaken the memories that many adults embellished. As incredible as the fact was, that was the reality. And if they had known the cost of this experiment, they would have preferred not to think about the possibilities of "maybe yes" anymore.
Individually, they showed bitter expressions. They wanted to talk about it, to ask questions without interruption. However, seeing the Sarutobi follow the words of a superior with their emotions subdued, they did not believe that it was the best they could do.
Mirai looked away. She didn't feel comfortable facing their gazes and watching them avoid asking for fear of hurting her further.
The weight of his responsibility was evident to everyone. She appreciated the maturity and understanding they showed, but she was still reluctant to reveal the truth. I wouldn't do it until I was sure it was the right thing to do, or if perhaps the best thing would be to find another place to start over.
It would be lonely, and very different from their previous lives. It wouldn't be the same, but at least they were alive, and that was the most important thing. Nothing had more value than standing here and now, compared to those who were no longer there.
While everyone was reflecting, Mirai took the opportunity to look into the distance. The desert sand stretched as far as the eye could see. It seemed infinite, and the heat was endless.
A hot breeze like the sand under their feet caressed them for a few moments. The sand came with it, an unfriendly encounter.
"Tanaka-san said to head northwest... But to what extent?" Someone asked, breaking the silence.
The lump in Mirai's throat grew heavier as she swallowed. He didn't know the exact answer, and Enko's recent question only added to his worries.
Why would Tanaka-san send them in that direction? Do you know someone from the past? Do those who planned your rescue want you to trust what they will find there?
They had no choice now. It was the only thing they had. Because sometimes it was more comforting not to know what they were doing than to sit idle and let life pass in the sand.
He heard one of the children wail about the heat, as he wiped the sweat from his forehead. He knew he had to stop that pace if he really wanted to find what he had been tasked to look for. It was his last chance to understand exactly what his task was and to feel... free.
"Can we continue or do you prefer to rest?" He asked, hesitating in his serenity. "Oh... maybe not. Maybe they'd rather rest, wouldn't they? I am sorry..."
Did she have what it took to lead? To take care of? To fight and protect them?
She had accepted this burden because it was what she wanted. He promised it when Shikamaru passed away, and reaffirmed it when they left Tanaka-san behind. However, she wasn't sure if she possessed enough strength.
"If I continue to the northwest, I may find the answers I am looking for..."
If that "Great Old Woman" really existed, there was a chance that she would not only give him answers about what was happening, but also advice on how to deal with it. See if there was any hope of getting it all back.
Though in the depths of his heart, he seriously wondered if returning home was possible... Tanaka-san himself had told him that the entire timeline had been destroyed.
Outside, the atmosphere became somewhat uncomfortable. The captain of the makeshift squad of children stood silent, with strange facial gestures, as they exchanged glances with each other. What was the reason for her captain's concern? Aside from the obvious, there was clearly something else.
"Um... Mirai-san. "Sarada took the initiative, exposing all the others, who were waiting patiently. "Can we know why you're so anxious?"
"Huh?" Sarutobi came out of his reverie. "Anxious? Who is anxious?"
Sarada dropped her arms at her sides, looking at her captain with an innocence that denoted the wear and tear of her emotions.
"Well... not to offend you, Mirai-san, but you are always very easy to read."
"Huh?!"
"It's easy to know when you're happy, sad, serious... and uncomfortable. You are very transparent, Mirai-san." The Uchiha's gentle but timely statement left Mirai speechless. "I don't know if that's good or bad, but you're pretty bad at lying."
Apparently, everyone was equally convinced. They didn't utter a single word, but their looks said it all.
Sure, depending on what they thought, Mirai would find some way out of this situation. But being discovered again, this time by someone other than Shikadai, left a bitter taste in his mouth. Was it really that easy to read? Or maybe it was simply because they all knew each other so well?
On one occasion, Kakashi-san had expressed something similar to him very clearly.
She had told him that she was very outgoing and that the best thing for everyone, especially herself, was to act freely without the mask of the responsible girl. In that package of honesty, there was also the detail about his inability to lie to his friends.
