Shikamaru HidenKonoha8-20,[chapter one] 20-33,[chapter two] 33-43, [chapter three] 43-54, [chapter four] 54-654, [chapter fve] 65-74, [chapter six] 75-85, [chapter seven] Country of Silence88-98, [chapter eiht] 98-!08, [chapter nine] !09-!!8, [chapter ten] !!8-!27, [chapter e"even] !27-!37, [chapter twe"ve] !37-!47, [chapter thirteen] !47-!56, [chapter fourteen]Shikamaru!58-!69, [chapter ffteen] !69-!8!, [chapter sixteen]!8!-!99,[chapter seventeen] 200-2!0, [chapter eihteen]The End2!2-222 [chapter nineteen] Translators Note: #$a% frst thin&s frst, ' wou"( "i$e to )a$e it c"ear that ' a) *ust trans"atin this+ ' repeat, translating+ -his is not )% writin, an( '&ve trie( to e(it )% trans"ation as "itt"e as possi."e to $eep to the tone of the oriina" writer+ /hich, t.h, is a "itt"e."unt an( chopp% an( chees%+ ' ca"" 0e) "i$e ' see 1e)+ 2econ( thin, a reat .i than$ %ou to (rownin"inuists for proofrea(in )% ra))ar3sp+ 4o" trans"atin fro) 5apanese fries )% .rain, so ' can&t thin$ in 6n"ish for a whi"e+ 7n( a .i than$ %ou to therewithas)i"e for "in$in )e to the raws89 :3 %ou are .oth stars-hir( thin, this chapter&s )ost"% recap an( exposition, an( whi"e ' wasn&t sure a.out how ' fe"t towar(s 2hi$a)aru&s characterisation in the .einnin, ' war)e(up towar(s it )ore in the en(+ -he )ain reason ' trans"ate( this was .c ' was intereste( in what we see of 2hi$a)aru&s i(entit% crisis, so, %eah+ -hat&s ever%thin out of the wa%+ ;ea( on8KonohaChapter OneSince when did I stopsaying things were troublesome?-hat was the thouht passin throuh 2hi$a)aru&s hea( as heao$ae&s faces carve( into the )ountain para""e" tothe roun( roof 2hi$a)aru was spraw"e( out on+ 'n or(er fro) the "eft, there wasthe frst eneration&s >ashira)a, then his .rother -o.ira)a+ -here was the -hir(whoha((ie((urin#rochi)arui&s@onohaCrushp"ot, >irue hi)se"f was the t%pe of person who wou"( never .eco)e an%thin c"ose to ahero+ >e never wante( to .e one in the frst p"ace+'f %ousai(hewante(to.eoneof thosenin*awhopractice(viorous"%toi)prove their nin*utsu, %ou&( .e wron+ >e certain"% never thouht a.outstu(%in )e(ica"nin*utsu an( .eco)in a specia"ist in the vanuar( .ac$-up,either+ 'f %ou sai( he wante( to .e so)eone with a hih ran$ in encr%ption or in)e(ica" surer%, %ou&( .e wron too+>e *ustFwante( ever%thin to .e averae+-hat was 2hi$a)aru&s (rea)+>e wante( to .e an averae ran$e( nin*a who&( have an averae *o., )arr% anaveraewifean(haveanaveraechi"(, an(then, after anaveraee"(er"%pri)eF/e"", ever%thin ca)e to an en( one (a%+/as there an% reater happiness to .e foun( than in a "ife p"an "i$e thatL>e (i(n&t thin$ so+#n (a%s with oo( weather, "%in (own "i$e this an( watchin the s$%, seein thec"ou(s =oatin past an( ta$in %our thouhts with the)+ #n rain% (a%s, havinshoui pieces as %our co)pan% wou"( .e )ore than enouh+ -here wou"( .e nopressure fro) peop"e&s expectations+ Jo stress, either+/asn&t that a won(erfu" sort of "ifeLE>aaaFG't was a (eep sih, issue( riht fro) the .otto) of his sto)ach+-he .astar( ca""e( Erea"it%G was a rea""% touh opponent+'f the thin %ou were fhtin was a hu)an .ein, then at "east there&( co)e a(a% where %ou wou"( win aainst the)+ 6ven if the% were a o(-"i$e person, the%ha( to have a wea$ness so)ewhere+ -he ene)ies in the war ha( .eena.o)inations, an( %et a"" the shino.i ha( focuse( their powers toether an( wonaainst the), ha(n&t the%LIou can win aainst an opponent in front of %ou+>oweverF;ea"it% is an opponent without su.stance that %ou can never, ever (efeat+Jo )atter how 2hi$a)aru $ept wishin an( wantin otherwise, rea"it% ca""ous"%$ept sen(in hi) towar(s the exact sort of fate he (i( not want+ 2hi$a)aru, whoha(wishe(so.a("%to.e0averae&, wasnowso)eonethe2hino.i Bnioncou"(n&t (o without+>e ha( so )uch wor$+ 7"" the *o.s ta$en on .% each nation&s Mai)%o an( citiis fata" )ista$e ha( .een in the part of the exa) where enin were paire( oA tofht aainst each other+ >is $ae)ane *utsu&s success ha( reat"% shoc$e( hisopponent, asass%$unoichi carr%inana.sur("%"arefanthat create(iantusts of win(, .ut at the en( of their sta"e)ate, it was 2hi$a)aru hi)se"f whothrew in the towe"+'t was this forfeit of 2hi$a)aru&s that was so hih"% va"ue(+HeinaChuunininc"u(e("ea(insu.or(inates+ -hat waswh%thea.i"it%toprecise"% ana"%se one&s situation was the one )ost hih"% va"ue(+ -he exa)inersapprove( of 2hi$a)aru acceptin that he was c"ean"% (efeate(, an( ave hi)the hihest eva"uation+'t was a rea""% unwe"co)e eva"uation+'t was an exa)ination he ha(n&t wante( an% part in, one that he&( .een force(into enterin .% his teacher&s, 2aruto.i 7su)a&s, insistence+ >e ha(n&t inten(e(on such on eva"uation, ha(n&t fe"t the s"ihtest (esire for one either+ Hut rea"it%ha( sti"" "ea( 2hi$a)aru to .eco)in a chuunin, as we"" as to ever%one in thevi""ae "oo$in at hi) (iAerent"%+7n( ever since then, 2hi$a)aru&s "ife p"an ha( starte( to s"ip out of his rasp+/hen 2asu$e "eft the vi""ae, 2hi$a)aru was assine( as a -ea) 4ea(er wor$intoether with his c"ass)ates to tr% to .rin hi) .ac$, an( after that as we"", hewas iven the )ost )issions out of a"" his c"ass)ates+ >e resiste( an( proteste(,.ut rea"it% *ust $ept .rinin 2hi$a)aru hiher an( hiher up in ran$+2ince the ?ourth 2hino.i /or"( /arFit&( .een two %ears+2hi$a)aru ha( .eco)e !9 %ears o"(+ 't was an ae where he cou"( no "oner .eca""e( a chi"(+>e won(ere( *ust how ratefu" %ou shou"( .e for peop"e expectin reat thinsfro) %ou+ /as .ein so)eone who others (epen(e( on rea""% such a won(erfu"achieve)entL -he answer went without .ein sai(+ -here was a p"ain exa)p"e in2hi$a)aru&s frien(, Jaruto, an( how his (esire to .e re"ie( on .% ever%one ha(turne( hi) into the who"e vi""ae&sN no, rather, the who"e 2hino.i /or"(&s hero+2hi$a)aru$newver%we"" that peop"ewere"ivinthinswhowou"(en(up(epen(in on one person or another+ -hat&s wh% (espite his )isivins, he (i(n&tfee" an% hatefu" fee"ins such as 0if on"% %ou (i(n&t exist& towar(s the peop"e whore"ie(onhi)+ 7n(no)atter how)uchhewas aainst thei(eaof .ein(epen(e( on, he ha( never once cut corners on )issions+'t ha( .een !9 %ears since he&( .een .orn into this wor"(, an( %et he a"rea(% ha(so )an% o."iations an( entan"e)ents he&( otten hi)se"f invo"ve( in+-he roup who ha( inten(e( to ta$e over the wor"(, the E7$atsu$iG, ha( $i""e( histeacher 7su)a+ 7su)a&sir"frien(@urenai ha(.eenprenant with7su)a&schi"(+ -hat chi"( was now two %ears o"(+ >er na)e was Kirai+-o .eco)e Kirai&s teacherFit was a pro)ise that he a.so"ute"% ha( to $eep+2hi$a)aru&sfather, 2hi$a$u, ha(.eentas$e(with.einthe7""iance&s)ainstrateistattheti)eof the?ourth2hino.i /or"(/ar+ /hen#.itouse(the(estructive power of the resurrecte( -en -ai"e( Heast to ai) for the 7""iance&s>ea(Duarters, his father ha( (ie( a"onsi(e 'no&s father, 'noichi+6vennow, his father&s an('noichi&s "ast wor(s weresti"" rininc"ear"% in2hi$a)aru&s ears+[/e are a"wa%s within %ou+ Jever foret that9]-o .eco)e as reat a )an as his fatherFit was a pro)ise he&( )a(e to the )anwho ha( he"pe( to .rin hi) into this wor"(+7n( then, there wasFJaruto+>onesttoafau"t, theheroof 2hino.i who.e"ieve(who"ehearte("%thathe&(.eco)e >o$ae, who never (ou.te( the fact for even a )o)entFMurin the fht with the -en -ai"s, 2hi$a)aru ha( .een on the .rin$ of (eath+/hi"e he was .ein hea"e( .% 2a$ura, 2hi$a)aru ha( this thouht,Nobody is more suited to being his advisor than me!'f Jaruto .eca)e the >o$ae, then 2hi$a)aru wou"( .e his riht han( )an+ 'twas his (rea)+>e ha( so )an% o."iations a"rea(%, he (i(n&t even want to count the)+ -herewas no )ista$e that it was a"" .ecause of that sa)e force that $ept pushin hi)forwar(s+ 't wasaoo(thinto.enee(e(, an(heshou"(.eratefu" forever%one&s opinion of hi) a""owin hi) to "ive as he was+>e shou"( .e ratefu", .utF>e ot tire( so)eti)es+2hi$a)aru&s rea" se"f wasn&t the )an ever%one thouht he was+ >is rea" se"f wasa )an who thouht ever%thin was trou."eso)e, who wishe( for an averae "ife+-he$in(of )an that cou"(.efoun(an%where+ 7n(thereater peop"e&sexpectationsofhi).eca)e, the)orehewante(torunawa%+ -hatwasthetruth .ehin( the )an that was Jara 2hi$a)aru+'n the o"( (a%s, a"" his co)ra(es ha( fu""% un(erstoo( how fu"" of co)p"aints hewas, how )uch he (i(n&t fee" "i$e acco)p"ishin an%thin+2ince when ha( the% starte( to )isun(erstan( hi)L2ince when ha( he stoppe( ca""in thins trou."eso)eL4oica""%, .oth of those thins )ust have starte( aroun( the sa)e ti)e+E/hen (i( it startFLG7sheae was stan(in .ehin( a (es$ c"uttere( with pi"es of.oo$s an( (ocu)ents, rea(in an open scro""+EMi( 2ai&s haw$ *ustFLGE-hat&s riht+G@a$ashi turne( the scro"" over to 2hi$a)aru so he cou"( see+ -he )essi"% writtensentences on the white paper of the scro"" =itte( in an( out of 2hi$a)aru&s siht+'t "oo$e( "i$e a ver% hasti"% written )essae+E-he situation see)s to .e even raver than we&( thouht+G@a$ashi&sao$ae ha( was now entire"% rep"ace( .% a so).re tone+ @a$ashi&swho"e attitu(e was ivin hi) an awfu" sense of fore.o(in+2hi$a)aru&se%esfo""owe(thehan(writinonthescro""+ /hi"e)ost of 2ai&s)essae was written with ver% s)a"", (e"icate writin fro) a fne .rush, the "astsentence a"one stoo( out, thic$ an( vio"ent"% written,I dont kno ho I am anymore!"Chapter ToAddressed to the Sixth Hokage!here is not muchtime so I must write brie"y#$ur investigation intothe matter o% your concern has been completed up to thedegreeyouspeci&ed#Howevernoneo% my'(comradeshavereturned andIhave been le%t on my own#I do not know i% theyare dead or alive# However I think that there)s no mistakethe enemy hassensed us#I will get straight to the point#!he internal a*airs o% this country are %ar %ar worse than you had %eared them tobe# I% we leave it be then the Shinobi +nion is going to end up in a predicament#No in %act I believethat thevery %ramework o% theworldcouldend upchanging#!here is a man who is shaping this country#His name is ,engo#!his countryis herebecause,engois and,engois herebecauseo% thecountry#It wouldn)t be an exaggeration to say this entire country only exists %or the sakeo% ,engo#-.nchantment#) !hat is the word that describes ,engo the most suitably#,engo may end up becoming an existence that will change the world#I)m not sure i% I don)t want it to change#!helivingthingscalledShinobi don)treallyhaveasavinggracetothem dothey?