Duels to the death were an age-old custom, used to resolve irreconcilable conflicts. Peaceful Konoha had not seen one in a very long time.
Once both sides agreed to a duel, their lives were left to fate.
No one could pursue the matter afterward.
"Perhaps Ryōken will grow fast enough to win."
Hiruzen Sarutobi's tone carried a trace of reassurance.
Yet neither Tsunade nor he himself truly believed it.
The further one progressed, the slower one's strength grew. That was only natural.
At this point, making decent progress in a year was already impressive, let alone in just three months.
Near the border of the Land of Fire.
There were more and more wandering bandits and rogue ninja.
The increasingly chaotic ninja world had given these people fertile ground to survive. Like locusts, they ravaged every corner of the ninja world, bringing devastating harm to powerless civilians.
The weak had no voice in this chaotic world.
Although Konoha had always dispatched ninja to eliminate threats within its borders, they continued to emerge endlessly, leaving Konoha's ninja run ragged.
Moreover, the approaching ninja war had Konoha overwhelmed. Far fewer personnel were available to hunt down bandits, with most sent to guard key locations and the front lines.
Ryōken's group traveled with a carriage, making them look like a profitable target. Naturally, some fools came seeking trouble.
"Cremation!"
With a single sword slash, the Starry Night Sword abruptly erupted with flames and shot toward a rogue ninja.
The rogue ninja's face filled with terror as he was reduced to ashes.
They scattered in the wind.
Ryōken calmly withdrew Starry Night and turned toward the carriage.
Over the past few days, he had killed an unknown number of ninja and bandits like this. He had long since grown numb to it.
In this