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The eastern horizon began to lighten.
At this early hour, Shiraishi had already immersed himself in the hot spring, his eyes closed in bliss as white mist wafted from the water.
The hot spring maintained a temperature of about 40 to 45 degrees, just perfect - not too hot, not too cold.
Amid this peaceful moment, he heard the gentle sound of flowing water nearby. Opening his eyes, he beheld a young woman with long, straight black hair and captivating beauty. She wasn't wearing a bath towel, but the thick mist obscured his view.
Combined with the rising morning sun, she had an almost ethereal quality, like the light of original sin that prevented people from being entirely honest with each other.
Step by step, she approached him, reaching his back, and began to gently massage it. Her fingers were so soft and delicate that they easily breached Shiraishi's defenses.
"How does it feel?"
"Very relaxing."
"Then... do you want something even more relaxing?"
Something more relaxing? What could that be?
Shiraishi struggled to suppress the restlessness within him, as if his heart were about to leap out of his throat.
"Let's continue from where we left off last night, to be completely honest with each other."
She stretched her arms around him from behind, embracing his body. A faint fragrance filled the air, but strangely, it made his breathing uncomfortable.
Her hands slowly moved upwards, reaching his neck.
"Wait, you're holding me a bit too tightly. Loosen up..."
"Isn't this what you desired? To belong to me completely..."
Her grip tightened, and Shiraishi found it increasingly difficult to breathe. His face turned crimson, as if he were being suffocated.
...
Opening his eyes from the bed with his head covered in cold sweat, Shiraishi looked at the pale sky outside, and it was already dawn.
"Truly, what a strange dream. I was wondering why Ruri would transform into such a terrifying appearance, but it was just a dream. Well, that's a relief..."
However, the sensation of being strangled, the feeling of imminent suffocation, still clung to him, unsettling his mind. He no longer knew if this was a dream or a nightmare.
After breakfast, Shiraishi handed the tools he'd made for Ruri the previous day to her.
"Here you go, these are the chakra flow suppression tools you requested. When you wear these, the flow of chakra in your body will slow down significantly, like a turtle's pace. However, remember, your opponents are ninja, so don't push them too hard during training."
Ruri examined the three metal bracelets in her hand and nodded in understanding.
"Something to note is that you shouldn't wear these for more than three hours a day, and even two hours is pushing it. If you exceed this time, you risk injury."
"Is it that serious?"
"If chakra flow slows down for an extended period, it might not affect your daily life, but when you engage in physical activity or ninjutsu, it could harm your body."
"Will using these during training be effective for me?"
Ruri asked with interest.
"If it were you, a bracelet of this level would be easily shattered. Your chakra is too strong, unless you use a stronger level of restriction bracelet."
"Make one for me."
"That's not a problem."
Shiraishi nodded. It was similar to weight training. You trained with weights on, and when you fought, you removed them. While he didn't have control over everything else, chakra speed would undoubtedly surge.
Training with a restriction bracelet was like adding weight to chakra. It bogged down the control and release of chakra, making movement difficult.
When you finally reached the peak state while wearing the bracelet and then removed it, chakra control, explosive power, flow speed, as well as the speed and strength of ninjutsu, would greatly improve.
However, the restriction bracelets were designed to limit ninja at different levels. They wouldn't work on Ruri. Her chakra explosive power as a Jounin was incomparable to that of lower-level ninja.
"I'll be going now," Ruri said, standing still and looking at Shiraishi intently.
Shiraishi was momentarily stunned, then he understood, stepped forward, and embraced Ruri, kissing her in the corridor.
Their passionate exchange lasted until Ruri was out of breath. With a slightly flushed face, she left, satisfied.
Afterwards, Shiraishi returned to the laboratory. While experimenting with the fusion of chakra and natural energy, he began crafting the chakra restriction bracelet Ruri needed.
If restriction bracelets were ranked, he'd made a second-level one before, but the bracelet suitable for Ruri should be at least eighth level. From the sixth level onwards, only Jounin could handle them.
.......
