CH 16: Realization
Days have passed since the widely known 'Rumbling' happened.
As for what had really transpired and should have been named, it was kept behind closed curtains by the three co-rulers of the revered Kurotsuchi Village.
The purpose of the concealment was the typical panic and defection prevention analysis, however, there was another reason. The possible affliction of Satori's and that other Demon's manipulative and psychologically-inducing remnant energy, which might very will become a cause of more problems for the future, if they let the real news spread.
To further cover up the real incident, the deaths of the palace servants were all tightly concealed and revealed as 'Earthquake Casualties'. None of the villagers who were outside the palace that day ever saw the terrific existence that nearly caused another massacre to occur, and that is precisely why no one doubted the credibility of this news.
Especially since the announcement directly came from their respected rulers, absolutely no one dared to show any suspicions.
As for the palace reconstructions, the major parts were all completed with the combined help of Isshiki's powers and the helpful villagers' numbers.
What happened that day barely shook the daily lives of these villagers.
---
At the dining hall.
"Mina, tell me, why couldn't those servants evacuate with all of you?"
Isshiki asked with seriousness.
Mina could only looked downwards, like a child who has disappointed her own parents.
"Mina...- "
Isshiki wanted to continue with his scolding but he was interrupted by Jigen.
"Isshiki, please do not scold Mina any longer, she is already bearing the guilt"
Jigen reprimanded.
"I completely understand Jigen-"
And again, Isshiki's words were cut short by Mina this time.
"Jigen please don't stop Isshiki-sama, it is entirely my fault for letting the servants lag behind"
Mina said with a shivering voice.
Seeing this, the two men in the room could not help but feel guilty. However, they steeled themselves as it was their duty as rulers of this village to scold each other in case one of them commits a political and statecraft mistake.
"So tell me, why did you leave them behind?"
Isshiki once again asked.
"Th- They requested"
"They wanted to be left behind to ensure that no villagers were left behind, especially children who were possibly frolicking somewhere far from the surrounding jurisdiction."
She reasoned shiveringly.
Both Jigen and Isshiki was a little surprised hearing this, but soon they calmed down.
"Afterwards, when most of the villagers were already in evacuation center created by Isshiki-sama, many mothers and fathers yelled and told me about some of their children"
"Bu- but immediately after, we saw children, accompanied by palace servants running from the village's direction. The parents were very thankful for the servants, but they were all prompted to go back when one of the parents found that their child was not with the children....."
She added, increasingly becoming more stuttery, hinting that she was near her breaking point.
"I- I wanted to come with them, but they all stopped me and told me that the both of you will be infinitely sad if I were to risk my life. However, even though I understood that they mean well, I still wanted to come with them, but they all managed to convince me by further saying that the evacuees need my assistance"
The shaking girl continued, now with tears starting to well up on the corner of her eyeballs.
Not wanting to see her cry, Jigen, who was sitting the closest to Mina came to sit closer to Mina and patted her back.
"So that was what happened, now that we hear it, it is perfectly reasonable, right Isshiki?"
He said while glaring at Isshiki to agree with him in hopes of quelling Mina's quiver.
Isshiki noticed this and could not help but go along with the other man.
"Y-yes that is enough, a proper sendoff ceremony will be held later this evening, to pray for those heroic souls"
He explained, hoping for Mina to not cry.
After hearing Isshiki's confirmation that she has been forgiven, though she was not really held accountable by the two. Minutes after, she stopped shivering and was now able to face both Jigen and Isshiki with a smile.
With the last of the matters regarding the recent event solved, the three continued with their lunch happily while talking about comparably trivial topics such as the continuing of the reconstruction of their port village up north.
---
Consolidating the village's states affair took long months of arduous revision, re-branding, recycling of codes and laws regarding several aspects. Not even accounting the international and foreign affairs, which was still not that ever-present here in this era, but is definitely a vital part of a commercially-reliant village such as the Kurotsuchi.
These were the main reasons for Isshiki becoming rusty during the past year. Yes, he has been studying and employing a ton of Sealing Techniques divine or not from both his foreknowledge and the original Isshiki's teachings. But that does not justify his lack of direct physical training that could've made his recent battle way easier without expending that much Chakra.
And that is precisely why he is now on top of the highest mountain peak of the entirety of the Kurotsuchi Mountain Range. Sitting cross-legged, focusing his senses without Chakra to spread all over the empty surroundings.
But after almost an hour of meditation, he finally stopped to rehash himself.
"This really reminds of when Naruto will be practicing with the Toad Sages a couple thousand years from now here, I feel cool"
He talked to himself while sounding cringe.
"The toad sages and natural energy... It would be cool to train with them-"
He stopped talking mid-way as if realizing something.
He stood up from his sitting pose amongst the clouds, transitioning to a wondering pose.
(If I were to somehow learn how to create a reverse summoning scroll.. )
The odd-eyed Ōtsutsuki cogitated.
"THEN MAYBE I WILL HAVE A WAY TO HIDE FROM KAGUYA!!!"
He yelled on top of his lungs after realizing something that could've saved him from so much needless efforts.