Necessary Corruption 42 (Patreon)

Necessary Corruption

Chapter 42

-VB-

Hatemiho Kenji

“The Hokage is dead.”

It was a statement that changed a lot of things.

Why? For one, the Sand got off easy because Konohagakure was weaker than they were before. Despite his old age, the Hokage was - had been - one of the strongest ninjas in the Elemental Nations. A team of jounins from any of the big five would take one look at the Hokage, the Professor, on an open battlefield, and the first thing they would probably do was debate whether or not surrender would be better than an inevitable death.

Two, it was his boss, Orochimaru, who killed him. This was the rumor because someone else was saying that the Hokage used some shit that cost him his life to make Orochimaru’s life hell.

Three, Konoha had to give mercy to Sand to ensure that it would retain some power in its weakened state (a prolonged war wouldn’t help them when Kumo was licking its lips), but it didn’t have to be merciful to any of Sound-nin.

“Aren’t you glad you surrendered to us?” Chushini, a thug lord from the Land of Rivers turned blessed, chuckled as Kenji followed him down a street without any shackles or ropes.

The impaled heads lining the street and the dementedly hungry stares of revenge-seeking Konoha-nin following his every step were enough motivations to keep him in line.

Konoha-nin did not rape or torture.

No, they just killed you and made sure everyone else connected to you died.

The Daimyo of Rice?

Kenji gave the man no more than a month to live before an “unsanctioned” assassination from an “unknown” ninja with “unknown” affiliation killed him, his wife, all of his children, and all of the top advisors and their families in their sleep.

Konoha wasn’t just feared for their prowess but the kind of retaliation they brought to the table if it wasn’t signed in a fucking peace treaty or agreed upon at least verbally by Konoha’s leadership.

The death of the Nidame Hokage showed that when a third of the Land of Lightning burned. Yondaime died fighting the Kyuubi, so nothing happened. Supposedly. Now, the death of the Sandaime will show the world once again why the older generations didn’t touch Konoha if they could help it.

And the only reason Kenji lived was because of Lord Takanori Jin, a foreign noble from the Land of Rivers who stood with Konoha in its time of need.

This was him leaving after his fourth visit to Konoha’s Torture and Investigation Department. Why they were so upfront with the name, he did not know. Even the Sound had more elegance than just outright admitting it like that.

What was it… Village Hidden in Waterfall called theirs “Under Pond Department.” Sound called theirs “Deep Research Cave.”

Finally, the two of them cleared the street and back into the walled manor of Takanori-sama. He allowed himself breathe out a sigh of relief.

“Shit, that was scary,” he muttered.

Chushini hummed in agreement. “Those Konoha-nin really wanted you dead.”

“Yeah. Where to next?”

“Wel-”

He paused and Kenji followed his gaze to see what made the big guy stop like that, and his eyes widened momentarily when he saw a orange jumpsuit wearing boy.

Oh yeah, he was familiar with him. Who wouldn’t be?

Not a lot of people could say that they ran into a jinchuuriki and beat him without accessing their own bijuu.

And this boy could say that.

He also looked extremely upset.

Both he and Chushini got out of the boy’s way, as respectfully as they can, and then once he walked out of the walled manor, hurried to join the others - prisoners and retainers alike - in gossiping.

“What happened?” Chushini asked Hisou, the lord’s legitimized brother.

“He found out that Jin-sama is leaving soon.”

“W-What would happen to me?” Kenji asked. He had to. His life was on the line here.

Hisou spared him a glance. “You will be going back with us. You will also be teaching anyone willing how to use chakra and fight like a ninja.”

“Of course, of course.” He’d been told that before, and it was better than what would happen if he refused.

“Good.”

“... see. I hope it will not cause too much issues then.”

Kenji froze as that familiar voice, that of the Takanori-sama, filtered in from around the corner. He was talking to someone.

“You helped Konoha,” an elderly woman grunted. “Even if my old teammate doesn’t want you around, I acknowledge what needs to be acknowledged. Konoha will ensure its allies are helped.”

“I’m glad, Utatane-dono.”

She nodded. “Before I leave, I want to know why you help Uzumaki.”

“Naruto? Yes, well, he is a well-meaning boy. He’s helped me a lot. I don’t see why I couldn’t support someone who loves his village.”

“Even if Konoha and you may have differences in the future?”

“Then all the better, Utatane-dono. With Naruto-kun, I will be able to diplomatically work out a problem. Someone else might start a war with their own ally like Sand did.”

Then she chuckled. “Speaking of whom, what did you demand from them?” she asked.

Takanori-sama chuckled. “Nothing important.”

Finally, she nodded again and walked out of the manor with her ninja guard.

Takanori-sama sighed before turning to them.

“Hisou. Chushini. And you were …” he trailed off, obviously having forgotten his name.

“I-I am Hatemiho Kenji, Takanori-sama,” Kenji bowed down to his waist level.

“I see. Kenji. Raise your head up.”

He did.

“It seems that Konohagakure wishes to consolidate itself, and has given me leave to take you and the other Sound prisoners who have surrendered to my retinue. You will be following me back to the Land of Rivers.”

He nodded.

“Good. Chushini, Hisou, prepare the household to move.”

“Yes, Takanori-sama.”

-VB-

A/N: Jin accomplished everything he wanted out of his visit to Konoha: better ties with the hidden village, ninjas secured to help train his forces, see with his own eyes the power difference (or lack thereof between his elites and theirs), and network with other nobles from outside of the Land of River.

As for what made Naruto leave Jin’s manor so hurriedly… spoilers~.