Escape

Senju Tobirama agreed with Li Ke's views. He just couldn't understand why a civilian ninja like Li Ke would know about these things.

He had built the Ninja Academy himself, and he knew perfectly well that it would never teach such things.

And civilian ninja had no way of coming into contact with these ideas. So there was only one possibility.

"Kid, is your dream to become Hokage? You already think like a Hokage."

As he spoke, he dispelled the jutsu restraining Li Ke, allowing him to move again.

But Senju Tobirama's words made Li Ke jolt. They were hardly a compliment. Thinking like a Hokage? That was how people described Uchiha Itachi. Who was Li Ke to be compared to an idiot like that?

"Not at all. I just like thinking about how the world is changing."

His chakra was almost completely spent. Although Senju Tobirama had dispelled the Shadow Clone, Li Ke still couldn't move at all.

Fortunately, most of the enemies nearby had been dealt with, and the Konoha ninja should have realized what was happening by now. Most likely, they wouldn't run into any more Iwa ninja.

If they really were unlucky enough to meet some...

Then they'd just have to make one last stand.

There was no helping it. His chakra was all but gone. If he hadn't shared his power earlier and boosted his strength, he wouldn't even have been able to support Senju Tobirama in battle.

"People who enjoy thinking usually have lofty ambitions."

Seeing that Li Ke didn't intend to say more, Senju Tobirama didn't press him. As long as the matter didn't involve the village, he could still speak calmly.

"But, kid, I can't possess you forever. You understand that, right? I don't know why you have a secret technique or bloodline like this, but there's no doubt it desecrates the peace of the dead."

Senju Tobirama's voice had turned cold again.

"Once we return to Konoha, I can help treat your heart. If we find a suitable arm, I can help reattach it, too. But even if your heart is repaired, you won't be able to become a ninja again. I want you to be prepared for that."

"I know."

Li Ke nodded. He hadn't been all that keen on continuing as a ninja in the first place. He had summoned Senju Tobirama just to survive. The fact that Tobirama was willing to help repair his heart was already an unexpected bonus.

He'd thought he would have to wait for French Li Ke's Potions or spells and things like that to heal his body.

After all, the wizards in the Harry Potter world were remarkably good at treating physical injuries.

If all else failed, he could wait until a version of himself who could solve the problem appeared. Still, Li Ke knew he should offer Senju Tobirama something in return.

"Then what can I do for you, Second Hokage?"

But Senju Tobirama merely snorted.

"The dead don't need you to do anything for them, and we shouldn't interfere with the choices of the living... I only need to take a good look around Konoha. You don't need to do anything else. For now, get some rest. Your body can't fight anymore."

He knew what his students were like. If he appeared in a state resembling Impure World Reincarnation, they wouldn't listen to him. And he was already dead. The dead shouldn't interfere with the choices of the living.

That was better for everyone.

"I see... That's a relief..."

Li Ke closed his eyes. With almost no chakra left, he couldn't go any farther. Once the adrenaline in his body wore off, he finally began to feel exhausted and weak.

Just as he was about to fall asleep, Senju Tobirama suddenly spoke.

"Someone's coming. Judging by their direction, they're coming from Konoha. You should temporarily withdraw my arm and eye to avoid trouble."

His words made Li Ke open his eyes at once. With a twinge of regret, he nodded and activated his ability, working with Senju Tobirama to undo the Heroic Spirit Possession of his right arm and eye.

The arm and eye, which had looked just like those created by Impure World Reincarnation, crumbled to dust in an instant. Li Ke once again felt what it was like to be incomplete.

He knew it was necessary to fool the enemy and avoid trouble, so he didn't object.

Still, the severely restricted vision made him uncomfortable. Senju Tobirama spoke again.

"Hold your breath. I'll disguise your heartbeat."

Li Ke's heart began beating faintly, while chakra surrounded it and muffled the sound until it was barely audible.

