A choice?
Gekkō Hayate stood silently, gazing at Shigure.
"You know the situation in Konoha. I ca back this ti to take so people away. Regardless of whether Danzō ends up becoming Hokage, I refuse to be controlled and threatened the sa way ever again."
Hayate was silent for a long mont.
"…Alright. Let think about it."
Shigure nodded and walked away. There were more people he needed to et.
Anyone from the Gekkō Clan who wished to leave could follow him. In the Hidden Mist Village, they would be treated as a top-tier clan, highly valued.
But remaining in Konoha ant staying an average ninja family, subjected to the uncertain political tides.
It was their decision to make.
For now, Shigure's destination was the flower shop.
The Flower Shop
In front of a dium-sized flower shop along a quiet Konoha street, Shigure stood watching through the window.
With the village's current internal instability, most Genin had been suspended from missions and told to stay ho.
It was the safest course. No one knew when a battle might break out over the struggle for the Hokage seat.
Inside, Yamanaka Ino held a pot of blooming flowers, admiring their color—yet her expression was dim.
Shigure had left Konoha—gone to the Hidden Mist Village, rumored to have even beco a Jinchūriki.
He was never supposed to co back again.
Thinking about that, Ino's heart grew even heavier.
"Those flowers are beautiful. How much are they? I'd like to buy them for soone."
At the sound of the familiar voice, Ino looked up sharply.
The flower pot slipped from her hands and shattered on the floor.
She stared at the tall stranger who stood before her.
Her eyes were filled with confusion.
"Y–You are…?"
"Can't you recognize my voice?"
Ino's eyes widened, her mouth falling open.
"Y-You're Shigure!?"
The man was tall—much taller than before—with a lean, well-proportioned figure and pale skin.
His face, once youthful, now held sharper definition.
Shigure had always been handso, but now his growth made it almost startling.
"Shigure—how did you suddenly beco like this!?"
"I'm not sure. Maybe becoming a Jinchūriki pushed my developnt forward all at once."
Shigure stepped closer, slipped an arm around Ino's waist, and lifted her effortlessly.
Then—Body Flicker Technique—they vanished from the shop.
The Park
In a quiet, isolated park, Shigure sat down on a bench with Ino still in his arms.
Her body went stiff like a startled kitten.
"After all this ti… didn't you miss ?"
"I—Of course not!"
Shigure lowered his head and kissed her gently.
Flushing bright red, Ino looked up at him.
"Shigure-kun… are you back in Konoha?"
He tapped the Hidden Mist forehead protector tied around his arm.
"Does it look like I ca back as a Konoha ninja?"
"Then… why are you here?"
"To take you with ."
Ino froze.
"Take away…?"
Shigure nodded.
"Yes. Co with to the Hidden Mist. Will you?"
The question left her speechless. She leaned against his chest, listening to the powerful, steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
"But… my ho is still in Konoha."
Shigure exhaled softly.
"I won't force you. It's your choice. If you want to co, I'll take you. If you want to stay, I'll respect that. We're both alive—there will always be a chance to et again. But… it won't be easy for a long ti."
He already predicted that after this visit, communication between Konoha and the Hidden Mist would decline drastically. They might not see each other again anyti soon.
Ino squeezed his hand tightly, trembling.
"Shigure-kun… are you doing well in the Hidden Mist?"
Shigure smiled faintly.
"Very soon—if nothing unexpected happens, I'll beco the Sixth Mizukage."
Ino stared at him, stunned.
"As expected of Shigure-kun… that's incredible."
"Whether you decide to leave with or not, at least we have today. Right now, we're together."
Ino's expression grew hazy, overwheld by conflicting emotions.
Shigure did not return her to the Yamanaka residence until evening. Even then, Ino still hadn't given him an answer.
It wasn't her fault. Her ho was in Konoha. Her teammates and her family were here. Unlike Shigure, she couldn't simply leave everything behind.
After parting with her, Shigure made his way to Ichiraku Ran.
Ichiraku Ran
Inside, Hyūga Hinata sat quietly, two steaming bowls of ran placed before her. She smiled softly at the sight, waiting.
Shigure appeared beside her, watching her stare at the bowls with an absentminded, gentle smile.
"Aren't you hungry? Why aren't you eating?"
Startled, Hinata turned and froze for a mont when she saw him—then her face brightened.
Even though his appearance had changed drastically, she recognized him instantly.
"I… I was waiting for Shigure-kun."
"Is that so? Then let's eat together."
A soft hum escaped her lips as she nodded, unable to hide her happiness.
Behind the counter, Teuchi, the owner, trembled and dropped the ladle in his hand.
Aya stepped forward, eyes shimring with emotion.
"Sorry… my dad is a little upset that you willingly beca a ninja of the Hidden Mist."
Shigure was taken aback. Even Ichiraku Ran knew.
After finishing the al, the two walked toward the Hyūga Clan compound.
"Hinata," Shigure said quietly, "I want to take you away from Konoha. Will you co with ?"
Hinata stopped walking, face already flushed, but now frozen entirely.
One thought shot through her mind—
Eloping?
Shigure-kun wanted to take her away.
Should she agree?
But her father, her clan—everything she had known was here.
"Are you happy staying at ho?" Shigure asked gently.
"Your father still intends to raise you as the Hyūga successor, right?"
Hinata lowered her head and nodded.
With her gentle nature, she was ill-suited for the harsh world of shinobi. A quiet, peaceful life suited her better.
Shigure placed a hand lightly on her head.
"So I want to take you away from Konoha. Will you co with ?"
Hinata hesitated for a long ti.
"…I want to go with Shigure-kun. But Father won't agree."
"Don't worry. As long as you want to leave, no one can stop . And if you choose to co with , I promise no one will dare stand in our way."
"Truly?" Hinata whispered. She didn't understand how he could be so certain.
Shigure smiled faintly.
"You'll know soon."
"Tomorrow. Wait for near the Hokage Building. Once I finish one last task, we'll leave Konoha together."
Hinata nodded softly.
"…Okay."
After watching her disappear into the Hyūga compound, Shigure turned around and faced the opposite direction.
"It should be almost ti."
"Sasuke, you should be arriving soon."
And not just Sasuke. The shinobi from Takigakure would reach Konoha shortly as well.
The news of his presence was already spreading—and with it, the disappearance of their Tailed Beast.
A few days earlier, Fū, the Jinchūriki of Takigakure, had returned and reported that the Seven-Tails had been taken. Takigakure imdiately dispatched ninja to Konoha, demanding diation and justice.
Stealing another village's Tailed Beast was an act that could trigger war.
anwhile, still in Takigakure, Hidan and Kakuzu, who had been hunting a Jinchūriki, fud at the news.
Hidan spat violently.
"I didn't expect that brat from the Hidden Mist to steal our prey!"
Kakuzu's voice was cold.
"Hidden Mist Village… they only just lifted their isolation and they already dare to behave like this. It seems we'll need to visit the Mist personally."
...
TN:
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