Chapter 158 - Ch-158 He is not a weapon.
One by one, everyone began picking up a sword. Since the blades were identical in design and weight, there wasn't much to choose from—each person simply took one that felt right in their hand.
Once all had selected their swords, Inoiki picked his as well. Now, only one remained on the table.
Kiba tilted his head. "Did you bring an extra sword or sothing?"
Before Inoiki could answer, Shikamaru spoke up, his voice calm but knowing. "No, genius. It's for Sasuke."
At the ntion of the na, the mood shifted. The smiles that had lit up the group just monts ago faded. A heavy silence settled over the table. No one said it aloud, but they all felt the sa thing—that familiar weight of uncertainty and regret.
Inoiki noticed imdiately.
"Alright," he said, breaking the silence with a steady voice, "don't let this bring down the night. Yes, this last sword is for Sasuke. And I'll make sure he gets it—but only after he returns to Konoha."
He looked around the table, eting each of their eyes.
"I can't talk about the details, but I will say this—very soon, we're going to bring him back."
A beat passed before he added, more warmly, "Tonight isn't about what we've lost. It's about what we've regained. Naruto is finally back after two and a half years. So let's not waste it—let's celebrate."
His words cut through the tension, and slowly, smiles began to return. One by one, the sombre air lifted as the group nodded in agreent, their spirits rising once again.
The reunion was back on track.
Inoiki continued, his tone more serious now. "And just so we're clear—this sword isn't just a keepsake or so decorative piece. It's a chakra blade, designed not only to conduct chakra but to amplify it to a certain extent. In battle, it can be a real asset. I hope you all train with it and use it to grow stronger."
He paused, then added, "Let
tell you a story."
The group quieted as Inoiki went on.
"There was once a shinobi with partial Hyūga lineage. He had only awakened one Byakugan eye, but even that made him dangerous. He served as a Jōnin of Konoha, but under certain circumstances... he turned traitor."
There were murmurs of curiosity, but Inoiki pressed forward.
"To bring him down, the village sent two of its most gifted young shinobi—Shisui Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha. Both were considered prodigies of the Uchiha clan, known for their unmatched skill even at a young age. You'd think taking down a single rogue Jōnin would've been simple for them."
He shook his head.
"But it wasn't. That shinobi—with just one Byakugan—could read their every move. He could pinpoint the weak spots in their ninjutsu and counter them with precision. He cut those weak points with his sword. He was nearly unbeatable. It took everything Shisui and Itachi had to kill him."
Inoiki looked around the table, locking eyes with his friends.
"I'm telling you this because even a single tool, used wisely, can close the gap between you and soone stronger. This sword might not turn you into a prodigy overnight—but it might just help you overco your weaknesses."
The room fell silent for a mont, the weight of the story settling in. Then, one by one, heads began to nod—not just in understanding, but in determination.
Neji narrowed his eyes slightly. "I've never heard of such a ninja. Where did you learn about him?"
Inoiki nodded. "You wouldn't have. No village openly announces information about missing-nin, especially not cases involving major clans. And the Hyūga Clan, for obvious reasons, wouldn't want that kind of incident made public."
He leaned back slightly, his voice calm but firm. "I'm a Jōnin—I have access to classified records. I've spent a lot of ti going through old mission files, intelligence briefs, and incident reports. That's how I ca across his story. If you're curious, you can look him up in the archives—his case is there, buried deep."
Neji nodded, his interest clearly piqued. The idea that a Byakugan user could hold his own against prodigies like Itachi and Shisui intrigued him. If such a technique existed, mastering it could push his own abilities even further.
With the conversation winding down, Inoiki sealed the last remaining sword—the one intended for Sasuke—back into the storage scroll.
Just then, the food arrived, and the mood shifted instantly. Plates were passed around, the grill fired up, and the table filled with laughter and chatter. They joked, shared stories, teased one another—just like old tis.
As night fell and the stars began to scatter across the sky, Inoiki stood from his seat. "Alright, ti to call it a night. Naruto, Sakura—we've got a mission to prepare for tomorrow."
Shino looked up from his plate. "You're part of Team Kakashi now?"
Inoiki gave a small smile. "Only temporarily. Just for this mission."
Shino nodded in understanding.
Ino stood as well. "Our team has an early mission too, so I'll head out now."
With that, the group began to part ways, offering quick goodbyes and waves. One by one, they disappeared into the quiet streets of Konoha.
Inoiki and Ino walked side by side for a while before splitting off toward their respective hos, the warmth of the reunion still lingering in the air.
----
While Inoiki and his friends enjoyed the evening celebration, elsewhere in the village, Tsunade sat in the eting room across from the Konoha Council elders. Her expression was tight, her fingers steepled in front of her as she faced Konoha Council elders.
Shizune had inford the Konoha council elders about Tsunade's decision to send Naruto on a mission.
Tsunade's temple throbbed, a visible vein pulsing with restrained fury. Her eyes flicked toward Shizune, who stood off to the side, avoiding her gaze.
"This is absolutely unacceptable," Koharu declared, her voice sharp. "We cannot allow Naruto to be sent on a mission outside the village. It's out of the question."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes. "And why, exactly, is it out of the question?"
Homura leaned forward. "You know as well as we do—Naruto is a critical asset to the village. The Nine-Tails inside him makes him a strategic priority. Letting him leave the safety of Konoha is too great a risk."
Tsunade's tone sharpened. "He is not a weapon. He's a shinobi of Konoha, and he deserves to be treated as one. There is no reason he shouldn't be allowed to carry out missions like any other capable ninja."
Danzo's voice cut in, low and calculated. "I understand your... affection for the boy. But you must not let personal feelings cloud your judgnt. You know what he carries inside him. Sentint cannot outweigh reason."
Tsunade exhaled slowly, reigning in her anger. When she spoke, her voice was asured—but firm.
"You're right. I do favor Naruto. Not out of sentint, but because I see sothing in him that many others overlook—potential, strength, and a will that refuses to break."
She looked each elder in the eye.
"But my decision isn't clouded. That's why I'm sending Inoiki with him. You all know his capabilities. He's more than capable of protecting Naruto—and keeping him in check if necessary. So tell —what exactly is the problem, if all precautions have been taken?"
The room was silent for a mont, the tension thick.
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