章節 75: Specters of Retribution
Hinata's heart pounded in her chest as she stood before Shino, her worry etched deeply on her face.
It had been several days since Kiba's disappearance, and a growing unease had settled within her. She found herself torn between two choices: notifying the village for support or waiting for their sensei, Kurenai, to return.
The weight of uncertainty bore down upon her, making it difficult to decide.
Shino, his stoic expression hidden behind the reflective lenses of his glasses, observed Hinata carefully. He adjusted his glasses with a subtle motion before speaking in his usual calm and composed manner. "There is no need to worry just yet, Hinata," he said, his voice steady and reassuring.
Hinata turned to face him, her white eyes filled with concern. "But, Shino-kun, it's been days. Kiba-kun has never disappeared for this long before. I'm afraid something might have happened to him."
Before Shino could respond, his gaze shifted subtly, nodding towards something behind Hinata. Curiosity piqued, she turned around, and her breath caught in her throat. There, standing before her, was their missing sensei, Kurenai Yuhi. Relief washed over Hinata, and she couldn't help but call out to her teacher.
"Kurenai-sensei!" Hinata exclaimed, her voice tinged with both surprise and relief.
Kurenai approached Hinata with a gentle smile, her hand reaching out to affectionately rub the top of her student's head. "There's no need to worry, Hinata," she said softly, her voice soothing. Though her words were meant to reassure, Hinata didn't catch a flicker of something hidden within Kurenai's eyes as they briefly glanced towards Shino.
The young Hyuga didn't realize that there was more to the situation than met the eye, but she trusted her teacher implicitly. With a small nod, she gathered her thoughts and mustered the courage to ask the question that had been burning in her mind.
"Where is Kiba-kun, sensei?" Hinata asked, her voice filled with a mixture of anxiety and hope.
Kurenai's expression turned somber, and she let out a sigh. "During the mission, an accident occurred, and we were separated," she explained. "I've spent the past few days tracking Kiba's whereabouts after escaping easily. Fortunately, I located him today."
Hinata's worry intensified at the mention of an accident, but Kurenai's reassurance that Kiba was safe provided a glimmer of relief amidst the darkness. "Is Kiba-kun alright?" she asked, her voice trembling with concern.
Kurenai nodded, her voice laced with determination. "He's physically unharmed, but we need to save him," she replied. "The place where he's being held has a troublesome backer, and it won't be an easy task to rescue him. We must ensure that we deal with the ninja guarding the place without resorting to killing."
Hinata's eyes widened in surprise at the realization that their assistance was required. She had always seen herself as the one needing help, not the other way around. However, a fierce determination welled up within her, fueled by her love for her teammate and the desire to protect him.
With newfound resolve, Hinata spoke up, her voice firm. "We'll do whatever it takes, Kurenai-sensei. We'll save Kiba-kun."
Kurenai's lips curved into a small smile, a mixture of appreciation and worry in her eyes. "I knew I could count on you, Hinata… and you, too, Shino," she said, her voice brimming with a sense of melancholy. "I'll brief you on the situation on the way over."
As the trio hurriedly traversed the rooftops of the bustling city, their footsteps blending with the fading echoes of their determination, Kurenai's voice cut through the air, laden with an air of urgency. "Remember, this is a no-kill mission," she reiterated, her words a solemn reminder of the delicate task that lay ahead.
Hinata, her heart pounding within her chest, nodded in understanding. It was a perplexing situation, for it was highly unusual for a ninja from a renowned clan like Kiba's to find themselves in such a predicament.
Yet, they had to act swiftly, as negotiations alone would not sway the owner of the place where Kiba was held captive. Perhaps a soft approach would result in unscrupulous demands. The stakes were high, and they needed to retrieve Kiba without attracting too much attention nor causing irreparable damage.
After disguising themselves, the trio arrived at their destination - the opulent auction house where noble dignitaries had already gathered, aware of the secrets hidden beneath their feet but unaware of the infiltration soon to unfold.
Hinata activated her Byakugan, her eyes scanning the surroundings with precision and clarity. In the depths of the auction house, she detected a group of individuals locked away, two with weak chakra signatures hinting at the presence of Kiba and his loyal companion, Akamaru.
Kurenai's gaze flickered towards Shino, who adjusted his glasses with a subtle movement, signaling to proceed according to plan. A silent understanding passed between the two of them - a shared determination to complete the mission swiftly and discreetly.
