Chapter 93: To Take a Student
Uzumaki Kushina's declaration, spoken with such fierce resolve, hung in the air between them. She was willing to walk into the gilded cage to spare him his struggle.
Kagenori's voice was low, a rumble of absolute finality. "No, Kushina. The answer is no. If you feel you owe a debt to Lady Mito, there are other ways to repay it that don't involve sacrificing yourself. I will never agree to you becoming a Jinchuriki. Never."
Kushina leaned forward, wrapping her arms around him in a gentle embrace, her voice soft against his chest. "It's not for her. And it's not for Konoha. It's for you. You've done so much for me, Kagenori. I don't… I don't want to be a chain that holds you down anymore."
His eyes softened as he looked at her, but his expression remained stern, unyielding. "You could never be a chain," he stated, his tone brooking no argument. "I told you once, and I will tell you again: you have never been a burden to me. Not in the past, not now, and you never will be in the future. Fighting for you… it gives me purpose. It fills me with a strength I have nowhere else."
He held her by the shoulders, forcing her to meet his gaze. "If you were to become the Jinchuriki, it would render my feelings for you, and every single effort I have ever made, completely meaningless. It would be the ultimate betrayal of everything I am trying to do. Kushina, all I need from you is your trust. Trust that I can handle this. I believe I can do it, so you must believe it, too."
Kushina buried her face in his jacket, her shoulders slumping in surrender. "I do trust you, Kagenori. I'm sorry. I won't mention it again."
He let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding, his hand coming up to gently stroke her vibrant red hair. "Kushina," he murmured, "sooner or later, I will leave Konoha. This village holds no good memories for me. The only light I found here was you. And I will take you with me when I go. This place is not our home. It's just a temporary shelter. Wait a little longer. When everything is settled, we will leave and find a place that is truly ours."
She looked up, her emerald eyes clear and filled with a new, steady determination. "I will follow you," she vowed. "Always. I will never leave your side."
A genuine, peaceful smile finally touched Kagenori's lips, a rare and unguarded expression that settled the restless energy in his heart.
...
For two days, they lived in their small, clean apartment, a temporary oasis of normalcy. Kushina took charge of their meals, and to Kagenori's surprise, her cooking was exceptional. Each meal was a quiet, domestic comfort he had never known.
After a shared lunch, Kushina left to join her team for a mission, and Kagenori set off for the Ninja Academy. Today was the graduation ceremony, and he was there to fulfill his obligation.
He understood Orochimaru's reasoning perfectly. A disciple was more than a student; they were an asset, a piece on the political board, a loyalist who would become an extension of his own influence, just as he was for Orochimaru. Therefore, the candidate could not be from a major clan, whose loyalties would always lie with their family first. He needed a civilian.
But who? His knowledge of future prominent shinobi was spotty. Might Guy was a possibility, but his singular focus on taijutsu made him an ill-fit for Kagenori's own diverse and ruthless style. He pondered for a long time but came up blank. He would have to see who was available. If no one suitable stood out, he would simply pick one at random to maintain the facade.
...
At the academy gates, he was met with the expected, and unwelcome, sight of Minato Namikaze.
"Kagenori!" Minato greeted with his characteristic sunny demeanor. "What brings you here? Did you change your mind about leading a team?"
Kagenori didn't break stride. "I'm here to select a disciple, not to babysit. Do your own thing and don't bother me." He brushed past the blond Jonin without a second glance and entered the academy.
Minato simply smiled, accustomed to the hostility, and followed him in.
The graduation exams were over. The new Genin, their shiny new forehead protectors gleaming, stood in nervous rows on the training ground. A group of Jonin, Kagenori among them, stood to the side with the academy instructors, awaiting the assignment process.
Kagenori counted about a dozen Jonin. Due to the war, graduation standards had been relaxed, resulting in a larger-than-usual cohort of new Genin. These elite Jonin would only take the most promising few; the rest would be distributed among Chunin squad leaders.
His gaze then fell on a familiar, sour face: his old academy teacher, Hayabusa Masada. The man's expression tightened when he saw Kagenori, a visible mix of resentment and shock. The student he had written off as a lost cause was now not only Orochimaru's disciple but a Jonin, outranking him.
Kagenori's eyes swept over Masada as if he were a piece of the scenery, his gaze moving on without a flicker of recognition.
Masada's face flushed with anger. Ungrateful wretch, he thought.
"Masada-sensei!"
Minato's voice cut through his irritation. The blond ninja approached with a warm, respectful smile. "It's good to see you, sensei. I hope you've been well."
Masada's expression transformed into one of paternal pride. "Minato! All is well, all is well. You, on the other hand! You are the finest student I have ever taught. To reach Jonin rank in such a short time… it makes an old teacher proud."
Minato scratched the back of his head, slightly embarrassed. "I owe much of it to your early guidance, sensei."
"You are as humble as ever," Masada said, his voice dripping with pointed meaning as he shot another glance at Kagenori's back. "Unlike some, who have no sense of gratitude."
As Minato and Masada exchanged pleasantries, Kagenori's attention was captured by a small, silver-haired boy standing among the new Genin. It was Hatake Kakashi.
A frown creased Kagenori's brow. Wasn't he already a Chunin? Why was he here, waiting for a team assignment like a fresh graduate? Then it clicked. Of course. For Kakashi to be placed on the same team as the newly-graduated Uchiha Obito and Nohara Rin under Minato's command, he would have to go through this formalities. It was the only way the team dynamics could be officially established.
His eyes narrowed. The pieces were falling into place, and he was one step closer to witnessing the catalyst he needed.