The Reason

Kushina's gaze swept over Amada's back from time to time as they moved forward.

Her heart was filled with contradiction and struggle.

The words of the Nine-Tails were like a thorn, deeply embedded in her mind.

Yet, no matter what, she could not bring herself to believe that Amada was the murderer who killed the Daimyo.

In her impression, Amada had always been a steady and polite child.

He had even performed better than many Chunin during their missions.

More importantly, he had absolutely no reason to kill the Daimyo.

The internal strife in the Rice Field Country had nothing to do with him, and the life or death of the Daimyo held no conflict of interest for him.

However, the Nine-Tails' words acted like a key, unlocking a certain corner of her memory.

She suddenly recalled a scene from a previous mission—Amada had once used a genjutsu to instantly drop a rampaging mutated wild boar.

Even Kurenai could not accomplish such a feat.

Kurenai was a genjutsu genius of the Yuhi clan, yet Amada's level of genjutsu was clearly above hers.

The Sharingan of the Uchiha clan... it truly does have a powerful enhancing effect on genjutsu.

Kushina pondered to herself, a flash of complex emotion crossing her eyes.

She knew that the Sharingan was the Kekkei Genkai of the Uchiha clan, capable not only of seeing through an opponent's movements but also of significantly boosting the power of genjutsu.

If Amada had truly awakened the Sharingan, his genjutsu level would only be even stronger.

Kushina shook her head, attempting to suppress the doubts in her heart.

However, that sense of unease refused to fade away.

No matter what, I must ask him personally.

Kushina made up her mind in secret.

She knew that only by asking him face-to-face could she resolve the doubts plaguing her heart.

During a brief rest, Kushina walked up to Amada, her expression serious, and asked directly:

"Amada, the Daimyo of the Rice Field Country... it was you who killed him, right?"

Amada had been resting on a rock, and upon hearing Kushina's words, his body stiffened slightly, but he quickly returned to a state of calm.

He had actually sensed Kushina's gaze landing on him periodically throughout the journey, but he had not expected her to ask such a question so directly.

Kurenai and Asuma were shocked, immediately turning their eyes toward Amada upon hearing Kushina's words.

They clearly could not accept such a possibility.

Kurenai could not help but speak up:

"Kushina-sensei, could you be mistaken? How could Amada possibly kill the Daimyo?"

Asuma also furrowed his brows, his tone carrying a hint of confusion:

"That's right, Sensei. Amada has absolutely no reason to do such a thing."

Amada raised his head, a faint smile appearing on his face, his tone relaxed and natural:

"How could that be? Why would I kill the Daimyo? Isn't the culprit Inada Kai? Didn't we already capture him?"

His tone was calm and candid.

However, Kushina's gaze did not waver in the slightest.

As the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, Kushina possessed a unique ability.

She could judge whether someone was lying through her perception.

Although this ability required the cooperation of the Nine-Tails, at this very moment, it told her clearly: Amada was lying.

Kushina sighed. Although she was now certain of the truth, she still wanted to understand the reason:

"Why did you kill the Daimyo?"

Amada was stunned for a moment. He looked up at Kushina, secretly wondering in his heart:

How did she determine it was me?

However, when he saw the look in Kushina's eyes, he immediately understood that continuing to deny it was meaningless.

He remained silent for a moment before finally saying:

"This was a mission from the village."

The faces of Asuma and Kurenai were filled with disbelief.

They had just been firmly convinced that Amada could not be the murderer, yet now, Amada had admitted it with his own mouth.

This sudden truth was difficult for them to accept for a moment.

Kushina understood most of it the instant she heard Amada's answer.

She knew this had to be a secret mission involving the village's high-level decision-making.

As a ninja, she shouldn't have continued to press for details, but she couldn't help but want to get to the bottom of it.

"Why did the village want to kill the Daimyo of the Rice Field Country?"

Amada remained silent for a moment, his gaze sweeping over Kushina, Asuma, and Kurenai, before he finally sighed and said:

"Even if I didn't say it, Teacher, you should already understand the reason, shouldn't you?"

"???"

Kushina's face was full of confusion; she was clearly bewildered by Amada's words.

She scratched her head, thinking to herself:

I understand? What do I understand? Analyzing and thinking through things like this really isn't my strong suit!

Seeing Kushina's expression, Amada could only explain helplessly:

"If you want to blame someone, blame the Daimyo for being foolish. The strategic value of the Rice Field Country is too great—it borders both the Land of Fire and the Land of Wind, and it is rich in grain. How could the Land of Fire ever allow such a country to slip out of its control?"

He paused for a moment before continuing:

"The Daimyo originally had room to maneuver, but he chose the most foolish path—colluding with Sunagakure. The moment the ninjas from Sunagakure infiltrated the Rice Field Country, Konoha was left with no choice. The Daimyo had to die so that the Rice Field Country could return to the control of the Land of Fire."

"Was it the Third Hokage who gave the order? Why did he choose you?"

Kushina truly couldn't fathom it; for such an important mission involving national interests, it should have been handed directly to the Anbu. Why would it fall onto the shoulders of a Genin?

Amada said calmly:

"That is not something I should know."

He did not reveal that he had already joined the Root organization.

The fewer people who knew about such things, the better.

Even if Kushina went to ask the Third Hokage why this mission was assigned to Amada, he could use this opportunity to see the Third Hokage's attitude toward him joining Root.

Seeing that Amada was unwilling to say more, Kushina did not continue to press him.

She knew that some matters involved village secrets, and even she shouldn't inquire too deeply.

Upon learning that it was Amada who killed the Daimyo, the atmosphere within the team became unusually heavy.

Although Asuma and Kurenai understood that Amada was merely executing the village's orders and doing what he was supposed to do.

A few days later, Team Kushina finally returned to Konoha.

She looked back at Amada, Asuma, and Kurenai:

"The mission is complete. Everyone, go back and rest. I am going to report to the Hokage."

Asuma and Kurenai nodded and left in silence.

Amada also intended to head home.

"Amada."

Kushina's voice came from behind him.

Amada turned around and looked at Kushina:

"Teacher, is there something else?"

Kushina was silent for a moment, then finally just shook her head:

"It's nothing. Get some rest early."

Amada nodded, turned, and walked away.

His silhouette stretched long under the setting sun, appearing exceptionally lonely.

Kushina watched Amada's retreating figure, a complex emotion stirring in her heart.

She knew that Amada was no longer that simple Genin.

"I hope you can find your own path."

Kushina murmured softly.