"Big Brother… he's actually on guard against everyone," Nawaki said as he thought aloud. "I don't know why, but the first time I met him, I could feel it—he's wary of everyone."
"It's like everyone is his enemy."
(Hyuga Arin: You live surrounded by mobs—wouldn't you be on guard too?)
Tsunade frowned. Because of the Caged Bird Seal, the Hyuga clan did indeed hide many things.
And since the seal truly couldn't be undone, everything had been forcibly suppressed.
Perhaps Arin's personality was the result of that seal.
Then what did he mean by breaking free from the Caged Bird?
Could it be that Arin had found a way to remove it?
Tsunade fell into deep thought.
Impossible. Absolutely impossible.
That was a curse seal even Konoha couldn't undo—Root had tried many times to undo the Caged Bird, only to give up in the end.
After all, matters that could damage village harmony couldn't be handled by the Hokage himself—naturally, they were dumped into Konoha's sewer: Root.
Unaware of his sister's thoughts, Nawaki continued, "But actually, Big Brother Arin isn't like that on the surface. He's really kind."
Tsunade didn't agree at all.
That guy had slaughtered an entire bandit mountain. His killing intent was frightening.
Nawaki recalled, "But his kindness is only toward ordinary people. Sometimes he helps old folks cross the road, rescues kittens stuck in trees, and escorts lost kids home."
Someone had once tried the mission board's 'odd jobs'—Nawaki had seen it all. Since there were no rewards afterward, Arin eventually stopped.
And Nawaki became Arin's little brother not because of Arin's strength, but because of those things he'd seen.
That's nothing alike!!! Tsunade thought back to Arin and could only recall his arrogant face.
That sounds like two completely different people.
Absolutely two different people.
"Still," Nawaki shrugged, "Big Brother Arin treats ninjas differently. But that's because no one can truly get close to him—or understand what he's thinking."
As he spoke, a hint of fanaticism appeared on Nawaki's face. "Big Brother Arin has great wisdom. It's just that you haven't stepped into his world, sis, so you don't understand his wisdom—his charm."
"Right now, only I can enter Big Brother Arin's world."
Only unification is the sole path to true peace.
Tsunade pursed her lips.
Wasn't this just an excuse for Arin's terrible interpersonal skills?
She had looked into it—Arin's relationships were always bad. He used to get along somewhat with branch family members, but now, because of the main family, even that thin goodwill was gone.
In the entire Ninja Academy, he didn't have particularly good relations with anyone.
In other words, Arin had no friends at all.
Why did she suddenly feel like laughing?
Tsunade shook her head. She wasn't the type to gloat.
"In any case," Nawaki said firmly, "Big Brother Arin definitely isn't the kind of person you think he is."
The Arin he saw was completely different from the Arin everyone else saw.
Tsunade clearly didn't believe it.
As the saying goes: prejudice is a mountain in the heart—no matter how hard you try, you can't move it.
Tsunade was the perfect example.
…
"Achoo." Arin rubbed his nose.
Had he caught a cold recently? Why did he keep sneezing?
He was directing Machi in rearranging the house. All the furniture he'd ordered had arrived.
Machi moved things back and forth.
As a Nen user, her strength was considerable—moving furniture wasn't hard at all.
But—
"Didn't you say this was another world? Then show me some proof already," Machi said expressionlessly, staring at Arin.
It felt like the moment she opened her eyes, she was doing housework.
She had the distinct sensation of doing chores 24/7!!
Her Nen wasn't meant to be a housewife's tool!!! And someone from Meteor City doing this—she'd be laughed at if word got out.
"No rush," Arin yawned. "You'll see soon enough."
Though the Land of Fire had entered winter, the flames of war showed no sign of stopping.
Konoha was still reinforcing its borders.
According to the original timeline, this war would drag on for years.
But Hanzo had taken the initiative—how long it would last, Arin didn't know.
There would be plenty of chances for Machi to witness the peculiarities of the ninja world.
Suddenly—
Machi stopped mid-motion and turned toward the door.
Arin turned as well and raised a hand, using the Machi Summoning Ticket to dismiss her.
A figure pushed the door open and walked in.
It was Crow, marked with black patterns.
"Didn't expect Root to be so polite," Arin teased.
Crow wore a mask, his expression hidden, his voice emotionless. "Your mission is here. Support the Land of Earth front."
Arin looked at him in surprise.
"What happened?"
Danzo was clearly commanding from the Rain front—why was Arin being sent to deal with the Land of Earth?
Crow didn't hide it. "Something big happened. Iwagakure has launched a massive offensive. Even the Tsuchikage has arrived. All Root members are being deployed under ANBU identities to coordinate front-line operations."
The order came directly from Danzo.
"Even the Tsuchikage…" Arin clicked his tongue.
But it wasn't that strange.
During the Third Great Ninja War, Ōnoki personally took the field multiple times. Even the Third Raikage, A, was hunted down by Ōnoki leading Iwa forces.
"When do we leave?" Arin rose from the sofa.
"Now."
…
So he really didn't get any rest.
Arin had only been back in Konoha a few days before leaving again.
Crow led the way. Behind Arin, masked figures appeared one after another.
Looking at their numbers—this was almost the entirety of Root, wasn't it?
At present, Danzo and Hiruzen were still on the same side. With Konoha in danger, they naturally went all out.
"I remember Ōnoki fought Hiruzen during the Second Ninja War. Could this be that moment?" Arin suddenly realized.
But now Root was being deployed, while Hiruzen remained in Konoha.
Did that mean the front had suffered a serious setback—so serious that Hiruzen himself might be forced to the battlefield?
At present, the only ones in Konoha capable of holding an entire front alone were Danzo, Hiruzen, and Sakumo Hatake.
The Sannin were strong, but still a bit lacking to stand alone—they were better suited for squad-based operations.
"Looks like this might get dangerous," Arin muttered.
The timeline might differ slightly, but the trajectory felt ominously close.
The rustle of leaves swept past their ears—the sound of wind created by their rapid movement through the forest.
The Root members silently increased their speed.
◇ You can read 96+ Chapters Ahead on P@treon if you're interested:
patreon.com/CanonBreaker
✨ Bonus Chapter Goals ✨
10 Reviews = 1 Bonus Chapter
100 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter