Special Training

Amada found the village chief, pretending to be a traveler passing through.

He asked casually:

"Old man, what happened here? These signs of destruction look pretty frightening."

The village chief sighed.

"It was those damn bandits... They came to rob us again three days ago, stole the food we'd set aside for winter, and injured several villagers."

Amada continued asking:

"Do you know where the bandits' hideout is? We'd like to avoid that area."

The village chief's eyes flickered, and he seemed hesitant.

He lowered his head, avoiding Amada's gaze, and answered evasively:

"Well... I'm not sure. They come and go like the wind. How could ordinary people like us know where they're headed?"

Amada realized the village chief seemed to be deliberately hiding something.

He was about to press him further, but the village chief had already turned away and was calling to them:

"You've come a long way, so you must be tired. Why don't you rest at my house first? The village may be humble, but it's better than sleeping out in the open."

Seeing this, Kushina lightly patted Amada on the shoulder, signaling him not to ask more for now.

She smiled at the village chief and said:

"Sorry for the trouble. We do need a place to stay."

The village chief nodded and led them toward the village.

Along the way, Amada noticed that the villagers all looked unusually tense.

When they reached the village chief's house, Kushina arranged for the students to rest, then exchanged a few pleasantries with the village chief.

After he left, she called Amada, Asuma, and Kurenai aside and spoke in a low voice:

"The village chief's acting strangely. We need to be careful and investigate discreetly."

Night blanketed the entire village, with only a few scattered lights swaying in the darkness.

After making sure Amada and the others had gone to bed, the village chief quietly opened the door and slipped into the deep darkness.

His steps were light and hurried, as if he were afraid of waking someone.

He passed through several narrow alleys and reached an abandoned hut on the edge of the village.

A tall figure had been waiting outside the hut for some time.

The person wore a black cloak, his face hidden in shadow. Only a pair of cold eyes glinted with a dangerous light.

When the village chief approached, the man spoke in a low voice, hoarse and ominous:

"Who are those four people who arrived today?"

The village chief bowed slightly, his voice tinged with nervous respect:

"They said they were traveling merchants, but I suspect they're shinobi."

"Oh? Why's that?"

The man raised an eyebrow, sounding intrigued.

The village chief swallowed and continued:

"They claimed to be merchants, but they weren't carrying any goods. And a woman traveling with three boys—that's a strange combination. More importantly, when they heard about the bandits, they didn't look the least bit frightened. They were perfectly calm. What ordinary people would react that way? So I suspect they're shinobi, and that they might be after you."

The cloaked man fell silent for a moment, seeming to consider the village chief's words.

Then he let out a cold laugh:

"Hmph. They're probably shinobi from Konoha."

The village chief's face grew anxious. He stepped forward and asked in a trembling voice:

"Um... what about my daughter? You promised you wouldn't hurt her as long as I cooperated!"

The cloaked man glanced at the village chief, his eyes full of contempt and menace.

He spoke slowly:

"Don't worry. As long as you do as you're told, your daughter will be safe. But if you try anything..."

He didn't finish, but the chill in his voice was enough to make the village chief shudder.

The village chief lowered his head and clenched his hands into fists.

"I... I understand. I'll do what you say. Just please don't hurt my daughter."

The cloaked man nodded in satisfaction, his tone softening a little:

"Good. Remember, your job is to keep those four shinobi occupied. When the time is right, we'll take care of them. As for your daughter..."

He paused, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold smile.

"As long as you cooperate, she'll be back by your side soon."

The village chief said nothing more. He only nodded silently, pain and helplessness flickering in his eyes.

The cloaked man turned and left, quickly disappearing into the night.

The village chief stood where he was, motionless for a long time.

The night breeze brushed past, bringing a chill that did nothing to ease the weight in his heart.

He looked up at the dark sky and murmured to himself:

"I'm sorry... I really have no other choice..."

He didn't notice the pair of scarlet eyes watching everything from a nearby rooftop.

Amada deactivated his Sharingan, the corner of his mouth curling into a cold smile.

"Just as I thought... something's wrong."

In the morning, Kushina led Amada, Asuma, and Kurenai to a small grove outside the village.

Kushina stopped and turned to face her three students.

"This morning, I'll return to the village to gather some information. You can use the time to train and improve your abilities."

As she spoke, she leaped lightly onto the trunk of a large tree, her feet planted firmly as if gravity had no effect on her.

She looked down at the three of them and explained:

"This is a basic chakra-control exercise. Gather chakra in the soles of your feet to create an adhesive force, allowing you to walk up a vertical tree trunk. It'll greatly improve your chakra control."

Asuma and Kurenai listened attentively, their eyes bright with eagerness.

Amada, however, only glanced at the trunk before lightly leaping up. Chakra gathered beneath his feet in an instant.

He stepped onto the trunk with ease, reached the top in just a few strides, then landed safely back on the ground.

The entire movement was fluid and effortless.

Asuma's eyes widened in disbelief.

"You... you already knew how to do that?"

Amada nodded, his voice calm:

"I've already completed this training."

Asuma immediately felt a surge of indignation. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

"Hmph, don't get cocky! I'll catch up to you in no time!"

He started trying at once. Chakra surged beneath his feet, but he couldn't control it properly.

The moment he stepped onto the trunk, he slipped off and landed flat on his back.

Kurenai couldn't help giggling at the sight, but quickly composed herself and began trying in earnest.

Her movements weren't as practiced as Amada's, but they were steady.

After several attempts, she could just about manage a few steps along the trunk.

Kushina watched Asuma and Kurenai's efforts, a hint of approval in her eyes.

But when she looked at Amada, she could only shake her head helplessly.

"Amada, since you've already mastered this exercise, there's no need to waste your time on it. Go gather some information near the village. Be careful not to alert anyone."

Amada nodded.

"Understood, sensei. I'll be careful."

Kushina smiled faintly and patted him on the shoulder.

"Go on. I trust your abilities."

Amada turned and left, his figure soon disappearing into the depths of the grove.

After watching him go, Kushina turned her attention back to Asuma and Kurenai.

She went over to Asuma and gently instructed him:

"Gather your chakra evenly. Don't rush. Try to feel the chakra moving beneath your feet and keep it steady, like water."