After returning to the Anbu headquarters to finish his paperwork, Gisei Shiraishi was about to head home when Sakumo Hatake stopped him.
"Walk together?"
Gisei nodded.
The two walked out of the Anbu headquarters side by side.
"What are your plans for the future?"
"I'll probably stay in the Medical Corps."
"The Medical Corps, huh. Your medical ninjutsu is definitely suitable for that place. It's just that you..."
Sakumo hesitated, looking like he had something difficult to say.
Gisei was slightly surprised; this wasn't Sakumo's usual style.
"Captain, if you have something to say, just say it."
Sakumo sighed, his expression turning serious. "I possess a certain talent. I can see through a person's potential."
Gisei's pupils constricted slightly, but he quickly put on his signature fake smile. "Captain, you aren't trying to tell me you've already seen through my potential, are you?"
"No, I can't see through you. You are quite complicated. I've only vaguely sensed some things."
"Complicated? I feel like I'm quite simple. What exactly do you mean, Captain?"
The alarm bells in Gisei's head were ringing at full volume. He hadn't expected Sakumo to have this kind of intuition. Had he already sensed his true intentions and reported them to the Third Hokage?
"You... In recent years, I've investigated a few things. The Butterfly Users are a famous clan in Konoha. Their selfless fighting in the First War has always been admired by the villagers."
"Your parents... to be honest, I don't understand politics very well, nor am I clear on whether the village did anything specific, but I feel..."
The smile on Gisei's face gradually disappeared.
To have investigated this far... it seemed Sakumo really had sensed something dangerous about him.
"There is a deeply hidden darkness in your heart. I have observed your life in the academy, the hospital, and the Anbu."
"Modest and polite, knowing when to advance and when to retreat. Even I have to say you are worthy of coming from such a famous clan."
"It's just hard to imagine that someone like you doesn't have a single real friend in Konoha."
Gisei remained silent.
Friends—he indeed had none.
Aside from occasional encounters, he basically had no meaningful interactions with his classmates from the academy. People like Anna Takemoto and Rumi Kawa couldn't be considered friends either; there were too many interests and politics mixed in.
"What does that prove? Not having friends means having darkness in your heart? Captain, you can't just say things like that irresponsibly."
Sakumo laughed bitterly. "True, it doesn't prove anything concrete. Don't worry, I haven't told anyone else."
Gisei didn't understand Sakumo's purpose in pulling him aside to say all this.
"It is impossible for a person to live truly alone. If such a person really exists, then he is just some kind of monster wearing human skin."
"Consider this my advice. I don't wish to cross swords with you someday in the future."
After dropping those heavy words, Sakumo turned and walked away.
Gisei watched his retreating figure, frowning deeply.
Just as Sakumo was about to disappear, Gisei shouted, "Captain, I'll give you a piece of advice too. Your blade is too fast; be careful, for what is too rigid breaks easily."
Without turning back, Sakumo waved his hand and vanished.
Gisei pursed his lips, his expression uncertain.
Sakumo Hatake, the White Fang of Konoha... truly not a simple man.
On the way home, Gisei kept replaying Sakumo's words in his mind.
It is impossible for a person to live truly alone. If such a person really exists, then he is just some kind of monster wearing human skin.
That sentence kept spiraling in his thoughts.
Sometimes, he couldn't figure out what exactly he was anymore. He was clearly a dead person who just happened to be reborn in this world. Could he really still be considered human?
Everyone born into this world has some kind of meaning, but what was the meaning of his birth?
In the end, must people find a reason to survive?
The more he thought, the less he understood. He was walking himself into a mental dead end.
Standing at the door of his house, he reached out to push it open. But after a moment's hesitation, he turned and left again.
Gisei arrived at the Takemoto estate.
He didn't see Anna, but he did find Masamasa Takemoto in the backyard.
As soon as Masamasa saw Gisei, his face turned black.
"Borrowing money?"
Gisei's face fell. Was this really his image in Masamasa's eyes now?
"I came to see Grandpa Shuichi, and... borrow some money while I'm at it."
Since his reputation was already ruined, Gisei decided to just smash the pot completely. I am Gisei Shiraishi. Give me money. The kind that I absolutely won't pay back.
"Don't give it to him!" Shuichi Takemoto's voice shouted from inside the room.
Gisei spread his hands helplessly. "Grandpa Shuichi, what's wrong this time?"
After entering the room, Gisei saw Shuichi lying on the bed.
"Throwing a meat bun at a dog means it's gone forever. Why should I lend to you?"
Gisei shot back, "Then I won't pay back the previous money either!"
"If you're short by one ryo, I'll break your legs!"
Gisei scratched his head. This old man wanted to marry his granddaughter to him yesterday, and today he turns his back and acts like a stranger.
"Tell me, what did you come to find me for?"
"The Third Hokage asked me to be a Jōnin leader. I refused. I'm going to the Medical Corps tomorrow to be a squad leader."
"Done talking? Get out immediately."
Gisei's temper flared up. He reached out and waved his hand vigorously in front of Shuichi's face.
"What are you doing?"
"You haven't gone senile. Don't you recognize me? How can you turn hostile so fast?"
"You're someone planning to defect. What can I possibly expect from you?"
So that was the reason. Gisei laughed awkwardly.
"You are not allowed to come here to borrow money in the future. Also, I have already arranged your family's assets. You must repay at least twenty million ryo every year."
Gisei's face turned green. The family assets only made about that much a year. After paying back twenty million, he would have to drink the northwest wind to survive.
"Old fellow, you don't need to be so ruthless, do you?"
"If I really wanted to be ruthless, you would be in prison right now."
"...Alright, whatever you say. I have something I want to ask you."
Gisei told Shuichi about his conversation with Sakumo.
After listening, Shuichi sighed. "Is that why you ran over here?"
"Yeah."
"You want to kill Sakumo Hatake?"
"Can it be done?"
"It can't be done."
Gisei scoffed. "Can a person really not live alone?"
"I don't know about that kind of thing."
"You've lived a whole life. Do you feel your life had meaning?"
"I don't know."
"Grandpa Shuichi, you're someone who's about to die. Do you feel happy?"
"You little brat, you're pushing your luck, aren't you?"
"Don't be so irritable. Life is beautiful; I think you need a little self-restraint."
Shuichi stared at him in silence.
Masamasa promptly kicked him out of the house.
Standing in front of the Takemoto family's main gate, Gisei scratched his head.
Once some things are exposed, this is indeed the result. Before, they served him good food and drink. Now that he was "useless," they were ready to skin him alive.
People, huh. Sure enough, true hearts and sincere connections just weren't in his destiny.
Speaking of which, should he go to other ninja clans to borrow some money?
Since he wouldn't pay it back anyway, it would be a waste not to borrow.
Hmm, that's a good idea.