/ecause we endure we are shinobi#/ut is that really a good thing?Hokage0sama#No 1akashi0san#I dont know who I am anymore4iftin his hea( fro) rea(in 2ai&s "etter, 2hi$a)aru "et out one s)a"" exha"e@a$ashi was seate( at his (es$ in front of hi), his e".ows "eanin aainst thesurface+ >ewaswearinthehat that a"" >o$ae&s)ust wear (urinoPcia".usiness or otherwise+ 't weihe( (own on his hair that ha( rown out in the "astfew %ears+ 6ver% part of his face that "a% .e"ow his nose was hi((en .ehin( a)as$ as a"wa%s+Cra("in his *aw with .oth han(s, he was Duiet"% watchin 2hi$a)aru&s reaction+E/hat are %ou thin$inLG >e as$e(, with a ver% c"ear voice+-here was no one other than the) insi(e the >o$ae&s #Pce+E'&) thin$inFwh% wou"( 2ai sen( .ac$ a Heast ')itation, instea( of returninhi)se"fLGE-hat is in(ee( a thin to won(er+G4ettin o of his chin, @a$ashi "eane( .ac$ thouhtfu""%+ -i"tin his *aw to "oo$ upat the cei"in, he "et out a "ou(er an( .ier sih than 2hi$a)aru ha(+E7n( '&) thin$in that, "oo$in at the "etter, it see)s that a""except 2aihavefa""en into the ene)%&s han(s an( .een $i""e(, (oesn&t itLGE't (oes "oo$ "i$e that+GE2ai was "ea(in a tea) )a(e up of ten of 7n.u&s )ost s$i""e( )e).ers+ ' (on&tthin$ an% of the)cou"( have )a(e a foo"ish )ove that wou"( exposethe)se"ves to the ene)%+ 2o it see)s that the ene)% is ver% s$i""e( as we""+GEIesFG2a%inso, @a$ashi .eantos"ow"%spinaroun(inhischair+ >espunaroun( once, so 2hi$a)aru was face( with the .ac$ of his chair, .efore s"ow"%turninaroun(aain+ @a$ashi wasthe$in(of )anwho$ept hisshou"(erss"ouche( in even the )ost serious of circu)stances+Jor)a""%, when a person was face( with this $in( of a situation, their .o(% wou"(freeeopene( his )outh to spea$+E7t the )o)ent 2airea"ise( he ha( "ost a""of his co)ra(es,there&s on"% onecourse of action he cou"( have pic$e(+GE6scape, rihtLG @a$ashi sai(, sti"" watchin the cei"in+EIes+G@a$ashiave a no( to 2hi$a)aru&s i))e(iate rep"%+ 7"thouh he shou"( have.een (irectin his face to "oo$ at 2hi$a)aru, he was sti"" starin up at the cei"in+E7n( %et he sent this $in( of "etter, instea( of co)in .ac$ to the vi""ae an(reportin (irect"% to %ou, >o$ae-EE>ow )an% ti)es have ' to"( %ou that *ust @a$ashi-san is fneLG @a$ashisai(,fna""% turnin to "oo$ at 2hi$a)aru+ E2ince when have %ou otten so stiAL 't wasnice when %ou use( to have %our shou"(ers s"ouche( a"" the ti)e+GE' wasn&t oin to sta% a $i( forever+GE6ven now, Jaruto sti"" acts 0"i$e a $i(&+GEJaruto&s Jaruto+GE#h, ' seeFG2o)ewhat of a sa( "oo$ entere( @a$ashi&s e%es+ >e sprea( out 2ai&s scro"" on his(es$, e%es oin over it aain+2ai cou"( transfor) his han(writinintoanin$ .east an(sen(ittofarawa%"ocations, where the in$ .east wou"( turn into han(writin aain when it co)einto contact with a ."an$ scro""+ -he haw$ that 2hi$a)aru ha( seen on the roofwas the in$ .east for) of 2ai&s han(writin he saw now+E-he situation is 0far worse than '&( thouht,& huhFGE't soun(s "i$e it&( .e reasona."e to sa% that the shino.iwho went )issin inaction (urin the war, as we"" as those who&ve .een (isappearin "ate"%, are a"" inthat countr%+GE-hat (oes see) to .e what 2ai&s confr)e(+GE-he Countr% of 2i"enceFG-he who"e )atter ha( .een snow.a""in since two %ears ao+Kan%"ivesha(.eenc"ai)e((urinthe?ourth2hino.i /or"(/arstarte(.%Bchiha Ka(ara an( Bchiha #.ito+ ?ace( with the power of a.o)inations outsi(ethe cateor% of peop"e, the shino.i of the ?ive Qreat Countries ha( athere( a""their power an( stoo( toether+ ?ina""%, the person )anipu"atin Ka(ara,#otsutsu$i @au%a, ha( .een (efeate( an( the war en(e(+7sever%vi""aeentere(intoaperio(ofpeacefu" recover%fro)thewar, the(etai"sof furinoutwhoha(.een$i""e(in.att"ean(whowas)issininaction ha( turne( into an urent )atter+ -he war ha( .een a ferce .att"e thateven rippe( apart the continent&s terrain+ 'f so)eone&s corpse cou"( .e foun(, itwas consi(ere( a stro$e of "uc$+Co)pare( to the nu).er of shino.i that were conc"u(e( to have (ie( in .att"e,the nu).er of shino.i that were unaccounte( for was far "arer+-he ?ive Qreat 2hino.i Countries ha( "ost rouh"% !0,000 shino.iF!0,000 shino.i were the victi)s of the ?ourth 2hino.i /or"( /ar+-heir ene)ies in the war cou"( have wipe( out the who"e wor"(+ Kan% sai( it wasa reat stro$e of fortune for the) to have en(e( the war with 0on"% this )an%"ost&+Hut that wasn&t how 2hi$a)aru saw the )atter+6ven one victi) was one victi) too )an%+'n the "ast war, he ha( his "ost his frien( >%uua Je*i+ 2hi$a)aru (i(n&t thin$ thepain of Je*i&s "oss was the on"% case out of ten thousan(+ 7 si)i"ar pain to "osin>%uua Je*i )ust have .een fe"t for ever% other one of those victi)s+'nthe(eathof on"%oneperson, thereweree)otions%oucou"(n&tseparate%ourse"f fro) .% si)p"% .% sa%in the% were E*ust one sacrifceG+'t was for that reasonF't was for that reason that war cou"(n&t ever .e a""owe( to .rea$ out aain+E' won(er *ust how )an% of those )issin shino.i cou"(&ve one to the Countr%of 2i"enceFG @a$ashi )uttere(thesa)ethouhts that wereointhrouh2hi$a)aru&s )in(+'t was exact"% as @a$ashi sai(+ /ithin a"" the shino.i who ha( .een "ost (urinthe "ast war, there )ust have .een a s)a"" a)ount who ha( survive( .ut sta%e(out of reach+-he 2hino.i Bnion&s >ea(Duarters ha( .een the frst one to notice that+2ince it was >ea(Duarters who han("e( a"" for)s of reDuests for he"p an( such,the%werethefrst tonoticean%patterns+ #nesuchpatternha(starte(toe)ere a.out a %ear ao+-he reDuests for 2hino.i (ispatches ha( sharp"% (ecrease(+2ince the ?ive Qreat 2hino.i Coutries ha( (eci(e( to fro) a union, the Mai)%oha( ha( re)ar$a."% "ess fhtin in the outer "an(s the% ru"e( as we""+ -hus, itwasaver%natura" thinfor (anerous7-ran$orH-ran$)issionreDueststo(ecrease+>owever, the )atter (i(n&t en( there+6ven the re"ative"% eas% C-ran$ an( M-ran$ )ission reDuests ha( (ecrease( inexact"% the sa)e wa%+2hi$a)aru ha( hear( of this )atter re"ative"% Duic$"%, since he ha( a p"ace at the2hino.i Bnion&s>ea(Duartersaswe""+ Hutitwasn&t"i$etherewasso)ethinthe% cou"( (o to so"ve the su((en (ecrease of )issions+ -he Bnion ha( sai( itwas a .rief chane .rouht a"on .% the ti)es, an( c"ose( the )atter+>owever, there was a )an who sai( he cou"( put an en( to the pro."e) of the(ec"inin )issions, as we"" as one other pro."e) that ha( poppe( up since theen( of the war+-hat )an was @a$ashi+-he other pro."e) @a$ashi was intent on so"vin, the cases of )issin nin withinthe ?ive Qreat 2hino.i Countries that ha( .een oin on for a %ear+2ince a.out a %ear ao, ever% vi""ae ha( .een "osin one 2hino.i per )onth+-hat )a(e !2 )issin-nin for ever% vi""ae up to now+ -he ?ive >i((en Ri""aesha( ha( 60 shino.i (isappear in tota"+ ?urther)ore, the% were a"" %oun, sin"e,)a"e 2hino.i+7.an(onin%ourvi""aewasaravecri)e+ #fcourse, eachvi""aeha(sentpeop"einpursuit of the(eserters, .utso)ehow, not asin"eoneha(.eenfoun(+E' pro.a."% (i( the wron thin as$in 2ai to continue the investiation when heas$e( for .ac$-up+G @a$ashi sai(+ E' shou"(&ve pu""e( hi) out of the situation an(otten hi) )enta""% prepare( .efore sen(in hi) to the Countr% of 2i"ence+GE;erettin it now isn&t oin to chane an%thin+GE-hat&s true+G2ai, whoha(.eensenttoinvestiatethecasesofthe)issin-nin, ha(sentthe)noticeof fn(ina"ea(a.outa)onthao+ @a$ashi, who.e"ieve(theincrease( )issin-nin an( the (ecrease of )ission (ispatches were re"ate(, ha(to"( 2ai to continue the investiation with the an.u as .ac$ up+-he "ea( 2ai ha( foun( was the Countr% of 2i"ence+-he Countr% of 2i"ence cou"( .e foun( in the far west of a continent that riva""e(the ?ive Qreat 2hino.i Countries as we"" as the countries surroun(in the)+'t was a countr% that ha( never )a(e contact with an% of the 2hino.i Ri""aes Nor an% other forein countr%, for that )atter+ 't was thus ca""e( 0the Countr% of2i"ence& .% outsi(ers+ -he on"% (etai"s $nown a.out it was that it was a countr%with sa)urai who $ept itscitiowever, an%thin further than that was a co)p"ete )%ster%+7ccor(in to what 2ai ha( re"a%e(, it see)e( that so)ehow @onoha&s )issin-nin ha( run towar(s this countr%+7n( those weren&t the "east of their concerns+ -here was a"so the )atter of the@onoha 2hino.i who ha( one )issin in action (urin the war+-he Countr% of 2i"ence was co""ectin shino.i who ha( one )issin in action aswe"" as shino.i who ha( (eserte( the vi""aeF?or what reasonL@a$ashi cou"(seethereasonasc"ear"%ashecou"(seetheanswer tothe(ecrease of (ispatches co)in into the 2hino.i Bnion+E/hat (o %ou thin$ happene( to 2aiLG @a$ashi as$e(+E>e&s a"ive+GE/e"", ' areewiththat+G-he.otto)of @a$ashi&s)as$)ove(asif hewass)i"in+ E/hen%ou"oo$at hiso.sessivesoun(inpraiseof this0Qeno& he)entions in his "etterFG @a$ashi touche( the fne, (e"icate han(writin on 2ai&s)essae+2eein what he was thin$in, 2hi$a)aru $ept spea$in+E't&s not so)ethin ' want to .e"ieve, .ut we can&t (iscount the possi.i"it% that2ai&s .een ta$en in .% this )an ca""e( Qeno+GE2ai&s so pure, after a""FGE'f 2ai&s a"ive, we can&t *ust not save hi)+GE-hat&s trueFG @a$ashi&s "eft scarre( e%e see)e( to (ar$en with (espair+2hi$a)aru cou"( te"" precise"% what he was oin to sa% without nee(in to hearit out "ou(+-his situation ha( a reater an( )ore i)portant )atter than that of savin aco)ra(e+2hi$a)aru hi)se"f force( out the wor(s+E'f the interna" aAairs of the Countr% of 2i"ence are rea""% as 2ai&s reporte(, if theoins-on within are as %ou&ve uesse(, then we have to ta$e actioni))e(iate"%+GE' $now that+G2hi$a)aru (i(n&t stop ta"$in+E't&s.eentwo%earssincethewar+ 7"" thevi""aeshavefna""%reaine(theirsta.i"it%, .ut the status of the countr% as a who"e is sti"" "ess than ha"f as stronas it use( to .e+GE/e cou"(n&t possi."% withstan( another war+GE6xact"%+G4ettinout another huesih, @a$ashi stoo(upfro)hischair+ >esteppe(aroun(his(es$covere(withscro""san(.oo$san(ca)etostan(next to2hi$a)aru+E't see)s "i$e %ou&ve co)e to the sa)e conc"usion that ' have+G @a$ashi sai(+EIes+GE-hen (o %ou un(erstan( what ' thin$ of itLGEIou want to o an( (o it %ourse"f, (on&t %ouLG@a$ashi ha( a "ot of experience fro) his %outh spent in the an.u+ >e stoo( outa)onst thean.u, whosespecia"t%weresha(%)issions, asaver%capa."eso"(ier+2hi$a)aru cou"( see those thouhts on his face, an( "et out a sih+E>o$ae-sa)a+ ' un(erstan(%our fee"ins)orethanenouh, .ut %ou)usta"rea(% $now that what %ou want isn&t oin to happen+GE>eh+ Iour thouhts =ashthrouh%our )in(a")ost at thesa)espee(asKinato-sensei&s *utsu, (o %ou $now thatLG2hi$a)arusi)p"%ave@a$ashi a"onstareasananswer+ @a$ashi continue(spea$in in the face of 2hi$a)aru&s si"ence+E7n%wa%, oin on what 2aisai(, the "ea(in force .ehin( that countr% is this)an ca""e( Qeno+GEIes+GE7s "onas we(oso)ethina.out hi), thentherewon&t .ean% furtherpro."e)s+GE-hat&s what '&) thin$in as we""+GE/e"" thenFGOuttin his han( at the )i(("e of his .ac$ an( ivin a reat stretch "i$e an o"()an, @a$ashi sai(, E/ho (o %ou thin$ shou"( .e sentLGE'&"" o+GE>uhLG @a$ashi&s e%es wi(ene(+ EIou&re @onoha&s representative+ Iou have a "otof (uties to the Bnion as we""+ -here&s no nee( for %ou to o on an assassination)ission at this ti)e+G7ssassinationF@a$ashi ha( fna""% put it into wor(s+ -he thouht that ha( .een oin throuh.oth of their hea(s was now out in the open+'f the2hino.i Bnionan(theCountr%of 2i"encewenttowar, thentheBnionthe%&( spent so "on )aintainin wou"( .e (isrupte(, an( possi."