281-285

*Chapter 281: The Hokage’s Future Disciple?*

"Leaf Village ninja?" Chiriku's gaze landed on Kakashi, who had suddenly appeared, and a flicker of genuine hope sparked in his heart.

"I am Chiriku, a ninja monk from the Fire Temple, currently being pursued by a group of criminals. Please, friends from the Leaf, save me!" Chiriku called out as he sped up, almost wishing he could sprout wings to fly straight to Kakashi.

A ninja monk from the Fire Temple?

Kakashi hesitated. While the Leaf Village and the Fire Temple were allies, that was an agreement between organizations—not an ironclad bond between their members. After all, the Leaf Village had a history of prioritizing missions over companions, a value that had started to waver recently, but Chiriku was still from the Fire Temple, not the Leaf Village.

He knew well that allies and family weren’t the same.

The elderly man following Chiriku and the child he was carrying didn’t look like Leaf people either.

"I’m sorry, Master Chiriku," Kakashi said after careful thought. "I am on a mission, and I cannot get involved in your matters. Please don’t come any closer." With that, he firmly refused Chiriku’s approach.

Assisting an ally like the Fire Temple wasn’t worth jeopardizing his mission, especially considering that he was the only Leaf jonin present. His subordinates were all chunin-level, as the eastern defense division had deemed it unlikely anyone would attack the Mist emissary group within the Fire Country. Helping Chiriku would mean involving the Mist ninja—and that was a risk he couldn’t afford to take.

After all,

The pursuers were four jonin-level enemies, possibly with more waiting in the shadows. The Mist emissary group may have had a fair number of people, but even with Ambassador Mangetsu of the Hozuki clan, there were only six jonin among them. The risk of rescuing Chiriku was far too great.

At this moment—

"Lord Kakashi," the elderly man, Tenbei, shouted with all his strength, though he was clearly on the brink of exhaustion. "The child Master Chiriku is holding is the granddaughter of Yakushini, a descendant of the Tsuchigumo clan. The Tsuchigumo and Leaf Village have an agreement: if our clan faces disaster, the Leaf is obligated to help."

"I'm aware that the Tsuchigumo are allies of the Leaf Village, but…" Kakashi hardened his heart and refused again. "One child cannot represent an entire clan, and I alone do not represent the Leaf. I’m currently executing a critical mission. I’m truly sorry."

Kakashi understood that the Tsuchigumo clan, like the Fire Temple, were indeed allies of the Leaf. However, whatever agreement existed with the Tsuchigumo clan was something only the high-ranking Leaf leaders would know about; though a jonin, Kakashi was far from their level.

Regardless, the issue remained: only four Leaf ninja were here, and he was the sole jonin. Without support from the Mist ninja, his hands were tied.

With a decisive slash of his long sword, Kakashi left a visible mark on the ground.

"Please, stop right there. If you come any closer, I will be forced to act."

Kakashi’s resolve was unwavering.

Chiriku and Tenbei quickly halted, sensing the intense killing intent radiating from Kakashi. It was clear he wasn’t joking—if they stepped forward, they would face his deadly blade.

Yet—

If Kakashi refused to help, where could they escape to?

The enemy had already caught up. Kama no Suke and his team had abandoned stealth to avoid a confrontation with the Mist and Leaf ninja.

In fact, when they realized Leaf ninja were with the Mist emissary group, Kama no Suke and Tenme were initially ready to give up. However, hearing Kakashi’s rejection had given them confidence that the Mist and Leaf wouldn’t interfere.

Thus,

"Leaf and Mist ninja, we mean no trouble. Our only targets are those three. Once we’re done, we’ll leave immediately," Kama no Suke spoke, trying to buy enough time to finish off Chiriku’s group.

Truly, they were dedicated to destroying the Leaf Village, but this didn’t mean they would fight every Leaf ninja they encountered. At the moment, all Kama no Suke wanted was to finish off Chiriku.

Kakashi stood his ground, sword in hand, eyes cold as he observed both Chiriku’s group and their pursuers.

He didn’t know if either side was being truthful, and frankly, he didn’t care.

Tenbei’s face showed despair. Exhausted and out of options, he knew they could only run so far, especially with Chiriku carrying the child. Even if they got past the Mist and Leaf ninja, they wouldn’t get far.

At this moment, Chiriku’s head ached with frustration.

No matter how hard he thought, he couldn’t find a way out. Kakashi’s unwavering refusal left him speechless, and time was slipping away fast. Desperately, Chiriku resolved to take one last chance.

"Damn it!" he cursed inwardly, accepting the possibility of death. If nothing else, he would protect the Tsuchigumo girl in his care. He had promised Yakushini that he would protect her, and he intended to honor that promise until his last breath.

With this, he devised a plan and acted immediately.

"Lord Kakashi, this child is the granddaughter of Yakushini and the future disciple of the Hokage’s aide. Our lives don’t matter, but please, take her to the Hokage’s aide," he said, throwing the child towards Kakashi.

This move—

Shocked Kakashi to his core.

The granddaughter of Yakushini didn’t interest him, but the future disciple of the Hokage’s aide? What?

He didn’t want to believe Chiriku, yet… What if he wasn’t lying?

Tension rippled up Kakashi’s arm, and though he wanted to believe it was a lie, he couldn’t dismiss the possibility. Staring at the girl falling towards him, he instinctively released his sword, extending both hands to catch her…

And missed.

Yes, he missed.

A flash of lightning appeared in his field of vision. Ringo Yuuri quickly acted on Mangetsu Hozuki’s orders, using Tsuchigumo Hotaru to get ahead.

“Hey, Chiriku, right? You said this kid is the apprentice of the Hokage’s advisor… are you serious?” Mangetsu Hozuki grinned, revealing sharp, shark-like teeth that carried an intimidating, sharp aura. This young man was like a blade with its edge fully exposed.

“Yes.”

Chiriku nodded calmly. “The Hokage’s advisor is currently in the Daimyo’s mansion. I just left with Elder Enforcer today. When I said ‘future apprentice,’ it’s because the elder, due to his age, didn’t want his granddaughter to leave his side. He thought it best for her to apprentice with the advisor once he passes on…”

Clang—

A kunai, wrapped in lightning and aimed at Chiriku’s back, was swatted away by Mangetsu Hozuki, who used his Water Iron Cannon technique to deflect it.

“Quiet down, you trash! I’m trying to listen here!”

Mangetsu Hozuki shot a cold look at the distant Yunko, who had thrown the kunai, then ignored him and turned back to Chiriku. “Continue.”

Chiriku took a breath and continued, “The elder planned for his granddaughter to apprentice with the Hokage’s advisor after his passing. However, soon after we left the Daimyo’s mansion, we were ambushed. The elder gave everything to ensure we escaped here.”

