A Laughable Misunderstanding (Fifth Update)

Gong Yi knew exactly what the price of failure was without the system needing to explain it.

He could not afford it, and neither could anyone else!

Death!

Gong Yi fled through the vast night, his Gravity Technique constantly fluctuating.

Eleven times, ten times, nine times.

The young boy's slender figure sprinted frantically through the rainy night like a bolt of lightning.

One could not blame him for retreating without a fight; his opponent was Kitsuchi. Even if he wasn't the elite Jonin of the future Fourth Great Ninja War, he was undoubtedly at the Jonin level right now.

That Kazama Heitetsu was the renowned commander of the Third Kazekage's personal guard, possessing even greater strength!

Beyond them, there was an unnamed Jonin who had been conversing with Kitsuchi, along with an unknown number of Chunin and Genin.

Gong Yi was no longer trying to complete his mission; he was fighting for his life!

"A little brat, is he?"

Kazama Heitetsu leaped onto the rooftop, squinting at the retreating figure in the distance. A murderous intent erupted in his eyes, cold enough to chill one to the bone.

"Shaquan, go kill that kid!"

Outside the bathhouse, a group of ninjas watched him. The ninja who had been addressed stepped forward.

It was the very man who had been talking to Kitsuchi earlier—a Jonin!

Using a Jonin to kill a child would surely invite ridicule if it happened in the outside world.

But at this moment, no one laughed. If word of tonight's events were to leak out, the cost would be something not even one Jonin—or even ten—could bear!

Shaquan didn't waste words. He signaled three other ninjas and gave chase in the direction Gong Yi had fled.

Kazama Heitetsu returned to the bathhouse, letting the wind and rain lash down upon him as he stared directly at Kitsuchi.

"The Third Kazekage has sent me to propose an alliance. I wonder if your side is willing to agree?"

Kitsuchi did not answer him. Instead, he gazed at the wall, as if he could see the fleeing ninja through the thick masonry.

"This secret meeting was arranged by your people, and the time was chosen by you. Yet, such a mistake has occurred."

Kitsuchi sneered, his honest-looking face speaking shrewd words.

"Your competence makes me doubt you. An alliance with the Sunagakure Ninja is unsettling!"

Kazama Heitetsu frowned, then stiffened his tone. "Rest assured, this matter will not leak out. That brat won't get away!"

Gong Yi held his breath, letting the rain pelt his face while keeping his focus entirely on what lay behind him.

His Gravity Technique stopped decreasing once it hit nine times.

At this speed, he was barely maintaining a level close to that of a Jonin.

A Jonin could catch up, but it would take them some time.

He had done this on purpose.

The reason was simple.

The weaker he appeared, the fewer pursuers they would send.

If he had gone all out from the start, there was no guarantee that Kazama Heitetsu and Kitsuchi wouldn't have pursued him together.

Gong Yi was confident in his own strength; he had some assurance that he could maneuver around or even kill a single ordinary Jonin.

But to survive an assault from three Jonin? That would be a joke.

Especially since Kitsuchi was the son of the Tsuchikage and possessed many secret techniques of Iwagakure.

And then there was Kazama Heitetsu, the commander of the Third Kazekage's guard, whose reputation preceded him. His Wind Style had intimidated countless people who harbored ill intentions toward the Third Kazekage.

His speed was immense; if he were to pursue personally, Gong Yi wasn't confident he could outrun him.

Glancing back, Gong Yi let out a sigh of relief.

Only four people were in pursuit, led by the Sunagakure Ninja who had been talking to Kitsuchi earlier.

The other three were likely Chunin or Genin.

They formed a perfect ninja squad.

They had likely prepared this to guard against the possibility that Gong Yi had a squad waiting to support him.

In that regard, Kazama Heitetsu was indeed a formidable commander; he had made the most correct arrangement in a very short time.

Unfortunately, he had misjudged the strength of the "little brat" in his eyes!

I can't keep running. If I lead them to the rendezvous point, even if we manage to kill them with the captain and the others, there's no guarantee we won't suffer casualties!

Gong Yi narrowed his eyes. The strength of Ogawara and Hyuga Senso was not particularly high.

And the ninjas capable of coming out to discuss such major matters with Kazama Heitetsu certainly wouldn't be weak.

Thinking of Ogawara's deliberate yet caring gestures before they set out, Gong Yi came to a halt.

He was no saint, but he wouldn't go out of his way to harm others either.

And the four people before him were the perfect test subjects to gauge his own strength.

He turned around and formed hand seals!

In the pouring rain, amidst the vast, dark night, the youth slammed his palm hard against the ground.

Earth Style: Underworld Swamp!

Chakra surged forth, instantly softening the vast stretch of earth before him and transforming it into a swamp.

Then, he poured in his chakra frantically, maximizing the power and coverage of this Ninjutsu as much as possible!

Under the cover of night, Shaquan led his subordinates in a rapid pursuit, his eyes cold.

He had clearly checked the bathhouse earlier and confirmed it was empty.

Yet, such an oversight had occurred!

Lord Kazama would certainly punish him.

But this brat had to die as well; he could not be allowed to leak the intelligence regarding the cooperation between the Sunagakure Ninja and the Iwagakure Ninja.

After chasing for a few minutes, they had already put some distance between themselves and the town.

Given how fast he had been running, the brat must have used his full strength, and his chakra reserves couldn't be high!

Shaquan's eyes lit up; the brat was indeed exhausted, already crouching on the ground, unable to continue.

In that case!

"Capture him alive first. Find out which village he belongs to and how many more of them there are!"

As for what would happen after the interrogation, it went without saying.

The three Chunin accelerated, passing Shaquan and charging toward Gong Yi, who was crouching on the ground.

In the process, over a dozen shuriken flew out.

Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!

The shuriken struck the brat squarely; he truly had no chakra left, unable to even manifest a defensive Ninjutsu.

Seeing this, Shaquan smiled.

However, a moment later, he abruptly came to a halt.

"Ah! What is this!"

"Help!"

"Lord Shaquan, help!"

There was no blood, no struggle; only the silence and chill of the night remained.

The three Chunin vanished into the ground without a sound amidst their screams.

It all happened so fast that even Shaquan, who had attempted to use Ninjutsu, hadn't been able to save his companions.

"Earth Style Ninjutsu, Underworld Swamp! Such a massive range! You're from Iwagakure! That bastard Kitsuchi actually betrayed his allies!"

Shaquan gritted his teeth, his face twisted in a hideous expression.

Gong Yi was stunned, and then he smiled.