"So, Aizen- san, is our target this time that boy who combines the abilities of Hozuki and the Yuki Clan?" Jörmungandr asked Aizen, who had returned after gathering information.
Aizen was somewhat surprised. He hadn't expected that Jörmungandr, who rarely left his house and disliked thinking, would know their target. "That's right, that boy is indeed our target, but where did you find out?"
"Well, it was a bit of a coincidence. Not long after you left, two people from Kirigakure arrived. As soon as they sat down, they started talking non-stop, completely ignoring me, a stranger, and spilled all the information about the geniuses who had recently emerged in Kirigakure. To be honest, I never imagined I could get so much information without even leaving home."
Jörmungandr spoke. He hadn't expected the people of Kirigakure to be so unvigilant, leaking so much information while they were eating.
Jörmungandr know that the information revealed by the two Kirigakure was basically common knowledge in Kirigakure. The only truly valuable piece of information was the scandal involving the Hozuki Clan; the rest could be found out by asking anyone on the street. Besides, in their view, what was there to be wary of in their own village? It was completely unnecessary.
Although Kirigakure is one of the Five Great Nations, the other four Kirigakure villages are not very interested in it because it is located overseas.
Furthermore, the people of Kirigakure are distinctly different from those of other ninja villages, making it easy for unfamiliar faces to be detected. Therefore, Kirigakure rarely has spies; at most, there are some merchants traveling to and from the village.
This is one of the reasons why the people of Kirigakure are relatively less wary.
Aizen and his group had taken all factors into account before infiltrating, disguising themselves as two well-documented merchant travelers. Even if Kirigakure were to inspect them, there wouldn't be the slightest flaw.
"This is somewhat unexpected. I didn't expect the people of Kirigakure to be so lax. No wonder no one noticed when the Fourth Mizukage lost control for so long."
Upon hearing Jörmungandr's explanation, Aizen couldn't help but show a look of surprise. Although their paperwork was complete, that was no excuse for Kirigakure ninjas to discuss village information in front of them. This was far too lax; no wonder Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, was so easily controlled by Obito in the original story.
"Alright, let's not talk about that anymore. Aizen- san, are you sure you want to target that Hozuki Clan? I've heard from others that that kid's body isn't strong, and his talent isn't good either."
Jörmungandr also somewhat curious as to why Aizen would target that useless Hozuki.
It's important to know that the original body has very strict standards when choosing corpses. Corpses with outstanding talents, like his and Aizen, are the original body's favorites. People who lack talent and have poor physical abilities simply don't seem like what the original body wants.
"You should know that the main body needs to follow the path of Chakra Fruit to ultimately achieve the Six Paths. And to successfully walk the path of Yin and Yang and the Five Elements, excellent research subjects are indispensable, such as my Yin Release Chakra, the main body's Yang Release Chakra, and your Wind Chakra. And putting everything else aside, in terms of Water Chakra, who can surpass Hozuki, that piece of trash, who combines Ice Release and the Hydrification Technique?"
Aizen naturally knew that the boy who possessed the power of two races was a good-for-nothing, but since he came from such a good family, he couldn't bear to abandon him.
Besides, that little devil Hozuki doesn't seem to be that useless. In that case, such an excellent Water Release body is not so common.
Now Jörmungandr understood why Aizen valued that useless Hozuki; after all, Hozuki's combination of Ice Release and Hydrification Technique was indeed very appealing.
Otherwise, the Hozuki Clan and the Yuki Clan wouldn't have wanted to combine their powers to create an ultimate power.
"So, Aizen- san, have you found out anything? Where is that guy named Hozuki Setsugetsu?"
The Hozuki Setsugetsu that Jörmungandr was that useless person who combined the power of two races, and also the target they wanted to get their hands on.
"Don't worry, we've found his location. But it's not time yet, let's go later when it gets dark." Aizen wasn't in a hurry; he wanted to wait until it got dark before acting discreetly.
It soon got dark, and Aizen and Jörmungandr arrived at the Hozuki Clan's encampment and headed towards the most remote part of the Hozuki Clan's territory.
