Shikigami Summoning in Konoha

Chapter 47: Visiting Sasuke

Katsuragi did not know that he had been spotted by Tobi passing by. After returning home, he unusually refrained from training and lay on his bed, lost in thought.

"After the night of the annihilation, Itachi is supposed to join Akatsuki, and the next major threat should be the Chunin Exams after graduation!"

Although Katsuragi didn't much care about the other participants in the Chunin Exams, including Gaara, there was Orochimaru to consider, who sought eternal life.

Orochimaru was the only one Katsuragi genuinely feared at the moment. After all, he was one of the legendary Sannin, and in the original narrative, he survived situations that should have been certain death, seemingly the only person in the ninja world who believed in science.

Katsuragi had always had the utmost respect for scientists; as a child, he had aspired to be one, though he realized as he grew up that it wasn't for him.

"But after graduation, I still have an SSR!"

That was what Katsuragi was most looking forward to now. By the time he graduated, his strength would have significantly increased. By then, he would be about 12 years old, and his body wouldn't be as frail as it was now. He might not have much chakra, but he should be able to handle most battles.

"The future, huh!"

But all that was still far off, with several years to go until he graduated. For now, mastering the abilities of Snow Woman and Enenra was the priority.

Especially Enenra; Katsuragi felt that if he could master instant smoke transformation, he could effectively become immune to physical attacks from most taijutsu ninjas. Of course, dealing with ninjutsu would still be somewhat awkward.

The quiet night passed quietly, and few in the ninja world knew that after this night, the vast Uchiha clan was left with only a few members.

The morning sun slowly rose from the east, quickly spreading its golden light across the land, as if heralding another beautiful day—although not so for a certain young man with Sharingan.

Arriving at school near the start of the day, Katsuragi, recalling the previous night's events, couldn't help but glance at Sasuke's usual spot, only to find it empty, with no sign of anyone. Sasuke was never late.

"Sigh!"

After sighing internally again, Katsuragi returned to his seat. Seeing Hinata next to him looking worried, he tidied himself up and cheerfully greeted, "Good morning, Hinata!"

"Good morning!"

Hinata quietly returned the greeting and then asked Katsuragi, "Are you okay?"

"Yeah! Why do you ask?"

Katsuragi smiled and responded nonchalantly.

"I just felt like you seemed really upset," Hinata replied softly, then asked again, "Are you sure you're okay?"

Katsuragi was silent for a moment before nodding and saying, "Yeah! Something bad happened, but it's over now. Though, Hinata, if you could give me a comforting reward, I think I'd feel better faster!"

"No... not that!"

Despite having been around Katsuragi for so long, Hinata still couldn't face his requests directly and blushed as she refused. However, seeing Katsuragi putting on a pitiful look—though she knew he was pretending—she still felt a pang of pity:

"Well... then..."

"What?" Katsuragi immediately looked hopeful.

Having been with Katsuragi for so long, Hinata, although still introverted and shy with others, had become much more open with him. So, seeing Katsuragi change his expression again, she couldn't help but want to tease him, "Nothing."

"Eh!" Katsuragi was stunned; he didn't remember Hinata acting like this before. Looking at her blushing yet giggling face, his mood, affected by the Uchiha's plight, also lightened considerably. He then pretended to be fierce:

"I don't care, I want my reward, and you have to give it!"

While Katsuragi and Hinata were bantering, other girls in the class and Naruto were wondering about Sasuke's whereabouts until Iruka arrived and announced that Sasuke was ill and had taken leave, putting an end to their speculation.

Normally, taking sick leave wouldn't be much of an issue—everyone gets sick, with perhaps only the fools excepted. But when Sasuke still hadn't returned to school after three days, the girls and Naruto began to grow restless.

During recess, Naruto paced restlessly around Katsuragi, clearly preoccupied with something.

"Alright, alright, stop wandering around!"

Irritated by the human lightbulb beside him, Katsuragi urged Naruto to speak up, "What is it, Naruto?"

Katsuragi!" Naruto hesitated for a long time before finally speaking, "What exactly is up with that arrogant guy? It's been so long and he still hasn't come to school!"

"Tsck!"

Katsuragi clicked his tongue in a way that was open to interpretation; it had only been three days and Naruto was already missing him so much. It was no wonder Naruto went to such lengths to bring him back in the original story after Sasuke defected.

"If you really want to know, why don't you just go and see for yourself?"

"Eh! Katsuragi, do you know where he is?" Naruto looked at him in surprise.

"Idiot!" Katsuragi knocked on Naruto's head and said, "Can't you just ask Iruka-sensei? And I think Iruka-sensei said he was sick, right?"

"That's true!" Naruto scratched his head, grinning foolishly, "But where is the hospital, Katsuragi?"

"..."

Katsuragi didn't know how to respond; he felt that if there was a medicine that could cure stupidity, he'd definitely buy some for Naruto to boost his intelligence.

After school, Katsuragi went to ask Iruka for confirmation, then led Naruto along with Shikamaru and Choji to the Konoha Hospital. As for Hinata, Katsuragi did not invite her along; given the poor relations between the Hyuga and Uchiha clans before the annihilation, even as classmates, it wouldn't have been appropriate.

At the hospital, Katsuragi approached the reception, asking a nurse-like kunoichi, "Excuse me, do you know which room Uchiha Sasuke is in?"

"Uchiha Sasuke?"

The nurse was taken aback, a flicker of pity crossing her eyes as she looked them over carefully before asking, "Are you his friends?"

"Yes!" Katsuragi nodded, "We are his classmates. We heard from our teacher that he was ill, so we came to visit him."

"He's in room 222!" The nurse checked and then said to Katsuragi, "But his body needs rest. Don't stay too long and disturb the patients, okay?"

"Yes, thank you! We understand," Katsuragi thanked her and then turned to signal the others, "You guys go ahead, I'll be there in a moment."

Naruto and the others didn't mind and, eager as ever, ran off immediately. Shikamaru gave Katsuragi a puzzled look, then glanced at the staff before following Naruto's lead.

Watching the three leave, Katsuragi turned back to the nurse with a smile, asking, "Excuse me, can you tell me what illness my friend has?"

"Ah!" The nurse sighed and then spoke somewhat sympathetically, "Your friend's family had some troubles; now he's the only one left in his entire clan. He's having some emotional issues, so please go and comfort him."

Although Katsuragi knew what had happened, he still feigned ignorance, asking, "Only him left?"

As if all women have a potential for gossip, even kunoichi are no exception. The nurse leaned in close, whispering, "It's said that his own brother killed the entire clan and then defected, leaving only him behind."

"And what's more, his brother also…"

After leaving the gossipy nurse, Katsuragi approached the hospital room. Just as he reached the door, he heard Naruto's chattering voice inside, clearly not heeding the advice about not disturbing patients.

End of Chapter 47