đ WEEKLY POWER GOALS đ
đ„ 30â2ch | 60â5ch | 100â8ch | 200â15ch | 400â25ch
â° Resets Monday!
33.txt
Facing Qianyu's guardedness, Mito Uzumaki felt a pang of sorrow.
She had seen how Qianyu treated Kushina Uzumaki over the past few years. Mito was both pleased and helpless. She was pleased because their bond was genuinely strong, but helpless because they seemed to have only each other.
Qianyu had no other friends. Kushina was the same.
Moreover, the last time Qianyu visited, he had already moved to a new house. Hiruzen Sarutobi had even publicly visited him at the Konoha Ninja Hospital. Because of that, the village's open mockery had ceased.
So, Mito had asked him: 'Qianyu, do you feel a sense of belonging to Konoha now?'
His reply was: 'My belonging will always be Konoha.'
But Mito could clearly feel the lie. And she could also sense it⊠that deep-seated malice Qianyu held towards Konoha.
That was when she realizedâQianyu had always harbored hatred for the village in his heart.
Of course.
Nearly killed in the womb due to pressure from the Uchiha clan.His parents forced to defect, hunted by the ANBU.Orphaned, then returning to Konoha only to be rejected by the Uchiha and endure scornful gazes.
How could he not hate Konoha?
And Qianyu⊠he had been wearing a mask all along. From the age of four when he returned, he had been acting. Even now, he still was.
He bore burdens and hardships no child his age should ever have to carry.
Mito wanted to help him. She truly did. But she felt powerless.
On one side, her late husband's clan. On the other, the village her husband had founded.
She wanted to tell Qianyuâdon't hate Konoha.
But the words stuck in her throat. She had no right to say them.
Kushina seemed to sense the tense atmosphere. She tugged on Mito's sleeve. "Grandma Mito? What's wrong?"
Mito forced a smile. "It's nothing, Kushina. I'd like to speak with Qianyu alone for a moment. Would that be alright?"
The straightforward Kushina agreed immediately. "Of course you can!"
As Kushina turned to leave, Qianyu suddenly caught her hand. He spoke to Mito. "Lady Mito, the coursework Orochimaru-sensei assigned is quite heavy. I'll just exchange a few words with Kushina, then I must be going."
He sensed itâwhatever Mito wanted to discuss alone was bound to be troublesome. Besides, he saw no reason for a private conversation.
Mito wanted Kushina to become the Nine-Tails jinchuriki. That alone put them on opposing sides.
Even Kushina, as carefree as she was, now sensed something was off between Qianyu and Mito.
Caught in the middle, she looked torn. "Qianyu⊠Grandma MitoâŠ"
Mito sighed. "Qianyu, I'm not asking to speak with you as a member of Konoha. I'm asking as Kushina's elder. Is that not acceptable either?"
Qianyu's brow furrowed slightly. He glanced at Kushina.
Seeing her distressed expression, his frown deepened.
He released Kushina's hand. "I understand. Kushina, go wait outside. I'll be out soon after speaking with Lady Mito."
After Kushina left, Qianyu looked at Mito. "Lady Mito, what did you wish to discuss?"
Mito's voice remained gentle. "Qianyu, you are of my husband's clan. I can be considered your elder."
Qianyu lowered his gaze slightly, his tone still distant. "Lady Mito, I have no family name."
A bitter smile touched Mito's lips.No family name⊠He doesn't acknowledge being a descendant of the Senju eitherâŠ
She shook her head helplessly, then continued. "Qianyu, I am at ease⊠knowing Kushina's future is with you."
Hearing that, Qianyu lifted his head to look at her again.
Mito's bitter smile widened slightly. It seemed only Kushina could draw out Qianyu's true feelings. But that also meant Kushina was profoundly important to him.
Mito went on. "Our Uzumaki clan⊠most of us possess a special physique. An immense chakra reserve and formidable vitality from birth. What I'm about to tell you next is one of Konoha's secretsâŠ"
Just as she was about to continue, Mito's senses flared.
Malice. Thick, palpable malice, rising from Qianyu like a cold tide.
His expression hadn't changed at all. But Mito was certainâthis malice was directed squarely at her.
She was utterly confused. If he felt malice after hearing what she had to say, she could understand.
But she hadn't said anything yet. Why this sudden, intense hostility?
Mito's eyes sharpened.
Unless⊠he already knows?
Of course he knew.
First, mention the Uzumaki physique. Then, call it a village secret.
What Mito was about to say had a ninety percent chance of being about the Nine-Tails jinchuriki.
Qianyu noticed Mito's scrutinizing gaze.
His heart dropped. Did she see through me? Impossible. My control is flawless.
A sudden, icy realization jolted through him. His expression turned grim.
He'd forgotten something crucial.
The abilities being the Nine-Tails jinchuriki granted Mito.
The ability to sense malice.
No wonder she'd said there was no need for such wariness earlier. She'd felt his guard up all along.
What a troublesome ability. It meant his mask was utterly useless before her.
Qianyu took a long, slow breath, forcing himself to calm down.
If he couldn't pretend in front of her, then there was no point in pretending at all.
Sensing the shift in Qianyu's demeanor, Mito looked directly into his eyes, her gaze serious. "So it's true. You know about the Nine-Tails jinchuriki. You know why Kushina was brought to Konoha. Don't you?"
"Lady Mito, I have no means of knowing such things."
Though he dropped the act, Qianyu didn't reveal everything. Mito guessing was one thing. Him admitting it aloud was another.
Mito's brow creased slightly. "Yes. You have no means. Yet you know. Then⊠is this malice towards me because Konoha intends for Kushina to become the jinchuriki?"
Qianyu's reply was clinical, detached. "Lady Mito, that is Konoha's decision. I have no right to question or interfere."
Mito felt an immense weariness settle over her.This boy⊠he's like a fortress. Impenetrable.
~~~~ââ~~~~~~~~ââ~~~~
Read up to (40+Â ) advanced chapters on Patre\on
Visit us here:patreon.com/GoldenLong
Happy reading, everyone!