“Wait, Kenji, stop crying,” Ryo said, completely at a loss for where to begin.
“At least don’t cry here—or let go of my belt before you do, okay?!
I may be stronger than you and can keep my balance, but my belt definitely isn’t sturdy enough for this!” “I don’t want to!” Uchiha Kenji cried even harder.
Still, he quietly released Ryo’s belt and grabbed the hem of his outer robe instead.
“You know perfectly well I can’t remember people’s faces!
The only reason I can recognize my family is because I’ve spent so much time with them that I remember their voices!
And I can’t even remember routes properly.
If I really went blind, it’d be the same as killing me!
So what is this supposed to be?!
If you keep acting like this, our generation will just end up with another useless blind man!” “No, Kenji, look at me.
I’m actually pretty easy to identify now.” Ryo let out a sigh of relief and pointed at himself.
“See?
I’m the one wearing a cloth blindfold over my eyes.
Nobody else in the clan dresses like this, so I’m easy to recognize…
Anyway, can you at least stand up first?
We’re blocking the entrance to the Mission Office.” Kenji sniffled and glanced around at the clan members who had gathered to watch the spectacle.
Only then did he finally stand up.
One hand still clutched Ryo’s clothing, making him look like a small animal terrified of being abandoned.
“What am I supposed to do now?” he wailed.
“There’s no way I can ever repay this debt anymore—ugh…” “Kenji, you really need to stop inventing debts that don’t exist…” Ryo sighed and turned toward Madara’s direction.
“Madara, have you found a mission you like?” “No…
not yet.” Madara looked at Kenji with a faintly complicated expression bordering on disgust.
“Um, Elder Brother…
do you need help over here?” “It’s fine, it’s fine.
I can handle it.
Go pick a mission.” Ryo waved him off, though his smile looked slightly weak.
“As long as Kenji calms down…
Yeah, as long as he calms down…” Madara stared at the two of them for a moment, his expression difficult to read, then turned and walked back into the Mission Office.
“You’re going on a mission, Ryo?” Kenji sniffled.
“Then I’m coming too.” Ryo immediately laughed.
“Wouldn’t the two of us taking the same mission be a bit excessive?” “Excessive?!” Kenji’s eyes widened, and his crimson Three-Tomoe Sharingan surfaced involuntarily.
“What would be excessive is letting only you and your little brother go!
A blind man and a kid taking his first missions—do you seriously think playing the self-sacrificing hero is fun?!” “No, we—” “Shut up!” Kenji snapped.
“You idiot!
Moron!
Taijutsu maniac!
Being a shinobi is already a profession where death is around every corner.
Are you trying to find an excuse to die so I’ll spend the rest of my life burdened by what you did for me?!
I’ll cry, you know!
I really will!
Even after I die, my ghost won’t be able to rest!” Ryo sighed and raised both hands in surrender.
“Okay, okay—I get it, I get it.
I agree, we’ll do missions together.
So can we put this whole debt business aside for now?
Though honestly, why are you better at crying than Chiho and the others…?” “Hmph…” Kenji’s eyes returned to black.
After a brief silence to steady his emotions, he spoke again.
“Hey, Ryo.
You’re using Chakra Sensing to perceive your surroundings now, right?
Haven’t you noticed anything different about me?” “Hm?
Different…” Ryo tilted his head.
“You’ve gotten stronger?
Does that count?” “…I’m serious!
Pay attention!” At Kenji’s insistence, Ryo reached out and grabbed his wrist, focusing his senses once more.
“Hm…
The chakra activity in your brain has become much more intense.
Could it be that you’re awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan?” “Maybe…
I’m not really sure myself.
But ever since that mission with you, my Sharingan keeps activating on its own.
I even had someone take me to the Medical Department for an examination, but nobody could figure out what was happening…” “Then it’s probably close to awakening.” Ryo stroked his chin thoughtfully.
“Come to think of it, Hiro and Akihiko’s cerebral chakra activity was unusually high too.
I wonder which of you three will be the first to obtain that power.” His smile widened.
“I’m looking forward to finding out.” “You can rule Hiro out right away,” Kenji said, finally calming down completely.
After confirming through touch that Ryo was the only blindfolded person nearby, he finally released his grip on Ryo’s clothing.
“That guy’s talented, sure, but when it comes to this sort of thing, it’s like he’s cursed.” “Calling it a curse is a little harsh, isn’t it…?” “Then what would you call it?
An Uchiha whose primary affinities are Water Release and Earth Release?
Half his potential is wasted already.” Kenji crossed his arms.
“And yet he still stays near the top of the rankings.
Hiro’s talent is honestly terrifying.
His Sensory Ninjutsu keeps getting stronger too.
Last time, I almost couldn’t fool him.” “Yeah, that’s true.
I barely won when I sparred with him recently.” Ryo scratched the back of his neck and laughed openly.
“At this rate, all of you are going to leave me behind.
It’s pretty stressful.” “Which is exactly why you should’ve let me be the bait on that mission…” Kenji muttered.
“Even if my eyes had to be destroyed, you could’ve just ripped them out and crushed them.
Did you seriously never consider the possibility of coming back alive yourself?” “The battlefield changes in an instant.
Getting captured alive by the Senju Clan would’ve been much worse.” The smile at Ryo’s lips turned helpless as he patted Kenji’s shoulder.
“So stop talking about using yourself as bait.
“I chose that mission.
I was the one who brought all of you with me.
As the team leader you elected, my first responsibility is your safety.
My job is to bring every one of you home alive.
“If I let any of you die in my place, wouldn’t that mean I’d betrayed the trust you placed in me?” “But—” “There’s no ‘but.'” Ryo smiled.
“I believe in you, Kenji, just as you believe in me.” He paused briefly before continuing.
“And if you truly feel guilty toward me, then surpass me—tenfold, a hundredfold.
When that day comes, I’ll be sitting safely in the rear, cheering for you.”