"How could this happen?" Ebizo murmured in disbelief, staring blankly at the oasis that had become ruins.
Ninja tools littered the ground—kunai, shuriken, blades, and corpses...
Chiyo knelt on one knee, utterly exhausted. Sweat dripped steadily from her body, while the two puppets at her side had been cut cleanly in half.
The cuts were so smooth, as calm as the surface of water!
"Sis, this was..." Ebizo asked uncertainly.
"White Fang did it!" Chiyo gritted out, a flicker of unwillingness in her eyes. She still had secret techniques she had not used. Next time would be a battle to the death!
Chiyo's group had disrupted Sakumo Hatake's plan. His battle had appeared effortless, as if he had casually dealt with every Jonin except Chiyo and Ebizo.
In reality, Sakumo Hatake had held nothing back, and the chakra expenditure had been immense.
What came next had nothing to do with infiltration, assassination, or sabotage.
So, Sakumo Hatake decided to change the plan.
"Night is coming. We should leave." Sakumo Hatake and Tōka rested beneath the shaded side of a sand dune. With water, Tōka had recovered much of his energy.
It was just that Soldier Pills tasted truly awful...
"Where are we going next?" Tōka asked weakly. He had originally wanted to nap a little longer.
With Sakumo Hatake beside him, Tōka had slept quite peacefully.
Still, he felt like he had not slept enough.
"Sunagakure moved its position forward and advanced directly to the border of the Land of Rivers." Sakumo Hatake spoke calmly, as though he were merely talking about eating and drinking.
Yet to Tōka, it sounded like a bolt from the blue.
"Y-you said what?" Tōka's eyes widened, wondering if he had heard wrong.
They were going to Sunagakure's military fortress?
The one hidden deep beneath the yellow sands?
"You heard correctly. We're going to Sunagakure's military fortress in the Land of Rivers." Sakumo Hatake gave Tōka a casual glance.
"I'm just a Genin!" Tōka shouted.
Riding someone's coattails for experience was one thing, but this was practically delivering his own head!
Tōka himself had not noticed the tension in his voice.
Then again, it was only natural. A Genin facing the colossal force that was Sunagakure would be abnormal if he were not afraid.
Humans were human because they knew fear.
"Ever since you put on that mask, you became a member of Konoha's Anbu." Sakumo Hatake spoke sternly, though his tone carried a hint of reassurance. "Your strength has already been recognized."
Tōka's expression remained gloomy, completely unmoved.
If he were stronger, even a Jonin, then storming Sunagakure's military fortress while clinging to Sakumo Hatake's leg would not matter.
But Tōka was still too weak! Following Sakumo Hatake would only hold him back.
"Forget it. Let's leave this place first." Sakumo Hatake knew he could not persuade Tōka with a few words, so he decided to think of another way. This kind of potential threat was extremely dangerous.
Within the Land of Rivers, Sunagakure's decision to move its position forward also reflected its resolve to fight to the bitter end.
The desert was the Land of Wind's natural defense. Even if Sunagakure lost disastrously, it would not need to worry about Konoha launching a large-scale invasion into the Land of Wind.
First, Konoha would be unaccustomed to the climate and terrain, making an effective offensive difficult.
Even if they truly conquered it one day, there was not much use for such desert land.
Because Sunagakure had built its military fortress directly within the Land of Rivers, Konoha recalled all the scattered forces roaming the Land of Rivers battlefield.
The front line suddenly burned all the way to the border of the Land of Fire...
Tōka and Sakumo Hatake made a few simple disguises before deciding to head to the underground exchange.
The underground exchange did not merely handle assassination contracts and bounty postings; it also traded intelligence from various countries.
Tōka guessed that Sakumo Hatake had some secret method of contacting the people at Konoha Main Camp, though he did not know the details.
Besides, was it really okay for the two of them to swagger into the underground exchange?
The Land of Rivers was a neutral minor nation and even leaned toward Konoha. Now, with Sunagakure's army pressing in and directly stationed within its borders, the land had essentially been occupied.
"How about you go alone? I'll find somewhere to wait for you," Tōka suggested.
"No need to worry. We've already disguised ourselves." Sakumo Hatake directly rejected Tōka's suggestion.
Tōka wore a bitter expression. Taking off his Ninja Headband and animal mask counted as a disguise?
