Kurenai carefully sliced an apple and fed the pieces to Itsuki, who lay in bed. The usually mature and charming kunoichi was now as serene as a valley orchid, creating a peaceful atmosphere that Itsuki found comforting.
"Sigh, no one came to visit me," Itsuki lamented.
Kurenai gave a knowing smile. "Who are you waiting for?"
"My girlfriends..."
Kurenai promptly stuffed a piece of apple into Itsuki's throat, causing him to choke and then collapse back onto the bed.
"Hmph!" Kurenai snorted, her beautiful face showing displeasure. However, seeing the blood-stained bandages, she couldn't help but soften.
"You're too reckless. This involves the Mangekyo Sharingan. You have no idea how worried they are. How could you still tease them? Aren't you afraid they'll get angry and it'll be bad for you?"
Both Itsuki and Kurenai came from prominent families with considerable power and influence in Konoha. Unfortunately, their elders had passed away, leaving them in a vulnerable position.
Kurenai believed that with both Itsuki and Shisui injukurenai, they should adopt a more conciliatory attitude.
Itsuki mumbled through a mouthful of apple, "If I didn't tease them, they wouldn't know how to bother me."
"And now?"
"Now? Now they're worried I'll go bother them!"
Kurenai chuckled. "What about the Mangekyo Sharingan?"
"What does the Mangekyo Sharingan have to do with me?"
"What are you talking about?" Kurenai was taken aback. "The Uchiha lost two pairs of Mangekyo Sharingan. Do you think they'll let it go? The village won't agree either."
She didn't mention retrieving the eyes. The opponent who could defeat Shisui and Itsuki within the Uchiha's core territory and steal the Mangekyo Sharingan must possess immense power. It would be difficult to reclaim them.
Itsuki smirked. "If the village is dissatisfied and the Uchiha are unhappy, they can go find the Hokage and Danzo. It has nothing to do with me."
"The Hokage and Danzo?" Kurenai was puzzled.
"Yes, don't forget about Wood Release," Itsuki hinted.
Kurenai still didn't understand.
Itsuki explained, "Wood Release can only belong to the Senju clan, just like the Sharingan can only be found in the Uchiha."
"Kakashi," Kurenai interjected.
"Can Kakashi be compare kurenai?" Itsuki shook his head. "Kakashi was an exceptionally talented ninja, becoming a Jonin at twelve. How many others have achieved that in Konoha's history? And yet, he struggled with just one Sharingan. Imagine someone else trying; they might end up joining Kakashi's father."
The Sharingan constantly drained Kakashi's chakra. If not for his extraordinary talent, he would have collapsed long ago. Not to mention, Itsuki's were Mangekyo Sharingan! It was possible that as soon as they were implanted, the recipient would lose consciousness.
Danzo only dared to embed so many Sharingan on himself because he had a large amount of Hashirama's cells in his body to balance the power of the Sharingan.
"Go on," Kurenai urged.
Itsuki took another bite of the apple and continued, "Wood Release belonged to Hashirama Senju. Unfortunately, the Senju clan has been disbanded and integrated into Konoha. Now, suddenly, a Wood Release ninja appears. What do you think people will think?"
"Or, let me ask you this," Itsuki's expression turned strange. "If a Wood Release ninja appears, who do you think he would belong to?"
Kurenai almost blurted out, "The Anbu and Root!"
As a secret technique exclusive to the First Hokage, the appearance of Wood Release would attract the attention of the entire ninja world. Yet, there was no news of it before Itsuki was injured.
Who had the ability to conceal such a thing? Only the two most powerful figures in Konoha, the Hokage and Danzo, could do so.
Kurenai's face changed slightly. "Is it really them?"
Itsuki didn't answer, continuing to munch on his apple. He turned to the window and said, "Don't you bring gifts when visiting a patient, Jiraiya-sensei?"
A figure appeared on the window frame. It was Jiraiya, with the kanji for "oil" etched on his forehead.
Seeing Itsuki with bandaged eyes, he frowned. "How did it get this bad?"
"It's a long story..."
"Then don't tell me!" Jiraiya interrupted. He stared deeply at Itsuki. "Is the Wood Release thing true?"
"Jiraiya-sensei, it's only because we have a good relationship that I'm going to tell you something very serious. Remember this!" Itsuki's expression was serious and sincere.
Jiraiya, however, sensed a hint of mischief.
Itsuki, you know what?
When you're serious, you're either completely unreliable or...
You're about to trick someone again!
Good relationship?
You're the best at backstabbing your friends!
"There is indeed a Wood Release ninja in Konoha. He wears a mask, but I couldn't see clearly whether he was from the Root or Anbu." Itsuki raised his middle finger. "I swear on the name of Uchiha Madara."
Jiraiya's serious expression froze. He glared at middle finger. "If you hadn't said that, I would have believed you."
Kurenai also slapped Itsuki hard.
Pointing your middle finger at me, what do you mean?
Itsuki feigned surprise. "Jiraiya-sensei, does Uchiha Madara have so little credibility in your eyes?"
Jiraiya retorted, "You seem to forget how many times you've cursed Uchiha Madara in front of me."
He had spent more time with Itsuki than Orochimaru. While writing novels together and seeking inspiration (or rather, peeping), Itsuki cursed Uchiha Madara almost daily.
The most memorable quote for Jiraiya was: "Curse Uchiha Madara against the flow of time, curse him down the river, and you might end up cursing our own family."
You do realize he's your ancestor, right?
Jiraiya was often exasperated. Although Uchiha Madara was a missing-nin, he was undeniably a great ninja who played a significant role in the founding of Konoha. Why did Itsuki despise him so much?
"Be careful," Jiraiya warned. "The Mangekyo Sharingan is a big deal. Watch your life."
"Don't worry, Jiraiya-sensei. As long as you're alive, I'll be fine."
Jiraiya's face darkened. He gritted his teeth. "You made me forget that you dared to kick me!"
And it was in the face!
Unforgivable!
"You made me forget too." Itsuki grinned. "Jiraiya-sama had a feast for the eyes. Tsunade-sensei even... Tsk tsk, her dream came true. Do you feel like you can die without regrets now?"
"Bullshit!" Jiraiya jumped up and cursed. "That wasn't Tsunade at all. She discovered us early on. It was just a genjutsu. She was playing with us. I got beaten up for nothing."
Kurenai chimed in, "I remember Tsunade-sensei wasn't good at genjutsu. How did a Mangekyo Sharingan and a Sannin fall for it?"
Itsuki's mouth twitched, and Jiraiya was speechless.
(End of Chapter)