Chapter 78: Yoru-sama—A Sick World
Receiving ANBU notification, granted special privileges by Hiruzen, teleporting to western border base, infiltrating Amegakure with Tsunade to obtain antidote formula, battling Hanzo of the Salamander, becoming famous throughout the shinobi world as Black Flash... seemingly many events occurred, yet barely one day had passed.
Without Flying Thunder God, Yoru might still be traveling toward the border base.
Though without Flying Thunder God, he'd merely be support force personnel at most.
This day's events helped Yoru further integrate into this world while deeply experiencing how uncomfortable losing a transmigrator's plot knowledge advantage felt.
If he'd transmigrated during canon's timeline, Yoru—with his original series knowledge—could absolutely perfectly conceal Flying Thunder God and Space-Time abilities.
Throughout the shinobi world, only those mastering Mayfly Technique—Black and White Zetsu—possessed ability to discover his secrets.
But in this era, Yoru exposed Flying Thunder God in less than one day.
If not for darkness, rain, and Purple's lightning-fast speed, even offensive Space-Time ability intelligence might have leaked.
This era's shinobi... were quite strong!
Of course, Yoru not knowing their intelligence also factored in.
Like the salamander using Water Body Flicker—that completely shocked Yoru at the time.
Had he known this intelligence beforehand, he absolutely wouldn't have used Purple but agreed with Jiraiya's retreat proposal.
Could burrow, swim underground, run fast on land, possessed incredible defense, wielded the shinobi world's deadliest poison, plus knew Water Body Flicker... unfortunately not a sage, or the salamander would absolutely be the shinobi world's strongest summoning beast.
Having separated from Kushina Uzumaki for just one day, Yoru didn't return to Konoha but went to fulfill his promise, teleporting before Konan.
Currently, Konan was folding origami in the inn room for entertainment, the Flying Thunder God kunai Yoru gave her beside her.
When Yoru materialized from thin air beside the table, after initial shock, Konan's eyes quickly shone with joy: "Yoru-sama!"
No longer "big brother" but "Yoru-sama."
Clearly, something occurred when the Shadow Clone arranged her accommodations.
While caring for Tsunade, Yoru had already received this information.
Yoru patted Konan's head, smiling: "Sorry for making you wait. Yesterday was very busy."
"N-no no no... Sama's matters are more important."
Konan hurriedly shook her head and hands, somewhat anxious.
The Shadow Clone lacked significant chakra—after arranging accommodations, it automatically dispersed.
From reunion until now, Konan barely spoke with Yoru.
The Shadow Clone only left her one message: when the real body comes, he'll teach her ninjutsu. From then on, she'll learn while staying by his side.
The shift from "big brother" to "Yoru-sama" was Konan's initiative.
She already viewed herself as Yoru's subordinate.
Yoru sheltering and training her, teaching ninjutsu—this already represented immense kindness. How dare Konan show any attitude toward him?
Seeing Konan's face instantly pale, Yoru knew their initial awkwardness had frightened her.
Thinking about this world's war orphans—fearless except about their recognized and followed "sama" abandoning them—Yoru understood.
Rather than verbal comfort, he retrieved the transparent sealed bag.
Removing the purple paper flower, Yoru held it between two fingers, waving before Konan's eyes, smiling: "This paper flower marks our acquaintance's beginning, our reunion's fate, and our future bond. Now... I'm giving it to you."
Under Konan's stunned gaze, Yoru placed the paper flower in her hair on the right side. Then placing both hands on her shoulders, ice-blue eyes meeting her amber ones, he spoke seriously: "Remember—you're not expendable, nor will you become my burden. You're the subordinate I've chosen. In the future, you'll become my right hand."
"So..."
Pinching Konan's cheeks, Yoru's lips curved upward: "Since even I value you so highly, don't look down on yourself. I dislike insecure, weak subordinates."
Konan stared at Yoru, eyes suddenly heating uncontrollably.
The girl's extremely sensitive heart recognized Yoru perceiving her mood, indirectly comforting and encouraging her.
Precisely because she understood, the girl felt so moved.
