RADG: Chapter 38/39

Chapter 38: Pakura, the Scorch Style Sacrifice

Pakura, the war hero of Sunagakure.

She made outstanding contributions to the village during the Third Great Ninja War. Her reputation within Sunagakure is second only to the Fourth Kazekage. She is also a formidable, Kage-level kunoichi.

Well, it's more accurate to say she's an elite jonin.

After all, her classification as Kage-level is purely based on the devastating destructive power of her Scorch Style. In other areas, Pakura is only on par with a standard elite jonin.

Even so, no matter which village she's in, she would be considered an invaluable asset, someone with the weight of a Kage.

There aren't many like her in the ninja world, but unfortunately, there are plenty of twisted thinkers.

Not only in Konoha—other villages are no different.

Sunagakure had been worn down completely by the prolonged war, and the daimyō was cutting spending by reducing the number of shinobi and missions.

To reconcile with Kirigakure and focus on the threat from Iwagakure, Pakura's life was the "sincerity" they offered.

Officially, she was sent on a confidential mission. In reality, she was sold out to Kirigakure and was killed, her back riddled with kunai and shuriken.

Such a pity for that perfect back... Ahem, no, such a waste of a powerful shinobi.

A thought surfaced in Yami's mind. Now that he knew the mission's time and location, could he intercept it?

It would be difficult, but there was room to maneuver. Root had more than enough resources to make it happen.

"Seiji, Ryo, can you tamper with Matsumoto Giku's memory?" Yami suddenly asked.

Yamanaka Ryo was briefly stunned, but quickly lowered his head and responded, "Yes. She's just a civilian, so it won't be hard."

"What about hiding it from Yamanaka Inoichi?" Yami glanced at him.

"This…" Yamanaka Ryo looked troubled. "Clan Head Inoichi is the strongest mind expert in the clan. His control over the brain is far beyond mine. It would be impossible to deceive him."

"Forget it." Yami waved his hand. "Just erase the memory about the reconciliation between Sunagakure and Kirigakure. It's fine if it gets discovered let her be handed over to the old man."

"As long as the memory isn't restored, it's fine."

With Danzō backing him, even if something was exposed, it wouldn't matter. It had nothing to do with him anyway.

"Yes." Yamanaka Ryo didn't ask any further and turned to enter the room to erase Matsumoto Kiku's memory.

...

The next day, Hizashi's team, having completed their mission, set out to return to Konoha.

Matsumoto Giku, in a dazed state, was being carried by Hizashi. She had no memory of what had happened the night before, and Hizashi and the others didn't notice anything unusual.

Three days later, the group returned to the village.

Seeing the fatigue on Yugao and Kurenai's faces, Hizashi showed concern and told them to head home and rest. He would handle the mission report alone.

After the three parted ways, Hizashi brought Matsumoto Giku to the Intelligence Interrogation Division, then headed to the Hokage's office to wait for the summons.

However, what Hizashi didn't know was that after the three had parted, they met up again not far away at Ichiraku Ramen.

After finishing three bowls of ramen in a row, Yami let out a satisfied sigh and said to Kurenai:

"Kurenai, before Hizashi-Sensei gets home, go to the Hyūga clan and tell the clan head all about his glorious actions."

Kurenai turned her head in surprise. "Didn't you promise Hizashi-Sensei not to tell the clan head about it?"

"Yes, I did say that.." Yami puffed up his chest righteously. "But I didn't say I would go. I asked you to go."

"Cough!!"

Yugao, who had been sipping tea, choked on it, looking at Yami in disbelief.

Aren't kids these days too sly?

Kurenai was the type who loved drama and chaos. She teased, "That's a big risk. Unless you call me 'Onee-san,' I won't help you with something so bad."

"Kurenai-Onee-san!" Yami immediately acted cute, making Kurenai burst into laughter.

"Let's go, if we wait any longer, Hizashi-Sensei might be back."

Kurenai left quickly after slapping the money on the table.

Yugao silently mourned for Hizashi for two seconds, but she didn't feel even a bit guilty.

She also believed Hizashi needed a little punishment. Even if he was already a hopeless middle-aged man, what if he led little Yami astray?

...

Elsewhere—

Hizashi, unaware of the trap being set for him, had been sitting outside the Hokage's office for about half an hour when a jonin from the Nara clan stepped out.

"Shikaya."

"Oh, Hizashi. Just got back from a mission?"

"Yes, I'm here to report to the Hokage."

"Haha, me too. Let's grab a drink sometime?"

"I've been leading a team recently, so I have some free time. I'll get in touch."

"Alright, see you around."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Nara Shikaya left. Shortly after, Hiruzen's voice came from inside the office.

This time, the other two elders weren't present. Only Hiruzen and a tall, white-haired man with vivid red face paint were in the room.

Hizashi bowed respectfully. "Hokage-sama, Jiraiya-sama."

Jiraiya laughed heartily, walked over, and draped his arm around Hizashi's shoulders. "Hizashi, we've known each other for ages, no need for such formality."

Hizashi smiled as well. "I'm just genuinely happy to see Jiraiya-sama again."

Back during the wars in the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, Jiraiya had served as the frontline commander. They were quite familiar with each other from that time.

"Let's catch up later, after we finish business,"

Hiruzen said calmly, pipe in his mouth, exhaling a slow ring of smoke. "Tell me the details of this mission. How did the children perform?"

As soon as Yami's group returned to the village, the Anbu had already informed Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Jiraiya had been specially summoned to listen as well.

"Well, it went like this..." Hizashi began his report—

(To be continued.)

Chapter 39: Senju Clan Bloodline?

