Chapter 44: It's as Good as Written on His Face
Hiruzen Sarutobi came up with an idea that could both keep Kamishiro and solve the problem posed by ōnoki of Iwagakure.
Hiruzen Sarutobi immediately wrote a letter and then called over a ninja.
"Make sure to deliver this letter to Jiraiya or Minato as soon as possible."
"Yes!"
After the ninja took the letter, he immediately left Konoha and headed for the Land of Hot Water.
...
Three days had passed since The Battle.
Kamishiro was lying on the bed with his legs crossed, humming a song.
As for what song he was humming, Kamishiro didn't know either. He just heard Pakura humming it once, and it seemed to have a lively melody.
Due to the 'intense' battle the day before yesterday, Kamishiro was 'exhausted', so he just stayed in his tent and didn't go anywhere.
When it came to meals, there was Obito. Basically, Obito came to his tent every day, so he could just ask Obito to bring him food.
Inside Kakashi's tent.
After the issue with the Cloud Ninjas was resolved, Jiraiya, having learned that Kakashi was injured, came to visit him.
"Kakashi, you okay?"
Kakashi, who had been recuperating for three days, although not as pale as at the beginning, still looked a bit weak.
Kakashi leaned against the edge of the bed and replied, "I'm okay. After being treated by Lady Tsunade, I'll be fine after a few days of rest."
Jiraiya nodded. "That's good. When I saw your ninja dogs coming to report that day, I figured you might be in trouble. I immediately sent a team of ninjas to rescue you. Not long after, I heard that you had returned to the camp. It's good that you're safe."
Kakashi still felt a lingering fear when he thought of that day. "If it weren't for Kamishiro coming back to save us, we might really have been in great trouble."
Jiraiya raised his eyebrows. "Oh? He came back to save you. Didn't you retreat together at first?"
Kakashi remembered that at the beginning, Kamishiro had disappeared in a flash. The corner of his mouth twitched as he replied to Jiraiya, "Yes. At first, after our position was discovered by the Cloud Ninjas, before I could even finish saying we should retreat, Kamishiro ran off.
After that, we were chased by three Cloud Ninjas and got into a bitter battle. At that time, I was seriously injured, and Obito was also badly hurt. If Kamishiro hadn't come, we would have been completely wiped out.
Later, Kamishiro came back to save us. He killed those three Cloud Ninjas, and we were saved.
However, at first, Kamishiro tried to hide his identity. He Monju his own face and his Puppet's face with two black cloths. But Obito saw through him right away. Kamishiro was still hesitating about revealing his strength. I told him I'd help keep it secret and that we could only escape successfully by killing those three Cloud Ninjas, and then he really started fighting.
Those three Cloud Ninjas were no match for a fully serious Kamishiro. He quickly killed them one by one and then led us to retreat successfully.
After hearing Kakashi's description, Jiraiya wore a subtle expression, with a faint smile playing on the corner of his mouth.
Jiraiya stroked his chin and remarked, "Since Kamishiro chose to come back and save you after running away, it means he regards you as his companions. And because of his identity as an undercover agent, he doesn't want to expose his strength..."
Kakashi interrupted Jiraiya, saying, "Uh... Lord Jiraiya, the reason Kamishiro doesn't want to expose his strength is not because of his identity as an undercover agent. He just simply hates trouble, The Battle, and danger."
Jiraiya suddenly stopped stroking his chin, and the atmosphere in the tent became a bit awkward.
Jiraiya let out a forced laugh and said, "It seems that Kamishiro is quite... quite cautious. But this also means that a cautious person like him was willing to come back and save you after running away, which proves that this kid values his companions."
Kakashi nodded in agreement.
At that time, Kakashi was even ready to sacrifice himself to give Obito and Rin Nohara a chance to survive.
Moreover, even so, the chance of Obito and Rin Nohara surviving was not high.
The fact that Kamishiro, who had fled, came back shows that he really regards them as his companions.
Otherwise, Kamishiro could have just ignored them.
Kakashi reminded, "Lord Jiraiya, don't let him know about this. Just say that he took advantage of the Cloud Ninjas' inattention and led us to escape from them."
Jiraiya nodded and promised, "Yeah, I understand. Although Kamishiro regards you as his companions, he is still an undercover agent of Sunagakure Village for now. I'll play along where I need to until the day Kamishiro becomes a Konoha ninja."
Suddenly, Jiraiya changed the subject and showed a rather lecherous smile to Kakashi. He asked, "Kakashi, so Kamishiro has met Tsunade?"
Jiraiya's sudden question caught Kakashi off guard. He paused for a moment before answering, "Yes, he has."
The smile on Jiraiya's face became broader and more lecherous. "Kakashi, you have a good rest. I won't disturb you anymore. I'll take my leave."
After leaving Kakashi's tent, Jiraiya immediately went to Kamishiro's tent.
Seeing Kamishiro lying on the bed humming a song, Jiraiya greeted him, "Yo, you're quite comfortable."
Kamishiro jumped up from the bed in a flash and very sycophantically supported Jiraiya's arm to help him sit on the chair. "Lord Jiraiya, you came to visit me in person. I, this wounded person, am really touched.
Lord Jiraiya, I'm not trying to play the victim or claim credit. These days I've been in so much pain. I bravely rescued Kakashi and the others from the Cloud Ninjas. As a result, I suffered serious internal injuries during the escape. Cough, cough.
But! Even though I'm injured, I have no regrets at all because I'm a part of Konoha! When my companions are in danger, even if I might sacrifice myself, I'll go to save them without hesitation!"
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Kamishiro coughed as if he were about to cough up his lungs, looking extremely weak.
Jiraiya's eye twitched.
When Kamishiro got up from the bed and rushed to his side to help him sit down just now, he didn't look weak at all.
Moreover, which person with severe internal injuries has a rosy and shiny complexion?
Isn't he just playing the victim and seeking credit?
He might as well just write the words "playing the victim" and "taking credit" on his face!
Jiraiya seemed to be infected by Kamishiro. After coughing once, he said, "Kamishiro, I've heard from Kakashi that you're very smart. You took advantage of the moment when the Cloud Ninjas were off - guard, rescued the seriously injured Kakashi, and successfully retreated with Obito and Rin. You did a great job, and Konoha will record your merit."
Hearing what Jiraiya said, Kamishiro immediately grinned from ear to ear. It's great to have merits. This will bring him one step closer to joining Konoha.
After joining Konoha, he can work as an undercover agent in Konoha.
He was still worried that Kakashi was pulling his leg, but it seems Kakashi knows what he's doing.