This respect and importance gave the girl who'd lost everything her "everything" back.
Tears involuntarily slid from her eyes. Konan's anxious expression transformed into the most innocent, radiant smile as she nodded vigorously at Yoru: "...Mm!"
That single "mm" carried heavy nasal tone.
The girl was actually choked up, speechless.
But unlike Kushina Uzumaki embracing Yoru while sobbing, the girl remained extremely strong.
Because... Yoru disliked insecure, weak subordinates!
Yoru's mental age as a twentysomething adult made him skilled at comforting children—especially this world's children, who matured so early.
Just one heartfelt conversation rapidly dissolved their initial awkwardness.
After more time together, this barrier would completely vanish.
Yoru didn't immediately teach Konan ninjutsu.
Instead, he first took Konan to rent a house in the inn's town.
Yoru had different plans for Konan—didn't intend bringing her back to Konoha.
After securing housing, Yoru took Konan shopping, furnishing this new home according to her preferences.
With the Gojo family's accumulated generational wealth plus his parents' death compensation and condolence payments, Yoru never lacked money this lifetime.
Moreover, this year he'd executed triple-digit D-rank missions plus one S-rank mission. The fees only required splitting with the village and Orochimaru—no teammates competing for shares.
His personal earnings exceeded several hundred thousand ryo.
Forget long-term renting and remodeling—Yoru could easily purchase this house outright.
While furnishing the new home, Yoru deliberately chose relationship-building topics for conversation, allowing deeper mutual understanding.
For instance, Yoru learned Konan's family was merely ordinary commoners lacking funds supporting her ninja academy attendance.
No family members became shinobi—only knew about "shinobi" and "Hanzo-sama," didn't even know the word "chakra."
Learning this, Yoru inwardly marveled: this was a true civilian genius!
Jiraiya taught her just three years, yet Konan—through her own effort and talent—became among Kage-level elite before turning thirty.
Even Sasori of the Red Sand who killed Third Kazekage got completely dominated by her without any resistance.
Truly worthy of being the woman who killed Obito Uchiha once!
Yoru grew even more optimistic about Konan's future.
With his assistance, Konan becoming an enhanced version of White Tiger was inevitable.
Through conversation, Konan learned Yoru's identity as a Konoha shinobi, that her parents' killers were Iwagakure shinobi from Earth Country, and Rain Country had descended into war.
Konan felt even more grateful toward Yoru.
Without his shelter, she already foresaw her future—either wandering everywhere daily struggling against hunger, or dying to large animals or shinobi hands.
Where would warm beds come from? A house better than her original family's? This overwhelming sense of security?
The grateful girl became even more determined to become an excellent shinobi, properly repaying Yoru.
"Yoru-sama, you've been busy all day. Let me handle dinner!"
After finishing the new home's setup, evening had arrived.
Yoru prepared to make Konan a hearty dinner but got stopped.
Watching the well-behaved girl, Yoru patted her head, smiling: "Tomorrow you can. Today just enjoy yourself."
Konan's eyes immediately shot forth joyful light.
Didn't that mean Yoru wouldn't leave tonight, possibly not even tomorrow night?
Wonderful!
However, Konan still said: "Yoru-sama, let me assist you."
"Alright."
Yoru didn't refuse this time.
Whether from poor families' children maturing early or Konan possessing ideal wife potential, despite being merely six, her work proved extremely skilled.
Though their first coordination, they achieved understanding—Yoru only needed to handle cooking while feeling quite comfortable.
Through their teamwork, a hearty dinner quickly finished.
During the meal, they didn't remain silent but continued chatting.
"You're lying, right? Yoru-sama, you're only eleven?" Konan held chopsticks, her dumbfounded expression quite adorable.
"You don't look like you're only six either—neither height nor mentality." Yoru also smiled.
Though not remembering Konan's more detailed intelligence, Yoru felt absolutely certain Konan also possessed Yang attribute, and abnormally so.
Born to an impoverished family yet exceeding average height. When examining her body with medical techniques—very healthy.
When working—plenty of strength.
