Receiving notice from the Anbu, Sarutobi Hiruzen granted special privileges. Using teleportation to reach the Western Border Base, infiltrating the Rain Village with Tsunade to obtain the antidote formula, and fighting Hanzo of the Salamander—the "Black Flash" name shook the ninja world... It seemed like a lot had happened, but in reality, only a single day had passed.
Without the Flying Thunder God Technique, Gojo Yoru might still have been on his way to the border base. Then again, without that technique, he would have been a member of the logistics support unit at best.
The events of this day allowed Gojo Yoru to integrate further into this world, while also making him deeply realize how uncomfortable it was to lose the advantage of knowing the plot as a transmigrator.
Had he arrived at the start of the original storyline, Gojo Yoru could have perfectly hidden the Flying Thunder God Technique and his space-time abilities using his knowledge. In the entire ninja world, the only ones capable of discovering his secrets would likely be Black and White Zetsu, who mastered the Mayfly Technique.
As it turned out, in this era, Gojo Yoru had exposed the Flying Thunder God Technique in less than a day.
If it hadn't been so dark, raining, and if "Purple" hadn't been as fast as a flash, the distorted space might have even leaked intelligence regarding his offensive space-time capabilities.
The shinobi of this era... were somewhat strong!
Of course, it was also because Gojo Yoru lacked intelligence on them. For instance, the fact that Hanzo could use the Water Body Flicker Technique had completely caught Gojo Yoru off guard. If he had known that beforehand, he definitely wouldn't have used "Purple," but would have agreed to Jiraiya's proposal to retreat.
He could burrow, swim underground, run fast on land, had incredible defense, possessed the best poison in the ninja world, and knew the Water Body Flicker... It was a pity he wasn't a Sage; otherwise, the Salamander would definitely be the strongest summoned beast in the world.
Having been away from Uzumaki Kushina for only a day, Gojo Yoru did not return to the Hidden Leaf. Instead, he went to fulfill his promise, teleporting directly in front of Konan.
At this moment, Konan was in a hotel room doing origami to pass the time. Next to her was the Flying Thunder God Kunai Gojo Yoru had given her.
When Gojo Yoru appeared out of thin air beside the table, Konan was startled, but her eyes quickly lit up with joy: "Lord Yoru!"
The address was no longer "Big Brother," but "Lord Yoru."
Clearly, some things had happened when his shadow clone arranged her accommodation. While taking care of Tsunade, Gojo Yoru had already received that information.
Gojo Yoru stroked Konan's head and smiled: "Sorry to keep you waiting. There were many things to attend to yesterday."
"No, no... Lord Yoru's business is far more important."
Konan shook her head and waved her hands quickly, looking somewhat anxious.
The shadow clone didn't have much chakra; it automatically dispelled after arranging her stay. From their reunion until now, Konan hadn't really spoken more than a few words to Gojo Yoru. The clone had only left her a message saying that when the original body came for her, he would teach her ninjutsu, and she would follow him to learn from then on.
The change from "Big Brother" to "Lord Yoru" was also Konan's own initiative. She already viewed herself as Gojo Yoru's subordinate. Since he had taken her in, intended to train her, and teach her ninjutsu—which was a massive debt of gratitude—how could Konan dare to show any temper toward him?
Seeing Konan's face turn pale, Gojo Yoru knew the barrier of their initial meeting had frightened her. Realizing that war orphans in this world feared nothing except being rejected by the "Lord" they followed, he understood.
He didn't offer verbal comfort but instead took out a transparent self-sealing bag. Taking out the purple paper flower inside, Gojo Yoru held it between two fingers, waved it before Konan's eyes, and smiled: "This paper flower was the beginning of our acquaintance, the fate of our reunion, and the bond that connects us in the future. Now... I give it to you."
Under Konan's stunned gaze, Gojo Yoru pinned the paper flower to the right side of her hair. Then, placing both hands on her shoulders, his ice-blue eyes stared into Konan's orange eyes. He said seriously: "Remember, you are not someone disposable, nor will you be a burden to me. You are a subordinate I have chosen, and in the future, you will become my right hand."
"So..."
Pinching Konan's cheeks, a curve rose at the corner of Gojo Yoru's mouth: "Since even I value you this much, do not belittle yourself. I hate self-deprecating and cowardly subordinates."
"..."
