106-110

*Chapter 106: Hanzo: It’s Impossible to Fight*

“Those eyes again...”

Through the lingering smoke, Hanzo stared into Pain’s deep, ominous eyes. He could never forget the terrifying power they once displayed.

Dozens of Rain and Root ninjas had lasted barely a second under that gaze.

The image of the colossal, oppressive statue still lingered vividly in his mind.

“I recall killing you with my own hands back then…”

Hanzo looked at Pain—the once-naïve boy named Yahiko should have been dead. So why was he standing here now, wielding the Rinnegan, a power that only the red-haired brat should possess?

Facing the enemy who had personally taken so many of his friends, Pain’s voice was as cold and cruel as a demon’s from the depths of hell.

“That naive boy truly did die back then. The one before you now is merely a revenger who seeks to make the world feel pain.”

“A revenger, you say?”

Hanzo stepped out of the shattered building, raising his scythe to point at Pain. His voice was icy.

“Since I was able to kill your foolish comrades back then, I can send you to join them now.”

“Is that so...”

Floating midair, Pain stared down at Hanzo with disdain.

“If you were truly as formidable as you claim, you wouldn’t have fled like a beaten dog back then, abandoning your subordinates. Nor would you have groveled to Konoha for favor.

“You’ve grown old and lost the courage that once made you a demigod.”

Pain’s words dredged up painful memories, twisting Hanzo’s face into a mask of fury and hatred.

“Shut up! Shut your mouth! I am Hanzo of the Salamander, the demigod feared across the battlefield!”

Pain let out a derisive laugh, his expression unchanging.

“Then let me wake you from your delusions.”

With those words, Pain’s massive summoned beasts charged toward Hanzo.

Anything in their path was crushed or torn apart as they barreled toward him.

“Summoned beasts? I have them too! And mine are stronger!”

Hanzo was confident. Even among all the ninja world’s summons, his salamander Ibuse ranked near the top. Few could withstand its devastating poison gas.

As Hanzo formed the summoning hand seals, the contract circle spread from his hands. Yet instead of a burst of smoke and a dramatic entrance, nothing happened.

“What’s going on?”

Panic flickered across Hanzo’s face. He could sense that his salamander was still alive, yet he couldn’t summon it.

Far away, on the border between the Wind and Rain countries, Ibuse was tightly bound by countless tendrils.

These tendrils drained Ibuse’s chakra around the clock, while seals from the Uzumaki clan suppressed its power.

The summoning technique relied on space-time seals implanted in both the summoner and the summoned creature.

By channeling chakra, one could transport the creature across distances.

Although Ibuse’s seal was intact, its chakra had been entirely drained, and the additional suppression seals ensured it could not be summoned back to Hanzo.

The once-mighty demigod now found himself completely alone.

As Hanzo hesitated, waiting for Ibuse to appear, Pain’s summoned creatures launched their assault.

The first to arrive was an enormous bull, its massive horns stabbing into the ground with such force that the earth shattered beneath it.

Hanzo narrowly avoided the attack, vanishing into the air with the Body Flicker Technique.

“Damn it, summoning so many beasts at once?”

Hanzo surveyed the battlefield. Aside from the bull, there were three other giant summons: a ferocious hellhound, a massive crab with a hardened shell, and, most troublesome, a giant bird barreling toward him at full speed.

“You brat—what do you take Hanzo of the Salamander for?”

Rage ignited in Hanzo’s chest. Did this child truly believe that such trivial summons could defeat him?

As the bird approached, Hanzo decided to end the fight quickly. With a flick of his wrist, his chain wrapped around the bird. In one swift motion, he leapt onto its back.

It was easy from there—a flash of his sharp scythe sliced the bird in half, leaving nothing but a blinding light in its wake.

Pain’s face remained expressionless as his bird fell.

From the shadows, the Animal Path formed a hand seal.

“Amplification Summoning Technique.”

Instead of vanishing in a puff of smoke, the bisected bird began to writhe. Its severed halves regenerated, forming two identical birds that quickly adjusted to their new forms and dove at Hanzo.

“Slashing them doesn’t work?”

Hanzo immediately deduced the situation. In the next moment, he released a thick cloud of poison gas from his mask, enveloping the two birds.

