"Master Guy!"
"Lee!"
Might Guy and Lee burst into tears and hugged each other tightly, making everyone else in the room break out into a cold sweat.
Shiki couldn't help but feel helpless. Even though I don't want to show my pain, why did you go ahead and say it out loud?
After talking with everyone for a while, Shiki learned Konoha's official explanation for the incident—it had been caused by rogue ninjas from another Hidden Village.
As for Shiki Uzumaki, he was said to have voluntarily confronted a chunin during the battle, which was why he sustained such severe injuries.
Shiki felt surprised. Even if Konoha knew he hadn't actually killed the chunin in the end, Yamanaka Fu had definitely died by his hand. How could they possibly forgive him so easily?
Yet Shiki didn't voice his questions, as discussing such secrets openly in front of so many people wasn't appropriate.
Once everyone had left, Shiki began inspecting his injuries carefully.
Actually, considering the Uzumaki clan's healing ability, those external wounds were nothing serious.
More importantly, his chakra pathways had been severely overworked.
"It seems the situation is slightly better than I expected, yet my right leg's condition is worse than anticipated," Shiki frowned; "better" only meant slightly improved.
He could feel that even the slightest acceleration of chakra flow would trigger intense pain. If excessive chakra was transported, it could further damage his chakra pathways.
However, he could barely manage to use some ninjutsu. As long as they weren't techniques that consumed massive amounts of chakra, he might be able to pull them off.
His chakra reserves hadn't decreased at all. The real problem was that transporting chakra through his damaged pathways had become extremely difficult.
"I was planning to play the long game, like a slow stream wearing away stone..." Shiki sighed helplessly. Although his total chakra supply hadn't changed, he had hoped during future battles to wear opponents down gradually by constantly using low-chakra-cost techniques.
But now another problem surfaced—though this strategy was still barely doable, prolonged usage would still place unbearable strain on his already-damaged channels.
Regarding his leg condition, Shiki realized it was far more severe.
Earlier, to exterminate insects, he had unleashed [Multiple Chakra Scalpel: Fine Rain] throughout his right leg. Such a destructive technique had already robbed most of his sensation in that limb.
Still drawing upon his medical knowledge, he understood these injuries would gradually heal over time. But even with full recovery, it would likely take more than half a year.
Faced with all these circumstances, Shiki finally understood why Danzo no longer pursued the matter intensely.
To Danzo, he seemed practically useless at the moment.
Nevertheless, the price paid to escape Danzo's control had been extremely heavy.
It felt as if all his natural gifts were gone—his entire foundation for becoming stronger seemed to vanish in an instant.
Could it really be... that from now on, he'd never become strong?
At the thought, Shiki's expression darkened.
Suddenly, someone walked through the door.
"Shiki, would you mind having a little chat with me?"
Chapter 54: Shadow Clone Jutsu
Shiki turned toward the voice. An old man entered, pushing open the door and standing quietly there.
The familiar cloak allowed Shiki to recognize him immediately.
Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Shiki replied, "Of course. There are many things I'd like to ask you as well."
The Third walked in and sat down on a chair beside the bed, silently observing Shiki Uzumaki.
"Regarding Fu Yamanaka, has Danzo stopped pursuing the matter?"
Before the Third could respond, Shiki had already voiced his confusion.
The Third nodded slightly, secretly impressed by Shiki Uzumaki's insight—children of that age rarely thought this deeply.
Shiki Uzumaki had directly pinpointed the core issue. If Fu Yamanaka had died, even if Shiki was justified, the matter wouldn't have ended so easily.
"Fu Yamanaka is ultimately an experienced jōnin with extensive knowledge. Even though he isn't primarily a fighter, as an intelligence operative, he has many ways to protect himself."
Shiki seemed to understand. "You mean... Fu Yamanaka didn't actually die?"
"That's correct. Fu used the Yamanaka clan's Mind Body Switching Jutsu. However, he sustained severe injuries. After all, his mind is now attached to that puppet."
This outcome satisfied Shiki to some extent. After all, Fu Yamanaka hadn't truly attacked Sena Hoshino. And for someone in his current state, who wasn't yet strong,
Avoiding further trouble was already something worth celebrating.
"Shiki Uzumaki, on this point, you did exceptionally well. But there's another unavoidable matter—you've been through a lot already. Are you still willing to continue being a ninja?"
The Third spoke ambiguously. In truth, what he meant by "having been through a lot" was simply referring to Shiki's injuries. He just didn't want to reopen Shiki's wound again.
Still willing to be a ninja?
Feeling the seriousness in the Third's gaze, Shiki couldn't help but feel this was a familiar trope.
If he said no, the Third would surely offer him a stable life simply for being the last of the Uzumaki.
But would Shiki accept that?
Disappointed he might be, but how could he possibly abandon the path of the ninja?
How could he give up on becoming stronger?
Even without talent, the path ahead would still be his to walk—just longer and harder.
And to put it plainly, Danzo had already marked him as an enemy.
When facing oppression, should a man retreat, endure, and run away?
Like hell I will!
"Hokage-sama, I'll keep walking the ninja's path—without fear, without turning back!"
The Third looked slightly surprised. He hadn't expected Shiki to remain so resolute after such a blow.
This reminded him of his younger self—firmly upholding his beliefs without the slightest wavering.
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