Chapter 18 — Pain
Before Tetsuya could speak, Naruto immediately jumped in.
"Kakashi-sensei, this isn't right! Sakura, Sakura—she…"
His words didn't fully form before his voice began to falter, and all that could be seen were his trembling lips.
Although Naruto's theoretical knowledge was far from perfect, he knew that the period right after graduating from the Ninja Academy was critical for a ninja's rapid growth. Sakura had been unconscious in the Konoha hospital for over ten days, and her awakening remained uncertain. The absence of one member made Team Seven's mission work difficult, and the not-yet-close Sasuke already had complaints brewing.
"I have no objections."
Sure enough, before Naruto could finish, the sullen Sasuke interrupted him, eyes fixed tightly on Tetsuya's face. With just a few leaps, he jumped back over the wall and returned to the training grounds to intensify his practice.
Tetsuya had been completely unknown at the Ninja Academy, not a standout in his class—and yet, I couldn't even match him.
Yeah, it must be that I haven't trained enough yet. From today onward, all training will double in intensity!
Tetsuya didn't immediately accept Kakashi's invitation but instead turned to ask Kurenai for her opinion.
"You've already laid a solid foundation in genjutsu. From here on, you need to practice repeatedly and integrate it into your own combat style. You've done that well. Kakashi-senpai is a far more well-rounded elite Jonin than I am, with mastery over thousands of jutsu and extensive combat experience. He will be a valuable guide for your future training."
Although Kurenai was surprised by Kakashi's gesture, and slightly displeased for taking back what he's given, she knew better than to hold back her student growth.
"Then I look forward to learning from Jonin Kakashi."
Tetsuya nodded and walked over to Kakashi's side.
"Although both Kakashi-sensei and bratty Sasuke acknowledge your abilities, in my heart, Sakura is the true member of Team Seven!"
Naruto, who had been slumping behind Kakashi, suddenly lifted his head, his eyes filled with an indescribable stubbornness.
"Don't worry, Naruto. The Third Hokage has already summoned Lady Tsunade. Once she returns to Konoha, she will definitely be able to cure Sakura's… condition."
Having once been a member of Root, Kakashi knew the dark methods employed within. Even though the Konoha hospital hadn't given a definitive conclusion, Kakashi already had his own judgment.
"That's wonderful!"
Naruto's face lit up with a brilliant smile, the unease in his heart instantly vanishing. He grinned foolishly, as if completely forgetting his earlier resentment.
Is this really the teacher's kid?
Under his mask, Kakashi tugged slightly at the corner of his mouth, unable to look directly at him.
"Be at the Hokage's office entrance at nine tomorrow. We'll take care of all the missions from the past few days at once."
After giving a few instructions, Kakashi disappeared using the Body Flicker Technique, leaving only Tetsuya and Naruto behind.
"Kakashi-sensei is always late; he might not even show up by ten."
Naruto had no particular feelings toward Tetsuya himself; he was simply upset that Sakura's position had been taken by someone else. Now that the two were alone, Naruto relaxed and returned to his carefree personality, as if forgetting the recent tensions entirely.
"Is that so? Thanks for letting me know."
Tetsuya gave a faint smile, extending his hand toward Naruto.
"Let's work well together from now on."
A glimmer appeared in Naruto's eyes as he brushed a few times across Tetsuya's orange jacket before clasping his hand.
"It's a deal!"
Contact with the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki—completed!
Once the miracle-sealing object finishes cooling, the next time the summoning is performed, Tetsuya will be able to extract Naruto's abilities.
Whether it's the unique physiology of the Uzumaki clan or the Nine-Tails chakra, these are abilities Tetsuya intends to claim.
Before Naruto even learns the Rasengan, Tetsuya must extract both abilities.
---
Late at night, darkness blanketed Konoha, yet the main streets and office buildings remained brightly lit.
"Hokage-sama, it's late. You should rest."
Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen still furiously working in his office, the ANBU squad captain wearing a white mask slipped from his concealed position to offer a reminder.
"Mm, just a few more documents. Almost done."
Hiruzen didn't lift his head, continuing to write.
