Time to Run

On a hillside, a young boy was shouting as he practiced his strikes.

However, it didn't seem quite right; rather than striking, he was training his muscles, as even his fingers were in constant motion.

With every swing of his arms, the boy's muscles seemed to tremble ever so slightly...

"Too far off, way too far off. You won't even be at the entry level until you can control your muscles enough to stop them from shaking, kid."

Not far away, a large man sat on the ground in a slouching, unrefined posture, his eyes flickering open and shut as if he were in a half-asleep, half-awake state...

"Master, it's easy for you to talk while standing, but I've never touched taijutsu since I was a child! Besides, in the whole clan, besides you, who else practices this stuff?"

The boy retorted with annoyance.

This boy was Qi.

In the blink of an eye, six years had passed since he arrived at the Kaguya Clan, and he was now a 12-year-old youth.

The Daimyo had not held back for long; although the destruction of the Yuki Clan had occurred much later than in the original story, it had ultimately been unavoidable.

To be honest, however, Qi did not feel much sorrow.

Such things were too common in the ninja world, and he didn't have deep feelings for the Yuki Clan; he merely felt a bit of regret. After all, in his view, his own survival was the only thing that mattered.

As for reviving the Yuki Clan, if there were a real opportunity and it was necessary, he wouldn't mind giving it a try, but if it were too much trouble, he would just let it be.

A clan with a hundred-year history could be wiped out in a single night; such things were fragile. This was the ninja world, where might made right and power was paramount.

If one were to speak of sentiment, Qi perhaps felt more deeply for the Kaguya Clan... but even so, he had no intention of reviving them later. For one, the Kaguya Clan was wiped out more thoroughly, and for another, to which family did his bloodline truly belong?

"Tsk tsk... you're such a fool, kid. What kind of nonsense are you spouting?"

Qi's previous answer clearly displeased the large man, Ogata, who curled his lip and said, "Do you think taijutsu is just about hitting people? Who can't do that? The muscle-training method you've been practicing since you were a child was sent to you by our Kaguya Clan. And besides, why would you think I'm the only one in the clan who practices this? Isn't there you?"

Perhaps feeling stiff from not moving for too long, Ogata shifted his body into a new position and continued, "The essence of taijutsu is training your body. If your physical quality is high and your control is strong, the power of your moves will naturally be great. Anything else is just nonsense. The foundation of taijutsu is strength, speed, and the control of both; there is nothing else."

"It's that simple? No way."

Qi was somewhat skeptical.

Was he pulling his leg? The Kaguya Clan had existed for so many years; could it be they only trained their muscles and had no ultimate techniques?

"But, Master, I feel that moves are also important. Aren't exquisite techniques and secret arts also part of the essence of taijutsu?"

"Bullshit essence!"

Ogata scoffed bluntly.

"That is putting the cart before the horse. The effectiveness of a move follows your strength. If you have no strength, the move is useless."

"If someone else is stronger than you, faster than you, and has better control, they can kill you in an instant with the most basic punches and kicks! Most of those who died at the hands of the White Fang of the Leaf didn't even have time to use ninjutsu!"

"The Instant Kill Technique I taught you is about raising your strength, speed, and control to the limit in a single moment. Not a fraction more, not a fraction less—just enough to kill the enemy. Otherwise, it's a waste of power and a failed instant kill!"

At this point, he added calmly, "We of the Kaguya Clan are different from others. Even if our chakra is exhausted, as long as we know how to control the remaining strength of our own bodies, we can still kill enemies! As for the moves, you've already learned those; I taught them to you long ago!"

"Oh."

Nodding, Qi accepted Ogata's explanation and began to focus on training his muscles once again.

The Instant Kill Technique that Ogata practiced was pure taijutsu. To achieve the same effect, it inevitably required much more hard work than those who supplemented their skills with ninjutsu.

This type of taijutsu might not be the top-tier art in the ninja world, but at least in terms of power control, it was truly first-class. Moreover, according to Ogata himself, only the White Fang could compare to him in this regard—though whether that was true or not, heaven only knew.

Most importantly, the Kaguya Combat Arts were the most systematic, high-level taijutsu skills he could currently access. For that alone, it was worth his full devotion.

What one can get one's hands on is a good thing!

Thinking of this, he practiced even more vigorously, but he failed to notice that in the distance, hidden beneath Ogata's usual scruffy expression, was a trace of hesitation...

