Chapter 108: The Masked Man
Author Note:
Here's the BONUS CHAPTER as promised—thanks for the support, and let's keep this energy going!
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Konoha, Year 48 — March
"Lord Guts!"
"Lord Guts!"
Two voices called out at once.
A mature woman with a gently rounded belly stood beside a small boy, no older than five, whose eyes bore faint, distinct creases on the bridge of his nose.
Guts turned, recognizing the pair.
"Ms. Mikoto. And young Itachi... it's been a while."
He smiled lightly, his gaze flicking toward the Konoha Hospital behind them.
"Were you two visiting the hospital?" he asked, though he already knew the answer.
Uchiha Mikoto smiled warmly.
"Just a checkup. I've been feeling a little off lately and turns out Itachi will have a younger sibling soon."
She gently caressed her stomach, her smile filled with maternal warmth.
Sasuke... Guts thought inwardly.
"And Fugaku?"
He asked casually.
"Didn't accompany you?"
A flicker of bitterness crossed Mikoto's expression, but she masked it quickly.
"As Uchiha patriarch, he's... quite busy these days."
"I'm sure he is. Still, thank you for your hard work."
Guts gave Itachi's small shoulder a reassuring pat before walking past them.
Itachi stared at his back, brows furrowing as he spoke softly
"That was Lord Guts? He carries an overwhelming presence."
Mikoto nodded with a soft chuckle.
"Yes. During the Third Great Ninja War, even though he was still young, he achieved feats that shocked even the veteran shinobi."
Itachi fell silent for a moment, his eyes lingering on Guts's receding figure.
"Mother," he asked suddenly
"Why do wars happen? Why can't everyone just live peacefully?"
Mikoto blinked, surprised by the gravity in her son's question. He was only four but already, his thoughts were far beyond his years.
She gently brushed his hair, her tone tender.
"You'll understand more as you grow, Itachi. For now, it's okay to just play and enjoy your days with other children."
"…Alright."
Itachi didn't say much after that, but the question lingered deep in his heart.
Even at this young age, his thoughts mirrored those of a future Hokage.
Elsewhere, in the courtyard of a quiet home…
The clash of blades rang out.
Two figures danced back and forth—one calm and composed, the other moving with reckless energy.
"Samehada's good for brute force"
Guts said evenly, sidestepping a wide arc of the blade with barely a shift in his stance.
"But it doesn't mean you can ignore finesse. When you swing, feel the breath of your blade."
He moved again gracefully, subtly evading Anko's strikes with minimal effort.
"You're focusing too much on landing the hit," he continued.
"Start thinking about what your opponent will do next."
Anko grunted, pressing forward again but with a sudden twist of his wrist, Guts caught her movement and disarmed her, sending Samehada flying into the air before it landed with a dull thud nearby.
"Training's over for today."
Anko collapsed onto the courtyard floor, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath.
Currently, Kurenai was working as Tsunade's secretary a part-time internship, nothing too demanding so she'd return home in the afternoons.
Until then, mornings were usually just Guts and Anko.
"Guts! I want dango! The tricolor ones! Kurenai said she got them for me. They're in the fridge go get 'em!"
"Didn't I tell you to cut back? You'll turn into a fat little pig."
Despite the jab, Guts was already in the kitchen, popping one of the dango balls into his mouth before tossing the box on the counter.
"Too much! You eat more than me! Why do you get to say that?!"
Anko, who had been too tired to move a moment ago, sprang to her feet with sudden energy.
Her thin black mesh ninja outfit clung tightly to her form as she charged toward him.
Even at twelve, she had started to grow into her figure and now she was stuck to Guts like gum.
"Oh? Then why not check your weight, Miss Energy?"
Guts pointed toward the dusty old scale in the corner of the living room.
"Weight? Fine! No problem!"
Anko puffed out her cheeks and marched over confidently.
The next second, a scream echoed down the entire street.
Guts chuckled and crooked his finger toward Samehada.
The sword immediately leapt from the stand and flew back into his grasp.
"Hey! Why can't I do that!"
Anko huffed indignantly.
That night — Amegakure, Hidden Base
In a dark underground chamber, six figures stood silently in formation.
They all had striking orange hair, numerous piercings, and cold, unfeeling eyes.
Before them stood a man in a black cloak adorned with red clouds, his face hidden beneath an orange mask marked by a single spiral pattern.
"Hanzō of the Salamander has been eliminated."
One of them stated plainly.
"What are your orders now?"
The masked man stood still for a moment before speaking.
"You must've expended considerable chakra to defeat Hanzō. Rest for now. I'll contact you soon with your next objective."
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