"I only know that kind of power is extremely dangerous. And…"
Itachi looked up at him, his eyes probing deeply.
"You're afraid of the tailed beasts inside me, aren't you?" Shigeo asked calmly. Compared to Akatsuki, who had yet to collect all nine, he was already capable of merging them into the Ten-Tails—a far greater threat than anything they possessed.
Itachi nodded honestly. "Yes. I haven't seen the latter half of the Jūzō Tenkan scroll, but I've studied the first. The unification of the nine tailed beasts doesn't bring peace—it brings war."
Shigeo nodded slowly. "I know. But this power must exist… because I want to live."
Itachi nodded again, understanding. He took a sip of sake before continuing.
"While investigating the tailed beasts, I found something strange. Have you heard of the Orchid Sect? A secret shinobi order living in the western region of the Land of Water. They've reportedly captured some of your Blue Gate members. I'm guessing your Anbu haven't confirmed it yet, which is why you haven't been told—but I can assure you, they're dangerous."
"What?"
Shigeo stood abruptly. He had never heard of such a sect—but he definitely knew about the missing Blue Gate operatives.
And if Itachi had already discovered it before his Anbu… that said enough about their difference in investigative skill.
"I understand. Thank you."
Itachi waved it off. "Don't mention it. If anything, I should thank you for helping with Sasuke. I never thought he'd actually leave Konoha. Looking back now, I was a fool. Even if we abandoned the village, I could have taken him anywhere, raised him anywhere… but—"
He lowered his head, smiling bitterly. "I can't deny it. My bond with Konoha still won't let go."
Sasuke's defection weighed on him.
If the boy had gone to Nanmo, perhaps Itachi's heart would have found peace.
But after what Sasuke said, he couldn't drag his closest friend into the blood feud of his clan.
Between brothers—it was something only they could resolve.
"Time fixes everything," Shigeo said quietly, patting his shoulder.
They drank a little longer, then parted ways.
"Oh, right," Shigeo added before leaving. "Akatsuki already knows you've been meeting with me. Be careful."
Itachi nodded. "Don't worry. They still need me. They won't move against me yet—not until I've captured a tailed beast or two."
Shigeo nodded and left.
…
Land of Rivers, Capital Slums — Blue Gate Headquarters Basement.
Two young women froze when Shigeo entered the room.
"Who are you? Who let you in? Aunt Li, why is there a stranger here?"
They had worked at headquarters for a year, but neither had seen him before.
A plump woman hurried in, smiling. "Girls, don't you recognize this man? This is—"
"Cough, cough." Shigeo interrupted quickly.
If he revealed his identity now, Hongyan would rush back from Ink Village to verify his safety—followed by endless procedures, risk assessments, and protective measures.
He had no patience for that.
Aunt Li caught the hint instantly. If the lord wanted to reveal himself, he wouldn't need me to speak first.
"This man," she said smoothly, "is Amo, subordinate to Zabuza, the Blue Gate's branch leader in western Water Country."
Shigeo blinked. Zabuza's the regional chief now? That was news.
The two women looked him up and down. "So, are you here to submit reports or to collect orders?"
"I need all records of recent casualties and disappearances among Blue Gate personnel," Shigeo said, his tone suddenly cold.
"What? You want classified files? You're just a branch subordinate—why should we hand those over? Those are top-level documents!"
The woman in black frowned. "If we gave files to every branch messenger, headquarters would be chaos."
Shigeo didn't reply. He simply stared at them.
The temperature in the underground chamber seemed to drop.
Aunt Li panicked. "Girls, hurry up and give him what he wants! Zabuza's waiting for those reports in the west. There've been too many disappearances lately—comparing data from all regions might be the only way to find the pattern. Come on!"
Her voice shook slightly.
These two might not know, but she did—the man before them was the Ink Shadow himself, true master of Blue Gate.
The two women—Jade and Ruri—still pouted.
"Hongyan-sama already assigned us to this investigation," Jade said. "If we hand over the files, he'll steal our mission!"
"Exactly!" Ruri added. "We worked our way up from the branch to headquarters. We've been Hongyan-sama's closest assistants for over a year, and this is our first major external mission! Why should we give it up?"
Their pride melted into a mix of stubbornness and indignation.
"Hongyan sent you two to investigate?" Shigeo asked, surprised.
"Of course," Jade said proudly. "All the missing operatives are women. Only female ninja can draw out the killer's interest. And among the Blue Gate, only we know the personnel structure well enough to identify infiltration patterns."
Shigeo frowned slightly. He hadn't heard a word of this from Itachi.
"Very well," he said finally. "I'll accompany you."
"What? Why should we let you? This is our mission. If you slow us down, we'll be the ones punished."
Shigeo didn't argue.
He turned to leave, saying casually, "I'll wait for you at the western branch in the Land of Water. Aunt Li—inform Hongyan I came here. And when they arrive, tell them to bring the files."
"Yes, my lord," Aunt Li said respectfully.
The two young women still had no idea whom they'd just spoken to.
Later, when Hongyan received the message, her face clouded with worry.
Ever since Nanmo Nation had risen and Shigeo's fame spread across the ninja world, her concern for his safety had only grown.
She knew there were few alive who could actually harm him—
But with nine tailed beasts sealed within him, and eyes that held unimaginable power, what if one day the beasts rebelled?
And what of those schemers in the shadows, their endless tricks and traps?
If he were ever deceived, or caught off-guard—what then?
She could only hope her "lord" truly understood how many people still watched over him in silence.
(End of Chapter)
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