Pain’s gaze flickered slightly—he hadn’t expected Hanzo to discover the beasts’ weakness so quickly.

Indeed, under the Amplification Summoning Technique, the creatures were invulnerable to physical attacks, splitting and multiplying when cut.

But they had a fatal flaw: poison.

As expected, the birds succumbed to the gas, dissipating in a cloud of smoke.

Realizing further tests were futile, Pain decided to end the battle himself.

The Deva Path charged directly at Hanzo, its voice calm and commanding.

“Banshō Ten’in!”

A powerful gravitational force pulled Hanzo toward Pain, along with the shattered debris of the surrounding walls.

Hanzo adapted quickly, gripping his scythe tightly and narrowing his eyes. He was ready to strike a fatal blow the moment he closed the distance.

But just as he reached the perfect range, Pain raised his hand.

“Shinra Tensei!”

The pull transformed into a forceful push, blasting Hanzo backward. The debris slammed into him, burying him under rubble.

“Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!”

A massive water dragon tore through the debris and surged toward Pain.

Before it could land, another Rinnegan-wielding figure appeared, clad in the Akatsuki’s cloud-patterned cloak. Raising his hand, he absorbed the water dragon completely.

Seeing this, Hanzo didn’t hesitate. Abandoning the fight altogether, he used the Water Body Flicker Technique to flee toward the edge of the village as quickly as possible.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 107: Utterly Dull*

A summoned beast capable of endless division, a boy who wields both repulsion and attraction, and a being who can absorb ninjutsu.

With such overwhelming and all-encompassing abilities, the former demigod lost his will to fight. He decided to abandon his loyal Amegakure using his unparalleled teleportation technique.

Watching Hanzō flee in panic before even unleashing his full strength, Pain's gaze was conflicted.

Facing a defeated dog running with its tail between its legs, he felt no satisfaction, no sense of revenge—only disgust.

This man, after all, was the one who had killed his best friend years ago!

As the thought crossed his mind, Pain's fury surged.

He could accept his comrade dying at the hands of a true ninja but not falling victim to the cowardly schemes of a spineless wretch like Hanzō!

Pain rose into the sky, his arms spread wide, the rain outlining his blurred figure.

In the next moment, all the raindrops were repelled by an immense force. Then, the air, the buildings, the ground—and finally, the fleeing Hanzō—were crushed under its weight.

The terrifying power obliterated everything. When the intense white light dissipated, the center of Amegakure was left with nothing but a massive hemispherical crater. Pain stood in its center, holding Hanzō's shattered body.

"What a pity," Pain remarked coldly. "A demigod reduced to nothing more than a mangy dog in death."

On a nearby rooftop, a shadowy figure silently watched the scene. It was Kaneki, who had witnessed the Akatsuki's vengeance unfold in its entirety.

His thoughts?

It was all… disappointingly dull.

What he had hoped for—a climactic battle between the "Sage's Eyes" Pain and the legendary "Demigod" Hanzō—never materialized. What he saw instead was Hanzō's utter terror in the face of the Rinnegan and his fear of defeat.

In Kaneki's eyes, Hanzō feared failure more than anything.

The title of "demigod" had placed him on too high a pedestal. Coupled with the erosion of his will over time, he had lost the courage to confront powerful foes. He feared that a single loss would turn the legend of the demigod into a laughingstock.

This fear of failure prevented Hanzō from unleashing even half his strength.

From the intelligence Kaneki had gathered, Hanzō's abilities were far greater than this.

Though Kaneki had preemptively neutralized Hanzō's salamander summoning beast, Hanzō’s reputation as a demigod wasn’t solely due to it.

His mastery of ninjutsu, kenjutsu, and taijutsu was exceptional.

His Water Release techniques were regarded as unparalleled in the ninja world, and his swordsmanship had once bested Mifune, the general of the Land of Iron. Such feats alone were testament to his incredible strength.

And yet, this man, burdened by his reputation and corroded by time, had fallen so low.

Even Hidan scoffed, "Such a soul only sullies Lord Jashin's sanctity!"

Kaneki chuckled faintly and adjusted his glasses. "No matter. Now that Amegakure is under new leadership, the Akatsuki can finally move forward."