% even rupture+6ach nation was sti"" exhauste( (espite a"" their recover% so far N there wasn&t asin"e person who wishe( for a war+'f 2ai&s "etter was to.etruste(, thenassassinatinthis 0Qeno& wou"(.eDuic$est an( )ost eAective wa% of stoppin the Countr% of 2i"ence fro)(isruptin the wor"(&s har(-attaine( peace+E/e have to $eep the circ"e of peop"e who $now a.out this )atter as s)a"" aspossi."e+G 2hi$a)aru sai(+EHut '&) te""in %ou, for %ou to o isFGE#ne of )% co)ra(es has .een ta$en+ O"ease a""ow )e to o+G@a$ashi stoppe( ta"$in when he saw 2hi$a)aru&s (eter)ination+7s @a$ashi sai(, there was no rea" nee( for 2hi$a)aru to o+ 't wou"(&ve .een)ore proper to fn( another capa."e person an( entrust the )atter to the)+7n( %et, 2hi$a)aru hi)se"f vo"unteere(+>e hi)se"f (i(n&t un(erstan( wh% he (i( it+Hut he *ust cou"(n&t sta% sti""+Chapter ThreeE7n( with that, this )onth&s )eetin is over+ Moes an%.o(% have an% DuestionsLG2hi$a)aru c"ose( his e%es as he "istene( to the (ispassionate voice a((ressintheatherin+ -he.espectac"e()anspea$inwas Cho*uro, ashino.i fro)@iria$ure+ 2hi$a)aru $newhi)fro)the war as one of the Kiea(Duarters+-he countr% ha( a )u"titu(e ofstron sa)urai, an( thus, not one sin"e shino.iwas nee(e(+ Hefore the war,the @aes of the ?ive Qreat >i((en Ri""aes wou"(co)forta."% ho"( )eetins inthe Countr% of 'ron, an( now it was the>ea(Duarters for the 2hino.i Bnionfoun(e( .% those ?ive Oowers+ -he roots oftheBnion&s hea(Duarters ha( .eensetinthe sa)e Countr% of 'ronwherethea""iance ha( initia""% .eun+7"" the "ea(in vi""aes of the?ive Qreat Jations ha( so)e of their shino.i atherat the Bnion&s >ea(Duarters an(, whether niht or (a%, continue their har( wor$for the sa$e of the expansion of the 2hino.i /or"( overa""+-his)eetinwasfu"" ofpeop"ewhowou"(.earthe.ur(enofthenextera&swor"(of shino.i+ 't wasap"acewherethefutureof 2hino.i was(iscusse(+2hino.i sent tothis )eetinwerethe)ost capa."eones intheir vi""aes,consi(ere( as can(i(ates for $ae as we"" as other positions+ #f the), 2hi$a)aruan( Cho*uro were the %ounest+Hesi(es 2hi$a)aru, an(Cho*uro, whowas chairinthe)eetin, therewas-e)ari of 2unaa$ure, an( #)oi of @u)oa$ure as we""+2hi$a)aru ha( .een chare( with .ein the "ea(er of this atherin of shino.i+#.vious"%, he ha(n&t vo"unteere(+ -his was the resu"t of ever%one reco))en(inhi) for the *o.+E2hi$a)aru-sanLGCho*urosoun(e("i$ehe&(.eco)eworrie(.%2hi$a)aru&s"on si"ence+2hi$a)aru c"eare( his throat, an( "oo$in at a"" the )e).ers, opene( his )outhto spea$+E' .e"ieve we (on&t have an% new topics of (iscussion for this )eetin+ ' hope for)ore )eetins at a co)forta."e pace "i$e this+ /ith that, see %ou next )onth+G7shesai(that, 2hi$a)arurosetohisfeet an(athere(a"" thescro""san((ocu)ents that ha( .een sprea( across the ta."e+ ?o"(in the) un(er his ar),he turne( to "eave+Confuse( .% their "ea(er&s co"( attitu(e, the other )e).ers ot rea(% to "eave athaphaer hair ha( otten shorter since two %ears ao, an( was nowtie( into two .unches on either si(es+ >er face "oo$e( a "itt"e .it )ore "i$e ana(u"t&s, an( her e%es were even ca")er than the%&( .een in the o"( (a%s+2he was o"(er than 2hi$a)aru+ ;ather than sa% she "oo$e( "i$e an a(u"t, it was)ore "i$e she ha( a"rea(% rown into a sp"en(i( a(u"t+E/hat&s wron with %ouLG 2he as$e(+E' (on&t $now what %ou )ean+GEIou&ve .een actin strane "ate"%+G -e)ari&s han(s reache( out to 2hi$a)aru&sshou"(ers, turnin hi) to face her+!roublesome-he wor( rose up to his throat, on"% for hi) to frantica""% swa""ow it (own+E4i$e %our co"( attitu(e at the )eetin+G she sai(, EIou&ve .een )a$in (ecisionswithout sa%in a wor( or ivin an exp"anation, an( it&s )a(e ever%one nervous+-he at)osphere was so straine(+GE#h, (i( that happenLGEIou (i(n&t even notice thatFLG -e)ari&s e%es wi(ene( s"iht"%+ E/hat&shappene(LGEJothinFGE't&s so)ethin %ou&re not oin to te"" an%one a.outL Jot even )eLG-e)ari&s ao$ae, an(Qaara, 2una&s present @aowever, she&( )isse( the )ar$ a"itt"e+ -hesituationwasn&t in@onoha, thouhthesituation(i(aAect a"" of@onoha&s shino.i+ -e)ari&s theor% was ha"f-riht, ha"f-wron+'f there was one thin that never chane( a.out the "ife of shino.i, it was thatan%thin which passe( the .or(ers of %our own vi""ae ha( to .e *oint"% carrie(out with other vi""aes+ -his was a .asic princip"e of the Bnion+ -he course ofaction that 2hi$a)aru an( @a$ashi were ta$in was a ."atant vio"ation+7n( %et, 2hi$a)aru sti"" ha( no intention of te""in -e)ari the truth+ 't wou"(n&t.e a wise )ove to et the who"e of the Bnion invo"ve( with the .usiness of theCountr% of 2i"ence+ >e&( fr)"% reso"ve( that @onoha wou"( han("e it .% the)se"vesFEIou&re sa%in there&s nothin oin on that %ou can (epen( on )e forLGEJothin+G2hi$a)aru&s fr) tone )a(e -e)ari c"ose her e%es+E's that soFG-he punch ca)e in the next )o)ent+'t ha( .een one sp"it secon( where the hurt "oo$ on -e)ari&s face ha( )orphe(into rihteous fur%+ -here ha( .een no ti)e to avoi( it+ Hefore 2hi$a)aru even$new what was happenin, his .o(% was a"rea(% =%in+>e ro""e( onto the ha""wa%&s =oor .efore co)in up into a sittin position+>esi"ent"% raise( a han( to touch his stinin chee$, a"rea(% re(+Hefore hi), -e)ari was "arin at hi) with an outrae( expression on her face+E' ha( no i(ea '&( )is*u(e( %ou this )uch9G 2he shoute(, her wor(s turnin towin( that s"a))e( aainst his face+E'- '&) sorr%FG-he apo"o% ca)e without conscious thouht+>is father wou"( co)e ho)e as "ate as sunrise on so)e (a%s, an( et %e""e( atin the house&s entr%wa% .% his )other+ 2o)ehow, 2hi$a)aru ha( foun( hi)se"fsuAerin that sa)e sco"(in fro) -e)ari+2he stro(e past hi) with swift, "are steps, an( (isappeare( over his shou"(er+-hose e%es of hers ha( "oo$e( s"iht"% wetFTEIou&ve stoppe( eatin+G-he voice ca)e fro) Chou*i who sat in front of hi), .oth of his chee$s puAe( upwith foo(+ 'no was sittin next to hi)+-he% were at Ia$ini$u U+'nthetwo%earssincethewar, histwofrien(sha(.eco)eDuitethea(u"ts+Chou*i was sti"" as chu..% as ever, .ut there was a )ascu"ine "oo$ in his e%esnow, an( he now ha( a oatee+ 'no ha( .een rowin out her hair )ore an()ore, a.an(onin her pon%tai" for "eavin it "oose, an( "oo$e( )ore "i$e an a(u"tco)pare( to .efore as we""+EMi( %ou eat so)ethin .efore %ou ca)e hereLG Chou*i opene( his )outh wi(eto (rop in even )ore )eat, chewin an( swa""owin it (own+E2hi$a)aruan('&vestoppe(rowina"onti)eao, sowe&renot eatinri(icu"ous"% the wa% %ou (o, Chou*i+GE>e%9G Chou*i&s e%es wi(ene( in in(ination+2hi$a)aru "auhe( without thin$in+ 7 ca")in .reee%, that&s the )eat that ' put on the ri""9G Chou*i proteste(+E7"riht, a"riht+G-he%&( one throuh this )an% ti)es .efore+ 2hi$a)aru "et o of the .eef, an(turne( his ae "ance( at 'no, who ave a no( ofper)ission+E't&s .een a whi"e since %ou invite( us out, 2hi$a)aru+G 2he sai(+EIeah,G Chou*i chi)e( in, E4ate"%, ' haven&t .een a."e to see %ou un"ess we set ati)e to )eet "i$e this+GE2hi$a)aru&s ot his *o. at the Bnion an( we"" as .ein the >o$ae&s 2upport+>e&s super .us%, Chou*i, he can&t a"wa%s han out with us an%)ore+GE' un(erstan( that, .utFG Chou*i "ai( his ar)s on the ta."e, his chee$s puPnout as he poute(+/hi"e there was a part of 2hi$a)aru that was happ% the%&( notice( his a.sence,anotherpartof hi)a"sofe"t"one"%, "i$eanew(istanceha(co)ewiththeirseparation+'f he wante( to .e an a(u"t, then he ha( to stop thin$in "i$e a chi"(+ -he% were"on out of the 7ca(e)%+ -hins weren&t the sa)e as those (a%s when he cou"(whi"e awa% ti)e p"a%in with his frien(s ti"" (us$+-he sa)e wa% 2hi$a)aru was swa)pe( with wor$ fro) .oth the Bnion an( hisresponsi.i"ities in @onoha, 'no an( Chou*i ha( stru"e( throuh the "ast war an(.eco)e fne, re"ia."e chuunin+ /hi"e the% sai( it was .ecause 2hi$a)aru was so.us%, his two frien(s ha( *ust as "itt"e free ti)e as he (i(+7n( %et, the%&( co)e to )eet up with hi) without a wor( of co)p"aint, si)p"%.ecause he sai( he wante( to see the)+-he% were his o"(est, c"osest frien(s+E/hat&s upLG 'no as$e( when she saw how 2hi$a)aru&s chopstic$s hovere( inthe air, not )ovin+E't&s nothin+ '&ve *ust wante( to see %ou u%s for a whi"e+G 2hi$a)aru put a tin%pit of )eat into his )outh+E7h, $a%+G'no (i(n&t as$ whether there was an%thin )ore to it+ Chou*i continue( happi"%stuPn his )outh with )eat+-hen, the three starte( to ta"$+ 't was a "iht-hearte(, si""% conversation+Chou*i&s eterna" "ove of foo(+'no&s usua" ta"$ a.out her "ove "ife+7n( then, the )e)ories a.out 7su)aF2hi$a)aru cou"( fee" the (istance .etween hi) an( his frien(s shrin$in+ 't wasa")ost "i$e he&( one .ac$ to that )o)ent when 7su)a ha( frst .rouht the)here+-hat ti)e, he&( .een fu"" of co)p"aints a.out how thins were 0trou."eso)e&F4oo$inathowChou*i an('noha(rownup, 2hi$a)arucou"(fee" hisheartru)."in a.out how the%&( never .e a."e to return to those o"( (a%s+-2hi$a)aru went ho)e a"one+7t the en( of the (a%, he ha(n&t .een a."e to te"" the)+>e&( thouht that if he&( o to the Countr% of 2i"ence, then he&( o with the twoof the)+ >e&( invite( the) out to eat with that purpose in )in(+ Hut seein theirs)i"in faces ha( so)ehow )a(e hi) una."e to sa% an%thin+-he roa( he was ta$in was a (ar$ one+?or @onoha&s sa$e, for the Bnion&s sa$e, for the sa$e of ever% sin"e shino.i, one)an ha( to .e $i""e(+'t wasn&t a victor% that cou"( .e aine( fro) p"a%in fair+ 7n( so, he ha( to .e$i""e( in secret+7ssassinate(+'t wasn&t "i$e assassination was an%thin newto shino.i+ Qrowin up, %ourea"ise( sooner or "ater that thins "i$e that were necessar% in this wor"(+Hut, sti""F't was sti"" oo( to have as few peop"e as possi."e et their han(s (irt%+ >e (i(n&thave the heart to (ra Chou*i an( 'no into the (ar$ness too+E2o, it&s the 7n.u after a""FG2hi$a)aru "oo$e( up at the niht s$%, an( cou"(n&t see a sin"e star+Chapter #our2hi$a)aru was in @a$ashi&s oPce+-he 2ixth >o$ae was surroun(e( .%)ountains of (ocu)ents as a"wa%s, his han(hurrie("% sinin papers as if it was*ust waitin for the ti)e it cou"( os"ac$ with exhaustion+ -hewin(owacrosstheroo)ha(.eenthrownopen, an(%oucou"(seethestreetsof @onohaoutsi(e+ -hecit%see)e(to"owun(erthesunshineofthe.riht )ornin, a"" wrappe( up in a ent"e, peacefu" at)osphere+E'&ve )a(e %ou wait+G @a$ashi sai( as he straihtene( out a sheaf of papers onhis (es$+ E/hat .usiness (o %ou have with )e to(a%LGE-he Countr% of 2i"ence+GE7h, thatFG2hi$a)arusti""ha(n&tfnishe(hisreport a.out the Bnion&s )eetin theother(a%+ -here wasn&t an%thin particu"ar"% specia" to report, so he&( "eft it a"one+E6ver%thin&sthesa)easeverattheBnion+ 't&s)a(eupof aco""ectionofcapa."e peop"e, there&s nothin to worr% a.out+GEIou&re one of those capa."e peop"e too+G/as he rea""%L /as he rea""% so)eone who was ft to represent @onohaLEMo %ou rea""% inten( to oLG @a$ashi as$e(+EIes+G@a$ashi "et out a reat sih at his answer+E's it rea""% necessar% for %ou to oLGE2ai&s .een capture(+ #ur vi""ae has "ost a "are nu).er of shino.i, .oth thosewho went )issin (urin the war an( those who en(e( up (isappearin after+/hetherthe%rea""%"eftthevi""aeof theirownfreewi"", oren(e(up.eincapture( .