c40 - Hiruko
The team rested for a brief while after their intense battle. Soon, both Shibi and Minato returned, walking into the camp one after the other.
"Sorry, sorry. It took a little longer than expected to deal with the enemy's main force…" Minato scratched his head, offering an apologetic smile.
Shibi, adjusting his sunglasses, added, "But the main force is taken care of. Between the two of us, nearly fifty ninjas were killed, and we secured a great victory."
"It's nothing. We're used to it…" Yuuji waved his hand dismissively, as if battles like this were nothing more than another day at work.
Minato's fighting style was well-known. He excelled in one-on-one combat, where his use of Kunai and incredible speed made him an unstoppable force. It wasn't an exaggeration to call him a one-man army. Shibi, on the other hand, had been granted full autonomy by the Hokage two years ago. He, too, preferred to take down enemies by himself. With these two Jonin leading the charge, the six Genin mostly fought on their own, although Minato and Shibi's initial attacks often cleared the path by eliminating the more powerful opponents. This allowed the younger ninjas to hone their skills in increasingly difficult battles.
"In any case, it's good to see everyone so lively. You've all grown quite a bit," Minato smiled, genuinely pleased by the progress his students had made.
"Minato-sensei, remember when I become a Genin, you promised to teach me Flying Thunder God! I'll show Kakashi who the real genius is!" Obito pointed accusingly at Kakashi, his tone filled with indignation.
"Heh, do you even know how to learn Flying Thunder God? With your IQ…" Kakashi smirked, his words sharp and mocking.
"What?! I'll beat you to death!" Obito instantly launched himself at Kakashi, his voice filled with outrage.
The two immediately launched into yet another bickering session.
"Sigh, after a bloody battle, are you two really still this energetic? But I guess it's good they're so close," Minato remarked with a bitter smile.
The team of eight made their way back to the Western Front camp. The atmosphere shifted as the battle-hardened ninjas cheered upon their arrival.
"Look! It's Minato and Shibi-sama's team!"
"They must have won again, look at them!"
"Of course! They're the strongest team in Konoha!"
As they entered the camp, the admiration from the other ninjas was palpable. Over the past year, Minato and Shibi's teams had become symbols of strength. Their contributions were built upon the corpses of countless enemies. Minato and Shibi were not just powerful ninjas but were regarded as some of the most formidable forces in the entire village, ranking just below the Hokage, the Sannin, and the Kyuubi Jinchuriki. Their new generation, including Yuuji and his teammates, had earned a reputation as rising stars.
The eight of them headed toward the central tent to report the mission's completion to Orochimaru. As they approached the entrance, a familiar white-haired figure emerged, his expression dark and troubled.
"Eh, why is Senior Hiruko here? Didn't you go with Lord Danzo to the Eastern battlefield?" Minato asked, surprised.
"Hmph, Minato, I don't owe you any explanations," Hiruko's tone was curt, and he avoided Minato's gaze, his head lowered slightly in what seemed like a subtle gesture of avoidance.
"Oh, I'm really sorry. Please, go ahead," Minato stepped aside, allowing Hiruko to pass.
But just as Hiruko was about to move past them, he stopped, his gaze lingering on Yuuji. A slow, dark smile crept across his face.
"You… You're Shiranui Yuuji, right? The one with the Nuclear Release bloodline? I've heard so much about you. Your area-of-effect attacks are something else, truly impressive. Every time I hear about your achievements, I feel this burst of excitement. With you here, the village is surely destined for greatness," Hiruko said with a strange, almost unsettling admiration.
Yuuji didn't respond, maintaining his usual composure. His reputation had certainly spread far and wide, but Hiruko's words had an eerie undertone that made him uncomfortable.
Hiruko glanced over at Uchiha Kazue, his eyes narrowing slightly before his gaze shifted to Obito. After a moment, a clear expression of disdain crossed his face, as if he was silently dismissing them all.
Without another word, Hiruko turned and walked off, leaving the group standing in confused silence.
"Minato-sensei, who is that guy? The way he looked at me just now... it felt really uncomfortable," Obito complained, clearly unsettled. Though he couldn't put his finger on it, the encounter felt off, almost as if Hiruko had been dismissing him personally.
"He's a good friend of the Sannin and a trusted senior in the village. He may seem a bit strange, but his heart's in the right place," Minato explained, though his tone was hesitant, suggesting he wasn't entirely certain about Hiruko's true nature.
"Oh, he's friends with the Sannin? Well, if that's the case, then I guess there's no problem!" Obito sighed in relief, trying to brush off his discomfort. "It must've just been my imagination…"
The group entered the base camp, where Orochimaru sat in his usual spot, studying a scroll with a detached expression, occasionally sneering to himself.
After a brief conversation, Minato and Shibi presented their mission reports.
"You've done well. The Western Front has been stabilized, all thanks to your hard work," Orochimaru said with a cold smile. "I don't have any new missions for you at the moment, so you can rest for a while."
Orochimaru's gaze shifted to Yuuji. "By the way, Yuuji, your recent performance has been outstanding. Your name is becoming known far and wide. I hear that Iwa and Suna have both listed you as high-priority targets on their assassination lists. You're gaining quite the reputation… Your treatment is comparable to an elite Jonin's."
Yuuji's expression remained unchanged. "It's just the result of my efforts to contribute to the village. Everything I do is for Konoha. I would never refuse a mission," he said calmly, as if the praise meant little to him.
Orochimaru chuckled darkly, clearly amused by Yuuji's unwavering loyalty.
After the meeting concluded, and the group left the tent, Orochimaru remained seated, his expression turning cold as he picked up a secret letter sent by Danzo.
"That guy… Danzo, always unwilling to stay out of the spotlight during the war. He's already cooperating with us in his own way. How ridiculous…" Orochimaru muttered, his lips curling into a sneer.
Orochimaru's thoughts turned toward Hiruko, the once-close friend of the Sannin, now growing distant from them. As the Sannin gained fame and climbed the ranks to Kage-level, Hiruko's influence seemed to diminish.
Orochimaru's sharp instincts sensed something off about Hiruko, a hint of jealousy and hidden resentment. "Is Hiruko ready to be consumed by Danzo? Or is he plotting something more dangerous, thinking he can take the risk?"
He smirked coldly, reaching for the snake that would swallow the letter. As the paper disappeared into the serpent's mouth, Orochimaru thought to himself, "What a waste. I once saw great potential in Yuuji, his bloodline is just what I need… But he's stubborn, just like the old man. Pretending to be loyal while quietly working against me…"
The last part of the letter, barely visible, bore a name that caught his attention.
Shiranui Yuuji.
...
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