Amegakure and Hanzō had long been a thorn in Nagato and Konan's sides.

Now that the thorn was removed, Kaneki thought, Nagato would likely shift the Akatsuki's focus to recruiting members and capturing the tailed beasts.

"Something to look forward to," Kaneki mused with a slight smile.

While Nagato waged war and exacted vengeance, Kaneki hadn’t been idle. Amegakure was now teeming with followers of Lord Jashin.

After all, fear and greed are fertile grounds for faith.

Moreover, the battle provided Kaneki with deeper insight into the Rinnegan's abilities.

The two other Rinnegan bearers, he noted, were likely additional bodies controlled by Nagato.

One could summon endlessly dividing creatures, while the other absorbed ninjutsu.

Kaneki's curiosity about the Rinnegan only grew stronger.

As Kaneki's thoughts wandered, Pain delivered the final blow to Hanzō. With Konan by his side, he ascended into the sky and proclaimed the arrival of a new god to all of Amegakure.

Resistance within the village quickly collapsed. With their "god," Hanzō, dead, there was no point in fighting further.

The aftermath was straightforward. Pain, under the guise of a deity, granted amnesty to Hanzō's opposition and neutral factions while ordering a brutal purge of Hanzō's loyalists.

Kaneki recruits—Ueno, Mari, and Shigure—had performed admirably during the conflict. As veteran jonin of Amegakure, they were deeply familiar with the village’s workings. Naturally, they rose to positions of power, becoming tools of Pain’s indirect rule.

Why tools?

Pain, to maintain his divine mystique, refrained from direct involvement in Amegakure's daily governance. Instead, Konan, dubbed "Angel," oversaw Ueno and the other jonin in managing the village.

Nagato swiftly enacted new policies, such as imposing a semi-closed state on the Land of Rain. Foreign ninjas were prohibited from roaming freely, and anyone wishing to enter Amegakure faced strict scrutiny.

Externally, the village continued to claim that Hanzō remained in power to avoid unnecessary trouble.

And so, the leadership transition in Amegakure concluded.

It was somewhat poignant to see a village once guarded by a "demigod" fall in half a day, with its leader erased by an unknown man.

After the battle, as peace gradually returned, Pain and Konan brought Hanzō's corpse to a secluded valley—the burial site of the Akatsuki’s original members.

Nagato, appearing in person, gazed at the empty graveyard. Memories of training with Yahiko flooded back.

Konan, pushing his wheelchair, was overwhelmed by emotion, her tears shimmering despite all she had endured.

After a moment of silence, Nagato spoke softly. "Konan, take Hanzō's body to Yahiko."

"Alright."

With a wave of her hand, Konan sent Hanzō’s body, now wrapped in paper, to the gravesite.

Without hesitation, Nagato formed a seal, and the paper shrouding Hanzō ignited. Soon, his corpse was consumed by flames.

The bright fire reflected in their eyes as Nagato vowed, "Rest easy, Yahiko. I will create the world you dreamed of."

As they returned to Amegakure, Konan couldn’t help but ask, "Nagato, those Amegakure jonin—Kaneki recruits—can we trust them?"

Nagato waved dismissively at her concerns.

He was fully aware of Kaneki machinations, and Kaneki knew that he knew.

Yet neither seemed to care, as if they shared a tacit understanding.

To Kaneki, Ueno and the others were mere pawns—disposable if Nagato eliminated them.

To Nagato, as long as Kaneki aided in capturing the tailed beasts, a few cultists of Jashin meant nothing.

*(End of Chapter)*

Chapter 108: Hatred Is a Cycle

At the Hokage’s office in the Hidden Leaf Village.

Danzo, the head of the Root division, often referred to as the darkness of the shinobi world, arrived early in the morning to meet with his old friend, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

“Hiruzen, the Land of Rain is becoming increasingly audacious. In just one month, five of our squads have disappeared there!”

Danzo’s tone was filled with frustration. The Land of Rain had always treated the Hidden Leaf Village with deference. How could they dare to allow their people to attack Leaf shinobi now?

Hiruzen, observing his agitated friend, replied calmly, “Two of those teams were Root squads, correct?”

