stonecrandall Chapter 142 Embracing Tenderness
Chapter 142 Embracing Tenderness
Chapter 142 Embracing Tenderness (Please Subscribe)
Beside the stream.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen, reappeared before Kakashi, followed by a large number of Konoha's Anbu ninjas and members of the Barrier Team.
They had already noticed that the Nine-Tailed Fox had gone berserk.
"Naruto... what happened?"
Kakashi didn't hide anything and honestly told Hiruzen what happened.
"Just now, the Nine-Tails briefly went berserk from within Naruto's body... It was most likely caused by the chakra emanating from my Sharingan, which triggered the Nine-Tails' unease and agitation."
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen's gaze immediately turned serious, and he pondered for a moment...
"The Night of the Nine-Tails, I didn't expect that Uchiha Awakening had also controlled the Nine-Tails... I see, it seems that Uchiha Awakening had already awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan back then."
Kakashi nodded: "There is reason to suspect that the Nine-Tails was already controlled by Uchiha Abe back then, and left some kind of trace."
Hiruzen frowned, his eyes gradually becoming more complex and worried: "If that's the case, then the situation is even more troublesome..."
"Continuing to rely on the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki to drive the Inorganic Reincarnation and provide large-scale chakra charging at present may pose a great risk."
"The only solution right now is for me to become the vessel for the other half of the Nine-Tails."
Hiruzen looked slightly embarrassed when Kakashi mentioned the other half of the Nine-Tails.
After hesitating for a moment, he nodded slightly and said:
"Kakashi... I'll leave the matter of the other half of the Nine-Tails and some of the Uzumaki clan's hidden traditions to you to handle and judge personally."
"After all, you are currently the most reliable and qualified person in the village to make decisions on these issues."
The main thing Konoha Village can do is coordinate and communicate with the five major ninja villages to jointly deal with the apocalyptic crisis.
In addition, a number of elite ninjas, including Kakashi, had already studied the extensive research materials left behind by Tobirama and Orochimaru.
Several plans and contingency strategies for the apocalyptic crisis have been formulated.
The Inorganic Reincarnation Technique was actually just one of the last resorts when faced with the eventual collision of a small asteroid with the ninja world.
The research that Tobirama and Orochimaru conducted previously left behind a large number of highly feasible strategies and plans.
After discussions and research with Hiruzen and some high-ranking officials and advisors, several optimal solutions have been selected and are ready to be jointly implemented with the five major ninja villages in the near future.
So many changes have occurred in and around Konoha Village in just one night that many people are already exhausted.
Hiruzen patted Kakashi's shoulder quietly, his tone filled with obvious relief.
"Kakashi, you have been bearing a burden that is unimaginable to ordinary people since we entered this world. You must continue to work hard, both now and in the future."
"Lord Hokage, this is what I should do. I will do my best until the very last moment."
The conversation is over.
Hiruzen then left.
Soon we arrived at the other side of the stream.
Hiruzen looked up and saw the two familiar figures standing not far away, seemingly having been waiting for a long time.
The advisor, Mitokado Homura, was the first to lose his composure, his brow furrowed, his words tinged with dissatisfaction and worry: "Hiruzen, regarding Kakashi..."
Aren't you being too lenient with them these days?
"The Uzumaki clan's secret techniques include the secret of the Reaper Death Seal. What if he discovers Orochimaru's secret..."
To this question, Hiruzen sneered: "So what if you figured it out? Kakashi won't meddle in other people's business these days."
Hiruzen gazed quietly at his two old friends with whom he had worked for many years: "Compared to Kakashi, what we really need to focus on right now is our teacher who has returned."
The moment Tobirama was mentioned, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu's expressions immediately turned ugly.
In an instant, the memories of being enveloped by Tobirama's sharp style and oppressive aura surged into their minds, making them feel an indescribable sense of oppression once again.
After a moment of silence, Koharu Utatane slowly spoke, her tone carrying a subtle unease and hesitation: "Hiruzen, does Sensei really want to continue like this... or even return to the position of Hokage?"
Hiruzen slightly raised his head and said coldly, "This is the troublesome thing we need to deal with: Tobirama-sensei's counterattack... As for Kakashi, we should try to win him over."
"If Kakashi's mind is focused on preventing the end of the ninja world, then we should support him wholeheartedly and place the hope of the ninja world on him."
"Only in this way can we buy enough time for Konoha and the ninja world."
This time.
It wasn't just the time of the apocalypse, but also the time they spent dealing with Tobirama.
Upon hearing this, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu exchanged a glance and fell silent.
They knew that Hiruzen's words were not without reason; the shock brought about by Tobirama's return far exceeded the strength he had when he took charge of Konoha.
That irresistible will and high pressure still feel like a lump in their throat.
Sensing the heavy silence of the two advisors, Hiruzen turned around gently, his smile gradually becoming clearer and more serene.
