Hiruko's Swelling

"Where am I?"

Jugo woke from unconsciousness and found himself lying on a tatami mat. Then he recalled the moment before he lost consciousness, and a pained expression immediately appeared on his face.

"You're awake." Haku leaned closer curiously, looking at the tall, burly young man. "Are you all right?"

Jugo laboriously pushed himself upright and looked up. His eyes immediately lit up when he saw Houka standing behind Haku—the very person who had taken him away from the island. Delighted, he asked, "You're okay?"

Houka shrugged innocently. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"But I clearly already..." Jugo stared at him in disbelief. "Can you really suppress me when I lose control?"

"Of course. Otherwise, why would I dare take you in?" Houka said righteously.

He had clearly snatched him away, yet called it taking him in. But Houka felt there was absolutely nothing wrong with his wording. After all, when it came to ninja matters, could you really call it snatching?

"What about that person? Is he okay too?" Jugo asked nervously.

"Don't worry. No one was hurt except you." Houka smiled.

Jugo rubbed his aching body, but his face was full of relief. "As long as no one gets hurt because of me."

"Um, I can help you in the future too!" Haku said.

Jugo glanced at him. He did not underestimate Haku because of his slender frame. "Thank you for the offer, but I..."

"What, do you still want to leave?" Houka saw through his thoughts.

Jugo nodded and spoke bluntly. "Even though you can suppress me when I lose control, only Lord Orochimaru can completely free me from my beastly nature. I have to return to his side!"

Houka scratched his head. When it came to research, even if he combined two hundred Shadow Clones, they would