Danzo fell silent. Hiruzen was right. Hanzo’s request for assistance had indeed been relayed to Danzo, and he had sent two squads to aid him. However, those two teams had ended up as experimental subjects for the leader of a group of fanatical cultists.

This was the real reason for Danzo’s anger.

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re up to, Danzo.”

Hiruzen tossed a report onto the desk in front of Danzo and continued, “I’ve already sent someone to negotiate with the Land of Rain. Hanzo’s response was that the country is in the midst of a civil war. He’s closed the borders and can no longer offer protection to Leaf ninjas.”

As a seasoned politician, Danzo immediately grasped the underlying meaning.

“Hanzo’s stance is that any ninja entering the Land of Rain must be prepared to fend for themselves?”

Hiruzen took a drag from his pipe and nodded slowly. “That’s correct.”

Danzo frowned. His first thought was that Hanzo might be harboring treacherous intentions again. But after further consideration, he dismissed the idea. Hanzo was no longer the powerful figure he once was. With his advanced age and the lack of any capable successors in the Hidden Rain Village, he had no reason to abandon his alliance with the Leaf at this time.

Could it really be that the civil war was consuming all of Hanzo’s attention, leaving him unable to focus on their collaboration?

Though skeptical, Danzo had no immediate way to confirm his suspicions.

His connections with the Hidden Rain had been severed, and the Root operatives he’d sent to gather intelligence had vanished without a trace.

He couldn’t very well go to the Land of Rain himself.

Hanzo’s message had been clear: the country was embroiled in internal strife. If anyone insisted on entering, they couldn’t blame Hanzo for what might happen.

If the Leaf wanted to push the issue further, they’d have no choice but to launch a military invasion.

But given the Leaf’s current situation, with the internal conflict involving the Uchiha clan still unresolved, there was no way to spare resources for dealing with external threats.

With no answers, Danzo had no choice but to take his leave.

After he left, a masked Kakashi appeared before Hiruzen.

Compared to Danzo, Hiruzen treated Kakashi with much greater kindness.

“Kakashi, how is that boy you brought back from the Hidden Hot Water Village?”

Hiruzen folded his hands, his tone tinged with a trace of anticipation.

After the destruction of the Hidden Hot Water Village and the subsequent retreat of the Leaf’s forces, Hiruzen, moved by humanitarian considerations, had sent a border unit to retrieve any survivors.

In the end, they found only one—a golden-haired, one-armed boy.

Kakashi had been overseeing the matter ever since.

Hearing the Hokage’s inquiry, Kakashi promptly replied, “Reporting to Lord Hokage, the boy’s name is Arima Kuisou. He’s now out of immediate danger, and his arm has stabilized. Dr. Hosuke has begun further research.”

Hiruzen nodded slightly and instructed, “For now, keep this matter confidential. Don’t tell anyone, not even the village advisors. Understood?”

Kakashi’s eyes flickered. “Understood.”

After leaving the Hokage’s office, Kakashi headed straight to a laboratory, placing a bowl of ramen on the table before Dr. Hosuke, who was engrossed in his work.

“Oh? Kakashi!”

Wearing square-framed glasses and a white lab coat, Dr. Hosuke looked up as if waking from a dream and smiled at Kakashi.

“Ramen for dinner, huh? Smells delicious.”

Despite his praise, Dr. Hosuke showed little interest in the food, finishing it in a few bites. If Kakashi hadn’t stopped him, he would have immediately gone back to his experiments.

“How’s Arima doing?” Kakashi asked, clearly concerned.

Even after more than a month, Kakashi sometimes dreamed of that terrifying eye. As someone who had witnessed the calamity firsthand, Arima must have been even more haunted by it.

Hearing the question, Dr. Hosuke pointed toward an adjacent room. “Arima’s physical recovery is going well, and his mental state is stable. In fact, he started self-directed rehabilitation training today.”

Kakashi raised an eyebrow in surprise. The boy’s willpower was that strong?

“I’ll go take a look.”

Walking into the laboratory, Kakashi peered through a glass door to see a frail, golden-haired boy struggling to do push-ups with his remaining arm.

Beads of sweat dripped from his face, and although his arm trembled from the strain, he showed no intention of stopping.