He took a step forward and walked slowly, while the advisor stood there for a long time.
Beneath the vast sky, the shadows of the trees sway gently.
Hiruzen looked at the two of them and chuckled, "Don't worry, as long as I, Hiruzen, am here, you will be the most respected advisors in the village."
Looking into Hiruzen's eyes, the two advisors remained silent for a moment before lowering their heads: "Yes..."
Within the Hyuga branch family.
The soft sunlight from outside filtered through the window paper, illuminating Neji's quiet and solitary figure.
He was sitting in a corner of the room, quietly sorting through Xia Jie's simple and ordinary belongings.
The rolls were carefully folded one by one and placed into a wooden box.
The clothes were folded up carefully and gently, Neji's movements were so soft that it seemed as if he might disturb Natsume if he were not careful.
As he was nearing the end of the tidying up, Neji's gaze suddenly fixed on the bottom corner of the wooden box...
An unassuming little booklet lay there quietly, seemingly waiting to be discovered.
Is this a diary?
Neji paused for a moment, then carefully reached out and took out the diary.
It doesn't look new; the cover is already yellowed and has some light dust on it.
Opening the diary, one is greeted by Hinata Natsumi's delicate and clear handwriting, the words carrying a faint warmth, as if one could still feel the gentle and tender feelings Natsumi had when she wrote these words.
Neji let out a soft breath, his fingertips trembling slightly as he carefully turned the page.
It was sunny on March 3.
Today I'm on a mission with Captain Shinnosuke. As always, the captain is serious and meticulous in his work.
Neji, on the other hand, seems a little worried about me, given how he's secretly practicing Gentle Fist.
He was too outstanding, but how could an outstanding person who had separated from the family possess his own happiness?
Neji, I hope you can live a peaceful life and be an ordinary and simple person.
Every sentence in the diary was filled with sincere care and concern, and Neji's eyes slowly welled up with tears.
He never expected that Xia Jie, who had always been gentle and quiet, harbored such deep concern in her heart.
Neji remained silent for a moment, turned a few pages, and slowly continued reading.
It was sunny on March 8.
Before heading to the Fire Temple to carry out my mission today, I deliberately took a detour and spied on Neji's training from afar.
He is truly an outstanding child, the most dazzling presence in the family after the division of property, but such excellence makes me feel deeply uneasy.
The more outstanding the branch family of the Hyuga clan, the more unfortunate they become.
I don't want you to experience this kind of fate...:
But I am powerless to do anything about it, and can only pray that your life can be lived peacefully and uneventfully.
This sigh, filled with helplessness and tenderness, made Neji's breathing become somewhat heavy.
My vision gradually blurred, and Xia Jie's gentle face and the scenes of her silently caring for me appeared in my mind.
A deep sense of sorrow began to slowly spread through Neji's heart.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and turned to the next page.
October 19th, rain.
My captain sacrificed himself, and my heart felt as cold as a rainy day.
At that moment, my world seemed to have lost all its color, and I didn't know what I could do in the future.
But I can't leave with the captain...
Because I promised Hizashi that I would take good care of Neji no matter what.
Neji, I don't know what path you will take in the future, but in this chaotic ninja world, my only hope is that you can have a peaceful and ordinary life.
The branch family of the Hyuga clan has always been destined to be a tragedy; the more outstanding a person is, the harder it is for them to escape the shackles.
I so wish you could become someone who wasn't so outstanding...
But at the same time, I really hope you can break free from the shackles of fate.
This is the wish of everyone who has separated from the family...
Upon reading this, Neji felt as if something had pierced his heart.
Tears welled up silently in my eyes, dripping onto the yellowed pages of the diary, blurring the words.
He suppressed his grief and turned to the last page.
The last page contains only one simple sentence:
Neji, if one day I also leave, please remember to live well and peacefully.
In that instant, Neji seemed to be overwhelmed by immense emotions.
He clutched the diary tightly to his chest, and tears streamed down his face uncontrollably.
The sadness and loss that had been suppressed for so long finally erupted, and Neji sobbed softly, his shoulders trembling slightly.
Tears streamed uncontrollably down Neji's cheeks...
The diary was quietly pressed against his chest, and every word inside was like a knife etched into his heart.
Sister Xia, can I really fulfill your wish?
Tears blurred Neji's vision...
At this moment, the diary glowed with a gentle, soft light, like twinkling stars, slowly enveloping Neji and warming his weary and lonely heart.
Through his tear-blurred vision, a gentle figure appeared, gazing at him tenderly.
It is Hinata Natsumi...:
She gently stepped forward, slowly stretched out her hands, and tenderly and firmly embraced Neji, who was crying alone.
Neji, you can do it.
A voice, as real as a dream, rang in his ears, warm as a breeze, dispelling all the gloom in Neji's heart.
Embrace for a fleeting moment...
An eerie aura flashed by...