Chapter 76 – Underlying Turmoil 暗潮汹涌

After celebrating his promotion with his teachers at Ichiraku Ramen, Lin Yuan returned to the Hokage's office and continued to perform his duty as the "gatekeeper". While standing guard, he recalled today's conversation in his mind, and a sense of unease welled up in his heart.

"Naruto and the others have gone on a mission again..." Lin Yuan murmured in a low voice, "Anything related to Sasuke is never simple. I wonder if they'll run into members of 'Akatsuki'. Hmm? I think it's about the time when Uchiha Itachi and Sasuke had their one-on-one fight? I can't remember..."

Jiuchong Ring's voice suddenly echoed in his head, sneering, "Tsk tsk, Lin Yuan, your tone suggests you're jealous they're getting attention. Or are you worried they'll steal your protagonist shine?"

Lin Yuan rolled his eyes and replied in a low voice, "Cut the crap. I just think that they're always getting involved in these dangerous things, and it's hard not to worry. Also, does Naruto have to marry Hinata?"

"Yes, it has to be her. So, host, you can't affect the plot on a large scale. And what's the use of your worry? It's better to get stronger. Stay alive, and the mission won't fail. And congratulations, you've gone from being the 'gatekeeper' of the Konoha Gate to the one of the Hokage's office building." Jiuchong Ring's tone was full of ridicule.

Lin Yuan didn't bother to pay attention to Jiuchong Ring's sarcasm and continued to silently watch the entrance of the Konoha office building. Several ninjas in Chunin uniforms hurried in and out, holding scrolls and reporting various intelligence to the Hokage. The village seemed peaceful on the surface, but Lin Yuan knew it was a facade. Beneath the calm, dangerous crises were quietly brewing.

...

Tsunade stood in front of the desk, with her hands resting on it, frowning as she looked at the map spread out on the desk. Shizune stood beside her, looking equally solemn.

"Lady Tsunade, will the reinforcement troops we sent this time arrive in time?" Shizune asked.

Tsunade sighed, "I hope they can arrive in time. This time, the scope of 'Akatsuki's' activities is getting wider and wider, and their purpose is becoming clearer. If they really are after the tailed beasts, the situation will get more and more difficult. Although the intelligence about Sasuke's whereabouts may not be completely reliable, we can't afford to ignore it."

Shizune nodded and whispered, "And Naruto... whenever there's something about tailed beasts, he's the one who usually gets dragged in."

Tsunade tapped the desk, her tone tinged with a trace of helplessness, "That's why I sent reinforcements. I hope it can reduce their risks."

...

The time of standing guard always passed especially slowly. Lin Yuan stared at the people coming and going, but his heart was constantly in turmoil.

Jiuchong Ring suddenly popped up and said, "So, gatekeeper, is it interesting to be the Hokage's bodyguard?"

Lin Yuan closed his eyes, took a deep breath and said calmly, "Jiuchong Ring, cut the crap. I know my duties."

The Jiuchong Ring laughed, "Oh? Then what if I tell you that there's an opportunity for you to leave this boring doorway and go out to 'do something big'? Would you be interested?"

Lin Yuan frowned, "Don't play tricks on me. Just speak clearly."

The Jiuchong Ring said meaningfully, "Of course, it's just a little piece of information. As far as I know, members of 'Akatsuki' seem to have appeared recently on the border of the Land of Fire, and their target may be related to a Konoha's traitor ninja."

Lin Yuan was startled briefly, then quickly realized, "Sasuke...?" After a moment's silence, he finally shook his head and said, "I won't go. I'm scared to die."

The Jiuchong Ring was speechless: "..."

===================

林远跟着老师们在一乐拉面馆庆祝升迁后,便回到了火影办公室的门前,继续履行他的 "门神" 职责.他一边站岗,一边在脑海中回想起今天的对话,心中却有些不安.

"鸣人他们又出任务了..." 林远低声喃喃, "每次和佐助有关的事都不会简单,也不知道会不会碰到 '晓' 的人.嗯?感觉好像是宇智波鼬和佐助单挑的时间段了?忘了..."

九重戒的声音突然在他脑海里响起,带着几分调侃:"啧啧,林远啊,听你的语气,是在羡慕他们能出风头吧?还是说...怕他们抢了你的主角光环?"

林远翻了个白眼,低声回应:"少废话,我只是觉得他们总是卷入这些危险的事情,难免让人担心而已,而且鸣人结婚对象一定要是雏田么?"

"是的,一定得是她,所以宿主不能大尺度的影响剧情,而且你担心有用吗?不如好好变强吧,活下去,任务才不会失败.还有恭喜你,从木叶大门的 '门神',变成火影办公楼的了." 九重戒的语气里满是揶揄.

林远懒得理会九重戒的冷嘲热讽,继续默默地注视着木叶办公楼的门口.几名穿着中忍制服的忍者匆匆进出,抱着卷轴向火影汇报各种情报,村子表面上一片祥和,但林远知道,这不过是表象罢了.在这种看似平静的日子里,总有暗潮汹涌的危机悄然酝酿.

...

纲手站在桌前,双手撑在办公桌上,眉头紧锁地看着桌上摊开的地图.静音站在一旁,神情同样凝重.

"纲手大人,这次派出的增援部队能赶上吗?" 静音问道.

纲手叹了口气:"希望能及时赶到吧.这次 '晓' 的行动范围越来越广,目的也越来越清晰.如果他们真的是在追逐尾兽,那情况会越来越棘手.佐助的行踪情报虽然不一定完全可靠,但我们不能不重视."

静音点点头,低声补充:"而且,鸣人他...牵涉到尾兽的事,鸣人总是最容易卷入其中."

纲手敲了敲桌面,语气中透着一丝无奈:"所以我才派了增援,希望能够降低他们的风险."

...

站岗的时间总是过得格外漫长.林远盯着来往的行人,内心却不断挣扎.

九重戒突然冒出来,说道:"怎么样,门神,当火影的护卫有意思吗?"

林远闭上眼睛,深吸了一口气,平静地回应:"九重戒,别总是在我耳边念叨这些没用的.我知道自己该做什么,不该做什么."

九重戒笑了:"哦?那如果我告诉你,有个机会让你离开这无聊的门口,去外面 '干点大事',你会不会感兴趣呢?"

林远皱起眉头:"别跟我玩花招,直接说清楚."

九重戒意味深长地说道:"当然啦,只是个小小的情报而已.据我所知,'晓' 的成员最近似乎出现在火之国的边境,而他们的目标,可能跟一位木叶的叛忍有关."

林远愣了一下,随即反应过来:"佐助...?" 沉默了一会儿,最终摇了摇头:"不去,我怕死."

九重戒无语中:"..."