He had to find a way to avoid any more encounters like that if he really didn't want others to dig deeper. Sarada and others were Chunin, just like her. However, in this situation, it was evident that she was the highest-ranking one.
Part of their desire was to keep the information secret, even though they too wore the green vest of the Chunins.
"I'm worried, that's all. We all are, aren't we?" He finally spoke, and his words seemed to calm their faces. Mirai shaped the truth. "Konoha was fine, and probably still is. Although what he told me was somewhat strange, I need more detailed answers."
"Do you really think we're in for something in the northwest?" Sarada asked with an inquisitive expression.
"I think so." Mirai sighed. "It's the only thing we have now. Besides, you are quite tired, we cannot continue like this."
Sarada squirmed in place.
"I—! I can move on!" He exclaimed.
All eyes turned to Metal Lee, who was nervously clenching his fists under the sudden attention.
"I can run! Much faster if you want! I can go ahead and take a look if that's what you want!" Metal hurriedly said, showing a nervous smile with narrowed eyes.
"Don't go so fast, Metal-kun!"
Iwabee scolded him after Denki, grabbing him by the shoulder. But Metal was still smiling nervously, as if he was under unbearable pressure and not by choice.
Mirai watched the situation with a sad smile, aware of the stresses and pressures that were affecting her young companions.
"No need, Metal-kun. You don't have to force yourself." Mirai said calmly, relieving young Lee of the self-imposed pressure. "While I'd like to fast forward and find out why Tanaka-san was so determined that we should go there... The well-being of all of you is my priority. I cannot allow them to waste energy unnecessarily."
Mirai noticed the expression of gratitude on the young people's faces, but before she could say more, Shikadai spoke, challenging her decision with a thoughtful question.
"What if we don't want to slow down?" He said. "I... I'd also like to hurry. If what you say is true, then I want to be there too. I want to see what's so important that they want us to see."
The others straightened up, agreeing with Shikadai's words. Even Boruto joined the conversation with a cry of determination.
"I want to move on too!" he exclaimed. "I'm tired of walking! If we have a place to go, then I want to be a part of it."
Mirai's surprise was evident. This was the exact opposite of what he had expected. He had planned to reassure them with a subtle lie, mixed with the truth, to let them reflect in silence. Instead, he found that young people were determined to join the quest, willing to discover the truth for themselves.
Perhaps his selfish desire to keep them out of it had been misinterpreted. But now, with the Genin and Chunin determined to move on, it was clear that he hadn't expected this outcome.
His mother always warned him about it: his selfishness, more dangerous than that of an ordinary person. Mirai was curious and spontaneous by nature, and now, as she watched the children murmur with suppressed emotion, her inner voice cried out to stop them.
But she was caught in a dilemma: her dignity had sunk under the sand and she could not afford to show weakness in front of them.
She was grateful to be the only one who knew about her true situation, although a persistent uneasiness gnawed at her inside. With all eyes on her, she fervently hoped that they would not delve further into the matter when they arrived at the destination, and allow her to investigate in private.
"Well? Can we move forward?" Boruto asked, showing a determination that led the group.
"Eh..."
That was all she could articulate.
(~~~)
A scream echoed through the corridors of the Hokage residence, reaching even the ears of those who passed by. The young man's exuberance filled the room, joyfully proclaiming his new responsibility and the trust placed in him.
In front of him, Shizune struggled to maintain his composure as he watched the scene. Su Hokage, serene as always, showed hardly any signs of emotion. Without changing his imperturbable expression, he allowed the young Naruto to enjoy the moment he had been waiting for so long.
That young man, with blond hair and blue eyes, with the characteristic whisker marks on his cheeks, was none other than Uzumaki Naruto. With the ninja bandana proudly tied on his forehead, he embodied the legacy of the Fourth Hokage and the boy who once faced loneliness.
"I knew I could trust you, grandma!" Naruto exclaimed excitedly, resting half his body on the desk of the impassive Hokage. "I knew it! I never doubted that you would leave me aside on such an important mission as this! Don't you like me a lot?"
On the sides, his Kakashi teammates, Sai and Haruno Sakura, watched the scene with looks of resignation, wishing that the show would end as soon as possible.
