Steel Rock Valley was located in the Land of Wind. Even at its edge, the valley still reached nearly forty degrees Celsius. Yet here, Nawaki felt a bone-deep chill. Several blades were pressed against him, and cold sweat instantly soaked his back. The short knife at his crotch made him summon all his willpower just to suppress the urge to piss all over the opposing jōnin's face!
Feeling the undisguised killing intent released by the three jōnin around him, Nawaki gave them a smile uglier than a sob.
"Misunderstanding! I'm from Konoha too!"
"Hm? Nawaki? Zhou Duan?"
Only then did the bloodlust in the three jōnin's eyes begin to fade. The hoarse-voiced jōnin glanced at Zhou Duan, the famous potion-crazed man standing beside Nawaki, then at Nawaki's expression, which looked as though he was about to wet himself. His mouth twitched, and he kicked Nawaki in the backside.
"Get lost, kid. Next time you head out, remember to bring the brain you left at home!"
The three jōnin put away their weapons and left. Before Nawaki could do anything, Zhou Duan, looking utterly helpless, grabbed him by the scruff and hurried toward a spot inside the valley.
"Hey, Zhou Duan, I—"
Only after Zhou Duan dragged him away did Nawaki finally come to his senses. The three jōnin had unleashed their killing intent without hesitation against a genin. It had been downright terrifying. The only reason Nawaki had gotten through it so quickly was his thick-skinned brain.
"Is it really that bad? I only shouted once. Those three jōnin didn't have to take it so seriously, did they?"
"They didn't have to take it seriously? You're lucky they didn't cut you down!"
Zhou Duan gave Nawaki a shake, then discreetly pointed toward several other ninjas nearby who had just put away their weapons.
"Battlefield syndrome. Ever heard of it? These ninjas just came back from the battlefield. They're jumpy, and even the slightest careless movement from someone close to them might trigger their killing intent. And that's not even mentioning your little 'massacre'!
"The fact that they didn't kill you on the spot means they showed remarkable restraint. And I'm telling you, the only reason just three jōnin came after you was that the others couldn't get through. Otherwise, a whole crowd would've wanted to chop you up!"
"Well, I only wanted to let my feelings out. I didn't expect things to turn out like this..."
Hearing what a stir he'd caused, Nawaki spoke awkwardly.
"Besides, it was my first time here. How was I supposed to know?"
"How were you supposed to know? Heh!"
Hundred Palms, walking behind Zhou Duan, couldn't even be bothered to complain. He simply recited a passage:
"Wartime Ninja Code, Article Six: At locations such as bases and operations command centers, ninjas who have just returned from battle may be on a killing spree. Therefore, unless a combat briefing is underway, loud noise is strictly forbidden to prevent unnecessary losses!"
"Cough... Hundred Palms, you know my theoretical scores have always been bad!"
Nawaki's face reddened for once, and he immediately changed the subject.
"Hey, Zhou Duan, where are you taking me?"
"Records office!"
Zhou Duan led the group to a mud-brick building inscribed with the words "Battlefield Records Office." It had been formed with Earth Release and was enormous. People came and went, constantly discussing things with their companions. Zhou Duan didn't waste time; he pulled Nawaki straight inside. Most people had apparently already been registered, so there was only one group of ninjas ahead of them, just finishing up their paperwork.
"Hello. We're the Fifth Squad of the Sixth Supply Team. We were attacked by Sand ninjas on the way here, and Lord Orochimaru told us to come straight here!"
As soon as the group ahead of them left, Zhou Duan stepped forward. The person handling registrations was a chūnin. He wore his Konoha Forehead Protector around his neck, partly covering the gruesome scar there. His voice had an unpleasant rasp to it.
"Names!"
"I'm Hatake Shudan. The blond one is Namikaze Minato, the one with the Byakugan is Hyuga Hyakusho, and the last is Senju Nawaki."
"Though there's no point asking, it's part of the process..."
The registering chūnin lowered his head and began writing down the four names.
"You encountered Sand ninjas. Did you kill or seriously injure any of them, or take part in killing or seriously injuring any?"
"We killed three chūnin and six genin!"
Zhou Duan answered calmly.
"Our squad killed them all on our own. We weren't strong enough to take chances, so we left no survivors!"
"Hm?"
The ninja handling the registration looked up at Zhou Duan in surprise.
"Three chūnin and six genin, all killed by your squad alone? You're only four genin. How did you manage that?"
"Do you even have to ask?"
Zhou Duan replied evenly.
"Of course we won through our belief that no matter how powerful our enemies were, we could defeat them in battle!"
The room immediately fell silent. Nawaki's eyes nearly popped out of his head, and he pointed excitedly at Zhou Duan. Before he could say anything, though, Zhou Duan stepped on his foot, leaving him in too much pain to speak.
"Ahem... ahem!"
The registering chūnin choked and started coughing. He'd been surprised and accidentally asked Zhou Duan how they had defeated powerful opponents—a major taboo. The secret to overcoming stronger foes was one of the most closely guarded ninja secrets. He regretted asking, and had prepared himself to hear the words "No comment." But he never expected Zhou Duan to say something like that. His emotions flaring, the chūnin felt as though the wound in his throat might split open again!
"Enough!"
The registering ninja steadied himself before speaking again.
"Since you killed so many Sand ninjas, show me the evidence. You haven't forgotten that you're supposed to collect proof from the enemies you kill, have you?"
"Of course not!"
Zhou Duan deftly took out a scroll and set it on the table. But before he could undo its seal, Nawaki leaned in, impatient.
"Hey, Zhou Duan, we've been together these past few days. How come I never saw you collect proof from the dead ninjas? Come on, let me see! Let me see!"
"Are you sure?"
Zhou Duan gave him a playful smile.
"This isn't exactly pleasant. It could leave you traumatized!"
"Don't worry!"
Nawaki patted his chest, unconcerned.
"I've always been pretty brave!"
"All right. If you insist!"
Zhou Duan formed hand seals and undid the Sealing Scroll. As the white smoke cleared, nine Sand ninja heads appeared in a circle at Nawaki's feet, gazing up at him as if admiring the stars. Their empty eyes stared fixedly at Nawaki!
Nawaki: "...MMP!"
Before you continue