A special thank you to all my patrons.
The List of The "ANBU" mber:
-YoungPhxntom
-Abel Yapura
-Robert Thompson
-ar4ngel
-Jay Singh
-Cain
-Shahzab Siddiquei
-Vanish Synax
-Ta-Seti
-Ryan biggins
-Nithin Shajan
-Sergio Lukin
-Goha21
You can read 30 Chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.
P@TREON - /lessaservantofcosmos
(just replace the "@" with "a")
ps: Please support on P@treon. I can really use your help!
-------------------------------------------------------------
Night had fallen, and a campfire crackled in the dense forest.
Several people sat on the ground around the fire, the flas popping and sparking in the quiet.
Kaito glanced at Sasuke, who had been silent and downcast, and nudged his arm. "What’s wrong? Still upset?"
Sasuke shook his head in silence.
Izuna, who had been staring at the dancing flas, looked up at Sasuke and said, "Since you’ve already made your decision, there’s no need to dwell on Itachi’s actions."
"This kid probably just can’t wrap his head around Itachi’s choices," Kaito chuckled. "That’s why he’s stuck in confusion."
"I’m not!" Sasuke retorted in a low voice.
Izuna scoffed, "Not understanding is the right thing. If you could, wouldn’t that make you just like him?"
"Alright, let’s not dwell on the past." Kaito reached out and ruffled Sasuke’s hair. "You should focus on what you’re going to do next."
"Hmph!" Sasuke lifted his head, glaring at Kaito. "Shouldn’t you be the one assigning tasks?"
"So eager?" Kaito laughed. "Then I’ll have to think carefully about it."
"Assign him tasks within his ability," Izuna interjected with a smirk. "I don’t want to be burdened with protecting him all the ti."
"I don’t need protection!" Sasuke snapped.
"Oh? How many tis have I saved you? Want to count?" Izuna shot him a disdainful glance.
"Hmph." Sasuke, flustered and red-faced, had no coback.
Neji, observing the Uchiha trio’s close interaction, couldn’t help but feel out of place.
’I’m from the Hyuga clan... why am I mixed up with the Uchiha?’
"Neji," Kaito, noticing his discomfort, spoke up. "The research on the Caged Bird Seal—your father was instruntal in helping. He has since returned to the Pure Land."
"Thank you," Neji said after a pause, addressing him formally. "Lord Kaito."
"There’s no need for such formality," Kaito waved his hand dismissively. "Just call Uncle."
"Uncle Kaito," Neji managed, feeling even more awkward.
"Oh, right." Sasuke suddenly rembered sothing. "Uncle, Neji has a favor to ask of you."
"Hmm?" Kaito turned to Neji.
"It’s nothing... just so immature thoughts," Neji stamred, flustered.
"Don’t be nervous," Kaito said warmly. "I’m not a scary person."
’No, you are terrifying.’
Izuna cast Kaito a knowing look.
’I’ve always been gentle,’ Kaito silently retorted with a smile.
"Well... about the Caged Bird Seal..."
Neji hesitated, struggling to speak.
"I’ll say it!" Sasuke interjected smugly. "After all, it was my idea."
Kaito raised an eyebrow, signaling Sasuke to proceed.
Sasuke explained, "Uncle, is it possible to modify the Caged Bird Seal to remove its harmful aspects, leaving only the feature that destroys the eyes after death?"
"I’ve never thought of that," Kaito mused, then shook his head. "It’s probably very difficult."
"Why?" Sasuke asked curiously.
Neji also watched Kaito with anticipation.
"If it’s just to destroy the eyes after death, that’s relatively easy," Kaito explained. "But the simpler a seal, the easier it is to break. Conversely, the harder it is to break, the more of a burden it places on the wearer. Achieving a perfect balance is nearly impossible."
"Is that so..." Sasuke muttered, disappointed.
"Oh, there’s one thing I forgot to ntion, Neji," Kaito said, catching Neji’s attention.
"What is it?" Neji looked up, hope reigniting in his eyes.
"I’ve already handed over the thod to lift the Caged Bird Seal to the Fifth Hokage," Kaito revealed. "What happens next depends on her courage."
Neji’s eyes lit up.
He had been worried about how to lift the seals on the other Hyuga clan mbers, but now it seed there was hope for everyone.
"Thank you so much." Neji stood and bowed deeply to Kaito.
"No need for such formalities," Kaito smiled and motioned for him to sit.
Still, Neji couldn’t help but cast grateful glances at him.
"Hyuga boy," Izuna said bluntly. "Don’t thank him so quickly. He probably has ulterior motives."
"What are you saying, Izuna-senpai?" Kaito said with a harmless smile.
"Don’t smile at like that," Izuna replied coldly. "I won’t be fooled by your facade."
"Such harsh words, Senpai. You’re breaking my heart," Kaito said with mock grievance.
"Scram!" Izuna picked up a burning stick and threw it.
"Can’t do that," Kaito caught the stick and placed it back in the fire. "Too dirty here."
"Ugh."
Izuna rolled his eyes as Sasuke and Neji, full of curiosity, looked on.
"Surely you understand," Izuna said to the two younger ones. "Even if it’s the Hokage, unless absolutely necessary, they won’t interfere in clan matters."
"And once the news gets out, what kind of upheaval will the Hyuga clan face?" he continued. "The Hokage and the clans often have conflicting interests."
"I understand now," Neji spoke first, realization dawning. "Even if the Fifth Hokage has the thod, she won’t use it lightly."
"Not unless she wants to cause internal strife in the village," Izuna said with a aningful smile. "Although lifting the Caged Bird Seal would benefit the village overall, if the Hokage has her own agenda, she might let the Hyuga tear themselves apart first."
"The Hyuga clan is probably already in turmoil," Kaito said innocently, spreading his hands. "Neji’s safe departure is the real trigger."
He patted Sasuke’s shoulder with mock solemnity. "The mastermind is Sasuke, who abducted their clan mber."
Sasuke silently shifted away and asked, "Uncle, why did you give the thod to the Fifth Hokage?"
"Good question!"
Kaito smiled warmly. "Because soone kidnapped Konoha’s ninja and defected. When they demanded an explanation, as an elder, I could only silently make ands."
"Tch," Sasuke sneered. "Even without an explanation, who could do anything to you?"
"He just wants to watch the drama unfold," Izuna said, hitting the nail on the head.
"Don’t paint as the villain," Kaito said, exasperated. "I’m rely fostering unity within Konoha and offering the Hokage a little help."
"Shaless," Izuna said bluntly.
"Twisted," Sasuke muttered under his breath.
"Don’t be disrespectful," Kaito said as a ball of spiritual energy ford in his hand, which he used to knock Sasuke on the head.
While the trio chatted lively, Neji remained uneasy.
"Um..." He mustered his courage. "Will the Hyuga clan be alright?"
Reviews
All reviews (0)