The Traitor Ninja's End

"That's truly incredible news."

Betraying the Leaf Village during its strongest period. Karot couldn't understand it; his brain must be rusting.

"The reason for the betrayal is unknown, but he may be carrying important information. We absolutely cannot let him leave the Land of Fire."

Matsushita Hokuto gave the order.

"Understood."

"According to the intelligence, the rogue ninja is heading towards the border of the Land of Earth, so he might be defecting to the Stone Ninja."

"We not only need to be wary of the rogue Jonin but also guard against any Stone Ninja who might come to support him."

The group slowed their pace, or rather, became more cautious. After all, it wasn't easy for a Jonin to hide themselves effectively. With the enemy hidden and us exposed, the roles of hunter and prey could change at any moment. No amount of caution would be too much.

After searching for nearly four hours with no success, the team's vigilance began to wane. Just then, Karot stopped in his tracks, sensing someone with considerable strength rapidly approaching their direction.

"What's wrong, Karot?"

Seeing Karot halt, Matsushita Hokuto asked. He knew his student's capabilities well.

Karot relayed what he had sensed to Matsushita.

"No need to search anymore. The target might be coming towards us."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure."

"Good. Everyone, conceal yourselves and set up traps around the area. We'll catch him in a pincer movement."

Matsushita Hokuto then instructed Karot to protect Sanada and Kazumi while he himself dealt with the rogue ninja.

Explosive tags, kunai traps – these were the basics for any ninja. Unfortunately, Karot hadn't learned any of them.

About ten minutes later, a figure appeared within their sight. Rushing forward in his haste, the rogue ninja charged straight into the trap. Instantly, sparks flew, and the previously flat ground erupted into a pit fifty meters wide and five meters deep.

A Jonin is a Jonin, after all. His reaction speed was incredible. The moment he realized it was a trap, he used the versatile Substitution Technique, and he was instantly outside the trap's blast radius.

"Come out."

Having successfully dodged the ambush, he didn't know where his attackers were, but he had a persistent feeling of being watched.

At this moment, Matsushita emerged from behind a tree.

"Watanabe, why is it you?"

Matsushita Hokuto clearly recognized the man, and his expression suggested their connection ran deeper than mere acquaintance.

"I didn't expect to be stopped by you."

The other man looked conflicted.

"Why did you betray the Leaf Village? This is our home, Watanabe."

Matsushita Hokuto's voice was filled with sorrow. Matsushita Hokuto and Watanabe had graduated from the Ninja Academy together. They were good friends back then, and he never imagined they would end up facing each other on the battlefield.

"Betrayal? What betrayal? I've always been a Stone Ninja. What betrayal of the Leaf Village are you talking about?"

"Do you know, Matsushita? You're just too naive. In this cruel world, we don't have a choice."

Watanabe said with a hint of madness in his voice.

Torn between friendship and his village, Matsushita had no choice either. He drew his kunai.

"You're not leaving today."

"Killing you will be enough."

The great battle was about to begin.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique."

Matsushita weaved hand signs as he charged, unleashing a massive fireball directly at Watanabe.

"Earth Style: Mud Wall."

Watanabe reacted just as quickly, forming an earthen wall instantly. It successfully blocked the massive fireball. The two collided with a loud "boom," and the mud wall was instantly shattered into dust. A cloud of thick dust billowed outwards. Matsushita immediately charged into the dust, and the sounds of clashing kunai and sparks could be heard.

Then, both men were seen flying out of the dust cloud.

"Not bad, Matsushita. Your strength has improved so quickly."

"You too."

Both praised each other's skills, but their attacks were relentless.

Matsushita advanced while attacking, while Watanabe retreated while defending. Their strength was initially evenly matched, but Watanabe's long journey had taken a toll, weakening him. Matsushita, on the other hand, was well-rested. With one's strength waning and the other's peaking, Matsushita gained the upper hand.

"Amazing."

Sanada, watching from the sidelines, exclaimed. He could barely make out the two blurred figures clashing with each other, thanks to the Hyuga clan's Byakugan. Miwako, however, couldn't see anything at all.

"Karot, can you see them?"

Sanada was preparing to show off his Byakugan, intending to put Karot in his place.

Karot never disappointed when it came to dealing with such blatant attempts to show off.

"I can see."

"You… what did you say? You can see?"

Sanada couldn't believe it.

Karot shrugged in affirmation.

"Don't you need to be able to see with your eyes? You can't, can you?"

Sanada opened his mouth to speak, but was defeated.

"Matsushita, give me a way out, won't you?"

As time passed, Watanabe inevitably grew anxious. The Leaf Village's pursuit teams weren't limited to this one; if they were delayed too long, they might not be able to escape.

"Impossible."

"I won't let any ninja who poses a threat to the Leaf Village go."

Matsushita said resolutely.

"If that's the case, then don't blame me for being impolite."

After Watanabe spoke, his movements clearly quickened. Originally, the two were evenly matched, but now he was overwhelming Matsushita. He was buying time. Matsushita also understood his intention and sought only to wear him down to win. He didn't ask Karot for help; he wanted to send his friend off himself.

"Watanabe, surrender! Come back with me, and I'll plead with the Hokage. He'll spare your life."

Matsushita said while fighting back, trying to make Watanabe turn back and still have a way to live.

"Hahaha, Matsushita, you didn't believe me when I said you were naive. I'm just a pawn who's crossed the river; there's no turning back. So, Matsushita, for the sake of our friendship, please let me pass."

Watanabe pleaded.

"It's impossible, Watanabe. You know the fate of a ninja who betrays their village."

"Since we can't talk it out, then we'll settle this with our hands."

Returning to the most primitive form of killing, their figures constantly shifted positions. Where they passed, trees fell and the ground caved in. Ninjutsu was unleashed as if it were free. One fought desperately for survival, while the other struggled to intercept him.

Both sides had exhausted their stamina. Watanabe seemed to sense something, and his expression turned grim. One rejoiced, the other grieved, each with their own sorrows. Sensing reinforcements were approaching, several sources of chakra rushed toward them.

"Sigh, Matsushita, I didn't want to kill you. Why couldn't you just listen to my advice?"

With that, Watanabe charged directly at Matsushita. Just as their kunai were about to connect, Watanabe lunged forward. Matsushita couldn't stop his hand in time, and the entire kunai pierced Watanabe's chest.

"Why?"

Matsushita asked as he held Watanabe, who was about to fall.

Blood flowed uncontrollably from Watanabe's mouth as he smiled and said.

"I can't escape anymore. The only choice I had was who I would die by."

"Fortunately, I met you in the end, Matsushita."

"Why is it like this?"

Matsushita shouted hoarsely. Killing his best friend with his own hands, the pain in his heart was indescribable.

"Ugh, ugh."

"I thought I'd never be activated in this life, just living like this in the Leaf Village. This damned war."

Watanabe's voice grew weaker and weaker.

"Don't come looking for me too soon, Matsushita. Forgive me, my friend."

After saying his last words, Watanabe breathed his last.

"Watanabe."

Matsushita shouted.