Soon they arrived at a dilapidated little wooden house. The house was drafty and didn't look like a habitable place at all.
But from this dilapidated little wooden house came the sound of constant coughing. Upon hearing this, Aizen pushed open the door and entered, seemingly without any concern that his whereabouts would be discovered by his target.
Jörmungandr taken aback by Aizen's audacious act, but seeing Aizen's calm expression, he didn't hesitate and followed him.
Upon entering the room, Jörmungandr saw a thin, weak-looking boy lying on the bed.
The boy's clothes were tattered and ragged, making him look nothing like a scion of a noble family like Hozuki; rather, he resembled a beggar wandering the streets.
" Aizen, you've arrived." To Jörmungandr's surprise, the boy was able to call Aizen by his name correctly.
This made him look at Aizen with surprise. He hadn't expected that Aizen had already made contact with their target.
Aizen ignored Jörmungandr's surprised expression, looking at the boy on the hospital bed with a slight smile, and said, "So, Setsugetsu- san should have thought it through by now. Have you considered changing your terms? If you want, even annihilating the Hozuki Clan that caused you so much suffering is acceptable."
"No, I still have the same wish. If Aizen can help me fulfill it, I will give you everything I have."
Faced with Aizen's suggestion, Hozuki Setsugetsu, lying on his sickbed, simply smiled and shook his head.
Jörmungandr it hard to believe that such a warm smile could exist in this cruel Shinobi World.
Despite being extremely weak and exuding an aura of death, her smile was so radiant.
This contradictory temperament—being in the midst of illness yet yearning for the light—greatly perplexed Jörmungandr.
How can someone remain so positive and optimistic even in such circumstances, without a trace of misanthropy or cynicism?
Aizen seemed to know something about the boy on the sickbed. After hearing the boy's words, he nodded seriously and agreed, "Alright, in that case, the deal is done."
After saying that, he picked up the boy and left the dilapidated hut.
Seeing Aizen's actions, Jörmungandr quickly followed, curious about what kind of deal Aizen had made with this boy.
" Aizen- san, what kind of deal did you make with this boy?" On the way out of Kirigakure, Jörmungandr n't contain his curiosity and asked Aizen.
Before Aizen could answer, the Hozuki imp on his back spoke on its own.
"My lord, my deal with Aizen is very simple. I only ask that Aizen take me to see the sea, the sunrise, the sunset, the meadows and the flowers for the rest of my life. Finally, after I die, I will entrust my body to you."
"Hey, Aizen- san, are you really bringing this brat along? If we do, how are we supposed to carry out our mission?"
Jörmungandr was puzzled after hearing the boy's words and was about to continue advising Aizen, but before he could speak, Aizen interrupted him, saying, "Alright, let's grant this boy's last wish. After all, meeting us in his final moments is probably the last blessing that heaven has given this poor boy."
Upon hearing Aizen's remark, Jörmungandr immediately looked at the boy. He couldn't discern anything with the naked eye, and even resorted to his previously reluctant Sensory Ninjutsu. The result of his sensory perception Jörmungandr speechless; he offered no further objection.
According to Jörmungandr's perception, the boy probably doesn't have much time left to live; at the most optimistic level, the boy has about 48 hours left.
" Aizen, I'm not pitiful at all. I had loving parents when I was born, and Aizen helped me fulfill my last wish when I died. I don't feel pitiful at all. On the contrary, I feel extremely lucky." It seemed that Aizen's words and Jörmungandr's pitying gaze made the boy feel a little uncomfortable. He endured his physical weakness and spoke softly.
Hey kid, where's your first stop?
"I want to see my parents first and tell them that I'm going to pursue my dream, and that I'll be visiting them soon. I want them not to worry."
Listening to the boy's enthusiastic voice, Aizen recalled the scene when he first met the boy.
At that time, Aizen had just learned the boy's exact location from the Kirigakure Ninja. To confirm the authenticity of the information, he went to the Hozuki Clan's territory to meet his target in secret. However, unexpectedly, just as he finished looking at the boy and was about to leave, the boy discovered his presence.
"The adult outside the door, may I see you? Cough cough cough," the weak boy said, coughing a few times involuntarily.
