Chương 202: A Village at the Crossroads

Naoki kept healing Shisui for multiple hours until he was exhausted and pale from the strain. He told me that Shisui would most likely remain unconscious for a long time and that he would return the next day so Shisui's body could rest before the next round of healing. Then he left, dragging his tired legs behind him. I was tired as well. I dropped onto a nearby couch and fell into a dreamless sleep almost instantly. When I woke up nearly twelve hours later, I still felt drained both physically and emotionally.

I washed my face, then ate breakfast with the cheerful chunin team who acted as if what happened the day before was just another day. For them, it probably was. The Akimichi, now with thick bandages wrapped around his arm, challenged me to see who could eat more in an attempt to cheer me up. Somehow, I ended up eating more than him. His eyes almost filled with tears while his teammates stared at me like I was a small monster in disguise.

They tried to excuse his loss by saying I was a growing boy who needed more food than grown men, but even they did not believe their own explanation. I had burned through far too much chakra the day before with Stormdrive and needed food to recover faster. After a quick exercise session, I returned to Shisui's bedside and began meditating, sinking deeper into my thoughts. Now that I finally had time to think, the events of yesterday played again in my mind with brutal clarity.

Those wind chakra jutsu had been very specific. I remembered them used in the exact same way by none other than Danzo. The memory of him offering those fake condolences for Daiken's death, only to use that moment to try recruiting me into Root, made my blood boil. I had my doubts before, but Daiken had many enemies from his actions during the Third Ninja War, so I forced myself to consider other possibilities. I also did not believe Danzo would go this far simply because Daiken threatened one of his agents.

It did not add up. There had to be another reason he targeted Daiken. It did not matter. The reason was irrelevant. What mattered was that I needed to kill that piece of shit for what he did, and I would make sure his death was as painful as possible. Anger shattered my meditation. My fists clenched until my sharp nails pierced my palms, drawing blood.

"I do not think meditation works that way." I opened my eyes. Shisui was lying in bed, his head slightly tilted toward me. My eyes widened and I jumped to my feet.

"Sensei, are you alright?" Shisui let out a weak chuckle.

"I do not feel like it. Also, did I go blind?" Relief washed over me.

"No sensei, a medical nin wrapped a cloth over your eyes to make sure you would not use them. He also said you should not move much, and that you need to hydrate and eat well since your body needs nutrients for the healing sessions he will perform for the next few days." Shisui sighed.

"Is the damage that bad?" I repeated everything the medical nin had told me. Regret and sadness flickered across Shisui's face.

"That was a tough fight," he murmured.

"I am glad you made it out alive. How about Kaen and Sena?" I explained everything from the moment he lost consciousness until now and mentioned that the chunin team had returned earlier to check the area where I left Sena and Kaen. They found a scroll saying the two had retreated safely. Shisui nodded, pleased.

"Good thing Sena convinced him. Knowing Kaen, I would have expected him to try fighting those jonin with you." I shrugged.

"Most likely Sena dragged him away." Shisui lifted his face slightly toward the ceiling, the cloth covering his eyes shifting a bit.

"I am happy the entire team survived a trap that vicious. It really is a miracle." He turned his head toward me.

"Thank you, Noa. You most likely saved my life back there. I do not know what good I did to deserve such a good student." I laughed softly.

"Well sensei, your training is what allowed me to save you, so I guess we are even." Shisui chuckled and sank deeper into the bed.

"Sensei," I asked quietly, "do you know anyone that strong with wind release?" The question grabbed his attention instantly. I needed to move carefully, so I continued before he could dismiss it.

"Also, that Hawk guy used seals on Ox and Rabbit that made them explode. The blast was very powerful. Those must be extremely advanced seals, and then there is the seal on you. I still cannot remove it even after studying it." Shisui's entire body tensed as he processed the implications, clearly turning his thoughts toward the identity of whoever attacked us.

"Sensei," I said again, trying to keep my voice steady. He rubbed his forehead slowly.

"Given his knowledge of seals, his ninjutsu, and his tactics, I know who it might be. Though I hope I am wrong, because if I am right things are about to get very complicated." I sighed internally. He had reached the same conclusion I had. Danzo. Experienced. Ruthless. Operating from the shadows. The profile matched perfectly. This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. Naoki returned sometime later and was relieved to see Shisui awake and following instructions.

Another long healing session began. Five days passed before Naoki finally wiped the sweat from his forehead and spoke.

"Good. I have healed most of the damage. Some of it may remain forever, but since you are young your body might still recover from part of it naturally. I advise keeping your eyes covered for as long as possible and only using them when absolutely necessary. Movement should be kept to a minimum. Do not use your Sharingan anytime soon or you risk harming the newly healed optical nerves. And absolutely no chakra use." He stood up straight as he continued.

"The village has sent a cart along with a strong ANBU team to escort you back. Rest for the entire trip. Understood?" Shisui nodded. Naoki turned to me with a tired smile.

"I hope we never meet again," he said, and left the room. Shisui cracked his stiff neck and let out a slow breath.

