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As they left the village, Horyu subtly activated his newly acquired skill, Eagle Eye, scanning their surroundings for any signs of followers. The skill allowed him to detect even the faintest chakra signatures from a distance, ensuring their path was clear of any potential threats. Seeing no one, he sighed in relief and steered Ino towards the direction he had meticulously planned in advance. There was no actual intel or buried scroll; it was all a fabrication, a shadow play orchestrated by Horyu to serve multiple ends. Silently, he created a Shadow Clone, sending it ahead, while he walked alongside Ino, engaging her in conversation.
Ino, slightly bashful yet carrying an air of newfound confidence, glanced at Horyu as they walked. "So, this technique we're after, it sounds like it could be really important for my clan," she ventured, her curiosity evident in her voice.
Horyu nodded, keeping his tone casual yet engaging. "It could be. The Yamanaka have always had a unique set of skills; enhancing them could only make Konoha stronger," he said, subtly reinforcing the importance of the mission, and by extension, his role in it. He was keen on ensuring Ino saw him not just as a partner in the mission but as someone who genuinely cared for the welfare of her clan and Konoha.
Ino then said, "Do you think our clans can co-exist?" Her voice carried a mix of hope and uncertainty, reflecting the complexities of their clans' histories and the potential for their future together.
Horyu smiled, his expression genuine but carrying an undercurrent of his own agenda. "Ino, I'm not doing this for the Clan. I'm bound by the Clan's rules, but as I said before, if you and I aren't okay with the idea, I would call off this engagement without hesitation. I'm doing this for you."
His words were calculated, designed not just to reassure Ino but to subtly nudge her towards seeing beyond clan loyalties, towards a future shaped by their choices, not dictated by tradition or duty. "Our clans have their strengths, their traditions. But you and I, we can build something different, something new. It's about us, not just the Uchiha or the Yamanaka."
Ino tilted her head, the sunlight casting shadows that played across her thoughtful expression. "But aren't we working for the prosperity of the clan and village? For future generations?" she queried, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and a hint of challenge.
Horyu shook his head, a subtle gesture that carried a world of meaning. "Future cannot exist without the past. The stronger the past is, the more stable the future will become. You cannot create a strong generation without having a solid foundation. That requires educated and strong people. The clan, the village, and the people are important, yes, but they are not as important as 'I'," he articulated, emphasizing the last word with a pointedness that invited further inquiry.
Ino, caught off guard by his emphasis, asked, "You?"
Horyu chuckled softly, the sound almost lost amidst the rustling leaves around them. "No, not me, 'I'. Ino, for you it is Ino, for me, it is Horyu. Selfishness, to a certain degree, is not a bad thing."
His words, carefully chosen, danced on the edge of controversy and wisdom. They were designed to plant seeds of thought in Ino's mind, gently nudging her towards a perspective that valued individuality and personal growth alongside—and perhaps even above—traditional loyalties to clan and village.
"Ino, think about it. We're more than just pieces of a larger whole. Yes, working towards the prosperity of our clan and village is noble, but not at the expense of losing ourselves in the process," Horyu continued, his gaze fixed on the path ahead, yet keenly aware of Ino's reactions beside him.
Ino pondered his words, the concept of prioritizing 'self' over the collective—a notion often downplayed in shinobi society—stirring something within her. "I've always been taught to put the clan and village first. It's... a bit of a shift to think of 'I' in that context," she admitted, her voice tinged with the uncertainty of exploring uncharted territories of thought.
Horyu nodded, understanding the depth of the shift he was proposing. "It is a shift, Ino. But consider this: by strengthening ourselves as individuals, we bring even more to our clan and village. It's not about discarding our duties or loyalties; it's about ensuring we're at our best, so we contribute even more effectively."
Ino, after walking in silence for a while, turned to Horyu with a question that seemed to have been lingering in her mind. "And how will we achieve that?" Her curiosity was evident, seeking to understand the practical steps towards the individual strength Horyu emphasized.
Horyu, seizing the opportunity to further mold her perspective, responded with a question of his own, "We studied the first and second Hokage at the Academy. Why do you think they were strong?" His tone was conversational, yet it carried an undercurrent of leading her towards a realization.
Ino pondered for a moment before replying, "Bloodline?" It was a common assumption, given the prominence of bloodline limits in the strength of many renowned shinobi.
Horyu nodded in acknowledgment of her answer but then added, "That is only one aspect of it, but also techniques. The Second Hokage, creator of tens of original Jutsu, was on par with the strongest characters of his era. But why didn't he share those Jutsu with others?" His question was rhetorical, aimed at provoking deeper thought.
Ino, caught in the flow of their discussion, ventured, "Not everyone can use them?" Her response reflected the typical understanding of shinobi techniques and their limitations.
Shaking his head, Horyu clarified, "Ino, your clan uses Yin Release for your Mind Jutsu. It is not a bloodline limit, so won't people that excel in Yin Release be able to use them?"
Ino's expression showed her processing the information, a light of understanding beginning to dawn. "They can. That's why my clan keeps them secret for generations," she said, her voice carrying a newfound appreciation for the nuances of shinobi knowledge and its protection.
Horyu smiled, pleased with her progress. "That's the reason. Clans, on a larger scale, are individual entities. In the Warring Era, collective groups came together to have a chance against stronger people. The Second Hokage similarly didn't want his techniques to fall into enemies' hands, thus he kept them secret. The scale of individuality or selfishness might change, but the idea is the same." His explanation was clear, painting a picture of the shinobi world that was both complex and deeply rooted in the preservation of power.
Ino nodded slowly, her understanding deepening. "So, what you're saying is, by focusing on strengthening ourselves, we're actually following a tradition of sorts. Protecting what's ours, not just for selfish reasons but to ensure we can protect what's important to us."
"Exactly," Horyu agreed, his tone affirming. "Self-improvement doesn't mean we neglect our duties to our clan or village. It means we approach them from a position of strength, not just obligation."
Their conversation continued along these lines, with Horyu subtly steering Ino towards a viewpoint that valued personal growth and strength. He was careful not to outright denounce loyalty to the clan or village but rather to frame individual strength as a means to contribute more effectively to those entities.
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