This was, of course, a lie.

Sougen had never mentioned anything about taking on apprentices. Elder Enforcer had only expressed a wish for Tsuchigumo Hotaru to study at the Konoha Ninja Academy, with no intention of her becoming Sougen’s apprentice. Chiriku was making it all up.

If they managed to meet Sougen, this lie would be easily exposed.

But Chiriku wasn’t aiming to fool Kakashi and the others forever. His goal was simply to use the Uchiha clan head’s influence to protect Tsuchigumo Hotaru temporarily. The outcome when the lie unraveled? Ha! He might not even have a chance to worry about that.

Next to him, Tonbee lowered his gaze, face pale as if he could hardly stand.

The old man’s acting was impressive; when he heard Chiriku’s lie, he showed no surprise or doubt, suppressing his inner emotions swiftly to maintain a near-death appearance, denying Kakashi and Mangetsu Hozuki any chance to spot a flaw. Although, in truth, his condition was genuinely poor.

“I see.”

Mangetsu Hozuki nodded heavily. “If she’s the Hokage advisor’s disciple, we can’t just stand by. Yuuri, make your move!” As soon as he finished speaking, Ringo Yuuri handed Tsuchigumo Hotaru over to a young girl among her subordinates.

Then Ringo Yuuri drew the Thunder Sword: Fang, her whole body surrounded by flashing lightning, and met the advancing Yunko, who was closing in with his sword raised against Chiriku.

Events were unfolding in an unexpected direction.

Chiriku hadn’t expected his lie to deceive the Mist Ninja so easily… Did he have a knack for lying, or were these Mist Ninjas just that gullible?

Of course, the answer was—

Neither.

While Mangetsu Hozuki was young, he was a ‘prodigy’ of the Mist Village, and anyone who thought him gullible would be the real fool.

The reason he ‘believed’ Chiriku’s story was because, whether it was true or not, it didn’t hinder him from putting on a show. If it was true, then rescuing the ‘monster’s’ apprentice would earn him some credit.

Even if the girl wasn’t Sougen’s apprentice,

They’d lose nothing, and regardless of her identity, Mangetsu could see that Chiriku and the old man were indeed connected to Konoha, and likely on friendly terms.

And if things went sideways, he could always use the excuse, “We were deceived; we intended only to rescue the Hokage advisor’s apprentice,” to handle any unlikely backlash.

After careful consideration, Mangetsu Hozuki chose to trust Chiriku’s words and launched an attack with Ringo Yuuri. Only the two of them engaged; the other Jonin in the squad had been ordered to hold their ground, preventing anyone from targeting the squad’s Chunin.

Furthermore,

Mangetsu Hozuki and Ringo Yuuri were top-ranking young ninjas in the Mist Village.

Even if they weren’t from the Uchiha clan,

They were still more than capable of taking on two opponents.

Ordinary Jonin, even with two or three combined, wouldn’t stand a chance against either of them individually.

Ringo Yuuri faced off with Yunko, who was first to charge, wielding the Thunder Sword: Fang, and quickly gained the upper hand. Although both specialized in lightning techniques, Yunko’s skills were no match for Ringo Yuuri, the “genius of Lightning Release” in the Mist Village.

Meanwhile,

Mangetsu Hozuki confronted Kamenosuke and Kotomaru.

Without even using the Twin Swords: Hiramekarei, he relied solely on his clan’s water transformation technique to keep them at bay. His Water Iron Cannon, effortlessly executed without hand signs, had Kamenosuke and Kotomaru scrambling, while his water-transformed body was unaffected by Kamenosuke’s hardened fists or Kotomaru’s wind-bladed strikes.

“What’s going on here?!”

Now,

It was Kakashi’s turn to be thoroughly frustrated.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 282: The Lie That Continues*

Kakashi had a headache. How had the situation turned out like this in the blink of an eye... completely beyond his expectations? As a Jōnin of Konoha, he hadn’t even planned on getting involved yet. But the Kirigakure shinobi had already stepped in to rescue Dilu and the others, making him appear as though he were some cold, heartless Jōnin.

Though—

He understood that just the phrase "Hokage’s Assistant" held a kind of magic that drove people to take risks.

As someone who had fought in last year's battle against the Kumogakure forces, Kakashi would still recall, over drinks with friends, the thrilling victory they had won. At the time, Konoha had been fighting on all sides, their forces spread thin and at a disadvantage.

They had been driven back repeatedly by the Kumogakure forces—a truly humiliating situation.

Until—

The newly appointed Hokage’s Assistant arrived on the front lines with just a thousand reinforcements.

In one battle, he turned the tide of defeat, allowing Konoha to win a spectacular victory against greater numbers. Even the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki had been captured. Since then, this young Hokage’s Assistant had become wildly popular in the village, despite the Uchiha name, inspiring admiration from Konoha's youth.

Kakashi wasn’t a teenager anymore; calling it "worship" was too much. But admiration was fitting. He had great respect for this young, talented Hokage’s Assistant.

"This mission is definitely going to end in a scolding," he muttered as he watched the scene before him, now a fierce battle. He gripped his long sword, waiting for the right moment to strike, much like a hunting leopard.

Meanwhile, Ringo Ueyuri and Kakashi were fighting at a speed that left the Chūnin observers' eyes twitching. Despite Kakashi's efforts, it was clear to even the Chūnin that she was at a disadvantage. Her opponent, a prodigy of Lightning Release, held the upper hand.

Elsewhere, Gōzui was pushing Kenzō and Kohachi to their limits, proving himself a true prodigy of the Hidden Mist even without his ninja sword.

Kakashi wasn’t the only one who felt bewildered by the turn of events.

"How did it turn into this?" Tianmu muttered, a pained expression on his face.

Of the four chasing Dilu, only Tianmu had yet to make a move. As a sensory ninja, he usually played a support role during missions, coming in later if needed. By not rushing forward like Kenzō, he’d found himself in a position as more of an observer.

Unlike Kakashi, Tianmu hadn’t yet decided whether to join in. Even the Chūnin-level Mist ninja could see that Kenzō, Kohachi, and Kakashi were on the losing side, but as a skilled Jōnin, Tianmu was at least considering the option of retreating. After all, with their target Dōhōmaru now hiding among the Mist shinobi and protecting the unconscious Tsuchigumo Hotaru, completing the mission was no longer feasible.

As for Dilu… Tianmu inhaled sharply.

*"Come forth, Thousand-Hands Killing Strike!"*

This was Dilu’s move.