Hokage Building, in the office.
Ruri was there to accept a mission.
Taking the mission scroll from the Hokage, Ruri unrolled it and read its contents. It was a C-rank protection task. The client, a merchant from the Land of Mountains, sought to transport a batch of medicinal materials purchased from the Land of Fire back to the capital of the Land of Mountains for sale. He'd issued a C-level protection mission to Konoha, with a reward of 40,000 ryo.
Among C-level missions, this was relatively well-rewarded. The highest level for C-rank missions only offered 50,000 taels.
"What do you think?" Hiruzen asked the Uchiha girl before him, feeling somewhat emotional.
"No problem. If any issues arise during the mission, I'll handle them promptly."
Ruri put the scroll away and replied confidently. Hiruzen nodded in approval.
Ruri's previous mission client had lied to her about the mission's level, and she had faced conflicts with other ninja during the assignment.
Upon discovering this lie, Ruri made a resolute decision to abandon the client, even in the face of their pleas and protests. She led her three genin back to Konoha, leaving the client to fend for themselves.
It's crucial for mission clients to act with integrity, as dishonesty can result in losses for Konoha's ninja, or even put their lives at risk. When basic integrity is compromised, it's the right choice to terminate the mission promptly and leave the client behind.
"Hm..."
As Ruri prepared to depart, Hiruzen's voice reached her ears from behind.
"Is there anything else you wish to discuss, Hokage-sama?" Ruri turned to face him, her demeanor neither humble nor overbearing, devoid of fear or reverence; it was strictly business.
Their relationship was purely that of a superior and subordinate, without any personal connection. Ruri had no interest in engaging in meaningless conversations with the village's senior officials, who, like some high-ranking Uchihas, harbored dreams of making an Uchiha the Hokage. She found their innocence and arrogance amusing.
Konohagakure had become stagnant, with politics driven by power and profit. It was a stark contrast to the vibrant village it used to be.
Hiruzen couldn't help but express his curiosity. "I want to ask, has something happened to you? I have a feeling that something about you has changed today."
Usually, he could only perceive a cold and heavy aura emanating from the genius Jounin. But today was different, and it interested him.
"You are worrying too much, Hokage-sama. If there is nothing else, I'm leaving. I still have missions to complete."
Breathing out lightly, Hiruzen looked out the window a little melancholy.
Ruri's attitude didn't really make him feel anything. In fact, the reason for the other party's indifference was also inseparable from their high-level decision.
But all this is for the stability of Konoha.
Sometimes, it was indeed necessary to protect the interests of some people and sacrifice the interests of some people in order to maintain the stability and peace of the entire village, otherwise enemies would take advantage of it.
Danzo was one
Sakumo the same.
It's just that he didn't expect that Sakumo would respond in such a decisive way. Till this day, Hiruzen still couldn't understand why Sakumo committed suicide.
He should have no reason or motivation to commit suicide.
He just wanted to use Danzo's power to exclude him from the position of Hokage. He would still be an irreplaceable elite jonin of Konoha, and his position among jounin was also unshakable...
Countless reasons has been bothering Hiruzen.
Unfortunately, with Sakumo's death, no one can answer the long-standing doubt in his heart.
Ruri's attitude toward the village's senior management was understandable. However, Ruri would play a crucial role in the Uchiha clan's plan to integrate into the village as a larger group. Hiruzen gazed out the window, thinking about this.
He remembered a time when he'd visited the ninja academy, and it had been quite a while since he'd been there. Speaking of which...
...
While on his way to the medical ninja experimental class, Shiraishi spotted a familiar figure standing in the corridor, appearing to observe something with a pleasantly surprised expression.
"Hokage-sama?"
"Hmmm....."
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, turned in surprise at the sound of the voice and saw Shiraishi approaching. "I remember you were..."
"Hokage-sama, I'm Chiba Shiraishi."
"Sorry, I'm getting old. My memory isn't what it used to be," Hiruzen replied with a kind smile.
"You're joking, you're only a little over fifty years old."
