Two Faces

Hozuki Mangetsu had suffered that level of attack without showing the slightest annoyance. Instead, he said in a tone Kanna hated, "As expected of my target! You're impressive! Looks like all those rumors about you out there were false. With the strength you've shown, that guy Zabuza wouldn't stand a chance against you!"

That way of speaking made Kanna feel as if Mangetsu were saying, You actually managed to hurt me? Impressive!

It wasn't that Kanna was being oversensitive. Honestly, as far as he was concerned, only two or three people in the entire Naruto world had the right to say something like that. Otsutsuki Kaguya was one, Madara Uchiha was another, and Sasuke Uchiha after the Fourth Shinobi World War counted as one. Six Paths Obito was half an example. As for the Sage of Six Paths, Hashirama, and Naruto Uzumaki, they would never say something like that.

How arrogantly confident did someone have to be to use their own strength as the standard for judging others?

But Kanna wasn't a child. He had an adult's maturity, and he understood that this widespread contempt for others in Kirigakure had something to do with the village's education system. Every shinobi here had fought their way to where they were. It was no wonder they could barely speak to one another like normal people.

In other words, Kanna's assessment of Kirigakure was that everyone here was crazy—a bunch of self-centered egomaniacs.

Anyone who hadn't actually lived in a village like this couldn't understand how Kanna felt. The saying went that killing someone was no more than a blow to the head. In Kirigakure, it was more like: I'm honoring you by fighting you. Most people aren't even worthy of facing me. Or else: You can actually fight me? Fine, I'll acknowledge your strength.

Kanna waved a hand, too lazy to say anything more to Hozuki Mangetsu, and motioned for him to get lost.

The matter was settled quickly. Since Kanna had repeatedly gotten into fights despite being warned, he was sentenced to three days in solitary confinement. Though Hozuki Mangetsu had provoked him first, Kanna had still thrown the first punch, so his time in the Juvenile Correction Center was extended by another two months. Amayuri's sentence was extended by one month.

Kanna was more than happy to enjoy the peace and quiet. Someone from the Hayashinaka Clan would arrive soon, and given Amayuri's personality, she probably wouldn't be far behind.

Before entering the solitary confinement cell, Kanna had a heart-to-heart with the warden, Gotō Shinnosuke.

"To be honest, I support the Lord Third and your father," Shinnosuke said wearily, rubbing his temples. "In other words, I'm on your side. But at the same time, I'm a shinobi of Kirigakure. I draw a salary from the village and have to do my job, so I can't help you with this matter. All I can do is remain neutral."

Kanna felt a little warmth in his heart. "That's enough. I think my father and the others will feel more at ease knowing they have your support."

"But most of the time, change is difficult," Shinnosuke sighed. "The only help I can offer is with this so-called 'punishment' you're receiving. My subordinates oversee the solitary confinement cells, and outsiders aren't allowed in, so you don't need to worry about anyone attacking you. And if you need anything, just tell one of my subordinates, and he'll report it to me. As long as it's not too unreasonable, I'll do what I can for you."

"To be honest, I think those clans are going too far. But from their perspective, the Third Mizukage's policies have their flaws too. The existing system has lasted for so many years, which proves, to some extent, that it works. Until the new policies have been accepted, we can't be sure who's right and who's wrong. That's why most people stay out of it—and why they don't dare get involved."

"You need to understand that, Kanna, and think for yourself. Don't blindly support one side or oppose the other just because of your father. Your father agreed to have you sent to the Juvenile Correction Center. Under normal procedures, a case involving a member of the Mizukage Aide's family wouldn't be resolved in a day or two. I think you understand, don't you? Your father doesn't want you caught up in the power struggle among the village's leadership. He wants you to have your own thoughts and make your own choices."

Kanna fell silent. Before this, he really had been just as Shinnosuke had said: he hadn't given the matter much thought. After all, the man involved was his father. Besides, as far as Kanna was concerned, the clans represented a minority, while the village represented the majority. And since those clans had attacked him, he'd struck back at the Security Force without hesitation.

Kanna understood that one had to look at things from two sides, or even more. But actually doing so was much harder.

The Third Mizukage had barely been mentioned in the history books, so Kanna had no idea what kind of person he was. He might become a beloved leader after successfully bringing about change, or he might turn into a dictator who imposed tyranny. No one knew.

It was a clash of ideologies: should one reform or preserve the old ways? Every era, every country, and every village had its own difficulties. One couldn't choose a side based purely on appearances or personal preference.

If Kanna were Hashirama, the First, he could say that protecting the village was right. Even if the village had faults, all one needed to do was guide it and set it right—not overthrow it.

If Kanna were Madara Uchiha, he could say that if the old ways had been proven wrong, there was no reason to preserve them. Breaking the old order and creating a new world was the right thing to do.

If Kanna were the Sage of Six Paths, he could say that everything had a reason to exist and the world was caught in a cycle. There was no need to get caught up in a conflict of the moment. Let things take their course, and time would put everything right.

But Kanna was none of them. He was an unknown, just another pawn in the Shinobi World. He had neither the power nor the standing to get involved.

"Perhaps," Kanna said wistfully. "Maybe you're right about everything. But understanding something doesn't always mean you can make the right choice. This world is full of so many bonds. How could anyone cut them all so easily? Never mind. Shinnosuke, do you know why those clans chose Amayuri and me to target the Third Mizukage and the others?"

"About that..." Shinnosuke paused before answering. "It's connected to something else. A while ago, the Third Mizukage reassigned a lot of people and streamlined the duties of some departments, forcibly stripping the clans of their power. So those clans decided to hit back. They planned to attack you outright or provoke you into breaking the rules, so they could extend your and Amayuri's sentences at the Juvenile Correction Center indefinitely. You're at the age when a shinobi's abilities grow the fastest. If you're kept here and don't receive proper training, you'll fall far behind your peers, and it'll be hard to catch up later."

Children in this world generally matured early. At eleven or twelve, they were already developing their own values and worldview. With their vivid imaginations and strong adaptability, they also made rapid progress in the shinobi arts. It was the perfect time to improve.

Now that Kanna understood the clans' motives, he wasn't especially worried about himself. His future was bright, and this setback was nowhere near enough to hold him back. But Amayuri was another matter. If she lost a year or two, it could have a huge effect on her later development.

Her ninjutsu skills might stop improving—or even decline sharply. Or the constant setbacks might wear her down, robbing her of the pride she once had and the drive of youth. For a shinobi, either could be fatal.

When Kakashi was young, the deaths of Obito and Rin left him dispirited, and his growth in strength slowed to less than half its former pace. It wasn't until he was taken out of Anbu on the Lord Third's orders and became a jonin team leader that things gradually changed. That showed just how powerfully a person's environment and experiences could affect them.

Noticing Kanna's troubled expression, Shinnosuke reassured him. "But there's no need to worry too much. As I said, as warden of the Juvenile Correction Center, I can offer you the greatest help possible here. And your parents asked me to teach you both a few things."

"What things?" Kanna asked, startled.

Shinnosuke smiled faintly and spoke four words.

"My way of the shinobi."