They had merely gone from "I'm Konoha Anbu, come hit me!" to "I look easy to bully, come hit me!"
The process was different, but the result was the same!
"Stop talking. There are a few rats following us!" Sakumo Hatake said in a low voice.
Hearing that, Tōka immediately became alert. His brows drew together as he swiftly activated his chakra sensory technique.
Sure enough!!
Not far behind them, three faint presences shifted positions from time to time.
Tōka's mind had been thrown into disarray by Sakumo Hatake's earlier remarks, making it difficult for him to focus. That was why he had failed to notice the rats following them.
The two passed through a forest and entered a dark canyon.
"They're coming!" Sakumo Hatake vanished from his spot with the Body Flicker Technique. "I'll leave them to you."
"You're ruthless. I can't beat you, so I'll put up with it!" Tōka's face darkened as he raised his middle finger at Sakumo Hatake's retreating back!
Though irritated, Tōka still turned around seriously, faint killing intent spreading from his body.
After several battles, especially his brief clash with Ebizo, Tōka discovered that the imposing aura of powerful opponents affected him less and less.
During the Genin exam, a Jonin's killing intent had nearly crushed his will to fight.
Now, even if he faced a Kage-level expert like Chiyo, Tōka would dare to make a move!
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Seeing Sakumo Hatake "flee" and Tōka left alone, the three shadows immediately revealed themselves and flashed into a triangular formation, surrounding Tōka completely.
"Are you Rogue Ninja?" Tōka glanced at the slashed Ninja Headbands on their foreheads.
They did not bear the symbols of the five great nations. As for which minor countries they came from, Tōka could not really tell.
Other than common Ninja Headbands from places like the Land of Rain and the Land of Waterfall, he truly could not distinguish those from other minor nations.
"Wrong. We're bounty hunters!" The man with a scar running across his chest sneered.
The three stared at Tōka as though they were looking at a walking treasury!
Tōka frowned slightly. I'm straight. Could you not look at me with such disgusting eyes?
"Big Brother, why waste so much breath on him? Kill him!"
"Exactly! A bounty of one hundred million, and he's such an easy little brat to take down. Our luck is incredible!"
The other two Rogue Ninja shouted greedily, and even Tōka's heart stirred at their words.
One hundred million?? When had he become this valuable?
"Are you telling the truth?" Tōka asked uncertainly.
"Hmph, why would that be fake?"
"Dead or alive, your head alone is worth one hundred million!"
Tōka cursed under his breath and pressed a hand to his pounding chest. He had almost been unable to resist selling himself!
One hundred million ryo? He could lie around for the rest of his life and have others do everything for him!
"Who posted the bounty?"
"How could something that confidential possibly be leaked?"
The three looked at Tōka as though he were an idiot. If the underground exchange leaked information about its clients, would it still be able to operate?
"Boss, stop talking. Let's get him!"
A short man with a large head clapped his hands together, and the ground trembled.
Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!
The ground beneath Tōka's feet softened, turning into a swamp in an instant as his body began sinking.
"You're too impatient, Second Brother."
The scarred man shook his head helplessly. His mouth said no, but his hands were not slow at all.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Three kunai with Explosive Tags tied to their handles flew straight at Tōka.
The last male ninja, whose face was covered in pockmarks, formed a hand seal and spat out a fireball.
"Your coordination isn't bad. Unfortunately..." Tōka's voice came from both near and far, eerie as a ghost.
The three attacks crashed down at once, completely drowning out Tōka's faint voice.
Flames raged as explosions shook the heavens.
"He wasn't blasted into pieces, was he?" the short ninja asked worriedly.
The other two wore the same expression. It would be difficult to collect the bounty if his face had been ruined beyond recognition.
As the smoke cleared, it revealed a forest devastated beyond recognition.
"How is that possible?!"
"Where is he?"
Everyone's breathing changed, and the atmosphere suddenly became heavy.
The air seemed to be clenched by an invisible hand. With a crack, it shattered like pieces of crystalline glass.
Ripples spread through the surroundings, and the forest returned to what it had been when they first met.
There was not the slightest sign of destruction on the ground, and the brat stood unharmed in the distance.
"Oh no, it's genjutsu!" the scarred ninja at the lead cried out.
All three of them had fallen under genjutsu. The terrifying part was that they had no idea when it had happened!
"Let me ask you a question!" Tōka's voice rang out.