Konan stared blankly at Gojo Yoru, her eyes suddenly heating up uncontrollably. The highly sensitive girl knew that Gojo Yoru had seen through her mood and was using a roundabout way to comfort and encourage her. It was precisely because she understood this that she was so moved.
This respect and importance allowed the girl who had lost everything to regain "everything."
Tears fell unconsciously, and the anxiety on Konan's face transformed into the most innocent and brilliant smile as she nodded vigorously at Gojo Yoru: "...Mhm!"
That "Mhm" was heavy with a nasal tone. The girl was actually choking up too much to speak. But unlike Uzumaki Kushina, who had wailed while hugging him, this girl was very strong. Because... Lord Yoru hated cowardly subordinates!
With the psychological age of a twenty-something adult, Gojo Yoru was very good at coaxing children, especially the precocious ones in this world. With just a few heart-to-heart words, the barrier between them quickly faded. After spending more time together, it would disappear completely.
Gojo Yoru didn't teach Konan ninjutsu immediately. Instead, he took her to a town where the hotel was located to rent a house. He had other arrangements for Konan and did not plan to bring her back to the Hidden Leaf.
After settling the housing issue, he took her shopping, decorating the new home according to her preferences. With the wealth accumulated by the Gojo Clan over generations, plus the compensation and pension for his parents' death in this life, Gojo Yoru was not short of money. Not to mention, in the past year, he had completed triple-digit D-rank missions and one S-rank mission. He only had to split the rewards with the village and Orochimaru, with no other teammates to share the cut.
He had earned hundreds of thousands of Ryo himself. Forget long-term rent and renovation; he could easily buy this house in full.
While decorating, Gojo Yoru specifically looked for topics to get closer to Konan, allowing them to understand each other better. For example, he learned that Konan's family was just an ordinary poor household, lacking even the funds to support her in a Ninja Academy. No ninja had ever come from her family; they only knew of "ninjas" and "Lord Hanzo," not even knowing what the word "Chakra" meant.
Learning this, Gojo Yoru couldn't help but sigh. This was a true civilian genius! Jiraiya only taught her for three years, yet Konan, through her own effort and talent, became a top-tier Kage-level fighter before she was thirty. Even Sasori of the Red Sand, who killed the Third Kazekage, was bullied by her until he had no temper left. Truly a woman who had killed Uchiha Obito once!
Gojo Yoru was even more optimistic about Konan's future. With his help, it was inevitable that she would become an enhanced version of the "White Tiger."
Through their conversation, Konan also learned that Gojo Yoru was a Hidden Leaf ninja. She learned that the enemies who killed her parents were the Rock Ninja from the Land of Earth and that the Land of Rain was now embroiled in war. Konan felt even more grateful. Without Gojo Yoru, she could imagine her future: either wandering, fighting hunger every day, or dying at the hands of wild animals or ninjas. How could she have a warm bed, a house better than her original one, and a full sense of security?
The grateful girl became more determined to become an excellent ninja to repay Gojo Yoru.
"Lord Yoru, you've been busy all day. Let me handle dinner!"
After finishing the house, evening had arrived. Gojo Yoru was prepared to make a grand meal for Konan, but she stopped him. Looking at the well-behaved girl, Gojo Yoru rubbed her head and laughed: "I'll let you do it tomorrow. Today, you just need to enjoy."
Joy instantly burst from Konan's eyes. Didn't that mean Lord Yoru wouldn't leave tonight, and maybe not even tomorrow night? Great!
However, she still said: "Lord Yoru, let me be your assistant then."
"Alright."
Gojo Yoru didn't refuse this time. Whether it was because poor children grew up early or because Konan had the potential to be a virtuous wife and mother, she was already very skilled at tasks despite being only six. Even though it was their first time working together, they had a natural chemistry. He only needed to handle the stove, which was very comfortable.
With the two of them working together, a grand dinner was soon ready. During the meal, they weren't quiet, continuing to chat.
"No way, Lord Yoru, you're only eleven?" Konan held her chopsticks, looking adorable with her mouth hanging open.
"You don't look like you're only six either, whether in height or maturity," Gojo Yoru joked.
Although he didn't remember specific details about Konan, he was certain she possessed the Yang Attribute, and it was superior to others. Born into a poor family, her height was above average, and when he checked her body with medical techniques, she was very healthy. She was full of strength when working.
