The sky darkened as the sun finally disappeared below the horizon. A faint moonlight cast its glow over the land.
In Hokage's office, Hiruzen Sarutobi and the others, who had been waiting for some time, finally saw the figure they had been anticipating.
"Click."
The door to the Hokage's office opened, and Uzumaki Raiden entered slowly, holding a long blade in his hand. His expression was weary, his once-bright eyes now dull and heavy with exhaustion.
Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't seen Raiden in years, and for a moment, he hesitated as he observed the tall, young man walking in.
"Teacher, I'm back," Raiden said tiredly, glancing at Hiruzen and then at Mitokadu Homura and Koharu Utatane. The two elders scrutinized Raiden carefully. Despite his fatigued state, his presence carried a palpable weight that filled the room.
Homura and Koharu, who had only experienced this level of pressure from Hiruzen Sarutobi himself, exchanged surprised glances.
"This boy… he has grown tremendously over the years!"
"What an oppressive aura!"
Even Hiruzen, a Kage-level powerhouse, felt the intensity of Raiden's presence for a fleeting moment.
"It's good to see you've returned safely," Hiruzen said warmly. He quickly approached Raiden and pulled him into a tight embrace. Raiden was caught off guard, his weary eyes staring blankly at the Hokage.
Hiruzen didn't seem to care about Raiden's lack of response. After the embrace, he patted Raiden on the shoulder and said with pride, "It's been a long time, and you've grown into an exceptional ninja. Your achievements on the front lines of the Land of Earth are truly remarkable. You've done well!"
Then, with a more serious tone, he added, "I've heard about the surprise attack on Uchiha Fugaku's team by the Mist Ninja. Tell us the details."
Raiden, clearly uninterested in small talk, answered directly, "I don't know the full specifics. By the time I arrived, the battle was over. What I do know is that Might Duy and Uchiha Fugaku managed to eliminate four elite jonin from Mist Village—four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. Fugaku's subordinates confirmed this. The enemy included all seven swordsmen. Four were killed by Duy and Fugaku, one fled and ran into me, and I took him down."
Before Hiruzen could ask more, Koharu interrupted, her voice tinged with excitement. "And what of their swords? Did you recover them, or did Mist Ninja retrieve them?"
"Five swords are in my possession," Raiden replied coldly, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at Koharu. He made no attempt to hide the truth, knowing that such weapons would eventually come to light. However, Raiden was determined to establish control over the weapons, knowing they were earned through the sacrifices of Duy and Fugaku.
Hiruzen, sensing the tension, quickly spoke, "Good! Securing the weapons of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen is a great boost to Konoha's morale. As for Duy… his loss is a tremendous blow to the village. He was an exceptional ninja."
Turning thoughtful, Hiruzen continued, "Duy had a son, didn't he? Might Guy. Duy's pension will be issued to his son tenfold. The village will also handle the funeral arrangements, and Duy's name will be inscribed on the memorial stone."
Raiden nodded solemnly. "I ask that the teacher oversees Duy's funeral personally. As for his son, Guy, I'd like him to be transferred to my unit under my direct guidance. Regarding the five ninja swords, I believe the decision on their use should rest with Guy. These weapons were earned through Duy's ultimate sacrifice, and I don't wish for the village to intervene."
Koharu frowned, clearly displeased. "Raiden, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen's blades are not ordinary weapons. In the hands of the village, they could greatly enhance Konoha's strength. Surely, that is what Duy would have wanted."
Raiden's voice was firm. "Yes, Duy wanted the village to be strong. But more than that, he would want his son to surpass him as a ninja. I intend to give four of the blades to Guy. The Lightning Blade, however, I'll allocate to Uchiha Fugaku. Guy lacks the chakra nature to utilize it effectively, but Fugaku can."
"Giving one of the most powerful blades to the Uchiha?" Homura interjected, his tone sharp. "This is unacceptable! You've already given Fugaku the Thunder God Sword gifted by Hiruzen. And now you want to hand over the Lightning Blade? I won't allow it!"
He continued, "As for the other four swords, giving all of them to Guy is out of the question. He can have one at most!"
Homura's objections were loud and righteous. Though his concerns stemmed from a fear of strengthening the Uchiha clan, he cloaked his arguments in practicality. But Raiden wasn't swayed.
Raiden turned to Hiruzen, his tone cold. "Teacher, I hope you'll consider my opinion on this matter."
The room grew heavy as Raiden's chakra flared, his presence becoming oppressive. The very air seemed to vibrate under the weight of his power. Cracks appeared on the office floor and walls as his chakra surged uncontrollably.
"Raiden, that's enough!" Hiruzen said firmly, his tone cutting through the tension. "I agree with your decision."
Hiruzen's approval surprised Homura and Koharu, who looked at Raiden in disbelief, their foreheads damp with cold sweat. Raiden, now calm, met Hiruzen's gaze with gratitude.
(End of this chapter)