Holding his breath and narrowing his eyes, Li Ke watched the approaching ninja. When he saw the familiar Forehead Protector and flak jacket, he finally relaxed.

Already exhausted, he passed out before he could say a word.

The last thing he heard was—

"Medical team! Hurry!"

When Li Ke woke again, he was looking at the hospital ceiling. A pungent, strange smell filled the room, a mixture of disinfectant, flesh, various secretions, and excrement.

That was what a hospital smelled like.

"So I survived..."

Li Ke couldn't help murmuring. He instinctively tried to prop himself up with his arm, but found he couldn't.

It wasn't because he was tied up. His right arm was gone.

After a moment of silence, his mood turned complicated. The unfamiliar, incomplete field of vision only made it worse.

Apart from a ninja lying in the bed beside his, there was no one else in the room. Only the flower basket and fruit by his bedside showed that someone cared about him.

But...

His younger brother had still gone to the battlefield, hadn't he?

Li Ke sighed. As soon as he did, Senju Tobirama's voice came to him.

"Don't worry. The Konoha jonin who rescued you found your arm, and it was still in good condition. They haven't reattached it yet because your body is too weak, and there are ninja in more serious condition than you. Also, Konoha's medical ninja have taken care of the problem with your heart. You no longer need my help. And although your younger brother went to the front, his assignment is only to transport supplies for the Sand Village."

Senju Tobirama paused, then continued.

"Monkey couldn't exempt your family from the battlefield just because you stayed behind to save his son. But there's nothing wrong with giving them preferential treatment. Now that Kannabi Bridge has been destroyed and Iwagakure's offensive has been pushed back, your brother will be quite safe."

Li Ke nodded. He hadn't expected Konoha's medical ninja to be able to treat an injury as severe as a pierced heart.

Senju Tobirama must have had something to do with it. He had definitely helped behind the scenes. Otherwise, judging by the situation Tobirama had described, they would have given up on him, too.

"I understand. Thank you, Second Hokage."

If he had died, his younger brother wouldn't have had to go to the battlefield. But since he'd survived, his brother had to go as well, if only for the sake of fairness.

Being assigned somewhere safe was already special treatment.

Still, he was curious how long he'd been unconscious. How had Iwagakure's offensive already been pushed back by the time he woke up?

And that meant Uchiha Obito had been taken away by Uchiha Madara, didn't it?

"You don't need to thank me. You're a Konoha ninja, so naturally I have to protect you. But once you've recovered, take me around the current Konoha. Then our deal can be over."

"Still, thank you. I wouldn't have survived without you."

"You only need to keep your promise. By the way, Qingtan... Was your father named Lujian?"

Senju Tobirama's tone was still as calm as before, reminding Li Ke not to disturb him, a dead man. But the question left Li Ke a little puzzled.

The name did resemble the sort of names Hashirama Senju and the others had. But that was because his family had sold charcoal before they became ninja. His grandfather in this life was even named Murata Ho-naka, so his father having that name had nothing to do with the Senju Clan.

Still, if the Second Hokage asked, there must be a reason. He didn't need to worry about it.

He could just think of it as Tobirama checking his background.

So, while answering Senju Tobirama, Li Ke glanced at the calendar on the wall.

"Yes, Second Hokage."

Looking at the calendar, Li Ke realized that three days had passed since he and Asuma had returned. He'd been unconscious for three whole days.

But his condition felt surprisingly good.

Li Ke carefully sensed his chakra and found that his vitality was even stronger than it had been before he was disabled. As a result, his chakra reserves were probably more than ten times what they had been. Once his mind had recovered and his spiritual energy stabilized, that number might rise even higher.

If he'd shared his power with them earlier instead of waiting until he was on the verge of death, he might have been able to coordinate with Asuma and kill all the ninja who'd come after them!

"That's quite a boost."