With calculated grace, the group infiltrated the auction house, navigating its labyrinthine corridors with practiced stealth. They incapacitated the guards, rendering them unconscious with swift strikes, ensuring that their presence remained concealed.
Kurenai's mastery of genjutsu allowed her to ensnare some of the ninja guards before knocking them out, preventing them from raising an alarm and keeping the chaos to a minimum.
Shino's bugs proved invaluable as he effortlessly camouflaged the team and unlocked the dungeon doors, his insects seamlessly carrying out their task. The trio descended into the depths of the prison, their footsteps whispering against the cold stone floor.
As they entered the dungeon, a sight unfolded before their eyes that struck Hinata to her core. Cages lined the room, each holding a child trapped within its cruel confines. Her heart ached with sympathy and compassion for their plight, her eyes silently pleading for guidance from her teacher.
Kurenai's gaze mirrored Hinata's empathy, her eyes betraying a flicker of sorrow.
Yet, in the face of conflicting emotions, she shook her head with regret. "If they were in the hands of the traffickers, there is leeway, but here, we can't interfere," she whispered, her voice tinged with disappointment. "They can acquiescence to Kiba, but not them. Diplomatic issues between the daimyo and Konoha would be inevitable if our actions to release them were discovered."
Hinata's fists clenched tightly, her disappointment and frustration merging into a resolute determination. Though her heart longed to liberate the innocent children, she understood the complexities that bound them.
With a heavy sigh, she steeled herself, ready to move forward, her head bowed to ignore the hopeful eyes boring into her.
Shino, his composed demeanor unwavering, quietly released his bugs into the dungeon, their presence unobtrusive yet purposeful.
Together, they pressed on, their footsteps mingling with the stifled sobs of the imprisoned children.
Their mission, born from a desire to protect their comrades and the village, had taken an unexpected turn, revealing a darker side to the world they sought to protect.
In the dimly lit dungeon, the trio's search finally led them to Kiba, imprisoned in a decadent cage that seemed to mock his vibrant spirit.
"Kiba-kun!" Hinata's voice rang out, filled with relief and joy, as she called out to her teammate.
Kiba's gaze lifted, his eyes brightening as he spotted his comrades. A wide grin spread across his face, confident in their unwavering loyalty.
With an exuberant leap, Kiba rushed towards the edge of the cage, his excitement palpable. "I knew you'd come for me, Hinata, Kurenai sensei!" he exclaimed, his voice filled with genuine happiness, his anticipation radiating from every pore.
As he called out to Kurenai-sensei and Hinata, he rushed up to the edge of the cage, but as Hinata instinctively stepped back, a flicker of confusion clouded Kiba's expression as he paused.
Hinata, her heart heavy with regret, lowered her head, her fingers fidgeting nervously.
In her kindest tone, she spoke softly to Kiba, her voice laced with concern. "Kiba-kun, perhaps you might need a shower," she said, her words causing Kiba's jubilant expression to waver for a brief moment, seemingly struck by a critical blow.
However, he quickly recovered, laughing off the suggestion with an awkward smile, his clenched fist betraying a hidden turmoil.
With a simple click, the cage door swung open, granting Kiba his long-awaited freedom. He stepped out, his nose twitching as he located Akamaru, his loyal companion.
"Shino, unlock Kiba's cage!" With a commanding tone, he urged Shino to hasten the release of Akamaru from his own confinement.
Shino complied, his deep eyes fixed on Kiba's back, a silent mocking passing between them - an unspoken knowledge of the struggles that lay ahead.
Kurenai, ever observant, caught the Shino's venomous gaze, her gaze filled with empathy as she glanced at Kiba. She understood the weight of their circumstances and the punishment that might be required of Kiba in the future. Poor boy, but teacher is also helpless.
As Kiba scooped Akamaru into his arms, showering him with affection, his gaze shifted towards the other children in the dungeon. Their eyes, filled with a mixture of hope and longing, locked onto the rescuers.
"Shino! Open the rest of the cages, we need to save them!" Urgency coursed through Kiba's veins as he implored Shino to release the captive children, but Shino remained silent, his stoicism unyielding.
Angrily, Kiba rushed towards Shino, demanding an explanation for his silence. "Shino, are you not listening?!"
But before his anger could fully erupt, Kurenai intervened, blocking in between Shino and Kiba, her voice calm yet firm. "As ninjas, we cannot interfere in the affairs of the nobles," she explained. "Unless you are willing to abandon your ninja career or become a rebel nin, we are bound by the rules that govern us."