% Qeno is so)ethin that we have to verif%+GEIou&re rea""% (eter)ine(, huh+G2hi$a)aru si"ent"% no((e(+@a$ashi c"ose( his e%es an( shoo$ his hea(+ >e "oo$e( at 2hi$a)aru aain+E' et it+ ' won&t sa% an%thin )ore+ /ho are %ou thin$in of ta$inL Iou&re notp"annin on oin a"" .% %ourse"f, rihtLGECou"( %ou spare )e two peop"e fro) 7n.uLGE>uhFG @a$ashi was cra("in his chin in one han(, his e".ow restin aainst his(es$+ -here was a serious "oo$ in his e%es+ E/ou"(n&t 'no an( Chou*i (oLGE-he 'no2hi$aChou co).ination can .e use( for snea$ attac$s, however ' (on&tthin$ it fts the reDuire)ents for this )ission+GEHecause it&s assassination, rihtLGE?urther)ore, inf"tration is a reat part of this )ission+ ' want peop"e who canhi(e cha$ra+GE>))FG@a$ashi c"ose( his e%es an( thouht+ >e was ta$in 2hi$a)aru&s proposa"an(co)parin it to a"" the other options insi(e his hea(+E-he one who (ea"s the $i""in ."ow won&t .e %ou, rihtLGE' inten( to use )% *utsu to .in( the taret+GE-hen %ou&"" nee( so)eone for the $i""in ."ow+G @a$ashi conc"u(e( ahea( of an%exp"anation+ >e un(erstoo( what 2hi$a)aru was thin$in+-wo 7n.uF#ne that cou"( )anipu"ate cha$ra, an( concea" their presence+ 7nother that he"(a *utsu which cou"( (e"iver the $i""in ."ow+E' have suita."e peop"e+G @a$ashi sai(+E-han$ %ou+GE'&"" )a$e the arrane)ents+GEIou (on&t have an%thin to te"" )e a.out )% other (utiesLG 2hi$a)aru as$e(+EJone of %our other (uties are )ore urent than this )atter+G @a$ashi sai(, an(%ou cou"( fee" in that )o)ent that he rea""% was the >o$ae+ >e ca")"% assesse( the re"ative i)portance of various )atters, an( )a(e Duic$,fr) (ecisions on which were to .e carrie( out+ 't was .ecause he was capa."e"i$e this that shino.i cou"( wor$ un(er hi) without worr%, an( ive their a"" forthe vi""ae+ 2hi$a)aru thouht the% wou"(n&t .e a."e to function without hi)+>e (i(n&t have an% thouhts "i$e 0' want to .e >o$ae&+ Hut, it wou"(&ve .een a"ie to sa% he (i(n&t fee" the s"ihtest .it )otivate( to row+ 'n front of a )an "i$e@a$ashi, 2hi$a)aruwassti"" %ounan(inexperience(, una."etoco)paretohi), an( it fe"t frustratin+E'&"" te"" thetwo' havein)in(toreturnDuic$"%+ Ioucanwaita"itt"e"oner,rihtLGEO"ease (o it as Duic$"% as possi."e+GE' et it+G @a$ashis)i"e( un(er his )as$ an( stoo( up+ >e turne( his .ac$ to2hi$a)aru to ais teacher&s rave+2aruto.i 7su)aF>e was a )an who ha( turne( (own the path of an e"ite that he&( .een entit"e(to as the -hir( >o$ae&s =esh an( ."oo(, an( instea( constant"% sta%e( on thefront"ines+7fter 2hi$a)aru ra(uate( fro) the 7ca(e)%, it was un(er 7su)a&s care thathe&( .een raise( into the shino.i he was to(a%+ 7"on with 'no an( his .est frien(Chou*i, the three of the) ha( constant"% .een chasin 7su)a&s .ac$, stru"inthrouh )issions+7su)a, who&( one throuh an% crisis with a ciarette in his )outh an( his sa)eeas% oin attitu(e, ha( .een ever%thin 2hi$a)aru aspire( to .e+7n( %et, that 7su)a cou"( no "oner .e foun( in this wor"(+>e&( (ie(, in a .att"e aainst the 07$atsu$i& roup who ha( .een )a$insche)es to ta$e over the 6arth+>e&( (ie( for the sa$e of "ettin 2hi$a)aru "iveF7su)aha(un(erstoo(the%ha(nochanceof winninaainst theinhu)ana.i"ities of the 7$atsu$i)e).er the% ha( .een face( aainst, an( (ie( whi"eris$in his "ife to protect 2hi$a)aru an( his other co)ra(es+>e, too, ha( spent his "ast )o)ents thin$in of others+2hi$a)aru ha( %et to fn( an%thin he wou"( sacrifce hi)se"f to protect+#f course, the peop"e of his vi""ae an( a"" his co)ra(es were extre)e"% precioustohi)+ Hutitfe"t"i$ethosefee"inswere(iAerentfro)theextentof ferceprotection that his father an( 7su)a ha( (isp"a%e(+Oerhaps that )eant that 2hi$a)aru sti"" ha(n&t .eco)e an a(u"t+>e thouht that in the frst p"ace that a).iuous wor( 0a(u"t& referre( to a chi"(who&( at so)e point si)p"% .eco)e trappe( in their own .o(%+ 'n that case, even @a$ashi was a chi"( at heart+Hut @a$ashi a"rea(% ha( so)ethin he&( tra(e his "ife to protect+0?or a >o$ae, ever% person in the vi""ae is his chi"(+& -hose were the wor(s of7su)a&s father, the -hir( >o$ae >iruo$ae, he&( .eco)e an a(u"t+>e wasn&t sure a.out an%thin an%)oreFE2hi$a niichan9G2hi$a)aru was rouse( out of his pensive thouhts .% the soun( of that carefreevoice reachin his ears+7 p"u)p to(("er was totterin towar(s hi)+ 2wa%in "eft an( riht with c"u)s%"itt"e feet, she )a(e her wa% towar(s hi) step .% step+EKirai+G 2hi$a)aru ca""e( her na)e, his voice natura""% turnin fon( an(cheerfu"+>is tense features softene(, an( his )outh )ove( to turn into a s)i"e+EQ%aa9G Kirai fna""% ca)e to where he stoo(, an( c"un onto his "es with hershort "itt"e ar)s+ E2hi$a niichan9G-he to(("er "oo$e( up at hi) with (ae ha( thic$ e%e.rows, a stron *aw an( stu..orn, one-"i((e( e%es that were "arin at 2o$u in (isapprova"+E' have to )a$e this c"ear fro) the start, %&$now+G 2o$u retorte(+ E' won&t a""ow.ein "oo$e( (own on for .ein a $i(, %&$now+GEK% .a(+ '&"" .e carefu" in the future+G 2hi$a)aru ave a si)p"e apo"o%+ -herewas no nee( to aravate the situation an% further, an( he (i(n&t have the ti)eto (ea" with the %oun ir"&s te)per+2o$u turne( her ais who"e .o(% was (renche( with sweat+>e&( .een (rea)inF't ha( .een his frst )ission after )a$in chuunin, to retrieve the )issin-ninBchiha 2asu$e who&( "eft the vi""ae un(er #rochi)aru&s ui(ance+>is co)ra(es ha( .een severa"c"ass)ates, an( Je*i+ -he%&( "essene(, one .%one, as the% chase( after 2asu$e+ 2hi$a)aru ha( )a(e the (ecision to entrustever%thin to Jaruto an( ta$e on a soun(-nin in a fht+7n( the resu"t of that (ecision ha( .een 2asu$e "eavin the vi""ae, an( a"" hisco)ra(es sustainin serious in*uries+7s a chuunin, as a "ea(er, his frst )ission ha( en(e( in (espairin fai"ure+2hi$a)arup"ace(apa")tohissweatsoa$e(forehea(, an(s"ow"%too$ina(eep .reath+/h% (i( he see a (rea) "i$e thatLBnti" now, he&( never seen those events in a (rea)+7"thouh, it was a fact that scars fro) that inci(ent were sti"" "eft in his heart+2hi$a)aru saw the 2asu$e ;etrieva" )ission as his .iest (israce, an( neverfai"e( to thin$ of it whenever he was *u(in hi)se"f+>e&( never aain .een cornere( "i$e he ha( .een on that (a%FMrea)s were a )anifestation of %our su.conscious+!hen do I %eel like I)m being cornered right now?E't&s a"rihtFit&s a"riht, 2hi$a)aruFG7"thouh it was un"i$e hi) to tr% an( soothe hi)se"f, the wor(s s"ippe( out of2hi$a)aru&s )outh .efore he cou"( stop the)+ >is heart was sti""ha))erin,."oo( roarin aainst his ear (ru)s "i$e a stea(% warnin .e""+'t (i(n&t "oo$ "i$e he&( .e a."e to fa"" s"eep aain toniht+-he% were oin to set out at sunrise+Chapter Si%7 .unch of ten %ear o"( .o%scrosse( the street, "auhin with see)in"% en("esscheer+ 'n the (istance.ehin( the), a ri)-face( )an in his thirties was hurr%inso)ewhere+-hechi"(renwerepro.a."%hea(intothe7ca(e)%, whi"ethe)anwas"i$e"%oin to wor$+#nthesi(eof thestreet, therewasastorethatso"(si(e-(ishesintheear"%)ornins, its storefrontsurroun(e(withhousewives ossipinwithani)ate(estures+'t was a usua" )ornin&s usua" scener%+#nthispeacefu" )ornin, 2hi$a)aruwasstri(ina"onthe)ainstreetthatstarte(fro)@onoha&s wi(eopenfront ates an(continue(straiht tothe>o$ae ;esi(ence+ -he street en(e( .ehin( the resi(ence, at the >o$aeKonu)ent wherea"" thepast enerations of >o$aewerecarve(intothe)ountain+2hi$a)aru&s (estination was the "atter+ >e ha( so)e .usiness there+Bsua""%, whenshino.i receive()issionsoutsi(ethevi""ae, the%"eft@onohathrouhthe)ainates+ -herewasn&tan%particu"arreu"ationthatsai(the%ha( to, .ut it was so)ewhat of a tra(ition+-he 7n.u were the on"% exception+ -he% (ea"t with )an% top secret )issions, soinor(er to$eeptheir (eparturesun$nownto@onoha&scitie&( "eft the .usiness of coverin up his a.sence fro) the vi""ae to @a$ashi+ 'fan%oneas$e(wherehewas, the%&(.eto"(2hi$a)aruha(Bnion.usinessoutsi(e the vi""ae .oun(s+-he i(ea" scenario was to snea$ out of the vi""ae without an%one noticin his(eparture, an( co)e .ac$ .efore an%one was .othere( .% his a.sence+E>)LG 7s 2hi$a)aru Duic$"% )a(e his wa% to the .ac$ ate, he notice( a ."on(ehaire( )an in his fe"( of vision+-he ."on(e notice( hi) as we""+EIoo, if it isn&t 2hi$a)aru9 /hat&re %ou hurr%in forLGIou wou"(n&t have .e"ieve( the two were the sa)e ae, .% the chi"(ish rin that"it upthe)an&sfeaturesashehurrie(tohisfrien(+ >ischee$sha(threewhis$er-"i$e "ines across each si(e, an( his ."ue e%es were free of an% (ou.t orhesitation+E-hat&s what ' shou"( .e as$in %ou+ /hat&re %ou (oin up this ear"%, JarutoLGBe was the hero who ha( shown ever%one the wa% to en(in the "ast reat war,the son of the ?ourth >o$ae+-he Jine -ai"s ha( .een sea"e( into hi) as soonas he was .orn, an( he rew up facin pre*u(ice fro) his surroun(ins, an( %ethe&( never once wavere( in his oa"to .eco)e >o$ae, an( $ept on wa"$in(own his path+ -hat was the $in( of )an Jaruto was+;iht now, he was a stron can(i(ate to .eco)e the next >o$ae after @a$ashi+E' cou"(n&t rea""% s"eep "ast niht,G Jaruto sai(, E2o when ' wo$e up this )ornin 'went to eat so)e ra)en at 'chira$u&s straiht awa%, an( now '&) hea(in .ac$ho)e+GEIou went to that shop this ear"%LGE4ate"%, the%&ve .een open for .usiness 2437+G Jaruto "oo$e( incre(i."% happ%a.out the fact+EJo, ' )ean, %ou&re eatin ra)en so ear"% in the )orninFGE'&) a"wa%s oo( to eat ra)en, whether )ornin or noon or niht9GE>e%, that&s not so)ethin to .e .oastin a.out+GE>a"f of )% .o(%&s pro.a."% )a(e of ra)en+G Jaruto serious"% sai(, puPn outhis chest with pri(e+2hi$a)aru "et out a sih+EIou&re now $nown as the hero who en(e( the war+ -r% an( "oo$ after %our .o(%)ore+GE>eroes are heroes, an( ra)en is ra)en9GEF-hat reasonin )a$es no sense+GE>ahaha+G Jaruto "auhe(, sheepish"% ru..in a fner across the .ri(e of hisnose+-hat .ehaviour of his ha(n&t chane( a .it since the 7ca(e)%+ Jaruto a"wa%s"ive( his "ife with a ver% pure, straiht-forwar( out"oo$+ 't was that out"oo$ of histhat ha( chane( his surroun(ins- even chane( 2hi$a)aru+Jaruto, who ha( .een seen as the .ane of the vi""ae, ha( $ept his pure heartan( s"ow"% )a(e )ore an( )ore co)ra(es that stoo( .% his si(e+'n the en(, Jaruto ha( even )anae( to save his frien( Bchiha 2asu$e who ha(fa""en to the (epths of (ar$ness, fu"" of resent)ent towar(s the who"e wor"(+2avin hi) wasn&t an eas% feat+JoF;ather, it was so)ethin that no one other than Jaruto cou"( have (one+-he (rea) Jaruto ha( .een ho"(in c"ose to his chest ever since he was a chi"(was on"% one, to .eco)e >o$ae+>e ha( ha( no re"atives to ive hi) a $in( wor(, an( the on"% wa% he cou"( etattention fro) others was .