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Inoichi sighed, his voice carrying a note of patience as he interjected. "Son, you know the Iron Country is dominated by samurai. They rely on chakra-infused swords for combat, which makes the materials for crafting such weapons highly strategic. They guard those resources closely and rarely allow them to leave their borders."
Inoiki's frown deepened, his mind racing. "Then how did the Hokage and Lord Hatake Sakumo manage to get their hands on chakra weapons? I can understand the Hokage—he's the leader of the village, so it makes sense he'd have access. But what about Lord Sakumo? He wasn't Hokage."
Shikaku leaned back, a faint smile playing on his lips as he recalled the story. "Ah, Lord Sakumo. That's a different tale altogether. He earned his chakra sword through sheer skill and honor. During a formal match, he defeated the previous general of the Iron Country using nothing but his own prowess and swordsmanship. The general was so impressed by Sakumo's character that he gifted him the sword as a token of respect."
Inoiki's eyes widened slightly, a spark of admiration flickering in them. "I see... So it wasn't just about power, but also about earning their trust."
Shikaku nodded. "Exactly. The samurai value honor above all else. If you want more than what we can provide, you'll need to find a way to earn their respect—just as Sakumo did."
Inoiki fell silent, his gaze distant as he processed the information.
Inoiki sat in silence for a moment, his expression unreadable as he processed everything. Finally, he spoke, his voice calm but resolute. "I see. I understand your position, so don't worry—I'll handle the chakra weapon materials myself. What I need isn't small. The weapon I have in mind will be at least as tall as I am, and the design I'm envisioning will require a significant amount of materials. I'll secure them on my own."
Shikaku's brow furrowed, his sharp mind immediately searching for clarity. "What exactly are you planning to do?"
Inoiki's response was casual, almost dismissive. "Nothing much. I'll just keep doing what I've been doing—getting stronger. Eventually, I'll achieve my goal."
Shikaku's eyes narrowed, a flicker of concern breaking through his usual composure. "You're not thinking of robbing them, are you?"
Inoiki stood, a faint smile playing on his lips as he looked down at Shikaku. "I would never do something so crude. No, they'll offer me the chakra weapon willingly—or, to be precise, they'll have no choice but to offer it. There will be consequences if they don't."
He turned his back to Shikaku, Inoichi, and Choza, his voice carrying a cold edge as he continued. "In this world, respect alone isn't enough. Sometimes, others need to fear you. If they don't, they'll mistake your kindness for weakness and take advantage of it."
With that, Inoiki walked away, his figure disappearing into the dimly lit hallway. The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of his words lingering in the air.
Inoichi let out a long, weary sigh, running a hand through his hair. "What's he planning? Just thinking about it is giving me anxiety."
Shikaku placed a reassuring hand on Inoichi's shoulder, though his own expression was tinged with unease. "Don't worry too much. We know him. Whatever he does, he'll be careful—and he'll stay within the limits. At least, I hope so."
Inoichi's shoulders slumped slightly as he muttered, "I hope so too."
The two men exchanged a glance, the unspoken understanding between them heavy with both trust and apprehension. Inoiki was walking a dangerous path, and all they could do was hope he knew where the line was—and that he wouldn't cross it.
The next morning, Inoiki woke early and completed his usual training session, the rhythmic motions of his routine helping to clear his mind. As he finished, Shikamaru approached, his usual lazy demeanor replaced by a rare seriousness.
"Inoiki," Shikamaru said, his voice low, "Sasuke and Kakashi have been injured. They're in the hospital, and it doesn't look good."
Inoiki's eyes narrowed, a flicker of concern breaking through his calm exterior. Without a word, he followed Shikamaru to the hospital, where he found Sasuke and Kakashi lying unconscious, their faces pale and their bodies still. The sight was unsettling—both were strong shinobi, and seeing them in such a state was a stark reminder of the dangers they faced.
According to the original course of events, both Kakashi and Sasuke were supposed to have been struck by Itachi's Tsukuyomi after confronting him. But Inoiki had altered the timeline by intervening in their earlier encounter with Itachi and Kisame. Kakashi had avoided the Tsukuyomi then, so how had they ended up ? What had changed?
Inoiki's mind raced as he tried to piece together what could have happened. He needed answers, and fast. Spotting Guy in the hallway, he approached the usually energetic jonin, who now looked uncharacteristically somber.
"Guy," Inoiki said, his tone firm but calm, "what happened? How did they end up ?"
Guy sighed, running a hand through his hair. "After you left, Kakashi got word that Itachi might be targeting Naruto. We all started searching for Naruto's whereabouts and eventually learned that he'd left the village with Lord Jiraiya. Due to the foolishness of one of our Jonin, Sasuke learned about Itachi's arrival in Konoha. And you know how Sasuke reacts to anything related to Itachi—without thinking much, he immediately ran off to find him, leaving Kakashi with no choice but to follow. Kakashi and Sasuke tracked them to Shukuba Town, where they confronted Itachi. I don't know the details, but from what I've gathered, they fought him and... well, this is the result."
Inoiki clenched his fists, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Despite his efforts to change the course of events, it seemed fate had a way of correcting itself. Kakashi and Sasuke had still crossed paths with Itachi, and the outcome was the same—defeat and the crushing weight of Tsukuyomi.
He sighed deeply, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. Was it truly impossible to alter destiny? Had all his efforts been for nothing? The idea gnawed at him, but he quickly pushed it aside. Now wasn't the time for doubt. He needed to focus on what came next.
As he stood there, staring at the unconscious forms of Kakashi and Sasuke, a grim determination settled over him. If fate was determined to follow its course, then he would have to find a way to bend it to his will. He couldn't afford to let despair take hold—not when so much was at stake.
Turning away from the hospital beds, Inoiki's eyes hardened. "Fate might have its plans," he muttered under his breath, "but I'll make sure it doesn't get the last word."
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