Chapter 12: He dared to act
The two gatekeepers exchanged a brief look, the unspoken tension between them palpable. In unison, they rose to their feet and stepped forward, tall silhouettes casting shadows over Shisui and the girl at his side, Amamiya Rei. Their presence alone was enough to block the pair's path.
As they approached, the razor‑sharp gazes of the shinobi shot toward them like arrows. Startled, Rei instinctively stepped back, fear flickering within her wide eyes.
In the eyes of the gatekeepers, every movement of the girl before them was tense and uneasy—
like a little white rabbit that had strayed into a den of wolves.
"Shisui, who is she?"
The guard on the left, a man with short brown hair, cast a questioning look at Shisui.
They trusted Shisui's judgment.
Shisui was not only a shinobi but also a prodigy famed throughout Konoha. The gatekeepers had no reason to doubt his ability to discern spies.
It was precisely because of this that the guards refrained from hastily labeling the girl as an infiltrator or undercover agent and instead chose to seek Shisui's explanation.
Shisui's expression was unusually solemn. He understood their suspicion, understood that their interception and questioning stemmed from loyalty to their duty. But this matter was far too important—whether or not the secret of Rei's possession of the Wood Release could be revealed was not his decision to make. The final decision lies solely with the Hokage.
Turning toward the two gatekeepers, "I must bring her to the Hokage," Shisui said, his voice steady. "There is something of great importance I must report. Until then... I cannot say more."
His gaze was clear; his demeanor steady and unclouded, devoid of any sign of genjutsu's haze.
The two guards were well aware that Shisui, a genius of the Uchiha clan renowned for their illusions, could scarcely be manipulated by genjutsu himself.
Judging by Shisui's gravity alone, they could tell this was not a matter they were qualified to decide.
The two gatekeepers exchanged another glance. The one with shoulder‑length black hair spoke: "Wait here."
With that, he sprinted toward a patrol unit not far away.
After a brief exchange, he returned with four shinobi from the patrol team in tow.
The patrol members likewise cast curious, cautious looks toward Amamiya Rei behind Shisui.
Unable to bear the weight of so many gazes, Rei instinctively hid behind Shisui's back, clutching at the folds of his clothing.
Something inside Shisui softened at the sight. He subtly shifted his stance, placing himself fully between her and the patrol. "I'll trouble you with this," he said quietly.
The patrol members merely shook their heads. Without another word, they formed a protective ring around Shisui and Rei, and escorted them toward the Hokage's office.
Throughout the entire walk, Rei kept her head bowed low, one hand still fisted tightly in Shisui's sleeve—
while behind that façade of timid unease, his mind whirled, rehearsing every word, every expression he might need for what was to come.
The Shinobi World War had temporarily ceased. That alone confirmed something—Namikaze Minato had not yet died. The next flames of war would ignite only after his death.
Which meant the man awaiting them now—the man seated in the Hokage's chair—could only be Namikaze Minato himself.
Namikaze Minato...
If Rei played his role carefully, perhaps he could avoid being treated as a criminal, avoid the invasive probing into his mind.
Surveillance, though... That was inevitable.
But to Amamiya Rei, the notion of being watched hardly mattered.
Clack, clack, clack...
The rhythmic tap of wooden geta echoed against stone steps, unnervingly loud in the hush of his thoughts.
He raised his eyes and glanced at Shisui ahead of him—just as Shisui came to a halt and turned back to look at him.
"Rei, don't be afraid."
There was reassurance in Shisui's gaze.
Creak—
The vermilion double doors swung open before Rei.
Shisui's hand, warm and steady, closed tightly around Rei's own.
Rei's gaze dropped toward their joined hands, a massive question mark flashing through his mind.
When did Shisui grab my hand?
What if our palms get sweaty—how disgusting would that be?
Wait, no—I'm a demon now. I don't even sweat!
Then it's Shisui's sweat.....That's even worse!
Horrified by the thought, Rei hastily yanked his hand free.
Shisui froze, stunned by the rejection.
It felt like being stabbed in the chest; the color drained from his face.
His gaze lingered on Rei's indifferent profile, pain surging in his heart.
Rejected again... Rei still hasn't forgiven me.
Of course not. He had betrayed Rei's trust, shattered the peaceful life Rei once had, and—ignoring Rei's will—dragged her into a world utterly unfamiliar.
How could Rei possibly forgive him so easily?
"Shisui, welcome back."
The warm voice drifted from beyond the doorway before they had even stepped inside, gentle as spring wind.
The tension wound tightly around their hearts loosened involuntarily.
Rei's head lifted, eyes falling upon the figure seated behind the grand desk directly opposite the entrance.
Rei's gaze lingered on him, discreetly sweeping from head to toe.
Golden hair that defied gravity, fair skin. Clear blue eyes, calm and warm. A white Hokage's cloak draped elegantly over broad shoulders.
There was no mistaking it—the fastest man among the Hokage: Namikaze Minato.
The moment Rei's eyes met Minato's, they quickly lowered again. His hands twisted the hem of his kimono anxiously.
His nervousness and unease did not escape Minato's notice. There was no surprise in Minato's eyes; behind him stood an ANBU operative wearing a mask.
Even before Shisui arrived, ANBU had already reported the incident at Konoha's gates to Minato.
Once Shisui and Rei were escorted inside, the four patrollers quietly withdrew.
Carefully, Shisui extended his hand once more and guided Rei into the office.
Within the Hokage's office, only four remained: Rei, Minato, Shisui, and the masked ANBU standing behind Minato.
"Hokage‑sama."
Shisui bowed his head respectfully.
Minato's lips curved in a faint smile, voice kind yet firm. "Shisui. Speak freely. You insisted on bringing someone from beyond the village walls to me... I trust you have good reason."
As he spoke, Minato's gaze shifted toward Rei.
Shisui nodded, briefly glancing at the ANBU behind Minato, and then solemnly said, "Hokage‑sama, Rei possesses the Wood Release kekkei genkai."
A single sentence stirred an enormous wave.
"What!"
The moment Shisui's words fell, Minato's eyes widened in shock—and even the shadow‑like ANBU behind him tensed visibly.
Minato stared at Shisui; his initial astonishment hardened into seriousness. He knew Shisui would never utter something baseless, yet he still needed to confirm the grounds for such a claim.
Under Minato's steady gaze, Shisui continued:
"Rei can create vines and has exceptionally strong regenerative abilities. She can also perform medical ninjutsu. It is highly likely that her mother was a descendant of the Senju clan."
Vines. Regeneration. Medical ninjutsu. Senju bloodline...
These reasons were, in truth, more than sufficient.
Minato rose from his seat and stepped forward.
With each pace, the oppressive aura of a powerful shinobi pressed down upon them—
but that was not what drew Rei's focus.
Rei's eyes were fixed, unblinking, on Minato's arm.
Just one bite... How much nourishment would that give me?
Even the thought alone made Rei's mouth water.
Of course, he knew better than to act on it—
...or perhaps not.
Because Rei didn't merely think about it.
He dared to act.
***