Two Choices

The days in Hidden Rain Village passed one by one.

Hyuga Yuto was doing quite well. It was now the beginning of Year 48 of Hidden Leaf Village. The Rain Trio were still unquestionably good people, while the Akatsuki was an organization devoted to world peace. Living here was unexpectedly comfortable, aside from the trouble of clothes being difficult to air-dry naturally after washing.

After nearly a month in the Hidden Rain, Hyuga Yuto had grown accustomed to the endless drizzle. He even felt that rainy days were not so bad—at least they were cool.

That day, after finishing his grueling training, he returned to his room.

The small room was filled with a tranquil floral fragrance. The seeds Asano Kaoru had sent were excellent; he had no idea how they had been prepared, but their scent lingered for a long time. Lying on the bed, he felt as though he were in a refreshing open wilderness.

Hyuga Yuto's appearance had changed somewhat since his arrival. His hands and arms were wrapped in layer upon layer of bandages. If they were removed, countless unhealed scars could be seen covering his skin.

—Lion Fang Severance was essentially complete.

Based on Hyuga Yuto's understanding of chakra and the Gentle Fist, with Minato Namikaze's guidance at first and Nagato Uzumaki's research afterward, the technique had incorporated the concepts of various ninjutsu. Its power had grown ever greater, but it also caused harm to its user's body.

Now, Tsunade had to make the final improvements, reducing or even eliminating its backlash on the user. Only then could the technique be considered truly complete.

Without a doubt, whether in "power" or "training difficulty," this technique was a genuine S-rank!

This trip to the Land of Rain had yielded far more than he had expected. Hyuga Yuto had originally intended to continue building his base through collecting heads, but he had unexpectedly found the opportunity to complete Lion Fang Severance.

Just as he lay down on the bed, an inexplicable sensation suddenly struck him.

Hyuga Yuto narrowed his eyes, sat upright, and frowned at his heavily bandaged hands. Smiling helplessly, he could only bite the tip of his tongue and extravagantly use tongue-tip blood to perform the Summoning Technique.

Poof! A huge cloud of smoke dispersed, and Katsuyu appeared.

"Yuto... Ah! What happened to your hands?"

"It's nothing, just an aftereffect of training. They'll be fine after some careful recovery." Hyuga Yuto spoke respectfully. "Lady Katsuyu, is there any news from Lord Jiraiya?"

"Yes. He asked little Tsunade to pass along a message... [Hahahaha! Those three children have really made something of themselves. Leave their letter to me without worry!] That's what Jiraiya said."

"Thank you. I'm sorry to trouble you, Lady Katsuyu."

"Ah, wait." Katsuyu's gentle voice carried a hint of schadenfreude. "Little Tsunade said you've been away for a month and a half. She's practically forgotten that she even has a male disciple."

"...Uh." Hyuga Yuto scratched his head, his face full of apology. "I've truly wronged my teacher... I got so absorbed in developing ninjutsu that I lost track of time. I'll be heading back soon, with Lord Jiraiya's letter." As he spoke, he took a small box from beneath the bed. "These are little trinkets I collected in Hidden Rain Village. I hope my teacher will like them. They're all good things to carry close... because they can be exchanged for a lot of money when necessary." He emphasized the last few words.

"Yuto, you really are a good and filial child." Katsuyu sincerely praised him, swallowing the valuable little box into her body before vanishing with a poof.

In the room, Hyuga Yuto rubbed his shoulder, rose to his feet, took off his high-collared coat, changed into Hidden Leaf Village-style ninja attire, and walked out.

He was already quite familiar with the base. Before long, he arrived outside Yahiko and the others' room.

After knocking and receiving a response, Hyuga Yuto pushed the door open and entered.

The instant he stepped inside, the branch family youth's heart skipped a beat.

As a Hidden Leaf Village double agent, Hyuga Yuto demanded that he remain sharp at all times. The moment he entered, he sensed that something was wrong with the atmosphere in the room.

Yahiko and Konan's faces were so dark they seemed about to drip water. Nagato was no longer as calm as usual either; he now seemed like a tsunami on the verge of erupting.

"It's Yuto." Yahiko forced a smile. "What is it?"

"Lord Jiraiya replied to me. He truly does have a deep connection with you all, and I can bring that letter for you."

"That's one of the few good things that happened today." Yahiko sighed softly. "Nagato, please give that letter to Yuto in a while."

Hyuga Yuto blinked. "Oh, right, there's something else. I've been here for nearly a month. Since Lord Jiraiya has agreed to let me carry the letter, I should also bid you farewell..."

"There's no need to rush." Nagato Uzumaki suddenly spoke. During this time, he and Hyuga Yuto had gotten along quite well, and his tone was more familiar. "Yuto, your technique is still missing something. I was thinking that perhaps we could improve it further. Give me one or two days. Leave after it's finished."

Hyuga Yuto thought for a moment and agreed. He knew the three of them surely had matters to discuss, so he tactfully yawned and left the room.

The atmosphere in the room congealed once more.

After a long silence, Yahiko spoke softly. "Konan, bring Takeda Shigen here."

A paper crane flew out, and before long, the door was pushed open again.

"Chief." Takeda Shigen stood respectfully.

Yahiko's expression was somewhat dazed. This subordinate had always been his most capable. He was always at the forefront in battle, sincere toward others, and full of responsibility... Since the Akatsuki's founding, how many troubles had he resolved for him? Whenever thunderstorms came, Shigen's head would ache unbearably. That was an old injury left behind when he had blocked a blade for him all those years ago...

The handsome, bold young man felt reluctance rise in his heart. He closed his eyes, not knowing how to speak.

Konan was more decisive in her actions. Seeing Yahiko hesitate, she steeled herself and said directly, "Shigen, we've found out who leaked your route of action a month ago... It was Asano Kaoru. She's from Hidden Leaf Village."

Takeda Shigen's breathing stopped, as if he had been struck by lightning.

Konan sighed. "Over the past month, I secretly investigated many places and worked with Yahiko on covert operations. After multiple rounds of testing, we confirmed that it was Asano Kaoru. Shigen, I know how you feel about her..." Konan paused, but still revealed everything she knew. "Asano Kaoru is now the person you trust most, and your relationship is close... Your subordinates are practically her subordinates."

"And more importantly, I intercepted a message by chance. Shigen, an assassination targeting you will begin very soon. If you die in the assassination, Asano Kaoru will take your place. That's far too dangerous."

"We have to strike first, Shigen..."

"Impossible." After remaining silent for a long time, Takeda Shigen suddenly spoke. He said only those few words, then stood there speechless once more.

What was impossible? That Asano Kaoru could not be a spy? Or that Asano Kaoru... could not truly kill him?

Konan thought this as she looked toward Yahiko.

What to do would ultimately have to be decided by Yahiko.

"...Handle it yourself. As long as it does not harm the organization, I will tacitly permit whatever you do." Yahiko spoke softly, making the greatest concession he could after careful consideration. "Either expel Asano Kaoru from the Land of Rain, or we kill her ourselves. There is no third choice."

"I'm sorry, Shigen. Say goodbye to Asano Kaoru properly..."

"But remember, don't go soft. After all, she is a woman who wants to kill you."