Chapter 19: Joining Sunagakure, A Different Life
Akiyama Makoto gently tapped his temple. Why were there so many twists and turns in this simulation? Was it because he had revealed his strength and was no longer classified as an ordinary person, thus naturally getting drawn into the struggles of the ninja world?
As for the fact that he was being punished despite being a hero for killing Baki, Makoto wasn't surprised at all. This sort of thing was practically a daily occurrence in Konoha. Moreover, with the Third Hokage dead, although Danzō couldn't rule with an iron fist just yet, there was almost no one who could stop him from doing what he wanted. Makoto even secretly suspected: was Danzō making a move on him because of his connection to the Third Hokage?
The subsequent simulation proved his theory correct.
[Shimura Danzō frames you as an accomplice of Orochimaru, claiming you intended to provoke further war between Sunagakure and Konoha. He convicts you of espionage, and no one is allowed to plead on your behalf.]
[At the same time, all the books you have written are confiscated and banned. A new decree is issued, stating that the deeds of the Hokage can only be recorded by the Hokage's Office.]
Seeing this, Makoto laughed. He was genuinely getting a little angry now. It seemed Danzō saw him as a supporter of Sarutobi Hiruzen and wanted to take the opportunity to eliminate him, an unpredictable chess piece that could potentially obstruct his path to becoming Hokage.
With things having reached this point, Makoto knew his fate was almost inevitable. In this simulation, his relationships with Tenten and the others had stopped at friendship. As for Uzuki Yūgao, although she had accepted his confession, she couldn't even avenge Gekkō Hayate. Makoto didn't expect her to be able to do anything for him.
Whatever. It's just one simulation attempt. Although he hadn't gained a new talent, Makoto now understood one thing: until he possessed sufficient strength, he would not be safe, even within Konoha.
Makoto began to wait for the simulation to end.
[Konoha begins a large-scale reconstruction effort. Jiraiya takes Uzumaki Naruto to search for Tsunade. The matter of your imprisonment is gradually forgotten; after all, you are just a commoner.]
[One week before Tsunade's return to Konoha, you and the other Sand Village prisoners are escorted by an Anbu squad through the Land of Rivers towards the border of the Land of Wind.]
[On the night before the handover, while being held in solitary confinement, you are rescued. You recognize the person as Uzuki Yūgao.]
[You ask her in shock why she is doing this. Crushing the mask in her hand, Yūgao replies: "I promised you I would be your girlfriend." ]
In reality, Akiyama Makoto stared at this scene, stunned, as if Yūgao herself were standing before him, revealing a perfect smile and speaking those heart-stirring words. But was this realistic? Yūgao had betrayed Konoha for him?
This question in his heart could not be answered, because the simulation always glossed over such details with cold, indifferent text. He decided that if this simulation was successful, he would have to ask her this question face-to-face.
Makoto then calmed his mind. Since Yūgao had made such a great sacrifice, he absolutely had to find a way for them to survive. But how incredibly difficult that would be!
[The fact that you and Yūgao have defected is discovered by Konoha Anbu that very night. You are now hunted by both Konoha and the Sand Village. With your strength, it is nearly impossible for you to survive.]
Makoto decisively chose to exchange one simulation attempt for one guidance opportunity. It was his turn to make a move.
Just as the simulation said, even though Konoha and Sunagakure had just suffered heavy losses, they were not something two Special Jōnin like him and Yūgao could fight against. No matter where they fled, only death awaited them.
So, conversely, what if they didn't flee?
They definitely couldn't stay in Konoha. That old fox Danzō still had many years to live, and even Tsunade couldn't completely suppress him. However, the situation in the Sand Village was far less dangerous. He had indeed killed Baki, but so what? In war, people die. The reason Sunagakure had specifically demanded his head was most likely to stabilize their military's morale. And the ones who wanted him, Makoto could guess, were the Sand's advisory elders, Chiyo and Ebizō!
With the Fourth Kazekage dead and Baki—who was comparable to a regent or crown prince's tutor—also dead, power in the Sand Village now rested in the hands of Chiyo and Ebizō. And it just so happened that Makoto possessed the one piece of information Chiyo wanted most.
Makoto quickly input his guidance, and the simulation resumed.
[You stop Yūgao, who wants to flee with you to the Land of Rain, and tell her your plan. Yūgao agrees to your plan and says she is willing to die with you.]
Makoto's breathing quickened slightly. He was also taking a gamble, unsure if they would survive what came next.
[Through your deliberate guidance, you are captured by Sand Village ninja. The Suna-nin originally intended to hand you over to Konoha, but you tell the squad leader that you know the whereabouts of Sasori of the Red Sand.]
[The name "Sasori of the Red Sand" shocks everyone. The Suna-nin ultimately decide to hide you and secretly hand you over to Chiyo for handling.]
[A few days later, you meet Chiyo and Ebizō as you wished. You state your demand directly: you want to trade information on Sasori for your and Yūgao's lives. Otherwise, you will die along with the sealing jutsu in your head.]
[Chiyo inspects your body and finds that you have indeed placed a sealing jutsu on yourself. She has no choice but to agree to your request, but she also demands that from this day forward, you can never leave the Sand Village. You readily agree.]
[You then tell Chiyo the information about Sasori, after which you are placed under house arrest by her. During your confinement, you do not give up on yourself. Instead, you draw up the ninja tool designs that were originally meant for Tenten. Ebizō is shocked by your talent.]
[Half a year later, news of Chiyo's death in battle reaches the Sand Village. Ebizō becomes the supreme leader of Sunagakure, and the village's strength falls to an unprecedented low.]
[He decides to release you and tasks you with designing ninja tools for the Sand's shinobi and puppets. Using concepts from the Boruto era, you design a basic model of a Scientific Ninja Tool Scroll, which can seal ninjutsu and then release it.]
[Combined with the Fragmentation Kunai, assassination projectiles, and high-powered cannons you install on the puppets, the Sand's combat power, instead of decreasing after the Chūnin Exams, actually increases.]
[For this achievement, you officially become a member of the Sand Village, your status second only to Ebizō.]
[Konoha 67: Gaara succeeds as the Fifth Kazekage. Ebizō retires, and you become the sole advisory elder of the Sand Village, your power second only to the Fifth Kazekage.]
[In the following years, you assist the Fifth Kazekage with political affairs, accumulating administrative experience, while also gathering a vast amount of ninjutsu knowledge. Your personal strength reaches the level of a Jōnin.]
[You attempt to conduct more research and development in puppet ninjutsu, but unfortunately, your personal talent is limited, and you are unable to advance the Sand Village's development through your efforts alone.]
[Konoha 72: Uzuki Yūgao, who has been in love with you for a long time, gives birth to your son. You name him Akiyama Kaito.]
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