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Chapter 25: The Right to Be Saved
The Land of Hot Water lay in the northeastern region of the Land of Fire—a small nation without a hidden village, perpetually shrouded in the misty vapors of natural hot springs. Volcanic geothermal activity had created countless scattered springs throughout the territory, their rising steam weaving endlessly between the tiered inns and bathhouses. This made it both an ideal meeting place for spies from the great nations and a favored trading hub for black market merchants.
The Inu no Yu Inn sat at the end of the town's most bustling street. Legend claimed that long ago, when this was merely a poor village, a dog had suddenly appeared one day. It barked incessantly at a particular patch of ground until the frustrated villagers, led by the village youth, finally decided to dig up that spot.
Whoosh!
Scalding hot spring water erupted from the earth, instantly enveloping the entire village in billowing steam. From that day forward, the village prospered thanks to its newfound springs, eventually developing into the hot spring town it was today. The villagers believed that dog had been a messenger sent by the dog deity, so they named the spring "Inu no Yu"—Dog Hot Springs—and the inn built there later inherited the same name.
Inn Second Floor - Japanese-Style Room
The sliding paper door opened quietly. Hyuuga Hizashi knelt by the window, his black blindfold long since removed, though his pure white Byakugan remained slightly squinted. The extended darkness had left him temporarily unable to adjust to bright light.
Two full days had passed since his rescue. During that time, the black-robed figure had given him only minimal instructions—use a transformation technique to disguise himself as an ordinary traveler. No restraints, no interrogation, not even much conversation beyond a simple "keep up" as they crossed the border to reach this place.
'What is this really about...?'
Hizashi's fingertips unconsciously traced the rim of his tea cup as questions flooded his mind. If the man truly wanted to steal the Byakugan, he could have bound him like Kumogakure had. If he represented another village, he shouldn't have attacked the Kumo convoy so brazenly.
Most puzzling of all—
The robed figure had declared "I'll be taking the Byakugan" when rescuing him, yet hadn't so much as touched his eyes since then.
Familiar footsteps approached outside the paper door, and Hizashi immediately straightened his spine. With a soft creak, that fox-masked figure appeared in the doorway, still draped in black robes, though the oppressive aura from battle had seemingly dissipated.
Hyuuga Hizashi maintained his formal kneeling posture while across from him, the mysterious man settled onto the floor in similar fashion. Black robes spread across the woven tatami mats, the fox mask completely hiding his features in shadow.
The room fell silent save for the distant sound of flowing hot spring water outside. Just as Hizashi began wondering how to break the silence—
"You must have many questions right now."
The masked man spoke suddenly, his voice filtering through the disguise.
"Regarding my identity, I can't give you details." He raised a hand, fingertips lightly tapping his mask. "This face covering can't come off either. If you need something to call me... Menma will do."
"Menma... -sama." Hizashi carefully chose the respectful honorific. After witnessing this man single-handedly annihilate an entire Kumo delegation, he instinctively maintained the highest level of courtesy.
He took a deep breath, white eyes focusing on that eerie mask. "This question might be presumptuous... but what is your objective?"
Unexpectedly, Menma didn't seem offended by such a direct inquiry. He remained casually seated on the tatami.
"No problem—that question doesn't need to be hidden. Strictly speaking, my identity doesn't belong to any hidden village's shinobi. As for rescuing you..."
"It wasn't for the Byakugan."
Hizashi's body visibly stiffened. Those battlefield words—"I'll be taking the Byakugan"—still echoed in his ears, yet now they were being casually dismissed?
Seeming to notice his confusion, Menma proactively explained. "Those words were specifically to make the Kumo bastards think they understood my motives. I committed an act equivalent to declaring war—they'll definitely paint me as some kind of villain."
A soft laugh emerged from behind the mask. "I don't want to be bound by moral expectations. Better to play the role of someone they should fear."
Hizashi froze, realizing that this man who had effortlessly destroyed an elite force was demonstrating a level of calculated thinking far more frightening than his martial prowess.
"Then... what is your true objective?"
Menma didn't answer immediately. He reached for the teapot on the table, slowly pouring tea into a cup.
"Besides the Byakugan, I can't think of anything else I have..."
He paused, his throat moving slightly.
"That would qualify me to be saved."
Menma's fingers lightly caressed the tea cup's rim. "Do you believe it?" His voice suddenly carried an indescribable emotion—part anger, part compassion.
"Sometimes rescuing people... doesn't require any special reason."
The cup was set down with a sharp clink, tea splashing over the edges.
"I simply couldn't stand it." Menma's voice turned abruptly cold. "Couldn't stand those hypocritical bastards using 'national interest' as their banner while pushing an innocent person toward death."