“He’s really giving it his all,” Kakashi muttered.

His arrival interrupted Arima’s grueling, almost self-destructive training. The boy collapsed onto his back, panting. “So? When can I start learning ninjutsu?”

Clearly, this wasn’t their first conversation.

Through his talks with Kakashi, Arima had come to understand his current situation.

He was in the Hidden Leaf Village, one of the Five Great Nations, and the village’s leadership was particularly interested in the unique changes happening to his body.

To be precise, they valued what those changes could potentially offer.

Arima knew that if it weren’t for their research interests, the Leaf might have healed his injuries, then used him as a “Will of Fire” success story before letting him live out a peaceful life.

But he wasn’t willing to accept that.

He wanted power. He wanted revenge.

Unlike others, his thirst for vengeance didn’t make him irrational. Instead, it sharpened his focus, allowing him to clearly identify his goals and pursue them with determination.

“As long as you cooperate with Dr. Hosuke’s research, you’ll get your chance to learn ninjutsu eventually,” Kakashi said. He neither promised nor refused—after all, it wasn’t his decision to make.

Arima didn’t say anything further. After resting for ten minutes, he resumed his relentless training. This time, he replaced his push-ups with practice swings of a long blade crafted from his own Kagune.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 109: A Deal with Nagato*

After eliminating Hanzō and successfully taking control of Amegakure, Akatsuki's next goal shifted to recruiting new members and building up its strength.

Once again, the members of Akatsuki, wearing their unique rings, gathered before the Gedo Statue.

Kaneki maintained his usual calm demeanor, while Hidan appeared utterly bored. If not for Kaneki, Hidan wouldn’t have even bothered to attend such a “team-building” event.

Yes, team-building. That was the term Kaneki had recently introduced to him.

Meanwhile, White Zetsu and Black Zetsu were hanging upside down above them like bats.

Tobi, for reasons unknown, was absent, and Konan stood silently as usual.

Pein’s Rinnegan swept across the room as he spoke in his usual indifferent tone:

"The situation in Amegakure has been temporarily resolved. Our next objective is to recruit members and expand the organization."

"Let’s hear it. Does anyone have suggestions for potential recruits?"

Konan, who seemed to have anticipated this, immediately replied, "From what I know, there's a bounty hunter at the underground exchange named Kakuzu, referred to as 'The Immortal.' He’s a rogue ninja from Takigakure and possesses immense strength. He’d be an excellent candidate."

It was clear that Konan held this Kakuzu in high regard.

Pein, naturally, had no objections. For him, as long as someone had considerable strength and could assist in capturing the Tailed Beasts, nothing else mattered.

"Kakuzu, huh? That guy is indeed powerful. I’ll handle his recruitment personally," Pein said calmly, indicating his own interest in Kakuzu.

White Zetsu, observing this, lazily added, "Since Konan has already suggested someone, I’ll recommend someone too. How about Sasori of the Red Sand, an S-rank rogue ninja from Sunagakure and a genius puppeteer?"

Pein nodded in acknowledgment. "Sasori of the Red Sand is indeed impressive. We should send someone to recruit him."

Noticing Pein’s gaze on him, White Zetsu quickly waved his hands. "Leader, don’t look at me. I’m just an intelligence operative. There’s no way I can take on someone as talented as Sasori."

Hearing this, Pein didn’t push the matter. White Zetsu’s point was valid—while he excelled at reconnaissance, his combat abilities were the weakest in the group.

"In that case, I suppose I’ll go," Kaneki said, adjusting his glasses.

Of course, whether or not he volunteered, it seemed inevitable.

After all, Akatsuki had limited manpower. Pein was recruiting Kakuzu, White Zetsu lacked the combat strength, and Konan was preoccupied with managing Amegakure. This left Kaneki and Hidan, the two members of Jashin's cult.

"It’s settled, then," Pein said, his tone as emotionless as ever.

Hidan picked his nose and flicked the debris aside, saying, "A mere puppeteer? I could take him down on my own."

Seeing Hidan’s arrogance, Konan reminded him, "Sasori of the Red Sand is a genius puppeteer skilled in forbidden techniques. He can turn human bodies into puppets and even use their jutsu. You’d better be careful."