These words made Aizen, who was about to leave, pause in surprise. He hadn't expected that someone who was considered a waste by others could find out his whereabouts and give him such a pleasant surprise.
This piqued Aizen's interest, so he made no attempt to hide and appeared directly in the boy's dilapidated hut.
"Young man, didn't anyone tell you that sometimes you should pretend you don't know? Knowing too much isn't a sign of a wise person."
Indeed, Aizen believed this boy was intelligent, because he could see from the boy's bright and clever eyes that he wasn't the useless person others described him to be. Besides, a useless person wouldn't be able to uncover his tracks.
"Nobody said that, cough cough, at least not my parents," the boy said between coughs. "And I've found that you don't mean any harm, sir. At least that's what my gut feeling tells me."
The boy's words intensified Aizen's interest. He had originally come to confirm the accuracy of the information, but now he discovered that the boy was not so bad after all, but rather possessed other talents.
"Young man, you've successfully piqued my interest. Join us; perhaps we can cure your health problems."
As he said this, Aizen walked to the boy's side and used Medical Ninjutsu to examine the boy's body. However, the results of the examination greatly disappointed Aizen; the boy did not have much time left to live.
It's not that he can't cure it, but the current conditions aren't right. By the time he finds the necessary conditions, the boy will be long dead.
This immediately dispelled Aizen's idea of recruiting the boy.
Seeing Aizen's disappointed expression, the boy on the sickbed quickly said, "My lord, I know my condition has disappointed you, but I have a secret. I can tell you this secret and give you my body after my death. In exchange, I would like to ask you to grant me a wish."
The boy seemed to have known about his physical condition all along, and was not disappointed by Aizen's inability to help. However, he still had a wish he wanted to fulfill, so he made a suggestion to Aizen.
A dying man was preparing to exchange a secret for a wish, which piqued Aizen's curiosity. He wondered if the man wanted revenge.
He had heard that the Hozuki Clan treated this boy badly, and the boy's dilapidated house and patched clothes proved it even more.
But is it worth offending Kirigakure for a corpse that he's certain to get his hands on? Aizen weighed the pros and cons in his mind.
As he was thinking, he inadvertently caught sight of the boy's clear eyes.
In that instant, Aizen agreed to the boy's request in his heart.
Aizen knew from the boy's clear eyes that he had no intention of taking revenge on the Hozuki Clan. People often say that the eyes are the windows to the soul; how could someone with a heart full of hatred and resentment have such clear eyes?
"Okay, go ahead and say it."
Upon hearing Aizen's agreement, the boy's pale and weak face immediately lit up with surprise. He had thought he was going to fail, but unexpectedly, things had taken a turn for the better.
"My lord, thank you very much. Then let me tell you my secret. Actually, I can sense moisture in the air by nature, which is why I was able to detect you. And I seem to feel that I can control it, but unfortunately my body doesn't seem to cooperate."
His voice was somewhat weak, but he spoke very quickly, as if he was worried that Aizen would change his mind, so he paid the deposit for the transaction in advance before Aizen changed his mind.
These words made Aizen realize that this boy was indeed not the good-for-nothing others had described, but a rare genius.
It's important to understand that the most difficult part of any technique lies in the initial introductory stage; only by mastering the basics can one be considered to have the foundation for true mastery. The fact that this young man can sense the moisture in the sky means he's not far from awakening his own Kekkei Genkai.
"Tell me your wish." After hearing the boy's secret, Aizen said calmly.
"My lord, my wish is simple. I hope that in the time to come, you can take me away from here. I want to see the sea, the meadows and the flowers, feel the sunshine, and watch the sunrise and sunset. I want to see my parents again and tell them that I will be able to see them soon."
Although his words were filled with deep sadness, the boy still smiled, his bright smile radiating sunshine and hope.
Upon hearing the boy's words, Aizen dropped his indifferent expression, gave the boy a deep look, nodded, and prepared to turn and leave.
As he was leaving, a boy called out from behind, "Sir, I haven't asked your name yet. My name is Setsugetsu, Hozuki Setsugetsu."
"My name is Aizen, or rather, Kurama Aizen."