He had been in the Kaguya Clan for six years, and all this time, Qi had never noticed that he had actually overlooked one very important thing.

That was the fact that the Kaguya Clan was also destined to be wiped out during this same period!

The destruction of the Yuki Clan had been delayed, but that did not mean the Kaguya Clan would be delayed as well. After all, the one who destroyed the Yuki was the Daimyo, but the one who would destroy the Kaguya was Kirigakure! One of the five greatest organizations at the pinnacle of the ninja world!

The result of this was that in the original story, many members of the Yuki Clan were able to escape into the civilian population, hide their identities, and continue to reproduce, whereas the Kaguya Clan—aside from Kimimaro, who was protected by Orochimaru and lived a few years longer—was completely wiped out in a single battle...

Clearly, when it came to killing, Kirigakure was far more professional than the Daimyo of the Land of Water!

Yet the current Qi had completely forgotten this, and he continued to practice the Kaguya Combat Arts without any pressure.

But just because he had no pressure didn't mean others didn't; at the very least, Ogata did!

However, the entire clan maintained an unspoken agreement, and not a single person showed it in front of Qi.

This training session, like all others, lasted until nightfall. In the dead of night, Ogata finally brought Qi back to the Kaguya village.

"Go to sleep, kid. You need to be up very early tomorrow!"

This time, Ogata did not ask Qi to add a little "extra" before bed as he usually did, but instead sent him straight to rest.

Although he didn't know why, Qi happily accepted the order and trotted back to his room.

It was not until he heard the steady rhythm of Qi's breathing that Ogata remained standing in place. Only after confirming that Qi was truly asleep did he turn and head toward the Kaguya Clan Leader's house.

"Is he asleep?"

Inside the room, the Kaguya Clan Leader had been waiting for some time.

"He is."

Ogata found a spot to sit down quite casually, showing no signs of formality.

"How is his growth progressing?"

The Kaguya Clan Leader ignored his lack of manners; he was only concerned with Qi's current progress.

"I've only led him through the door. What he becomes in the future depends on his own fortune. Regardless, I've taught him the basics of the Kaguya Clan. As long as he doesn't run into anyone too formidable, self-preservation shouldn't be an issue."

"Is that so..."

The Kaguya Clan Leader seemed somewhat dejected.

"I, sigh..."

Noticing the Leader's mood, Ogata lifted his head.

"You're a grown man, what's there to sigh about? If the Mist Nin want to kill us, let them come. I'll take one down for every one of us they kill—it's a guaranteed profit!"

"Get lost, you..."

The Kaguya Clan Leader said, feeling stifled.

"Shut your mouth! Aside from knowing how to hack people to pieces, you only know how to eat!"

"But you need a full stomach to have the strength to fight!"

Ogata felt a bit aggrieved.

"Why is it that a blockhead like you is the clan's top expert..."

Seeing Ogata's attitude, the Kaguya Clan Leader felt a strong urge to beat him up.

"Forget it. Take the boy and leave tonight. If you wait any longer, the Mist Nin will begin a full-scale surveillance of us, and then there will be no escaping! It seems the old man of the Yuki Clan was right; this boy is the key to the future revival of our two clans. After all, no outsiders have ever seen him."

"Understood."

Ogata stood up and brushed off his backside.

"Where should I take him?"

"Send him to the Land of Fire. You know what to do after that. The current Mist Nin definitely don't have the spare strength to pursue you across the border."

"Heh, the Land of Fire, huh..."

Ogata muttered softly, a savage grin appearing on his face.

"It looks like this journey is going to be very entertaining!"

"Hey, hey..."

The Kaguya Clan Leader was a bit uneasy.

"I'm telling you, you're there to protect him! Less trouble, more traveling!"

"Relax, I've got a sense of proportion. I'm not that stupid; they have the numbers."

Ogata waved his hand and headed toward the door.

"I just hope this kid isn't all whiny when he wakes up. I hate men who aren't decisive."

Once he finished speaking, he vanished from the room.

This should be enough... The movements of the Mist Nin are becoming increasingly obvious. Are they planning to slowly starve us out?

The Kaguya Clan Leader stared fixedly at the door. He knew this was the last time he would see Ogata. Once he left, Ogata would shoulder the responsibility of protecting Qi and would never return. The journey ahead would be fraught with peril.

