Hinata Hizashi didn't fully understand the special properties of Uchiha Shigure's newly awakened Sharingan. He knew only the legends: that the Sharingan could copy abilities, rival instincts, and pierce through deception. Hizashi understood enough to be wary but, as always, left many words unsaid.
Still, Shigure could not hide the quiet guilt stirring in his chest.
"When you use it again, be careful," Hizashi said at last, his voice calm but edged with warning. "The more cards you reveal, the more enemies will covet your strength. In the face of absolute power, most people are nothing more than tigers made of paper."
That was his final reminder. With that, the conversation ended, leaving Shigure's head buzzing with thoughts as they pressed forward.
He clenched his fists as they crossed the mountain paths, the chill air prickling his skin. My chakra capacity now… it's at the peak of Kage-level already. One step more, and I could touch the realm of a Super Kage. His heartbeat quickened. In pure battle strength… I doubt even an ordinary jōnin could stand against me.
He measured himself in silence. Jōnin are split—special jōnin, ordinary jōnin, elite jōnin. With my trump cards, I should be able to fight on par with at least an elite jōnin. But even then… it's still not enough. Not in this world.
Memories of the future—the looming threat of war, the unimaginable figures who moved its pieces—flashed before him. In the later stages of the shinobi world… even Kage themselves are weaklings next to Six Paths Madara, or the others who touch that level… Next to them, I am far behind.
Shigure exhaled slowly, as if to burn away fear and kindle only determination. There are geniuses born with brilliance, and those who forge themselves through effort. I will be both. With the blood of the Ōtsutsuki flowing within me, with my relentless struggle—one day I will stand as the strongest.
His oath settled like steel in his chest.
The four-man squad descended from the rugged highlands into greener, lusher trees. The mountains of the Land of Rivers gave way to the vast forests of the Land of Fire. Home. The closer the leaves became, the lighter their steps seemed.
By fortune or fate, no more enemies barred their path.
"Good things come to those who endure," Hizashi murmured, glancing back at his three genin. "Our enemies this time were formidable. But to return alive, together—that is the true victory."
He paused, considering. "I'd classify this as an A-rank mission at least. Were it not for Shigure, even I might have fallen into their trap. Of course,"—his eyes glinted with a rare wryness—"the higher-ups will register it as B-rank. Missions of that level are confidential. Do not speak of the full details."
"Yes, sensei!" his three students answered in unison, voices steady. They were no longer the nervous novices who had first set out weeks before. Maturity, like fire forged in iron, had entered them.
Satisfied, Hizashi nodded. "Good. In that case—let's go. We're almost back. Once we hand in our mission report, how about I treat you all to a proper meal?"
"Deal!" Hyūga Akane's eyes lit up at once, and Hatake Kusuo gave an audible sigh of long-delayed relief.
Shigure hesitated. "I… might need to go check on my sister first. I don't know how Hoshiko is doing on her own."
Akane froze mid-step, her red lashes lowering before she forced herself to nod. "Right. Of course… go. We'll have time afterward." But there was a faint note of disappointment in her tone.
"Hm? Akane, are you sulking because Shigure doesn't want free food with us?" Kusuo interjected slyly, a smirk tugging the corner of his mouth.
"W-What!? N-no—!" Akane's entire face flushed scarlet. She covered her cheeks, utterly flustered.
Kusuo laughed, surprisingly lighthearted. "Heh. Didn't think I'd see the day when you turned that red."
Even Shigure chuckled and stepped in to break the tension. "Honestly, it's rare enough to hear Kusuo laugh at all. Let's not bully Akane too much." He flashed a grin at her in reassurance.
Akane's face stayed aglow, warmth pooling in her chest, though Shigure's thoughts had already turned elsewhere. All he wanted was to finish this mission and rush home to Hoshiko, the little sister who had been waiting.
The sight of Konoha's great gates at last came into view. Each of them halted for a heartbeat, staring as if at something both new and achingly familiar.
"Half a month," Akane whispered, her expression softening with relief. "Never thought I'd miss this village so much."
Shigure nodded. "It's natural. The first mission away from home… it changes you."
"Shigure," Akane asked hesitantly, "your sister—she's your only family, isn't she?"
"Yes," he said quietly. "I've never met my parents since… since I came to this world. Hoshiko is the only one I have. That's why I want to surprise her the moment this mission is over. Nobody's been taking care of her. If anyone dares to bully her…" His eyes darkened, sharp as steel. "…I won't forgive them."
The truth was simple. From the first instant he arrived in this world, the first person who had smiled at him was Hoshiko. She had treated him as family without question. In return, he would guard her as though she truly were his sister by blood.
Akane bit her lip. "I—I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked about your parents."
"It's fine," Shigure answered with complete ease.
They said no more until the four returned to the Hokage's Office beneath the looming stone faces of the Hokage Rock.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind his desk, pipe smoke curling thickly through the air. The heavy scent clung to everything around him, marking him as the weary veteran he was. Two ANBU operatives stood at his side, shuffling through documents.
"Oh? Hizashi." The old man looked up, eyes softening with a grandfatherly gleam. "Mission accomplished? And my disciple here"—he nodded at Shigure—"didn't give you too much trouble, I trust?"
Hizashi bowed. "On the contrary, Hokage-sama, Shigure's performance was exceptional—"
Before he could continue, there came a sharp rap upon the door.
"Enter," Sarutobi called.
Three figures stepped into the smoke-filled office. Leading them was a young kunoichi with thick violet curls tumbling over her shoulders. She had a cute, impish face and carried herself with unshakable confidence. Her form was still girlish with youth, but her beauty was all too easy to glimpse through the years ahead.
Beside her moved a man so average he was almost ghostlike. Short, trim, utterly featureless in build—his presence was less like a ninja than the idea of a ninja sketched in faint pencil.
The third, however, was the opposite in every respect: a tall, broad-shouldered brute with explosive muscles. His arms flexed like tree trunks, his every movement exuding strength.
Shigure's Sharingan flared imperceptibly as he judged them. Physical type… balanced type… and the violet-haired girl, she's an illusionist. No question.
Akane stiffened. "Violet…" she muttered.
The purple-haired kunoichi smirked. "Hyūga Akane? Well, well."
"H-hey?" Akane blinked. "What are you doing here!?"
"Same as you." Violet tossed her hair, eyes gleaming with taunt. "Come to hand in a mission."
The temperature in the room dropped ever so slightly. Violet's proud tone drew the faintest frown from the Hokage, who pressed a hand to his brow in weariness. The tension between the two kunoichi was sharp enough to cut.
"Ahem," Sarutobi muttered, his annoyance clear through the haze of smoke. "Let's finish reports, distribute rewards quickly—before this escalates."
Hizashi inclined his head. "Of course, Hokage-sama. I shall return momentarily with a full private report."
Dismissed, Team Hizashi departed. Yet even in the corridor, Violet shot another pointed glare at Akane, a provocation masked as a smile.
Shigure noticed the flicker of hurt and irritation cross Akane's face but said nothing yet. Hizashi was already striding ahead, holding the door for them—only to halt.
For there, directly beyond the threshold, stood another figure.
A woman.
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