Thinking back to Jiraiya's words, Gojo Yoru vaguely guessed the principle of Paper Ninjutsu. Yin Release represents the spirit; Yang Release represents the body. Yin is formless; Yang is tangible. The Akimichi Clan's secret technique to control the body is Yang Release. Jiraiya's technique to control hair is Yang Release, and the technique to turn the body into paper is also Yang Release. To develop Paper Ninjutsu, one first needs to master the Nature Transformation of Yang Release.
After dinner, Konan rushed to wash the dishes, firmly refusing his help. Sitting on the new sofa, Gojo Yoru opened the scroll he had exchanged with Jiraiya. He didn't look at the cultivation methods of the secret techniques, but rather the insights within the process.
"As expected..."
The corner of his mouth curled up. This scroll verified his thoughts. The core of Paper Ninjutsu was indeed Yang Release, followed by Chakra control. He couldn't help Konan develop Paper Ninjutsu directly, nor should he, otherwise it would pressure her. When a hobby becomes a goal, it becomes an obstacle. What he could help her with was Chakra control, Yang Release Nature Transformation, and Sealing Jutsu.
He wouldn't even teach Konan the Five Elemental Transformations. Otherwise, the girl, eager to get stronger, might hit a dead end, thinking only of improving elemental jutsu. He only needed to improve her foundation and educate her on Yang Release. When she was home alone with nothing to do but fold paper, she would eventually try it.
Paper Ninjutsu would be born naturally!
Thus, Gojo Yoru looked thoughtful and began to formulate a training plan for Konan in his mind. He didn't snap out of it until the girl's voice reached his ears.
"Lord Yoru, I've prepared the hot water. You should go bathe first."
Looking at the girl who seemed to have cleaned the bathroom, her clothes a bit dirty and wet, Gojo Yoru was slightly stunned. What a rare experience; aside from his mothers in both lives, this was the first time a girl had prepared a bath for him.
A warm current flowed through his heart, and he smiled sincerely: "Thank you for your hard work, Konan."
"It's not hard. This is what I should do." Konan shook her head, this time without anxiety, only the smile of someone being praised.
By the time both had finished bathing, it was quite dark. Gojo Yoru looked at the clean and cute Konan wearing white pajamas and smiled: "Rest well tonight. Starting tomorrow, I will teach you how to become a ninja."
"Mhm, mhm..."
Konan nodded repeatedly, her eyes full of anticipation. Environment has a huge impact on people. In the original story, Konan, who grew up with Yahiko and Nagato, had no personal goals; she made their dreams her own. She didn't have much interest in becoming a ninja or learning ninjutsu. But now, she was full of motivation. Because she had made becoming an excellent ninja her ultimate dream. She wanted to become his right hand; that was the meaning of her existence.
Gojo Yoru didn't know her thoughts; otherwise, he would have felt his words from earlier were a bit over the top. The war orphans of this world were just that distorted. Give them a little love, and you become their whole world.
Uzumaki Kushina was like this, Konan was like this, Haku, Kimimaro, Karin... it truly was a morbid world.
Gojo Yoru stayed in this town for three days. The first day was for resettling Konan; the second and third days were for teaching her ninja knowledge—how to refine Chakra, how to train daily, and how to improve physical and spiritual energy.
Before leaving, Gojo Yoru took out a stack of money, pressed it into Konan's hand, and instructed: "The fridge is full of ingredients, and I've taken you shopping once. When you run out, buy things the way I showed you. Remember to maintain three meals a day with plenty of nutrition; this is vital for your growth. Don't think about saving money for me."
"If you want to repay me, wait until you've grown up and pay me back slowly."
"I'll come to see you from time to time. Don't be lazy."
Gojo Yoru habitually pinched the girl's cheek and smiled: "I hope next time I come, your face is as pale as mine and even better to pinch."
"I will, Lord Yoru."
Konan was reluctant to part with him, but her eyes were filled with determination.
"Jana."
Gojo Yoru put one hand in his pocket and held up three fingers with the other. Then, his figure vanished without a trace. Konan stood there for a long while before returning to her room to read the books Gojo Yoru had brought back from the Hidden Leaf that night.
As for Gojo Yoru, he still hadn't returned to the village, but had arrived at the border base. As soon as he arrived, he heard a piece of "bad news."
<><><><><
Read Advaned Chapters on : patreon.com/Kaizo247
~ Every 150 PS = Bonus Chapter!
~ Push the Story forward with your [Power Stones]