Sogetsu had a feeling this mission would run long.
Before departure, he prepared a few gifts—for the "friends" who'd been so attentive to him lately.
He made extra talismans like Mikoto's and handed them over to the bright-eyed young mother.
"You're too thoughtful, Sogetsu," Mikoto murmured, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, eyes soft with an unguarded warmth. "You're heading into danger and still remember me—thank you."
"Just doing my job as a doctor, Lady Mikoto." He smiled lightly. "If that's all, I should be going."
"W-wait." She caught his sleeve, cheeks tinting. "Come back safe—Fugaku and I… we'll be waiting."
Too ambiguous, ma'am.
Sogetsu answered with a polite, helpless smile and made his escape. Behind him, Mikoto's lips curved.
"Next time, I'll make him call me Mikoto… I'm not that old."
…Charm stats too high. Huge problem.
He wiped cold sweat. At this rate, when Itachi was born, people might call him godfather.
…Not the worst idea?
He shut the thought down and returned to his room.
A chakra presence approached. One snap of hypnosis—the lurking White Zetsu froze in place.
"Come out, Ryōma."
Bugs poured from the shadows and knit into a man.
"Lord Sogetsu, forgive my delay." The ROOT elite knelt, head bowed. "I had to shake Danzo's watchers after receiving your signal."
Ting—
A silver-gray ring set with a blood-red gem rolled to a stop on the table, catching the lamplight. The ruby pulsed with a seducing glow—like a perfect dancer tracing circles in flame.
Even a ROOT veteran went still. Ryōma's breath hitched; heat flushed his face; a greedy impulse spiked through his chest. His hand drifted toward the ring—
Schhk!
He stabbed his own palm with a kunai and nailed it to the tatami.
Pain hauled him back. His chest heaved. One glance—one—and his mind had tilted.
He dropped to both knees, forehead cracking the floorboards. "Forgive me, Lord Sogetsu! I—there was a moment—I wanted to take what is yours!"
No answer.
Pressure gathered like a mountain.
Without a word, Sogetsu slid into that high, distant "Adam" stillness. Killing intent braided with Mangekyō presence filled the room.
Ryōma trembled, blood soaking the mat, sweat chilling his spine. The silence constricted like a hand on his throat.
Stronger, Ryōma thought, half-afraid, half-elated. Lord Sogetsu has grown stronger again.
At last, a voice:
"Don't do it again."
The air thawed. Ryōma exhaled shakily, still kneeling. "My lord… that ring—?"
"A little surprise." Sogetsu tapped the tabletop. "Find a reasonable pretext and deliver it to Danzo."
Ryōma understood immediately. "Yes, my lord. I'll ensure your carefully prepared gift reaches him… properly."
"Go."
Ryōma sealed the ring in a scroll with visible relief, swabbed his blood from the tatami, and withdrew.
Sogetsu stroked his chin. "Here's hoping for good news when I return." A Rank V extraordinary item, priceless and tempting—Danzo should be thrilled. With luck, Hiruzen would have a new headache.
"Huh?" The White Zetsu oozed up from the floor, scratching its head. "I think I fell asleep… Lord Sogetsu, did something happen?"
"No." Sogetsu sipped his tea.
"I heard you're leaving the village?" The creature's tone had grown much meeker of late.
Sogetsu's gaze cooled. "Something you need?"
"N-no. Lord Madara asked… after awakening your Mangekyō, what are your jutsu?" It quickly added: "He said he needs that to plan the next steps."
"No rush." Sogetsu set the cup down, smiling faintly. "You'll see them soon."
…
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 60 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/StrawHatStudios