The ANBU captain sighed. Just as he was about to disappear again, his body tensed, eyes fixed outside the window.
Who had managed to approach the Hokage's office silently? Where had the on-duty ANBU gone?
"You finally decided to come back?"
Sensing a familiar chakra outside, Hiruzen's face softened into a warm smile, setting down his pen.
"Old man, didn't you say you were close to dying? I had to run for three days straight from the Land of Earth just to see you off!"
Even at his age, Jiraiya moved with skillful ease, bursting through the office window. Seeing Hiruzen sitting safely at his desk, he finally let out a sigh of relief.
After receiving an urgent ANBU transmission, Jiraiya had rushed from the Land of Earth all night, not even bothering with the young woman he had been pursuing for three days, just to escort his teacher on his final journey.
Seeing Hiruzen working late, illuminated by the lamplight, Jiraiya noticed the weariness of the once-great ninja and felt a twinge of the sorrow of a hero in decline, but all his previous resentment vanished.
Seeing his late-blooming student, Hiruzen recalled Orochimaru, another of the Legendary Sannin.
Back then, he had pinned his hopes on Orochimaru, believing he could inherit the mantle and become the Fourth Hokage. After Kimimaro's death, however, Orochimaru gradually went down a dark path, eventually standing in opposition to Konoha.
"Look at this."
After a few polite exchanges, Hiruzen pulled out a classified document and placed it before Jiraiya.
S-Rank Confidential!
Seeing the classification, Jiraiya's expression grew grave.
Could it be that after years of military buildup, the nations that had recovered from the wounds of the Third Great Ninja War were now readying themselves to invade the Land of Fire?
As he opened the file, it detailed Tetsuya, the so-called Miracle Invoker—first appearing before Kakashi to summon what seemed to be a future version of Uchiha Sasuke; second, showing Hiruzen's death. The contents shocked Jiraiya, his fists clenching audibly.
If Orochimaru appeared before him now, Jiraiya would summon the two great sages of Mount Myoboku without hesitation, enter Sage Mode, and finish him.
Although the bond among the Legendary Sannin was deep, Orochimaru's attempt to destroy Konoha and kill Hiruzen completely exceeded Jiraiya's tolerance.
"Old man, are you sure this is real, and not some genjutsu trick?"
After rereading multiple times, Jiraiya looked up at Hiruzen, his voice trembling slightly.
"I may be old, but my eyes aren't blind."
For one, no one else knew that Hiruzen had learned the forbidden jutsu Shiki Fujin. If this were a genjutsu, the combat scenes couldn't have been made this vivid.
"If someone truly can glimpse the future, I want to ask—who is the savior that the Great Toad Sage mentioned?"
Jiraiya murmured, an obsession forming in his mind that could not be shaken.
"Since it's you, Sage Jiraiya, asking, perhaps it's not impossible to let you see a glimpse of the future."
Though only Hiruzen and Jiraiya were present in the Hokage office, a voice suddenly spoke. A puppet, Tetsuya, wearing a clown mask, appeared before them.
Could this be the remnants of the fire?
Hiruzen glanced at the ashtray on the desk, feeling the other's unpredictability.
Seeing Jiraiya poised to act, Tetsuya gestured to the empty air beside him. Naruto, clad in a crimson short-sleeved cloak and carrying a massive scroll on his back, appeared inside the Hokage office, his eyes circled in the orange-red swirl of a Nine-Tails chakra manifestation.
"Naruto?"
"Sage Mode?"
Hiruzen and Jiraiya both exclaimed, rising from their seats.
Before the Sage Naruto could regain awareness, Tetsuya snapped his fingers, and the figure vanished, replaced by a massive projection screen.
First appeared a purple-and-black eye; the camera pulled back slightly to reveal a young man with orange hair.
Jiraiya blinked, feeling a strange sense of familiarity in the man's face.
"Feel the pain, understand the pain…"
With a hint of devotion, the orange-haired man's robes billowed as he slowly rose.
"Accept Pain, comprehend Pain…"
The scene shifted. Several figures dressed as Konoha ANBU blocked the foreground, protecting a young woman with golden twin tails, facing the dark figure hovering above Konoha.