61 Ch-61 Impact.
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After that, Shikaku took Ino along with him to the safe house where Jokan is currently residing. Upon entering, Shikaku noticed Jokan seated, surrounded by her guards. Shikaku slightly bent and said, "Jokan, I hope you are well without any issues."
"How can I have any problems? After all, Jiryoku is my protector," Jokan replied.
As soon as Jokan mentioned Jiryoku's name, Ino immediately asked, "Do you know where Jiryoku really is?"
"Who are you?" Jokan inquired, looking towards Ino.
"Apologies, Jokan. She is a child and doesn't know the etiquette, which is why she spoke like that. Her name is Ino Yamanaka daughter of Yamanaka clan head," Shikaku explained, apologizing.
"So, you are Ino, the one Jiryoku has mentioned a few times," Jokan remarked.
"Yes, I am Ino, and I want to meet him. Can you tell me where he is?" Ino asked with anticipation.
"I don't know his exact location. He mentioned that he's undergoing a training regimen. However, he does have a message for you, Shikamaru, and Choji. Jiryoku said, 'He never intended to form any friendships with anyone, as his plans for the future were clear. Becoming a Missing-nin was also part of his path. But then you all entered his life. Even though he didn't initially want you to be close to him, you claimed yourselves as his friends. Slowly, Shikamaru and Choji also began treating him as a friend. Despite his persistent belief that no one could be his friend and his determination to avoid such connections, he started to consider you all as his friends. If fate allows, you should all meet him,'" Jokan conveyed.
Ino just listened, thinking of every moment she had spent with Jiryoku. She smiled and then bowed towards Jokan, saying, "Thank you for letting his words reach me and my friends."
"Hmm, and I must say one thing – you are beautiful and will surely be my competitor," remarked Jokan.
"We will see about that," Ino replied, her face filled with pride.
Jokan covered her face, smiled, then looked towards Shikaku and said, "Jiryoku will not be announced as a missing-nin. We, in the Fire Country, don't want to lose a powerful ninja like Jiryoku. The actions he took do not qualify as heinous acts that cross the line of humanity. He did all of that for his personal revenge, and only those who harmed his family were killed – no one else. Furthermore, when Konoha decides on their next Hokage, an official order from the Daimyo will be given to the Hokage. If Konoha wishes, they can announce Jiryoku's expulsion from the village, and nothing more than this."
Upon hearing this, Shikaku was shocked. He had expected Jokan to support Jiryoku, but not to this extent.
"Now, if you would excuse me, I have to return to the Daimyo's mansion. There is quite a lot of work for us to do," stated Jokan.
"Yes, thank you for honoring us with your presence during the Chunin exam," Shikaku said, bowing slightly.
"Ino, come to my mansion sometime. We can talk there without any constraints," Jokan offered as she left.
Ino nodded in response to Jokan's words.
----
It's been three days since the events unfolded in Konoha, and the news of these occurrences has spread throughout the ninja world. The deaths of the Third Hokage and the Fourth Kazekage Rasa have caused quite a stir among the ninja villages. However, what was even more impactful was the death of Danzo. This event rendered the different major villages highly unstable. After Danzo's demise, the ROOT ninjas, who had been planted as spies in these villages, began leaving one by one. Consequently, a large number of rogue ninjas emerged in the ninja world.
(A/N: From my perspective, this seems plausible, especially considering Danzo's tendency to deploy numerous spies in other villages. This can be likened to the situation with Kabuto's adoptive mother, Nonō Yakushi. I'd appreciate hearing your thoughts on this.)
Although this presented a golden opportunity for many ninja villages, the crucial point was that the major villages had not yet fully recovered from the third ninja war. Moreover, while Hiruzen had passed away and Konoha had suffered damage during Orochimaru's attack, the Fire Country still possessed formidable assets in the form of Jiraiya and Tsunade. Not to mention Jiryoku, who is even stronger than Jiraiya, remains a ninja of the Fire Country, even if he is no longer a Konoha ninja.
----
In a black market within the Fire Country, Jiryoku stepped into the dimly lit establishment. This was not his first visit to this shadowy place.
"You've been causing quite a stir out there, Mr. Jiryoku," remarked the man behind the counter.
"Just because I frequent this place doesn't grant you the liberty to address me so familiarly, as if we were friends. There should be no next time, or else I wouldn't mind reducing this establishment to ruins," Jiryoku warned.
"I apologize for my behavior, and I assure you there won't be a next time," the man quickly responded.
"Hmm, I'm seeking information about one of the Sannin and the granddaughter of the First Hokage, Senju Tsunade," Jiryoku stated.
"Ah, this. We do possess information about Sannin Tsunade, but the price for it is quite steep," the man behind the counter informed him.
"How much?" Jiryoku inquired.
"Five million," the man stated plainly.
"Here!" Jiryoku retrieved a scroll and tossed it onto the counter. He was well aware that negotiations held no sway in the black market.
"Wait here. I will verify the amount and retrieve the information," the man said, taking the scroll and disappearing into the depths of the establishment.
After a few moments, the man returned with the scroll in hand.
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