Iga Kawaji's Severed Arm (Fourth Update)

Summarizing is one of the habits Gong Yi has cultivated.

Whether it is a summary of daily training or the combat analysis he needs to perform now, he feels it is absolutely necessary.

People are always prone to repeating their mistakes!

Only by constantly summarizing and drawing lessons from experience can one make progress!

From the initial intelligence gathering to eavesdropping on the secret talks between Kitsuchi and the Sunagakure ninjas, then to the counterattack against Shaquan's squad, and finally the life-and-death struggle with Kazama Heitetsu.

Gong Yi thinks and deliberates constantly!

"Regarding intelligence gathering, I followed the teachings of the Ninja Academy and made no major mistakes."

"The same goes for eavesdropping on the secret talks; it was only because I lacked stealth-related Ninjutsu that I was discovered by the elite Jonin Kazama Heitetsu. It seems I must address this shortcoming."

"In the close-quarters engagement with Shaquan's squad, I performed well. Whether it was feigning weakness, interrupting Shaquan's killing blow at the perfect moment, or the surprise attack with Shuriken, I achieved perfection. I was just a bit naive when it came to disposing of the bodies."

"However, that is not entirely my fault. If I hadn't run into Rasa, Kazama Heitetsu would never have suspected the Konoha ninjas, thanks to the misdirection provided by Shaquan's corpse."

Gong Yi sorts through the events one by one, finally arriving at the battle with Kazama Heitetsu.

Even today, Gong Yi still feels a lingering fear.

The intensity of that battle far exceeded his imagination; if it had been anyone else of similar age to Gong Yi, they likely would not have survived that fight.

From the moment the battle began, Gong Yi clearly analyzed the disparity in strength between himself and Kazama Heitetsu.

In terms of chakra refinement speed and maximum capacity, he could not compare to an old-school elite Jonin like Kazama Heitetsu.

The same applied to his mastery of Ninjutsu.

After all, that man was a bodyguard to the Third Kazekage, a high-ranking figure in Sunagakure with access to a vast array of high-level Ninjutsu.

Precisely because of this, Gong Yi decided from the start to adopt a strategy of feigning weakness.

He used the Ninjutsu he possessed to endure the opponent's attacks as much as possible, draining the enemy's chakra.

Only when the opponent grew murderous and intended to eliminate him in one stroke did Gong Yi finally reveal his trump cards.

"It was still far too dangerous!"

Gong Yi shakes his head, unable to help but sigh.

"If I had mastered several high-level Ninjutsu, I wouldn't have been reduced to relying on my physical body to secure victory that day."

Yes, Gong Yi's chakra reserves are by no means inferior to an average Jonin.

But the reason he was suppressed throughout the entire fight that day was that the gap in Ninjutsu mastery was too obvious.

"Upon returning to the village, it is time to collect relevant Ninjutsu. As it happens, having completed this mission, I should have the opportunity to access them given the importance of the intelligence I gathered!"

Gong Yi narrows his eyes and slowly rises from the bath.

On his body, scar after scar looks shocking.

The power of a Wind Style user is beyond doubt.

During that battle, Gong Yi endured too many tiny wind blades, resulting in numerous wounds on his body.

Especially on his chest, where a Vacuum Sphere from Kazama Heitetsu left a massive scar.

It is only because Gong Yi's body is strong enough that he has slowly recovered over these past ten days.

"Time to go, back to the village!"

Konoha Hokage's office!

Iga Kawaji stands inside with a weary expression, his left sleeve hanging empty.

His left arm is gone!

The Third Hokage watches this scene, feeling a pang of heartache.

Iga Kawaji offers a forced smile. "Rasa is hailed as the successor to the Third Kazekage and possesses a powerful Kekkei Genkai. Being able to survive his hands is already a stroke of luck. Lord Hokage need not grieve for me."

"But without this arm, your future use of Ninjutsu..." The Third shakes his head, feeling a sense of self-reproach.

If he hadn't sent Iga Kawaji out of the Anbu to take on other missions as usual, perhaps this would never have happened!

However, as Iga Kawaji said, it is a miracle he survived at all.

"Rasa—that young man, how is his strength? Have you clearly reported the relevant personal intelligence to the Konoha intelligence department?"

Iga Kawaji nods. "Since this is information I traded an arm for, I have already made it clear."

"Rasa possesses the Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai! He can refine gold from sand and soil, using it to augment other Ninjutsu and increase their power. The Ninjutsu he used at the time included Magnet Release: Sand-Stone Flow, Magnet Release: Shuriken, and Magnet Release: Glazed Shatter."

Listening to Iga Kawaji's report, the Third Hokage furrows his brows tightly.

"Is this young man truly that powerful? He is only eighteen, isn't he?"

Iga Kawaji says softly, "Lord Hokage need not worry about this. Not to mention that our village has figures like Orochimaru and Jiraiya. Among the younger generation, Minato Namikaze is not at all inferior to him. In my opinion, Minato Namikaze is even slightly stronger than Rasa."

The Third naturally trusts Iga Kawaji's judgment, but if that is the case, he is curious about something else.

"For Rasa to pursue you personally, there must have been some item or intelligence that your squad intercepted. What exactly could it be?"

Upon hearing this question, a look of concern appears on Iga Kawaji's face.

"My two subordinates, Hyuga Senso and Ogawara, did not gather much valuable intelligence. As for that pursuit, it was triggered by another team member, Gong Yi. If there is any high-value intelligence, it must be with him."

"Gong Yi, that top student of the Ninja Academy, the genius among civilian ninjas?"

The Third Hokage looked thoughtful. "Has he returned yet?"

Iga Kawaji shook his head. "Not yet. Ten days have passed, and there has been no news so far. It is also unclear who was pursuing him back then. I hope he is safe and sound!"

The Third Hokage was more concerned about the intelligence Gong Yi possessed.

As the captain, Iga Kawaji was more concerned about Gong Yi's life and death.

The Third Hokage suddenly asked, "I have always had you observe Gong Yi in secret. What is your assessment of him? Hmm, not just regarding his personal strength, but also his attitude toward Konoha!"

Iga Kawaji hesitated for a moment, then said firmly, "Although Gong Yi is a war orphan picked up from outside, he grew up in the village and has a strong sense of belonging to Konoha!"

"During this escape, he did his best to protect the other two members, choosing to draw the pursuers away all by himself."

The Third Hokage stroked his beard, half-believing.

Instead, he no longer paid much attention to Gong Yi's personal strength.

"Lord Hokage, I will take my leave now. My team members are waiting for me outside. If Gong Yi returns to the village, I will bring him to see you as soon as possible!"

"You may go!"

Stepping out of the building, the sunlight poured down, bathing Iga Kawaji's face.

Hyuga Senso and Ogawara ran over, their eyes lingering on his empty sleeve with expressions of sorrow.

Iga Kawaji offered a stiff smile. "Let's go. Although my arm is ruined and I can no longer carry out missions, I am still your captain until a new one is appointed. I will teach you as much as I can."

Just as they were about to walk away, a figure slowly appeared at the main gate of Konoha.

"Konoha, I'm back!"