"Master... I... don't want to go back to Konoha."
Uchiha Shisui stood up, gently patted Misa's shoulder, stepped in front of her, and addressed the red-haired youth.
Shisui hadn't expected Uzumaki Raiden to be the one who came. He had known that Konoha would send shinobi to search for their missing team, but never imagined his master would come himself.
Now, standing before Raiden, Shisui felt a pang of guilt. After all, his actions could easily be seen as betraying the village.
Rather than immediately attempting to contact Konoha after losing communication, Shisui's team had chosen to hide in a small village. While Shisui's blindness was a convenient excuse, it wasn't the truth. Even blind, he could still mold chakra—and with summoning jutsu like that of the toads from Mount Myōboku, contacting Konoha would have been simple.
And now, he stood before Raiden, saying he wouldn't return. It was beyond unreasonable.
Sure enough, Raiden frowned. Terumi Mei and the other Mist shinobi looked at Shisui in astonishment. Hearing him call Uzumaki Raiden "Master," they quickly inferred his identity—but they hadn't expected that someone like Shisui would say something so shocking.
"Your eyes... I'll find a way to heal them. You don't need to worry."
"If you don't want to return to Konoha right away, then stay here a while. Go back when you're ready."
Raiden was silent for a long time, then turned his gaze to Misa standing behind Shisui. While surprised, he wasn't one to rigidly uphold shinobi laws like the Mist-nin.
To him, Shisui not wanting to return was simply a sign he needed time to rest.
"Master... I mean... I'm not a shinobi anymore."
Shisui lowered his head slightly and spoke softly. Misa was caught off guard. She looked at him in disbelief, instinctively gripping his arm and glancing nervously at Raiden.
"Not a shinobi anymore?"
"You..."
Raiden opened his mouth, sighed, and looked toward the river nearby.
"Is it because of your eyes? Do you feel that, without the Sharingan, there's a gap, that you're no longer whole?"
"I'll still find a way to heal your eyes. If that's the reason, you don't need to worry."
"And if you're afraid of being separated from this girl upon returning to Konoha, I can grant her residency. She can live in Konoha too."
"If—"
Before Raiden could finish, Shisui suddenly interrupted, his voice rising in frustration:
"Master!"
"I don't want to be a shinobi anymore. I'm not capable—I can't handle it! You understand, right?!"
"My eyes... Even if they're healed, what can I do? I still can't face enemies like that—I'll only be a burden!"
"I'm still weak! I still need you, Master, to save me. What difference does it make if my eyes are healed or not?!"
Shisui's emotions burst out. He raised his arms, shouting loudly. Then, under everyone's gaze, he unwrapped the bandages covering his face, revealing an empty left socket and a lifeless gray right eye.
"Look! This is me now! A person like me—do I still have the right to call myself a shinobi?!"
He pointed at his eyes, his voice trembling. The Mist shinobi were visibly shocked, and their expressions softened with sympathy.
Yes—the once-proud Uchiha prodigy, Shisui, now reduced to this. For someone like him, the inability to fight was agony.
Misa, heart aching at the sight of Shisui's distress, held his hand tightly.
"My lord... You're Shisui's master, right?"
"Then please... respect his decision."
Though nervous, Misa spoke earnestly. She didn't know much about Uzumaki Raiden, but she could tell he was powerful—more so than Shisui—and much more intimidating than the Mist shinobi. He had to be a high-ranking figure in Konoha. She couldn't help but tremble slightly under his presence.
Raiden glanced coldly at her, then turned his gaze back to the wounded Shisui. He remained silent.
"Hmph. Girl, you don't understand what it means to be a shinobi."
"This has nothing to do with you. Step aside and stay quiet."
Terumi Mei, noticing Raiden's silence, addressed Misa sharply.
"Shinobi? And what of them? Do shinobi have no right to their own will?!"
Misa stepped out from behind Shisui and raised her voice. Her words caused a stir among the Mist-nin, who glanced at one another, shaking their heads with amusement at her innocence.
"Girl, in the shinobi world, personal will has no place."
"From my perspective, his actions aren't about will. They're desertion."
"Treason. Punishable by death."
Terumi Mei's tone turned cold.
"Once you become a shinobi, your life no longer belongs to you. It belongs to your village—your superiors."
"Uchiha Shisui, as a disciple of the Hokage, don't you feel ashamed?"
She stated Shisui's identity plainly. Misa, hearing this, froze.
Though from a remote village, she was a citizen of the Land of Fire. She had heard of Konoha, of the Uchiha clan, and of the Hokage.
She never imagined Shisui was both Uchiha—and a Hokage's disciple.
"This..." Misa looked at Shisui in disbelief, seeking answers.
"Yes. I'm from the Uchiha clan of Konoha. I'm the Hokage's disciple."
"But now, I just want a peaceful life."
"Master... Please give me that chance. I can't be a shinobi anymore..."
Shisui's voice trembled with desperation. That battle had shattered his pride and confidence.