In the corner occupied by Sai was Kakashi, the Jōnin of the team. Accustomed to Naruto's flamboyant behavior, Kakashi watched calmly, waiting for the young man's effusiveness to subside before heading to the Hokage, who was likely expecting the same.
As Naruto continued to praise himself, Kakashi asked an important question.
"How can you be sure that these people are connected to what happened?" The white-haired man asked.
Tsunade's response came with the serenity of her position.
The council informed me about it and mentioned the threats received. Apparently, I wasn't informed due to Akatsuki being the priority.
"I understands." Kakashi nodded, not questioning the Hokage's slight distortion of the truth.
Meanwhile, Sakura was trying to quietly silence the eloquent Naruto. Tsunade continued with her explanation, instructing Shizune to bring her a scroll.
The mysterious presence of the scroll caught the attention of Naruto and his companions. They watched curiously as Tsunade unrolled the scroll onto her desk, revealing a detailed map of the continent within.
The colors of the parchment varied in shades of red and green, delineating the great nations with distinctive symbols in their center. Naruto was able to clearly distinguish the borders and territories marked on the detailed map.
"The last time we heard from these people was at the time of the third Hokage." Tsunade traced the lines of the map with his index finger as he spoke. "Back then there were only a handful of individuals scattered everywhere, but now we know that they reside deep in the forests of the Land of Fire. Specifically, in the vicinity of the border opposite our village."
"Are they a large number of people now?" Naruto asked.
"According to the council, yes." Hokage confirmed, scrutinizing the members of Team Kakashi. "They gave me more information about it. They appear to be skilled at using time-space Jutsu, which allows them to effectively hide in their current location."
Sakura straightened up, letting go of her attempt to restrain Naruto.
"Do you mean that possibly your village is hidden somewhere?" He asked carefully.
"It is very likely." Tsunade nodded seriously. "As of a week ago, ninjas and civilians were reported missing in the area. Since the third Hokage collaborated in some way in protecting them, they suspect that they might believe that we are responsible for these disappearances, and this threat is their response to our inaction."
Tsunade remained steadfast, taking care not to show any trace of discomfort about her lie. From time to time, he cast discreet glances at Kakashi. He was keen and soon sensed the strangeness surrounding this mission.
It was evident to Kakashi that this mission had a more subtle purpose, a kind of decoy. To him, it was plausible that the reason why all the equipment had been sent to that specific location was because of the inclusion of Naruto, the wielder of the Kyūbi.
Asuma's recent death at the hands of the Akatsuki members still weighed on the air, and Tsunade was particularly concerned about Naruto. He sought to take him away from Konoha for a while, hiding him in that place. However, despite his doubts, Kakashi did not question the veracity of what the Hokage said.
It was a real mission, but with the main goal of keeping Naruto away from Konoha for a while.
Tsunade held out the small scroll toward Kakashi with determination. It was the key to unraveling the mystery that shrouded the situation.
"Deliver this message to the leader of those people. Therein lies my perplexity and the possible solutions to remedy all this. Go over there and find out what is happening."
"Understood."
Both Sai and Sakura nodded solemnly, accepting the order with respect.
However, Naruto was growling under his breath. He was visibly upset and wanted everyone in the room to know.
"Are you going to allow yourself to be blackmailed like that? That's not like you, Grandma Tsunade." He commented, showing an unusual calm compared to other days. "They hurt people and you happily agree to their demands. It is disrespectful to all those who have been injured."
"Naruto, please calm down. The fifth has already considered that. That is why he has sent us." Sakura whispered to him, trying to appease him.
With a confused expression, Naruto looked at Tsunade with a frown.
The fifth Hokage intertwined her fingers, resting her jaw on them with determination.
" That's right. You will comply with what is asked of us, but you must also investigate who or what is behind all this." He explained firmly. "This lack of respect will not go unpunished. If you find the person responsible or discover something relevant, let me know. Only then will I be able to seek a peaceful solution."
Naruto snorted; his arms folded. However, instead of continuing to protest, he revealed a wry smile.
"That's how we should do things. We are not going to solve problems in the same way that they do."
