Old Age Brings Wisdom

Seeing Shiraishi Yoshijo remain silent, Takemoto Anna found it difficult to point at his nose and call him worse than a pig or a dog.

"I heard you clashed with Hanzo of the Salamander during your mission this time?"

Shiraishi Yoshijo rolled his eyes a few times and sighed helplessly, "Did that woman Hanari report the news to you people so quickly?"

"She was assigned to protect and monitor you in the first place; naturally, she has to report such major events to us immediately."

"Fine, fine. So what if I clashed with Hanzo? Is it really worth making such a fuss that I didn't defeat him?"

Shiraishi Yoshijo truly didn't think this was a big deal; compared to the future cheaters, Hanzo was nothing more than a small fry.

To make a grand spectacle out of clashing with a small fry was simply embarrassing to the extreme.

Upon hearing his admission, Takemoto Anna shouted excitedly, "Hanzo of the Salamander is known as a demigod! How can you act like it's nothing?"

Shiraishi Yoshijo sighed, "So, is this the reason you ran over to my house and smashed the door?"

"Grandfather wants to see you."

Shiraishi Yoshijo: "..."

Takemoto Shuichi had aged rapidly over the past few years; not only was his hair completely white, but he could no longer walk and had started using a wheelchair.

For a man with one foot in the grave to still be meddling in such trivial matters, he really didn't know what to say.

However, since Takemoto Shuichi wanted to see him, he couldn't refuse; in terms of seniority, he was his grandfather's generation.

In the courtyard of the Takemoto Clan, Shiraishi Yoshijo met Takemoto Shuichi.

Takemoto Shuichi looked to be in high spirits today, his face glowing with health.

As soon as he saw Shiraishi Yoshijo, he hurriedly beckoned him over.

"Grandpa Shuichi, you don't have many days left to live, so why can't you just stay idle?"

Hearing Shiraishi Yoshijo open with such words, Takemoto Anna kicked him in anger.

Shiraishi Yoshijo didn't even need to dodge; his body remained completely unmoved.

This wasn't the past, when he used to be pinned to the ground and rubbed into the dirt by her.

Come to think of it, should he pay back all the beatings he took in the past?

Hmm, that was a good idea.

Shiraishi Yoshijo cast a strange look at Takemoto Anna, leaving her feeling bewildered.

"Alright, Anna, you go inside first."

Takemoto Shuichi spoke up, and after glaring at Shiraishi Yoshijo, Takemoto Anna turned and entered the house.

"Yoshijo, I haven't been out in a long time. Come, push me out for a stroll."

Shiraishi Yoshijo walked behind Takemoto Shuichi and pushed the wheelchair slowly onto the main street.

The street was filled mostly with members of the Takemoto Clan and his own kin; seeing Shiraishi Yoshijo pushing Takemoto Shuichi along, they quickly retreated to the sides, bowing in respect.

"I heard you clashed with Hanzo of the Salamander during your mission. How did it feel?"

"You know, just like that. Is this really worth making such a fuss over?"

"Hanzo is known as the demigod of the ninja world. Being able to clash with him shows that your strength has reached a high level; this is a very important matter."

"How important?"

"You've spent five years in the Anbu; it's time to step out of the shadows and into the sunlight."

Shiraishi Yoshijo frowned. Was he asking him to leave the Anbu?

"Grandpa Shuichi, which department do you want me to join?"

"You have to make your own decisions on such matters. I can't manage your life forever."

Shiraishi Yoshijo was somewhat surprised; this didn't sound like something this overbearing old man would say.

"Do you think I've changed?"

Changed? He was practically a different person compared to before.

The Takemoto Shuichi of the past always spoke loudly and forcefully; he would never have uttered such soft words.

"Actually, I know you don't really like me in your heart. You think I'm overbearing and always trying to control your life."

Shiraishi Yoshijo awkwardly scratched his head.

"In truth, I haven't really changed. The way I treated you before was simply because you were too lazy. If I hadn't been strict and used the whip, you would have just drifted through life one day at a time."

"If you had been born into my own family, I would never have forced you to do things you didn't want to do."

"But you are Yukihito's grandson; you are destined to inherit everything of his. That attitude of yours would only have harmed you."

"You should know by now that the deaths of your parents were not normal. I'm not saying this to make you seek revenge, because that would be meaningless."

"I just want you to understand that if you don't become strong, what happened to your parents will repeat itself with you."

Shiraishi Yoshijo listened quietly, without any intention of refuting him.

"Fortunately, your talent is astonishing, but your strength is growing in a rather abnormal way. Tell me honestly, how many Butterfly Seeds are you raising now?"

"Four."

Shiraishi Yoshijo's answer made Takemoto Shuichi sigh.

"As expected. Your grandfather also raised four; he lived to be fifty-three. How long do you think you'll live?"

Shiraishi Yoshijo fell silent.

"Once you come of age, marry Anna. Leave behind an heir early so your family line doesn't go extinct."

Shiraishi Yoshijo didn't show much emotional fluctuation upon hearing such words.

With his intelligence, if he hadn't already guessed this would happen, he might as well be dead.

"Grandpa Shuichi, let's forget about that. Being with me will only bring her misfortune."

"No one will find happiness; such a marriage is simply dreadfully dull."

Takemoto Shuichi chuckled and said, "Is that so? Can you tell me what you truly think in your heart?"

Shiraishi Yoshijo remained silent, saying nothing.

"Revenge, defection, or perhaps the destruction of Konoha?"

Hearing Takemoto Shuichi say such things with a smile, Shiraishi Yoshijo raised an eyebrow.

"When did you figure it out, Grandpa Shuichi?"

"Just now."

Shiraishi Yoshijo was stunned for a moment, having no idea what flaw he had revealed.

"You really are just a child!"

"You know full well that the Butterfly Seeds devour life force, yet you insist on raising so many, and you have no desire for fame or fortune. Can you tell me why?"

"Because you have another goal. Aside from those, I truly cannot think of any other possibility."

The corner of Shiraishi Yoshijo's mouth twitched slightly. Indeed, the older the ginger, the spicier it gets; he had discerned his intentions from just a few words.

Old age brings wisdom, indeed!

In truth, he wanted to say that he was forced to raise so many, but he also knew that even if Mei hadn't forced him, he might have done it voluntarily anyway.

Life is rarely satisfactory, and there are few things one can share with others.

"Since you've guessed it, Grandpa Shuichi, why do you still want me to marry sister Anna?"

"Whether it's revenge or defection, even if I really were to destroy Konoha, what does that have to do with you wanting me to marry Anna?"

Shiraishi Yoshijo's expression turned strange.

No matter which of those three possibilities he chose, he was destined to be hunted for the rest of his life.

To let his own granddaughter marry such a person—was there something wrong with his head?

"Grandpa Shuichi, I don't understand what you mean, and isn't it inappropriate to talk about these things on the street?"

Takemoto Shuichi glanced back at him, then tremblingly reached out and flicked him on the forehead.

Shiraishi Yoshijo didn't dodge—or rather, he didn't dare to—and in any case, it didn't hurt.

"There is nothing that cannot be said to others. In life and in action, one must be magnanimous. Look at how cowardly you are; if you're going to do it, why be so timid and hesitant?"

Shiraishi Yoshijo: "..."

"A real man should stand tall and upright in life, and have no regrets in death."

"Furthermore, you are striving for your own goals, so what is there to hide?"

"You're just making people look down on you for nothing!"