Responding to Shiraishi's joke, Hiruzen smiled and said, "I'm not as young as I once was. I've held this position for twenty years now. I'll finally be able to retire when the next Hokage takes over."
Shiraishi smiled in response and remained silent.
"By the way, what brings Hokage-sama here?"
"It's nothing serious; I just wanted to take a walk. You've been working with Tsunade recently. How's that going? Are you getting used to it?"
"There's no getting used to it or not. After all, this is my duty."
"Don't sell yourself short. Medical ninjas are vital to Konoha's present and future. If I had supported Tsunade's medical reforms earlier, the Second Ninja World War might have..."
Hiruzen's face darkened at the thought. The medical reforms had begun during the Second Ninja World War, rather than a concerted effort to train medical ninjas before the conflict. If they'd decided earlier, the casualty rate among Konoha's ninja might not have been as high during the prolonged standoff that followed when they eventually entered into battle against the Suna.
"It's not your fault, Hokage-sama. The war caught us all off guard. It's the duty and responsibility of our medical ninjas to save more lives during warfare. That's why I chose the path of a medical ninja. I also want to thank Hokage-sama for recognizing the collective efforts of our medical ninjas and elevating our status in the village."
Shiraishi spoke with determination. In the past, medical ninjas in Konoha had not received much recognition, and their status was far from that of combatants. It was only with the implementation of medical reforms that their status had improved, a change that was mirrored in other villages as well.
Tsunade had played a vital role in this transformation. Most of Konoha's new generation of medical ninjas had been trained by her and had saved numerous ninja and villagers in the village. Her esteemed status was undeniable.
"All of this is the result of Tsunade's hard work, unrelated to me as Hokage," Hiruzen shook his head and smiled. It pleased him to see his disciple held in such high regard within the village.
This is necessary for the village's stability. His three disciples have made significant contributions.
Shiraishi stood alongside Hiruzen, observing the children playing ninja games on the nearby playground. He commented, "Children today seem genuinely happy. Unlike a few years ago, when they might have been sent to the battlefield shortly after graduating."
Hiruzen agreed, saying, "Yes, safeguarding these children represents the greatest legacy of Hashirama's Will of Fire to the village."
Shiraishi, speaking eloquently, added, "The First Hokage was a remarkable individual and serves as an aspiration for me. His Will of Fire is a noble principle that should inspire everyone."
Hiruzen smiled, appreciating the sentiment. After a moment, he inquired, "Speaking of the Uchiha, what are your thoughts on them?"
Shiraishi contemplated briefly before responding, "Though some Uchiha may come across as arrogant, I don't believe they possess inherently bad natures. However, the police force often receives complaints from villagers."
He sighed in frustration as he mentioned this.
Hiruzen nodded understandingly. "That's true. The Uchiha also inherit Hashirama's Will of Fire. I hope that one day, the villagers will see them as family and embrace the Uchiha clan."
Shiraishi then posed a question to Hirazan. "Hokage-sama, did you come to ask me about Ruri?"
Hiruzen remained silent.
Shiraishi, with a wry smile, remarked, "I understand that Hokage-sama has a multitude of responsibilities to attend to daily. Why would he be concerned about someone like me?"
He dismissed the notion with a light-hearted attitude, giving the impression that he didn't take such matters too seriously.
"As I said, don't underestimate yourself," Hiruzen insisted. "Being valued by the Uchiha clan's genius is a testament to your exceptional qualities and integrity. In my eyes, you're already an outstanding Konoha ninja upholding Hashirama's Will of Fire."
Shiraishi waved off the compliment. "It's just a joke, Hokage-sama. Please don't take it seriously."
Then, after a pause, he shared his thoughts on Ruri's current state. "Since Sakumo-sensei's death, Ruri's emotional state hasn't been very stable. To be honest, I was also deeply affected by Sakumo-sensei's death initially. However, the deceased are gone, and Sakumo-sensei wouldn't want us to dwell on this."
