Chapter 5: Where Does the Good Go
Nori had managed to catch up with Nanami after a minute and upon hearing her speak, she turned her eyes towards her. At hearing her say that it wasn't her fault, she turned her head forward to look in the direction she was going. "I know it's not my fault, but...maybe it was in someway. This darkness in Sigmund goes back a lot more than either one of us can imagine. They say he had it within him since the beginning, but I think when I...when I killed his brother, it really offset off and made that darkness grow. I mean, he said that he didn't blame me for how he turned out because he made his own decisions, but still...part of me does feel responsible for how he is right now. Maybe I wasn't entirely to blame, but I feel like I was part of it. I just wish there was something I could have done instead of just idly standing by and doing nothing. Maybe I could have saved him back then, but I couldn't. I won't ever forgive this man and Ryuu for what they have done to take part in making Sigmund's dark side from opening up. I just can't. Normally it's in my nature to forgive, but I can't. Not this time," she told Nanami as she saw them reaching their destination of the gates leading out of Konoha.
"I know you are going to have to do what you have to, Nanami, and I don't blame you for wanting to protect what you have. I don't blame you for what happened to him, either. None of us saw it coming and none of us could have prevented it. That's the realistic aspect of it that I hate to admit, but I believe in Sigmund. I always have and I know he will come back to us. I just have that feeling. He's not completely lost. I just...don't want to lose him like this. I can't. He's too important. If we have to fight him then...I guess we have no other choice, but if it comes down to it, I will take him on myself. I think more of your anger is more directed at Kotatsu more than Sigmund despite them being tied together. That other squad we're meeting...they know nothing of Sigmund and Kotatsu like we do. They don't know what they are getting into and honestly, neither do we, but we have a better chance than them. That's what I want to believe. I believe we can get him back. I just hope that you believe in that, too."
Soon the pair of them and Shiroma landed in front of their sensei and without much hesitance, the group of them took off with Sarada in the direction of the Leaf Highway that would lead them in the course of their destination. First, through the Valley of the End and onward to the Land of Sound where they would catch their vessel at the shore's border. They began to travel lightly on their feet through the branches of the trees in the forest. Luckily for her, her agility had gotten a bit quicker since she trained with Rock Lee and although her ninjutsu was still weak, he had taught her to be quick on her feet as speed was a big key in her Taijutsu. To focus chakra at the soles of her feet to make her movements more fluid like was important. When she looked behind her at Shiroma, she saw that she was landing too heavily on the branches with her feet and just as she was about to speak up, their sensei had spoken up before her telling her to expel less chakra to her feet. Nori pressed her lips together and smiled. "Don't worry, Shiroma. You got this," she said before she looked forward. She could see their destination coming up in the distance. Thank goodness. They had been pushing forward for some time, so it was going to be nice to at least get a little rest before they moved on tomorrow. "Thank goodness we're almost there. I could use a little break." She looked over at Nanami and smiled before she looked forward again. She heard their sensei tell them about being on good terms with the Land of Hidden Sound, which was definitely a good thing, but she made sure to keep in mind that they would have to ensure their safety should something break out. Once Sarada had said those words, they reached the end of the trees and headed down towards the bottom to plant their feet on the ground and make camp for the night.