% his repeate( pran$s, .ut sti"" he $ept insistin thathe wou"( one (a% .eco)e >o$ae+'n the .einnin, no.o(% ha( .e"ieve( Jaruto cou"( ever (o it+ Hut now, therewasn&t a sin"e person in the vi""ae who thouht an%onebut Jaruto wou"( .e thenext >o$ae+Jaruto was the sun+>e ha( a .ri""iant =a)e within hi) that never so )uch as =ic$ere(, constant"%.urnin+ 't was .ecause of how .riht"% he shine( that he was the sun+ 6ver%onewho sawthat passion of his opene( their hearts to hi), an( .eca)e hisco)ra(e+Bp unti" now, an( ti"" the en( of ti)e, 2hi$a)aru fe"t "i$e Jaruto wou"( continue)ovin forwar(s without that =a)e of his ever waverin+ 7n( that was the wa% it shou"( .e+ 2o)e(a%, Jaruto wou"( .e >o$ae, ain even)ore of the vi""ae&s trust, an( then $eep shinin, .rihter an( .rihter sti""+?or the sa$e of that .rihtness, so)ethin "i$e the sun cou"(n&t $now a.out the(ar$ness in the wor"(+Bnti" now, Jarutoha(wae(waraainstcount"esspeop"ewho&sheartsha(swa%e( towar(s (ar$ness, .ut he hi)se"f ha( never one croo$e(+0Jo )atter how far so)eone sin$s into (ar$ness, a part of their heart wi"" "on forthe "iht+&Jaruto fouht .ecause he tru"% .e"ieve( that+ 2hi$a)aru ha( seen hi) chanethe hearts of his ene)ies with that sa)e i(ea" )an%, )an% ti)es+Jo )atter how )uch (ar$ness surroun(e( hi), Jaruto never "ost his "iht+-hat&s wh% Jaruto (i(n&t rea""% $now the true )eanin of 0(ar$ness&+-here wou"( a"wa%s .e (ar$ness in the hearts of hu)an .eins+ -hin$in %oucou"( save ever%one was an i)possi."e i(ea"+Jo )atter how frantica""% %ou reache( out to save peop"e an( "ea( the) towar(s"iht, there wou"( a"wa%s .e those fewwho s"ippe( throuh %our fners,continuin (own the path of (ar$ness+ 't was the wa% of the wor"(+Hut Jaruto (i(n&t thin$ "i$e that+ Jo )atter how hope"ess the situation, he wou"(never ive up on savin ever%one fro) that sort of fate+-hat was the $in( of )an Jaruto was+7n( 2hi$a)aru (i(n&t want hi) to chane+Jarutowasso)eonewhowassuppose(tosta%purean(straihtforwar(, ashinin sun+-he )ore the "iht shines, the (ar$er the sha(ows row+Hut as "on as there was so)eone to ta$e on the .ur(en of those sha(ows, itwou"( .e fne+2hi$a)aru thouht that it was his (ut% to .e that 0so)eone&+/asn&t it on"% natura" for a sha(ow *utsu user to ta$e on the .ur(en of (ar$nessLJarutowou"(.eco)e>o$ae, an(2hi$a)aruwou"(supporthi)ashisrihthan( )an+ -hat was 2hi$a)aru&s (rea), to sta% .% Jaruto&s si(e an( sort outan% sha(ows that cou"( interfere with his "iht+-he )o)ent that thouht passe( throuh 2hi$a)aru&s hea(, he su((en"%un(erstoo( hi)se"f+/h%ha(he.eensostu..orna.out vo"unteerintoototheCountr%of2i"enceL't ha( .een for Jaruto&s sa$e, of course+'f the Countr% of 2i"ence continue( to row )ore powerfu", then Jaruto wou"(eventua""% en( up suAerin+ -he Countr% of 2i"ence wou"( .e a hue o.stac"e forhi)+-hat&s wh% 2hi$a)aru was oin to o an( nip it in the .u(+>eha((eci(e(to.ear a"" of thesha(owsthat wou"(tr%tointerferewithJaruto&s "iht, after a""+ -hat inc"u(e( (ea"in with future o.stac"es as we""+E2o, what&re %ou (oin outLG Jaruto as$e(, .rea$in into 2hi$a)aru&s reverie+E'&) ta$in a wa"$+GE-his ear"% in the )orninLGEJaruto,G 2hi$a)aru (ea(panne(+ EKe ta$in a wa"$ is nowhere near as weir( as%ou eatin ra)en at this hour+GE/e"", that&s true+G-he% .oth "auhe(+EMo %ou have the (a% oALG 2hi$a)aru as$e(+EJo wa%+ Hecause a certain someone $eeps ivin )e pain in the nec$ )issions,' haven&t ha( a (a% oA in ha"f a %ear, %ou $now+ '&) oin on another )ission atnoon+G-hat 0certain so)eone& was, of course, 2hi$a)aru+E-he%&re )issions '&) pic$in out for %our sa$e, so stop %our co)p"ainin+GEHut ' sti"" want to ta$e a .rea$ for *ust a biiit+GEIou&re .ein e%e( as a can(i(ate to .e the next >o$ae+ 't&s too i)portant ati)e for .rea$s+ He )ore se"f-aware, Jaruto+GE' et thatF Hut *ust one-GEJo .uts+G 2hi$a)aru sai(, "i$e one wou"( sco"( a chi"(+ E6ver%one in the vi""aeapproves of %ou+ Hut it&s exact"% .ecause the% approve that %ou nee( to ta$e oneven )ore )issions, so peop"e can thin$ 0ahh, what wou"( we (o if Jaruto wasn&there&+ 't&s a"rea(% .een two %ears since the war en(e(, %ou can&t naive"% thin$ever%one&s approva" wi"" .e uarantee( with %our actions fro) that ti)e+GE7"riht, a"rihtFGJarutopoute(*usta.it.eforeivinareatstretch+ EK%sto)ach&s fu"", so '&"" thin$ '&"" o ho)e an( snea$ in a nap+G2hi$a)aru narrowe( his e%es at hi)+ EMon&t overs"eep+GE' won&t+G Jaruto "auhe( at the serious "oo$ on his face, an( starte( wa"$in.ac$+E#i, Jaruto+G 2hi$a)aru ca""e( over his shou"(er+E/hatLG Jaruto turne( aroun(+EIou&re the )an who&"" .eco)e >o$ae+ Mon&t foret that+GE' never o .ac$ on )% wor(,G Jaruto pro)ise(+ E-hat&s )% nin*a wa%+GEJever oin .ac$ on %our wor(+G 2hi$a)aru pause(+ E't&s )% nin*a wa% too+GEIeah+G Jaruto raise( his riht han( in a reat wave, an( then turne( to o onhis wa%+7fter watchin his .ac$ for a whi"e, 2hi$a)aru turne( aroun( to o on his ownpath as we""+E'&) (efnite"% oin to )a$e %ou >o$ae+G2hi$a)aru ha( "on (eci(e( he wasn&t ever oin to o .ac$ on those wor(s+-E' )a(e %ou wait, huh+G2hi$a)aru was (irectin the wor(s towar(s ;ou an( 2o$u+-his ti)e&s )ission invo"ve( inf"tratin the countr% as we"" as assassinatin thetaret+ 't wasn&t so)ethinthat cou"(.e(oneco)p"ete"%un(er thera(ar+-hat&s wh% the two weren&t wearin their )as$s+E/e have severa" )ission o.*ectives+G 2hi$)aru sai(+ E2urve%in the situation inthe countr% of si"ence+ 2earchin for 2ai an( the !0 7n.u who we "ost contactwith+ Hut the hihest priorit% oes to assassinatin the )an na)e( Qeno+G-he pair si"ent"% no((e(+@a$ashiha(n&t co)e to see the) oA+ -he three shino.iwere the on"% peop"enear the c"ose( .ac$ ates+ 't was hi((en within a c"uster of trees at the .ase ofthe)ountain+ Mespiteit .eina.riht )ornin, theates"oo$e(wet an("oo)%+E7h we"", since we wi"".e carr%in out assassination, then we )ust )a$e surethere&s no observationFG ;ou&s nostri"&s =are( as he e)phasise( 0o.servation&+2hi$a)aru stare( at hi), .ewi"(ere( at what he cou"( )ean+EIour *o$e tota""% fe"" =at, %&$now+G 2o$u to"( ;ou+-he )an "oo$e( =ustere(, an e).arrasse( sweat (rop c"inin to his forehea(+E>e was tr%in to )a$e a *o$e, 0$now+G 2o$u exp"aine( to 2hi$a)aru with an 0'&)so sorr% a.out this& "oo$ on her face+ EIou were ta"$in a.out us surve%in thesituation, an( since surve%in has a si)i"ar )eanin to o.servin, he )a(e that*o$e a.out our assassination not .ein o.serve(, since it&s secretFHasica""%, thiso"( )an ten(s to )a$e .a( *o$es "i$e that ever% now an( then, so it&( .e a oo(i(ea to watch out, %&$now+G2hi$a)aruswa""owe((owntheureto)a$eawitt%retort, an(c"eare(histhroat, tr%in to rec"ai) the serious at)osphere+E/hen we o past the ate, we start runnin, a"rihtLGE/e&re aware, %&$now+G 2o$u cheerfu""% answere(+;ou, who&( turne( so)ewhat re(-face( with e).arrass)ent, a"so ave a no(+E7"riht then, "et&s o+G7n( with that, the three of the) fna""% heave( open the .ac$ ates+Chapter Se$en-e)ari stoo( .ehin( Qaara&s .ac$,watchin his cri)son hair swa%in in the win(+4oo$inathi), shethouhttoherse"f thather"itt"e.rotherha(rea""%rownsp"en(i("%+-he% were stan(in on top of ahi"", ae&sso)eonewhothin$sa.outthefutureoftheBnionan(shino.i overa"")ore serious"% than an%onee"se+G Qaara sai(+ E' (on&t thin$ he wou"( (oan%thin that cou"( threaten the Bnion+GQaara was referencin the fact that each hi((en vi""ae participatin in the Bnionha( the (ut% to report an% pro."e)s insi(e or outsi(e their *uris(iction+ >e wasa"so referencinthefact that .othhean( -e)ariha(notice( 2hi$a)aru washo"(in .ac$ reportin so)e situation happenin in @onoha+ 7n% pro."e) that)a(e hi) act "i$e that was ver% "i$e"% a pro."e) that aAecte( a""the shino.ivi""aes+EMo %ou have an% i(ea what he cou"( .e ho"(in .ac$, neesanLGE' won(er if ' (o+G't was natura" that Qaara wou"( as$ her+ -e)ari was the one who wor$e( with2hi$a)aru the )ost within the entire Bnion+E't&s not that ' (on&t have an i(ea what it isFG -e)ari sai(+ E'&) *ust not sure if'&) riht+GQaara no((e(, si"ent"% "istenin+E>e&( .een serious"% investiatin the shino.i who went )issin in action (urinthe war, an( the recent cases of )issin-nin in the vi""aes+G7t-e)ari&srep"%, Qaaratoo$hise%esoAheran(ae was thin$in+-hewin(su((en"%pic$e(up+ Hitsof san(scrape(acrosstheir forehea(s, afa)i"iar pain+E4et&s as$ Jaruto+G Qaara )ur)ure(+ E/i"" %ou o, neesanLGEIes+G -e)ari was start"e( .% how eaer her voice soun(e(+E#f course, %ou shou"( as$ @a$ashi too, .ut he&"" (efnite"% fn( a wa% to avoi(answerin, so as$ Jaruto a.out 2hi$a)aru frst+G Qaara sai(, E'f it turns out that2hi$a)aru&s confrontin a rave situation, then we )ust (o nothin "ess than tr%to save hi) with our fu"" strenth+ 'f %ou fee" "i$e shino.i fro) 2una are nee(e(,ta$e as )an% with %ou as %ou nee(+GEF2hi$a)aru&s a shino.i of @onoha, %ou $nowLGE/e&re"onpast theerawherewecarea.out thins"i$e02unashino.i& or0@onoha shino.i&+ >e&s a )an who&s necessar% to the Bnion+ 't&s natura" that wewou"( support hi)+GEF-han$ %ou+GE-his isn&t so)ethin %ou nee( to than$ )e for, neesan+G#ne s)a"" tear ha( s"ippe( its wa% (own -e)ari&s chee$+ ')patient"% wipin itawa%, she "oo$e( at her "itt"e .rother with a wi(e rin+E2o)ehow, the san( $eeps ettin in )% e%es to(a%+GTE>e% 2a$ura-chan, are %ou "isteninLG Jaruto irrita."% as$e(, "eanin his e".owsaainst a pi"e of .oo$s that ca)e a"" the wa% up to his chest+ >e was spea$in to2a$ura&s .ac$ as she was rushin a"on the "enth of the .oo$she"f that covere(the wa""+EIa$now, 2ai hasn&t .eenaroun(for over a)onthnow, an(2hi$a)aru&ssu((en"% turne( incre(i."% co"( an( stiA aroun( )e+ >e%, (on&t %ou thin$ he&shi(in so)ethin fro) )eLGE' don)t9G2a$ura&s exasperate( voice )a(e Jaruto wince+E/hat happene( to %our )issionLGE't en(e( to(a%+GE-hen Duic$"% o to 'chira$u&s, eat so)e ra)en, hea( ho)e an( s"eep9GE/haaaaat, .ut it&s .een so "on since %ou stoppe( .% the >o$ae ;esi(ence+Iou&ve fna""% shown %our faceFIou&re actin so co"( as an oriina" )e).er oftea) 7+G2a$ura furious"% turne( aroun( to face her poutin frien(+E;iht now, '&)a"rea(% overwhe")e( with wor$in with -suna(e-sa)a on(eve"opin a s%ste) for )e(icina" *utsu, as well as wor$in on the structure ofthe Bnion&s s%ste)+ '&ve ot to o throuh (ocu)ents "eft over fro) -suna(e-sa)a&s ti)eas >o$ae9 ' (on&t havean% freeti)e9 ' can&t "istento%ourossipin9 Bn(erstan(LG>uPn, she turne( .ac$ to face the she"ves+EHesi(es, haven&t %ou.eenhaninout with>inata"ate"%L/ou"(n&t it.ea.etter i(ea to o an( have her "isten to %ou proper"% instea( of .otherin )eLGE/hatL 7re %ou *ea"ousLG2a$ura turne( aroun( with a furious expression, her fst s"a))in aainstJaruto&s hea(+E#.vious"% not9 ' (eci(e( to wait for 2asu$e-$un, %ou $now9GEI-%es )a&a)FG Jaruto answere(+ 2u((en"% his e%es chane( to "oo$ a .it )oreserious, an( 2a$ura, noticin, pai( a "itt"e )ore attention to what he was sa%in+EHut "ate"%, %a $now, '&ve *ust ha( this rea""% .a( fee"in+GE's the Jine -ai"s )a$in a fussLG-heJine-ai"swassti"" "ivininsi(eJaruto+ -herewerea"sore)nantsof theother 8 .i*uu insi(e hi) as we""+ 'n that wa%, %ou cou"( sa% he was a hu)an pi""arfor the power of the -en -ai"s+ 'n the "ast war, #.ito ha( .eco)e a hu)an pi""arfor the -en -ai"s an( aine( cha$ra riva""in that of the 2ae of the 2ix Oaths+Jaruto, who&( ta$en the .i*uu into hi) as we"", ha( so)e of the 2ae&s powereven now+ >is 0.a( fee"ins& were (iAerent fro) a nor)a" hu)an&s, an( 2a$ura$new it too+EMon&t %ou thin$ %ou&re )isun(erstan(in so)ethinLGEIou&re crue", ivin )% *u(e)ent e&s .een wor$in hi)se"f to the .one in the Bnion an( the vi""ae so %ou can.eco)e >o$ae9 Iou can&t "et a"" that .e in vain+GE' $now he&s wor$in for )eF.ut that&s exact"% wh% '&) worrie(, %a $now+G2a$ura "et out a sih+EQet a ho"( of %ourse"f+ -he%&re co)ra(es who&ve .e"ieve( in %ou a"" this ti)e,the%&re not onna (ie )eanin"ess (eaths+GEMon&t ta"$ so o)inous"% a.out (eath9GE#h, for oo(ness sa$e9 ' sa% one thin %ou et upset, ' sa% another %ou sti"" etupset+ Iou&re.einarea" pain, %a$now9G2a$urause(Jaruto&sownphraseaainst hi)+ EQo ho)e an( s"eep9G2a$ura threw Jaruto out of the roo)+The Country of SilenceChapter Ei&ht2hi$a)aru&s tea) ran for three (a%s rear("ess of whether it was (a% or niht,.efore the% fna""% reache(the Countr% of 2i"ence+-he Countr% of 2i"ence was a re"ative"% s)a"" countr%, "ocate( towar(s the/est ofthecontinent+ Kost of it was surroun(e(.