"Mm!"
"You—you…" Kankurō's eyes bulged in shock, his face frozen with fear.
Shigeo placed Gaara gently into his arms, then cast a sealing jutsu again, reinforcing the jinchūriki seal.
"This way, the bijū's power won't erupt so easily. You need to care for him, protect him. Hearts are made of flesh. With time, he'll become a kind and responsible shinobi."
Kankurō broke into tears. In his mind, only one voice echoed: this man had killed his father. He—killed him!
Seeing him dumbfounded and crying, Shigeo said, "People must grow. Learn to accept."
Then he dragged the fake impostors out from the rocks, opened a space-time portal, and vanished.
…
In the rocky valley, five corpses lay. Vultures swooped, tearing at flesh.
High above, Shigeo flew, examining a golden-lettered envelope he had taken.
"Urgent summons: By order of Hyūga Shigeo, all Shigeo are invited to the Eastern Secret Island of the Eastern Sea for a celebration. Date: November 15. No exceptions."
His brows furrowed. He'd found it on the impostor. Did they have an organization?
The more he read, the hotter his anger burned.
He had expected impostors—after a year hidden, many would use his name. But never thought they had their own circle. And from this letter, there were many.
Damn it. From top to bottom, righteous and evil alike, they were determined to ruin him!
Fury lit his eyes. He would find their nest and see what they were plotting.
He summoned a sea hawk, sending word to Wumang in Sunagakure: he'd be away for days, so return home alone.
Wumang wailed. Everyone else was manageable—but Lady Wu Qianling? If she found the master missing, she would never stop complaining.
Shigeo ignored it. He set course for the Eastern Secret Island.
He didn't know its exact location, but at Fire Country's eastern port, he spotted three impostors and followed them.
At the Land of Hot Water, they disembarked and boarded a luxury cruise ship.
The ship required a golden envelope to board. Shigeo pulled the crumpled one from his pocket.
"Is this ship bound for Eastern Secret Island? I have this."
The guards at the gangplank scrutinized him. "Take off the hood. We need to see your face. And you're alone?"
Everyone else had come in groups—at least two, never alone.
Shigeo lifted his hood. "Satisfied?"
"This is Shigeo? My god, come look—what a joke!"
The guards burst out laughing. The impostors nearby joined in. Earlier, they had compared who resembled Shigeo most. Now seeing him, they roared with laughter.
"Hey, your hair's wrong. Shigeo has short hair. And where are your sunglasses? You trying to play the blind act without props? Ha!"
Shigeo scanned the deck. Dozens of fakes. Black short-haired, all handsome enough, but false nonetheless.
"Let me in or not?" His voice was flat. He gripped the guard's throat.
The guard paled. "In, in. Even if you look the least like him, the envelope gets you aboard. Please!"
Shigeo boarded. A servant led him to his cabin.
Food and lodging were covered. But no matter how many companions you had, only one room per "Shigeo." A fake with ten followers got one room. Alone, Shigeo also got one.
Handing him the key, the servant left. Shigeo was about to enter when a hulking man shoved against the door.
"Hey, pal. Our room's crowded. I'll bunk with you." He tried to force his way in.
But no matter how he pushed, the door held. Shigeo's grip on the handle didn't budge. The hinges groaned.
Another second and the door would snap.
Shigeo stepped back and kicked the brute in the armpit. Raising a brow, he said, "Did I agree to let you in?"
The man staggered, scar twitching across his face. "You'll die for that!"
He lunged with fists. Shigeo sidestepped and kicked his jaw. Blood gushed as the brute bit his tongue. Frenzied, he rushed again.
"I'll kill you—"
Next instant, he froze. An ice blade gleamed from Shigeo's side, aimed at his chest.
"You—you—" His face drained. He stumbled back and fled into the next cabin.
Shigeo entered his own room, stripped off the cloak, and collapsed on the bed.
Half a day later, the ship finally left the Hot Water port, heading east.
As the vessel departed, revelry erupted.
The noise from the third deck woke Shigeo. Rested, he stretched and walked toward it.
The grand hall glittered with lights and music. A lavishly dressed host stepped onto the stage.
"Welcome home, heroes. These six months, you've worked hard!"
Cheers roared.
At the bar, Shigeo leaned back, watching. Impostors of him everywhere—drinking, smoking, flirting.
(End of Chapter)
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