He continued, "Sakumo is an exceptional Konoha ninja...Indeed. I can genuinely understand Sakumo now. His decision to sacrifice himself for Konoha was driven by profound love for the village. As his former disciple, I only need to understand and carry forward his legacy. It is our duty and objective, as students, to uphold our teacher's will."
Shiraishi stretched his hand toward the sky, as if attempting to grasp something. His bright and innocent smile reflected the purity of his heart.
Hiruzen was moved by this display of comprehensive thinking from the young Shiraishi. This type of thinking was indeed a precious quality that a Hokage should possess. Hiruzen couldn't help but feel that, with such an individual, the Uchiha clan might genuinely integrate into the village and become one united family.
Hiruzen chuckled, expressing his relief. "It seems I was worrying needlessly."
He realized that he might have been overly concerned. With a thinker like Shiraishi, there was little chance that the Uchiha genius would go astray.
Hiruzen had confidence in this.
"When you get married, I'll be there on time and bring a gift for you."
Shiraishi blushed and stammered, "Hokage-sama, you're just teasing. Ruri and I are not thinking about such things yet."
Hiruzen, however, continued with a playful tone, "Seventeen is not too young. I was almost engaged to Biwako at your age."
Shiraishi's shy reaction brought a genuine smile to Hiruzen's face. He found Shiraishi to be a charming and pure-hearted young man. There seemed to be little to worry about regarding the Uchiha genius girl.
He wa really looking forward to such a happy family in the village.
....
"You are really late today"
Upon arriving late to the medical ninja experimental class, Shiraishi explained to Tsunade, "I apologize, Tsunade-sensei. I met Hokage-sama in the corridor, and we chatted for a while."
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Sarutobi-sensei?"
"Yes," Shiraishi affirmed.
Curiosity piqued, Tsunade inquired further, "What did you discuss?"
"Nothing much, just ordinary topics," Shiraishi replied nonchalantly.
"Ah, I see," Tsunade nodded, dropping the subject.
Once the experimental class concluded at 5:30, Tsunade hurriedly left, leaving Shiraishi to assist students who had questions about the class. With his theoretical and practical knowledge, he was more than capable of helping them.
As he watched Tsunade leave, Shiraishi couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. He knew he had taken advantage of her kindness on several occasions. However, it was necessary to avoid further complications. Shiraishi couldn't predict if Hokage-sama would engage him in conversation again soon.
Shiraishi understood that talking too much could lead to unwanted attention. "Shiraishi-senpai, I don't understand this part. Can you explain it to me?"
"Shiraishi-senpai, I'm having trouble with this section."
"Shiraishi-senpai..."
A crowd of girls surrounded him. Shiraishi, feeling somewhat overwhelmed, was simultaneously grateful and bemused. After many years, he finally found himself appreciated by the opposite sex. Being popular with girls was indeed a new and novel experience.
He assured them, "Don't worry; I won't run away. Feel free to ask your questions, and I'll answer them all."
On the Other Side
"Shiraishi-senpai is indeed a gentle person," remarked Rin, who didn't squeeze in with the others.
"Really? He's just a softie. I don't see what's so great about it," replied Obito.
Obito didn't head straight home after school. Instead, he waited outside the experimental class until the class ended before entering to find Rin.
"Obito, that's rude of you to say that" Rin scolded Obito.
That's how it is, Obito thought. This guy is a pushover in the Uchiha clan, acting so arrogantly and surrounded by all these lovely girls.
"Kakashi used to be like this too," Obito remembered with a hint of bitterness.
"Kakashi? Come to think of it, I haven't seen him in a long time," Rin commented.
"Rin, what's so great about a guy like him? He's already a Chunin, too busy with missions. He's probably forgotten about us," Obito said dismissively.
"Obito, you're so two-faced. You obviously care about Kakashi," Rin teased with a secret smile.
"There's nothing like that. I can't stand him. He usually say I'm the tail of the crane; I don't want anything to do with him," Obito retorted coldly, making it clear that "Kakashi and I" were enemies.
"But..." Rin began.
Obito cut her off abruptly. "That's all in the past. Let's not bring it up again."
