vncnus Chapter 129 The Weasel from Zhang Village
Chapter 129 The Weasel from Zhang Village
Chapter 129 Itachi's Secret Return to the Village (Please Subscribe)
A heavy, somber atmosphere permeated the Hokage's office.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke's body lay quietly on a clean white sheet, his face devoid of any life.
But it carried a sense of relief and peace, as if he was finally free from any pain and responsibility and had quietly fallen asleep.
His wife, holding their young son Konohamaru, was already in tears, her tears flowing silently and dripping onto the face of the infant in her arms.
Konohamaru, still naked, seemed to sense his mother's sorrow, and softly cried out, his voice sounding particularly desolate and helpless.
Asma stayed by her sister-in-law's side, her face filled with unconcealed grief and self-blame.
He silently looked down at his brother's cold body, his fists clenched so tightly that his nails almost dug into his palms.
The room was silent, save for the faint sound of sobbing echoing in the air.
Sadness, like a tidal wave, permeated everyone's hearts, making it almost impossible to breathe.
After a while, Asma slowly raised his head, his face grave, and helped his sister-in-law up. He said in a low, hoarse voice, "Sister-in-law, let's... go first."
The sister-in-law nodded weakly and followed Asma slowly out of the office.
The door closed slowly, leaving the room even more somber.
Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent, his expression revealing no emotion.
He looked around at everyone present, forcing a smile.
"Alas, so much misfortune has happened during this period... especially in Daming Prefecture."
Hiruzen sighed, his voice filled with endless desolation and helplessness.
"Although the teacher's policies were based on survival considerations, they ultimately led to the complete annihilation of the nobles of the Land of Fire. Almost no one in the Daimyo Prefecture survived... I'll be leaving the next period of time to the two advisors."
Mitomon Homura and Utatane Koharu, standing to the side, exchanged a glance. They knew very well that Hiruzen's so-called search for other descendants of the daimyo lineage actually meant that they had to completely eliminate the remaining nobles who were still alive by chance.
The world has undergone earth-shattering changes. The complete destruction of the Daimyo's mansion means that a reshuffling of the power structure of the entire Land of Fire and even the ninja world is inevitable.
After a moment of silence, Hiruzen turned his gaze to Kakashi, who was standing to the side, and said in a heavy and solemn tone...
"Konoha still needs to continue implementing the Inorganic Reincarnation Plan that Tobirama-sensei previously devised..."
"Next, you must help Naruto master Sage Mode and the power of the Nine-Tails as soon as possible. The future hope of the ninja world may rest on his shoulders."
Kakashi nodded. "I understand, Third Hokage."
As the people present gradually left, the room slowly returned to its original tranquility and silence.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting shadows and wrinkles across Hiruzen Sarutobi's aged and weary face.
Only after everyone had left did Hiruzen finally take slow, heavy steps toward Shinnosuke's cold body.
He gazed at his son's calm yet cold face, the pain in his heart becoming unbearable. Grainy tears slowly slid down his cheeks and landed on Shinnosuke's pale face.
"Shinnosuke...my child..."
His voice trembled, filled with unspeakable pain, and tears streamed down his face.
She wept silently, her voice low and suppressed, yet filled with indescribable grief and despair, a heartbreaking sight.
Outside the office, the Miya ninjas, who were about to leave, suddenly stopped.
Hearing faint sobbing coming from inside the office, a heavy feeling of sorrow welled up in my heart.
Everyone remained silent, their faces etched with unspoken sorrow and grief.
The ninjas of Konoha listened silently to the Third Hokage's sorrowful and suppressed sobs.
Night falls.
Hyuga Natsu stood alone in the Hyuga clan's courtyard, gazing at the lonely moon in the sky, her eyes filled with undisguised sorrow and grief.
Is the captain really leaving like this?
Shinnosuke's death was like a bolt from the blue for her, completely shattering a certain belief and dependence that had always been deep within her heart.
Her heart was heavy and filled with sorrow for the memories of fighting alongside Shinnosuke and the experiences they shared.
From the time she joined the Dark Division as a young girl, she gazed at his back with reverence, a reverence that never changed.
Even after leaving the Dark Division, she continued to work with the captain.
In the oppressive and harsh family environment of the Hyuga clan, her life was almost suffocating.
Shinnosuke, however, was like a warm and gentle light, illuminating her bleak life and offering solace and warmth to her soul. Yet, this sole light has now been completely extinguished...
Hyuga Natsu's heart sank so heavily she could barely breathe, but then she saw Shinnosuke's wife holding young Konohamaru, weeping bitterly.
She had to force herself to hide her true grief and avoid showing any excessive closeness to Shinnosuke.
But the sadness in her heart could not be concealed. Whenever she thought that she would never see the captain's gentle and firm smile again, Hyuga Natsu felt a deep sense of powerlessness and heartache.
It wasn't until late at night that she managed to compose herself, took the undelivered documents, and prepared to go to the Hokage's office to hand them over to the Third Hokage, Hiruzen.
Pushing open the door to the Hokage's office, the room was unusually quiet.
The Third Hokage wasn't there; only Shinnosuke's cold body lay quietly in the center of the room.
His pale, bloodless face looked especially lonely and desolate under the dim light.
Hinata Natsu gently placed the documents in her hand on the desk, hesitated for a moment, and finally walked slowly to Shinnosuke's side.
Her gaze fell on that familiar yet cold face. She gently reached out and touched his icy cheek, tears slowly sliding down her face.
"team leader.."
Her voice was as soft as a whisper, carrying a hint of undisguised pain and longing as memories flooded her mind.
Amidst this mix of sadness and exhaustion, she gradually drifted into a hazy sleep.