"That's all."
Hizashi's body went rigid.
*...What?*
His thoughts froze completely. Just because... he couldn't stand it? This powerhouse capable of effortlessly destroying Kumo's elite forces had risked making an enemy of an entire great nation simply because...
'A sense of justice?'
The absurd notion almost made him laugh aloud. As someone abandoned by his own village, as a willing sacrifice, he'd now been rescued for such a fairy-tale reason?
Menma saw through his wavering, the mask tilting slightly. "Of course, saving you isn't without benefits for me. But the specific reasons... I can't elaborate."
Silence spread through the room.
Suddenly, Hizashi slowly stood. Under Menma's puzzled gaze, he stepped back several paces, then—
THUD.
His forehead struck the tatami in a perfect dogeza bow. Hizashi's voice was low and trembling. "This debt..."
"Having already resolved myself to death, having already been abandoned by my comrades, I never imagined I could be granted life in this manner."
When he raised his head, complex emotions flickered in his pale eyes. "Regardless of your motives... this life is truly yours to command."
"If you have need of me, Hyuuga Hizashi... will face death without hesitation."
Menma—or rather, Naruto wearing the fox mask—scratched his head in mild distress. He wasn't accustomed to such formal ceremonies. While a life-saving debt certainly merited such respect, having someone solemnly pledge their loyalty felt awkwardly uncomfortable.
Fortunately, Hizashi quickly straightened and resumed proper seated posture. His expression remained calm, but complex emotions swirled in the depths of those pure white eyes.
"I truly want to say that... really, I'm incredibly grateful to you. But... I'm sorry. Even though you've gone this far, my life probably... won't last much longer."
Menma didn't let him continue.
"I know."
The calm voice emerged from behind the mask.
"The Caged Bird seal, right? If Konoha's leadership wants to appease the Raikage's fury, the main branch will definitely activate your curse mark—even though you've been 'abducted,' they'll use the seal to ensure your 'death,' correct?"
Hizashi startled slightly, then smiled bitterly.
"...You truly understand everything."
Menma watched him quietly before speaking. "But even so... no matter how much you try convincing yourself that you've 'accepted death'... you still don't want to die, do you?"
Those words struck something deep within Hizashi, triggering emotions he'd long suppressed.
Don't want to die...' He'd already steeled his resolve, already decided to die for the Hyuuga clan and Konoha's peace... yet in that moment stepping onto the prison wagon, the face that appeared in his mind was Neji's.
'My child... still so young...'
Menma slowly rose, black robes falling silently. "In this world, as long as people have attachments, no one truly wants to die."
His voice carried unshakeable certainty. "Since I decided to save you, I won't abandon the task halfway—I'll see this good deed through to the end."
Hizashi looked up, Menma's figure reflected in his pale eyes.
Menma approached and gently placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't move."
In the next instant, gentle yet profound chakra flowed from that palm, seeping into Hizashi's body like a trickling stream.
The chakra gradually traced out an intricate seal. The pattern interwove like chains yet possessed a unique aesthetic quality.
"This is...?"
Hizashi studied the mark, feeling like he'd encountered similar techniques somewhere before.
Menma withdrew his hand as the seal's light gradually faded. "The moment you feel the Caged Bird activating, use your chakra to trigger this mark."
"I'll sense it immediately. I can't guarantee complete success, but there's at least a seventy percent chance of preserving your life."
Hizashi's pupils constricted slightly. 'Stop the Caged Bird?! Such a technique... really exists?'
"Afterward, once the Kumogakure situation settles, I'll arrange for you to meet your son under the pretense of being 'dead.'"
"My... son?"
Hizashi's voice suddenly caught in his throat.
'Neji...'
That small figure instantly materialized in his mind—stubborn eyes, his never-give-up expression, and how even when exhausted from training, he'd still bite his lip and say "Father, I can continue."
'Could I... see him again?'
This promise was like a key, instantly unlocking emotions he'd suppressed for so long. His throat felt blocked, even his breathing becoming slightly unsteady.
"Menma-sama..."
He opened his mouth but found himself unable to say anything more.
Menma waved dismissively, cutting off any potential thanks. "Until then, stay here. I've already paid for your lodging."
He paused, his tone suddenly carrying subtle amusement. "Of course, eventually... I will indeed need your help with something."
Before Hizashi could respond—
POOF!
With a soft sound, the Menma before him suddenly dispersed into white smoke.
Shadow clone?!
Hizashi remained frozen in place. The empty traditional room held only him now, distant hot spring sounds drifting through the window. Only the chakra seal on his shoulder proved that mysterious man's existence had been real.
***
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