Recalling Jiraiya's words, Yoru vaguely guessed Paper Release's principles.
Yin represented spirit, Yang represented body.
Yin was formless, Yang tangible.
Akimichi clan's body manipulation secret techniques used Yang Release.
Jiraiya's hair manipulation secret techniques used Yang Release. Techniques controlling the body to become paper—also Yang Release.
To develop Paper Release, one must first master Yang Release nature transformation.
After dinner ended, Konan insisted on washing dishes, forcefully refusing Yoru's help.
Sitting on the new sofa, Yoru opened the scroll exchanged with Jiraiya.
He didn't read the secret technique's training method but the developmental insights.
"Just as I thought."
Yoru's lips curved slightly upward.
This scroll verified his thinking.
Paper Release's core was indeed Yang Release, then chakra control.
Regarding paper development, Yoru couldn't help Konan—shouldn't help, or it'd pressure the girl.
When hobbies became goals, they paradoxically became the greatest obstacles.
What Yoru could help with: chakra control, Yang Release nature transformation, and sealing techniques.
Yoru wouldn't even teach Konan Five Elements techniques.
Otherwise the girl eager for strength might enter dead ends, only thinking about improving Five Elements techniques.
He only needed to improve the girl's fundamentals, educate her about Yang Release nature transformation knowledge. When the girl stayed home alone with only origami for entertainment, she'd eventually experiment.
Paper Release would naturally emerge!
Thus Yoru appeared contemplative, mentally formulating Konan's training regimen.
Until the girl's voice entered his ears, Yoru finally recovered.
"Yoru-sama, I've prepared hot water. Please bathe first."
Watching the girl who'd apparently cleaned the bathroom—body somewhat dirty and damp—Yoru froze slightly.
Truly rare words. Besides both lifetimes' mothers, this was his first time seeing a girl prepare hot bathwater for him.
Warmth surged through his heart. Yoru smiled sincerely: "Thank you, Konan."
"Not hard work—this is what I should do." Konan shook her head. This time her face showed no anxiety, only a praised smile.
After both bathed sequentially, night had deepened.
Watching post-bath Konan wearing white sleepwear—clean and adorable—Yoru smiled: "Rest well tonight. Starting tomorrow, I'll teach you to become a shinobi."
"Mm mm..."
Konan nodded repeatedly, eyes full of anticipation.
Environment tremendously influenced people.
Canon Konan growing up with Yahiko and Nagato lacked personal goals, treating Yahiko and Nagato's dreams as her own.
She actually had little interest in becoming shinobi or ninjutsu.
But now, Konan overflowed with motivation.
Because... she made becoming an excellent shinobi her ultimate dream.
She'd become Yoru's right hand—this was her existence's meaning.
Yoru didn't know Konan's thoughts, or he'd definitely think his daytime words might've gone slightly overboard.
This world's war orphans were just this warped.
Give them a little love, you become their entire world.
Kushina Uzumaki thus, Konan thus, Haku thus, Kaguya Kimimaro thus, Karin thus, and so on... truly a sick world.
Yoru stayed in this town three days.
First day relocating Konan. Second and third days teaching ninja knowledge, chakra extraction methods, daily training routines improving physical and spiritual energy.
Before leaving, Yoru produced a stack of money, pressing it into Konan's hands, instructing: "The refrigerator's filled with ingredients. I've taken you shopping once. When you run out, buy like I showed you. Remember three meals daily, each nutritionally complete. This concerns your growth—don't think about saving me money."
"If you want to repay me, after growing up, slowly repay then."
"I'll visit occasionally. Remember not to slack off."
Yoru habitually pinched the girl's small face, smiling: "Hope next visit, your face becomes full—even better to pinch."
"I will, Yoru-sama."
Konan felt somewhat reluctant separating from Yoru, but her eyes held firm determination.
"Take care."
Yoru pocketed one hand, raising three fingers with the other before vanishing without warning.
Konan stood there briefly before returning to her room, reading books Yoru brought from Konoha last night.
Meanwhile Yoru still didn't return to Konoha but came to the border base.
Upon arrival, he immediately heard terrible news.
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