Ch-42 News about the night in the past.

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...

Ichiraku arrived with a steaming bowl of Ramen, the very kind that Jiryoku usually indulged in. In that moment, Ino spoke up, her voice filled with longing, "You have no idea how much I missed you. Everything seemed so dull when you weren't around."

Jiryoku shook his head in response, a hint of amusement in his voice, "I don't speak much anyway, so why would you feel dull when I'm not here?"

Undeterred, Ino continued, her curiosity evident, "Well, this time you're going to stay, right?"

Jiryoku nodded affirmatively, "Yes, until the Chunin exam."

With growing intrigue, Ino couldn't help but inquire further, "So, are you planning to participate in the Chunin exam as well?"

Interrupting their conversation from the sidelines, Kakashi chimed in, his tone matter-of-fact, "He's already a Jonin. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been entrusted with S-level tasks."

The revelation left everyone stunned. While they had heard Kakashi speak highly of Jiryoku's abilities, the fact that he was already a Jonin caught them by surprise, except for Shikamaru, who seemed to have had some inkling.

Voicing her discontentment and a tinge of envy, Ino questioned, "Why do you have to work for that princess? Can't you just take on missions within the village?"

Seeking input, Jiryoku looked towards Kakashi, "Perhaps Kakashi, the esteemed Jonin, can provide an answer."

Kakashi, however, remained silent, leaving the question unanswered.

Finishing his Ramen and rising from his seat, Jiryoku began to speak, his words carrying a weight of wisdom, "In this village, if you wish to live carefree, you either have to embrace dullness or possess average talent. But if you are intelligent, exceptionally skilled, and lack influential connections, then you must exercise caution as if you were in an enemy's territory."

These words caused a noticeable shift in the expressions of those present, particularly the leading Jonins, who seemed taken aback by the gravity of Jiryoku's statement.

Asuma, unable to stay silent, confronted Jiryoku, his tone laced with disagreement, "What do you mean, Jiryoku? Just because you're strong doesn't give you license to say nonsensical things."

Attempting to defuse the tension, Shikamaru and the others sought to intervene, but their efforts were cut short as Asuma's body slouched, the ground beneath him sinking and creating a small pit. Caught within, Asuma struggled to breathe under the intense force of twenty times gravity.

Confidently, Jiryoku remarked, "You lack the strength to do this, but I possess it. That's why I can speak my mind. Any objections?"

Ino, defending her teacher, pleaded with Jiryoku, "Please, Jiryoku, leave him alone. Asuma-sensei is important to me."

Jiryoku released Asuma from the grip of intensified gravity, casually remarking, "It seems you're the only one reacting this way. Ask Kakashi if he agrees. He will undoubtedly confirm, for he, too, has experienced loss along with his father."

With those final words, Jiryoku turned away, leaving Ino with a desire to follow him. "I'm tired and need some time alone."

----

A few moments ago, Jiryoku entered the Hokage's office.

Inside a house in Konoha, there knelt Kabuto, a white-haired boy adorned with spectacles, in front of a certain individual. "Orochimaru-sama, it's Jiryoku who has returned to Konoha. This development may pose a hindrance to your plans, for his strength rivals that of the Hokage, and that's without even witnessing his true power."

"No need to worry, Kabuto. Everyone has their weaknesses, and Jiryoku is no exception," assured Orochimaru, his tongue darting out to moisten his lips.

Curiosity piqued, Kabuto inquired, "Are you referring to Yamanaka Ino, the daughter of Yamanaka Inoichi?"

With a dismissive wave of his hand, Orochimaru clarified, "Oh, no, not at all. Although there might be a certain sentiment there, I won't rely on that alone. I possess something far more compelling—a leverage that can not only prevent Jiryoku from meddling in our plans but possibly even align him with our cause," he revealed, a sly smile gracing his face.

The revelation left Kabuto utterly bewildered, struggling to make sense of Orochimaru's intentions.

Observing Kabuto's state of confusion, Orochimaru elucidated further, "You see, my snakes have been slithering through the shadows of Konoha for years, gathering valuable intelligence. By a stroke of fate, they happened to be present on the day of Jiryoku's mother's demise, and through their eyes, I bore witness to that tragic event."

Producing a scroll from his robes, Orochimaru handed it to Kabuto, commanding, "Deliver this scroll to Jiryoku."

Kabuto nodded in acknowledgement, accepting the task at hand, and departed from the room.

----

After bidding farewell to Ichiraku Ramen, Jiryoku made his way back to his house, a place he hadn't set foot in for two long years. As he swung open the door, a surprising sight greeted him—no trace of dust or neglect could be found. "Ah, it must have been cleaned by the servants Ino mentioned," Jiryoku muttered, recalling their conversation at the ramen shop.

Taking a seat that faced the entrance, Jiryoku settled in comfortably, his gaze fixed on the door. With a calm yet expectant tone, he spoke aloud, "You've been shadowing my every move for quite some time now. It seems the moment has come for you to reveal yourself, wouldn't you agree?"

At that moment, Kabuto, who had been quietly tailing Jiryoku, made his entrance, adjusting his glasses with a flick of his finger. A smile played upon his lips as he addressed Jiryoku, "Ah, Rajin no Jiryoku, your instincts are as sharp as ever."

Dismissing the flattery, Jiryoku cut to the chase, his voice laced with curiosity, "Enough with the pleasantries. Why have you been following me?"

Kabuto quickly reassured him, his tone earnest, "Fear not, Jiryoku. I bear no ill will. I've actually come bearing news," he said, extending a scroll towards Jiryoku.

A hint of skepticism colored Jiryoku's response, "If malice had been your intention, you would have met a swift demise in my presence."

"You would have been dead by now if you had harbored any ill intentions towards me," retorted Jiryoku as he accepted the scroll.

Suddenly, a realization struck Kabuto, prompting him to say, "My apologies. Allow me to read the contents to you."

"No need. If I couldn't read and decipher what was written on this paper, I wouldn't be able to identify individuals, carry out numerous assassinations, or eliminate the targets assigned in my missions," stated Jiryoku confidently.

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