Looking Up at the Starry Sky

The Steel Rock Valley is located within the Land of Wind. Even though it's on the border of the Land of Wind, the valley still experiences temperatures close to 40 degrees Celsius. However, standing there, Nawaki felt a bone-chilling cold. Several blades pressed against him, instantly soaking his back with cold sweat. A short sword at his crotch made Nawaki use all his strength to suppress the urge to urinate on the Jonin's face!

Sensing the undisguised killing intent emanating from the three Jonin around him, Nawaki forced a smile that looked worse than crying.

"A misunderstanding, I'm from Konoha too!"

"Hmm? Nawaki? Zhou Duan?"

Only then did the bloodlust in the three Jonin's eyes gradually fade. The Jonin with the hoarse voice glanced at the well-known "Potion Maniac" Zhou Duan beside Nawaki, then at Nawaki's expression, which looked like he was about to wet himself. The corner of his mouth twitched uncontrollably before he kicked Nawaki in the backside.

"Get lost, kid. Next time you go out, remember to bring the brain you left at home!"

The three Jonin sheathed their weapons and left. Before Nawaki could react, Zhou Duan, with a helpless expression, grabbed Nawaki by the scruff of his neck and quickly walked towards the interior of the valley!

"Hey, Zhou Duan..."

Nawaki only came to his senses after Zhou Duan started dragging him along. The fact that three Jonin had unhesitatingly directed their killing intent at a Genin was terrifying. Nawaki's quick recovery was thanks to his thick-skinned brain.

"Was it that scary? I just yelled, surely these three Jonin weren't that serious, right?"

"Not that serious? You should be grateful they didn't chop you up!"

Zhou Duan shook Nawaki and subtly pointed to a few other ninjas not far away who had just put away their weapons.

"Battlefield Syndrome, ever heard of it? These ninjas just came off the battlefield. They're jumpy. Even the closest person could unintentionally provoke their killing intent with a careless move, let alone your 'loud outburst'! It's already quite restrained that they didn't kill you on the spot. And I'm telling you responsibly, the reason only three Jonin dealt with you is because the others couldn't get involved, they were too crowded. Otherwise, a whole group would have wanted to chop you up!"

"Well, I just wanted to express my feelings. I didn't expect it to turn out like this..."

Hearing the impact of his actions, Nawaki said awkwardly, "Besides, who would know these things on their first visit here!"

"Who would know these things? Heh!"

Hyakusho, walking behind Zhou Duan, couldn't even be bothered to retort. He directly recited:

"Rules for the Ninja War period, Article 6: In strongholds, command centers, etc., due to ninjas who have just come off the battlefield and are in a blood frenzy, loud noises are strictly prohibited unless it's a combat mobilization, to avoid unnecessary losses!"

"Cough... Hyakusho, you know my theoretical scores have always been poor!"

Nawaki blushed, which was rare for him, and immediately changed the subject. "Hey? Zhou Duan, where are you dragging me?"

"The statistics office!"

Zhou Duan led the group to the door of a mud house carved with "Battlefield Statistics Office." The mud house, condensed using Earth Release, was quite large. People were coming and going, constantly discussing something with their companions. Zhou Duan didn't waste any words and directly pulled Nawaki inside. Since most personnel had likely already been processed, there was only a queue of ninjas who had just completed their registration in front of the person in charge of statistics.

"Hello, we are from the Sixth Supply Team, Fifth Squad. We were attacked by Sand Ninja on the way, so Lord Orochimaru told us to come straight here."

As the previous group of ninjas left, Zhou Duan walked over. The person in charge of registration was a ninja with Chunin-level strength. His Konoha forehead protector was worn around his neck, slightly covering a gruesome scar there. His voice was uncomfortably hoarse.

"Name!"

"I am Hatake Shudan. The blonde one is Namikaze Minato, the one with the Byakugan is Hyuga Hyakusho, and the last one is Senju Nawaki."

"Although it's pointless to ask, it's still part of the procedure..."

The registering Chunin lowered his head and began to write down the names of Zhou Duan and the other three.

"You encountered Sand Ninja. Did you kill or seriously injure any, or participate in killing or seriously injuring any Sand Ninja?"

"Killed three Chunin and six Genin!"

Zhou Duan replied calmly. "All were killed independently by our squad. Because our strength isn't high, we didn't leave any survivors, just in case!"

"Hmm?"

The registering ninja looked up at Zhou Duan in surprise. "Three Chunin and six Genin, killed independently by your squad? You guys are just four Genin, right? How did you do it?"

"Do you even need to ask?"

Zhou Duan said calmly. "Of course, we won by relying on the belief that we can defeat any enemy, no matter how powerful!"

As soon as he said this, the room fell silent. Nawaki's eyes widened, and he excitedly pointed at Zhou Duan. However, before he could say anything, Zhou Duan stepped on Nawaki's foot, causing him so much pain that he couldn't speak!

"Cough... cough!"

The registering Chunin couldn't catch his breath and started coughing. Although in his surprise, he had carelessly asked Zhou Duan how he defeated powerful opponents, which was a taboo. Although the secret to defeating stronger opponents with weaker means was a closely guarded ninja secret, and although he regretted asking the question and was prepared to hear "no comment," he never expected Zhou Duan to say such a thing. In his emotional state, the registering Chunin felt the wound on his throat was in danger of reopening!

"Alright!"

The registering ninja calmed himself down and spoke again. "Since you killed so many Sand Ninja, bring out the evidence. You haven't forgotten to collect evidence from the enemies you killed, have you?"

"Of course!"

Zhou Duan nimbly took out a scroll and placed it on the table. However, before Zhou Duan could unseal the scroll, Nawaki eagerly leaned over.

"Hey Zhou Duan, we've been together all these days, how come I didn't see you collecting evidence from dead ninjas? Hey, let me see first, let me see!"

"Are you sure?"

Zhou Duan flashed a playful smile:

"This isn't anything good; it'll easily leave you with psychological scars!"

"Don't worry!"

Nawaki patted his chest dismissively:

"I've always been very brave!"

"Alright, if you insist!"

Zhou Duan formed hand seals, unsealed the Sealing Scroll, and as a cloud of white smoke dissipated, nine Sand Ninja heads immediately appeared in a circle at Nawaki's feet. They were positioned as if gazing at the stars, their vacant eyes staring intently at Nawaki!

Nawaki: "...Damn it!"