Chapter 45: Isn’t Training at Home Better?

The Fourth Raikage was, frankly, a little exasperated.

Aside from Darui, there wasn’t anyone else in the village he could pin his hopes on.

Kumogakure was strong, but unlike Konoha—which seemed to churn out prodigies like a factory—their talent pool was thin. Just like Iwa, Kiri, and Suna, they were starved for true geniuses.

Right now, Darui was the only promising young shinobi with real potential.

"Understood, Lord Raikage!"

Despite his usual lazy demeanor, Darui couldn’t hide his excitement.

Challenging strong opponents? That was his favorite pastime.

Though he hadn’t yet mastered Storm Release, he already possessed the Black Lightning technique—a secret art passed down from the Third Raikage.

Even at his young age, his strength was already on par with most jōnin.

And now, he was eager to see what kind of surprises Yoru had in store.

"Let’s go watch. I want to see this kid’s skills firsthand."

The Raikage stood, motioning for Tenzin to follow.

Tenzin nodded, pleased. Even if Yoru wasn’t fully trusted yet, his performance still reflected well on his squad.

[Yoru’s Home]

"Hah? Fight you?? Why?"

When Darui knocked on his door and issued the challenge, Yoru rejected him without hesitation.

Darui blinked.

This… wasn’t how things were supposed to go.

Being challenged by him was an honor—a chance to catch the Raikage’s eye! Most Cloud ninja would kill for this opportunity!

Yet Yoru just… refused?

"Do you even know who I—"

"Darui. The man the Fourth Raikage calls his ‘right-hand.’ A prodigy recognized by the Third Raikage himself, granted the ‘Lightning’ tattoo. Yeah, I know."

Yoru’s deadpan reply left Darui even more baffled.

If he knew all that… why refuse?

Did Yoru think he wasn’t worth fighting?

That was just insulting.

"Fighting you doesn’t benefit me in any tangible way. Like, say… money."

"And don’t give me that ‘you’ll get noticed by the Raikage’ crap. I don’t care about fame. Can I eat fame? Does it pay my bills?"

"Besides, with my background, you really think the Raikage isn’t already watching me?"

"So unless there’s actual profit in it for me… why bother? Isn’t training at home better?"

Darui stood there, speechless, as Yoru delivered his merciless logic.

"Anything else? No? Then don’t let the door hit you on the way out."

He moved to shut the door—

THUD!

A massive arm blocked it.

"Hold it."

A deep voice rumbled.

"Fight him, and I’ll give you 200,000 ryō… plus a better house. Deal?"

Yoru paused.

He didn’t need to look up to know who it was. That voice, that presence—only one man in Kumo was this intimidating.

"500,000."

He didn’t even glance up as he countered.

Raikage or not, no pay, no play.

He was a practical man.

No empty promises.

The Raikage’s eye twitched.

"400,000. Final offer."

Yoru finally looked up.

"450,000. Take it or leave it."

A beat of silence.

Then—

"…Fine. Deal."

The Raikage grinned, sharp and amused.

"You’re the first person to haggle with me."

"Aren’t you worried I’ll make your missions hell after this?"

Yoru didn’t flinch.

"Missions are business. This is personal. Different things."

"Besides… if the Raikage were that petty, you wouldn’t be the Raikage."

The Fourth Raikage burst out laughing.

"Hah! I like you more and more."

"Now—training grounds. Move."

Behind him, Tenzin gave Yoru a thumbs-up.

[Training Grounds – Shortly After]

"Did you hear? Darui’s fighting that new guy, ‘Kira’!"

"Wait, seriously? Since when does Darui challenge anyone? Let’s go!"

"Who the hell is this ‘Kira’ guy anyway? Must be something special!"

Word spread like wildfire.

Within minutes, nearly every shinobi in the village had gathered to watch.

By the time Yoru and Darui arrived, the training grounds were packed.

"Ugh. Knew this would happen."

"I hate public fights. Feels like being a damn circus act."

Yoru scratched his head, sighing, before locking eyes with Darui.

"Alright. Let’s go."

In an instant, his lazy demeanor vanished—replaced by a razor-sharp focus.

The shift was so sudden, the watching crowd tensed.

"Whoa. That reaction speed…"

"His aura’s insane—like a drawn blade!"

"This guy’s a B-rank missing-nin? Yeah, right. Kiri screwed up."

Darui didn’t wait.

The moment Yoru spoke, he moved.

Three figures lunged simultaneously—Cloud Style: Triple Crescent Slash!

The crowd erupted.

"There it is! No one dodges that!"

"How’s he gonna counter? If he fails here, it’s over!"

Yoru’s lips curled.

"Flash."

A blade of light screamed through the air.

Darui’s instincts screamed danger—he barely raised his sword in time.

CLANG!

Two of his clones poofed into smoke.

The real Darui skidded back, his blade humming from the impact.