Chapter 30 - S

"Well, we can give you a house but you still need electricity, water—the essentials. You can fight people and the biters, but what about the weather? Winter is coming and the nights are merciless without calefaction or a body to share warmth with."

His words ring true. However, something doesn't feel right. The Governor pokes at sex in a way that's… It hits him then. When that look is set upon him. The one he remembers his father giving when he was young and claimed to be ready for jutsus. Is not condescension. Not entirely. Bordering amusement, yes; the kind an adult can only give to someone younger.

He wants him to form bonds. The question is why.

Does he see him as a tool he wants to wield? Most likely. But he's also young in his eyes and from what he's seen, people of his age are kept away from the affairs of this small town, shrugged off as inexperienced and immature. On the scale of power, they're at the bottom, just above the little kids.

So… He probably sees him as a teenager who still looks for approbation and seeks connections, driven by hormones and impatience.

"How old are they?" he asks though he already guesses the answer.

"There are some close to your age, no need to worry. Others older, too, who don't know how to protect themselves."

"My age? How old do you think I am, Governor?"

"Well… you can pass as twenty. Are you finally going to give me some personal information? You haven't shared your name as of yet, after all."

He can use the Governor's bad judging of character to his favor.

Sasuke smirks in a way he knows will make him look like a brat. "I'm seventeen. I don't wish to give you my name but you can call me Uchiha. No need to worry, Governor, I accept the deal."

The Governor is less than happy. He sees it in the way his face tenses, becomes hard. A sneer wants to escape past his lips. However, it's a smile the one greeting him. Next comes an extended hand for him to shake. Sasuke accepts it.

"What materials are you going to need?"

This time Sasuke is the one amused because fuuinjutsu is not known in this world and there's not enough ink for him to use. He has to make ink from scratch. Fuuinjutsu ink.

What he's going to ask next will get him some raised eyebrows.

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He sometimes forgets how people don't need to be ninjas to be shrewd. Civilians can be crafty and manipulative without special training. The Governor is a clear example and Sasuke's impressed despite himself.

"We found ourselves in a time where desperation claws at us. Fear takes our minds and we do inconceivable acts in order to survive. If we start losing our morals now, what will be next? We won't need a bite to become monsters.

"This young boy behind me was injured when he woke up, found himself in a place he didn't know, surrounded by strangers. He panicked and did what he could in order to survive. After days of thinking about his actions, secluded in one of our empty homes, he came to me asking for forgiveness. His age was the one making him act so impulsive, without thinking of consequences. And I say, if we can't forgive the innocent, inexperienced youth, then it would mean they, those monsters, this whole situation trying to bring us down, has won."

The Governor waits for the murmurs and grunts of agreement to stop. Then he places a hand on top of Sasuke's shoulder in a supportive and slight condescending manner, continuing his speech about how they need to help the youth and the kind.

After Sasuke mentioned he needs ink to complete his part of the deal and that it'd take him two days to make it at least, the Governor offered his support on the deal by starting completing his own part. He promised no weapons would be aimed at him and he's keeping his word by informing his people of him.

Though that doesn't mean he isn't doing his best to damage him in other less physical ways.

Public humiliation seems to be his favorite.

The Governor is a good actor; he has charisma. Not the same Naruto possesses that's one that leans more toward honesty and empathy, but it's charisma nonetheless. Sasuke can see the sympathy towards him in some of the people surrounding them while smug smiles are shared between the soldiers. The ones he defeated now find it amusing that his leader is making him known to others as the foolish boy who needs the help of others.

"…He's offered his help to atone for his actions. Some of you've seen how skilled he's in combat. And that's something good to know these days. I've been thinking for some time about using some of our skilled protectors and hunters to pass some of their experience in combat to the ones interested, in the same way, Doctor Stevens taught first aid to you. We live in a dangerous world now, we need to learn whatever that'll help us protect our family, friends—the community. Unfortunately, most of our people, who risk their lives constantly, are too busy for this task." He pats his shoulder twice and he's lucky Sasuke has enough auto control to not kill him where he stands. "However, with the help of this young man, that'll change."

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