Yet, he could not send more men. If he did, they wouldn't get far before being discovered. The Kaguya Clan, lacking any ninjutsu techniques, had no way to break through the Mist Nin's defensive lines.

But Ogata was different. He was an anomaly within the clan, exceptionally skilled at stealth and surprise attacks, capable of killing enemies in a single strike. With only him, there was actually a chance to successfully get Qi out of the Land of Water.

The neighboring countries of the Land of Water were the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning. The Kaguya Clan intended to send Qi to the Land of Fire because, among the Five Great Nations, only the Land of Fire had the highest tolerance for outsiders.

Given Qi's situation, Konoha would likely be very willing to accept him. After all, the Yuki Clan behind him had been wiped out, and he was being hunted by the Mist Nin. Following Konoha's traditions, there was a high probability they would absorb Qi into the village to replenish their fresh blood.

And if Ogata could survive, he would no longer be a member of the Kaguya Clan. Don't let his appearance fool you; he was someone who had clashed with the White Fang of the Leaf and survived. If he wanted to join Konoha, the village would certainly consider it carefully, as he was a man who had fought the White Fang of the Leaf and lived to tell the tale.

In any case, as long as the clan could be revived, it didn't matter who he served...

Setting aside the tangled thoughts in the Kaguya Clan Leader's mind, Ogata was much more straightforward. After leaving the Leader's house, he quietly snuck into Qi's room, bundled up the still-sleeping boy, threw him over his shoulder, and left the Kaguya village under the cover of night.

He was indeed an expert. Logically, while he could bypass the Mist Nin's perimeter surveillance without a sound, Qi could not. Though his breathing was faint, to the Mist Nin, it was no different from snoring.

The result was that Ogata simply used the sound of Qi's breathing to lure the nearby Mist Nin—who were few in number—over one by one, and then killed them on the spot!

Ogata's claim that his Instant Kill Technique was second only to the White Fang of the Leaf didn't seem to be pure boasting. No matter how much Qi had adapted to this world, with Ogata killing people right beside him, he hadn't felt a thing!

And so, the next morning, he woke up cold...

When he opened his eyes, he discovered the direct cause of the chill: his body was covered in a layer of blood. As the morning breeze blew, it sent a bone-chilling cold through him...

Is... is this blood!?

Sleepiness vanished in an instant; Qi bolted upright, immediately assuming a defensive stance.

"Kid, give it a rest, the sun is already hitting your backside!"

Ogata's mocking voice came from behind, cutting through his panic.

"You slept like a pig. Hurry up, go take a bath, change your clothes, and let's get moving!"

Hearing Ogata's words, Qi finally realized—why wasn't he in his room!?

Looking back, he saw Ogata sitting comfortably behind him, munching away on some dry rations...

"What are you staring at? Go wash up! You idiot!"

The idiot master gave his orders to his idiot apprentice without a hint of politeness...

Although he still didn't understand the situation, the idiot apprentice obeyed and went to bathe, mostly because the idiot master was very fond of beating people up...

The Land of Water didn't have much, but it certainly had an abundance of water. While bathing was a rather particular affair in other nations, it was completely casual here in the Land of Water.

For instance, the place where Qi and Ogata currently found themselves was right beside a lake...

Cleaning the bloodstains and the stench of gore off his body as quickly as possible, Qi put on the new clothes Ogata had tossed at him.

"I know you have a ton of questions, but I don't feel like answering them right now. Just follow me, and you'll be fine!"

Seeing Qi open his mouth, Ogata interrupted him unceremoniously and tossed him a piece of compressed ration.

"Eat it! One portion a day!"

"Oh..."

Taking the ration with a sense of grievance, Qi cursed his idiot master with constipation while fiercely gnawing through the food.

"Heh, finished? Then let's hit the road. By the way, I should tell you that we are currently fleeing from the pursuit of the Mist Ninja. Pretty exciting, right?"

"Mist Ninja!?"

This news was nothing short of shocking; Qi was instantly dumbfounded...

What on earth did you do, you beast... Why are we suddenly being hunted by the Mist Ninja for no reason at all!?

For a moment, Qi felt like crying without tears. He looked at the back of Ogata, who was already walking ahead, with deep reluctance, but having no other choice, he followed.

"Hey... Master... wait for me..."