%)ountains an(forests, an(there)ainin"an(was(otte(withfe"(s+ Joneof thetownsinthosefe"(swerean%where near the sie was wearin a "on, ."ac$ c"oa$, an( ha( a sharp, cuttin "oo$ in his e%es+ >isc"othin stoo( out a)i(st the ha)a$as an( uwais worn .% the other citiis heart was ettin covere( in (ar$nessFE-here&s no wa% %ou cou"( un(ersta- neugh9G2hi$a)aruha(tihtene(hissha(ow&sho"(fr)"%aroun(Kinoichi&s.o..in7(a)&s app"e+E'f %ou $eep up that i("e ta"$, '&) rea""% oin to $i"" %ou+G 2hi$a)aru&s pupi"s ha( (i"ate( to "eave his e%es a")ost as (ar$ as his sha(ows+E'-'Fun(erstan(FGE2hou"(n&t that .e, 0' un(erstan(, sir&LG TE'Fun(erstan(FsirFG2hi$a)aru wea$ene( his sha(ow&s ho"(, an( Kinoichi i))e(iate"% .eancouhin an( sp"utterin, tears in his e%es+EJow, %ou&reointoanswer )e+ /hoexact"%are%ou0en"ihtene(ones&L/hat&re peop"e who were oriina""% shino.i (oin athere( aroun( hereLG2eeintheruth"essexpressionon2hi$a)aru&sface, Kinoichi too$ina(eep.reath, an( starte( ta"$in+E/e0en"ihtene( ones&ru"ethis countr%+-here aren&tan% "ow.orn Mai)%ousaroun( an%)ore+ -he tit"e 0en"ihtene( one& is earne( when %ou are a shino.iwho has opene( their e%es to the no."e i(ea"s of Qeno-sa)a+ #ur oa"is tocreate a true revo"ution in this wor"( toether with Qeno-sa)a+ 7n%thin %ouscu) p"ot or sche)e is power"ess .efore hi)+ 7n%thin %ou hear fro) )e won&t"et %ou un(erstan( the truth of this countr%F9G Kinoichi .ean to "auh, openinhis *aws to .ite (own on his tonue in a suici(e atte)pt+E2top9G?or a )o)ent, 2hi$a)aru was sure Kinoichi was (ea(, s"u)pe( to the si(e fro).itin his tonue+ Hut then, his e%es cauht up with his .rain+'n an instant, so)ethin ha( =own an( pierce( the si(e of Kinoichi&s nec$FE' use( a para"%sin cha$ra nee("e for hi), so he won&t .e a."e to )ove for three(a%s or so, %&$now+G't was 2o$u who spo$e+ 2he ha( co)e to stan( at his si(e without 2hi$a)arueven noticin+E?eh, 0en"ihtene(ones&Fthat soun(s .otharroant an(anno%in, %&$now+G2o$u sai(, "arin (own at the $noc$e( out Kinoichi+ -he ex-shino.i&s face "oo$e( (istur.in"% peacefu" in his para"%se( s"eep+-?ootnotes, T Ies, Curtain Ri""ae is rea""% the na)e+ ' cou"(n&t .e"ieve it either+ ' spent 20)inutes "oo$in for a $an*i that (i(n&t exist, "o"+TT -he c"othin (escri.e( is easier exp"aine( seen than rea(+TTT -his is a"itt"e tric$%+ Hasica""%, Kinoichi sai( 0' un(erstan(& withcasua""anuae, .ut2hi$a)aru(e)an(e(heusepo"itein=ections+ 7((in 0sir& wasthe c"osest ' cou"( et to that senti)ent+Chapter Nine2hi$a)aru (i(n&t even tr% to hi(e the shivers runnin up his spine fro) sittin onthe co"(, concrete =oor+-here was no win(owto spea$ of+ -he wa""s, the cei"in, ever%thin wasconcrete+ >e, ;ou an( 2o$u were sittin in acirc"e in a co)p"ete"% re% roo)+7"" three of the) were wearin the"on c"oa$s of the en"ihtene( ones+ 7"" sto"en,of course+ 6ven the roo) the%were current"% resi(in in (i(n&t .e"on to the)+-he rea" owner was an en"ihtene( one stuAe( in a c"oset in the roo) next (oor,$noc$e( out .% one of 2o$u&s para"%sin Cha$ra Jee("es+#f course, the% ha(n&t forotten to (o their interroations in the )i(st of theirthiever%+ -he resu"t of a"" their cross-Duestionins was Duite a .ount% ofinfor)ation+E't see)s that 4or( 2hi$a)aru was correct in his initia" conc"usion+G ;ou starte(spea$in frst+ E-his countr% (oes in(ee( "oo$ "i$e it&s .ein ru"e( .% this Qenocharacter an( his frihtenin"% stron charis)a+G2hi$a)aru ha( to aree with ;ou a.out the charis)a+ -he%&( ha( to "ure another)a"e 6# [shortene( ter)for 6n"ihtene( #ne3s] to et a "on c"oa$ for ;ou, an(the one fe)a"e 6# for 2o$u&s c"oa$+ Countin Kinoichi, that )a(e three 6#&s thatha( .een interroate( over a""+-hree en"ihtene( ones, an( %et the one thin that (i(n&t chane in ever% sin"escenario was their o.sessive, unsha$a."e faith in Qeno+-he faith the 6#&s ha( towar(s Qeno was c"ear"% (iAerent fro) the trust that@onoha&s shino.i put in the >o$ae, or Jaruto+>u)ans fee"in "ove an( respect for another hu)an+ -hat was, in 2hi$a)aru&sopinion, the .on( .etween @onoha&s shino.i an( their "ea(ers+ Oeop"e respectinother peop"e+Hut the wa% the 6#&s treate( Qeno was (iAerent+ -he% spo$e of hi) with thesa)e fear an( reverence that one wou"( use for a "ivin o(+ 7s if the% .e"ieve(that whi"e the% were hu)ans, Qeno&s existence was so)ethin e"se entire"%+ 'twas an unsha$ea."e, (istur.in faith+/hat $in( of a )an cou"( )a$e peop"e a(ore hi) to that extentL2hi$a)aru notice( with )i"( a"ar) that (eep (own insi(e, he hi)se"f fe"t curiousa.out the answer+E/e"", it&s .een sai( fro) the start that this who"e thin&"" en( if we end Qeno,%&$now+G 2o$u ."unt"% sai(+ E-hat&s wh% the o"( )an an( ' ca)e a"on in the frstp"ace+ 'f that ha(n&t .een the case, we wou"(n&t .e nee(e(+ -houh '&( have "i$e(it if that haven&t .een the case, %&$now+G7"thouh her "ast co))ent was a "itt"e ru(e, 2o$u&s input was pertinent to theconversation+E't see)s that their thouhts towar(s Qeno have a"rea(% turne( into a re"iiousfervour+G ;ou sai(+E' thin$ so too, %&$now+G 2o$u no((e(+ E2o)ethin has to .e up for the) to .e sofervent"% attache( to hi)+GE/hat (o %ou )ean .% so)ethin, >ino$oLGE2hi$a)aru-san9' to"(%ounottoca"" )e.%na)e9G2o$usat upinaftofte)per, her in(ex fner pointin at 2hi$a)aru&s face, the tip of it crac$"in withorane cha$ra+ E'f %ou ca"" )e .% na)e aain, '&) serious"% onna poun( %ou9G2he was so wor$e( up, she (i(n&t even a(( E%&$nowG to the en( of her sentence+E/h%(on&t%ou"i$eitL't&sana(ora."ena)eFGT[-rans"ator&sJote, >ino$o)eans spar$s of fre+]E-hat&s why ' (on&t "i$e it9G 2o$u&s cha$ra ."are( .rihter with her te)per+ E7 coo"na)e "i$e Qourai [roarin "ihtnin] or 2hippu [swift a"e] or @i)i(are [su))errain] wou"( have .een so )uch .etter9G'tturne(outthatno)atterhowcapa."eashino.i shewas, 2o$uwassti"" afourteen%earo"(chi"(ontheinsi(e+ >er"ineupof0coo"& na)eswerea"" soun.e"ieva."% chees%, 2hi$a)aru was (esperate"% tr%in not to "auh+2he )ust have )ista$en the straine( expression on his face for an apo"oetic"oo$, .ecause the cha$ra .uino$o+GE>ow )an% ti)es (o ' have to te"" %ou not to ca"" )e thatL9G 2o$u ot to her feet,stea)in with in(ination+EF?ort% ti)es+G ;ou whispere(+E>uhLG 2o$u "are( at her senior, her )outh twistin (own in te)per+E4or(2hi$a)aru&s na)ehas 0shi& for 04& an(0)aru& for 00&, soFfort%+G ;ou)ee$"% sai(+2o$u was furious+E7ain with the puns9G 2he stro(e forwar(, E7n( .a( ones, at that9 /hathappene( to the 0$a&, thenL9G;ou hurrie("% ot to his feet an( N(espite .ein 40 %ears o"(, sinifcant"% "arerthan his short-te)pere( *unoir, an( an 7n.u- Duic$"% hi( .ehin( 2hi$a)aru forsafet%, cowerin fro) the fourteen %ear o"(&s rae+ #f course, he cou"(&ve .een p"a%in his reaction up for "auhs, .ut that (i(n&tstop 2hi$a)aru fro) fee"in )ore than a "itt"e e).arrasse( on the two&s .eha"f+E's ever%thin rea""% oin to .e a"riht to)orrowFLG >e sihe(+Hoth 7n.u straihtene( at once, reassurances spi""in out of their )ouths+E't&"" .e &ne, %&$now9GE-here is a.so"ute"% nothin to concern %ourse"f over, 4or(9G4oo$in at the), 2hi$a)aru "et out another sih+Chapter Ten-he%wereso)an%peop"eathere(at thep"aewasrihttofee" unsure+ ?orthe"ea(erof acountr%tostan(onsuchaco)p"ete"% (efence"ess p"atfor) was .e%on( (anerous+ 'f Qeno (i( appear, itwou"( .e the sa)e as sa%in that he (i(n&t have the fee" the s"ihtest suspicionthat an%one cou"( ai) for his "ife+E?or now, "et&s *ust et c"oser an( wait+ 'f Qeno (oesn&t appear, then we&"" *ustsi"ent"% (raw .ac$ for now+GEBn(erstoo(+G-he% *ust ha( to et within a (istance that 2hi$a)aru&s $ae)ane cou"( reachthe)anonthep"atfor)+ 'f 2hi$a)arucou"(stopQeno&s)ove)ent, then2o$u&s Cha$ra Jee("e wou"( (o the rest+E'f he wou"( *ust )a$e an appeara-G;ou&s )ur)urin was cut oA .% a su((en roar of *o% fro) the front of the crow(c"osest to the p"atfor)+ -he e"ate( shoutin rose an( sprea( "i$e a ti(a"waveacross the p"ae wore a "on, ."ac$ coat si)i"ar to the (esin the 6n"ihtene( #nes wore, .uthiswascovere(incount"essco"ourfu" orna)entsaswe"" asthe"aresi"ver.uc$"es+ #n top of that, his s"eeves were e).roi(ere( with si"ver sna$es runnin(own his forear)s+>is hair was a (ar$ in(io ."ue+ >e ha( a stron *aw, a )ascu"ine ph%siDue, an(his features were c"ear an( we""-(efne(+ >e ca")"% "oo$e( (own at the cheerincrow( with c"ear an( inte""ient e%es+ -here were s"iht traces of stu.."e aroun(his *aw+ >e "oo$e( a.out 30 %ears o"(+E-hat )an is )ost "i$e"% Qeno, isn&t heLG ;ou )ur)ure(, an( stoppe( wa"$infor *ust a )o)ent+2hi$a)aru $ept wa"$in without ivin an answer+ >e fe"t a fr) conviction thatthe )an in front of their e%es was (efnite"% Qeno+2"ow"%, the )an raise( his riht ar) into the air+ 'nstant"%, a"" the wi"( cheers fe""si"ent+ Qeno c"ose( his e%es as if he fe"t satisfe( .% that reaction, a s)a"" s)i"epu""inathis)outh+ >etoo$inone(eep.reath, thenopene(hise%esan(.ean to spea$+E?irst of a"", ' wou"( "i$e to express )% than$s to a"" of %ou who have athere(here+G>is voice was (eep an( heav%, soothin to "isten to+ 't ha( a )%sterious Dua"it%to it that )a(e %ou fee" "i$e %ou weren&t "istenin to hi) with *ust %our ears, .ut%our who"e .o(%+ 2hi$a)aru fe"t a .otherso)e, itch% fee"in insi(e his chest, as ifthe )an&s voice was .rushin aainst his heart+;ou&s e%es )et 2hi$a)aru&s as the% si"ent"% )ove( c"oser to the p"atfor)+ 't wasc"ear that hesee)e(tofee" that sa)e, unco)forta."esensation+ -hetwoshino.i&s steps .eca)e in s%nc, $eepin their )ove)ents s"ow, su.t"e an( si"ent+Qeno ave a s)a"".ow towar(s the crow( to conve% his ratitu(e, an( thenstarte( to spea$ aain+E't has .een ten %ears since ' ca)e to stan( at this po(iu)+ /e have aine()an% who share our wa%s of thin$in, an( our countr% has .eun to prosper+>owever, not a sin"e one of our (esires have .een rea"ise(+G6ver%oneha(.een"istenininuttersi"ence+ 7sthe)an&swor(sstoppe(, astrane at)ospheresifte(into the Duietof the crow(,asif ever%inchof thep"ais shoute( wor(s see)e( to co)e fro) his ver% sou"+E-he countr% that was ru"e( .% a Mai)%ou, an( this countr% nowF/hich wor"((o %ou thin$ is .etterL /ho is that .etter wor"( ru"e( .