In her dream, Hinata Natsumi seemed to see Shinnosuke's gentle smile again.
He stood before her, his gaze gentle and warm, and lightly touched her forehead with his hand, his voice so soothing it brought peace of mind:
"Xia...I hope you can take good care of Father in my place..."
After saying this, Shinnosuke slowly walked up to her, took out a Mangekyou Sharingan, and looked at her calmly and sincerely: "Are you willing to protect all of this in my place?"
Faced with his captain's earnest request, Hyuga Natsumi, whose emotions had already spiraled out of control, nodded: "I'm willing..."
The moment the promise was uttered, the dream vanished abruptly, and Hyuga Natsumi woke up with a start.
She opened her eyes and found herself still in the Hokage's office.
The room was bathed in soft light, and a light coat was draped over her shoulders.
At that moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi stood beside her, his kind face filled with a hint of apology and warmth, as he gently draped the coat over her shoulders.
"You were too sad and fell asleep."
Hiruzen's voice was gentle and kind, carrying the tenderness and care unique to an elder.
Upon hearing this, Hyuga Natsu blushed immediately and stood up, bowing her head and saying apologetically, "I'm sorry... Third Hokage."
Hiruzen shook his head, sighed softly, and gazed at her with deep and tender eyes: "No, I should be the one apologizing to you."
"It's all because of me that Shinnosuke left this world so early, and that you're so sad..."
Upon hearing this, Hinata Natsumi's eyes welled up with tears again. She bit her lip hard, barely suppressing the grief and sadness in her heart, and gently shook her head to indicate that she didn't mind.
Hiruzen smiled slightly, patted her shoulder gently, and said in a soft and kind voice, "Alright, Natsu, don't be too sad anymore."
"It's getting late, you should go back and get some rest. There's still a lot for you to do."
Hyuga Natsu nodded vigorously upon hearing this, her expression obedient and submissive: "Yes, Third Hokage, I will definitely do my best."
She bowed deeply to Hiruzen, then quietly walked out of the office.
After leaving the office, Hinata Natsu walked slowly down the quiet streets at night, her mind filled with the words of Shinnosuke in her dream and his request to her.
Her fingers unconsciously stroked her forehead, as if Shinnosuke had just gently touched it, and her heart gradually became calmer.
The captain's will and spirit may have been completely engraved in her heart. Even though he is no longer here, she is still willing to firmly shoulder this heavy responsibility.
"I promise you, Captain..."
Her voice drifted gently in the night breeze, yet it carried an indescribable firmness and tenderness!
"No matter what, I will protect all of this in your place."
The night was still, a gentle breeze was blowing, and the soft moonlight streamed down...
Just as Hiruzen Sarutobi was lost in grief and contemplation, a figure quietly pushed open the door and slowly walked into the Hokage's office.
That figure was none other than the Uchiha!
Itachi, who had not appeared in Konoha for a long time, finally stepped into the familiar yet unfamiliar Hokage's office once again.
Clearly, after learning the results of the Five Kage Summit and with Tobirama stepping down as the Second Kage, Itachi dared to return to Konoha once again.
Upon seeing Hiruzen, Itachi immediately knelt on one knee, bowed his head, and said in a deep voice, "Third Hokage... I'm sorry, I failed to complete your mission last time and completely messed things up."
His voice was filled with self-blame and guilt. It was clear that the Uchiha clan massacre had caused lingering effects that were now sweeping across the ninja world.
Therefore, he felt extremely guilty.
After all, it was he and Shisui who failed to completely eliminate the hidden dangers from Uchiha Awakening.
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen quickly stepped forward, gently patted Itachi's shoulder, and spoke in a warm and friendly voice.
"Itachi, you don't need to blame yourself. This is not your fault. You have done very well. No one would have expected that Uchiha Abyss's power would be so great."
After saying this, Hiruzen's gaze involuntarily fell on the strange third eye on Itachi's forehead, and his expression became extremely solemn and worried.
That third eye was deliberately forced upon Itachi by Obito; it was Shisui Uchiha's Sharingan in its closed state.
This eye is a curse, constantly tormenting Itachi's mind and body.
"This thing... must have caused you a lot of pain, right?"
Hirohizan spoke with gentleness and pity, his eyes filled with deep love and care.
Itachi lowered his head, his voice filled with bitterness and repression: "This is the Uchiha curse that Obito brought upon me."
Hiruzen sighed softly and said slowly, "Itachi, you don't have to endure this torture anymore. I'll help you completely remove this Sharingan."
"You have many more important tasks to accomplish in the future, and you must not continue to carry this heavy burden."
Hiruzen slowly formed complex hand seals with his hands, and a deep chanting echoed in the office.
A faint light emanated from his palm, slowly covering the strange and dangerous Shisui Mangekyou Sharingan on Itachi's forehead.
With a slight tremor, the Sharingan that had been tightly closed slowly opened, and then, guided by gentle chakra, it gradually separated and landed steadily in Hiruzen's palm.
At that moment, I felt an unprecedented sense of relief, and I almost lost my balance and swayed precariously.
Hiruzen gazed at him tenderly and said softly, "Itachi, go back and rest well. The future ninja world will need you to play an even greater role."
Upon hearing this, Itachi nodded reluctantly and said in a low voice, "Yes... Third Hokage."
"By the way, Itachi, I've found Sasuke's whereabouts. He's under Konoha's protection now, so you don't need to worry."
Upon hearing that Sasuke was being protected by the Third Hokage, Itachi nodded.
After Itachi's figure slowly disappeared, Hiruzen stared at the Sharingan in his palm, which had already lost its power: "Danzo..."
"I told you long ago, I am the Hokage..."