Naruto: I Have Cursed Spirits!

"Sensei, I'm sorry!" Shiratori quickly ran to Hanzō's side and began treating the wound on his palm.

"I got you hurt again!"

His eyebrows drew together, lips pressed into a thin line, he looked deeply remorseful.

Hanzō looked at the wound in his palm, which was rapidly healing, and said, "Getting injured during combat is normal. The fact that you were able to hurt me is something to be proud of, it means your skills have improved."

But Shiratori couldn't think so highly of himself. The only reason he'd managed to injure Hanzō was because Hanzō had willingly acted as his training partner.

If Hanzō had truly seen him as an enemy, he probably wouldn't have even gotten close before poison gas filled the air.

"How could I possibly feel good about seeing you hurt..."

His voice dropped, and he sniffled quietly. "You've always treated me so well. I want to protect you, I don't want anyone to hurt you, not even myself..."

Hanzō was taken aback.

A warmth slowly filled his chest, unfamiliar but welcome. He had no family. He had never experienced the feeling of being cared for or worried about. But in that moment, from his student, he felt what it was like to have someone like family.

Bittersweet, but it was not bad. Actually, it felt quite nice.

[Affection detected: Hanzō +2000 points]

[Energy transferred to Rika]

[Development progress: 60.5%]

The wound in Hanzō's palm completely healed. A bit of warmth entered his gaze as he looked at Shiratori and said, "The two techniques you just used can be systematically trained, they could become your signature moves in close combat."

"Okay!"

Shiratori nodded.

Hanzō continued, "First, give the two moves names. Once you've done that, we'll begin focused training."

Shiratori appeared to think for a moment, then after a minute of consideration, he said, "Black Flash and Divergent Fist!"

Hanzō nodded. "Good names. Let's start training Black Flash, make sure you can use it reliably in any situation."

Shiratori then spent the entire afternoon training Black Flash, Divergent Fist, and basic sword techniques with Hanzō. Since he had just begun learning swordsmanship, he wasn't ready to showcase the Ratio Technique just yet. He also had no intention of letting Hanzō know about all his capabilities.

Once they were on the battlefield, Hanzō would naturally see how effective his techniques were.

That afternoon, after teaching Shiratori a Wind Release technique, Hanzō left the training ground. As usual, he left the rest of the time for him to practice cursed energy.

On his way to the office, Hanzō glanced at a crow flying overhead.

It wasn't a summoned beast, just an ordinary crow.

He lowered his guard.

Upon entering the office, Chiba handed him a scroll. "Hanzō-sama, this is Konoha's reply."

So soon?

Hanzō took the scroll. The messenger hawk had only delivered the treaty proposal to Konoha yesterday, and they had already sent a reply today.

Looks like Konoha's situation was more desperate than he imagined.

He skimmed through the contents of the scroll at a glance. His expression didn't change at all. He placed the scroll on the desk and sat down in his chair.

"Inform Amanagi to draft the official treaty with Konoha," he instructed Chiba.

"Yes."

Chiba left the office.

From Hanzō's orders, it was clear: Konoha had agreed to sign the treaty with Ame.

The village had finally taken a real step toward peace.

---

Chiba returned to the office with Amanagi in tow.

"Hanzō-sama!"

Amanagi respectfully bowed.

Hanzō waved his hand casually. "Chiba has already briefed you, hasn't he?"

Amanagi nodded, his face barely able to hide his excitement.

"Yes!"

Ame was truly on the verge of a ceasefire with Konoha, how could he not be excited? The dawn of peace was right ahead, how could he not be thrilled?

Every Ame ninja who had sacrificed their life had done so for this very moment.

"I'll leave the drafting of the treaty to you. But there's one more matter."

Hanzō pointed to the scroll on the desk that Konoha had sent, and looked at Amanagi. "We're to sign the treaty at the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire."

Amanagi's brow furrowed instinctively as he analyzed the situation. "If Konoha sincerely wants a ceasefire, that's ideal. But I fear they may be using this as a trap, to lure us to the border and eliminate us..."

"And you cannot leave Ame yourself, or you might fall prey to Konoha's schemes..."

He lowered his gaze, deep in thought.

Hanzō quietly observed him, tapping his fingers on the table. He shared the same concerns.

Suddenly, Amanagi looked up and stared straight at Hanzō, a smile forming on his lips. "There's a way to resolve this dilemma."

"What way?" Hanzō asked.

"We can spread news of the treaty with Konoha before heading to the border."

Amanagi explained, "Once word spreads across the shinobi world that Ame and Konoha are about to sign a treaty, Konoha won't go back on their word. Konoha is one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, they wouldn't risk their reputation like that. Otherwise, who in the shinobi world would trust them again?"

That made sense, but there was another problem.

Hanzō pointed out, "If Suna learns in advance about our treaty with Konoha, they'll definitely interfere and try to sabotage the agreement."

Amanagi let out a helpless sigh. "We don't really have a better option."

Hanzō remained silent. Indeed, as Amanagi said, there was no more perfect solution.

"Then do as you've suggested."

Amanagi nodded, but hesitated a moment. "Hanzō-sama, about the ninjas who will be sent to the border to sign the treaty..."

Going to the border to sign the treaty was essentially a mission of near-certain death.

Chiba stepped forward and volunteered. "Hanzō-sama, I'm willing to go."

Amanagi glanced at Chiba and immediately followed suit: "Hanzō-sama, I'm also willing to go!"

Hanzō looked at Amanagi and refused him. "You're staying. Ame still needs you."

Sign the treaty at the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain?

Shiratori would be more than willing!

The more dangerous the place, the more emotional energy he could gather, that was perfect for him.

Outside the office, on the piping, a crow tilted its head and blinked.

"Chiba," Hanzō said, looking at him without the slightest hesitation, "You'll go to the border along with Sakikawa and Kuroi to carry out the treaty signing with Konoha."

Chiba nodded, his voice firm: "Understood!"

Amanagi opened his mouth, but words stuck in his throat.

He knew exactly why Hanzō had chosen Chiba, Sakikawa, and Kuroi for such a dangerous mission. Because all three of them had lost every family member. Not only that, but none of them had any close friends within Ame.

In other words, if they died, no one would be left behind to grieve.