Naruto: Lost to Hinata on Purpose, and Now Everything's a Mess Chapter 87 87

Anko walked up to Riku, saw his gloomy expression, and asked hesitantly, "You… what's wrong with you?"

Riku frowned. "It's a pity I didn't kill him."

Anko understood. Orochimaru had many ways of coming back from the dead—surviving was what he did best. So she gently patted Riku on the shoulder and said, "Orochimaru does have a lot of strange techniques, but the strength you showed just now was enough to make him afraid."

"That technique just now… your power was terrifying. What kind of ninjutsu was that?"

Riku sighed. He still felt a bit regretful. Orochimaru had let his guard down—if he'd fought at full strength, he wouldn't have ended up so battered.

After all, Orochimaru was one of the Legendary Sannin. His power wasn't to be underestimated.

Anko was now convinced—Riku absolutely had the strength to kill Orochimaru. At the very least, defeating him wouldn't be a problem. And Riku was only twelve years old.

Twelve years younger than her—and just a while ago, she'd assud Riku wasn't as strong as she was.

Back in the Hokage's office, she had heard the Third Hokage ntion that Riku's strength had reached Jonin level. But Anko hadn't really believed it.

Now she realized she had been wrong.

Riku wasn't at Jonin level—his power was on par with Orochimaru's. Kage-level.

And he was only twelve.

Even Kakashi hadn't been this terrifying at twelve. Back then, Kakashi becoming a Jonin at twelve was enough to shock the world, and that record had remained unbroken.

Now, Riku had shattered it.

But Riku wasn't in a good mood. As he looked at Anko, he was trying to figure out what to do to prevent her from revealing his true strength.

Originally, he'd only planned to exchange a few blows with Orochimaru—but he hadn't expected Orochimaru to attempt to place a cursed seal on him. In that mont, Riku had instinctively unleashed Lightning Style: Thunder Net.

That super S-rank jutsu wasn't sothing a normal Jonin could use.

Even many Kage-level shinobi couldn't cast it.

So now, Anko definitely believed that Riku's strength was beyond Jonin. If she rely thought he was Jonin level, it wouldn't be a big deal—everyone already assud that.

But if people found out he was at Kage level, it would cause major trouble.

Looking at Anko, Riku thought for a mont and said seriously, "I hope you won't tell anyone about what happened today."

Because Riku was taller than Anko, the way he looked down at her made him seem even more imposing.

Startled by his intense presence, Anko clenched her fists, trying to withstand the pressure.

She looked up at him. "Why? If people knew your strength, it would definitely benefit you."

But Riku replied calmly, "So people enjoy that sort of attention. I don't. So please don't tell anyone about —including the Third Hokage. I think, as soone who used to be Orochimaru's student, you should understand just how much chaos this would cause if word got out."

Anko fell silent, thinking about it. Seeing the seriousness in Riku's eyes made her hesitate.

Facing him now didn't feel much different from facing Orochimaru—it was just as suffocating.

"Then answer —has your strength really reached Kage-level? And tell —how many people know?"

"…Also, how did you know I used to be Orochimaru's student?"

Riku answered without emotion, "To your first question—yes, it's as you guessed. As for how I knew—you gave it away when you fought Orochimaru just now."

Anko frowned. "What are you talking about? I didn't say anything!"

Riku shot her a look of disdain. "What do you think?"

Anko flushed with embarrassnt. With her current ability, there was no way she could detect Riku's presence if he didn't want to be seen.

Riku continued, "I saved your life. Keeping this secret is the least you can do in return."

Anko could only nod. "Alright. But why go through all this trouble to hide your power?"

Riku chuckled. "What do you think?"

Anko did understand the reasoning, but still… with Riku's strength, did he really have anything to worry about?

Riku leaned against a nearby tree and said calmly, "How do I put it… I prefer a quieter life. If my strength becos known, my future will be anything but peaceful."

"I'll be dragged into a lot of pointless things. I think you can understand that."

At this mont, Anko no longer felt like she was talking to a twelve-year-old boy.

"…You say that, and honestly, it's hard to believe you're only twelve. I don't even think that far ahead."

Riku chuckled. "That's because you're a bit more… direct."

What he really wanted to say was: your brain's a little simple.

But Anko smiled happily at being called "straightforward."

"Well, you saved . It's not a big deal—so I promise you."

Riku looked at her sternly. "You'd better keep your word. You're a Jonin—you don't want to break your promise, do you?"

Anko found herself feeling amused. From the mont she first t Riku, she'd thought he was interesting. Now, he was lecturing her like an adult.

"Of course. I swear on my rank as a Jonin," she said with a smirk.

Riku corrected her flatly, "You're a Special Jonin."

Anko looked embarrassed. "Still counts."

Riku nodded and said, "The ANBU should be arriving soon. You know what to say, right?"

Anko replied, "This giant crater was caused by you using an extrely destructive Fire Style jutsu."

Riku nodded. "If they press for details, say I used Fire Style: Dragon Fla Bullet. That alone can cause this much damage. And I used Chidori too—rember that."

Being coached on how to lie by a twelve-year-old was… embarrassing. Anko muttered, "I'm not an idiot. You don't have to spell it out for ."

But Riku frowned. "Be serious. ANBU aren't fools. The Dragon Fla Bullet and Chidori are enough to explain this situation. Don't say I beat Orochimaru. Just say Orochimaru didn't intend to kill us."

Anko nodded. "Got it."

Riku sighed. "So do I have to wait for ANBU to arrive?"

Anko nodded. "You caused all this. What, planning to slip away? You're alone, right? Your teammates ditched you in the Forest of Death, didn't they?"

She gave Riku a pointed look.

Finally, she had found a rare chance to tease him.

After everything he'd said earlier, she had felt like the child, and Riku the adult.

Now it was her turn.

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