Chapter19: The Shadow Vs The Legend 2

Sakumo watched Hikaru and Hinako scurry away, their heads down and expressions remorseful. He could only shake his head in disbelief at their recklessness.

Once they were out of the house, Raiden turned to his uncle, his eyes wide with concern. "Uncle Sakumo, please don't be mad at them. They didn't mean any harm."

Sakumo sighed, his stern demeanor softening slightly at his nephew's earnestness. "I know they didn't mean any harm, Raiden, but what they did was dangerous. You've got to understand that the village is on high alert, especially now."

Sakumo's expression softened, and a faint smile appeared as he looked down at Raiden. "You've got a good heart, Raiden," he said quietly, a touch of pride in his voice. "I can see why they look up to you."

Raiden blushed slightly, scratching the back of his head. "I don't know about all that. They just… they're good friends. And, well, I don't want them getting in trouble over something they didn't mean to go so wrong."

Sakumo's smile softened further as he looked down at Raiden. "It's been too long since I've had the chance to see how you're doing, Raiden," he said with a note of regret. "The war has taken up so much time... I know it hasn't been easy for you."

Raiden shrugged, trying to appear casual. "It's alright, Uncle. I know you've been busy, and... well, I've been fine! I'm stronger than I was, and I've made some great friends." He hesitated, glancing at Sakumo. "But I've missed having you around."

Sakumo nodded, his face showing both pride and sadness. "I've missed being around, too. Seeing you grow up, it's like I blinked and you went from that little kid with a wooden sword to... this," he gestured to Raiden. who now stood with a quiet confidence.

Sakumo looked at Raiden with a serious yet gentle expression. "I watched how you handled that situation today," he said, nodding thoughtfully. "You showed quick thinking, Raiden. You protected your friend and even a complete stranger without a second thought."

Raiden's eyes widened a little, surprised by the praise.

"Not everyone has that instinct, especially at your age. You stepped in without hesitation," Sakumo continued, a rare glint of pride in his eyes. "It shows strength of character, and I couldn't be prouder."

Raiden's surprise gave way to a shy smile, feeling the weight of his uncle's approval. "Thank you, Uncle Sakumo. It... it means a lot coming from you."

Sakumo placed a firm hand on his shoulder, his smile returning. "Keep that courage close, Raiden. It's what truly makes a shinobi."

Sakumo gave Raiden's shoulder a gentle squeeze, his expression softening. "I need to report to the Hokage, But don't worry—I'll come find you later, and we'll have more time to talk."

Sakumo offered a reassuring smile before he turned and strode away, leaving Raiden with a renewed sense of pride and anticipation for their next conversation.

Sakumo made his way through the bustling streets of Konoha, his thoughts already shifting to his upcoming report. Arriving at the Hokage's office, he gave a brief nod to the guards and entered the familiar building, moving through its quiet corridors. The Third Hokage's office door stood ahead, guarded yet welcoming as always.

After a quick knock and a respectful greeting, Sakumo stepped inside to find the Hokage behind his desk, surrounded by stacks of papers and mission reports. The Third looked up, his gaze settling on Sakumo with a blend of warmth and curiosity.

"Sakumo," the Hokage began, setting down his paperwork. "I trust your nephew and his friends are well, considering today's…incident?"

Sakumo couldn't help but chuckle a little as he recalled the ambush. "Yes, Hokage-sama. They're…enthusiastic, to say the least," he replied with a slight grin.

The Hokage leaned back in his chair, a spark of curiosity in his eyes. "Tell me, Sakumo," he began, "what do you think of Hikaru Nara? From what I hear, the ambush was…quite well-crafted, especially coming from someone with his unique challenges."

Sakumo chuckled, nodding. "Hikaru is…remarkable. I was honestly caught off guard. A blind kid who not only sensed me from such a distance but set up an ambush that fooled even an experienced shinobi like me? That's no ordinary talent."

The Hokage raised an eyebrow. "I take it he's earned some of your respect, then?"

Sakumo considered this, his gaze thoughtful. "Without a doubt."

He continued, his brow furrowed in concentration as he recounted the ambush. "First of all, I had just returned to the village. No one was aware of my exact location, and I'd barely arrived to see Raiden. Somehow, Hikaru must have sensed me as soon as I was near the academy. Even most Jonins wouldn't be able to do that under the same conditions, yet he managed."

The Hokage took a slow, thoughtful draw from his pipe, letting the smoke curl in the air. "Hikaru's blindness may conceal the extent of his abilities," he said, his tone contemplative. "He's developed a rare and unique ability to sense shadows around him, maybe it's even a new kekkei genkai. It also gives him a distinct edge in combat, enough that he hasn't lost a single match in the academy. But it seemed we've underestimated it. To spot and track a shinobi like you without you knowing… that takes a level of perception few can achieve"

Sakumo's expression showed clear surprise as he continued. "It's impressive, especially since even Raiden can't beat Hikaru in a sparring match. But Hikaru clearly knew that getting close enough to me would be almost impossible, and even harder to launch an attack without tipping me off. So he needed bait — and who better than Raiden?"

He paused, thinking through the young strategist's methods. "Hikaru wouldn't have told Raiden directly. If he had, Raiden might've accidentally given it away, or maybe even refused to play along. Instead, Hikaru pulled back, giving just enough instruction to one of his friends. That girl must've been told to stay close to Raiden, watch for the wire, and act surprised. Simple instructions, but they helped prevent unexpected setbacks and led him directly to his trap."

The Hokage raised his eyebrows, letting out a low whistle. "Quite the planning for someone his age. We may have a budding strategist on our hands."

Sakumo nodded thoughtfully, sharing his observations with the Hokage. "All Naras are known for their strategic brilliance, and Hikaru demonstrated that perfectly. For that last phase, he needed absolute precision. His first ambush had to be just strong enough to create a sense of danger for Raiden, making me feel the need to intervene — but not so weak that I'd ignore it, nor so strong that I'd intercept it too soon, while he was still away. Hikaru played that balance flawlessly."

He continued, impressed, "Then there was the second part of his ambush, a plan carefully layered so that Raiden would naturally move closer to him therefore I come near in the end. Hikaru accounted for every variable, even down to his disguise, with a simple scarf and jacket to make sure we couldn't clearly see his face, giving me and raiden his back the whole time, using his position and clothing to his advantage. His setup made it so that even if Raiden hadn't accidentally deflected the kunai toward him, He would still be in range of the second wave of kunai, knowing that Raiden will try to save him."

The Hokage nodded, taking it all in, while Sakumo added, "When the kunai finally hit him, he didn't flinch, he quickly make that into his advantage, he jumped in such a way that he minimized the impact, he must have one of the best reactions and senses I have ever seen before, as he had to move himself in the perfect direction and exact speed without let us noticing anything, allowing it to hit him and make it look like he was injured, but in realty it barely made a scratch as I checked it later, lowering our guard and in the same time give him a more suitable weapon.

And then came the final touch with the paper bomb kunai. It was perfectly aimed toward him not Raiden, perhaps because he didn't know exactly were will Raiden stand in the second ambush and in that point my location would be more important than Raiden's, knowing full well that I'd have to intervene before it could reach them. He used the angle cleverly, so from a distance, I couldn't read the writing. I had no choice but to stand in front of him with my back turned — and it was only then I realized what is actually said it in it, which would give me a moment of confusion, in the most important part of the ambush, while he strikes.'"

Sakumo shook his head with amazement crossing his face. "He really is something else. He'd accounted for everything, if he was older or faster he would probably succeeded."