Seven-year-old Shigeo had not cut his hair for half a year. Long strands draped over his shoulders. Though his eyes stayed half-closed, the Hyuga lineage's sharp features and his own calm, confident air made him striking.
Walking from the town's edge, he drew glances from many girls.
Jiraiya noticed quickly, slung an arm around his shoulder, and bragged, "My student, my student!"
They ate at a restaurant, then soaked in the hot springs. Over food, Jiraiya finally said, "It's been a year since you've been back. In two days the village has some school competition. Go have a look. At least pick up a forehead protector."
"No," Shigeo rejected flatly.
"Why not? You want to be a missing-nin? Don't you miss Ayame and your friends? If you're a missing-nin, even sharing a meal with them won't be easy." Jiraiya bit into grilled meat.
"I already am. Killing a high elder like Danzō—what else am I?"
"What are you talking about? The Third never declared you missing-nin. He told the world he sent you to train. You're still Konoha. What's in that head of yours?" Jiraiya rapped his skull.
Shigeo was surprised. So Danzō wasn't dead? That bastard's life was tough.
"Fine. I'll go back. But I'm not taking the Academy exam." He set his chopsticks down and flickered away, reappearing at Konoha's gates.
In the Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi had already received word. Shigeo had returned.
He stood at the window, wondering if he should greet him now or later—then remembered Danzō.
"Bring Danzō here. Tell him Shigeo has returned." After forcing the boy out, Hiruzen had argued with Danzō, demanding he apologize. Danzō had agreed.
The order reached ANBU. Danzō stiffened at the report. For a long time he said nothing.
"Lord Danzō? Hokage-sama is waiting."
"I know. Leave me."
Forced from Konoha once, then nearly killed by the boy, scolded by Hiruzen for losing talent, stripped of prestige—he could accept all that. But killed a second time, his private collection of Sharingan taken, threatened with "see you once, kill you once"?
And now Shigeo was back. To kill him again?
He touched his right eye, where a single Sharingan remained. Enough for one more life. Without it, he'd truly be finished.
He paced. Last time only loyal subordinates had saved him. Was it already time to die again?
"Monster. That child is a monster."
He locked away his documents, called in aides. "I must leave the village for some time. If Hokage calls, tell him I'm gone."
He slipped out through secret tunnels, fleeing Konoha.
Back in the Hokage office, Hiruzen waited with Shigeo. No Danzō. Another summons brought only the excuse that Danzō had left on business. No apology.
Hiruzen faced the boy, awkward. In a year, he had grown taller.
"On Danzō's behalf, I apologize. He should never have forced you into ANBU. I will resolve this. But Shigeo, the reason I asked Jiraiya to bring you back is for the inter-village junior competition."
"Iwagakure proposed it. I don't think it's just goodwill. They suspect your ties to Konoha, since you've been gone a year. Will you represent us?"
"You think too much. Without me, would Ōnoki really start another war? I've done nothing to them." Shigeo's tone was casual.
Hiruzen fell silent. The office grew quiet. He regretted not having Jiraiya or Tsunade here; their word carried more weight.
He sighed. He had prepared arguments, but Shigeo's distrust was deep. The Hyuga clan ignored him, Orochimaru and Danzō sought his life, the village failed to protect him, even he as Hokage had plotted to use or discard him. No wonder this child no longer trusted Konoha.
Blame lay with Danzō, a man without ability who had postured and cost the village talent. Now he hid, leaving the mess to Hiruzen.
With nothing left, Hiruzen appealed to the bare minimum. "Shigeo, I may not be a worthy Hokage. But admit this—Konoha never let you starve."
(End of Chapter)
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