Returning to the Village (Seeking Collection!)

From a distance, Shimura Kazumi witnessed the entire process of the brilliant blue lightning erupting from Sosuke's hand.

Seeing that flash of lightning effortlessly claim the life of the fleeing ninja, she could not help but freeze.

Her beautiful eyes, hidden behind her mask, observed Sosuke in secret, her heart filled with silent astonishment.

W-was that just now this brat's Kekkei Genkai? To think it possesses such power! Could this guy's strength already be on par with a Jonin!?

If one were to judge solely by Sosuke's previously impressive mastery of taijutsu, he certainly could not yet be called a Jonin; at most, he would only qualify as an elite Chunin.

As a ninjutsu prodigy herself, Shimura Kazumi naturally had not placed too much importance on him.

However, after Sosuke caught up to her and claimed to have personally created a body-flicker-style ninjutsu that could rival the Body Flicker Technique, Shimura Kazumi had begun to place deeper and deeper importance on this disciple acknowledged by her uncle.

When she discovered at this moment that Sosuke's unknown Kekkei Genkai could kill a Chunin so easily, Shimura Kazumi's feelings were beyond words; they could only be described as shocked.

This brat! Is he truly a super genius!?

Shimura Kazumi looked at Sosuke, who was not much taller than her, and could not help but want to shake that thought out of her head.

He's still just a brat! How could it be...

Standing to the side, Sosuke watched Shimura Kazumi, who was eyeing him with a resentful expression. He maintained an awkward smile on his face, though he felt helpless in his heart.

Did I do something to provoke Captain Hannya again... I don't think I said anything I shouldn't have...

The two of them arrived at the side of the bandit leader, who lay on the ground gasping his last breaths.

At this moment, he was the only one left on the field with even a faint trace of breath.

He struggled to open his eyes, his gaze complex, and coughed incessantly as he spoke.

"I... I never imagined that Konoha would actually send two Jonin... cough... cough... to wipe us out."

Hearing his words, Shimura Kazumi was not surprised; indeed, Sosuke's performance during this mission had truly exceeded her expectations.

"Where are your intelligence lines? Who is your superior? If you tell me, I will give you a quick death," Shimura Kazumi asked coldly.

"Cough... cough, do you think I would say? Although I hate this damned war... I cannot betray my village... cough, cough... this time, it is finally my turn to die."

He spoke in a hoarse voice, his coughing growing heavier, and a look of pain washed over his face.

"Kill him."

At this moment, Sosuke spoke softly from the side.

Shimura Kazumi turned her head at the sound, casting an surprised glance at him.

This brat... his heart is actually quite kind; it doesn't quite match his efficient style of doing things...

However, she did not stop him, and said casually.

"As you wish. In any case, no useful intelligence can be extracted from the mouth of a man like this."

Sosuke stepped forward, his eyes beneath his mask glancing down at the fallen bandit ninja leader—no sympathy, no anger, only cold indifference.

He did not say a word.

"Puchi!"

He simply raised his hand, and Kyoka Suigetsu pierced precisely into the ninja leader's heart from above.

The ninja leader lying on the ground had naturally heard their conversation, and upon feeling that sharp pain, a look of relief appeared on his face.

Ever since he became a ninja, he seemed to have been trapped in such an involuntary war. When the open war ended, there was the secret war. Constant slaughter, his hands stained with the blood of countless innocent lives—was this life finally coming to an end...

As a large amount of blood drained away, his vitality gradually faded.

Before dying, he whispered softly.

"Thank you..."

After killing the ninja leader, the two turned and walked away.

Sosuke heard these words, but his departing figure did not change in the slightest, remaining upright and steady.

Shimura Kazumi, however, glanced at Sosuke with her black eyes after hearing those words.

Uncle's disciple, huh... What an interesting fellow...

By now, all the bandits in this bandit village and the enemy ninjas had been completely wiped out. As for the women who had been abducted by the bandits, Shimura Kazumi left them enough dry rations, pointed out the route, and then left with Sosuke.

After all, their mission was merely to kill all the bandits.

If it had been a few other Root ninjas, they might have even killed the few surviving women!

Over the next two days, the two of them hurried back to the village.

Along the way, Sosuke naturally never gave up on his training!

For him at this moment, chakra and physical strength were his primary growth hurdles.

If he could solve these two problems, Sosuke's strength would once again take a qualitative leap.

They returned to the village.

Inside the underground Root base.

After reporting the details of the mission, Shimura Kazumi walked out of the room and looked at Sosuke, who was waiting there.

Shimura Kazumi looked at Sosuke with her usual indifference, her voice cold.

"Due to the confidentiality protocols of Root, this mission will not be recorded in your file. In daily life, your identity will be that of a member of my squad."

Hearing this, Sosuke couldn't help but look at Shimura Kazumi with a questioning gaze, speaking softly.

"Daily life?"

Shimura Kazumi couldn't help but retort irritably.

"It means while in the village, you will be a member of my squad on the surface, and I will be your captain. Remember, my name is Shimura Kazumi."

"From now on, call me Captain Kazumi when you see me!"

Hearing this, Sosuke finally understood what Shimura Kazumi meant and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Well, well, Captain Kazumi, though I think I prefer the name Captain Hannya a bit more."

These words couldn't help but make Shimura Kazumi flare up. She tossed her purple hair and turned to leave, not wanting to pay any more attention to a guy like Sosuke!

Stinking brat! How dare he... dare to... tease me! You just wait...

Behind her, Sosuke wore a smile, though deep within his eyes, hidden beneath his lenses, lay a trace of doubt.

Shimura Danzo... Shimura Kazumi... what exactly is their relationship?

This mysterious teacher Danzo...

Since the teacher he had apprenticed under was so mysterious and refused to show his face, he might as well wait and see what this nominal teacher was actually planning to do.

Deep within Root, having parted ways with Sosuke, Shimura Kazumi knelt before Danzo, who sat shrouded in shadows.

She carefully reported her observations of Sosuke throughout their journey.

Within the shadows, Danzo kept his eyes half-closed.

It was only when he heard that Sosuke had created a ninjutsu-taijutsu style comparable to the Body Flicker Technique that he slightly opened his eyes, a faint, sharp glint flickering within them.

When Shimura Kazumi finished speaking, Danzo pondered for a moment.

"You may go, Kazumi. I am aware of everything you have said."

Hearing this, Shimura Kazumi prepared to withdraw, but suddenly, she looked up and asked Danzo.

"But Uncle, why have Sosuke join my squad openly in the village? If this draws the attention of those people, won't your relationship with him be exposed to others?"

Danzo pondered for a while before answering in a hoarse voice.

"Due to the need for a balance of power, not much time has passed, but certain individuals within the village have begun to stir; only through sufficient deterrence can their arrogant ambitions be suppressed."

Hearing this, Shimura Kazumi felt a sudden realization, though deep down, she vaguely sensed that there were even more secrets at play.