Freed from the burden of carrying Hotaru, Dilu wasn’t about to sit back and catch his breath. With a surge of anger, he attacked, and the seemingly invisible force of his punches struck Kenzō with incredible power. Kenzō had no time to use any substitution technique, and, unprepared, took the full force of the blow. Fortunately, he was able to activate his Hardening Jutsu just in time to partially shield himself, though he still coughed up blood.

Unlike the one-shot Water Gun technique, the Thousand-Hands Killing Strike could deliver dozens of blows in rapid succession. Although he activated Hardening Jutsu, Kenzō only managed to protect his most vital organs. The resulting blows fractured several bones, including his right tibia. The fracture meant he couldn’t continue to fight as before.

*"Is it over?"*

Lying on the ground, Kenzō felt neither regret nor fear, only surprise that his pursuit of Dilu had turned out this way.

But even now, he wasn’t ready to give up. Gathering what strength he could, he started to form hand signs, his chakra barely moving.

"Are you stealing my prey?" Gōzui reformed from the water splashes, annoyed by Dilu’s interference, though he showed no concern that his body had just been broken apart. He struck with his water whip to parry Kohachi's blade, his gaze never wavering.

"Sorry, but these people killed my friends," Dilu replied, fury evident in his expression as he approached the still-defiant Kenzō.

"Tch, a personal grudge?" Gōzui clicked his tongue.

Noticing the aura of Dilu’s wrathful spirit, Gōzui didn’t argue further. He’d only intervened as a gesture of goodwill toward the Hokage’s Assistant. He wasn’t too attached to these targets, so he didn’t mind if they fell to Dilu.

*[Water Style: Water Flow Whip]* — Hozuki Mangetsu lashed the newly-formed water whip in his hand, striking away the sharp, steel-cutting wind blade of Kohgomaru.

As the saying goes, "Draw the sword to cut water, and it will flow." For the swordsmen and taijutsu masters of the Shinobi world who struggle against lightning-style techniques, the Hozuki clan has become a loathed enemy. Blades, strikes—nothing has any effect when landing on the Hozuki’s watery, intangible bodies.

Kohgomaru was absolutely infuriated. As a combat-crazed fighter, what he desired was the visceral thrill of slicing through flesh, the resistance of bone yielding to the cut—a sensation that was vivid and real. What he got instead was an empty, flavorless swing, like cutting through water.

This opponent… was maddening.

Despite his frustration, Kohgomaru couldn’t dismiss Hozuki Mangetsu’s attacks so easily. Earlier, a sudden Water Gun attack had shot half his left ear clean off, splattering blood down one side of his face. The stabbing pain lingered, piercing his head like a blade.

Nearby, Kagenosuke lay half-crippled, with his right leg broken.

Trying to use Earth Style to escape, Kagenosuke found his chakra flow disrupted by the leg injury, slowing his jutsu speed. Before he could complete the transformation, Chiriku was on him, launching his most powerful attack without hesitation.

*[Rai-Ei: Sword of the Immovable Fudo Myo-o]*

An invisible, colorless blade cut through the ground, leaving a deep gash about fifty centimeters deep. Kagenosuke’s head and torso lay on opposite sides of the cut, blood gushing from the neck, soaking into the groove.

Kagenosuke was dead!

Realizing this was not a substitution jutsu, Kohgomaru saw the true death before him. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Kakashi, usually expressionless, now filled with helpless despair.

This wasn’t looking good! Even Kohgomaru, for all his battle-hardened fearlessness, felt a hint of retreat in his heart.

He wasn’t afraid of death.

But there was no point in charging toward inevitable death without a chance to take someone down with him.

Then—

"Hey, spacing out in a fight? Who do you think you're underestimating?"

The voice came from behind.

Kohgomaru jolted, his gaze still locked on Hozuki Mangetsu in front of him, who hadn’t disappeared. Realizing he was in danger, Kohgomaru thought, "A clone? When did he…?” He’d been watching Mangetsu the whole time, so he hadn’t noticed any sign of clone jutsu.

"Obviously, when that guy shattered," Mangetsu chuckled.

At that moment, a bullet-like stream of water shot from Mangetsu’s finger, aimed right at Kohgomaru’s heart. It pierced his back and shot through his chest, leaving a trail of crimson as it exited—another lethal blow from the Hozuki clan’s Water Gun technique.

Dazed, Kohgomaru watched the red droplet in his vision, fading into a cold, colorless darkness.

With a dull thud, he fell to the ground, hand still clutching his famed blade, Kohgomaru.

*"Crack—”* Amid the thunder, Ringo Ameyuri appeared beside Mangetsu, holding a severed head. She glanced at Kagenosuke and Kohgomaru, sprawled lifelessly, and muttered, “One of them got away. Shall we go after him?” No need to ask—Tianmu had fled as soon as Kagenosuke fell.

His timing, swift and precise, left them no chance to pursue.

"No need,” Mangetsu replied, shaking his head.

Handling this mess was enough. Pursuing too far could invite trouble. Chasing down a fleeing opponent wasn’t worth risking additional complications.

"Cloud Elite Jonin, Chiriku,” Mangetsu addressed Kakashi and Chiriku, “I think it’s time we had a discussion about what comes next.”

“It seems that way,” Chiriku replied.

He wanted to return to their last camp to see if he could catch Homma off guard. But without a full debrief, Kakashi and Mangetsu wouldn’t act with him, leaving him at a disadvantage if they didn’t cooperate.

"Yes, it’s time we talked,”

Kakashi sighed, frustrated. He hadn’t had the chance to jump in on the action, and now the situation was far from over. Not only did they have to worry about the potential return of that runaway, but they also had to decide what to do next.

“Chiriku, and you, sir,” Kakashi addressed Chiriku and Tunbei, “could you both start from the beginning and explain things in detail?”

Earlier, they hadn’t had time to catch the specifics. Now, a proper briefing was in order. Without understanding the danger Chiriku was facing or any ties to the Hokage’s advisor, it was impossible to decide their next move.

Would they continue to Konoha?

Or change course and visit the Daimyo's palace first?

“Well… let me start from the beginning,” Chiriku hesitated for a moment before explaining, “As I mentioned, I’m a shinobi monk from the Fire Temple. Until recently, I served as a ‘Guardian Shinobi’ for the Daimyo. Those who attacked me, like Kagenosuke, were also former Guardians…”

Chiriku recounted the story in detail, covering Kagenosuke’s involvement and why they had been attacked. He expressed deep gratitude for Kakashi and Mangetsu’s timely intervention. However, he refrained from revealing his lie.

He’d clearly seen that both Kakashi and Mangetsu had been swayed to help only upon hearing the Hokage advisor’s name.

If he confessed now…

A beating would be the least of his worries.

