"Beisuke!" the casino owner shouted, frustration edging his tone.
When he had hired Beisuke, it was with the knowledge that he was a traitorous ninja from a major village, a detail that made him both dangerous and valuable. Such ninjas were powerful and easy to control due to their circumstances. But now, Beisuke's behavior was worrying.
"They're not here to gamble. They're here for me," Beisuke said, taking a deep breath and steadying himself.
"For you…?" The casino owner frowned, the reality sinking in.
"I need to leave now. Thank you for taking me in," Beisuke said, disappearing without another word.
The casino owner stood stunned. While he was wealthy, he was still just an ordinary man. If a ninja chose to leave, there was nothing he could do to stop them.
"They're gone?" He noticed that the Konoha ninjas had also left, realizing this must have been Beisuke's last act of kindness. Shaking his head, he turned back to his office.
…
On the streets outside, Beisuke, now wearing a bamboo hat, made his way out of the village, seeking a safe place to regroup. His discovery in the River Country left him no choice but to flee.
"Let's talk," a voice called from behind, calm but authoritative. "This is just pursuit and contact, not combat. If it were, we wouldn't be the only ones here."
Beisuke spun around instinctively. In front of him stood Reiki, Tsunade's disciple, and Asuma, the Hokage's son. He couldn't underestimate these two, even if they were young.
"I just made some winnings at the casino and wanted to grab a bite. Care to join us, Brother Beisuke? Surely you wouldn't refuse that," Reiki said with a grin, making no move to attack. Asuma stood by in silence, ready but composed.
After a moment's hesitation, Beisuke nodded and followed them into a nearby restaurant.
Food arrived quickly, and after half an hour of quiet eating, Reiki broke the silence.
"Brother Beisuke, I don't know you well. This is my first mission involving you, and it's not the best way to meet. But I do have my own judgment. Can you tell me the truth?" Reiki's voice was direct but kind.
"You trust me?" Beisuke whispered, eyes wide with surprise.
"Yes, we trust you. That's what matters," Reiki said, smiling sincerely.
Beisuke looked at Reiki's warm smile and glanced at Asuma, whose straightforward expression conveyed both innocence and determination. For the first time in years, Beisuke felt a glimmer of hope.
"I don't want to die… especially not for the wrong reasons. I can fight and die for the village, but not as a pawn, pushed forward by those too cowardly to face battle themselves," Beisuke began, his voice trembling with long-held frustration. "Do you know, I was considered a genius among my graduating class? Before stepping onto the battlefield, I was already at the level of a special jounin. At 19, I had the world ahead of me."
Beisuke continued, his words pouring out. He recounted the moments when he was thrown into impossible situations, used as a human shield by the Shimura clan's operatives. They had let ordinary ninjas like him die while they watched from a safe distance, conserving their strength. He recalled the battle where he refused to face three Sunagakure ninjas alone, a decision that led him to flee while the remaining Shimura ninjas fell.
His defection, then, was less a choice than a consequence of betrayal from within.
Asuma's fists clenched with anger. This kind of treachery—being abandoned by one's own teammates—was more disgusting than facing any enemy. Though Asuma's carefree nature often masked it, he was fiercely loyal at heart.
"Unforgivable. I'll make sure Hokage-sama hears about this!" Asuma said, voice filled with conviction.
"Brother Beisuke, I can help recover your memories," Reiki said. "If you want, I can—"
"Really?!" Beisuke's voice rose in excitement, cutting off Reiki mid-sentence. If he could prove what had happened, he could clear his name. Konoha was, after all, his home.
"But are you sure?" Reiki's expression darkened, his tone suddenly serious.
The question froze Beisuke mid-thought.
"Reiki, what do you mean?" Asuma asked, puzzled. "If Big Brother Beisuke's story is true, Hokage-sama will surely seek justice."
Reiki sighed. "It's up to Beisuke to decide. We just need to do our part."
Beisuke's initial excitement dulled as reality set in. As a veteran of the Second Ninja War, he understood the village's politics. Even if the Hokage believed him, would it change his status? Would he be welcomed back as a hero or marked for life as a deserter? Danzo and the Shimura clan's influence loomed large, and the root organization would not take this lightly.
Beisuke smiled bitterly. "Thank you for being honest, Reiki. I…"
"Let's recover your memories," Reiki interjected. "Knowing the truth matters, even if it's just for yourself."
Beisuke looked up, surprised at Reiki's unwavering expression. Slowly, he nodded, a small smile breaking through his hardened features.
"Alright. I'm ready," he said, closing his eyes in preparation.
"Brace yourselves," Reiki said, signaling to Asuma to be alert.
With that, Reiki placed his hands on Beisuke, beginning the intricate process to unlock the hidden memories within.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 410 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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