"Fine" Rin agreed.
Obito breathed a sigh of relief. Then he glanced at Shiraishi, who was surrounded by girls, and asked Rin, "Speaking of which, Rin, why don't you ask for his help?"
"It's okay. I'll go to Shiraishi-senpai's house tonight to seek advice" Rin replied.
Hearing this, Obito's face turned pale, and his heart sank. "Rin... you don't think you like this softie, do you?"
"Obito, what are you talking about? I just have respect for Shiraishi-senpai. Although he's very good, he's not my type" Rin replied, looking at Obito with exasperation.
What's going on in this guy's head? It's like he's missing a few screws most of the time.
"I see," Obito said, patting his chest in relief.
Then, cautiously, he asked, "So, what kind of boy do you like, Rin?"
Rin thought for a moment, then smiled and replied, "I won't tell you."
"Eh? Why not? Aren't we friends?" Obito protested.
Rin blushed slightly and explained, "Some things can't be shared with friends, but I'll always keep an eye on that person."
Follow that person? Rin already has someone in mind?
Who is that person? Obito's heart itched with curiosity, but no matter how hard he thought, he couldn't figure out who Rin might be paying attention to.
...
Hokage Building
"Sarutobi-sensei, please don't involve irrelevant people," Tsunade admonished.
Originally, Tsunade came to find him, Hiruzen was very happy.
Hirizhan's smile faded as Tsunade spoke. He had been pleased when Tsunade came to see him, but her words had changed that.
"Leaving aside what happened during the Second Ninja World War, and Sakumo, please refrain from using such political means. Especially with people like Danzo. You know better than I do what he did in the last Ninja World War" Tsunade continued, her expression darkening as she mentioned Danzo's name.
"Danzo has already admitted his mistake. He has also made significant contributions to the village over the years..." Hiruzen began, but Tsunade's disapproval was evident.
"You've pampered him too much, Sensei," Tsunade stated firmly.
"Tsunade, the village needs Danzo. I've decided to have Orochimaru monitor Danzo's actions," Hiruzen explained.
"Orochimaru? Is he joining the Root?" Tsunade inquired, her brow furrowing.
"He's not joining, strictly speaking. He's taking extreme actions to oversee Danzo," Hiruzen clarified.
Tsunade thought for a moment. This approach seemed to have its merits. She realized that Hiruzen had become adept at balancing Konoha's internal situation in recent years, although she wasn't sure if it was ultimately good for the village's future.
"All of this is for the village's future," Hiruzen stated.
Tsunade nodded, acknowledging the sentiment. "You still prefer this sort of compromise and balance."
It had been the same in the past, but Tsunade had observed that Hiruzen's methods for maintaining balance within Konoha had become more proficient over the years. She wasn't sure if this was ultimately beneficial for the village's future, but it had prevented internal chaos.
"Everything I do is for the village's sake," Hiruzen replied.
"Well, I can't convince you. But, no matter how you plan to handle the Uchiha matter, please don't involve irrelevant people. That kid is not suitable for such things as politics. It's like Sakumo who was forced to commit suicide by you. Let him go."
Tsunade already had a pleading look on her face.
Hiruzen fell silent when he heard what Tsunade said.
"I promise you, I won't go to him again."
Thinking of what Shiraishi had said to him before, Hiruzen felt that the problem wasn't that big.
'That boy will guide Uchiha Ruri to become part of Konoha.'
This will also indirectly ease the relationship between Uchiha and the village, and even get along harmoniously.
"Thank you"
Tsunade bowed slightly. As Tsunade was about leaving. Hiruzen inquired, showing concern.
"By the way, is your illness still not cured?"
Tsunade knew what Hiruzen was asking, sigh
ed lightly, and shaking her head.
"Really? No matter what, Konoha is your home, don't bear these pains alone."
"I know. I will train more medical ninjas for the village, in order not to make people feel the pain of losing their loved ones, and to save more lives..."
Hiruzen nodded in understanding as Tsunade left, watching her with a mixture of respect and concern.