Without Kakashi and Mangetsu’s support, if Homma, Tsubako, and Tianmu returned to fight, he’d stand no chance alone. Besides, those were just the visible enemies; who knew what forces lay hidden?

Recently, he’d come across hints that Homma had developed a considerable secret following.

So for now, the lie would stay.

Once safe, he’d apologize.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 283: Patience Is Forced Out of You

Tenmoku ran fast, especially after sensing the chakras of Kanesuke, Unkou, and Kokumaru disappearing one after another. Without a moment’s pause, he sprinted back to the ambush point where they had planned their attack. When he arrived—

“Tenmoku, where’s everyone else?”

Kazuma stood by the stream, accompanied by a mysterious figure in a black robe and an orange-red swirl mask. They were talking before Tenmoku’s arrival, with Shizuko cooling off under a tree, seemingly uninterested in the conversation.

As Tenmoku approached, everyone’s attention turned to him. Kazuma and Shizuko, in particular, had an immediate sense of foreboding seeing him return alone.

“They’re dead.”

Tenmoku’s response was blunt and to the point. Before Kazuma could question further, Tenmoku continued, “Kanesuke, Unkou, and Kokumaru—they were killed by the Earth Country ninja and two Kirigakure shinobi.” His tone wasn’t exactly neutral, but there wasn’t much sadness either.

“Kirigakure?”

Kazuma looked bewildered.

What the…?

How did that happen?

If they’d encountered Leaf shinobi, he could understand, but Kirigakure? What were they doing here?

Like Tenmoku, Kazuma wasn’t particularly saddened. From the beginning, this group was never formed out of unbreakable bonds or loyalty. They were merely outcasts with their own ambitions, drawn together by shared goals and different ideologies.

Kazuma’s goal was to destroy Konoha, establishing the Fire Daimyo as the absolute ruler of the Land of Fire. For this “noble” ideal, he would sacrifice even himself. The deaths of his allies were something he was mentally prepared for.

Kanesuke, Unkou, and Kokumaru, though now dead, had also carried their own ambitions, prepared to gamble their lives for them.

Tenmoku paused for a moment, organizing his chaotic thoughts. “To be honest, I have my own questions. We encountered those Kirigakure shinobi while hunting down the Earth Country ninjas, and they were joined by some Konoha ninja.”

“Why didn’t you retreat?” Shizuko interjected.

As the only woman in the group, she had a slight, if mild, attachment to her fallen comrades… well, not much sadness really. It was mostly curiosity that prompted her question. Her reason for joining this group was simple: she believed sticking with Kazuma would provide more opportunities to test her poisons in real combat.

“At first, those Kirigakure and Konoha shinobi didn’t intend to help the Earth Country ninjas. And even though they outnumbered us, they didn’t have an overwhelming advantage in terms of strength, at least… that’s what we thought before the fight began.”

“With that in mind, we thought a quick battle would be feasible.”

Tenmoku sighed. “But as we closed in, the Kirigakure ninja suddenly changed their stance. They protected the Earth Country ninjas and trapped Kanesuke and the others. The biggest surprise was how strong those two Kirigakure shinobi were. Kanesuke and the others… were overpowered from the start.”

“Can you describe the two Kirigakure ninjas?”

The masked figure finally spoke up.

“Who are you?” Tenmoku eyed him warily. Well, calling him mysterious was a bit much; the so-called mysterious man was Uchiha Obito, masquerading as Madara. His outfit had become a long-standing staple, not because he never changed clothes, but because his Kamui dimension held an endless supply of similar masks and robes.

In any case, as a skilled sensory ninja, Tenmoku felt an unusually intense pressure emanating from Obito.

“This is… an ally of mine, Tenmoku, don’t worry. Just answer his question,” Kazuma said, his attitude toward Obito noticeably different from how he’d been back at the Konoha Embassy.

Kazuma was still cautious, unwilling to fully align with Obito’s plans. However, they had a common interest in destroying Konoha, and on that front, they reached an understanding. Plus, if Obito hadn’t suddenly appeared and helped, Kazuma wouldn’t have been able to obtain the forbidden techniques of the Tsuchigumo clan as easily.

Receiving such a favor meant even Kazuma couldn’t sever ties instantly, even if he disliked being monitored by Obito.

Obito knew Kazuma wasn’t easily manipulated, so he planned to approach him after Kazuma had hit a wall. However, White Zetsu had brought back some interesting information, prompting Obito to change his plans.

At a critical moment, Obito had found Kazuma, offering help that secured Kazuma the Tsuchigumo clan’s forbidden techniques. With these techniques, plus another Earth Release jutsu, Kazuma’s value as a pawn had significantly increased.

“An ally?”

Tenmoku licked his lips, not lowering his guard entirely. “A man and a woman—the man had white hair and purple eyes and could turn his body to water. Kanesuke and Kokumaru couldn’t beat him together. The woman had long reddish-brown hair, wielding two swords or blades that looked like ceremonial knives. Her Lightning Release was far superior to Unkou’s.”

“I see. No wonder,” Obito nodded knowingly.

“Oh? You know them?” Kazuma asked.

“Yes, they’re famous.”

“Oh?”

“The man should be Hozuki Mangetsu, a prodigy of the Hozuki clan and one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist, wielding the dual swords, Hiramekarei. The woman is Ringo Ameyuri, another renowned talent and member of the Seven Swordsmen, wielding the lightning swords, Kiba. Meeting them… well, that was just bad luck.”

Obito spoke as if he knew them well.

Having once controlled Yagura, the Fourth Mizukage, Obito was well-acquainted with Kirigakure, though the elders still resisted him. He knew almost everything a Mizukage would, including information on people like Mangetsu and Ameyuri. Though, admittedly, it was slightly outdated.

Gathering intelligence on talents like these was challenging, as geniuses were marked by rapid, unpredictable growth. For them, even a brief absence made a visible difference.

“Also, if you’re thinking of seeking revenge, I’d suggest saving your energy. Unless, Kazuma, you’ve fully mastered your new power, it’d be better not to bite off more than you can chew. At best, it’d be self-inflicted punishment; at worst, you’d be digging your own grave.”

Obito didn’t sugarcoat his words.

“Hmph!”

He Ma let out a frustrated snort but didn’t try to argue, "I understand without you telling me. Since we chose this path, each of us has been prepared to sacrifice ourselves for it. Revenge is a pointless pursuit compared to the more important things we have to accomplish."

Though he found Uchiha Obito's words annoying, he also knew Obito was telling the truth. An enemy capable of killing Kamizuke, Yun Guang, and Kohaku was formidable, and even if he faced them himself, there was no guarantee of success.

However, that’s just for now.

Once he fully masters this new power, things could turn out differently.