"Yeah, yeah, whatever. Piece of cake!"

Even after Konan’s stern warning, Hidan remained nonchalant and casually carried his triple-bladed scythe as he left headquarters.

Kaneki, after receiving Sasori’s intel from White Zetsu, was about to follow Hidan out when Konan called out to him.

"Kaneki, wait a moment."

"Hmm? What can I do for you, Angel-sama?" Kaneki adjusted his glasses and, for once, made a joke.

Surprised, Konan smiled faintly. "I didn’t expect Kaneki-san to joke with me."

Kaneki shrugged. "I guess I must seem too serious most of the time."

Konan chuckled softly before turning serious. "I called you because I need your help with something."

"Go ahead," Kaneki replied.

Konan explained, "As you know, the weather in the Land of Rain is harsh, with constant downpours. Most of our food relies on imports. However, after the coup, neighboring countries have ceased exporting grain to us. Do you have any ideas?"

Kaneki was well aware of the Land of Rain’s weather conditions. Ordinary crops couldn’t survive in such an environment.

Without sufficient food, the populace would starve, leading to unrest and undermining Amegakure’s rule.

That’s why Konan turned to Kaneki, the organization’s resident scientist, for a solution.

While natural crops couldn’t thrive, it didn’t mean crops developed by Kaneki couldn’t.

"If that’s the issue, don’t worry. Lord Jashin has blessed us with a type of grain that can grow in the Land of Rain’s harsh conditions."

Kaneki seemed prepared as he produced a bag of seeds from the mouth on his palm.

Though they looked like ordinary rice seeds, Kaneki had genetically modified them with traits from aquatic plants, making them resistant to heavy rain and capable of thriving even with limited sunlight—perfect for the Land of Rain.

Konan breathed a sigh of relief. If Kaneki’s claims were true, it would bring much-needed stability to the region.

"And what’s your price, Kaneki-san?" Konan asked, knowing full well he wouldn’t hand over something so strategic for free.

Adjusting his glasses, Kaneki smiled. Dealing with smart people was always easier.

"I’d like to ask Nagato-san about how his Paths of Pain absorb ninjutsu."

This was what intrigued Kaneki most during Nagato’s battle with Hanzō.

He knew that most ninjutsu were derived from chakra, but the ability to absorb and convert them back into chakra was an entirely different matter.

As Konan hesitated, Pein interjected, "I’ll compile the principles and key points of ninjutsu absorption for you. But I must warn you, this method is only applicable to those with the Rinnegan."

Kaneki nodded. He didn’t expect to replicate the technique immediately, but understanding the principle behind it could pave the way for developing a similar method.

Even if he couldn’t succeed, the knowledge would deepen his understanding of ninjutsu and chakra.

Ultimately, the deal was a win-win for both Nagato and Kaneki.

"Well then, I’ll take my leave," Kaneki said with a slight bow.

(End of Chapter)  

*Chapter 110: This Pill (Bug) is Truly Amazing!*

The latest sensation in the Wind Country's Sunagakure is a newly opened trading guild named Red Spider Lily. Despite being operational for only half a month, it has caused an uproar throughout the village, becoming wildly popular among both civilians and shinobi.

The entrance is perpetually crowded, with people forming long queues that leave no room to pass.

Kawanishi, who had just arrived at the guild, overheard a few shinobi talking outside.

"I'm telling you, this guild’s rations pills are incredible! Not only do they significantly replenish chakra, but they also effectively heal injuries."

This statement was immediately echoed by others.

"Exactly! We’ve all been saying that carrying a few Red Spider Lily rations pills is like having a medic-nin on hand."

"And those are just the rations pills. Their Rejuvenation Pills are on another level! Last time, I was ambushed by a swarm of wind scorpions in the desert, and it was only thanks to their Rejuvenation Pill that I managed to survive."

"Don’t forget their weapons—absolute top-tier quality!"

Listening to the effusive praise from everyone around him, Kawanishi couldn’t help but feel puzzled. Where did this shop even come from, and could it really be as incredible as they claimed?

"My rations pills just ran out anyway. Let’s see what this place has to offer," Kawanishi muttered to himself, tugging on his gloves. Even in the heat of summer, he always wore gloves to shield his hands from the sun.

