A Truly Good Person

"Next, these are your gifts from your teacher. Remember to practice diligently. Don't worry, they're all spoils of war, and I have the right to dispose of them as I see fit. It doesn't violate the village rules."

After leaving the bustling barbecue restaurant, Genma Shiranui watched the four kids getting ready to say goodbye. A toothpick dangled from the corner of his mouth as he casually tossed them three small scrolls.

The three happily accepted their respective ninjutsu scrolls and thanked Teacher Genma before waving goodbye.

Watching them look so happy, Genma couldn't help smiling. He glanced at the moon. It was getting late, and he should head home and get some rest. He had to get up early tomorrow to pick out a suitable mission, or everyone else would snatch up the good ones.

Just as Genma was thinking this, he suddenly felt a tight grip around his neck. A familiar voice rang in his ear. "Genma, you're here too! Perfect. We've all been busy lately, so the three of us should get together today. We're not leaving until we're drunk!"

"Raidō, I already ate. I have things to do tomorrow."

But Genma's words had no effect. In a foul mood, Namiashi Raidō and Tatami Iwashi dragged him back into the barbecue restaurant, forcing him to start a second round of eating.

It looked like he wouldn't be able to get up early tomorrow after all.

"Senba, Yue, I don't think we've ever officially taken an out-of-village mission, aside from helping transport supplies to the front lines."

Walking through the cold night, Iruka nudged a pebble with his foot and looked at his companions. Senba was carrying the sleeping Uchiha Izumi on his back. Hearing Iruka, he nodded.

"That's right. The three of us have only ever done D-rank missions, and those usually don't require us to leave the village. The day after tomorrow is when we officially take a C-rank mission. We might get hurt, or even injured badly. Are you scared, Iruka?"

"Huh?" Senba's words made Iruka pause. Only then did it occur to him that he'd never actually seen blood. Anxiety began to creep into his heart.

"Don't worry, Iruka." Uchiha Yue draped her coat over her little sister to keep her warm before reassuring him. "Most C-rank missions involve ordinary people who can't use ninjutsu. Nothing will happen. Besides, Senba and I will protect you."

Yue's reassurance eased Iruka's worries a little, but he soon noticed the mischievous grin on Senba's face.

Realizing he'd been tricked, Iruka reached out to grab Senba. With Uchiha Izumi on his back, Senba could only laugh and run, with the playfully chasing Iruka and Uchiha Yue following behind.

Their cheerful laughter echoed for a long time along the road leading to the Uchiha Clan.

Yakushi Kabuto hid in a narrow alley. The cold wind brushed his collar, making him tighten his warm clothes. With winter fast approaching, many people had already hurried home to their cozy rooms. He was still standing here for one reason: he had to meet someone today, or he'd never get another chance.

Tomorrow, he would be returning to hell, where he would live on without a name.

It wasn't until the moon was high overhead that Yakushi Kabuto finally saw his target. The faint aroma of roasted corn drifted over at the same time.

One step in Senba's Strength Technique was similar to the Akimichi Clan's secret fat-storage technique. It allowed him to store energy from food and draw on it when needed, though there was a limit.

Put simply, Senba could eat a huge amount in one sitting, then go several days without eating while carrying on with his usual activities. That was why he ate and drank so much whenever he had the chance. Tsunade's Yin Seal had probably borrowed from this technique as well.

"Isn't it hard to sleep after eating so much this late, Senba?"

Senba, who was chewing on roasted corn, looked at Yakushi Kabuto standing in the shadows. Through his reflective lenses, he saw that Kabuto was no longer wearing his usual fake smile. He was watching Senba with a blank expression.

"Crunch, crunch."

Senba carefully finished the roasted corn in his hand and casually tossed it toward a distant trash can. Just as Yakushi Kabuto thought he was about to speak, Senba pulled another roasted corn cob from the brown paper bag in his hand and started chewing. He didn't seem the least bit curious about why Kabuto had appeared here.

Though Yakushi Kabuto remained expressionless, his breathing had grown noticeably heavier.

"Senba, I've come to ask you for help. Please forgive me for approaching you so abruptly. I simply have no other choice. You're the only person in the village who can help me."

"In return, if you ever need anything from me, I'll do whatever you ask."

Hearing the trace of pleading in Yakushi Kabuto's voice, Senba didn't stay silent this time. Still chewing corn, he asked indistinctly:

"How do you know I'll help you? We're not exactly close. Honestly, if I'd known this would happen, I definitely wouldn't have given you my lunch box back then."

At that, Yakushi Kabuto finally smiled with relief. Looking Senba straight in the eye, he said each word deliberately:

"No, you would. Even if it happened all over again, you'd still give your lunch to those children. Because you, Senba, are a truly good person."

"Crack!"

Feeling as if he'd just been insulted, Senba tossed aside the half-eaten corn cob. Looking at Yakushi Kabuto's sincere expression, he couldn't help thinking about what the guy would do in the future. He was practically an inspiring example for ordinary people.

Ten minutes later, Yakushi Kabuto had vanished without a trace, leaving Senba staring at two photographs in his hand, lost in thought. The guy had actually asked him to investigate this matter. Was Yakushi Kabuto really so quick to trust an outsider?

One photo showed Yakushi Kabuto as he was now. In the other was a kind-faced woman with brown hair covered by a white headscarf. Behind the round glasses on her nose were emerald-green eyes, bright and gentle.

Yakushi Nonō, the former head of Konoha's orphanage and the person Yakushi Kabuto regarded as his mother. That guy really thought highly of him.

Still, Senba casually put the photos away. He hadn't promised to see the matter through, after all. He could deal with it later. If he succeeded, the two of them could become powerful allies in the future.

Patting his stomach, which had returned to its usual flatness, Senba shook his head and headed home. Danzo had it easy, too. He had no great ambitions and no hidden sorrows. He was just plain evil, which was rare even in the Naruto world.

Pure, self-righteous evil.

Illusion Technique, Mind Reflection Technique, a C-rank genjutsu from Kirigakure. At its maximum, it could reach the level of an A-rank genjutsu. It was a mental technique that required exceptional chakra control and sensory perception.

Through skin-to-skin or eye contact, it forcibly immersed the target in a realistic illusion of their innermost desire. Its realism depended on the user's mental strength.

Under the bright light, Senba carefully studied the ninjutsu scroll Teacher Genma had given him. The genjutsu described in it was clearly more suited to interrogation. It would be very limited if used in battle.

Even so, Senba studied it with great interest. Beside him, a yellow cloth scroll lay quietly.

The Flying Thunder God Technique was a technique Senba had always wanted to learn. Even if he had to painstakingly work through it, he would master this forbidden technique.