Chapter 8: Konoha's Wrath. Order to destroy
Three days have passed since returning from the mission. Reiji's team was officially listed as having completed the task, but reality remained distorted. Jonin, the mentor, is in critical condition in the hospital. Hanami is silent, depressed. Reiji is as cold as ever.
But that was just the beginning.
⸻
Hokage's report
— Who attacked you?
The third Hokage was sitting at his desk, carefully studying Reiji's face. The meeting was attended by Anbu and several council members.
"We don't know. Without bandages. Unmarked. They went up in smoke. Reiji's voice was calm.
— You survived alone, essentially destroying the enemies... unusual for a child. The doubt in Shimura Danzo's voice was outright.
"Either luck or hidden potential,— Kage interjected. — We cannot ignore that someone is attacking our genii in the territory of Fire. There can only be one thing — provocation.
—Or a check,— one of the Anbu added quietly.
The third Hokage thought about it. Then he said:
— Give an order: all unknown Shinobi found within a hundred kilometers of the village are to be destroyed without warning.
Konoha's wrath has been officially declared.
⸻
Suspicion
Danzo was not far behind. He called one of his agents from the Root and gave a short order.:
"Keep an eye on this boy. There are too many coincidences. And the force is too fast.
⸻
Inner Awakening
At night, Reiji stood on the roof of the orphanage. He felt like he was being watched. But I didn't know from where. The system was silent.
[SYNC: 52.3%]
[NEW PASSIVE EFFECT: RESISTANCE TO MENTAL PRESSURE]
"You're growing... faster than I expected,— the Raikage's voice sounded in his mind.
"But that's not enough,— Reiji replied softly. "My power is still far from real.
He activated the training area in the forest and began practicing the technique he had seen in canon: the Penetrating Punch, a lightning—enhanced fist that punches through everything in its path.
Each blow left a crater in the ground. But his body couldn't stand it—his fingers were bleeding, his muscles were cramping with pain.
[ATTENTION: MUSCLE DAMAGE — 23%]
—Pain is the price of strength," he whispered. "And I'll pay."
⸻
Anbu's interest
Two days later, he was called to the NSA headquarters. The excuse: "additional questioning about the mission."
But there he was met not by an investigator, but by a man in a mask with a red claw.
"You're hiding something,— he said.
"I just survived."
"You have the eyes of a man who killed." More than once. And not for the first time.
Silence.
— You will go further. You will become stronger. And when you become a threat, we will come again. And there will be no interrogation.
⸻
The path continues
Reiji returned home. His eyes were full of determination.
He knew that the enemy would come again. The village does not trust. The Raikage inside him demands more.
And while someone was clenching his fist in fear, he was practicing.
He will be a weapon. He will become a thunderstorm.
And when the next enemy comes, he won't just survive. He's going to win.