Li Ke felt a little regretful, but he didn't dwell on it. He didn't plan to be a ninja anymore. Once his arm was reattached, he'd find a way to transplant an eye, keep improving his combat abilities, and help his younger brother and the versions of himself in other worlds.

It wasn't as though he lacked ninjutsu. What he needed was time to build up his strength, not to go out on missions every day.

As for what came next...

He'd figure that out later. Right now, he just wanted to get away from the war and the lousy profession of being a ninja as soon as possible, and take some time to rest and improve himself.

Besides, he could try to get something out of the ninja he summoned, couldn't he? Why risk his life on dangerous missions?

Li Ke recalled how Senju Tobirama had used his body to perform Water Severing Wave. He still didn't understand it very well, but he remembered the sensation clearly. With enough practice, he'd be able to master the technique he'd never managed to learn.

He just didn't know when that shared space would open again. That was a bit of a problem.

Drawing a deep breath, Li Ke struggled to sit up. The moment he did, the door to his room opened.

Asuma and Yuhi Kurenai appeared in the doorway. When she saw Li Ke awake, Yuhi Kurenai immediately dropped the bouquet she was holding and rushed over to him.

"Qingtan!"

Tears filled Yuhi Kurenai's ruby-red eyes. She clutched Li Ke's hand and pressed it to her cheek, feeling his warmth as she wept.

"Finally! You're finally awake, Qingtan! Don't do anything stupid next time!"

Yuhi Kurenai had completely forgotten about everything else. All she wanted was to show Li Ke how worried she'd been about him!

Behind her, Asuma watched awkwardly. His foot trembled as he tried to step inside, but in the end, he came in as if nothing had happened and greeted Li Ke with a smile.

"Thank goodness, Qingtan. You're finally awake!"

Li Ke felt a little helpless watching Asuma act so awkwardly when he wouldn't have hesitated to die in his place. But he didn't feel that he owed Asuma an apology.

His relationship with Yuhi Kurenai had always been a little strange. In this life, he had a very upright appearance: sharp brows, bright eyes, and an air of integrity. He gave people the impression of being reliable and mature.

On top of that, he had lived two lives and knew how dangerous this world was, so he'd trained hard from a young age. Naturally, he was much stronger than the children who still didn't understand the brutality of war.

That reliable, mature image had always been associated with him. It was also why he'd been assigned to Asuma's team.

As for Yuhi Kurenai, she was something of a daddy's girl.

Or rather, she preferred mature men. Li Ke's every move caught her attention. But he'd focused all his energy on improving his strength and had no intention of making a move on a child barely ten years old, so Yuhi Kurenai had never broken the unspoken barrier.

Now that Li Ke had taken the initiative to stay behind for them and nearly died as a result, it was obvious what Yuhi Kurenai would do. And his own feelings had shifted a little after he'd come so close to dying.

"She's from a ninja clan, isn't she?"

Senju Tobirama's voice suddenly sounded. Li Ke paused. As he wiped the tears from Yuhi Kurenai's face with his finger, he answered silently.

"Yes. She's the daughter of the head of a small ninja clan."

But to his surprise, Senju Tobirama suddenly said something that left him stunned.

"I see... So, Qingtan, have you thought about what the two of you will do in the future? She won't give up being a ninja, and you probably won't be able to run a business properly for quite some time."

Li Ke was confused.

"What do you mean?"

Senju Tobirama's voice held a hint of amusement.

"Have you considered developing a Kekkei Genkai of your own? If you can develop one, it'll make your marriage easier and happier. And, if I remember correctly, the village has rules that let Kekkei Genkai ninja pay much less tax on their businesses."

Li Ke was baffled. He hadn't expected the Second Hokage to consider such things for him. And developing a Kekkei Genkai? That was a bit ridiculous, wasn't it?

But what Li Ke didn't know was—

The wooden cabinet beside him had been altered by the Second Hokage, who hadn't yet regained control over his senses or his ability to manipulate Li Ke's body.