"Good! I just hope you don’t waste your life carelessly. I’m curious to see if you’ll still refuse my invitation the next time we meet," Obito said with a quiet laugh, though the bitterness in that laugh was something only he could understand.

These past days,

He’d been running all over trying to find qualified recruits for the Akatsuki, but suitable candidates were rare. Someone like He Ma was already pretty decent, and his patience had been forced out by the grim reality. Patience was a must—after all, Sasori of the Red Sand had disappeared who knows where, and couldn’t be found anywhere.

He’d also located Hidan, the immortal experimental subject of the Jashin cult, but Hidan was still a rather immature teenager. Obito didn’t rush to recruit him and decided to observe him for a while longer.

"My ideals won’t change."

"Oh, really?"

With a dismissive reply, the space distorted like a vortex, pulling Obito into it as he vanished as quietly as he had arrived.

"He Ma?"

Tianmu looked over with a puzzled expression.

"I know. That sneaky guy can’t be trusted," He Ma said openly, speaking ill of Obito. "But I have to admit, he’s quite capable. Without his help, we probably would’ve been busy for nothing this time."

"Alright, as long as you’re clear about it."

Tianmu didn’t feel like arguing further.

As long as He Ma was clear-headed and not deceived… there was no need to worry about being betrayed.

"So, what should we do next?"

At this, Tianmu looked at their now diminished team, and a hint of sorrow appeared in his heart, which he quickly forced down with his strong willpower. Sadness and regret were pointless.

"Let’s continue what we were doing before."

He Ma replied nonchalantly.

"Shouldn’t we lay low for a bit?"

"No need… fine! We’ll take a short break before acting again." He Ma quickly agreed. Originally, he’d wanted to keep hunting around to practice the forbidden jutsu [Soil of the Dead], but he thought back to Obito’s words.

After all,

being cautious sometimes isn’t a bad thing.

Compared to the [Soil of the Dead] jutsu, which took a lot of time and came with a certain amount of infamy, the Earth Spider Clan’s jutsu was more manageable. This break would be a good chance to research it.

When the coast was clear again,

he might be able to wield this jutsu properly.

Then he could hunt stronger targets, and the Soil of the Dead would be even more effective.

Thus,

He Ma and his group left the clearing by the stream. Before departing, they used explosive tags to clean the ground, ensuring no traces were left behind.

…

Not long after they left,

a large group of people arrived. The newcomers, as expected, included Dilu, Suigetsu, and Baiyun Yeshan. After much discussion, they’d decided to follow Dilu here to see if they could rescue any of the travelers—or at least retrieve their bodies.

Afterward, they planned to visit the daimyo’s residence to consult with the Hokage’s advisor.

Unfortunately—

There was nothing.

Only scorched earth, completely cold.

"Sir?!"

Tonbei’s face was filled with despair.

This outcome wasn’t unexpected, but people always cling to a sliver of hope. Even in life-and-death situations, most people still hope for that small chance of survival rather than accepting an overwhelmingly likely fatal outcome.

At this moment, that’s how Tonbei felt. He knew the odds of any of the travelers surviving were slim, but he still prayed for a miracle.

Yet, a miracle never came for Tonbei.

The travelers were gone. If it were a younger person, there might have been a chance of survival even if they were missing, but the elder was very old. Even if he hadn’t been killed, being abducted would likely mean the end, as his frail body wouldn’t stand a chance.

Coming to terms with this harsh reality,

the light in Tonbei’s eyes dimmed, but it didn’t go out entirely. He still had a duty—to take care of Suzumebachi now that the elder was gone. That was his last remaining mission.

"It’s spotless!"

Suigetsu wandered around the scorched ground but found nothing. Not only did they fail to find that imposter He Ma, but there wasn’t a single clue they could follow. Even the sensory ninja from Kirigakure found nothing after searching the area.

"Sigh! In the end, we arrived too late…"

Dilu sighed, put his hands together, and bowed to the scorched ground, paying his respects to the fallen traveler before turning to speak. "Jounin Baiyun, Envoy Suigetsu, let’s head to the daimyo’s residence now. If there are no surprises, the Hokage’s advisor should still be there."

(The chapter ends here)

Chapter 284: The Second Disciple

In Daimei City, within the Konoha Embassy.

Today, Sōgen didn't spar with anyone, as he was seeing off Ekino, the Traveler, and the others. After sending them off, he spent his morning training and then enjoyed a well-prepared lunch from the embassy chef. Afterward, he took a much-needed nap.

Then—

He was awakened by hurried footsteps outside his door, bringing him some unpleasant news.

Ekino, the old man, had passed away.

Hearing this, any drowsiness he had left vanished completely. He knew this outcome was inevitable—Ekino had always been frail. Even someone like Tsunade wouldn’t have been able to save him for long; he’d be joining the Six Paths Sage before too long. Still, Sōgen hadn’t expected it to happen so soon. They’d only said their goodbyes in the morning, and by the afternoon, the bad news had arrived.

“Kazuma and his group attacked Elder Tsuchigumo... was it for the Tsuchigumo clan’s forbidden jutsu?”

After a moment of somberness, he composed himself and instinctively analyzed the situation behind this news. It didn’t take much to come to a conclusion—not that Sōgen possessed the mental sharpness of the Nara clan’s brainy strategists; it was simply a straightforward deduction.

Not to mention, Ekino had realized as much himself when he was attacked.

"The Tsuchigumo clan's forbidden jutsu... a bit of trouble, huh," Sōgen murmured, stroking his chin. But that was all he considered it—a slight trouble. To think that a forbidden technique alone could destroy Konoha was a ridiculous notion, a boast even Orochimaru wouldn’t dare make.

No, this wasn't that serious.

Seated before him in the embassy's meeting room were Dairiku, Tunbei, Hotaru of the Tsuchigumo, Mangetsu Hozuki, and Byakumo Yashiyama, filling all the available seats. Luckily, Ameyuri Ringo had grown impatient and gone off to the training grounds; otherwise, they’d probably have had to bring in another chair.

The current Konoha envoy, having served tea, silently vowed to purchase a larger sofa tomorrow. The old one would be replaced, though the guests seemed unconcerned with the furniture as they held their breath, awaiting the Hokage Advisor’s response.

“Well... I understand the situation,” Sōgen said.

He shifted his posture, crossing one leg over the other and resting his clasped hands atop it. He appeared entirely relaxed; these people weren’t strangers to him. Even Byakumo Yashiyama had fought under his command against the Cloud, and he’d personally awarded him afterward. As a top-tier shinobi, he was at least worthy of remembering by name and appearance.

Since they were all familiar, there was no need to put on a too-formal act.

