Chapter 29: A Father's Resolve at the Frontline
"Kagura, there's something I want to talk to you about." Shizuma walked up beside Kagura, watching the boat carrying Boruto and the others depart from the Hidden Mist Village.
"What is it?"
Only after watching Boruto leave did Kagura finally respond.
"You're as cold as ever. We were classmates at the ninja academy, after all."
"This time, I'm here on behalf of the Land of Water's Daimyō to invite you to join us."
"As long as you accept, the Daimyō and Lord Ao will support you in becoming the Mizukage."
"Once you become Mizukage, you can take your grandfather's place in protecting this village—and even clear his name."
Shizuma placed a hand on Kagura's shoulder.
"Let me think about it."
Even without becoming Mizukage, Kagura would still protect the village. But to clear his grandfather's name—that could only be achieved from a position of power within the village leadership.
That's why Kagura neither accepted nor rejected Shizuma's offer.
"I know what you're worried about. If you're afraid your hatred might push you to start a war between the village and the Leaf after becoming Mizukage, you can always step down once your grandfather's name is cleared."
Watching Kagura's departing back, Shizuma added one last remark.
By that point, Kagura had already made up his mind.
"Uncle Sasuke, who was that masked man who ambushed us last night?"
Aboard the ship returning to the Leaf Village, Boruto wouldn't stop pestering Sasuke.
"...That's not something you need to know."
Sasuke remained highly cautious. So far, only two members of the group known as S.H.I.E.L.D. had appeared, but he was sure there had to be more.
After all, starting a whole organization with just two people would be absurdly arrogant.
"All right, Boruto. Leave the masked man to Dad and the Seventh Hokage," Sarada said, pulling Boruto by one hand and adjusting the glasses on her nose with the other. With Sasuke returning to the Leaf as well, she was visibly overjoyed.
"But Denki was taken away by that masked man."
Boruto was wracked with guilt. Denki being kidnapped on his watch felt like a failure in his duties as class trip leader.
"Naruto will take care of it," Sasuke said calmly.
They returned to the Leaf Village the same way they had come.
At the village gates, Naruto, Shikamaru, Hinata, Sakura, Shunhi, Kakashi, and Iruka were there to greet the returning group.
Hinata rushed to embrace Boruto with concern, Sakura hugged Sarada worriedly, and Naruto—well, Naruto hugged Sasuke...
Anyway, Sasuke got hugged.
"Let's talk at the Hokage Office."
"Iruka-sensei, I'll leave these students to you."
Without wasting a second, the workaholic Naruto grabbed Sasuke and headed straight for the Hokage Office, with Kakashi following right behind.
"That guy Naruto, honestly... Shikadai, you'd better head home early too."
After giving his son a quick reminder, Shikamaru also hurried off to the Hokage Office.
...
Hokage Office
"In the Hidden Mist Village, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s target this time was Denki Kaminarimon."
"Last time, they acted to obtain the Sharingan and its replication technology. So why kidnap Denki Kaminarimon this time?"
"I don't know what the Kaminarimon family has that would make them a target," Sasuke said, brows furrowed. What weighed on his mind most was the member of S.H.I.E.L.D. known as Flaming Cloud Evil God.
"Hmm... it's definitely strange. We'll have to call in Denki's father soon to discuss this together."
"Next, Sasuke, how's Chōjūrō doing?"
What Naruto feared most was that the kidnapping might just be a diversion—that S.H.I.E.L.D. had other, more sinister goals.
"I've already checked on Chōjūrō. He's not under the control of a Sharingan."
"That's good. Then we can begin preparations for the Five Kage Summit."
Naruto nodded. It wasn't that he thought the Mizukage was easily manipulated, but the Hidden Mist did have a history of Mizukage being controlled. And frankly, among the five villages, their Kage had always been the weakest.
The Five Kage Summit was something Naruto and Shikamaru had discussed and decided on.
This time, the summit would abandon the old-fashioned face-to-face meetings in favor of a modern, online conference.
This approach not only saved the time spent traveling, but also allowed the Kage to remain in their own villages, ensuring their safety during the summit.
Most importantly, the summit was to be held in secret—only the top leadership of each village knew about it. The theme this time: peace and development in the ninja world.
Whether it was the mysterious enemies Kaguya feared or the newly emerged S.H.I.E.L.D. organization, Naruto couldn't shake a sense of unease.
He felt it was his duty, while he still had the strength, to build a truly peaceful ninja world for his children.
...
"Mr. Kaminarimon, good day."
Shunhi arrived alone at the Kaminarimon Company's executive office, inwardly sighing at the kind of luxury only the rich could afford.
"Who are you? How did you get in here?"
Denki's father, a square-jawed man, stayed wary of the stranger with a dog's head. After all, he himself had once been a ninja—one who participated in the Fourth Great Ninja War.
And everyone knew there was a big difference between peacetime and wartime shinobi.
This, too, was why the new generation in Boruto seemed so unimpressive.
"I'm the Deputy Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. You can call me Husky."
"Your son has been kidnapped by me. Now, hand over 100 million ryō, and I'll give you your son back."
"Oh, and he hasn't eaten since last night, so don't take too long. He might starve to death."
As for whether to feed Denki? Shunhi didn't even consider it.
Cooking costs money, after all.
Shunhi was all about survival—and making money.
If he saw a single ryō coin on the ground, he'd bend down and pick it up without hesitation.
"How do I know you're telling the truth?"
In truth, Denki's father already believed Husky. But he understood one thing clearly—the more someone says, the easier it is for them to slip up.
If the kidnapper really had Denki, he'd want to prove it to get the ransom.
But Shunhi wasn't a normal kidnapper—he was one who only cared about money.
"Fine, let's switch things up."
"If you don't give me the 100 million ryō now, not only will your son never come back, you'll die right here too."
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