Terumi Mei frowned, about to speak, when Raiden's voice sounded from behind her.
"You want a peaceful life. As your master, how could I say no?"
"But you're Uchiha—my disciple. Even if you wish to live as a civilian, you must live in Konoha."
"Have you thought about that?"
"Even if I permit it, will the Uchiha clan? Will they allow their bloodline to scatter outside the village?"
"Will Konoha's higher-ups accept an Uchiha roaming the world without allegiance?"
"Or do you really think that without your eyes, you're worthless?"
"I'm telling you—if you stay here, you'll bring disaster to this village."
"Shisui, calm down. Think it through. If you truly want a normal life—Konoha is your only option."
"I'll give you some time. I'll return tomorrow."
With that, Raiden turned and left.
Terumi Mei didn't follow immediately. She addressed Shisui seriously:
"Uchiha Shisui, this is the Land of Rivers. The Land of Lightning is nearby. If you won't follow Uzumaki Raiden, then come with us to Kirigakure."
"Don't worry—we'll treat you well. Better than the Cloud-nin, for sure."
"Mist can offer women far prettier than that girl. I'm sure you'll find someone you like!"
"I'm really looking forward to seeing Sharingan in Mist's bloodline."
With a mischievous grin, she glanced at Misa, waved her hand, and left in Raiden's direction.
Once Raiden, Terumi Mei, and the Mist-nin departed, Misa let out a breath and clung tightly to Shisui, unwilling to let go.
Feeling her anxiety, Shisui gently embraced her. After a long silence, he asked quietly:
"Misa... Would you be willing to live in Konoha?"
"It's not as peaceful as here... but with your skills, I'm sure you could find work as a nurse at Konoha Hospital."
"As for me... I'll use my savings to buy property and earn from rent. I won't let you suffer."
Shisui wasn't a fool. From what Raiden and Terumi Mei said, he realized the truth—there was no such thing as a shinobi without a village.
The relationship between clans and their villages was one of mutual dependence. A lone shinobi wouldn't last long in the ninja world.
"I've decided—I'll go wherever you go."
Misa hugged him tightly, resting her head against his chest.
By the river, Uzumaki Raiden walked for miles. When the village was no longer in sight, he stopped and leaned against a large tree, staring at the flowing river. His eyes lost focus as he drifted into thought.
"Why haven't you left? As Mizukage, you must have plenty of duties. Why follow me?"
Raiden suddenly spoke, turning his head slightly. As his words fell, Terumi Mei stepped out from behind the tree, joining him under its shade.
"I'm not following you. I still have things to do."
"And besides, I helped you find your disciple. Aren't you even going to thank me?"
"You could at least invite me to Konoha for tea!"
Her eyes curved into crescents as she turned to him with a playful smile.
"Even if Shisui doesn't return, he's still my disciple. If you're trying to court him, I won't allow it."
Raiden ignored her teasing and spoke seriously.
"Ugh, are you made of wood?!"
Terumi Mei stared at him in disbelief, clearly frustrated.
"Huh?" Raiden looked puzzled, unsure what she meant.
"Uzumaki Raiden... Do you have a girlfriend?" she asked, flustered but determined.
"Girlfriend? No."
"Why would I need one?"
Raiden shook his head, utterly nonchalant.
"Then what do you think of me?"
Terumi Mei lowered her head, fiddling with her hair, voice soft and nervous. Her pretty face flushed under the sunlight.
Raiden didn't reply immediately. He was caught off guard.
"I was once engaged—arranged by my family. But before the wedding, my fiancé died unexpectedly."
"I've met him only a few times... He was a stranger. I've never had a real boyfriend."
"Raiden... I think we're a good match."
She whispered, revealing her history.
"You and me... Do you think we're possible?"
Raiden turned to look at her and asked, "Possible?"
"Absolutely!" Terumi Mei replied without hesitation, eyes blazing with determination.
"Our identities aside, marriage isn't just about the two of us."
"To be honest, Terumi Mei, you're stunning. Having a wife like you would be an honor."
"But—"
Before he could finish, Terumi Mei threw herself into his arms, hugging him tightly.
"No 'but'—if we love each other, nothing else matters!"
A gentle fragrance drifted to Raiden's nose as Terumi Mei held him. He froze, unsure where to place his hands.
He hadn't expected someone like her to be so bold in love. But she was sincere. As a perfect Jinchūriki, Raiden could sense ill intent—and he felt none from her.
Love between adults was often straightforward—yes or no, no hesitation.
Moved by her sincerity, Raiden placed his hands gently on her back and whispered:
"Then let's skip the dating phase."
"Terumi Mei... let's get married."
In Konoha Village, Namikaze Minato was sipping tea in his office when an Anbu appeared and respectfully placed a scroll on his desk.
"What's this?" Minato asked, unrolling it.
Sparkle... Flash Marriage?!!
The moment he read the scroll, he dropped his teacup. It shattered on the floor.
(End Of Chapter)
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