Ch-9 The Unexpected Visitor

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The next evening, Jiryoku had just finished his training and returned home from his favorite spot, the Ichiraku Ramen shop. After refining his chakra, he was just about to drift off to sleep when he heard a sudden knock on his door. Startled by the unexpected noise, Jiryoku felt confused as to who would visit his house at such a late hour.

With a sense of caution, Jiryoku immediately became vigilant. He reached for his trusty sword and slowly made his way to the door. As he approached the entrance, he carefully asked, "Who is it?" in a firm tone, ready to defend himself if necessary.

"Hello Jiryoku, it's me, Hyuga Hizashi," said the person outside the door, announcing his identity.

Upon recognizing Hizashi's voice, Jiryoku's guard lowered, and he felt more at ease. "Oh, Mr. Hizashi, what a pleasant surprise? please come inside." he replied, inviting him to enter.

"Please come inside, Mr. Hizashi," Jiryoku gestured, using Hizashi's formal name out of respect. "Switch on the lights so that you can see properly. For me, it's the same anyway, so I don't usually use lights."

Hizashi chuckled at Jiryoku's words, understanding his preference for darkness. "My life is also filled with darkness, so let the lights be off," he replied.

After both of them took their respective seats, Jiryoku leaned forward and asked in a calm voice, "What brings you here, Mr. Hizashi?"

Hizashi took a deep breath before answering, "You must have heard that envoys from the village of Thunder came day before yesterday to discuss a peace treaty. However, yesterday night they attempted to kidnap Princess Hyuga Hinata, but their plan was foiled, and they were killed on the spot by the Hyuga clan head. Now, the envoys of the Village of Thunder are accusing our Hyuga clan and demanding that the clan head's body be handed over as compensation. The high levels of Konoha have already agreed to their request, and the Hyuga elders have asked me to die in his place."

Jiryoku's expression remained unchanged as he spoke, "Let me guess, they want to trade your life for the clan head's. That way, the Hyuga clan can keep their patriarch."

Hizashi nodded with a wry smile, "Yes, exactly."

"So why did you come to find a blind person like me? I don't think I can be of any help," Jiryoku asked, his voice tinged with skepticism.

Hizashi shook his head and replied, "I don't know, but I have a premonition that you will become even more powerful than the Hokage. Maybe you can call it a premonition of someone who is going to die. I came here to ask you if you could please protect my son when you become able to do so."

Jiryoku raised an eyebrow, "And why do you think I would do that? In this cursed world, nothing comes without a price."

"You're right," Hizashi said, nodding his head in agreement. "That's why I'll trade with you. I have some information that I don't have any evidence of, but it's the truth."

Jiryoku leaned forward, his interest piqued. "And what information might that be?"

Hizashi continued, "Your mother must have told you that your father was a genius who developed a prototype of wind chakra mode. Even though your father never revealed to anyone that he had mastered the prototype of wind chakra mode, he used it in many battles, and the elites who had fought for many years immediately understood its power. Even the Hokage asked your father about it, but your father denied it and said that he had just mastered some chakra nature change. Later on, after the battle with the Nine Tails, your father was absolutely fine, but he was called by someone from the Roots. Later, he was found dead, and the Anbu members gave the body of your father, claiming that he died during the Nine Tails attack. But we knew he didn't, as he was seen by one of the branch family members taken by the root ninja. Further investigation revealed that someone had tried to extract information from your father's brain, but the cage bird was activated, and he died."

After processing what Hizashi had just revealed, Jiryoku took a deep breath. However, his expression remained unchanged, not even a trace of anger.

"You really can control your emotions excellently," Hizashi commented.

Jiryoku shook his head, a deep frown creasing his brow. "And here I used to think you were some kind of good person," he said, his voice heavy with disappointment. "By telling me all this, you wanted to plant a seed of hatred for Konoha and the main family inside me. Congratulations, you just succeeded in doing that."

Hizashi's expression faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "I understand your feelings, but please understand that I didn't come here to manipulate you. I came to you because I trust you, and I believe that you have the power to protect my son when the time comes."

Jiryoku's expression softened slightly at the man's words. "I will do what I can," he said, his tone serious. "But you should know that I won't be able to protect your son forever. Eventually, he will have to fend for himself in this world, just like the rest of us."

"That's enough for me," said Hizashi, his voice trembling slightly with emotion. "I can die with peace of mind now, knowing that my son will be taken care of."

Jiryoku nodded in response, his face impassive. "You should go now. I have to rest."

Hizashi stood up from his seat and bowed deeply. "Of course. Thank you again."

Jiryoku didn't respond, simply listening as the man made his way out of the room. Once the door had closed behind him, Jiryoku let out a deep sigh, his thoughts already turning to the information he had just received. He knew that Hizashi's words would stay with him for a long time, and that he had just been given a glimpse into a dark and dangerous world that he had never fully understood before.

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