Uzuki Yugao's Choice

Uzuki Yugao, an Anbu Special Jonin.

Su Yu had a fairly good impression of her. He knew she was a Konoha shinobi who repaid her debts of gratitude.

The ordinary shinobi of Konoha and the Anbu could never think exactly alike.

Anbu Ninja had seen the darkness firsthand and had their own opinions about many things.

Ordinary shinobi, on the other hand, trusted Konoha completely.

Of course, that didn't include shinobi with clans.

Every clan shinobi had two things at the top of their priorities: their clan's interests and the village's interests.

Ordinary shinobi had no one to rely on, so they could only put their trust in the village.

In Uzuki Yugao's room.

Su Yu watched the drunken Uzuki Yugao in front of him, without disturbing her.

He simply sat in silence, staring at her.

Uzuki Yugao finished another bottle of liquor, stood up, and staggered toward the kitchen.

Su Yu rose and blocked her path.

"Move, or go get me another bottle." Uzuki Yugao looked up at Su Yu.

"Are you planning to keep drinking forever?" Su Yu asked.

"None of your business." Uzuki Yugao tried to walk around him.

"To be honest, my first impression of you was very good. You fit the image of a shinobi I had in my mind. But now, there's nothing shinobi-like about you. Loneliness and sorrow have consumed you." Su Yu continued to block her way.

"What do you know? Do you understand my sorrow?" Uzuki Yugao lowered her head, her small hands clenched tight.

"I don't. But I know Gekko Hayate wouldn't want to see you like this," Su Yu said calmly.

At his words, Uzuki Yugao lifted her head.

Su Yu met her gaze without looking away.

After a long while,

Uzuki Yugao's expression changed, and she rushed to the bathroom.

The sound of retching followed.

Su Yu went after her and watched her.

When she had finished, Su Yu poured a glass of water and handed it to her.

Uzuki Yugao took the glass and rinsed her mouth.

"Are you feeling a little more sober now?" Su Yu asked.

Uzuki Yugao glanced at him but said nothing.

Seeing this, Su Yu reached out.

In an instant, Uzuki Yugao found herself trapped inside a water prison.

She froze, too stunned to react.

Su Yu held the water prison in place with one hand while using the other to fill the bathtub.

"What are you doing?" Uzuki Yugao blushed.

Su Yu didn't answer.

When the tub was nearly full, he moved the water prison over it and released his hold.

Uzuki Yugao dropped into the bathtub and glared at Su Yu in embarrassment and anger.

"I'll be waiting in the living room." Su Yu turned and left.

Uzuki Yugao watched the door close, then looked down at her clothes.

She sighed and started washing up.

An hour later,

Uzuki Yugao emerged from the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her.

Su Yu was sitting on the living room sofa. When he saw her come out, he looked her over without restraint.

Under his gaze, Uzuki Yugao blushed slightly and headed toward the bedroom.

"Would you like to leave Konoha with me and start a new life?" Su Yu asked.

Uzuki Yugao stopped in her tracks and stared at him in disbelief.

"If you're willing, I'll give up everything and go far away with you." Su Yu stood and walked over to her.

"Don't say something so foolish. Hinata likes you, the Hyuga Clan accepts you, and the Third Hokage placed you in the Hokage Direct Squad. Your future—"

"My future is nothing compared to your happiness. I wouldn't hesitate to choose the latter." Su Yu cut her off and embraced her.

Uzuki Yugao trembled in his arms.

She struggled, but couldn't break free.

"I don't feel any attachment to Konoha. I'm already prepared to leave. The people who killed Gekko Hayate were from Sunagakure—and one of them was a Jonin leading their team. But Konoha absolutely won't investigate the truth behind what happened. Do you believe me?" Su Yu lowered his voice and spoke into Uzuki Yugao's ear.

"How do you know?" Uzuki Yugao asked.

"He discovered some secrets, so he was killed. I know because someone else told me. I didn't tell Konoha because I knew it would be pointless." Su Yu looked straight at Uzuki Yugao.

"Was it really a Jonin from Sunagakure?" Uzuki Yugao's small hands clenched slightly.

Su Yu nodded as he watched her.

Uzuki Yugao lowered her head.

A few seconds later,

she raised it again.

"Thank you for telling me the truth. Don't tell anyone about this. I'll avenge Hayate myself."

"You can't avenge him."

"I... I'll find a way..."

"Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for revenge?" Su Yu cut her off.

Uzuki Yugao opened her mouth, then fell silent.

"I'll avenge him for you. Stay in Konoha's Medical Ninja Department, and when the Fifth Hokage takes office, look for an opportunity to become a Jonin," Su Yu said seriously.

"The Fifth Hokage?" Uzuki Yugao was momentarily confused.

"You'll understand in the future. In return for helping you get revenge, everything you have will belong to me. I'll give you the chance to become a Jonin." Su Yu gently embraced Uzuki Yugao.

"C-can you really help me get revenge?" Uzuki Yugao looked at Su Yu.

The next second,

her eyes widened.

Su Yu's eyes had transformed into the Two-Tomoe Sharingan.

"This is my biggest secret. You're the only one who knows. You're the person I trust most in this world." Su Yu's voice was gentle.

Uzuki Yugao was held in Su Yu's arms, her small hands slowly wrapping around him.

In that moment, her heart was at peace.

Su Yu left Uzuki Yugao's home.

He had shown her that he liked her and told her he was willing to give up everything for her. Her reaction had been just as he'd expected.

She had considered his feelings instead of slapping him outright. That meant they had a chance to move forward.

Su Yu had told her the truth and even revealed that he planned to leave Konoha, shaking her loyalty to the village.

In fact, Su Yu hadn't lied. As a former Anbu member, Uzuki Yugao knew exactly how this would end.

Konoha wouldn't help her get revenge because the village didn't want to start a war.

And Su Yu had given her hope.

The Two-Tomoe Sharingan had also finally put Uzuki Yugao at ease.

Su Yu's trust had driven away her loneliness, making room in her heart for him.

Of course, Uzuki Yugao wasn't in love with Su Yu yet. She merely trusted him and felt some affection for him.

The main reason was the considerable age gap between them.

But that wasn't a problem.

As long as Su Yu put in enough effort, the gap would mean nothing.

Next,

Su Yu only needed to wait.

Uzuki Yugao's choice was crucial.

If she remained loyal to Konoha, Anbu members would come to arrest Su Yu.

If she chose Su Yu, then nothing would happen.