Chapter 54: The Spiral Gamble
The shinobi world isn't all quiet peace. More of it is blood and regret.
The open and covert struggle between Danzō and the Third Hokage cast a long shadow over Konoha, making its people restless. Whether it was Root or ANBU—organizations under the special purview of those two men—they effectively monopolized the village's pool of prodigious talent.
Liumu understood Danzō. He was tragic, despicable, and even worthy of a sliver of pity. As a former guard of the Second Hokage alongside Sarutobi Hiruzen, he had toiled his whole life, yet the Hokage's seat had always eluded his grasp. It was as if, to make up for this man's lifelong regret, the original story had granted him a fleeting taste of being the "Sixth Hokage."
A chill flashed in Liumu's eyes as he watched Haku quietly eating at the table.
Danzō's life was the epitome of countless people's frustrations: striving with all your might, yet never reaching the dream. And even if, one day, heaven gave you a chance to touch that once-unattainable existence… it would snatch you back from the brink of fulfillment before you could fully savor it.
Yet, Danzō persisted. He did things the Third dared not do. He handled matters the Third dared not touch. He could even make an enemy of the entire Uchiha clan for the sake of Konoha's "stability."
As a villain in a story, Liumu had once held a strange fondness for Danzō. But now, standing within Konoha, he couldn't allow the man to continue unchecked.
But just as this murderous intent solidified in his heart, someone appeared to stop him.
In front of the Hokage's office building, Jiraiya leaned against a stone pillar, arms crossed over his chest. He watched Liumu's approach with a calm, appraising gaze, only moving when Liumu reached the steps. A hand shot out, gripping Liumu's shoulder firmly.
"Teacher Jiraiya!" Haku, standing beside Liumu, recognized the title and immediately understood this was Liumu's master.
Jiraiya glanced at Haku, a genuine, warm smile breaking through his serious demeanor. "You must be Haku. Charming."
Haku blushed slightly at the praise, shuffling a half-step closer behind Liumu.
Jiraiya's attention returned to his student. "What are you planning to do?"
Liumu didn't answer. Instead, he offered a cold, sharp smile and looked up at the imposing doors of the Hokage's office. "They're all in there, aren't they? I just want to go in and ask a question."
Jiraiya felt the fury simmering just beneath Liumu's skin. With a subtle flick of his fingers, the ordinary alleyway around them seemed to warp, the walls taking on a fleshy, crimson hue.
Liumu glanced around, tightening his grip on Haku's hand. "Impressive genjutsu. But… it can't stop me."
"I know," Jiraiya admitted readily. "But I still have to ask: what will you accomplish by going in? What answer are you seeking? And if the answer you get isn't the one you want… what then?"
He'd seen the rage in Liumu's eyes the previous night at the Hatake compound. It was a side of the boy he'd never witnessed in all their time together.
Jiraiya stepped closer, placing both hands on Liumu's small shoulders. His voice softened, taking on a paternal tone. "You are my student. Even if I can't read your mind, I can guess at your thoughts. You've lived alone since you were small. You know that hardship intimately. Seeing Kakashi fall into the same lonely pit… it hurts you."
"But the Hatake matter isn't as simple as it seems. I, too, am furious at that idiotic rule. But a shinobi is a shinobi. Once you wear this forehead protector," he tapped his own, "the name 'Konoha' is carved before your family name, forever."
"Ha!" Liumu's laugh was short and bitter. He looked at the Konoha insignia on his own armband. "So, after death, the living must continue to be tortured by this stupidity?"
The genjutsu dissipated. Jiraiya glanced at the closed door of the Hokage's office, then back at Liumu. "If it is a mistake… it will be corrected in time. If it cannot be corrected… then it will be eradicated."
The fallout from Hatake Sakumo's death had cast a pall of silence over the entire village. The Third Hokage, Danzō, even the rarely-seen Fire Daimyo—all were frequent, grim visitors to the Hokage's office these days.
Liumu waited at home, biding his time, waiting for a result—any result—from that office.
"You know," Jiraiya said, trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere after joking with Haku, "as your teacher, I've never actually taught you any proper ninjutsu. Recently, I came across something interesting. Want to see?"
Liumu looked at him, a flicker of genuine curiosity breaking through his dark mood. "Oh? What is it?"
Jiraiya grinned, seeing he had the boy's attention. "Can't show you here. Come on, let's go outside."
The Valley of the End.
Jiraiya held out his right hand before Liumu and Haku. A massive surge of chakra erupted from his palm. In moments, a swirling, compressed sphere of vibrant blue energy, about the size of a fist, formed above his hand, humming with immense power.
"Watch this!" Jiraiya said with a proud smirk.
He hurled the sphere at a nearby, thick-barked tree.
FWUMP-CRACK!
The bark didn't just splinter; it imploded at the point of contact, shredded into pulp by the raging vortex before the entire trunk groaned and split.
"This," Jiraiya announced, dusting his hands, "is the Rasengan. It requires exquisite chakra control. But its power… is undoubtedly A-rank."
Liumu's chakra control was, to put it kindly, not his strong suit. It had taken him nearly half a year under Jiraiya's tutelage just to master the basic Clone Technique. For Jiraiya to offer the Rasengan now was a transparent attempt to distract him, to give his turbulent mind a concrete, difficult task to focus on.
Liumu saw through it immediately. But he had time. And if learning this would ease Jiraiya's worry, he wouldn't refuse.
"However… Teacher Jiraiya," Liumu began slowly, "you should know by now… I've awakened a Kekkei Genkai."
Jiraiya was silent for a beat, then gave a slow, acknowledging nod. "I know. I met with Tsunade as soon as I returned from Mount Myōboku. She told me everything about your time in Kiri."
Whether Liumu's "Light Release" abilities constituted a true Kekkei Genkai was debatable. The manifestations of light were unique, but Jiraiya had never heard of such a bloodline. It resembled ninjutsu, yet it wasn't.
"Since you know… that's fine."
Liumu respected Jiraiya. He admired the man's selfless, dedicated spirit. But that respect was built upon foreknowledge of Jiraiya's future deeds. In the current political landscape of Konoha, Jiraiya's influence was still too limited.
"Teacher…" Liumu started, hesitation clear in his voice, the words catching in his throat.
Jiraiya, seeing his student's internal struggle, let out a booming laugh. He kicked off his wooden sandals. "What's this? Been apart a few months and you've turned shy? Spit it out!"
Liumu took a deep breath, meeting his teacher's eyes. "After this matter… I don't think things will be the same. I want to… travel. For a while."
Jiraiya's boisterous laughter faded, replaced by a thoughtful, solemn look. He placed a large, warm hand on Liumu's bald head, ruffling the faint new growth of hair.
"Is that so?" he murmured, his gaze drifting toward the distant Hokage Monument. "A journey, huh… Well, a student should eventually walk his own path. But before you go…" His grin returned, fierce and proud. "Let's make sure you can at least shape this Rasengan. Can't have my disciple leaving without one of my signature tricks, now can I?"
(End of Chapter)
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