Back to the Village

Far off to the side, Shimura Kazumi witnessed the entire moment when that streak of brilliant blue lightning erupted from Sosuke's hand.

After seeing it easily take the life of the fleeing ninja, she couldn't help but freeze.

Hidden behind her mask, her beautiful eyes quietly studied Sosuke as she marveled inwardly.

Th-that was this brat's kekkei genkai? It has that kind of power! Could this guy already be as strong as an elite jōnin?!

If she had previously thought Sosuke merely possessed impressive Taijutsu skills, then he certainly couldn't be considered a jōnin. At most, he could only be called an elite Chunin.

Shimura Kazumi was a ninjutsu prodigy herself, so she hadn't paid him much attention.

But after Sosuke caught up with her and told her he had personally created a Nintaijutsu that could rival the Body Flicker Technique, Shimura Kazumi had begun to take her uncle's acknowledged student much more seriously.

Now that she had seen Sosuke's mysterious kekkei genkai kill a Chunin with such ease, she was at a loss for words. She could only describe her feelings as shock.

This brat! Is he really a super genius?!

Looking at Sosuke, who wasn't much taller than she was, Shimura Kazumi couldn't help wanting to shake the thought from her head.

He's still just a kid! How could he possibly...

Nearby, Sosuke saw the resentful look Shimura Kazumi was giving him. He kept an awkward smile on his face, but inwardly he could only sigh.

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

The two of them came to stand beside the bandit leader, who lay on the ground, barely clinging to life.

By now, he was the only one on the battlefield who still had even the faintest breath left.

He struggled to open his eyes. His expression was complicated, and as he coughed repeatedly, he spoke.

"I... I never thought Konoha would send two jō... jōnin to wipe us out..."

Hearing him, Shimura Kazumi wasn't surprised. Sosuke's performance on this mission had truly exceeded her expectations.

"Where is your intelligence network? Who's your superior? If you tell me, I'll make your death quick," Shimura Kazumi asked coldly.

"Cough... cough. Do you think I'd tell you? I hate this damned war... but I can't betray my village... cough, cough... This time, it's finally my turn to die."

His voice was hoarse. His coughing grew heavier, and a trace of pain crossed his face.

"Kill him," Sosuke said softly from nearby.

Shimura Kazumi turned and looked at him in surprise.

This brat... He's actually kindhearted. That doesn't quite fit with how decisive he is...

But she didn't stop him. Her tone was casual as she said,

"Go ahead. We wouldn't get any useful information out of someone like him anyway."

Sosuke stepped forward. Beneath his mask, his gaze fell lightly on the bandit ninja leader lying on the ground. There was no pity or anger in his eyes, only indifference.

He said nothing.

"Splurt!"

He raised his hand and drove Kyoka Suigetsu straight down into the ninja leader's heart with precise ease.

The ninja leader had naturally heard their conversation. As he felt that stab of pain, an expression of relief appeared on his face.

Ever since becoming a ninja, he seemed to have been trapped in a war he had no control over. When the open warfare ended, there was war in the shadows. Day after day, he had slaughtered others, staining his hands with the blood of countless innocent lives. Was this life finally about to end...?

As he lost more and more blood, his life gradually slipped away.

With his dying breath, he murmured softly,

"Thank you..."

After killing the ninja leader, the two turned and left.

Sosuke heard those words, but his departing figure remained unchanged, his back still straight.

Kazumi, however, glanced at Sosuke with her dark eyes when she heard them.

My uncle's student, huh... What an interesting fellow...

By then, all the bandits and enemy-village ninja in the bandit settlement had been killed. As for the women the bandits had abducted, Shimura Kazumi left them enough provisions and pointed them toward the road before leaving with Sosuke.

After all, their mission had only been to kill all the bandits.

If they had been accompanied by a few other Root ninja, they might have killed even the women who had survived!

Over the next two days, the two of them made their way back to the village.

Naturally, Sosuke never let up on his training along the way!

At this point, chakra and physical strength were his main obstacles to growth.

If he could overcome those two problems, Sosuke's strength would make another qualitative leap.

They returned to the village.

Inside the underground Root Base.

After reporting the details of the mission, Shimura Kazumi stepped out of the room and looked at Sosuke, who had been waiting there.

As before, Shimura Kazumi regarded Sosuke with a somewhat cool gaze and spoke in a chilly voice.

"Because of Root's confidentiality rules, this mission won't be recorded in your file. Under normal circumstances, you'll be a member of my squad."

Hearing this, Sosuke looked at Shimura Kazumi in confusion and asked softly,

"Under normal circumstances?"

Shimura Kazumi couldn't help replying in an annoyed tone,

"It means that, in the village, you'll publicly be a member of my squad, and I'll be your captain. Remember, my name is Shimura Kazumi."

"From now on, call me Captain Kazumi!"

At last, Sosuke understood what Shimura Kazumi meant. He chuckled.

"Come on, Captain Kazumi. But I still like Captain Hannya better."

His words annoyed Shimura Kazumi. She tossed her purple hair and turned away, not wanting to deal with Sosuke anymore.

You brat! How dare you... dare... tease me! Just you wait...

Behind her, Sosuke wore a smile, but deep in his eyes, behind his glasses, a hint of doubt remained.

Shimura Danzō... Shimura Kazumi... What exactly is their relationship?

This mysterious Teacher Danzō...

Since this teacher he had taken was so mysterious and never showed himself, Sosuke decided he would simply wait and see what his nominal teacher was really after.

Deep in Root, Shimura Kazumi, now separated from Sosuke, knelt on one knee before Danzō, who sat in the shadows.

She carefully reported everything she had observed about Sosuke along the way.

In the shadows, Danzō kept his eyes half-closed.

Only when he heard that Sosuke had created a Nintaijutsu comparable to the Body Flicker Technique did his eyes open slightly, a faint glimmer flashing in them.

After Shimura Kazumi finished speaking, Danzō murmured,

"You may leave, Kazumi. I've heard everything you told me."

Hearing this, Shimura Kazumi was about to withdraw when she suddenly looked up and asked Danzō,

"But, Uncle, why have Sosuke publicly join my squad in the village? If that draws those people's attention, won't your relationship with him be exposed?"

Danzō was silent for a moment before answering in a hoarse voice,

"To maintain the balance of power. Not much time has passed, but some people in the village are already becoming active. Only a sufficient show of force can suppress their arrogant ambitions."

Hearing this, Shimura Kazumi began to understand. Still, deep down, she had the vague feeling there were many more secrets involved.