Chapter 19: Really?
"Kakashi, do you know that I have a bloodline limit that can predict a person's future?" Kudo Ryoan said seriously, furrowing his brow.
"Uh, really?" Kakashi scratched his head in confusion.
"Tonight, it will just be the three of us. So, I'm going to speak freely, and you must keep what you hear to yourselves. This is an S-level secret only known to the Third Hokage and Danzo."
As soon as they heard it was S-level information, both Kakashi and Might Guy's expressions changed instantly. They looked at Kudo Ryoan with serious faces.
"My bloodline limit is called divination. Most importantly, when I observed you, Kakashi, it showed a vision of your father dying young. If my estimation is correct, your father will be in danger within the next year!"
At this moment, Kakashi was no longer composed. With Kudo Ryoan speaking so earnestly and having the Third Hokage backing him, the possibility of this being true was very high!
"Kudo Ryoan, is this really true?" Kakashi's gaze locked onto Ryoan's, seeing nothing but sincerity in his eyes.
Not in the mood to eat any longer, Kakashi used a Body Flicker Technique to vanish from the barbecue restaurant. Might Guy, however, was left in utter confusion.
"Ryoan, you said White Fang is very likely to..."
Kudo Ryoan nodded with a worried expression, "Sometimes, I can only see the fates of others. However, I have no power to intervene in such fatal outcomes."
After speaking, Kudo Ryoan placed a pouch of money on the table and pulled the now-full Might Guy out of the restaurant.
The night passed without further conversation.
The next day, while Kudo Ryoan continued to immerse himself in the ocean of ninjutsu, a legendary ninja entered the scene—one whose name alone could cause the ninjas of his village to abandon their tasks.
Since he had been so focused on ninjutsu, Kudo Ryoan didn't realize White Fang had already approached him.
"Lord White Fang!" Although he had a very good relationship with Kakashi, as a member of the Anbu, he needed to follow their rules.
"Come on, Ryoan. The Third Hokage wants to see you, and of course, me too." With an unusually rare smile, White Fang grabbed Kudo Ryoan's hand, and within half a minute, they arrived at the Hokage's office.
Unlike the composed Third Hokage that Kudo Ryoan remembered, his face was now etched with anxiety.
"Ryoan, is what you said about White Fang being in danger within a year true?" Without any hesitation, Kudo Ryoan nodded seriously. What had once been just based on his knowledge of the storyline was now confirmed in his mind.
It was simple: Having used his divination ability on White Fang, Kudo Ryoan was certain that within six months, White Fang would indeed face a life-threatening situation.
The Third Hokage's expression darkened. After all, White Fang was one of the few shadow-level experts under his command. In modern terms, he was akin to a nuclear deterrent! Moreover, he was still a valuable trump card.
"Can we prevent this life-threatening situation?" the Third Hokage could not help but ask.
Kudo Ryoan could only shake his head helplessly, "I can only make predictions; as for fate, everyone must submit to it and has no other choice!"
White Fang, who had been silent, suddenly exuded a sense of determination, raising his proud head to the sky. "Fate? There is nothing that cannot be broken by the knife in my hand, even that elusive fate!"
In just that short time, White Fang, who had long struggled to break through, seemed to have shattered a barrier, his aura becoming as deep and vast as the ocean.
"Ryoan, thanks to you this time. Otherwise, I would have no idea when I could break through," a relaxed White Fang said, cheerfully patting Kudo Ryoan on the shoulder.
"But White Fang, I assure you, what I said is true; you really are in danger within this next half-year!" Ryoan became anxious. Anyone who heard about their own imminent danger would surely think of ways to avoid it, yet White Fang...
"I believe that man can conquer heaven! Alright, Third Hokage and Ryoan. My ninja way is to keep moving forward and never back down!" With such resolute words, the two could only exchange helpless glances.
The Third Hokage instructed Kudo Ryoan to keep today's events confidential and waved them off.
Three months later, at an underground training ground within the Anbu, a four-person squad waited. A standard elite team, consisting of three chunin and one jounin.
The jounin, Yeyama Tatsuya, spoke up: "This is a routine B-rank mission, lasting half a month. We will serve as Konoha's first line of defense along the border, stopping any rogue ninjas or others attempting to destroy the village. Gather outside the village by 8 AM sharp tomorrow!"
Kudo Ryoan, Kitano Miki, and a middle-aged man who looked to be in his thirties nodded.
"Dismissed!" As the words fell, Yeyama Tatsuya disappeared with a Body Flicker Technique. Kitano Miki turned with a smile, ruffling Kudo Ryoan's hair. "Little Ryoan, your big sister needs your protection, you know."
Having grown accustomed to the big sister in front of him, Kudo Ryoan, who often joked with his friends, simply smiled. "Don't worry, Miki! As long as I don't go down, I will definitely protect you! This is the declaration of a man!"
Having seen many strong, older women in his past life, Kudo Ryoan felt no shyness. Just half a month ago, after experiencing the 'aura' emitted by Kudo Ryoan wielding the small Li Feidao, all allegations of him having a privileged entry into the Anbu had been dispelled. The other team members all recognized the strength of this six-year-old boy.
During this time, Ryoan also received kindness from his mentor. Not only healing techniques, but with his innate fine manipulation of chakra, Kudo Ryoan also developed unique insights into Sage Techniques.
Thus, this would be Kudo Ryoan's first real mission outside of the village, and he had some small expectations for it. Collecting his gear at his mother's urging, the most important piece was the six small Li Feidao that could contend directly with mid-level ninjas: his secret weapon!
The night passed without incident.
By 7:30 AM, Kudo Ryoan was already spiritedly standing at the entrance of Konoha Village.