“Nice job, Mangetsu,” Sōgen began. “Though your unit isn’t officially formed, consider this your first official achievement. Rest assured, you’ll be rewarded accordingly.” Sōgen didn’t initially mention Ekino’s death, though it might’ve seemed heartless.

But that’s reality—harsh and cold.

Indeed, during Ekino’s stay at the embassy, he and Sōgen had gotten along well. They’d shared tea and exchanged training insights daily, almost like friends despite their age difference. But it was a short-lived connection, too brief to deepen. So when Sōgen heard the news, he felt irritation more than grief.

“I’m looking forward to the reward,” said Mangetsu with a toothy, almost menacing smile. Sōgen understood his smile all too well. Mangetsu had the same sharp teeth as Ameyuri Ringo, giving both a constant air of deadly intent.

One had to wonder how the Mist shinobi grew such sharp teeth.

For the Hozuki clan, it might’ve been genetic, but what about Kisame and Ameyuri Ringo? Perhaps it was an effect of the Water Country’s environment? Environment did influence some shinobi traits, after all.

Most notably, chakra nature.

Sand shinobi tend to use wind jutsu, likely due to the constant wind in the Land of Wind's desert climate. They also produce more earth jutsu users after wind. The Rock have a majority of earth-style users, as the Land of Earth is mountainous, with unique “rock rain” weather. Cloud shinobi, dwelling atop mountains with endless thunder, naturally use lightning-style jutsu, hence the name "Land of Lightning." And with Mist shinobi surrounded by water, they have an abundance of water jutsu specialists.

Only Konoha, situated on fertile lands with a temperate climate, doesn’t experience such extremes. Its shinobi are generally balanced in chakra nature.

“Don’t worry, you and Ameyuri won’t be disappointed,” Sōgen replied, refocusing after his momentary distraction. He moved his gaze from Mangetsu’s face to Byakumo Yashiyama. “Yashiyama, right? You handled the situation well, adapting and making sound decisions. Don’t worry about Mangetsu’s involvement—I’ll handle that.”

“Yes, Advisor-sama,” Yashiyama answered, his response rigid and formal. Unlike the bold Mangetsu, Yashiyama was straightforward and obedient—a trait any leader would appreciate. Mangetsu’s type, bold and talented, were best limited in number; too many would cause headaches.

After speaking with Yashiyama, Sōgen turned to Dairiku with a slight smile. “So, Dairiku, can you tell me what’s going on with this ‘disciple’ business?” He emphasized the word “disciple,” as Yashiyama and Mangetsu had both mentioned he’d suddenly gained one.

Mangetsu rolled his eyes.

So he’d been lying, after all!

But it didn’t matter; he hadn’t gone unpaid. Getting Sōgen’s praise and a promised reward was more than worth it. If this was the outcome of every lie, he wouldn’t mind being lied to ten more times.

“Well, I…” Dairiku started, looking a bit embarrassed, though he didn’t regret his lie.

If not for that lie, he’d probably be dead by now instead of sitting here talking.

But just as he was about to admit his lie—

“Sōgen-nii, will you teach me ninjutsu?” Hotaru of the Tsuchigumo interrupted, her red eyes pleading as she clutched her arms and looked at Sōgen expectantly.

The young girl had realized that her grandfather was never coming back.

Orphaned at a young age, Hotaru had only ever known Ekino as family.

Although there were other relatives in the Tsuchigumo clan, Ekino had distanced himself from most of them, moving back to the abandoned old clan grounds with Hotaru and a few followers. To Hotaru, those other relatives were no more than strangers she saw during festivals. She felt closer to Tunbei than her clan.

There was no need to guide her emotions. After listening to the others speak, she’d come to understand that her grandfather had been killed. The seed of vengeance had been planted.

The once naive girl had matured overnight, now comprehending things she’d never understood before. She now had an inkling of why her grandfather kept those skulls by her parents’ graves.

But at the same time, she also recognized her own weakness.

To avenge her grandfather’s killers... was beyond her current power. Could she do it in the future? It was a difficult question, but her grandfather had always told her that “Sōgen-nii” was very powerful, even stronger than himself.

So now, here she was.

“Well!”

“Whoa!”

Sōgen let out a soft chuckle. Trying this move, huh?

Seeing the shocked expressions on Dilu and Tonbei's faces, it was clear this wasn’t pre-planned by them. That meant this must be the little girl’s own idea? Glancing at the girl, who was about the same age as Fujiwara, his mind quickly calculated, and he asked,

“Hiyori, why do you want to learn ninjutsu from me?”

“Because my grandpa said you’re really strong, Brother Sōgen. He said even he can’t beat you.”

“Is that so?”

Sōgen nodded lightly, lowered his gaze, and stared into the girl’s beautiful, emerald-like eyes.

“Hiyori, learning ninjutsu from me is tough work. Are you really sure you want to? Think carefully! If you follow my training and don’t finish your tasks, you’ll end up not only going hungry but also getting punished!”

“Mm-hmm!”

Hiyori the Tsuchigumo nodded firmly. “I’m not afraid of hard work. As long as I can get stronger, I’m willing to do whatever it takes. Please, Brother Sōgen, teach me ninjutsu!”

Seeing the serious expression on her face,

Sōgen stopped smiling and corrected her title, “You can’t call me ‘Brother’ anymore. You need to call me ‘Master’ from now on.” He had accepted this disciple. To be honest, Hiyori the Tsuchigumo’s natural talent couldn’t quite compare with Yakumo’s.

Though the girl wasn’t exactly untalented either.

With proper training,

there was no reason she couldn’t shine brightly.

And, with Yakumo as his only disciple, his student roster was a bit thin. If he could train a few more outstanding students… it could feel rewarding. And, honestly, it seemed like it’d be fun. All things considered, he decided to take Hiyori as his student.

“Yes, Master!”

The girl leapt up excitedly.

“All right, Hiyori, no more fussing around here. Here’s your first task: go to the practice grounds and throw a kunai one thousand times.” Sōgen’s ‘big brotherly warmth’ was gone, replaced by the powerful presence of a ‘strict master.’

“One—one thousand times?”

Hiyori’s eyes widened, her turquoise-green eyes showing a hint of fear.

She’d practiced throwing shuriken before, but never more than three hundred times in one session. Last time, her arm was so sore she couldn’t lift it. One thousand times... her arm would probably fall off, wouldn’t it? Just thinking about never seeing her grandpa’s gentle smile again, though, stirred up courage within her.

She clenched her fists.

“I-I’ll do it, Master!”

“Then go ahead.”

Sōgen spoke calmly.

He also instructed, “Hayate, bring all the equipment she’ll need to the training ground.”

“Yes, sir.”