Kiba's teeth clenched in frustration, his voice tinged with anger. "What's the point of being a ninja then?" he questioned, his incredulity seeping through as his gaze swept the innocent children. "Aren't we supposed to protect the weak and helpless?"
Kurenai fell silent for a moment, her gaze filled with sorrow. She spoke in a somber tone, acknowledging the harsh reality they faced. "This is the cruel reality of our world," she admitted. "We are bound by the rules, forced to make difficult choices. We can protect many people with our strength, but can't interfere with the affairs of certain existences, unless we possess enough strength to challenge and reshape the rules themselves..."
Her words hung heavily in the air, a bitter truth that gnawed at their hearts. Kurenai shook her head, her voice filled with caution. "Let us not dwell on these dangerous thoughts," she advised. "We must focus on the battles we can win, on the lives we can save within our reach. As for the rest, we can only report it and wait for the ones above to make a decision."
With heavy hearts and unsaid words lingering on their tongues, the four companions silently made their way out of the dungeon, their steps laden with a mixture of disappointment and resignation.
As the group made their way through the bustling streets of the capital city, the weight of their recent mission hung heavily in the air. The commission they had received from the noble attendant, his facade of a fake smile plastered on his face, did little to alleviate the somber mood that enveloped them.
Once outside the confines of the city, Kiba couldn't contain his curiosity any longer. He turned to Kurenai, his voice filled with a mix of anticipation and apprehension. "What about our mission?" he asked, his eyes searching for answers.
Kurenai's gaze shifted ever so subtly towards Shino, a silent exchange of understanding passing between them. She took a moment before responding, her voice carefully measured. "I had already completed the mission when I made my escape," she revealed, a hint of something deeper hiding beneath her words. "The dangerous elements have been cleared."
However, she swiftly redirected the conversation, her tone taking on a more critical edge. "But this mission was a failure."
She acknowledged the overall failure of the mission, reprimanding Kiba for his reckless actions and his decision to separate from the team. Kiba nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze fixed on Akamaru as he absently stroked his loyal companion.
Kurenai's words bore the weight of disappointment and concern. "You cannot afford such failures in your future missions," she warned, her voice laced with a sense of urgency. "My time with you is limited, and one day you three will have to set off on your own. Without my guidance, a failure of that magnitude could lead to irreversible consequences - death… or worse."
The weight of Kurenai's words hung in the air, mingling with a subtle undercurrent of reluctance and sorrow. A hidden glance towards Shino revealed a depth of meaning that her words could not fully convey.
There were fates worse than death, and Kurenai hoped that her students would never have to experience them.
The shadows of unspoken truths danced in her eyes, hinting at the dangers that lurked in the depths of their world, and in their squad.
"Kiba, I hope you restrain your recklessness and control your attitude. There is always a price for failure, even if you are not the one paying for it."
Kurenai contemplated continuing her reprimand, her intent to reinforce the gravity of their failure, but before she could utter another word, Hinata's voice interjected, a gentle plea in defense of Kiba. "Kurenai sensei, Kiba-kun will do better next time..."
The weight of the situation weighed heavily upon her, unable to bear witnessing Kiba's relentless chastisement any longer.
As her words filled the space, Shino, ever perceptive, placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his silent support a balm to her troubled heart. "Hinata."
With a shake of his head, Shino attempted to convey the necessity for Kiba to understand the severity of their circumstances. "Kiba needs to understand the weight of his own-"
However, before he could finish his sentence, Kiba's voice cut through the air with an outburst of frustration. "I get it-" he exclaimed, his tone filled with a mixture of anger and resignation.
But in an instant, the atmosphere shifted, a sudden wave of anguish sweeping over Kiba's form. He dropped to the ground, a cry of pain escaping his lips as he clutched his head in torment.
"Kiba-kun! Are you okay?!" Hinata's voice echoed with worry and concern, her distress palpable as she cried out his name.
Shino and Kurenai watched on, their reactions diverging - one with a sly smile playing at the corner of his lips, the other with a profound sense of pity etched upon her face.
The looming specter of unpaid debts hung in the air, a relentless reminder that the time for retribution would come, and its arrival would bring a torment that surpassed all expectations.
每周推薦票狀態
-- 推薦票
榜單 
-- 推薦票