Chapter 13: The Weight of a Life
"If what you said checks out," Jiraiya conceded, "then you can take Naraku Ryosuke."
Ryouma's heart leapt with joy, though he kept his face carefully neutral. He thought for a moment before speaking. "In my dream, there were ten people. They wore black cloaks with red clouds and hats with hanging wind chimes. Each of them wore a ring on their finger... and their forehead protectors had a deep scratch through the symbol!"
"Oh?" Jiraiya was visibly startled. "What else?" he pressed urgently.
"They seemed to be capturing... enormous monsters. They were incredibly powerful. And in the sky... there was a red moon..."
"Is there more? Any specific details about the members? Or, when they captured these Tailed Beasts—er, these huge monsters—what was their purpose?"
"I don't know their purpose," Ryouma admitted. "But I do know the name of their leader." Seeing Jiraiya was fully hooked, Ryouma's internal celebration grew. Three hundred Almighty Points are almost mine!
"What is his name?!" Jiraiya's voice rose, sharp with an intensity he didn't seem to notice.
"Naraku Ryosuke..." Ryouma said the name slowly, a deliberate reminder of their bargain. He wasn't about to let Jiraiya forget.
"He's yours."
"His name is Nagato."
Having delivered the crucial piece of information, Ryouma turned and walked away without a backward glance at the stunned Sannin.
He didn't know if revealing the leader of Akatsuki—one of his own former students—to Jiraiya so early would alter the world's destiny or accelerate inevitable tragedies. Frankly, he didn't care. All he could focus on now was gaining the power to protect himself and those he cared about when chaos inevitably descended.
It was a selfish goal, perhaps. But in this world, who was truly selfless?
When Ryouma returned to the main hall, Vulture was gone. Kurenai was giving final instructions to Hinata and Kiba. Seeing Ryouma return, she asked, "Ryouma, what did you and Lord Jiraiya discuss?"
"Oh... I was just asking him for some ninjutsu advice," Ryouma fabricated, hoping to brush it off. He didn't expect Kurenai's reaction.
"Ryouma," she said, her tone turning stern, "you've only just become a genin. As far as I know, you've only mastered a single technique. What could you possibly discuss with someone of Lord Jiraiya's caliber? Don't be impatient. Master the basics before you aim for advanced techniques!" She lectured him tirelessly.
"Lady Kurenai," a new voice interrupted. It was Rinka, walking in from outside. "I don't mean to doubt you, but can this 'Lord Jiraiya' truly stop the Blood Gate's assault? That Suna jōnin was a coward, running off like that, and he still took the full payment! It's infuriating!"
"You have no right to question Lord Jiraiya's strength!" Even Kurenai's patience had its limits. Having been deceived about the mission's danger, and now hearing such insolence from the very clients who had lied, her anger finally boiled over.
"Lady Kurenai, he didn't mean it like that... Please, calm down," Trump quickly interjected, trying to mediate. The merchant who had brought Jiraiya also pulled Rinka aside, whispering urgently to him.
Ryouma shook his head. He had initially liked this country—the beautiful scenery, the refreshing scent of tea leaves, Trump's superficially amiable nature. But now he was seeing the other side.
Humanity had its bright side, of course.
But it also had a dark side. And when faced with a true threat, that darkness was becoming impossible to ignore.
"Hinata, Kiba, let's go. Teacher Kurenai, you and Lord Jiraiya should be careful as well." Ryouma didn't want Hinata to stay in this toxic environment any longer. He said his goodbyes to Kurenai.
Kurenai didn't stop them, merely nodding. "You be careful too. If you're in any danger, use the signal flare I gave you."
Before they left, Kurenai had given each of them a signal flare—essentially a firework, similar to a flare gun in his old world.
Ryouma nodded. He hoisted the unconscious Naraku Ryosuke onto his shoulder. Kurenai looked like she wanted to ask about it, but seeing Jiraiya walk back in, she held her tongue.
Just as the three genin were about to exit the mansion, Jiraiya suddenly appeared beside Ryouma. "You've given me quite a surprise," he said with a meaningful smile. "Once this is over, you and I need to have a proper talk."
On the road back, Kiba couldn't contain his curiosity. "Ryouma, why are you carrying that guy? What if he wakes up?"
"Oh, he won't wake up," Ryouma said dismissively. He looked around, ensuring they were alone in a secluded stretch of path, and set Naraku Ryosuke down. He pulled a kunai from his pouch, his hand trembling slightly.
Killing. He had never done it. The thought had seemed simple in the abstract, but faced with the reality, the weight of the act felt immense.
Huuuh... Ryouma took several deep, steadying breaths. He saw Hinata's large, curious eyes on him and forced a reassuring smile. "Kiba, take Hinata and go on ahead. I'll catch up in a minute."
"You bastard, what are you planning to do?" Kiba frowned but, after a moment's hesitation, led a confused Hinata away.
Once they were out of sight, Ryouma tightened his grip on the kunai. He looked down at the motionless form of Naraku Ryosuke, a wave of nausea rising in his throat. With a final, convulsive effort, he plunged the blade into the man's neck.
Schlick.
Blood sprayed. When Ryouma opened his eyes, he found Naraku Ryosuke's own eyes wide open, staring directly at him.
The rogue ninja tried to speak, but only bloody foam bubbled from his lips. His eyes bulged, his hand twitched as if to grab Ryouma, then fell abruptly still.
Mission Completed: Eliminate Konoha Rogue Ninja, Naraku Ryosuke. Reward: 300 Almighty Points.
New Mission Acquired: Become a Chūnin. Reward: 250 Almighty Points.
"He's... he's dead..." Ryouma stared at the lifeless body. He felt as if something inside him had been lost, and yet, something else had been gained. A harsh lesson learned.
He collapsed weakly to his knees...
"This world... it's truly the law of the jungle... the strong prey on the weak...!"
He forced himself to stand, a new layer of firmness and grim resolve settling in his eyes.
A silvery light flickered in his pupils. Instant Eye!
In the space of a few breaths, Ryouma, using his teleportation ability, quickly caught up with Hinata and Kiba.
"Ryouma-nii," Hinata asked, her wide eyes full of a dawning, horrified understanding, "that person... did you... kill him?"