In the shinobi world, defections were hardly uncommon.
Since the establishment of the hidden village system, every village without exception had experienced the loss of shinobi who chose to abandon their allegiance. The only differences lay in scale and impact.
However, for villages outside the Five Great Nations, the defection of a jōnin was no trivial matter.
And in the case of Takigakure, the situation was even more severe.
The individual who had defected was none other than Shibuki's trusted senior Shibusa.
A man who had once been widely regarded as a strong candidate for the position of village leader.
The departure of such a figure inevitably cast a long shadow over the village.
Worse still, rumors had begun to spread.
Whispers circulated among the shinobi that Shibusa's defection had not been voluntary, but rather the result of pressure exerted by the current leader, Shibuki. Some even claimed that the matter involved core interests of the village itself.
Whether true or not, such rumors were enough to destabilize trust.
As a result, Shibuki's already fragile position became even more precarious.
To make matters worse, before leaving, Shibusa had openly declared that he would return return to "correct the village's mistakes."
Those words had planted seeds of doubt.
If not for the fact that Shibuki was the grandson of the previous leader and had been formally recognized as successor his authority might have already collapsed. Even so, supported though he was by a faction loyal to the old regime, the pressure bearing down on him now was immense.
At this moment, he felt like an ant standing on a burning plate.
"Ajun-san… still no trace of Shibusa?"
Inside Takigakure's administrative hall, Shibuki sat at the head seat, his expression tense as he addressed the middle-aged shinobi before him.
It had been two days since the defection was confirmed.
And in those two days
No one had suffered more than Shibuki himself.
This was not the future he had envisioned for the village.
"No, Leader-sama. We've conducted a thorough search of the surrounding regions, but there's no sign of him."
The rugged-faced Taki-nin shook his head gravely.
"How can that be…?"
Shibuki's expression darkened further.
When a high-ranking shinobi defected, the standard protocol was clear pursue immediately. Either capture them alive or eliminate them on sight. Even if such actions carried political repercussions, they at least prevented deeper instability.
But now
Shibusa had vanished completely.
And the longer he remained at large, the more dangerous the situation became.
He was not an ordinary jōnin.
Within Takigakure, he held considerable influence. His reputation alone had been enough for many to consider him a viable successor to the leadership.
Now, that same reputation had turned into a destabilizing force.
Combined with the rumors circulating within the village
It was only natural that unrest would follow.
"This isn't something he could have done alone," Ajun continued, his tone firm. "There must have been internal assistance… and likely external support as well. Otherwise, erasing all traces in such a short time would be impossible."
As a former confidant of the previous leader, Ajun had never been fully convinced of Shibuki's readiness.
But now that Shibuki had assumed the mantle of leadership, Ajun's stance was unwavering.
Support the leader.
That was the principle he adhered to.
"Internal… and external…"
A trace of bitterness flickered across Shibuki's face.
He had done everything he could for the village.
Yet why
Why were there still so many who doubted him?
For a fleeting moment, a dangerous thought surfaced in his mind.
Was it a mistake… to become the leader?
But just as quickly
He suppressed it.
He was not so naïve as to entertain such weakness for long.
He carried the expectations of the previous leader.
Of his grandfather.
Stepping down was not an option.
"…Increase the scope of the investigation," Shibuki said at last, his tone firming. "Issue a pursuit order immediately. We must locate Shibusa as soon as possible alive or dead."
He paused briefly, hesitation flickering across his face.
"And also… investigate potential collaborators within the village "
"Bang!"
The door burst open before he could finish.
A small figure strode in without restraint.
"What's going on with Uncle Shibusa's defection?!"
Her voice was sharp, filled with urgency.
"Shibuki-nii… is it true? Did you really force him to leave, like everyone's saying?"
Short blue-green hair.
Dark skin.
Bright orange eyes.
The girl standing there was none other than Fū, the Seven-Tails' jinchūriki Takigakure's greatest military asset.
The moment Shibuki saw her, his expression softened instinctively.
But as her words registered
His face stiffened.
Behind her, a young Taki-nin hurried in, his expression tense.
"Fū! You can't speak to the leader like that!"
However, Fū paid him no attention.
Her gaze remained fixed on Shibuki, unwavering.
She would not leave without an answer.
Shibuki let out a quiet sigh, rubbing his temple.
"Echizen, it's fine," he said, raising a hand. "Fū isn't just any shinobi… she's like family. There's no need for formalities here."
And those words were not mere politeness.
Fū had grown up alongside him.
From a young age, he had been taught to treat her as his own sister.
Back then, he hadn't understood the full significance of a jinchūriki.
Now, he did.
But that didn't change the bond they shared.
And Shibuki was not the type to hide behind authority least of all in front of her.
"Shibuki-nii…"
Fū stepped forward, her expression unusually serious.
"I know things are different now that you're the leader. But Uncle Shibusa… he's not just anyone. I need to know the truth."
Her voice was steady.
Demanding, yet sincere.
"What really happened?"
"Fū, this matter "
Ajun frowned slightly, clearly dissatisfied with her tone, and began to interject.
"Ajun-san."
Shibuki raised a hand, stopping him.
Then, after a brief pause, he looked directly at Fū.
His expression was resolute.
"Believe me," he said quietly. "I did not do what the rumors claim."
A beat of silence followed.
"Shibusa chose to leave the village of his own accord. There may be misunderstandings involved… but until we find him, nothing can be confirmed."
His voice carried no hesitation.
Only conviction.
And for Fū
That answer mattered.
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