What had initially seemed destined to become a coup capable of shaking all of Takigakure ended far more abruptly than anyone had imagined.
For the Taki ninja who had chosen neutrality and merely stood by to watch the conflict unfold, unease now filled their hearts.
With Shibuki emerging victorious over Shuiyan and Elder Satoru still alive, these ninja inevitably began worrying about whether they would be purged afterward.
After all, although they had not openly joined the rebellion, their passive stance during the crisis could still be interpreted as tacit support for treason.
Of course, from their perspective, they felt they could hardly be blamed.
Who could have predicted that Shibuki would somehow reverse the situation under such desperate circumstances?
'At this point… we can only take things one step at a time…'
Many of the Taki ninja sighed inwardly.
Still, this outcome was not entirely beyond their expectations.
The reason they had remained neutral from the beginning was because they believed that even if Shibuki ultimately won, he most likely would not pursue harsh retaliation. Shibuki's personality was famously gentle, and because of that, they believed they still had a chance to emerge safely from this ordeal.
While the remaining Taki ninja wrestled with their various thoughts, Shibuki, Menma, and Fū had already arrived outside the residence where Mizuno Satoru was resting, dragging the half-dead Shuiyan behind them.
At such close range, Fū could immediately sense the familiar chakra fluctuations emanating from within the house.
Then, when the door opened and she saw the familiar elderly figure lying inside
The last traces of suspicion and unease in her heart instantly vanished.
Yet in the very next second, after seeing Mizuno Satoru's withered, decaying appearance especially the fact that his breathing had become so faint it resembled a thin thread Fū's heart violently trembled.
"Grandpa Satoru!"
She rushed forward in panic, crossing the room in only a few hurried steps before kneeling beside the bed.
"Grandpa Satoru, it's me… it's Fū… I came to see you…"
Fū half-knelt beside the bedside, tears already forming in her eyes as she spoke in a trembling voice filled with worry.
"Oh… it's Fū, huh? You silly girl… how could you let yourself be deceived so easily?"
Having already sensed the arrival of Fū, Shibuki, Menma, and the others, Mizuno Satoru slowly opened his eyes.
A gentle smile appeared on his face.
However, unlike before when he had still seemed relatively normal, almost as though he were recovering his current appearance was filled with unmistakable deathly stillness.
Even without the perception abilities of an elite sensor ninja or the expertise of a medical ninja, anyone could tell that Mizuno Satoru had already reached the final moments of his life.
The only reason he remained conscious at all was because of sheer willpower.
He was holding on solely to see Fū, Shibuki, and the others one final time.
And also to settle the final matters weighing on his heart.
"It's all my fault… I shouldn't have trusted that bastard Shuiyan… Grandpa Satoru, I disturbed your rest… You need to recover properly. Uncle Aoki and the others will definitely take good care of you. Once you recover, I'll show you the results of my training again…"
Fū's voice trembled violently.
At this moment, she truly felt fear.
Real fear.
Before this, Shuiyan had continuously filled her head with accusations against Shibuki. From the story she had been told, Shibuki had supposedly been manipulated by outsiders, while Elder Satoru had been imprisoned. All she needed to do was help Shuiyan "wake Shibuki up" and rescue Elder Satoru.
But reality had proven the exact opposite.
The one colluding with outsiders was Shuiyan.
The one who had deceived her was Shuiyan.
And Elder Satoru had never been imprisoned at all.
He was simply dying.
Looking at Mizuno Satoru's frail appearance as though he might breathe his last at any moment Fū felt overwhelming terror and sorrow.
"Silly child… everyone dies eventually. Grandpa is already nearly seventy years old. Among ninja, that is considered a long life. You should be happy for me. Don't cry anymore. You're already a grown girl now."
Mizuno Satoru smiled gently as he slowly raised his emaciated right hand and softly patted Fū's head.
"The future of the village will depend on you and Shibuki… so don't disappoint grandpa."
"Grandpa Satoru… I… wuu…"
Hearing what were clearly final words, Fū could no longer suppress the grief in her heart.
Tears streamed down her face as she broke into sobs.
"Shibuki… the same goes for you. This incident is a lesson. You must remember it for the rest of your life. Never… never make the same mistake again. Work together properly with Fū, Ajun, and the others in the village. Discuss things together. Don't show weakness. Be strong… understand?"
The further he spoke, the weaker Mizuno Satoru's voice became.
"Yes… I understand, Grandpa Satoru. I swear I will protect Takigakure."
Shibuki also knelt beside the bed, his expression filled with sorrow as he nodded firmly and replied with absolute determination.
"And there's also Fang… no… Menma-kun…"
Using nearly all the strength remaining in his body, Mizuno Satoru slowly turned his gaze toward Menma.
"Our Takigakure… will be in your care from now on. Although you are younger than Shibuki and Fū… I believe… cough… that you are the most suitable one. Shibuki, Fū… from now on, if you ever face confusion or uncertainty… follow Menma-kun's judgment. This… is grandpa's final request to you…"
The room instantly fell silent.
Not only Shibuki and Fū, but even Menma himself froze in surprise.
For a brief instant, Menma even thought the old man intended to expose him completely and eliminate him here.
But that thought disappeared almost immediately.
Not only was it unrealistic, but Mizuno Satoru was clearly not foolish enough to attempt such a thing.
More importantly
The moment Menma looked into the old man's eyes, he understood.
Mizuno Satoru was paving the road for him.
A man who had lived nearly seventy years could naturally discern Menma's intentions after only a single meeting.
Yet compared to anything else, Mizuno Satoru cared more about the continuation of Takigakure.
At least, in his eyes, this was the best possible choice under the current circumstances.
As for what the future would ultimately become…
That was beyond his control now.
Menma understood this instantly.
"Release."
The Transformation Technique was dispelled immediately.
Under the shocked gazes of Shibuki and Fū, Menma's disguised appearance vanished.
Bright crimson hair.
A youthful face.
The true appearance of the boy standing before them was revealed once more.
For a brief moment, both Shibuki and Fū forgot even their grief.
Neither of them could believe that the overwhelmingly powerful "young man" from earlier was actually just a boy.
Fū was merely stunned.
But Shibuki, as the leader of Takigakure, recognized him almost immediately.
"The Nine-Tails' jinchūriki… You're Uzumaki Menma!? The missing-nin from Konohagakure!?"
Shibuki's eyes widened in shock as his voice involuntarily rose.
Beside him, Fū also stared blankly at Menma after hearing those words.
This boy
Was also a jinchūriki?
And not just any jinchūriki…
But the jinchūriki of the strongest tailed beast the Nine-Tails!?
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