After Shigure collapsed from chakra overload, the Third Hokage caught him before he could hit the ground. Without wasting time, the group turned to head back toward Konoha.
Meanwhile, at the edge of the forest, Naruto and Sasuke, who had been halted by the ANBU, stared at the sky. The shockwaves and chakra surges from earlier still lingered in the air.
The oppressive energy made both boys uneasy.
"Was that… all from Shigure?" Naruto asked, wide-eyed. "Was he fighting someone?"
"Fighting?" Sasuke frowned. "Who would be stupid enough to pick a fight right outside Konoha—and with one of our own?"
Only a fool would stir up that kind of ruckus so close to the village. Konoha wasn't some backwater outpost—whoever caused that much commotion would be surrounded in minutes.
"If it wasn't a fight, then what was it?" Naruto asked again.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes, watching the lingering chakra threads in the sky. "If it really was Shigure… then he must've been training."
"Training?!" Naruto looked incredulous. "Who trains like that?!"
Just then, the group from before returned. The Third Hokage carried Shigure in his arms, unconscious. Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a glance and hurried over.
"What happened to Shigure?" Naruto asked in concern.
Before the Hokage could answer, Kakashi stepped forward.
"He's alright. He pushed himself too far during training and passed out. We're taking him home to rest. You two should head back too."
"Training...?" Naruto repeated.
So Sasuke was right.
But the thought wouldn't settle. Sasuke clenched his fists, recalling the surge of chakra and destructive power from earlier.
That was the result of training?
If that was Shigure holding back, then what would he be like going all out?
Just how far has he gotten ahead of me…?
No!
Sasuke's eyes burned with determination. He wouldn't fall behind. Not like this.
He looked up at Kakashi with resolve.
That technique—
If I don't master it soon, I'll be left in the dust.
Naruto, meanwhile, felt the same fire well up inside.
"I've been taking it easy the past few days," he said. "But Shigure's still out here training like that… even though he's already so strong."
"No way—I have to work harder too!"
The Third Hokage and Kakashi both overheard them. Their words brought a rare smile to Hiruzen's face.
This is Shigure's influence.
Both Naruto and Sasuke were being pushed forward by the force of his example.
And for the Third Hokage… that was a welcome change.
After returning Shigure home, Hiruzen personally instructed Gekkō Hayate to look after him, then returned to the Hokage Office to resume his duties.
But even as he went through village reports and paperwork, his thoughts lingered on what he had witnessed.
Ice Release.
At his age, Shigure had developed a Kekkei Genkai entirely on his own.
That was no small feat.
The Yuki Clan from Kirigakure—also known as the Moonless Clan—once wielded Ice Release. Though they weren't famed like the Uchiha or the Senju, Ice Release was still a formidable ability.
With Shigure's development, the Moonlight Clan would become one of the rare families in Konoha possessing a hereditary bloodline.
Even if it remained unclear whether their old "Transparent Release" was a true Kekkei Genkai, the Ice Release would now become the Moonlight Clan's signature power.
In the future, Konoha wouldn't just gain a prodigious ninja.
It would gain another bloodline family.
The Third smiled quietly to himself.
He looked down at the file he'd been reviewing.
"Snow Country...?"
He chuckled.
"How fitting. This could be the perfect place to temper Shigure's new abilities..."
Back at the Moonlight Clan residence, Hayate stood outside Shigure's room, informing the rest of the clan of the events.
When they heard the news—that Shigure had awakened a Kekkei Genkai—excitement rippled through the group.
This changed everything.
From now on, the Moonlight Clan was a true bloodline family.
"With Shigure developing a Kekkei Genkai," one elder said, "it's essential we ensure his bloodline is passed down!"
"Isn't there anyone his age? Any girls in the clan?" someone else asked.
"Masano's daughter is only three," another chimed in. "Maybe she could marry Shigure when she's older?"
Masano, overhearing this, didn't object—Shigure was extraordinary, after all—but the age gap did give him pause.
Hayate shook his head, amused but exasperated.
"Alright, enough matchmaking. Let Shigure rest for now. You're all dismissed—I'll stay here and look after him."
He paused before continuing.
"And about the Kekkei Genkai… it's bound to come out eventually. But let's not be the ones spreading it all over the village."
Everyone nodded and quietly dispersed.
Once alone, Hayate sighed.
They don't know...
As far as I'm aware, Shigure already has a girlfriend.
And it's none other than Lady Hinata—the Hyūga heiress.
They had already shared intimacy… Though marriage would be difficult due to Hyūga clan restrictions, even an alliance between the clans would be a powerful step forward.
The night passed peacefully as Shigure lay unconscious.
By morning, his eyelids slowly fluttered open.
He blinked up at the ceiling, taking in the familiar room.
This is… my room?
Home?
...Weren't we training out in the wild?
How did I end up back here...?
Could it be... the Great Sage took over and brought him home?
Just as Shigure was puzzling over this, he suddenly sensed a presence beside the bed.
He turned his head—and spotted a familiar golden ponytail.
Ino?!
Before he could say anything, Ino noticed him stirring and turned with a bright smile.
"You're finally awake, Shigure-kun!"
"Ino? What are you doing here?"
"Well, I came by your house looking for you," she said, puffing her cheeks a little. "Your brother said you passed out from training too much. Seriously—what's wrong with you? You push yourself so hard and don't even care about your own health..."
She rambled on, half-scolding, half-worried, and Shigure just sat there, a bit dazed.
Fainted from overtraining? Brother...?
Was she talking about Hayate?
So… he'd been found in the Stone Forest?
That meant quite some time had passed.
Just then, the door opened, and Gekkō Hayate walked in.
"Finally awake, huh? You had us all worried," he said, walking up with a relieved smile. "Don't push yourself so hard next time."
Then, noticing Ino sitting at Shigure's bedside, Hayate raised an eyebrow and smirked.
"Well then, big brother won't interrupt you and your girlfriend. Carry on!"
With that, he turned and started walking out. But just before leaving, he shot Shigure a thumbs up and winked.
Shigure instantly understood what he meant.
Last time, he caught me and Hinata coming out of my room in the morning...
And now, he sees Ino here again.
Hayate's teasing voice drifted back into the room:
"Good kid. You're doing better than I ever did. Two girls at once, huh? Just be careful—don't let the boat capsize!"
Shigure facepalmed.
Why does this guy always assume the worst… or the best?
...
TN:
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