057 Reborn as the Third Kazekage

"Light Release: Orb of Illumination!"

A small sphere of light slowly floated out from Kiyomi's hands before suddenly shooting into the sky. It was like a miniature sun, casting its glow over the surrounding area.

"Seventeen minutes have passed since the signal was supposed to be lit. The sounds of battle earlier were intense. Looks like Hideki's team ran into serious trouble. Let's move quickly."

As the light orb ascended higher, it illuminated the forest, breaking through the canopy and revealing a chaotic battlefield. When Kiyomi and his team emerged from the trees into a clearing, they were met with a shocking sight.

The ground was in complete disarray. Seven or eight bodies lay scattered, their fates unknown. Broken puppet limbs, shattered kunai, fractured ninja blades, and pools of water were strewn across the battlefield.

A tall, slender shinobi leaped into the air, gripping a sword in a reverse grip. His body curled midair, building momentum like a tiger pouncing down from the mountain—his blade aimed directly below!

Beneath him stood Akasuna Hideki, battered and bleeding. She struggled to control her damaged puppet, "Horse Face," which was missing limbs, as she desperately shielded the fallen Daichi and Suzuya, whose conditions were unknown.

Damn it! Just one step away!

Kiyomi's mind raced. He was too far to intervene in time, and with Hideki already at her limit, there was no way her broken puppet could withstand such a powerful strike.

Just then, a small figure dashed in from the side, fearlessly charging against the incoming blade—Hidan, wielding his three-bladed scythe in reverse grip!

He was throwing himself into a fight to the death!

Clang!

Sparks flew as Hidan's scythe clashed against Shimizu Reno's sword.

However, he was no match in raw strength. Reno flicked his wrist, using a precise technique to disarm Hidan, sending the scythe flying.

The attack that should have been a clean kill had been interrupted by this reckless brat. Annoyed, Reno followed through and drove his sword straight into Hidan's chest—up to the hilt!

The two figures merged into one as the blade sank deep. Reno sneered at the kid in front of him, already preparing to yank the sword free and continue his assault on Hideki.

But then, he realized something was wrong.

Hidan's hand clamped down tightly on his wrist, preventing him from pulling out the sword. And the boy… was smiling at him.

Schlk!

A slender spear pierced through Reno's throat in an instant!

Both shinobi crashed to the ground, sending up a cloud of dust and torn grass.

Reno's body convulsed violently, his life draining away with every spurt of blood from his neck. A single thought echoed in his mind:

Since when did Sunagakure's brats become this ruthless…?

"Hidan!" Hideki screamed, running toward the fallen boy like a madwoman.

—

Konoha-Sunagakure Allied Forces Field Hospital

"Everyone, out. Don't worry, he's not going to die with me here."

Arashi smiled as he shooed the group out of the tent.

Looking at Hidan, lying motionless on the stretcher, Arashi let out a sigh.

The boy's face was pale—no surprise, given the blood loss. His torso was wrapped tightly in bandages, and the sword was still embedded in his chest. The medics who initially treated him must have feared causing excessive bleeding and had left it untouched.

In fact, they had even cut a hole into the stretcher to prevent the sword from pressing against the wound. Hidan's breathing was calm, as if he were merely asleep. (Which, in truth, he was.)

Arashi pulled out a short knife, eyed the situation carefully—then reached out and grabbed an apple from the table. He sat down on a stool and began peeling it with practiced ease.

The rhythmic sound of peeling must have disturbed Hidan, because moments later, his eyes fluttered open.

"I… I'm alive? Wait—Sensei! Ah!"

He tried to sit up too quickly, and the sword, lodged firmly in the stretcher hole, yanked against his wound, sending a sharp wave of pain through his body.

"Damn it, damn it, I forgot about that. Alright, lie back down slowly."

Hidan obeyed, his eyes locked onto the sword hilt protruding from his chest.

"Here, take this."

Arashi handed him a freshly peeled apple, which Hidan took absentmindedly.

"Don't look. And—there we go!"

With a sharp yank, Arashi pulled the sword free in one swift motion.

"AARGH!" Hidan let out a delayed scream. The shock made him clench his fist, crushing the apple into pulp.

"Tsk, wasting food. Stop whining, it's almost done."

Arashi tossed the bloodied sword aside and pulled out a pouch of medicinal powder. Tearing it open, he sprinkled the contents evenly over Hidan's wound.

"Tch!" Hidan hissed at the sting.

"Hmm… The new batch of hemostatic powder from Lake Tsuki's region is quite effective. Not bad."

Before their eyes, the bleeding slowed and then stopped entirely.

"No water on the wound for the next few days. Let it scab over before you wash up. I'll have the medics bring you some chicken soup—you'll be back on your feet in less than two weeks."

"Sensei…"

"Now, let's talk about what the hell you were thinking! Opening five gates in one go? Trading lives with some nobody? What exactly is Hideki teaching you?! Use your damn head! A shadow clone first—"

Arashi was mid-lecture when Hidan raised a hand to stop him.

"Sensei, we can talk about that later. First… this."

He gestured at his chest, where the wound had already stopped bleeding.

"You've noticed it too, huh?" Arashi's voice lost its usual teasing tone, turning serious.

"Yeah… I've had suspicions during training, but this time… I'm sure."

"You're right. You're different."

Arashi didn't sugarcoat it, nor did he lie.

"Then… what am I?"

Hidan's expression was lost, uncertain.

Great, Arashi thought. Just what I need. A kid on the verge of an identity crisis. And considering his willingness to die in battle, I can't afford to let him go down the wrong path.

"Tell me, do you remember your life before I took you in?"

Hidan scratched his head. "Some of it… Some of it's fuzzy."

Makes sense. The trauma from his time in Jashin cult must have been too much for his young mind to handle. A self-preservation mechanism, blocking out the worst memories.

Kid was kidnapped at seven or eight, spent over a year in hell, then rescued and trained in Sunagakure for the past two years. He's what, eleven or twelve now?

"It's time you learned the truth. Hidan, you—"

"Sensei, don't."

Arashi blinked. "Huh?"

"I know I'm an orphan, but I remember my parents. People in my village always said I looked exactly like my dad. And my mom… she was known as an honest woman. So whatever you're about to say, I know for a fact you're not my real father."

"The hell?! Of course I'm not your father! I don't even know your mother!"

Arashi smacked Hidan over the head. "And stop reading romance novels! I swear, that garbage is rotting your brain. And if you interrupt me one more time, I'll put that sword right back where I found it."

"…Got it."

Rubbing his head, Hidan watched as Arashi pulled a half-black scroll from his robes.