Terumī Mei weighed Danzō's invitation carefully.
"Danzō-sama said that if you return, he will give you what you desire."
At that, Mei's lips curved into a smile. "Very well. Let's go back to Konoha. I'll remain another day."
The following morning.
Shigure awoke from training. Though the passive skill bar offered constant growth, active practice still bore fruit.
After a night of practicing Cloud Release, his speed in shaping clouds and mist had increased significantly, and the jutsu itself had grown far stronger.
[Glutton Repair: 10%]
[Current Glutton Recovery: 20%]
The Great Sage's calm voice rang in his mind, reporting the progress. With every repair, Glutton's devouring ability improved.
At 20%, its efficiency was already impressive.
"Great Sage, at 20%, how quickly can Glutton consume chakra?"
[Great Sage: The speed of devouring offensive ninjutsu has reached the threshold for practical use. Any attack-type ninjutsu can now be absorbed within two seconds.]
"Two seconds…"
Shigure's eyes gleamed.
Most ninjutsu attacks—whether Fire Release, Water Release, or Lightning Release—were techniques unleashed in bursts. For Glutton to swallow them in under two seconds meant he now possessed a true countermeasure.
It was akin to wielding the Rinnegan's Preta Path absorption ability.
This was already an excellent harvest.
As Shigure savored his progress, a presence stirred outside his door.
That chakra signature… it was Gekkō Hayate.
But something was off. Hayate lingered at the doorway, strangely hesitant, making no move to step inside.
Shigure frowned and walked over, sliding the door open.
"Brother Hayate, what brings you here so early?"
Hayate's expression was grim, his face pale. He met Shigure's gaze, lips parting as though to speak—yet no words came forth, as if the weight of what he bore was too heavy to voice.
After a long silence, Gekkō Hayate finally spoke.
"Come with me."
Shigure followed without question. There seemed to be nothing wrong at first, so he didn't think too much of it.
But the closer they drew to the Hokage Building, the stronger his unease grew.
First, the looks he received from the surrounding shinobi were… strange.
Second, why would he be summoned here at this time?
The Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, was still bedridden in Konoha Hospital. What business could possibly require his presence in the Hokage's office?
When he stepped inside, the answer only deepened his confusion.
Two familiar figures awaited him—Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, the elders of Konoha.
So it's them…
"You are Moonlight Shigure, correct?" Koharu asked directly.
Shigure inclined his head respectfully.
"Yes, Elder Koharu, Elder Homura. I am Gekkō Shigure. What do you require of me?"
"You're a very talented child," Koharu said, nodding.
"You performed exceptionally well in the Chūnin Exams and brought honor to Konoha."
Shigure's brows furrowed slightly. They called me here… just to praise me? Impossible. These two aren't so idle.
Homura's tone turned grave.
"But unfortunately, you are not truly a shinobi of Konoha."
Shigure frowned. "What do you mean?"
"We've uncovered the truth," Homura continued.
"Your mother was from the Yuki clan of Kirigakure. She fled the Hidden Mist and chose to settle in Konoha. Now, Mizukage-sama has asked us to investigate your identity. If you are indeed of the Yuki clan, then we intend to return you to Kirigakure."
At this, Shigure almost laughed aloud.
My mother, from the Yuki clan? At least come up with a better draft if you're going to fabricate something.
Both of his parents had been pure-blooded members of the Gekkō clan. He remembered them clearly.
Unfortunately for Konoha's elders, Shigure wasn't an ordinary boy—he was a traveler from another world. His memories were flawless.
"So," he said coldly, "what exactly are you implying?"
The elders hadn't expected such composure from him, but pressed on.
"What we mean is simple: you are to leave Konoha immediately and return to your village—Kirigakure."
Koharu slid a stack of documents across the desk.
"See for yourself. You are indeed of the Yuki clan. Though your father was a Konoha shinobi, your mother's bloodline is now extinct. By returning to Kirigakure, you preserve what remains of that clan. For that reason, we have decided you must return."
Shigure glanced down at the papers. They were clearly falsified. With Konoha's authority, rewriting a shinobi's history was as easy as a stroke of the pen.
This wasn't about his heritage. It was about politics.
"So that's it… You're using me as a bargaining chip. A way to secure friendship—no, an alliance—with Kirigakure. You want to lean on their support to intimidate the other villages, to stabilize Konoha while the Third Hokage's fate hangs in the balance."
The silence that followed was telling. He had struck the mark.
After a moment, Homura finally spoke.
"Since you understand, then as a Konoha shinobi, you must recognize the village's difficulties."
To sacrifice one life for the sake of many—that was the shinobi creed they leaned upon. One person for the safety of a village. To them, it was a reasonable exchange.
But Shigure knew Konoha wasn't desperate enough to require such measures. At best, the elders were being overly cautious.
Still, the truth was clear: to them, he was nothing more than a pawn to be moved.
Being a shinobi is a miserable profession…
"…I understand," Shigure said at last, his voice calm.
Koharu and Homura exchanged glances.
"There is also a special order," Koharu added.
"While in Kirigakure, we hope you can provide Konoha with intelligence."
Shigure chuckled softly.
"How convenient. You trade me away for Kirigakure's goodwill, and at the same time, you plant me there as a spy. Truly efficient."
Then his eyes hardened as he raised his head.
"But you seem to have forgotten one thing. I am no longer a shinobi of Konoha."
The elders were caught off guard, their words momentarily failing them. They had expected obedience—willing sacrifice.
Instead, Shigure's calm rejection left them speechless.
...
TN:
I think there's something wrong with their head 🤔? I mean, they do remember he fought with a Kage, right? ⚔️ Don't they understand what that means? 😑
Maybe they just don't know yet 🤷♂️. I don't think they've got that info—otherwise this would never have happened… The look on their faces when they finally realize what they've done is going to be priceless 😂. And honestly, Hiruzen might just have a heart attack when he hears about it 💀.
...
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