With those words, Naruto left the room, with no one seeing him again for the next few days.
After the office became empty and Tsunade nodded Kakashi through her office window, she slumped into the chair with a sigh.
He wondered what the next move would be. Kakashi was with the team, and he trusted in Sakura and Sai's ability to protect Naruto. However, the uncertainty about what had really happened increased his concern.
What if those people were responsible? What if they were linked to Akatsuki and Tsunade was sending Naruto directly to them, but what if it wasn't? What if the incident had deeper roots and needed the help of third parties?
With all these worries in mind, Tsunade heard a voice on the other side of the door. It had been at least twenty minutes since he fired the Kakashi team.
"Go ahead." He authorized, while waiting patiently next to Shizune for the person to introduce himself, following the orders given.
The person asked for permission before entering his office, but Tsunade noticed that he did it anyway. Behind him, two more people followed him, and the Hokage couldn't help but notice the decay in their presences.
At first, Tsunade had hesitated whether he should send this team with Yamato. There was a palpable sense of revenge in the air, one she had felt before.
The thirst for revenge can cloud the judgment of anyone who has suffered a loss. He didn't want to risk sending them on the mission and risk losing them. However, when she consulted the boy's father, the response was unexpectedly positive.
Apparently, everything was fine, although the pain still lingered. Maturity slowly makes its way into the heart of a grieving young man.
With this information, Tsunade decided that it was safe to send them alone, without the need for an escort. He settled into his seat and let the worry reflect in his serene eyes. He knew that these young men were not naïve, they had been trained by Sarutobi Asuma and were ready to accomplish any task that came their way.
"I have a mission for you, the Ino-Shika-Chou." Tsunade reported seriously. "I want you to go to the Sand Village and personally inform the Kazekage about everything that has happened here."
The Hokage looked at them with determination, and saw understanding in the looks of the young generation of the famous team.
"I want Gaara to be aware of the situation in Konoha, and see if I can count on him to protect Naruto. I will not allow that despicable organization to get away with it."
(~~~)
Here, Yamato's thoughts were not covered by services. He had nothing else to do and there was nothing out of the ordinary on his way to the windlands.
Currently, he was going deep into the deserts, looking for any obstacles that might prevent them from moving forward.
In his mind, he considered this act unnecessary and even futile. Was Hokage so superstitious?
However, by putting herself in his shoes for a moment, I managed to partially understand his attitude. It was she who decided that Asuma would lead the squad in search of Akatsuki. But with the sudden death of the brave Shinobi, Konoha received a surprise blow that left everyone stunned.
Not only Naruto was in danger, but anyone who stood in his way.
In addition, there was the conflict that Konoha had with those people whom the fifth Hokage referred to as "A danger in the shadows".
Apparently, Yamato was not there solely for Akatsuki, but to ensure that no suspects intervened in the path of the Hokage's messengers. He had to be alert to prevent anyone from somehow intercepting the message that the Hokage wanted to send to the Kazekage.
A secret mission camouflaged under the guise of a collaboration with the Arena village, all to avoid attracting the attention of those possibly responsible for the events that occurred in Konoha.
"I'd better stop here. I will wait for you at this point." He said to himself, as he quickly identified a rock on the sandy path. "The heat is quite intense... And at night, sandstorms only make the weather worse."
Yamato took a sip of water, reveling in the freshness he so desperately needed.
He had planted a variety of traps along the way and had even left behind a clone. If the team in charge of delivering the message was ambushed, they could come out unscathed.
"It's risky... but Tsunade-sama explicitly ordered me not to wait for them in the territories of the land of fire." Yamato sighed. "The Hokage surely suspects that Konoha is being watched..."
He kept his thoughts to himself and nodded to confirm them.
If messengers arrived and informed him of an ambush, it would be a confirmation that they were being watched by those entering and leaving the village. Which would indicate that they possibly had Naruto in their sights.
They were limited in their actions.
"Still, I have no reason to worry. Kakashi-senpai is with him, after all."
He stood still in his seat, enjoying the brief quiet that still remained. Although it was hot, it was relatively close to the green areas, so the weather was not as scorching as in the interior of the deserts.
