Shisui got to his feet, bowed deeply at the waist.
"I never thanked you for ousting Danzo. You probably saved my life."
My scowl deepened. They were manipulating me, weren't they? Trying to guilt-trip me.
I thought about coming clean, telling him everything. There were things I could say that wouldn't be too damning. I opened my mouth.
…
In the end, I shrugged. They wouldn't believe me. I wasn't sure if I would believe myself. No, that was just the lie I held on to feel better. I was, after all, a very selfish person. I didn't want to risk it; I didn't want to talk about it. Not now, of all things.
A goofy grin might have slipped onto my face. I shook my head.
"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, forcing a lightness into my voice.
Shisui chuckled. "Oh, right. The S-Rank mission passphrase. I forgot."
I scratched my cheek. Kinda wanted to fan-girl a bit. Even if this was all so sus, Shisui was cool as heck.
"But we got sidetracked again." He sat down, took a slice of cake, ate it. This time, I heard the content sigh. He cast a glance at his mountain of paperwork and blinked, tired. "What do you think about leading a squad of genin?"
I tilted my head. "How?"
"I'll send other shinobi to investigate Tsunade's locations or at least clues about her whereabouts."
I opened my mouth, but he raised his hand. I stopped.
"Meanwhile, you lead a team of genin to complete simple missions around the village. That will help in many ways." He looked at one piece of paper. "We need more shinobi to complete low-rank missions. Ever since the attack, we've been overworking our jonins. I'd like to change that. Appointing you as a squad leader won't solve the problem, but it will help."
I nodded.
"It isn't only you if you're curious. Other Chunin are also being assigned teams. Your classmate Shikamaru included."
I nodded again, grinned, imagining lazy Shikamaru leading a squad.
"That will also placate the council. They'd resist—" he blinked like a thought just hit him. "They'd resist too much if I tried sending you away right now."
Oh, oh! "You think they want to keep me here for some reason?"
Shisui sighed. "I don't know, but that is what it feels like."
I considered what to do and what he said. Shisui gave me time to think. Right then and there, I decided big things for the future. Two years. That was my deadline, or in the worst-case scenario, one, to do things my way. If Fate-kun was still steering stuff from the back lines, I had about three before the real shit hit the proverbial fan.
I didn't want to risk anyone else's life just because I was being selfish. I didn't want to see Ino sad because Asuma died. I didn't want the many deaths the fourth shinobi war would bring.
Dead-man's switch.
The thought popped into my head. That was a good idea. I could hide my storybook away and what was needed to decipher it. If somehow I didn't survive the year, they'd have all the information.
If I survived and in two years I couldn't do anything, I'd come clean. If I died before that, they'd get my book. I could at least be selfish like that, right?
"Four months," I said.
Shisui tilted his head.
"I can wait four months." It was risky, but that also gave me time to finish my black flash jutsu, learn more things, help Ino get stronger, and prepare for hunting Danzo. "Then, with or without your blessing, I'll have to look for Tsunade."
Shisui nodded. "I understand. Thank you."
I sighed. Well, let's abuse, right?
"I want permission to learn an A-rank jutsu," I said.
"Which one?" Shisui asked.
"Mystic palm technique," I shrugged. "It might be useful."
There was a reason I wanted that one. I had my improved healing, but having a way to heal myself or others would help. After my last mission and all the trouble that followed, I don't think I wanted to be as vulnerable as I was. That technique wasn't the panacea I wanted, but it was a start.
Shisui nodded. "I'll see if Shizune can teach you."
That would be good. "Can I invite others to learn too?"
"Who do you have in mind?"
"I think," I said, slowing my words and thinking very fast, "every four-man cell should have a medic-nin."
"Tsunade of the Sannin said much the same."
"And I know a few kunoichi that might have enough chakra control to learn."
Shisui blinked. "Who?"
"Me, Haruno Sakura, Yamanaka Ino. Uzumaki Karin, if you allow."
"I'll think it over," Shisui said, but he sounded distracted. "The curriculum would have to change," he muttered.
Better strike while the iron was still hot. "Can I see the manuals for the yellow flash jutsu?" I blurted out. Then I looked away, ashamed.
Shisui chuckled. "That might not be possible."
I deflated.
"The last person I knew was capable of performing that technique was Lord Third. He might have stored copies of the jutsu at his house, but it would be," he stopped, searching for words. "Inappropriate for me to request such a technique."
I sighed. Yeah, it made sense.
Shisui looked at the pastries on his desk, then the paper piles. He sighed, and I knew dismissal was imminent. "Don't forget what I told you about gathering allies."
I nodded, packed my stuff, left the Hokage to his mountains of paperwork. Gave the Uchiha guy at the desk the bird before walking out of the tower.
The conversation with Shisui gave me a lot to think about: new plans, new training opportunities, new jutsu, and new genin to boss around.
Thoughts churned inside my head until I returned to the apartment. The door banged open before I could open it, Karin running and hiding behind me.
Teacher-chan followed soon after. She rolled her eyes. Unpopped herself.
I waded through the deluge of information, then pushed most of it away. Her methods weren't the best; scaring Karin might be counterproductive, but I'd let my clone have her fun. If Karin complained, then I'd do something about it.
"Don't ever leave me alone with her again!" Karin pleaded, still hiding behind me and looking inside the apartment, like she was afraid the clone was still there.
Had my clone been that bad? Did she hit Karin? I looked over the clone's memories again.
My clone had never even considered hitting Karin, which was what I had been afraid of. A small hint of relief flooded me. I don't think I was that kind of person, but I could never be sure with the clones. No, Teacher-chan just mentally scarred Karin.
…
That might be worse than bodily harm.
I chuckled. If I was a bit nervous, I think I could be excused in this situation. I turned around, patted Karin's head. Then gave her a hug, for good measure. She leaned into the affection.
My mind inevitably drifted to the events of the day. I had a lot to think about. I had to update Ino on what Shisui told me, but not today. Tonight was girls' night out. No brooding over a depressing future.
"Go invite Sakura-chan," I said, still patting Karin's head and holding her in a hug. "I know where we're going."
It was selfish, yes. But I wanted to enjoy being alive, not just live.