Free Web NovelChapter 266: Carefully Designed Lone Rear Guard Performance
Although Shinichi would almost certainly never reach that step, and he could choose not to do it, the absolute loyalty that should exist had to exist!
Thus, he carefully designed this entire lone rear guard performance.
And the deeper move of the game lay in this land itself, the Land of Lightning.
This place was too special.
Several decades ago, on that bloody night, the second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, had also remained behind alone on this very land, exchanging his own life for the survival of his six students.
That sacrifice had long since become an unhealable wound in the hearts of Konoha’s upper echelon, a regret they had been unable to let go of for decades.
So Shinichi chose this place.
The same country.
The same desperate situation.
The same choice.
And a similar identity.
Even the final location for holding the rear was deliberately chosen as this forest, which, according to his deductions, was highly likely to be the very place where the second Hokage had made his final stand.
Decades ago, the second Hokage died here alone.
Decades later, he, Shinichi Higashino, the one many already regarded as a replacement for the second Hokage, also stepped forward here.
Then, after this battle, just how great a shock would it bring to those Konoha higher-ups?
Shinichi understood all too well the destructive power of white moonlight (First love).
The second Hokage’s choice back then, after decades of remembrance and idealization, had long become an unshakable totem of faith within Konoha’s upper echelon, a light within memory that only grew brighter with time, yet could never again be reached.
And what Shinichi wanted was for them to transfer all of those decades of accumulated regret, remembrance, obsession, and even faith, onto him.
He wanted to become that living Tobirama, the miracle who made the same choice under the same desperate circumstances, yet ultimately returned alive.
He wanted those higher-ups, when looking at him, to no longer think of a cold gravestone and a regretful past, but instead a living, breathing existence who had perfectly inherited their teacher’s will, someone worthy of entrusting the future to, a new light.
After all, the one holding the rear was the clone Isshin alone. What did that have to do with Shinichi Higashino? If anything really went wrong, he could just use a Summoning Technique and run away.
However, the plan still encountered a slight deviation.
Shinichi had never imagined that Danzo Shimura would actually come and even risk himself alone by entering deep into the Land of Lightning for his sake.
That was completely beyond his expectations.
Originally, Shinichi had thought about simply going along with it and leaving.
After all, that old man Danzo was a textbook troublemaker. No one knew what absurd things he might do under the banner of for Konoha’s sake or for your own good, only to make someone else take the blame afterward.
But at that moment, the Shadow Clone he had sent ahead to scout the border discovered an unexpected force.
An elite rescue squad, personally led by the third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, secretly infiltrates the Land of Lightning.
And it was precisely the appearance of this squad that changed his mind. freёwebnovel.com
That night, aside from Danzo Shimura, did Hiruzen Sarutobi, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado... Also carry regrets in their hearts?
Over all these years, had they repeatedly questioned themselves in the dead of night?
"Back then, why didn’t I stay behind and die alongside my teacher?"
Shinichi believed the answer was definitely yes.
So, Shinichi returned.
He not only wanted to become the living Tobirama in the hearts of Konoha’s upper echelon.
He also wanted to become, within their hearts, the version of themselves that countless times in dreams, memories, and self-questioning, finally turned around and stayed behind with their teacher, fighting and facing death side by side.
Thus, he came.
To save those who should be saved.
To complete the performance that should be completed.
To become that light within their hearts that could never again be erased.
"So what?"
Danzo Shimura shoved away the subordinates trying to support him and strode several steps forward until he stood beside Shinichi, roaring sternly: "What difference does your coming make? Bringing these thirty equally disobedient fools with you, are the thirty-two of us supposed to die together here?!"
As he spoke, his gaze swept toward the opposite side. The dust was slowly settling, and the black mass of Kumogakure forces was reorganizing, their killing intent colder and more solid than before.
"Elder Danzo."
Shinichi did not turn around. He merely gazed quietly at the enemy formation ahead.
"Who said there are only thirty-two people?"
At this, Shinichi slightly turned his face toward Danzo.
"To be exact, there are three hundred and sixty-six."
"Wha—"
Danzo had only just begun to feel suspicious when suddenly, deep within the forest behind them, a violent commotion erupted!
"Kill!!!"
"Reinforce the captain!!!"
The roar thundered through the night mist!
Danzo abruptly turned his head. Within the forest where moonlight and dust intertwined, countless figures burst forth like a collapsing flood!
"So, Elder Danzo."
Shinichi turned back again, meeting Danzo’s shocked gaze with a slight smile.
"Now do you understand why I came back?"
"My squad members, in order to save me, the captain who voluntarily stayed behind to hold the rear, were willing to disregard even their own lives and turn back to charge into battle."
"Then, as their captain, how could I abandon another party who voluntarily stayed behind for me?"
"Don’t you agree, Elder Danzo?"
Shinichi could roughly understand what Danzo Shimura was thinking at this moment.
Nothing more than wanting to complete the unfinished regret from back then, complete a redemption decades overdue, and then go meet his teacher openly and without shame.
But for Shinichi, self-redemption?
Fine!
But openly and without shame, meeting your teacher?
Absolutely not!
For the rest of your life, just obediently work for me instead!
Danzo Shimura did not speak.
He merely stared blankly at the battered yet bright-eyed members of the Shinichi Battalion.
Those three hundred-plus squad members who should have long since retreated, who should already have escaped this battlefield of death, not a single one was missing.
At this moment, every single one of them appeared within his field of vision, charging toward the battlefield at full speed!
Then, he slowly shifted his gaze back toward the boy’s smiling face.
After a brief silence, Danzo Shimura suddenly laughed in relief.
"Good!"
...
"Shinichi Higashino? Good, very good!"
The endless dust finally dispersed completely.
The Kumogakure commander, Toroi, saw the newcomer clearly, a sharp glint flashing through his eyes as he slowly spoke.
Back when that enormous black staff had first pierced through the air, Toroi had already guessed something.
That stick was unique in the entire Shinobi World.
The person who came was either Shinichi Higashino or the third Hokage.
But no matter which one it was, it was a huge catch!
"I thought you had already escaped. I never expected you to actually come back!" freēwēbnovel.com
As he spoke, Toroi rapidly formed several hand signs.
The Kumogakure ninja on both flanks immediately understood, spreading outward like a tide in an attempt to encircle from the sides and completely trap the Konoha group here, cutting off every escape route.
At the same time, the three hundred elite Kumogakure ninjas around Toroi all began forming hand seals simultaneously. Chakra surged violently as dangerous, sharp lightning gathered in their hands.