Moonlight Hayate, who was standing nearby, responded. Instead of walking with Hiyori, he disappeared with a body flicker technique.

The girl walked out of the reception room alone. Tonbei, sitting on the sofa, looked nervous as if he were sitting on nails, but he didn’t dare to make any sudden moves in front of Sōgen, especially now that Miss Hiyori had officially become an assistant to the Hokage. How a master taught his apprentice was entirely up to him.

Even he,

had no right to intervene.

Once Hiyori left, closing the meeting room door behind her, Sōgen turned to Dilu. “Dilu, I owe you thanks. If it weren’t for you, I might not have known until Houma was knocking on the gates of the Leaf Village that he’d stolen the Tsuchigumo clan’s forbidden technique. Even if it doesn’t prove useful, it’s always good to be prepared.”

“You’re too kind. I was merely carrying out a request from the Tsuchigumo elder, and had no choice but to pass Hiyori off as your student. I apologize for the deception.” Dilu offered a sincere apology to both Ghost Lantern Moon and White Cloud Leaf Mountain.

Ghost Lantern Moon just waved it off with a smile.

White Cloud Leaf Mountain flinched slightly but said nothing.

“In comparison to the information you brought us, that minor issue is trivial. And besides, the lie has become reality, so there’s no point dwelling on it.” Sōgen didn’t want to spend time on the matter, especially now that what had started as a lie had turned true. Rehashing it seemed pointless.

“As for Houma, once I’m back in the village, I’ll have people search for their whereabouts. Dilu, if you’re interested, you’re welcome to join in. Or, if you prefer to return to the Fire Temple, that’s also a wise choice. The decision is yours. In recognition of the information you brought, you’re free to choose.”

“I... plan to visit the Fire Temple for now. My teacher hasn’t been well recently. But if he recovers, I hope I may rejoin you in the future, Lord Sōgen.”

“No problem.”

Sōgen was willing to give Dilu that small concession. “As long as Houma remains at large, you’re free to join in at any time.”

At this point,

there wasn’t much else to discuss. The death of the Act Walker… honestly, it wasn’t a big deal and wasn’t likely to cause any significant disturbance. Of course, Sōgen still had to inform the village, as the Leaf Village and the Tsuchigumo clan were allies and had signed that kind of pact.

Now that the Act Walker was dead, the Tsuchigumo clan might face some trouble. Under the terms of the alliance, if the Tsuchigumo clan encountered danger, the Leaf Village would be obligated to extend a helping hand. But that was no longer Sōgen’s responsibility.

Whoever the Hokage decided to send to Tsuchigumo’s territory on Mount Katsuragi to provide support was up to them.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 285: The Future of Hotaru*

The sun was setting in the west. A long shadow stretched across the training field behind the Konoha Embassy, where Hotaru Tsuchigumo was still throwing shuriken. Practicing a thousand throws of shuriken was a daunting challenge, especially for a young girl who had never engaged in such high-intensity training before.

It would be easy to give up halfway.

But—

Hotaru Tsuchigumo showed surprising determination. She had been throwing shuriken since the afternoon, braving the sun’s lingering heat until the sun was almost set. She hadn’t taken a single break, enduring her drowsiness and the intense pain in her arms, and maintaining a perfect throwing posture each time.

“Hayate, what do you think?”

In the corridor under the eaves, Sōgen moved with silent steps until he was behind Hayate Gekkō, who was intently watching Hotaru’s training. The dark-eyed youth jumped, the sword at his back half-drawn, before he realized it was Sōgen who approached. He exhaled with relief. “Sir, you…really scared me!”

“Your vigilance could be a bit sharper, and your drawing speed could use improvement. If you’ve got time, focus on practicing your sword-drawing technique. You learned the Konoha-style swordsmanship formulated by the Second Hokage, right? If I recall correctly, it has three types of sword draws. For you… ‘Moon Caress’ would suit you best. Focus on that, and you’ll gain a lot. Your family should have some teachings on that, no?”

Sōgen offered this advice casually.

The so-called Konoha-style swordsmanship wasn’t something the Second Hokage created from scratch; rather, Tobirama Senju compiled various sword techniques he had gathered, refining and combining them into the comprehensive Konoha-style. Originally, the Second Hokage designed this technique as part of the curriculum for ANBU training.

However, he found the complete Konoha-style too intricate and profound to be used as standard ANBU curriculum. Ultimately, it was passed down only to a few of his disciples and some members of his Shadow Guard, one of whom was from the Gekkō clan, specifically Hayate’s grandfather.

As for how Sōgen came to know all this—

It was simple. Uchiha Kagami was also a student of the Second Hokage.

Though his life was cut short, Uchiha Kagami was undoubtedly a genius. He mastered the Konoha-style swordsmanship and left notes in the Uchiha clan. But the Uchiha clan had their own sword technique, Uchiha-style swordsmanship, refined over generations with the help of the Sharingan and adapted to the clan’s strengths.

Truthfully, the Konoha-style swordsmanship didn’t interest many in the Uchiha clan—except for a small group who were passionate about swordsmanship. Sōgen didn’t have a particular passion for it.

He’d devoted time to it, mainly because he felt it worked well with his talent, "The Knight Does Not Die Unarmed."

Although this connection didn’t yield any tangible benefits, his sword skills were instrumental in surviving the Third Great Ninja War.

“‘Moon Caress’… our family’s techniques don’t include that.”

Hayate shook his head.

“They don’t?”

Sōgen hesitated for a second before realizing that not everyone could master the entirety of Konoha-style swordsmanship like Uchiha Kagami did.

Currently, families like the Gekkō who practiced the Konoha-style only knew a portion of it.

Besides the Uchiha clan, the only other families with the full Konoha-style were Sarutobi and Shimura. The complete text was kept by the current Hokage, alongside the Scroll of Seals, and could be used to reward distinguished service to the village.

“Then watch closely tomorrow. Whether or not you can pick it up is up to you.”

“Yes, sir.”

Hayate brightened.

Sōgen had arranged to spar with someone tomorrow, which meant he’d be demonstrating “Moon Caress.” Even though it wouldn’t be easy to pick up, the chance alone was priceless.

Truthfully, that young girl is enviable!

With the assistant to the Hokage as her teacher, she was guaranteed to have a bright future. As long as she’s not utterly clueless, she’ll surely achieve high rank—at least Jōnin level. Meanwhile, he was still just a Chūnin with a long way to go before Jōnin.

And honestly, he wasn’t entirely sure he’d even make it to Jōnin.

“Back to the main question, you’ve been watching here for half the day. What do you think of my little apprentice?” Sōgen shifted the topic back to his apprentice.

“She’s diligent and focused.”

Hayate thought for a moment before carefully responding.

