"Why did you save me?"
Kakuzu sat quietly in front of Emiya Shihara, his eyes wary.
"Because you're injured."
Emiya Shihara's palms glowed with emerald chakra as he carefully mended Kakuzu's broken bones. "And I just happen to be a medical ninja."
"He'll definitely be killed if he goes back,"
Uchiha Madara's voice cut through, criticizing Emiya Shihara's kindness. "Those losers in Takigakure wouldn't consider him a comrade. Even with his meager strength, this man would be regarded as a master in that small village…"
Madara didn't think Kakuzu could match him, but he recalled his own experiences. Snorting contemptuously, he added, "Hmph. Narrow-minded people in the ninja world despise those whose power surpasses theirs…"
He thought of one example in particular—the villain Senju Tobirama.
Emiya Shihara knew Madara was slandering Tobirama, yet a vague sense of unease still pricked at him. In a world full of powerful individuals, few wanted to become victims.
"So they want to kill me?"
Kakuzu's voice was low, contemplative. He understood what Madara meant. "In this world, what else can ninjas like us do besides carry out our missions?"
"Kill them, of course!"
Madara's eyes gleamed with mockery. "What a complete fool! Kowtowing to the weak is a violation of your own life…"
Kakuzu remained silent, pondering. Usually reserved and thoughtful, he had never been one to blindly respect his superiors.
If someone kills me, I will kill them.
Madara's logic was undeniable.
But… why had this medical ninja saved him? Was it simply because he was a medical ninja? In a world ruled by deception and killing, Kakuzu—usually analytical and cunning—could not fathom it.
"Try to survive,"
Emiya Shihara patted Kakuzu on the shoulder, signaling him to leave. "Don't waste my chakra."
"Humph…"
Madara folded his arms, glaring at Kakuzu with disdain. Even in mockery, he refused to give him a second glance.
"Thank you…"
Kakuzu bowed his head slightly. He could not afford to offend Madara. Instead, he looked at Emiya Shihara and nodded in gratitude. Then, in a deep voice, he asked, "May I know your name, Lord Emiya…?"
"Get lost!"
Madara's crimson eyes flared. "If you haven't even heard of this great figure, forget ever meeting him again…"
"I'm Emiya Shihara."
Emiya Shihara's tone was calm and gentle, entirely different from Madara's. He treated everyone equally, whether they were a wandering ninja from a small village or a legendary figure.
Kakuzu's pupils constricted in shock.
This name… it couldn't be real.
As a ninja, Kakuzu had heard tales of Emiya Shihara since childhood. Legends told of a time when Takiguni, a small village, was struck by a deadly curse. Food and water brought strange illnesses that threatened to wipe out the village.
Then came the legendary medical ninja Emiya Shihara. He cured the cursed illnesses and saved the village, allowing it to prosper and grow into Takiguni. Stories of Emiya Shihara's deeds spread far and wide, leaving him revered across generations.
"Is it really Lord Emiya?"
Even Kakuzu, always composed, felt a stir of unease.
Uchiha Madara, though immensely powerful, knew Emiya Shihara's reputation was not exaggerated. Only a man like Emiya could show such patience and broad-mindedness in a world so accustomed to killing.
"Go back early,"
Emiya Shihara waved Kakuzu away.
Kakuzu hesitated. His mind was full of questions: Why had Emiya appeared in this era? How had he survived a kunai through the heart? Why did his body seem strange, like dust and debris yet still alive?
"What?"
Madara's brow furrowed. "Isn't it enough that I spared your life today?"
Emiya Shihara smiled at Kakuzu. "Perhaps you've lost your way in life. If your own village ostracizes you and you have nothing to do, why not find something to rekindle your life?"
"What can I find?"
Kakuzu shook his head, unsure.
Emiya Shihara continued gently, restraining Madara's impatience. "Why not try to save those in pain…"
Kakuzu paused, silent, then began walking away, as if making up his mind.
He intended to return to the village first, to test if Madara's words were true. If they truly wanted him dead, he would strike down those high-ranking officials doing nothing while he suffered.
And perhaps, as Emiya said, there was a more noble path after all.
Yet, Kakuzu had no knowledge of medical ninjutsu. Following Lord Emiya seemed like a dream too grand for a small-village ninja like him.
Still… another life might be possible.
He pondered the nature of a ninja's existence: exchanging bounties for missions, earning money to help those in need. A new purpose, perhaps a life of meaning.
But commissions from Takigakure were rare and meager. As a wandering ninja, earning enough would be even harder. Kakuzu would need to find a way to survive while helping others.
"How boring…"
Madara muttered as he watched Kakuzu retreat. "Is it really worth your time to care about that fool, Lord Emiya?"
"For me, it is,"
Emiya Shihara's fingertips twitched as he collected a black vein—a reward from a commission.
[S-Rank Commission: Demonstrate immortality before Kakuzu and receive the Earth Blade—a unique chakra artifact. The Earth Blade can unleash powerful ninjutsu, steal an enemy's heart granting immortality, and transform enemy chakra into five elemental types: fire, wind, earth, water, and thunder. In battle, the blade can split into multiple pieces.]
What a shame…
If only he had obtained the Earth Blade in ancient times, he might have achieved immortality without relying on backup plans.
But… it wasn't too late. This power could become a last resort if fate demanded he experience eternal life again.
"Alright."
Emiya Shihara gathered his thoughts, looking intently at Madara. His voice softened. "I'm not good at lying. If I've said anything wrong, please forgive me…"
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