Yamato estimated that the messengers would catch up with him in a couple of hours, at least, if they were running at high speed, which was unlikely considering the distance to the windland. However, he considered it to be a considerable possibility, since they were messengers sent by Hokage herself.
He stood on hold until, not far from his position, something fell with such force that it caused a prolonged roar. The sand rose up around him, and Yamato quickly leapt away before the dense cloud of sand made it impossible to see what had fallen. Still, the sand that filled the air caused discomfort in his eyes and lungs.
As she coughed to clear her airways and rubbed her eyes to remove the sand, she hurriedly wondered what had happened.
Gradually, the sand dissipated and a figure emerged from the dust. Yamato, straining his vision, managed to make out the silhouette of a person in the sand, which made him realize that something unexpected was happening.
A young body, not too small in stature, but clearly belonging to a pre-adolescent, lay on the ground. His arms were outstretched and his legs almost bent, as a result of the violent fall he had suffered.
He was wearing a brown vest over a darker-toned long-sleeved shirt, combined with pants of the same color. He was in the center of the crater formed by the impact of his fall, unconscious and apparently injured.
The uniqueness of his attire, with the distinctive vest and the characteristic tones of the Sand village, did not go unnoticed by Captain Yamato, whose interest was sharpened.
Cautiously, Yamato circled the young man, watching him carefully so as not to miss any detail. Upon checking his face, he confirmed his suspicions: it was a Genin from the Sand Village.
Without hesitation, Yamato stopped wielding his Kunai on guard and hurriedly knelt beside the boy. He checked to see if he still had a pulse and, when he got no answer, tried to wake him up with gentle taps on the cheeks.
"Hey, boy! Are you ok? Wake up! What happened to you?" He exclaimed with obvious concern, seeking to get some answer from the young man.
The boy's face showed signs of pain, painted red over his eyes, typical of the inhabitants of the hidden village of the Sand. It was evident that he had suffered some kind of mishap, although Yamato did not know if it had been before or after the fall.
Yamato pored over the scene, scanning the surroundings for clues that might shed light on what had happened. However, each new detail only added more uncertainty to the situation.
It was clear that the young man had not fallen by accident, nor had he been transported by a space-time khutsu like in Konoha. He had been thrown, but from where? And who, or who, was responsible?
"He's unconscious." He is likely seriously injured. Captain Yamato concluded, trying to find answers quickly. "If he's from the Sand Village, it'll be dangerous for Konoha's messengers to come here."
However, before he could delve into his reflections, a hint outside his field of vision caused him to be on alert.
He stood motionless for a few moments, waiting for any sign of what might be lurking in the shadows. Then, in a swift movement, he turned with his Kunai in hand, catching the figure that stood a few feet away.
He frowned when he saw that it was a person, whose clothing did not resemble that of an ordinary passer-by at all.
The man in front of Yamato had long blue hair, wearing long-sleeved clothes with a raised collar in light blue and brick tones. Although he was not very well dressed, his appearance denoted a certain restraint and physical attractiveness, which suggested that he was in his twenties.
"Who are you?" Yamato asked cautiously, taking his time to ask the question. "We are in the territory of the Land of the Wind... And it seems that something very serious has just happened. Was it you who hurt this child?"
Keeping his distance and not taking his eyes off the suspect, Yamato moved closer to the young man from the Arena, dragging his heels on the ground.
The man replied with a pretentious smile and a harsh voice: "So what if it was me? No one is looking for it anyway.
Yamato's eyebrows rose at the defiant response.
"He's evidently an Sand Shinobi." He replied. "Sooner or later they'll come for him. I don't know you, but as a ninja from Konoha, I can't allow you to commit this madness in front of me. Even less so if it is a child."
A tense silence took over the place after Yamato's statement. However, while his attention was focused on the man in front of him, the injured boy opened his eyes with all the strength he had left.
Silence enveloped the wounded, whose physical traumas made it difficult even to communicate. Yamato watched him out of the corner of his eye as he listened to the words whispered by the boy, but he couldn't make sense of them, as they were repeated in a confused and repetitive murmur.