Everyone tensed, a chill running down their backs.
"As Rogue Ninja, you should have bounties on your heads too, right? Are they worth much?" Tōka asked meaningfully.
How much money could they earn doing missions as ninja? The more money involved, the harder the mission, and the village would take a cut besides.
How could that compare to hunting bounty targets?
"If I told you, it'd scare you to death!" The short ninja grinned smugly, about to speak.
The scarred ninja barked out a furious shout and coldly rebuked him, "Idiot, shut up!"
After a brief silence, Tōka shook his head slightly.
Their chakra reserves were comparable to Chunin's, since none of them were young. Yet their actual combat power was weak.
"Forget it. I doubt you're worth much anyway." A soft laugh drifted through the air, seeming both distant and close.
Tōka's gaze turned cold, and killing intent spread outward.
All-Killing Ash Bones: Bone Bullet Barrage!
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Three finger bones shot out in succession, tearing through the air and piercing all three bodies.
"Well done." Sakumo Hatake leaped down and landed beside Tōka, giving him praise without reservation.
Over these past days, Sakumo Hatake had watched Tōka's growth.
At first, Tōka had struggled greatly even against Pakura, who was merely a Chunin, though she had been classified as an elite Chunin because of her Scorch Release.
Later, he had defeated a Jonin alone. Even though his abilities had countered the opponent's, a win was still a win.
Then he had faced a standard four-man squad, directly killing two, severely injuring one, and draining the last one's chakra.
Finally, he had even exchanged a few moves with Sunagakure's advisor, Ebizo.
"You've grown." Sakumo Hatake nodded.
Tōka remained expressionless, though inwardly he rolled his eyes again and again.
I'm risking my life to grind experience. How could I not grow?
"Let's go. It seems Sunagakure posted the bounty on you." Sakumo Hatake turned away, his steps unhurried.
This was the advantage of Tōka's battles. Once they ended, there was no need to clean up the battlefield at all.
After pausing for a moment, Tōka stepped forward and followed him.
"Where are we going?" Tōka asked instinctively.
"The underground exchange," Sakumo Hatake answered in a deep voice.
Tōka stumbled, nearly falling over.
The underground exchange? He had heard that right? His neck was carrying a bounty of one hundred million ryo!
Not one hundred ryo, not one thousand ryo, but one hundred million ryo!
"You..." Tōka watched Sakumo Hatake's back warily.
Unexpectedly, Sakumo Hatake's back seemed to have eyes. "Don't worry. I won't trade you for money."
As one of Konoha's major clans, the Hatake clan might have few members, but its foundation was not lacking.
It could not compare to clans like the Uchiha or Hyuga, but it was still very wealthy!
Sakumo Hatake did not care about a mere one hundred million ryo!
Seemingly hearing the disdain in his tone, Tōka's face reddened. He cursed inwardly, A rich second-generation kid has no idea how the poor live!
At an underground exchange somewhere in the Land of Rivers, a man wearing a mask strolled inside.
His red-rimmed green eyes swept across the hall like the gaze of the Shinigami, and his icy stare pierced everyone's pressure points like silver needles.
The bustling trading hall immediately fell silent.
It was as if time had been cut off, and every sound vanished completely.
"Oh, an honored guest. Please come inside, sir." The receptionist immediately scurried over obsequiously, bowing as he led the masked man inward.
Only when the pair's backs disappeared into the dark passage beyond the wooden door did everyone finally let out a breath.
With a bang, the wooden door closed.
The terrifying aura vanished along with it.
"Hey, hey, hey, isn't that guy..."
"Shh, do you want to die?!"
"Shut up! If you two want to die, go die somewhere far away!"
"Uh..."
The bounty hunters in the hall quickly handed over their assignments, grabbed what they wanted with confidence, and swiftly left the underground exchange.
As if some primordial beast were chasing them from behind!
VIP room of the underground exchange.
"My lord, these are the latest bounty notices. Please have a look."
"Fine, you may leave..." The masked man waved a hand and said impatiently.
The receptionist respectfully withdrew and gently closed the door to the VIP room.
Strength was the prerequisite for earning others' awe!
"Eh? A mere Genin brat is worth a hundred million ryō?" The masked man flipped to Tōka's bounty notice, and his eyes lit up. This was a major score!
At once, he made up his mind.
I'm doing it! (To be continued)
Before you continue