"Noa, bring me some paper and a pen. I have thought enough. I need to send a message to Lord Hokage and let him know exactly what happened." I nodded and returned with the writing tools. Shisui carefully lifted the cloth from his eyes.

"Noa, do not tell the good doctor I removed this, but I need my eyes to write this message. Give me some privacy." I nodded again and stepped out while he wrote a letter that might change everything. I returned later with lunch, which Shisui enjoyed. It felt like a weight had been lifted from his chest. I suspected he had already sent the message. Now we wait to see where the dominoes fall. A day later we were ready to move.

Shisui entered the cart and I sat with him while several powerful ANBU guarded and drove it. The trip home was thankfully uneventful. Shisui remained silent for most of it, following the doctor's instructions completely. He barely moved, avoided chakra use, and kept his eyes closed almost the entire time. It took a couple more days to finally reach the village, during which I spent the entire trip studying Master Shuzo's fuinjutsu work. As we approached, the air around Shisui sharpened.

He removed the cloth and set it aside.

"Noa, once we reach the village go home directly and stay with Takemura dono. Do not move from there until I come for you. Is that understood?" I nodded, uneasy about his tone. He handed me a scroll.

"Give this to him and do not open it." I nodded again. One of the ANBU spoke.

"Shisui san, we already sent word to the Hokage about your imminent arrival. We just received a reply that a meeting is waiting for you in his office." Shisui nodded.

"Can you escort Noa to his home, then guard the Senju compound if you have no new orders until I retrieve him. I will not be long." The ANBU answered immediately.

"Of course, Shisui san. It would be an honor to follow your orders again." Shisui smiled faintly as we reached the village gates. I was then escorted by several very powerful ANBU. Walking with them through the village made me want to act like a noble, lifting my nose to the sky while pointing at a random villager and asking why they were breathing the same air as me, or even march straight to one of the merchants who always gave me trouble when bargaining.

But the ANBU gave the impression that any deviation from Shisui's orders would result in me being dragged by the collar, so I behaved. Shisui POV I approached the Hokage's office prepared for whatever awaited. The door was closed and sealed. One of the ANBU guarding it stepped forward, confirmed my identity, and knocked slowly in a specific pattern. A moment later the barrier seal lifted. I stepped inside. The door closed behind me and the seals reactivated with a soft pulse of chakra. I bowed my head.

"I am back, Hokage sama, and ready to report my mission." I raised my head, and my breath caught. The Hokage sat at his desk looking irritated and somewhat angry, but he was not alone. My eyes widened.

"Fugaku sama?" The Uchiha clan head stood near the corner of the room with his arms crossed, posture rigid, expression carved from stone. Tall, broad shouldered, and carrying an aura that weighed down the entire room. His dark hair framed a sharp, serious face. His eyes, even without the Sharingan active, carried a heavy coldness. Next to him stood Itachi, which made the moment feel unreal. Their relationship had been deteriorating fast. Seeing them together without tension felt strange.

To the side stood Hirotaka sama, Sena's father, the richest and most well connected man in Konoha. Beside him were the two Konoha elders, Homura and Koharu, both silent and watchful. Standing slightly apart from them was Hiashi Hyuga. His posture was straight and composed, his long dark hair tied neatly behind him, and his pale Byakugan eyes carried the quiet authority of a man used to being obeyed.

He looked calm, but there was a tension in his expression that told me he understood the weight of what this meeting meant. The Hokage took a deep breath from his pipe and exhaled slowly. The smoke curled upward as he spoke.

"Shisui, tell us what happened exactly as you experienced it. Do not hold anything back." I gulped, nerves tightening in my chest. The next words out of my mouth could change the future of the village. A/N: Well, people could not wait for the arc to finish or for Noa and Shisui to stop fighting for their lives before guessing who Hawk was, and we ended up getting a bunch of bad ratings. It happens, and that is fine. Still, if you like this novel and have not rated the novel yet, give it a shot.

It is only a few clicks for you, but it means a lot to me. A review would be amazing too, but only if you feel generous. Now for the important part. With this chapter, we officially close the second arc of Naruto: Stormbreaker. This one ended up even bigger than the first arc in terms of word count, and it was an absolute blast to write. I loved including more fights, more unique moments like Master Shuzo's mini arc, and all the incredible battles that took place.

I am especially proud of the chapter where Shisui used his ultimate ability. Writing that was so much fun, and your reactions made it even better. And of course there was the amazing Sena POV that you all never seem to get enough of. There is some good news for me, though you might not see it the same way. I will be starting my break now. It will be a one month break beginning today and ending on the 30th of December, when I will post the first chapter of the new arc here.

If you want to read it five or ten days early, check the link in the post chapter A/N. I will miss you all more than you think. I am not just saying it, I mean it. And since we reached one million views, I will be posting a special chapter in two weeks to properly celebrate that amazing milestone, which would not have happened without you. Yes, you, the one reading this right now. Thank you. I cannot wait to start the new arc with you. It is going to be legen… wait for it… dary.

Is one month is too much wait for you? Well. Good news everyone, you can always come here (https: //discord. gg/BDsru9e2Hq) and you can chat to your heart's desire with some amazing people... and me 😁