This Isn't Right, Is It?

With the odds of survival soaring this round, the system naturally siphoned off quite a bit more power of fate and delivered new rewards to Shiba Seika.

[Obtained: Wind Release Ninjutsu Training Insights (to be delivered later through dreams)]

[Obtained: Earth Release Ninjutsu Training Insights (to be delivered later through dreams)]

[Obtained: Sealing Technique Training Insights (to be delivered later through dreams)]

[Obtained: Insights Related to Secret Technique Development and Human Modification (to be delivered later through dreams)]

[Obtained: Insights Related to Intelligence Identification, Infiltration, Reconnaissance, and Counter-Reconnaissance (to be delivered later through dreams)]

As expected, these rewards were basically all related to Yūno Ryōma.

Wind Release and Earth Release were both techniques Yūno Ryōma had used in battle; the Sealing Technique was likely connected to the Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal carried by every Root member; as for secret technique development and human modification, they were undoubtedly tied to the Insect Manipulation Secret Technique; and the final set of skill insights was simply the bread and butter of an intelligence operative.

This was the first time Shiba Seika had seen the system fleece so much from a single person.

He had no idea whether it was because his survival odds had risen so much this time, or because he had successfully killed the man.

This is the second time I've received Wind Release training insights. I wonder how they'll differ from the last ones? he murmured inwardly.

Not long ago, after he had fooled Pakura, the system had rewarded him with Wind Release Ninjutsu Training Insights once before.

Unfortunately, despite having the insights, he had yet to learn many proper Wind Release ninjutsu.

He wondered what would be different about this second set of insights.

If I fully assimilate both sets of insights, could I try creating my own ninjutsu? he secretly pondered.

After thinking it over for a while, he temporarily set that wish aside.

There was no use overthinking it. He would have to sleep again and learn the insights in his dreams before he could say for sure.

Afterward, he began dealing with the aftermath caused by the Root group.

He worked continuously until the afternoon, when the door to Shiba Seika's temporary residence was roughly shoved open.

What was meant to come would come. What was destined could not be avoided.

Yahiko had come to demand answers.

Yahiko entered looking travel-worn, his face still covered in soot and scorch marks, with steam still hissing from the top of his head.

He had just returned from the mountain fire rescue effort.

To be fair, even Shiba Seika had to admit that Yahiko was genuinely kind and a man of action. His goodness was not an act.

That much was clear from the fact that he had not rushed over first thing in the morning to question Shiba Seika, but had instead gone to put out the fire.

He truly possessed a noble and kind soul, and Shiba Seika did admire that.

But admiration did not mean agreement.

In this ninja world where people devoured one another, kindness alone was useless.

Just as expected, Yahiko slammed his hand on the table the moment he entered and demanded, "Seika! You caused such a huge incident! You set the entire mountain on fire, and the blaze still hasn't been fully put out!

Do you really think you can feel at ease just because you fooled the Villagers?"

Shiba Seika replied unhurriedly, "I took out enemies with malicious intentions who had invaded the Land of Rain, preventing a tragedy far greater than a fire in the future. Why shouldn't I feel at ease?"

Yahiko grew even angrier. "You! That's sophistry! You never made any attempt to communicate with those Konoha ninja. What gives you the right to arbitrarily decide they were enemies?

People can understand one another. We could have sat down and talked first."

Shiba Seika cut Yahiko off directly.

"Since you believe people can understand one another, then answer me this, Yahiko. Why do you not dare reveal Nagato's Rinnegan?"

That single sentence froze Yahiko where he stood. His mouth opened as if to speak, but he could not force out a complete sentence.

"I... well..."

"Didn't you say people could understand each other? Then why have you never dared let the major ninja villages know about Nagato's eyes? What, now you're afraid they won't understand?"

"..."

"You keep saying we could sit down, talk, and reach mutual understanding with Konoha, but have you ever learned who this group was?

They were Root! Konoha's most infamous intelligence and assassination organization! They were nothing like your teacher, Jiraiya!

They came for our Akatsuki Organization this time. The Villagers at the foot of the mountain can all testify to it—they were asking about us on the very first day they arrived!

If I hadn't acted, they would have nearly traced things back to Nagato this time.

When the Rinnegan was exposed, what would you use to make them understand you?

Yahiko, do you really have to make everyone die for your ideals?!"

Though some parts in the middle were admittedly alarmist, Shiba Seika shouted that final sentence with complete sincerity!

In his eyes, the original Akatsuki Organization had truly been sacrificed by Yahiko for the sake of his ideals!

Kindness and gentleness were indeed wonderful qualities. Paired with courage, wisdom, or strength, they made excellent combinations.

But when played alone, they were nothing in times of chaos!

Yahiko was left speechless by Shiba Seika's roar.

He was furious!

He couldn't understand why he had come here brimming with indignation to demand answers, yet after only three sentences, the other side had somehow turned it around and was lecturing him like he was a grandson.

That wasn't right, was it?

He clearly felt that something was wrong, yet he couldn't find any reason to refute it. In the end, he could only slam his fist down on the table in anger.

Table: HP -10

After dealing super-effective damage to the table, Yahiko finally managed to sort out his thoughts a little and pressed on.

"Then what were you doing all day today? Why, after deceiving those Villagers, didn't you even go put out the fire?"

Shiba Seika smiled.

"Of course, I was dealing with the aftermath of this incident.

I wrote Hanzō a letter, informing him of what happened and praising him to the skies. Next, I plan to kidnap him and make him face the pressure from Konoha alongside us.

I also arranged for people to spread half-true, half-false news near the borders of the Land of Wind and the Land of Earth, with special emphasis on Konoha's weakness.

If the situation develops ideally, I even intend to provoke Iwagakure into declaring war on Konoha before the end of the year, thoroughly muddying the waters!"

At the end, Shiba Seika spread his hands. "See? I still have a lot to do. What can I say, certain people have failed as leaders—they have no plans whatsoever for the organization's future direction, and no warning at all regarding the crisis we currently face."

Yahiko was left speechless by his few retorts.

His hand was still a little numb, or he would have wanted to pound the table again.

Lately, whenever he was around Shiba Seika, he increasingly felt like a child, his intelligence completely crushed.

But he didn't understand. They were obviously around the same age, weren't they?

Only when Shiba Seika got up to leave did Yahiko reluctantly ask one more question.

"Seika, if what you do brings conflict to the Land of Rain, if war breaks out here again, how will you take responsibility?"

Shiba Seika walked to the door, turned back, and gave him a faint smile.

"It's fine. I'll step in!"