Chapter 117: Might Guy

The various battlefronts had begun to see their outcomes, with Akatsuki securing an overwhelming victory.

On the outskirts of Konohagakure, the renegade shinobi from Sunagakure, along with the defectors from the Hyūga, Aburame, and Inuzuka clans, had regrouped under Itachi's command and were now retreating in an orderly manner.

Of course, it wasn't just them—many ordinary Konoha shinobi and even civilians had chosen to defect as well.

After all, under Danzō's rule, it wasn't just the noble shinobi clans that had suffered—the ones who had endured the most oppression were the ordinary shinobi and the lower-class civilians.

Before the launch of the second Konoha Crush plan, poverty had already spread to the village's lower class to the point where even basic sustenance had become an issue—an unthinkable scenario in Konoha's history.

Since the village's founding by the First Hokage, Senju Hashirama, not even during the darkest times of the Three Great Shinobi Wars had Konoha fallen into such dire straits.

...

"Sensei... this is where we part ways."

Inuzuka Kiba, Aburame Shino, and Hyūga Hinata stood before their mentor, Yūhi Kurenai. Though their time together had been less than a year, Kurenai's gentle and responsible nature had fostered a deep bond between them.

But matters of this scale were beyond their control. All they could do was follow their clans' decisions.

Of course, even if it were their choice alone, they would have left Konoha without hesitation.

In just a short span under Danzō's rule, these once-loyal young shinobi had come to view their home village with nothing but disgust and resentment.

Hinata's situation needed no explanation, but Kiba and Shino had suffered just as much. Danzō's relentless military expansion had drained their clans to the brink of collapse.

Uncles, aunts, cousins—entire branches of their families had been wiped out in a matter of months, all sacrificed for Danzō's insatiable thirst for war.

"I see…" Kurenai's lips parted slightly, but she could only let out a complicated sigh. She was still covered in wounds from the recent battle.

Now that the tides had turned and Konoha's defeat was imminent, even the most loyal shinobi had lost their will to fight.

"Sensei, why don't you come with us?" Hinata's voice broke the silence. "There's nothing left for you here."

A flicker of hesitation crossed Kurenai's eyes. She had long since lost any lingering attachment to Konoha. But then she thought of him—the man she had already pledged her future to.

As the current head of the Sarutobi clan and the son of the Third Hokage, he would never defect. That alone was reason enough for her to stay.

"Let's go."

Shino, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up. He was the most mature of the three, understanding that prolonging the conversation would only make things harder for their teacher.

"Woof! Woof!" Akamaru barked, and with that, the three turned and sprinted toward the retreating defectors.

Their story was not unique—across the village, countless shinobi and civilians were saying their goodbyes. Those who remained had neither the will nor the courage to stop them.

...

"Daytime Tiger!"

The familiar sight of a colossal white tiger materialized before Kisame once again. This time, he dared not take it head-on. Instead, he unleashed a series of Water Release techniques to weaken the attack. Having been caught off guard before, he had now prepared himself—this move alone would no longer be enough to take him down.

"What a terrifying beast," Kisame remarked with a shark-like grin, watching as his massive Water Dome nearly shattered from the sheer force of the attack.

Keeping a safe distance, he fused with Samehada, transforming into a shark-like hybrid to increase his speed.

"Do we really need to keep fighting?" he called out. "Look around—you've already lost."

Might Guy's expression darkened. For the first time, the ever-resolute taijutsu master hesitated.

Should he open the final gate?

Was this truly the moment to risk his life for what he held dear?

If this were the Konoha of old, he wouldn't have hesitated. He would have opened all Eight Gates and charged forward without looking back.

But this Konoha…

He thought of Neji's family's tragedy. Of Tenten's suffering. Of Kakashi's misfortune.

Was this village still worth protecting?

He didn't know. He was lost.

Father, if it were you… what would you do?

"Guy, stop."

Kakashi arrived with a clone of Deidara at his side.

This was his second mission—to persuade Might Guy to defect.

"Kakashi, you…" Guy looked at him, at a loss for words.

By all logic, he should strike down his friend on the spot. But with everything Danzō had done, with everything he had seen, he couldn't bring himself to do it.

Deidara spoke up. "Might Guy, come with us."

"No! My youth won't allow such a thing!"

"Why be so stubborn? Akatsuki is an organization that seeks peace, not the kind of rogue group you imagine. We need people like you."

"I refuse." Guy's answer remained unwavering.

"Guy-sensei, please come with us!"

A voice called out from behind. Tenten, followed by Neji and Lee.

"Tenten, Neji… even you, Lee?"

Tenten wiped away tears. "You know what happened to my family."

"Do we have any other choice but to leave?"

Guy's gaze shifted to Neji—his defection was inevitable. But then he turned to Lee.

"Lee… even you?"

Lee ran up to him, eyes firm. "No, Guy-sensei! Wherever you go, I will follow!"

At last, Guy felt a small sense of relief. With everyone around him choosing to leave, he had begun to feel like the odd one out.

"Guy, Konoha isn't worth protecting anymore. Come with us."

"I promise you, Amegakure is the place truly worth defending."

"No, Kakashi."

Guy slowly shook his head. "I will protect Konoha."

Kakashi looked anxious, about to say more, but Deidara raised a hand.

Taking two steps forward, he locked eyes with Guy.

"Tell me, what's more important—the people of Konoha or this land?"

"The people, of course."

"Then if the people of Konoha are now in Amegakure… what exactly are you still protecting here?"

Guy was speechless.

Deidara handed him a familiar red-clouded cloak and a ring.

"Take it."

"You're not worried I might turn on you?"

"If you're with us, you'll be in a position to act if anything goes wrong. That is true protection."

"We won't force you to do anything. That, I can promise."

Guy let out a rare sigh, glancing at the hopeful faces around him—Kakashi, Tenten, Neji, even Lee.

He slipped the ring onto his finger. "But I'm not wearing that cloak—it doesn't fit my youthful aesthetic!"

Deidara smirked. "Fine."

"Then from this moment on… you are Akatsuki's Black Tortoise—Might Guy!"

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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