Suddenly, a gust of air alerted Yamato, who was on guard when he sensed the impending danger. The navy-haired man was now in front of him, holding a thin steel tube. Yamato defended himself with two Kunai, preventing the man from beating him in the brief battle of forces.
Now, with the man's face more visible, Yamato could observe his features in detail. His face was long, with black eyes that exuded evil.
One of his teeth was broken, with a sticker attached to it, probably made of some crystalline material that reflected light in peculiar ways.
Seeing this, the image of people who used to embed jewelry in their teeth came to Yamato's mind, a practice that denoted a certain status or extravagance.
"Listen to me, Konoha's dog." The blue-haired man snapped, in an authoritative tone as he pushed Yamato with both hands, holding a bar. "I recommend that you don't get involved in this meeting anymore, do you hear me? This is my business. I found a gold mine and I won't let you take it away from me!"
The man's movements were swift, surprising even Yamato. With a skilful manoeuvre, taking advantage of the advantage given to him by the bar, he managed to catch the captain of Konoha in his blind spot. Then, he jumped not very high off the ground and spun in the air, delivering a powerful kick to Yamato's stomach.
The impact was so forceful that it threw Captain Yamato a considerable distance, rolling him across the desert sand. Although he did not hit any obstacle, he got up with difficulty, dragging himself on his feet while holding his stomach in obvious pain.
Yamato regretted his mistake. He had underestimated his opponent, relying solely on his two Kunai, and now he was far away from the young man from the Arena.
For his part, the blue-haired man stood up with a tyrannical smile, rejoicing that he had injured the Konoha ninja.
With a mocking look, he barely glanced at Yamato before turning his attention to his target, determined to do his job by seizing the opportunity presented to him.
Captain Yamato looked at the young man lying on the sand with a worried expression. The boy lay in an awkward posture, his face contorted with pain and his hair full of sand, further messed up by the situation. Yamato's gaze denoted an urgency to protect the defenseless boy.
"Leave it... Let it be!"
Yamato urged, trying to stop the man in the light blue dress and black sandals, who indifferently grabbed the collar of the boy's shirt and lifted him off the ground without regard for his physical condition.
The gesture was risky, especially if the boy had a serious neck injury.
The man, however, showed no sign of empathy. With a cynical look directed at the child, he affirmed his power and his determination to carry out his task.
"Only in this way will I acquire what I desire so much." The man muttered disdainfully, his words laden with arrogance and malice as he held the boy tightly. "Power, recognition, the loyalty of the weakest... Everything will arrive at my door once I'm done with you."
With a calculated movement, the man adjusted the position of the iron bar he was holding, bringing it dangerously close to the boy's throat. The distance was minimal, almost imperceptible in the desert sunlight, and his contemptuous smile hinted at his sinister intentions.
"Don't take this personally." The man said, with a coldness that froze the desert air.
The sound of his voice echoed through the vast sandy landscapes, disappearing into the vastness of the surroundings without a trace.
For Yamato, time seemed to stand still in a moment of desperation. However, when he opened his eyes, relief flooded his senses as he realized that he had acted in time.
The man was still holding the young ninja by the collar of his shirt, but something extraordinary had happened. Entangled around his arm, roots sprouted from the ground and coiled around the blue-haired man's body. It was as if the earth itself had risen to the child's defense, thus avoiding a fatal outcome.
"I won't allow it." Yamato declared determinedly; his hands pressed against the sand as he concentrated his chakra to manipulate the roots that had emerged.
With skill and control, he began to grow roots, making sure to have the man under his control and protect the unconscious young ninja.
With a pair of hand stamps, Yamato summoned his signature Jutsu, causing the wood to emerge from the ground in an impressive motion. The enemy let out a shriek of surprise and pain as the wood twisted the limb holding the child, forcing him to release him. In the blink of an eye, the man was imprisoned in a wooden cell.
"What is this...?" Exclaimed the enemy, disconcerted by his sudden seclusion.
"The Leaf Village and the Sand Village are allies!" Yamato proclaimed, quickly approaching the unconscious boy. "Forgive me for meddling in your business, but any wounded Arena ninja in front of my eyes will be treated like a comrade. Therefore, I will have you sheltered here until the ninjas of the Sand arrive."
