ALL NOVEL Ch229- Tending
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Naruto immediately stepped between Horyu and Hirato, his eyes blazing with anger. "What the hell are you doing?" he shouted, glaring at Horyu. Himawari, too, moved forward, her expression mirroring her brother's outrage.
Horyu's gaze shifted to Naruto and Himawari, his eyes cold and unflinching. "I will not coddle a criminal," he declared, his tone brooking no argument.
Hirato slowly got up, wiping the blood from his mouth, his eyes filled with fury. "Bastard. You borrowed the power of my Uzumaki Clan to seal my power and now bark in front of me. Until now, you were hiding at the back."
Horyu's face twisted into a mocking smile. "Your clan's power is mine to use as I see fit. And hiding? I've been watching, waiting for the right moment to strike. Unlike you, I understand the value of patience and strategy."
Hirato's eyes burned with rage as he struggled to his feet, his body trembling with barely contained fury. "You think you're clever, don't you? But you're just a coward, using others' power to fight your battles."
Horyu chuckled, the sound cold and devoid of humor. "Call me what you want. The fact remains, you're the one on the ground, defeated and powerless, while I stare down at you, victorious."
Naruto, still standing protectively in front of Hirato, clenched his fists. "This isn't the way, Horyu. We need to work together, not tear each other apart."
Himawari nodded, her voice softer but just as firm. "We need to find a way to stop this without more violence. There has to be another way."
Horyu snorted, his voice dripping with disdain. "Like I give a damn about your opinion," he said, eyes narrowing at Naruto and Himawari. "Now that Hirato and Black Zetsu are caught and sealed, this battle is over."
Naruto's face tightened with frustration, but he held back his retort. Horyu turned his attention to Mito, who stood nearby, her expression unreadable. "We will meet in a week for the plan," Horyu instructed, his tone firm and decisive.
Mito nodded slowly, her eyes flicking between Horyu and the sealed enemies. "Understood," she replied, her voice calm yet carrying an undercurrent of concern.
With a final glance at the subdued Hirato, Horyu vanished in a flash, leaving the cave's oppressive atmosphere behind. As he reappeared atop the Hokage Mountain, he gazed out over the village, the weight of the recent events pressing on his mind.
Appearing in his house after a few minutes walk to clear his head, Horyu immediately noticed Ino sitting on his bed. The room was dimly lit, casting soft shadows on the walls. Ino had been engaged to Horyu by the village, a union more strategic than romantic. Yet, over time, she had grown to genuinely care for him.
She looked up as he entered, her expression a mix of relief and concern. "You're back," she said softly, standing up to approach him. "Are you okay?"
Horyu nodded, his demeanor calm. "I handled it," he replied.
Ino stepped closer, reaching out to touch his arm gently. "You always do," she murmured, a hint of admiration in her tone. She led him to the bed, urging him to sit down. "Let me take care of you."
He allowed her to guide him, sitting down with a sigh. Ino moved with practiced ease, bringing a damp cloth to clean the dirt and blood from his face. Her touch was gentle but firm, her eyes focused on her task.
As she worked, Horyu watched her, his gaze unreadable. Ino's presence was soothing, a quiet comfort amidst the chaos of his life. She didn't ask questions or demand explanations; she simply cared for him in the small, practical ways that mattered.
"Did everything go as planned?" Ino asked after a while, her voice breaking the silence.
Horyu nodded again. "More or less," he replied. "They are caught. It should end now."
Ino paused, her eyes meeting his. "You're always so calm, even when things get difficult," she remarked. "It's one of the things I admire about you."
Horyu's expression softened slightly, but didn't say anything, watched as Ino tend him. Ino smiled faintly, continuing her work. "You're strong, Horyu. But you don't always have to be alone."
He didn't respond, but the weight of her words lingered in the air. She finished cleaning his face and stepped back, her gaze lingering on him. "There," she said softly. "You look better."
Horyu stood up, feeling the weight of exhaustion settling into his bones. "Thank you," he said, his voice sincere.
Ino nodded, her expression gentle. "Anytime," she replied. She moved to tidy up the room, her movements graceful and efficient. Horyu watched her for a moment before turning to leave, his mind already shifting to the next task.
"Ino," he said, pausing at the doorway. "I appreciate what you do for me."
She looked up, surprised by the rare acknowledgment. "Of course," she said, a soft smile playing on her lips. "It's what I want to do."
Horyu gave a brief nod and left the room, finding a secluded corner in the village. He performed the summoning technique, and in a puff of smoke, Yoru appeared. The sleek, jet-black owl with crimson eyes observed him for a moment before vanishing, transporting Horyu to the Twilight Realm where the Owl Tribe resided.
The transition was seamless, and Horyu found himself standing in the heart of the Kurohana Tribe. The elders were already assembled, their presence commanding respect.
"Elders," Horyu began, inclining his head slightly in a show of respect. "I believe the Utopia Plan will work, but to seal off the Twilight Realm as well, we either need to connect the realms or conduct another sealing ritual."
Elder Aomori, the Sage of Shadows, spoke first, his deep blue feathers blending with the surrounding twilight. "What do you mean by that, Horyu?" His voice carried a mix of curiosity and weariness.
Horyu gathered his thoughts before speaking. "I studied the seals extensively. The power required to achieve the sealing is immense. If we are to seal the Twilight Realm as well, it will require a substantial amount of chakra. However, I still believe it is better than connecting this realm to the Human Realm. I don't want to expose this place to human interference."
Elder Shizuka, the Whisper of the Wind, nodded thoughtfully. Her silver-white feathers seemed to shimmer as she moved. "Connecting the realms could indeed bring unforeseen dangers. The balance here is delicate."
Elder Kagehiro, the Keeper of Lore, shifted slightly, his feathers reflecting the changing light. "The rituals we performed in the past required significant sacrifice. Are you prepared for the cost?"
Horyu said, "We will conduct the first ritual in a week for the human realm. During that time, I'll evaluate the process and, based on the results, replicate it here as well."
The elders nodded, their expressions a mix of hope and determination. The gravity of their situation was not lost on them. "To think all our wars were instigated by specters," Kagehiro remarked, clenching his wing.
"We need to ensure the success of this ritual," Elder Shizuka added. "Our future depends on it."
Horyu's gaze was steady. "We will succeed. Failure is not an option."
Elder Aomori, the Sage of Shadows, spoke up, his tone firm. "We trust your judgment, Horyu. The Owl Tribe stands with you."
Horyu inclined his head in acknowledgment. "I appreciate your support. You don’t have to worry, I will bring an end to this chaos."
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