Chapter 86

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Cold winds howled, lifting a flurry of fallen leaves. The already chilly atmosphere around the Memorial Stone area grew even more frigid.

After asking his question, Gensou turned his head calmly.

He saw a man standing beside him, dressed in gray-blue ninja attire, his eyes, ears, and neck, as well as the top of his head above his forehead protector, wrapped in white-gray bandages, with a complex expression on his face.

This was Hagoromo Suzumebachi, a Konoha Chunin, member of the Intelligence Analysis Squad, and a former proctor for the Chunin Exams. His current superior was Yamanaka Inoichi.

Though his resume wasn't as dazzling as that of the Jonin, his position in the Intelligence Analysis Squad, where he had first access to internal and external information, made him highly trusted by the Hokage.

Suzumebachi was one of the most important informants the Hagoromo clan had placed in Konoha.

Gensou had already notified Konoha's Hagoromo clan informants of his arrival.

While Sōsuke had promptly revealed his identity, knowing it meant he could never return to Konoha, Suzumebachi was different.

He had not taken the initiative to contact Gensou during this period. He had approached several times but always retreated at the last moment.

This behavior gave Gensou a suspicion, so he asked calmly:

"Where is the Fifth Hokage now?"

As expected, Suzumebachi remained silent.

After a moment, Suzumebachi sighed deeply and finally spoke, "I'm sorry, Clan Leader."

"Reason," Gensou said directly, still looking at Hashirama's tombstone.

Various emotions—guilt, fear, longing, relief—flashed across Suzumebachi's face.

After a moment of reflection, he responded slowly and heavily: "My grandfather... my father, my mother, and my wife all died fighting for Konoha."

"Don't you hate Konoha?" Gensou asked, staring at the dignified and stern photo of Hashirama on the tombstone.

"Hate? Of course, I hated it," Suzumebachi's eyes were complex. "But if I kept hating, wouldn't my grandfather, my parents, and my wife's sacrifices be meaningless? Wouldn't that be too absurd?"

"I'm sorry, Clan Leader. Although we are descendants of the Hagoromo clan, living in Konoha for decades has made us fully integrate into it. At least, my deceased relatives genuinely wanted to fight for Konoha, not because they were forced to."

Upon hearing this, Gensou reached out to catch a falling leaf, his fingers tracing its unique veins. He said indifferently: "So, you're an inheritor of the Will of Fire?"

"Yes!" Suzumebachi replied firmly.

Gensou understood.

Since taking over the Hagoromo clan at Jomae Village and understanding the current situation, he had anticipated this outcome.

Dispersing the clan to ensure its survival had brought about fragmentation.

No matter how much they emphasized their heritage, the clan members growing up in different places, cultures, and educations had developed distinct characteristics.

Over time, signs of a complete split would become increasingly apparent.

Unless a highly reputable and powerful figure emerged to reunite everyone.

Currently, Gensou played that role.

However, some individuals were beyond change.

Like Suzumebachi's lineage. Gensou could understand Suzumebachi's choice.

He wasn't angry and casually dropped the leaf, reminding the other, "Since you've made your choice, the worst thing is to be indecisive. You should have brought the Konoha forces here, not come alone."

Suzumebachi shook his head with a bitter smile, "Though I am a part of Konoha, the blood of the Hagoromo still flows in me. I could never harm the Clan Leader."

Gensou also shook his head, saying, "This will only bring misfortune to you."

"I understand," Suzumebachi replied with determination.

He took a deep breath and said, "As a Hagoromo clan intelligence agent in Konoha, I know my betrayal would bring terrible consequences to the clan. So, Clan Leader, I will end this with my death. I only have one request."

"Speak."

"My son. He has never left Konoha and doesn't know he's a Hagoromo descendant. I hope he can live in Konoha without any burdens, not having to bear the weight of the 'Hagoromo' name like I did."

Gensou paused for a moment, then nodded, "I understand."

He then turned to face Suzumebachi, saying seriously, "I apologize. In truth, it's because of me that we were separated."

"Without you, the fate of the Hagoromo clan would have been much worse," Suzumebachi replied sincerely, bowing deeply before turning to leave.

He needed time to say goodbye to his son.

Gensou didn't stop him.

When an intelligence agent defects, even if a guarantee of secrecy is given, the outcome is often death.

This is the way of survival for a clan or organization.

Gensou had long understood this truth.

After one last look at Hashirama's tomb, with nothing more to say, he also turned and left.

Arriving at the bustling street.

Gensou caught a three- or four-year-old girl who was playing and almost bumped into him.

The girl politely thanked him, "Thank you, uncle."

"Call me brother."

Gensou patted the girl's bun and, noticing a familiar face, signaled her to go play while he approached.

"That Gensou I saw with my own eyes is terrifying. I'm worried Sasuke might be in danger with him."

"Don't worry, Sakura. Even though Sasuke's unhesitating defection makes me furious, he's not stupid and must have his reasons. Besides, despite Gensou's fearsome reputation, he's actually a good person in some ways."

"A good person? Gensou? Ino, are you out of your mind? Let me check your forehead."

"Check your own wide forehead. Sakura, I'm telling the truth. Really! My family has records of Gensou's life."

Gensou raised an eyebrow and inserted himself into the conversation, curious: "Sakura, Ino, I heard you talking about Gensou. I'm curious about him too."

"What kind of person is Gensou to you?"

(End of Chapter)