The enemy growled in his confinement, hurling curses in a helpless whisper.
Yamato, alert to the movement of his sleeves, took the child in his arms and jumped out of the reach of the wooden cage just in time. The fragments of the makeshift jail flew in all directions with a blast of air of great magnitude, revealing that their adversary was no ordinary enemy. Not just anyone could destroy its wood so easily.
"Now he's run away..." Yamato muttered, as he carefully set the boy down on the ground. "Although he should be relieved, I must hurry and take him to a doctor."
After a few minutes of surveying the surroundings and confirming the safety of the surroundings, Yamato was preparing to pay attention to the injured boy. However, his attention was caught by three figures approaching from afar, which left him stunned.
"Could they be...?" Yamato wondered, but quickly ruled out the possibility. "Konoha's messengers couldn't have arrived so quickly."
He strained his eyes, standing up to see if he could recognize the figures from that distance. In the end, he was able to breathe a sigh of relief as he recognized an allied face, one that demonstrated sufficient judgment in this encounter.
The person, who turned out to be Temari from the Arena, noticed Yamato's presence in the distance and stopped for a few minutes to inspect him from his position, surely to confirm that he was someone from Konoha.
"Are you Yamato from Konoha?" Temari asked once he was closer.
Yamato nodded.
"That's right. I come on Hokage-sama's orders, waiting for the messengers who come personally to communicate something to the Kazekage-sama."
"Are you waiting for the messengers?" Temari asked ironically. "Why did you get there before them?"
"I'm afraid it was for the same reason." Yamato replied, stepping aside so that Temari could clearly see what had happened.
His green, almond-shaped eyes fell directly on the boy lying on the ground. The two Chunin de la Arena who accompanied her showed surprise at the situation.
"Konoha is in crisis now, and I was sent earlier to secure the way". Temari reported. "Unfortunately, I came across this. This brief encounter does nothing but worry me about the messengers who come after me."
There was a moment of awkward silence, interrupted by the hesitation of one of the Chunins. Yamato noticed this and turned his attention to Temari. The blonde was quiet, with an expression that seemed to contradict some uncomfortable truth.
"Is it one of your Genin?" Yamato asked.
Temari slowly shook his head, his expression serious.
"No." He wears the uniform and headband, in addition to the distinctive painting of the puppet experts. "But I'm pretty sure I've never seen him in the village."
Temari's statement puzzled Yamato.
"What...?"
"And you?" Temari addressed the Chunin firmly. "Do you know this boy?"
Both vehemently shook their heads.
"Isn't it a mistake?" Yamato suggested. "Your village is very large; it is not easy to remember the faces of all the Genin in a hidden village."
Despite the possibility raised by Yamato, Temari grunted slightly. Nothing escaped his keen observation, and he had an exceptional memory for the faces of the people in his village. He knew he had to, as many of those faces had tried to kill his brother in the past.
She took the remembrance of those events wearisomely, and closed her eyes to muffle the bright light of memories.
"No matter who it is, we can't leave it here." He finally declared. He exchanged meaningful glances with Yamato and the Chunin around him. "Come with me to the village. There you will tell me everything. And you, go back and find the messengers of Konoha. Their mission is to bring them safely to the Sand village."
"Hai." The Chunin replied in unison, and in a swirl of sand, they disappeared.
The encounter left Yamato with a sense of unease, and questions accompanied him all the way as he carried the child on his back.
He sought to delve deeper into the mystery, as the enemy seemed to be aware of the true objective. He knew who the boy was, and he understood the extent of his attempt to end the life of an Arena ninja.
He couldn't help but reflect on the strange phenomenon that had occurred in Konoha. One of which he was not allowed to speak until he was in front of Kazekage.
Events followed one after another, increasing their worries with each twist of fate.
At least this time, there had been no loss of life, only a child from the Arena about whom Temari, the elder sister of the Kazekage, knew no information.
He prayed that the messengers would arrive safely, thus increasing security in the Arena village. Konoha didn't seem to be the only target in the crosshairs.
The fifth was right.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票