Chapter 46: Burdens Unspoken

Chapter 46: Burdens Unspoken

As the team exited the Hokage's office, the weight of their assignment settled over them. The usual buzz of the tower's hallways felt muted, distant. A long-term patrol at the border wasn't unusual, but a covert investigation? That was different.

Kenshiro-sensei led them down the stairs in silence before finally speaking. "We leave at dawn tomorrow. That gives you the rest of the day to prepare. Pack efficiently—travel light, but don't forget essential supplies. You'll need to be self-sufficient for an extended period."

Mikoto crossed her arms, her expression skeptical. "We'll have supply deliveries, right?"

"Yes, but not frequently," Kenshiro confirmed. "Don't rely on them too much."

Ryota let out a low whistle. "So, we're really heading out for months? No quick missions, no running into town… just border duty?"

Kiyoshi, still processing the assignment, glanced at their teacher. "Sensei… do we have any leads on what's happening at the border? Any reports of enemy activity?"

Kenshiro exhaled, his expression unreadable. "Nothing concrete. inconsistencies. Patrol logs that don't match, missing supplies...small things that don't add up.

A shared glance passed between the genin. The mission might have sounded dull at first, but now it was clear—this was serious.

Kenshiro looked at them, then sighed. "I know you can all be packed and ready in an hour. So, use the rest of the day wisely. Spend time with your families, get some proper rest. Once we leave, it'll be months before you see the village again."

There was a brief silence as his words sank in. Then, with a nod, Kenshiro dismissed them. "Meet at the village gate at sunrise."

With that, they parted ways—each of them now feeling the weight of both the mission ahead and the goodbyes they had to say.

---

That evening, when Kiyoshi reached home, he sat at his desk, staring at a blank sheet of parchment. He had meant to write a letter to Tsunade, knowing she wasn't in the village. But as his brush hovered over the paper, his mind wandered.

Their last training session.

Tsunade had been distracted that day. Even as she evaluated his progress, her mind seemed elsewhere. She had lingered at the end of their session, standing in silence. Kiyoshi had hesitated, unsure if he should say anything, but after some consideration, he had finally asked, "Did something happen?"

Tsunade had looked at him then, meeting his gaze. In his eyes, she saw something she hadn't expected—genuine concern. It made her pause.

She had seen that look before.

Nawaki.

Her younger brother had always given her that same sharp stare whenever she trained him—full of determination but also silent gratitude. Unlike Kiyoshi, however, Nawaki had been loud, boisterous, and unshakably optimistic. He had dreamt of becoming Hokage with every fiber of his being.

Perhaps that was why, in that moment, she had asked, "Kiyoshi… what do you think of the Hokage?"

Kiyoshi had answered without hesitation. "The Hokage is the one who protects and guides the entire village."

Tsunade had raised a brow. "Do you want to become Hokage, then?"

His response had caught her off guard. "No."

She had blinked. "No? Why not?"

Kiyoshi's gaze had been steady as he explained, "Even if I become strong one day—stronger than most—I don't want to stand in the light. I want to protect the village and its people from the shadows, making sure no one suffers in silence. I'll help the Hokage, but I don't need the title to do what's right."

For a moment, Tsunade had been stunned. She had expected ambition, a bold declaration, something more like Nawaki. But Kiyoshi's words had been different—practical, grounded.

And strangely… they eased something in her heart.

She had let out a quiet breath, a small, wry smile forming. "You remind me of someone I know"

Then, her expression had darkened slightly, and she had looked away. A silence stretched between them before she finally spoke again, her voice softer this time.

"I'm going to lose someone important to me... once again."

Kiyoshi had frowned, his concern deepening, but Tsunade had continued before he could respond.

"That's why I'm sad," she admitted. "Because every time I think I have something to hold onto… it slips away. I've lost too many people in the past few years. I've lost my brother, my lover, many of my friends, most of my family."

She had let out a bitter chuckle, but there was no humor in it—only exhaustion.

"People who talk about dreams, about ideals, about becoming something great… they don't understand. They think those things will solve everything. But dreams don't bring back the dead. Dreams don't protect the people you love. It's all just... preposterous."

For a moment, Kiyoshi had simply stood there, letting her words sink in. He didn't argue, didn't try to offer empty reassurances.

And that was what made Tsunade truly see him.

"But hearing you just now..." she had exhaled, shaking her head slightly. "You reminded me of something I had almost forgotten. So… thank you, Kiyoshi."

Then, without another word, she had walked away.

---

Back in the present, Kiyoshi exhaled slowly, setting his brush down. He understood now.

Mito Uzumaki.

The time had come for Mito to transfer the Nine-Tails into Kushina. And once she did, she would be weakened—perhaps even die.

That's why Tsunade had left. That's why she had been so distracted.

She already knew what was coming.

Kiyoshi clenched his fist. He wasn't sure if there was anything he could do, but one thing was certain.

This world was filled with suffering. Loss was inevitable. But that didn't mean people had to suffer alone.

And if there was one thing he could promise himself, it was that he would never let the people he cared about carry their burdens in silence.

Even if it meant standing in the shadows forever.