He didn’t comment on Hotaru Tsuchigumo’s talent. He knew his limits; being no prodigy himself, he didn’t think he could accurately gauge others’ potential. Rather than make unfounded statements, it was better to simply report what he could observe.

“You say she’s diligent and focused? Good!”

Sōgen nodded. With these qualities, combined with her decent potential, Hotaru Tsuchigumo’s future should be promising—though still short of his aspirations. She didn’t have to rival Yakumo, but she shouldn’t lag too far behind, either.

“Donbe!”

Sōgen called out.

Two seconds later, Donbe dropped down from the rooftop, respectfully standing before Sōgen.

“Yes, Master Sōgen. I am here.”

To Donbe, this man was not just the Hokage’s assistant. Being Hotaru’s teacher was even more important. Since Sōgen was her mentor, Donbe treated him with a respect akin to that shown to Hotaru’s father.

As mentioned earlier,

Donbe had been a ward of the Traveler of Duty, initially running errands before being assigned to Hotaru Tsuchigumo’s father. After her parents died in an attack, Donbe remained in service under the Traveler, who, before his passing, entrusted him with Hotaru’s care.

“Do you have the scroll for the Binding Script technique?”

“…I do.”

After a brief pause, Donbe nodded.

“Bring it to me.”

Sōgen unceremoniously requested the secret family scroll passed down by the Tsuchigumo clan.

Donbe’s expression faltered. He opened his mouth, wanting to ask, “Assistant Hokage, why do you need it? The Binding Script is a closely guarded Tsuchigumo secret,” but ultimately, he couldn’t.

In the end, Tonbei wasn’t originally from the Tsuchigumo Clan.

He was a child whom the Yaku no Gyōja picked up, and he cared deeply for Master Yaku no Gyōja and for Lady Hotaru. As for the Tsuchigumo Clan, who had fallen out with Yaku no Gyōja, Tonbei couldn’t care less about them or the secret arts that had been passed on outside the clan.

Sensing his health waning day by day, Yaku no Gyōja worried he might die suddenly before he could personally teach Hotaru the Jifuku Technique. So, before heading to the lord’s residence, he entrusted the scroll of the secret arts to Tonbei with special precautions in place. In case anything happened to him, Tonbei would still be there to ensure that Hotaru inherited the tradition.

Yaku no Gyōja placed no restrictions on Tonbei, trusting that he would never willingly divulge any information related to the secret arts.

But he hadn’t anticipated that someone would demand the secret technique from Tonbei so directly.

“The secret technique is hidden within my body and requires a unique method to be extracted,” Tonbei answered honestly.

“Then let’s have it extracted and handed over to me. Don’t assume I’d misuse the Tsuchigumo Clan’s secrets; those belong to Hotaru. I’m only asking for the scroll to better assess Hotaru’s training plan. The Jifuku Technique will be Hotaru’s greatest asset in the future.”

Seeing that Tonbei didn’t even ask why, Sōgen took it upon himself to explain.

He was sincere. He had little interest in the Jifuku Technique; through past conversations with Yaku no Gyōja, he had already learned that its core involved the Yin Release. And as his own training in Yin Release progressed rapidly, he had no shortage of methods for similar practice.

Besides, the mysteries he had gained from the Flame Fan, Banana Leaf Fan, and Amber Purification Bottle required substantial time to fully grasp. Now was not the time to be learning new or forbidden techniques. The utmost priority was the mastery of the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, the Rinnegan, and the powers of Sage Arts.

He didn’t care whether Tonbei believed his words or not.

Sōgen’s actions weren’t to gain anyone’s trust. He was simply expressing his intentions and attitude. As for how others reacted... that didn’t matter to him. He cared only for himself, his family, and his friends. Beyond that, his sole goal was to become stronger.

To protect his family, clan, friends, and village as they traversed through the increasingly unpredictable fog of the future and reach that ideal shore, he couldn’t afford even a moment’s complacency. The march forward could not be halted.

Time ticked on, and the sun set.

Darkness cloaked the heavens.

The lights of the training ground flickered on.

In the brightness that seemed like daylight, Hotaru of the Tsuchigumo Clan completed a thousand shuriken throws with immense determination. When the thousandth shuriken struck the wooden stake—now marred and barely recognizable from over fifty cleanings today alone—Hotaru, who had been teetering on the edge, finally collapsed, unconscious, and fell toward the ground.

Just as the young girl was about to meet the ground, Sōgen appeared beside her, catching her by the back of her collar as if lifting a piece of pork. He carried her back to the corridor, placing his new disciple gently on the hallway floor.

“Don’t worry; it’s nothing serious—just some exhaustion and a strain. Nothing major,” Sōgen reassured Tonbei, whose worry had manifested in his furrowed brow.

There was no need to fetch a medical ninja from the embassy. Sōgen himself began treating his new disciple’s injuries. Though the healing speed with the Palm Healing Technique wasn’t exactly slow, it was effective at mending Hotaru’s strained muscles. For a ninja, such minor injuries were hardly a concern; they grew stronger through constant injury and recovery.

Of course, with the help of medical ninjutsu, the healing process was faster, allowing more time for training rather than recovery. And Sōgen was happy to have the chance to practice his medical ninjutsu more. His training in the Yang Release was primarily invested in medical ninjutsu.

After all, the essence of Yang Release was the power of the body itself.

Studying medical ninjutsu was in itself an exploration of Yang Release’s mysteries.

The healing effect was immediate. Just seconds after Sōgen removed his hand, Hotaru’s long eyelashes trembled as she slowly opened her eyes, her jade-green irises wandering in confusion. After several moments, her gaze settled on Sōgen.

“Master?” she whispered.

“How do you feel? Is there any discomfort?”

“My arm... huh? It doesn’t hurt as much?” Hotaru tentatively moved her right arm, which had been in excruciating pain before she passed out, and found the pain had almost disappeared.

“Good. No pain means you’re fine. Hotaru, you did well today, but…”

Sōgen drew out the last word, and seeing his disciple’s tentative expression shift to one of nervousness, he continued, “This is just the beginning. Training will only get more rigorous from here on out, so be prepared.”

“Yes... Master,” Hotaru replied, swallowing nervously.

Tomorrow’s training will be even tougher than today’s? That’s... terrifying! Hotaru could hardly hold back tears and began to wonder if she’d made a mistake in choosing this path.

“What? Regretting it? Well, it’s too late. My disciple isn’t allowed to abandon the clan.”

Sōgen chuckled as he teased his young apprentice. Seeing Hotaru reminded him of his own sister, although the two girls differed entirely in appearance and personality. Still, he couldn’t help but think of his sister when he looked at Hotaru.

(End of Chapter)