Chunin's Compensation

Seeing the corpse of the Water Bat cut in half, Umino Sasuke felt a surge of fear, but his mind immediately began to race. This was a prime opportunity to gain sympathy and showcase the Will of Fire.

Moreover, it was a chance to further solidify his persona, so Umino Sasuke immediately put on an act.

"Little Strong! Little Strong, what's wrong, Little Strong?"

Umino Sasuke quickly channeled Chakra to his eyes, stimulating his tear ducts, and began to cry with all his might. "Little Strong, you can't die! We've relied on each other, sharing joys and sorrows for so many years. I raised you like my own child, and now, to think that an elder must send off a younger one..."

Umino Sasuke knelt on the ground, burying his head and hugging the Water Bat's corpse, looking utterly grief-stricken.

In reality, although this Water Bat had been with him the longest, it was merely the most durable among his many Water Bats. If it hadn't had strong poison resistance, it would have been ruined long ago by his constant experimentation.

Raising it like a child? What parent feeds their child poison daily and treats them as an experimental subject?

"Alas, this is the fate of a ninja."

The Konoha Ninja present, except for Sarutobi Kagejiro, felt a sense of shared melancholy. However, none were overly saddened, as it was clear such events were commonplace.

After experiencing similar things a few more times, one would get used to it.

Still, a ninja like Umino Sasuke, who was so loyal and possessed such a strong Will of Fire, must still be very sad even after seeing so much of this, right?

Damn Sand Ninja, those bandits should go to hell.

"Senior, the deceased is gone. Please don't be too sad."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke, acting like a little adult, patted Umino Sasuke's shoulder and continued to comfort him. "Senior, the village received a batch of Sand Falcons from the Land of Wind, and many even have the bloodline of high-level summoning beasts. I'll find a way to get you one."

"Really?" Umino Sasuke looked at Sarutobi Shinnosuke with his exaggeratedly red, tear-filled eyes, his expression a mix of sorrow and hope.

As everyone knew, the Ninja World was vast, and low to mid-level summoning beasts were common. However, high-level summoning beasts that could be tamed were extremely rare, each one a treasure.

Wild high-level summoning beasts were highly intelligent, some even capable of understanding human speech, with intelligence comparable to humans. They were generally untamable, and without overwhelming strength, it was impossible to subdue them.

Tamed non-wild high-level summoning beasts naturally became highly sought after.

And flying high-level summoning beasts like Sand Falcons were the cream of the crop.

Later, Uchiha Sasuke, after obtaining a summoning beast from one of the three great sages, Ryūchi Cave, also contracted a giant eagle, which showed the value of flying high-level summoning beasts.

"It's true."

Akimichi Toribo, a Jonin in this war zone, possessed more accurate internal information. Not long ago, a young man named Hatake Sakumo had destroyed a Sand Hidden Ninja Beast Breeding Base and obtained many Sand Falcon chicks unique to Sunagakure.

They were currently stored in the Logistics Department and were listed under high-level item exchanges.

One could be exchanged for just 5 B-rank mission contribution points.

However, given Umino Sasuke's status, with the usual practices of the Logistics Department, he would definitely not be eligible for exchange. Now that Shinnosuke brought it up, the Logistics Department wouldn't dare to make things difficult and would gladly do Shinnosuke a favor.

This ambush of the Sand Ninja would earn at least an A-rank mission contribution, more than enough to exchange for a Sand Falcon chick.

However, he didn't recommend Umino Sasuke exchange for a Sand Falcon. Shinnosuke, after all, lacked ninja experience. Primarily considering emotional factors, exchanging for ninjutsu or weapon supplies would be much more practical.

The growth period for a Sand Falcon was not short. With the Ninja Wars ongoing, by the time the Sand Falcon grew up, the war might have been over for several years.

Seeing Umino Sasuke's sadness, Akimichi Toribo didn't directly point out the impracticality, planning to remind him later.

Seeing Umino Sasuke's excessive grief, the Konoha Ninja let him have his space, while they quickly cleaned up the battlefield.

After assigning tasks to each member, Akimichi Toribo pulled Shinnosuke aside and gave him some instructions. Before leaving, he added, "Shinnosuke, when you submit the mission, report the casualties of the Water Bat summoning beast as if it were a Chunin-level companion, and have the survivor's benefits signed under Umino Sasuke's name."

It was customary to provide survivor's benefits for the death of a summoning beast. However, this was usually only for the Inuzuka Clan and a few ninjas with strong backgrounds. Ordinary low to mid-level ninjas didn't have this benefit.

Umino Sasuke was currently his capable subordinate, and getting some benefits for his own people wouldn't be too much of a rule-breaking.

As for the summoning beast's rank, Umino Sasuke was a Chunin, and it was reasonable for him to have a Chunin-level summoning beast, right?

If other Chunin dared to report the death of a Jonin-level summoning beast, it wasn't excessive for his capable subordinate to report a Chunin-level one, right?

Moreover, with Shinnosuke reporting it, who would object?

The village provided substantial survivor benefits for Chunin casualties, which could help Umino Sasuke recoup some losses.

"Understood!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke nodded heavily, indicating he wouldn't forget.

Clearly, Sarutobi Shinnosuke's ninja experience needed to be accumulated. He only had a vague understanding of the Water Bat's rank, but he had considerable experience in the ninja management system and was clear about the reporting procedures for the death of a summoning beast.

"Let's go."

Gekko Yoru nodded at Umino Sasuke, then carried Hyuga Asuka on his back and flew away with Sarutobi Shinnosuke.

"Senior, I'm leaving! I definitely won't forget your Sand Falcon."

Sarutobi Shinnosuke leaped from giant tree to giant tree, disappearing in a few bounds, but his voice continued to echo through the forest.

At the same time, Akimichi Toribo exchanged a glance with Maruboshi Kosuke not far away. Maruboshi Kosuke understood, secretly formed hand seals, left behind a shadow clone, and followed Sarutobi Shinnosuke with his main body.

"Lord Toribo, I still need to patrol the defense sector and prevent the Sand Ninja from breaking through. I'll be heading back now."

Seeing that the battlefield had been cleared and Sarutobi Shinnosuke and the others had left, Umino Sasuke quickly bid farewell to Akimichi Toribo. He didn't even have time to build rapport with the shadow clone of the strongest Genin, Maruboshi Kosuke, before he rushed off with Tejudo and the other two towards his defense sector.

"What a trustworthy subordinate."

Akimichi Toribo nodded, clearly very satisfied with Umino Sasuke's dedication and diligence. He then instructed Aburame Shibi beside him, "Shibi, keep an eye on Sasuke. Their weapon supplies are depleted, and their combat power has basically hit rock bottom. Don't let the Sand Ninja exploit this."

"Mhm." Aburame Shibi, wearing small sunglasses and covering himself completely, nodded without any presence, indicating he had heard.