%LGEQ6JQ#-27K79G-he citie stare(+EIou- what&re %ouFLG7sin"e)anstoo(.etweenQenoan(2hi$a)aru+ >eha(anashenre%co)p"exion+ Raue e%es, with (epths of unrea(a."e e)otion+ 7 straiht, honest)outh+E/hat&re %ou (oinFLG-here was no )ista$e as to who it was+2hi$a)aru ca""e( the )an .% his na)e+EF2ai+GChapter Ele$en2ai he"( a paint.rush in one han(, an( a scro"" in the other, (rawin furious"%+6ver% ti)e he "ifte( his paint.rush fro) the scro"", an in$ tier wou"( )anifestan( attac$ 2hi$a)aru2hi$a)aru eAorts to fen( the) oA en(e( with hi) ro""in oA the p"atfor) an(fa""in riht into the crow(+>e (i(n&t have the ti)e to .econcerne( on"% a.out 2ai+ 2hi$a)aru&s )in( was inutter chaos+/h% ha(n&t his *utsu wor$e(L/h% ha( their (isuises .een seenthrouhL/as 2o$u a"rihtL2hi$a)aru (o(e( attac$ afterattac$ fro) the crow(+ 'n the corner of his e%e, hecou"( see severa"6n"ihtene( #nes ho"(in (own ;ou+ -he o"( )an wasfrantica""% stru"in aainst their ho"(, .ut it was i)possi."e for hi) to sha$e oAthat )an% )en at once+2hi$a)aru&schee$wasstininfro)where2ai&sin$.east ha(otteninaswipe+-he resin )as$ ;ou ha( put on 2hi$a)aru to (isuise his face was startin topee" oA+E2oon, that )as$wi"" .etornoAco)p"ete"%, so' i)aine%ou&"" fee" )oreco)forta."e+G 2ai sai( with a si)p"e s)i"e+>is paint.rush ha(n&t stoppe( )ovin+ 'n$% tier after tier )ateria"ise(,surroun(in 2hi$a)aru+E/h% are %ou (oin thisFG E?or a whi"e now,G 2ai note(, EIou&ve .een sa%in thins that ive the i)pression%ou $now )e+G2hi$a)aru (i(n&t te"" 2ai who he was un(erneath the )as$+ >e cou"(n&t, to .einwith+Iou never spo$e %our na)e out "ou( if there was a ris$ of %ou .ein capture(an( %our na)e .ein trace( .ac$ to %our vi""ae+ Jever+ 't was an ironc"a( ru"e of2hino.i+Hehin( the 6n"ihtene( #nes swar)in towar(s hi), 2hi$a)aru cou"( see Qenosti"" stan(in serene"% on the p"atfor)+ >e $ept his ar)s crosse( as he ca")"%watche( 2hi$)aru&s stru"es+'f he cou"( *ust )anae to et to hi) one )ore ti)eF2hi$a)aru "eapt on top of one of the in$% tiers surroun(in hi), sta..in it withhis $unai an( "eapin oA in one sea)"ess )ove)ent+ >e ran as soon as he hitthe roun(, free of the circ"e of .easts+ 'n the corner of his e%e, he cauht a"i)pse of the tier (issipatin into a spra% of ."ac$ in$+-here was so )an% 6#&s ."oc$in his wa%, he cou"( .are"% even count the)+E/i"" it wor$LG 2hi$a)aru ru)."e( to hi)se"f, for)in the sea" for a *utsu withhis han(s+Count"ess ten(ri"s of (ar$ness s"ow"% starte( to exten( fro) his sha(ow in ever%(irection+>is $aenui, the sha(ow sewin techniDue, use( ten(ri"s of his sha(ow to attac$an( .in( his opponents "i$e a nee("e with threa(+ 2ince 2hi$a)aru cou"( create a)u"titu(e of sha(ownee("es, it was a oo( *utsu to use aainst severa"opponents+2hi$a)arutoo$ai)atthetiersan(6n"ihtene(onessurroun(inhi)+ -henee("e-"i$e ten(ri"s of his sha(ow stretche( out without an% pro."e)s+ 7"" he&(nee( was one stron force of wi"" for the) to shoot up an( oA the roun(+E6ork9G2hi$a)aru%e""e(thewor("i$ea.att"ecr%+ -heten(ri"sraise(theirhea(s s"ow"% fro) the roun(, rearin .ac$ an( ettin rea(% to stri$e-E2top %our point"ess actions+G Qeno ca""e( fro)the p"atfor)a.ove+ -he)o)ent his voice ran out, 2hi$a)aru&s sha(ow ten(ri"s wooe&(nowco)etostan(infront of2hi$a)aru, ."oc$in his wa%+E2ai, (on&t %ou (areFGEIourpoint"essactions areunsiht"%+G 2ai ca")"% sai(, his paint.rush furious"%(ancin a"on the scro"" in his han(+ -he tier that )ateria"ise( fro) his scro""this ti)e was ."ac$ an( white- an( far, far "arer than an% of the others+EIou wi"" experience it frst han(, an( un(erstan(, soon enouh+G 2ai sai(,pointin his paint .rush at 2hi$a)aru+ -he iant ."ac$ an( white tier too$ thatas a sina", an( too$ one reat step towar(s 2hi$a)aru+EIou shithea(FG 2hi$a)aru )uttere(, ta$in out a $unai an( starin up at thetier, rea(%in hi)se"f for .att"e+2u((en"%, he fe"t so)ethin s"a) aainst his riht "e+ -he secon( he rea"ise(that, so)ethine"ses"a))e(aainsthis"eft"e, an(rihtwhen2hi$a)arurea"ise( the 6n"ihtene( #nes were .o(i"% "aunchin the)se"ves at hi), it wastoo "ate+>e hit the roun( face frst, severa" of the 6n"ihtene( pi"in on top of hi) an(ho"(in hi) (own+E-o thin$ that so)eone as sharp as %ou (i(n&t notice that the tier was )ere"% a(istractionF%our )in( )ust rea""% .e in chaos+G 2ai co))ente(, "oo$in (own at2hi$a)aru (esperate"% tr%in to .reath un(er a"" the .o(ies crushin hi)+2hi$a)aru&s i)pe(e( fe"( of vision pic$e( up the sha(ow of a )an approachinfro) .ehin( 2ai+Qeno+E-a$e oA the )as$+G Qeno co))an(e( of the 6n"ihtene( #nes+7 sin"e fner s"ippe( into the crac$ cause( .% the tier&s c"aw, an( pee"e( oA2hi$a)aru&s )as$ in one o+EJow see, it is 2hi$a)aru-san after a""+G 2ai sai(+E2o this is @onohaa$ure&s enius, Jara 2hi$a)aru, huhFG Qeno&s voicesoun(e( "i$e he was a co""ector who&( foun( an ite) he&( .een see$in for Duitea whi"e+2hi$a)aru crane( his hea( to "oo$ up into a pair of suspicious"% "owin ."uee%es+ Qeno&s a>>>>>>>>>>>9G;ou ha( starte( screa)in aain+Chapter Tel$e-he >o$ae&s oPce .ac$ ho)e cou"(n&t even .e co)pare( to the enor)ous siis "eft e".ow was "eanin on thear)rest, an( he casua""% cra("e( his chee$ in his "eft pa")+ -he coo", co)pose(aave %ou otten a "itt"e .it curious a.out )% wor(s nowLG Qeno as$e(+E2orr% .ut, ' have no i(ea what %ou&re tr%in to sa%+G 2hi$a)aru sai(+Qeno "et out a s)a"" "auh at the i))e(iate an( reso"ute rep"%+-here were severa" 6#&s "ine( up a"on each si(e of his throne+ 7"" of the) were "oo$in(ownat 2hi$a)aruwiththe$in(of hauht%e%es that )a(ehi)suppose the% were Qeno&s a(visors or c"ose ai(es+ 2hi$a)aru saw 2ai&s furea)ontheirran$s, a"rea(%a(orne(withthe."ac$c"oa$thata"" 6n"ihtene(#neswore+ 7"thouhthe%weresuppose(to.eco)ra(es, 2ai&se%es"oo$e((own at 2hi$a)aru without an% uneasiness or hesitation+ 2ai&s e%es ha( never.een ver% expressive to .ein with, .ut the%&( never "oo$e( as ."an$ an( e)pt%as the% (i( now+E2o)eoneas inte""ient an(we""-$nownas %ourse"fFG Qenosai(, E' thin$%ou&ve "on fure( out what ' want fro) %ou+G#f course 2hi$a)aru ha( notice( what Qeno wante(+ >e&( sense( it aes ao,.utitwas ari(icu"ousnotion+ 't wasn&teverointohappen+ 2o he$epthis)outh shut, an( (i(n&t even waste his .reath on it+EHeco)e )% riht han( )an, 2hi$a)aru+ 'f it&s %ou, then %ou wi"" .e a."e to .rina new wor"( into existence a"onsi(e )e+ ' can see that %ou are a )an capa."eof that+GE'&"" pass+G2hi$a)aru i))e(iate"% spat out his rep"%+ >is e%es seethe( with )ur(erous raeas he "are( up at Qeno+Hut the countr%&s ru"er (i(n&t see)the "east .it aAecte(+ >e ca")"% )et2hi$a)aru&s ."oo(thirst% aowever, the rea"it% was that if Qeno ha( continue( the conversation with itscurrent at)osphere, then2hi$a)aru&s0aner& wou"(havecontinue(to.ri)over unti" he was so incense( he wou"( o.stinate"% refuse to "isten to an%thin+Qeno ha( (e"i.erate"% create( a "u"" in conversation to avoi( that outco)e+Creatin a pause for .oth parties to .reathe an( ca") (own wou"( eAective"%chane the straine( at)osphere .etween the)+ 6ven if 2hi$a)aru ha( insiste(on spittin out vitrio", with the a.sence of Qeno&s rep"% it wou"(&ve .een nothin)ore than e)pt% how"in that wou"( re"ease )ore aner than increase it+Qeno was pushin the conversation (own the path that he wante( it to o+-his )an ha( a "ot of practice with neotiatinF?ina""%, after a "on pause, Qeno&s e%es returne( to "oo$ at 2hi$a)aru+E-here&s *ust one thin Duestion ' have for %ou, .ut wou"( %ou .e wi""in to ive)e an answerLGE/hatLG2hi$a)aru rerette( the wor( the )o)ent he "et it pass his )outh+ Hut it wastoo "ate to ta$e it .ac$+E/h% are shino.i so oppresse( an( (owntro((enLG#ppresse(L 2hino.iL2hi$a)aru (i(n&t un(erstan( what the )an was ettin at+>is si"ence encourae( Qeno to continue spea$in, reinforcin his Duestion with)ore ta"$+E-hevi""aesthatshino.i "iveinarea"wa%s, withoutexception, (escri.e(as0hi((envi""aes&+ /h%)ust shino.i sta%hi((enL'na"" thecountriesinthiscontinent, how )uch "an( (o shino.i rea""% et to ca"" their ownL Iou&"" fn( thatit&s a ver% s)a"" portion+ 7n( wh% is thatL Hecause there are others who ru"e the)a*orit% of this continent+ -he (ai)%ous+G/e"", hewasn&t wrong+ 2hino.i vi""aes(i(havethetit"eof a0hi((envi""ae&a((e(totheirna)e+ -he)a*orit%of thecontinentwasin(ee(overne(.%Mai)%ous+2o whatL2o the Mai)%ous overne( the countries, so the shino.i sta%e( in vi""aes thatwere ca""e( 0hi((en vi"""aes&+ -hat (i(n&t )a$e shino.i oppresse(+2hi$a)aru he"( a *o. in the ver% .ac$.one of the 2hino.i Bnion, so he $new a"itt"e .it )ore a.out the state of the wor"( than others+ -he Mai)%ous, an( thecitiow eAectivethe union wou"( .e for that+ >ow to )a$e Jaruto ho$ae+ >ow to .ui"( a stronfoun(ation for his eneration+2hi$a)aru&s concerns see)e( i)possi."% s)a"" in the face of what Qeno wasconsi(erin+ >is focus wasn&t the wor"( of shino.i, .ut the who"e earth+EMon&t %outhin$ thereasona"" thefhtinhasn&t stoppe(is .ecausethe(ai)%ouareoverninever%thin, instea(of shino.iLHecausethesepeop"ewho ho"( neither cha$ra nor *utsu $eep )eetin toether, ever% ti)e the% pass.% each other, these wars never en(+ Hecause the% have no extraor(inar% peop"ea)on the), there is no countr% which is stroner than a"" the others, an( thusno one to $eep the) in chec$+ 2o the countries $eep fhtin an( reconci"in,aainan(aain, an(thiswor"(of war continues+ ' a)te""in%oua.out a)etho(thatwi"" putanen(toa"" that+ /iththepowerofshino.i, ' an()%6n"ihtene( #nes wi"" achieve what no one e"se has .efore, the unifcation of thecontinent+GEBnifcation of the continentFG 2hi$a)aru )ur)ure(+Qeno ave a satisfe( no( at hi) echoin the wor(s+E?ro) the start, this wor"( has a"wa%s .een a.out 0surviva" of the fttest&+ -hiswa% of "ife (oesn&t on"% exten( to .easts+ 6ven the .easts ca""e( hu)ans haven&t.een a."e to ri( the)se"ves of it+ 'n that case, isn&t it on"% fttin that the ho"(ersof true strenth, shino.i, rein as the stronest, at the top of this hierarch%L -herevo"ution '&) spea$in of carr%in out is exact"% that, to turn this at%pica" wor"(into the .est that it can .e+G-hin$in that shino.i are the ones who shou"( .e contro""in the wor"(FF)iht not .e wron+E4or( 2hi$a)aru+G;ou&s voice ca)e fro) .ehin( hi)+ 2hi$a)aru turne( his hea( an( "oo$e( overhis shou"(er at the )an+E's it not exact"% as 4or( Qeno has sai(LG ;ou as$e(+ E/h% )ust shino.i a"wa%s.e use( .% the (ai)%ouL ' a) a )e).er of 7n.u+ ' have seen the fou" si(e of the(ai)%ous)an%, )an%ti)es+ -he%thin$of usshino.i asnothin)orethanconvenient too"s+ K% .est frien( was a )an use( as a too" in the wars .etweenthe 4an( of ?ire an( the 4an( of /in(+ -he )o)ent .oth countries (ec"are( aceasefre, he was otten ri( of+G 7 sin"e tear over=owe( fro) ;ou&s wet e%es+ E7hin(rance+GEF' thin$ so too, %&$now+G-his ti)e, the su.(ue( whisper ca)e fro) 2o$u&s )outh+ 7s 2hi$a)aru turne(to "oo$ at her, he cou"( see (ar$ purp"e .ruises co"ourin her %oun face+ 6venthouh she was a chi"(, Qeno ha( )erci"ess"% iven his su.or(inates the or(erto torture her a"on with ;ou+E' thin$ that what Qeno&s sa%in is riht, too, %&$now+GE>ino$oFGE't&s not *ust the (ai)%ou, it&s those peop"e "ivin in the countries the% overn,%&$now+G 2o$u (i(n&t even care that 2hi$a)aru ha( ca""e( her .