"Cough, cough." The Third seemed to have been momentarily choked by the smoke, though in reality, he knew it was just because he had thought of one of his former students.
"Kakashi," he asked, "do you think I should send someone to bring Tsunade back?"
It was then that Kakashi realized the Hokage seemed to feel some guilt toward Shiki.
Nevertheless, he shook his head. "It depends on whether Princess Tsunade is willing to return. And before that, we'd need a way to find her first."
The Third tapped his pipe against the ashtray, his gaze fixed beyond the thick darkness outside. "Yes... Tsunade hasn't fully moved past what happened all those years ago. Asking her to come back just to heal someone who means nothing to her—wouldn't that be asking too much?"
Kakashi didn't respond. Yet, considering Guy's situation and his own experience with Shiki, he truly hoped Tsunade would return and heal him.
"I gave the Five Elements Seal to Shiki Uzumaki," Kakashi said after some thought. He felt this matter still needed to be mentioned to the Hokage.
To his surprise, the Third replied quietly, "Giving it to him might actually be a good choice. At the very least, it gives him something to strive for—to become stronger."
Kakashi gave no reply. Meanwhile, the glow from the Third's pipe glowed vividly through the cold darkness.
...
"What about that child from the Hyuga clan?"
Kabuto stood beside Orochimaru, his expression unusually serious. Truthfully, he still deeply admired Orochimaru today, even imitating many of his actions.
At times, he even imagined himself as another Orochimaru.
Of course, such an absurd idea remained only within his thoughts.
He continued carefully, "The Earth Cursed Seal has adapted well onto Hyuga Ao, but I still have my doubts. A person who goes out of their way to seek our help seems highly suspicious."
In truth, Kabuto found it strange that a child from the Hyuga clan would seek power through Mizuki in the first place.
And when Mizuki reported this, Orochimaru actually decided to apply the Cursed Seal on Hyuga Ao.
Something like this naturally raised numerous questions.
A familiar smile returned to Orochimaru's face.
"Kabuto, if you always try to analyze them using ordinary human logic, you'll definitely reach strange conclusions. Because these people are also mad."
Kabuto remained somewhat puzzled. "Lord Orochimaru, your plan with Lord Danzo is already underway. I believe it would be better not to create unnecessary complications at this moment."
Orochimaru simply shook his head. A white snake coiled up along his back, flicking its tongue slightly.
"The branch members of the Hyuga clan are born with resentment in their hearts, always longing for strength powerful enough to break free from their fate. In fact, they're even more prone to bearing hatred than the Uchiha clan."
Kabuto didn't argue. Innate inequality within a village like Konoha could indeed breed resentment more easily.
"But Hyuga Ao doesn't possess the same talent that Neji Hyuga does. Applying the Earth Cursed Seal on him—wouldn't that be overestimating him too much?"
Kabuto realized this issue. After all, even a ninja like Kimimaro only received the Cursed Seal of Earth from him. It seemed excessive to bestow such a seal upon Hyuga Ao, who wasn't considered the top genius of the Hyuga clan.
"Kimimaro's illness was his biggest hindrance," Orochimaru sighed slightly, though his eyes sparkled with interest. "It was truly regrettable; ultimately, I couldn't find a cure for his condition. Moreover, Hyuga Ao carries greater hatred and anger from being suppressed by other prodigies. Such individuals possess tremendous potential."
By this point, Kabuto already understood quite well.
Yet there remained another question in his mind:
"Won't there be problems if Hyuga Ao uses the power of the Cursed Seal within Konoha?"
"Well, currently nobody in the village recognizes what this is. The Hyuga clan, having witnessed its immense power, certainly won't hand it over for the village's research. However, could the Hyuga clan actually decipher the source of this power? After all, how many years had passed since they last had a genius who managed to rise to prominence?"
Chapter 70: Frustration
"Shiki, why do you seem so down today?"
It was already past ten, but Sena Hoshino still hadn't gone to sleep. Like always, she made herself a cup of green tea and sat under the lamp reading a book.
Even though she wasn't that orphan girl anymore, she still couldn't shake off the habits she'd built over the years — always seizing every chance to rise through hardship.
But tonight, she noticed that Shiki Uzumaki seemed more dejected than usual, his expression carrying an unusual bitterness.
This worried her somewhat, especially considering he hadn't looked this way even when he learned he couldn't properly use chakra anymore and his right leg was paralyzed.
Shiki glanced at Sena-chan. His originally weary gaze softened slightly.
Sena had already taken a shower and changed into her pajamas. At home, there was no need to dress formally. A lot of her fair skin was showing, her delicate feet stretching lazily on the edge of the couch.
Her relaxed posture could easily stir any man's heartbeat.
"Sena-nee, couldn't you dress just a bit less provocatively? I'm still a guy—this is really inappropriate," Shiki said helplessly.
Smack!
Sena closed her book and smiled at Shiki. "But you're still my little brother, Sena Hoshino's younger brother."
"Alright then. If that's how you feel, I guess I can't do anything about it," Shiki reluctantly responded.
Sena stood up and approached Shiki, starting to gently rub his face.
"C'mon, tell me — why are you so upset today?"
Feeling the warmth of her hands on his face, Shiki felt pretty awkward. Normally, he would've definitely resisted — but right now, it was a beautiful girl rubbing his face.
Finally, Shiki forced a small smile onto his face before returning to his room.
As he lay on his bed, Shiki began pondering everything that had recently occurred.
"Why did I only get these upgrades after my chakra channels were so seriously damaged?"
Shiki couldn't help but feel frustrated—maybe he wouldn't have gotten hurt so bad if he'd gotten these sooner.
Originally, with the Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu that The Third had planned to give him, plus the help of the Five Elements Seal, maybe this outcome could have been avoided.
"Well, if not for my fighting back, maybe neither The Third nor Kakashi would've even noticed me."
Thinking about this, Shiki felt more at peace.
But he really needed to find a way to fix his chakra system!
Maybe it was time for him to leave.
Suddenly, this thought crossed Shiki's mind.
He originally came to Konoha to grow stronger so he could protect his mother, who was in hiding.
But now more than four years had passed, and Shiki knew he couldn't afford to wait any longer.
"I'll decide after graduating from the Ninja Academy."
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