After waiting in line for over an hour, Kawanishi was finally allowed to enter the shop.

The owner of the shop appeared to be a man in his thirties. Dressed in a button-up shirt and wearing rectangular glasses, he exuded a refined and gentle demeanor.

"Welcome, sir! What can I help you with today?" the owner greeted warmly as Kawanishi stepped inside.

"Uh, it’s my first time here. Can I see your rations pills?" Kawanishi, seemingly a bit shy, fidgeted under the man’s friendly inquiry.

Adjusting his glasses, the owner gave a faint smile. "For rations pills, I recommend our Strength Pill. It effectively restores your chakra and contains Yang Release energy to promote rapid physical healing."

"A rations pill infused with Yang Release chakra?" Kawanishi was intrigued. Traditional rations pills were typically made from compressed food and medicinal herbs. They weren’t particularly tasty and had limited effects on chakra recovery.

However, the pill in front of him looked incredibly smooth, emanating a subtle, enticing fragrance. It resembled a ripe, luscious fruit that begged to be bitten into.

As the pill’s aroma wafted up to his nose, Kawanishi couldn’t help but swallow.

"How much is this pill?" he asked cautiously. While he was tempted, he didn’t want to embarrass himself by being unable to pay.

"The Strength Pill is priced at 5,000 ryo each," the owner replied with a kind smile, showing no signs of weariness despite tending to numerous customers.

"5,000 ryo, huh?" Kawanishi murmured. Although it was twice the price of regular rations pills, if the effects were as miraculous as others claimed, it might be worth it.

Noticing Kawanishi’s hesitation, the owner tactfully pointed to another selection.

"If you’d prefer something more affordable, we also have a standard version of rations pills for just 1,000 ryo each."

"No, I’ll take this one," Kawanishi decided, opting for the pricier option. His choice wasn’t about showing off; the cheaper pills simply lacked the alluring quality of the Strength Pill.

The owner’s smile grew even warmer. "How many would you like?"

Kawanishi hesitated again. To be honest, his finances weren’t in great shape.

Sensing his customer’s discomfort, the owner graciously offered, "How about trying one first? On the house."

"Thank you," Kawanishi said, glancing at the refined, bespectacled man. There was something oddly familiar about him, but Kawanishi couldn’t quite place it.

Setting his thoughts aside, he decided to focus on the pill.

Due to the steady influx of new customers, the owner couldn’t provide Kawanishi with continuous one-on-one service. He directed him to a corner table to sample the pill and finalize his decision before heading to the checkout.

Seated at the table, Kawanishi eagerly unwrapped the pill, his anticipation growing. Holding it delicately between his thumb and forefinger, he brought it to his mouth.

Not wanting to waste even a trace, he licked his fingers after popping the pill into his mouth.

As his teeth pierced the pill’s outer shell, a burst of flavors—reminiscent of fresh grass and ripe fruit—flooded his senses. The natural aroma filled his mouth, leaving a refreshing, invigorating sensation that spread to his mind.

Kawanishi felt his body come alive as the pill took effect. Chakra surged through his system, flowing continuously. The Yang Release chakra coursed along his pathways, mending even the slightest hidden injuries within him.

Though Kawanishi had no visible wounds, he experienced a comforting warmth, as if he were enveloped by a gentle ocean.

Just as he prepared to swallow the pill, a searing pain erupted from the cursed seal concealed beneath his gloves.

The idyllic scenery he imagined—blue skies and lush forests—was abruptly obliterated by an overwhelming swarm of grotesque insects, devouring everything in their path.

No! This wasn’t just an illusion!

Eyes wide, Kawanishi realized that inside the pill he’d bitten into, a plump, writhing bug was crawling out of the fissure.

It felt as though it had just hatched from an egg.

The revolting texture made him gag. Clutching his mouth, Kawanishi wanted to denounce the shop’s unscrupulous practices. However, glancing around, he noticed everyone else savoring their pills with delight and singing their praises.

His head spun, and he looked up with a pale face, locking eyes with the composed owner.

In that instant, the man’s image overlapped with someone buried deep in Kawanishi’s memories.

"The pill really is amazing," Kawanishi murmured, swallowing hard.

(End of Chapter)