Chapter 97 (Patreon)

“Boom!”

A deafening rumble rolled across the sky.

By noon, thick black clouds had swallowed the blazing sun, casting a dark shadow over Konoha.

Lightning flashed between the clouds, followed by another violent clap of thunder.

Moments later, the rain came pouring down.

Raindrops the size of beans battered the roof in an unending torrent, filling Mihawk’s house with the sound of thunder and heavy rainfall.

The once-bright living room quickly grew dim.

“Boom!”

Another thunderclap shook the windows.

Hanabi, who had been lying across the couch with her head resting on Mihawk’s lap as she read, immediately sat up.

Before long, she had quietly moved closer and curled up against him, using his side as shelter from the storm.

She shifted slightly whenever the thunder sounded, trying to make herself comfortable without admitting that the noise had startled her.

Tap.

Mihawk lightly tapped the book against the top of her head.

Hanabi immediately stopped fidgeting.

The dim light did nothing to hinder either of them.

They continued reading in silence, listening to each other’s breathing while the rain and thunder raged outside.

For a time, the storm seemed completely separate from the peaceful room.

“…Hm?”

Nearly half an hour later, Mihawk lowered the book in his hand and turned his gaze toward the entrance.

Beyond the open doorway, a vague figure could be seen through the curtain of heavy rain.

The silhouette gradually became clearer.

Nara Shikamaru, dressed in a white raincoat, trudged through the downpour toward the house.

“Not him again…”

The moment Hanabi recognized him, she muttered under her breath.

“Hey, hey…”

Shikamaru’s half-lidded eyes settled on her as he stepped beneath the shelter of the doorway.

“I heard that, Hanabi.”

“Hmph!”

Hanabi turned her head away, showing no intention of hiding her displeasure.

She had never liked how Shikamaru occasionally appeared and interrupted the quiet time she spent with Mihawk.

Still, Hanabi understood that he would not have come all this way through the rain without a reason.

She climbed down from Mihawk’s lap and headed toward her room.

Although she was unhappy about the interruption, she knew when Mihawk had business to handle.

Once Hanabi disappeared into the hallway, Mihawk closed his book and looked at Shikamaru.

“Another mission already?”

“No. It isn’t a mission this time.”

Shikamaru removed his wet raincoat near the doorway, then walked over and sat across from Mihawk as though he were already at home.

He poured himself a cup of tea without asking.

After taking a sip, he finally spoke.

“I came to tell you some news.”

Shikamaru placed the cup on the table.

“Orochimaru is dead. Sasuke Uchiha killed him.”

Mihawk showed no surprise.

“And?”

“Naruto’s been making a scene about going after Sasuke.”

Shikamaru scratched the back of his head and sighed.

“He even went to the Fifth Hokage. It looks like Lady Tsunade is seriously considering putting together a team to track down Itachi Uchiha.”

“Sasuke’s target is Itachi, an S-rank missing-nin,” Shikamaru continued. “The idea is simple. Find Itachi before Sasuke does, capture him alive, and use him to locate Sasuke.”

Shikamaru looked directly at Mihawk.

“A tracking mission like that requires skilled sensory ninja. Among our generation, no team is better suited for it than Team 8.”

“Lady Tsunade has already contacted Kiba Inuzuka. She asked me to come here and find out whether you wanted to participate.”

Shikamaru leaned back slightly.

“It’s voluntary, so don’t feel obligated.”

His gaze dropped toward the tea turning inside his cup.

“She asked me as well, but I refused.”

Shikamaru had never shared Naruto’s attachment to Sasuke.

He had no intention of wasting his time chasing someone who had willingly abandoned the village.

“I’m not participating.”

Mihawk answered without hesitation.

“You can ask Hinata and Shino.”

Shikamaru stood up.

“In that case, I’ll head to the next house.”

He retrieved his raincoat and pulled it back over his shoulders.

“Seriously… what a drag.”

Mihawk watched Shikamaru walk back into the curtain of rain.

Once his figure had disappeared, Mihawk turned toward the hallway.

Half of Hanabi’s face was peeking out from behind the doorframe.

Mihawk crooked one finger toward her.

“Hanabi, come here.”

“Yes!”

Hanabi immediately emerged with a cheerful smile and rushed into his arms.

Mihawk placed one hand on her head as she happily rubbed her forehead against his chest.

“Starting tomorrow, you’ll send a Shadow Clone to the Academy in your place.”

Hanabi froze.

“Really?”

Her eyes widened in disbelief before her entire face lit up.

“That’s amazing!”

She jumped away from him and bounced excitedly several times before throwing herself back into his arms.

“Mihawk-nii, you’re the best!”

Mihawk pinched her cheek.

“Don’t celebrate yet. It’s only temporary.”

Hanabi’s excitement immediately faded.

“After some time, you’ll have to return to the Academy yourself.”

“Eh…”

She puffed out her cheeks.

“Why?”

“There’s no particular reason you need to know.”

Mihawk stood and ruffled her hair.

“I’m going to train. Are you coming with me, or are you going back to class?”

“I’m coming with you!”

Hanabi answered without hesitation.

“My Shadow Clone can handle class!”

“Do as you like.”

Mihawk turned and headed toward the dojo.

As he walked, the relaxed look on his face gradually disappeared.

Orochimaru had most likely died several days ago.

The fact that the news had only just reached Konoha meant that Sasuke had probably already gathered the members of his new team.

Hebi should have been formed by now.

Around the same time, Jiraiya would soon infiltrate Amegakure.

The deaths of Jiraiya and Itachi occurred within a relatively short period of one another.

That meant Pain’s assault on Konoha might not be far away.

Mihawk could not determine the exact day.

Nor was he willing to rely on an uncertain memory when Hinata and Hanabi’s safety was involved.

That was why he had allowed Hanabi to send a Shadow Clone to the Academy.

Beginning tomorrow, he would also temporarily suspend Hinata’s usual training schedule.

If Pain attacked the village, Mihawk intended to keep both sisters somewhere he could immediately reach them.

By evening, the thunder had stopped, but a light rain continued to fall outside.

After spending several hours meditating with his sword, Mihawk created a Shadow Clone and sent it out to buy groceries.

He then entered the kitchen, washed the rice, and began preparing dinner.

With Mihawk occupied and Hinata absent, Hanabi quickly grew bored on her own.

Unable to endure the loneliness, she wandered into the kitchen and insisted on helping him prepare the meal.

While they worked, Mihawk informed her that Hinata might not return that night.

Hanabi’s eyes immediately brightened.

At last, she would have Mihawk all to herself for the evening.

After dinner, Hanabi eagerly volunteered to prepare the bath.

Before long, steam filled the bathroom.

Once Mihawk had finished bathing, Hanabi sat beside him in the living room and helped dry his hair with a towel, looking unusually pleased with herself.

It had been some time since the two of them had spent an entire evening together without Hinata or a mission interrupting them.

Hanabi leaned against Mihawk’s side while they continued reading the book from earlier.

Outside, the light rain continued to fall.

Inside, the house remained quiet and warm as the two of them enjoyed the peaceful evening together.