% her rea" na)e,continuin to spea$ with a heate( aner+ EJo )atter how nice %ou are to nor)a"peop"e, the )inute that the% hear that %ou&re a shino.i, the% start watchin %oufro)thecornerof theire%es+ -he"oo$inthosee%esFhorrife(FsuspiciousF)ar$in us as 0di*erent)+ /h% (o we have to spi"" our ."oo(, sweat an( tears for.astar(s "i$e thatL '- ' (on&t un(erstan( wh%, %&$now9G6ven thouh Qeno was the one to or(er a"" those .ruises onto her s$in, 2o$uwas "oo$inupat the)anwitha()iration, as if she&(forottenthat factco)p"ete"%+EIou seeL 6ven %our co)ra(es are areein with )e+ /hat ' want to (o is the)ost )eaninfu" actionfor a"" shino.i+ 2hi$a)aru, co)ewith)e+ -oether,cou"(n&t we stop this ae of warLGQeno he"( out his han(+'f 2hi$a)aru too$ ho"( of that han(, he wou"(n&t .e a."e to o .ac$ ho)e+Jo, wasn&t it strane to thin$ of oin .ac$L'f Qeno rea""% unite( a"" the countries, that inc"u(e( the wor"( of shino.i+ 'f thathappene(, then sure"% Jaruto, Chou*i, 'no, ever%one, he wou"( .e a."e to )eetthe) a"" aain+ Jo, in fact he cou"( exten( an invitation to the) hi)se"f, an( the% cou"( a"" co)etoether to .ui"( the wor"( of shino.i+E2hi$a)aru+ Heco)e )% riht han( )an+GQeno&s wor(s presse( aainst 2hi$a)aru&s spine+E'FG2hi$a)aru wante( to ta$e that han(+HutF-here was a"so a part of 2hi$a)aru that was (esperate"% tr%in to stop hi)se"ffro) (oin so+ECo)e now,G Qeno pro((e(+E/- whFG2o)ethin was fr)"%c"oinup 2hi$a)aru&sthroat+2hi$a)aru stru"e( topush his voice past the forein, thorn% "u)p, an( fna""% spat out the wor(s,E/h% (o ' have to .eco)e the su.or(inate of so)eone "i$e %ouLGE#hL -o thin$ %ou&ve "istene( to )% wor(s up to this point, an( sti""refuse toun(erstan(+ Iou see) to .e a ver% stu..orn one as we""+G2o)ethin wasn&t riht+2o)ewhere (eep in 2hi$a)aru&s heart, there was sti"" something insi(e hi) that(i(n&t .e"ieve Qeno+ -hat part of hi) sai( that it wasn&t a oo( i(ea to su.)itto this )an+ -here were no we""-reasone( wor(s or exp"anations+ 5ust so)e partof hi) that cou"(n&t sto)ach this+ 7 .a( fee"in+6ver% other part of hi) was utter"% convince( that Qeno ha( the riht i(ea+ERer% we"" then, we&"" (o thisFG Qeno no((e( at the uar(s .esi(e 2hi$a)aru,an( then turne( to wa"$ .ac$ to where the stairs .ean+-he 6n"ihtene( #nes that ha( .een uar(in 2hi$a)aru up unti" now un(i( the)anac"es that ha( .een ho"(in his han(s .ehin( his .ac$+ -he su((en(isappearance of the constraints that ha( .een forcin hi) into a crouch )a(ehis .o(% o "i)p with re"ief+ 2hi$a)aru .are"% stoppe( hi)se"f fro) crashin tothe =oor, so)ehow ho"(in hi)se"f up with his riht ar)+ >e "oo$e( up at Qeno+Qeno was stan(in at the .otto) of the stairs, *ust severa" )etres awa%+ >e ha(thrown out .oth of his ar)s, ho"(in out his chest+E'f %ou tru"% can&t trust )e, then *ust $i"" )e here+GE@-$i"" %ouLG 2hi$a)aru&s voice was sha$in+E-here&s no reason wh% %ou shou"(n&t .e a."e to stran"e )e to (eath with thatsha(ow )anipu"atin *utsu of %ours+ Qo on+ 4et&s see %ou $i"" )e+G/h% was he so conf(ent as he to"( 2hi$a)aru to $i"" hi)L-he uneas% fee"in in 2hi$a)aru&s ut was s"ow"% rowin+-here was so)ethin he was )issin, so)ewhere, he wasn&t thin$in proper"%,there was so)ethin he over"oo$e(F2hi$a)aru p"ace( a sha$% han( onto the =oor+2unshine was shinin throuh a "are win(ow at the si(e of the ha""+ -he .riht"%"owin "iht fe"" easi"% on 2hi$a)aru&s ar) an( torso, c"ear"% )a$in a sha(ow+-hepitch."ac$ sha(ow.eantoDuiver s"iht"%+ -hetre)."inwas s"ow"%increasin, his sha(ow ripp"in, an( then sha$in vio"ent"% as it trie( to sha$e oAits oriina" for)+EQoFG2hi$a)aruor(ere(hissha(owinawea$voice+ -heripp"insha(owchane( into a "on, (ar$ ten(ri" that hea(e( in a straiht "ine for Qeno+EJow, (on&t stop, 2hi$a)aru9GQeno&s ca""e( out, his e%es .urnin .riht"%+ >e soun(e( "i$e he was en*o%inthis+>is voice .ri))in with conf(ence presse( (own on 2hi$a)aru fro) a"" si(es+>is sha(owF2toppe(+'t stoppe( riht at the e(e of Qeno&s toes+ Jo )atter how )uch 2hi$a)aruwi""e( it, it wou"(n&t o an% further+E/hat&s wronLG Qeno as$e(+ E/h% aren&t %ou usin %our sha(owLG/h% wasn&t his sha(ow )ovinL2o)ethin was strane, so)ethin was oA, so)ethin was wrongF!hink think think think!hink Shikamaru!6hat aren)t you noticing?>is hea( fe"t "i$e it was oin to .urst into =a)es+;ou an( 2o$uF-he fee"in in his ut was .ecause of the)+;ou an( 2o$u+ -he% were .oth (e(icate( )e).ers of 7n.u that specia"ise( inre)ainin "o%a" even un(er (uressF so wh% were the% .oth acceptin Qeno&swor(s so Duic$"% an( so easi"%L7fter un(eroinsuch severetortureun(erhisor(ers,wh% weren&t there an%fee"ins of hosti"it%L?or their fee"ins to chane to a(oration so Duic$"% an( easi"%N it wasn&t possi."e+-here ha( to .e a tric$+ 7 tric$+#ne wor( c"ear"% rose to the forefront of 2hi$a)aru&s )in(+,en5utsuF't was a nin*utsu that )anipu"ate( %our thouhts an( p"une( %ou into (e"usions+;ou an( 2o$u "oo$e( "i$e the% were un(er a en*utsu+'n that case, then was 2hi$a)aru un(er the en*utsu tooL-hat was pro.a."% the case+Hut, en*utsu was a (ou*utsu, a techniDue roote( in the e%es+ 7 pri)e exa)p"e ofthat was @onoha&s Bchiha c"an, an( their specia" sharinan e%es, a ."oo("ine "i)itthat "et the) p"une their opponents into a en*utsu+-he inci(ent at the p"ae cou"(n&t thin$+ >is thouhts were s"uish+/hen %ou were cauht in a en*utsu, %ou a"wa%s nee(e( so)eone e"se to he"p%ou escape it+ Hut .oth his co)ra(es were a"rea(% we"" un(er Qeno&s rasp+2hi$a)arufe"t"i$ehewaswa"$inthrouhathic$an()ur$%swa)p, s"ow"%sin$in in (eeper an( (eeper+ 'n the en(, he $new his hea( was oin to o (ownun(er as we""+ 2oon, he was oin to fa"" co)p"ete"% un(er Qeno&s contro"+E' rea""% can&t stan( thisFG 2hi$a)aru&s thouhts he"p"ess"% fe"" out of his )outh+Qeno was "oo$in at hi) with victorious e%es+ 6ven now, 2hi$a)aru&s sha(owDuivere( )ere inches awa% fro) the )an&s feet+E/ou"(n&t %ou "i$e to *ust ive in nowLG>is voice was ent"e an( soothin+ 2hi$a)aru cou"( fee" his who"e .o(% )e"tinaainstthe war)th of it+-here)ainin s"iversof hisconscious were s"ippinawa%F-he true nature of Qeno&s en*utsuF7 vaue answer ha( .een )ateria"isin in the (epths of 2hi$a)aru&s )in(, .ut.efore it cou"( )anifest c"ear"%, he erase( it of his own free wi""+>e (i(n&t care an%)ore+Chapter #ourteenECo)e now, 2hi$a)aru+GQeno he"( out his han(+7s "on as 2hi$a)aru ra..e( ho"( of that han(, then he&( .e co)forta."e+>e wou"(n&t have to thin$ a.out trou."eso)e thins an%)ore+2hino.i wou"( overn the wor"(Fthat was how thins were suppose(to .e, aftera""+7s "on as he too$ that han(,ever%thin wou"( .e eas% aain+>e wou"(n&t have to .e confuse(an%)oreFE4et&s o toether+G Qeno&s voice fe"t "i$e it was pressin (own on 2hi$a)aru&sspine+2hi$a)aru s"ow"% "ifte( his riht han(, reachin out to the wi(e pa") oAere( an(waitin to enu"f hi)+-heir fnertips were *ust a.out to .rush-Hut there was so)ethin nois% happenin .ehin( hi)F-he sa)e )o)ent he thouht that, 2hi$a)aru&s .o(% was su((en"% .ein "ifte(up into )i(-air, soarin up an( towar(s the cei"in+ >is .ir(&s e%e view "et hi)seeQenowherehe&("eft hi), .racinhi)se"f aainst astaerin"%reatwin(+ 6ven the 6n"ihtene( #nes at the top of the stairs were stru"in aainstit+>owever, the on"% one risin into the air was 2hi$a)aru+>e rose so hih, he en(e( up crashin into the cei"in+ ?or a )o)ent, his who"e.o(%fe"tsorefro)thei)pact, an(thenthenextthin2hi$a)aru$newthewin( ha( stoppe(, an( he was fa""in .ac$ (own+EQah9G7"thouh he&( attaine( a re"ative"% safe "an(in, 2hi$a)aru&s .ac$ hit the roun(so har( that his .reath cauht in his throat+>e&( .een =un awa% fro) Qeno, a"" the wa% to the other si(e of the roo)+ESHI1A3A=+9G2o)eone ca""e( his na)e in an anr% .e""ow that echoe( across the ha""+7 wo)an&s voiceF7 ver% fa)i"iar voice+E/hat are %ou (oin in a p"ace "i$e thisFLG 2hi$a)aru "eane( up to "oo$ towar(sthe voice&s owner+7wo)anwasstan(inat theha""&sentrance, her ."on(ehair tie(intotwo.unches on each si(e, an( a sharp "oo$ in her e%es+ 2he he"( a iant tessen in.oth her han(s, no (ou.t the source of the win( that ha( ."own 2hi$a)aru upinto the air+-e)ariF++E/hat are%ouspacinout forL9G2he(e)an(e(, EHehavin(iAferent"%*ust.ecauseso)eoneto"(%outo, that&snot"i$e%ou, isitL Iou&rethe)anthat')ar$e(out fro)a"" therest9 Qet aho"(of %ourse"f, %oui(iot9 -hat u%&strou."eso)e "ecture shou"( .e nothin )ore than hot air to %ou9 7) ' wronL2a% so)ethin9 2hi$a)aru9GQeno&s heav% voice was nothin co)pare( to the piercin roar that wasresoun(in in 2hi$a)aru&s ears+ >is e%es were pric$"in+E7hFG-he fo that ha( .een c"ou(in 2hi$a)aru&s )in( vanishe( without a trace+ 7""theforeini(easthat ha(.eencra))e(intohisheart were"ea$inawa%,spi""in out of his chest!'t was an incre(i."% re"ievin fee"in+2hi$a)aru too$ in a (eep .reath, an( then s"ow"% "et it out+>e cou"(n&t he"p .ut .rea$ into a s)i"e+#ne sco"(in ha( "et hi) escape the en*utsuFE/hat&s with %ou, su((en"% showin up an( sa%in a"" those thinsLG >e sai( to-e)ari, ettin up to his feet an( ru..in a han( .ehin( his nec$+E>e%, ' ca)e to save %ou, so %ou .etter than$ )e instea( of ru)."in+G -e)arisai(, fo"(in up her fan an( sta$in it into the roun(+ 2he "eane( aainst it, herchest puAe( out in pri(e+2evera" shino.i were"ine(upinran$s.ehin(her+ -he%a"" ha(the)ar$of2unaa$ure carve( into their hitai-ate+E' cou"(n&t *ust "et %ou (ie, after a""+G 2he rinne( at hi)+-e)ari&ss)i"ewas"i$ethe."ae too$ one co)pose( step forwar(s+2o)e wa% ahea( of hi), he cou"( see Qeno&s sDuarin his shou"(ers an( raisinhis uar(+Ca")"%, Duiet"%, 2hi$a)aru $ept wa"$in+/hen he passe( ;ou an( 2o$u, 2hi$a)aru .rie=% put his han(s on theirshou"(ers+E't&s a"riht now+G >e sai( to the), an( wa"$e( on+/hen there was one step .etween hi) an( Qeno, 2hi$a)aru ca)e to a stop+>e "eve""e( his auhLG 2hi$a)aru cut oA Qeno&s wor(s with a "ou(, surprise( voice+E;einforce)entsL /hereLGQenostare( at hi) with wi(e e%es+2hi$a)arurea"ise( howcrae sai(+ EJah, %ou&ve ot itwron+ -he%&re not reinforce)ents+GEF-hen what wou"( %ou ca"" the)LGE' (unno+ -he% *ust ca)e here of their own accor(, soFGQeno was starin at 2hi$a)aru with )ore an( )ore .ewi"(er)ent+ >e see)e(stunne( at the su((en chane in 2hi$a)aru&s .ehaviour+ E/hatever %ou ca"" the)+G Qeno sai(+ E/hi"e we )a% have receive( a surpriseattac$ fro) these opponents, )% countr% wi"" not so )uch as waver-GEOA+G 2hi$a)aru "auhe( without thin$in+7 vein was startin to thro. in Qeno&s forehea(+E/on&t waverLG 2hi$a)aru as$e(, a)use(+ E7re %ou sureL /hen %our cast"e is ina state "i$e thisLGEMon&tun(eresti)ate)%fo""owers+GQenosai(+ E-he%won&t.e(efeate(.%shino.i of this "eve"+GEIeah, sure, '&"" "oo$ forwar( to seein that+GEJow, "isten, 2hi$a)aru-GEJope, ' (on&t thin$ ' wi""+G 2hi$a)aru ."unt"% sai(, ho"(in out a pa")+ E' $nowthat if ' ."a