Hizashi's mind was as clear as a mirror. He understood very well that although Hiruzen asked about the "children's" performance, his real focus was only on one person.

So, Hizashi recounted the entire mission outside the village almost entirely from Shimura Yami's perspective.

Hiruzen listened intently without interrupting any part of Hizashi's account.

It wasn't until Hizashi spoke about Yami's actions during the assassination mission that Hiruzen finally spoke.

"What does that old man Danzō usually teach? A seven-year-old child thinking about killing everyone to silence them at any moment, how can he have such intense killing intent?"

Jiraiya said flatly, "If it's Danzō-related, even the most absurd things become normal, don't they?"

Hizashi lowered his head and didn't dare to speak. Their words went in one ear and out the other.

The two big names could casually speak about Danzō, but he, as a minor branch member of the Hyūga clan, neither had the qualifications nor the courage to comment.

"Hizashi, go on."

Yami's strategic judgment somewhat eased Hiruzen's worries. It showed the boy could still be guided, so he wasn't overly concerned.

Hizashi continued his report.

He had originally considered hiding some parts, but fearing it might come to light later, he chose to reveal his dark history and the full story of how Yami identified the spy.

At that moment, both Hiruzen and Jiraiya were at a loss for how to react.

No way… he really did that?

He used that method to identify a spy?

Jiraiya prided himself on his familiarity with women, having been in a sea of flowers and touched every petal, yet he had never thought to associate a location's environment with the quality of women.

Those words had opened a new door for him.

Truly—

Wonderful!

After a long silence, the awkward atmosphere was finally broken.

Hiruzen frowned and spoke in a serious tone. "Hizashi… you're an experienced jonin. How could you make such a rookie mistake? I won't punish you this time, but don't let there be a next."

"Yes, I'll be more careful," Hizashi replied, forehead damp with sweat.

"Hahaha, old man, don't be so uptight." Jiraiya laughed heartily and patted Hizashi on the shoulder comfortingly, adding with a wink, "Don't take it too seriously, Hizashi. You just made the kind of mistake any man could make."

"If beauty is your weakness, then let's face it head-on tonight. We can't have such vulnerabilities during missions."

Hearing this, Hizashi was actually moved.

What Jiraiya said… made sense!

A real man should confront his weaknesses. Once he becomes fully desensitized to beauty, wouldn't he become invincible?

"Nonsense!" Hiruzen scolded Jiraiya. "If you lead Hizashi astray, don't come to me when he hunts you down for answers."

After that, his expression softened a bit, and he said to Hizashi, "You may leave. I'll keep an eye on Yami's psychological condition so that he doesn't go astray."

"Yes, Hokage-sama."

Hizashi turned and left the Hokage's office with a sigh of relief, closing the door carefully behind him.

As he closed it, he caught sight of Jiraiya winking at him repeatedly.

With the tacit understanding shared by men, Hizashi immediately grasped the message and nodded solemnly.

Red-light district. 10 o'clock tonight.

...

Inside the office, Hiruzen was still puffing on his pipe. He didn't speak right away, only finishing the last bit of tobacco before asking, "Jiraiya, what do you think?"

"What do you mean, 'what do I think'?" Jiraiya tried to feign ignorance, but Hiruzen had brought him here specifically for his insight into people—there was no way he'd let him dodge it.

"Don't play dumb. If you won't give me your opinion, I'll assign Shinnosuke to follow you around every day. Forget about going near the red-light district."

"You're too cruel, old man."

Jiraiya's face collapsed instantly, and he slumped onto the sofa.

Hiruzen let out a long sigh and said earnestly, "Jiraiya, I don't want to see anyone walk the same path as Danzō… or Orochimaru."

At the mention of his old friend, Jiraiya fell silent. His usual carefree attitude vanished, replaced by seriousness.

"Old man, I haven't seen that kid myself yet, so I can't make a judgment. That wouldn't be fair, to him or to the village."

He stroked the armrest of the sofa and spoke in a low voice, "But judging from what Hizashi reported, that kid's talent is undeniable. He surpasses Kakashi, and even Minato wasn't this impressive at his age."

Mentioning his former disciple caused a shadow to fall over Jiraiya's heart again. Forcing a smile, he asked, "But is there something wrong with Hizashi's Byakugan? How could Yami have more chakra than him?"

Hiruzen shook his head slightly. "Shimura Arashi is nothing special, but his wife, Shimura Saki, once had another name—Senju Saki."

"Senju clan?"

Jiraiya was surprised. Since he didn't get along well with Danzō, he knew little about the Shimura family and wasn't aware of this.

"You mean… he awakened the Senju bloodline?"

"That's the only explanation." Sarutobi Hiruzen refilled his pipe and lit it again.

"I suspected it ever since his duel with Uchiha Itachi. His remarkable chakra control and nature transformation are characteristics of the Senju clan. After hearing Hizashi's report, I'm almost certain…"

"Shimura Yami has awakened the Senju bloodline and it's not a thin one."

Another moment of silence.

Then Jiraiya slowly stood up and suddenly laughed.

"Hahaha! So that's why you've been so concerned, old man."

"But it's not that big a deal. The Senju bloodline isn't the same as Wood Release. Let me go meet the kid myself and see what kind of person he is."

As he said that, he had already stepped onto the windowsill of the office.

"If possible, I hope you'll consider taking him as your student," Hiruzen said seriously. "There are very few in Konoha who can oppose Danzō's darkness. You're the best choice."

"I have no plans to take on a disciple for now."

Jiraiya had already leapt out the window, and his voice drifted in with the breeze.

(To be continued.)