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Chapter 24: The Bitter Ruse
🕑 Added 2025-05-02 02:48:23 +0000 UTCThe sunset faded, leaving only a dying crimson streak in the sky.
In a secluded clearing deep within Konoha’s forests, a blind girl in a black underlayer stood with her arms outstretched, her slender frame like a cross against the dimming light. Her pale skin glowed faintly under the dusk’s last embers.
Hikari waited silently as Might Guy wrestled with his thoughts.
Better to resolve conflicts quickly.
She had no time for prolonged charades. Her reason for coming to Konoha was simple—get stronger, fast.
She’d killed plenty in Hikarigakure, and her face was already in their ANBU records. A reckoning was inevitable. (Is Shun Kuriu even still alive?)
If her Byakugan were exposed, the Hyūga clan would be trouble—the Caged Bird Seal hung over her like a blade.
And then there was her Shikotsumyaku.
Obito Uchiha, the butcher of clans, had to die. With the Kaguya wiped out, her bone kekkei genkai made her one of the last two in the world. If ROOT or Orochimaru found out, neither would let her go quietly.
Not to mention the ticking time bomb of her bloodline’s degeneration.
And if she kept eating tailed beast flesh for chakra? The Akatsuki would come knocking eventually.
Then the Fourth Shinobi War. Kaguya’s return. The end of the world—
Just thinking about the mountain of threats ahead made her head spin. The only answer? Keep moving forward.
And Guy was a critical piece of her plan.
A top-tier taijutsu sparring partner. The secrets of the Eight Gates. Most importantly, her status as his "adopted daughter" gave her access to Konoha’s inner circle.
If their bond fractured, her progress would stall.
Unacceptable.
So before tensions could boil over, she forced the issue—lay everything bare, and see if he’d forgive her.
Guy’s fists clenched as he stared at Hikari, arms open, offering herself to his anger.
"Never raise a hand to family. Never prey on the weak. Never strike a defenseless enemy. Strength exists only to protect."
His father’s teachings echoed in his mind, freezing his muscles.
He remembered her words last night when she’d given him his father’s photo: "No secret is more important than family."
Someone who could say that… couldn’t be beyond redemption.
And for Guy? No mistake was unforgiveable—so long as the heart was sincere.
Besides… had she really done anything unforgivable?
"You’re from Hikarigakure?"
Hikari’s pulse quickened at the hesitation in his voice.
"Hikarigakure is my enemy. They killed my parents. I need power to avenge them."
"Why would they do that?"
"I don’t know."
She shook her head.
All she knew was that Hikari—or rather, Obito—had wanted something from the Kaguya clan. (What, exactly?)
Guy searched her face for lies but found only stillness.
But he wouldn’t trust words alone anymore.
He’d test her his way.
Chakra surged through his legs, muscles coiling like steel cables.
Hikari’s eyelid twitched.
His body swelled with raw power, a terrifying display of pure taijutsu might.
BOOM!
The green-clad missile lunged forward, his bandaged fist screaming toward her face with hurricane force.
Hikari didn’t flinch.
The wind howled as his knuckles halted a hair’s breadth from her nose.
"Hikari." Guy’s voice was granite. "Avenging family isn’t wrong. But if you sacrifice your morals for power, you’ve already lost."
His fist trembled in the air.
"I’ll forgive you. I’ll even teach you the Eight Gates properly. But swear to me—no shortcuts. No harming Konoha."
"I swear it." Hikari exhaled, solemn. "Konoha won’t suffer because of me."
"…Then we’re good."
Guy lowered his fist, tension bleeding away.
She had deceived him, but no real harm was done. Beating her senseless? He couldn’t do it.
Besides—she’d already stolen glimpses of the Eight Gates. She could’ve kept it secret forever. Yet she chose to confess.
That sincerity… mattered.
And her past? A murdered family. A broken body.
Pity drowned his anger.
"So… we’re going home?" Guy scratched his head, the awkwardness thick.
Hikari nodded, shaking dust off her cloak.
Night had fully fallen. The forest exhaled the day’s warmth, while distant village lights shimmered like grounded stars.
Just as I thought. Guy’s heart was soft. A genuine apology was all it took.
(Hell, he forgave Obito. My sins are nothing.)
With this hurdle cleared? Smooth sailing ahead.
Tomorrow, chakra nature training. Daily sparring with Guy. And once she secured the Shadow Clone Jutsu? Exponential growth.
The thought sent a thrill through her.
GURGLE.
Her stomach roared in protest.
"Guy. Did you make dinner?"
"Of course! A huge pot of curry—it was still simmering when we left!"
"Good."
They walked back toward the village.
Then froze mid-step.
"Guy. Did you turn off the—"
"Hikari. I think I forgot the—"
Silence.
Somewhere in the sea of Konoha’s lights… one house burned brighter than the rest.
(•̀ᴗ•́)و
