Hunt

Feiyun led Karin through the ruins, searching everywhere.

Following Karin's directions, Feiyun used Earth Release to break open several sections of rubble, but found only shattered sealing stones.

The two stopped before a half-collapsed abandoned hall. The crooked wooden doors still vaguely bore the words "Mask Hall." Feiyun's lips curled. This had to be the place.

Once inside, they indeed found all kinds of masks mounted on the cracked walls.

Looking at the countless masks, Feiyun frowned slightly. When he had told Orochimaru that he recognized the Death God's Mask, he had actually been bluffing.

To someone like Feiyun, who had no interest whatsoever in masks, all these messy masks looked exactly the same.

It was like how humans saw cats and dogs—every cat and dog looked alike. But cats and dogs saw humans the same way. To them, all humans looked alike too.

Just as Feiyun was about to pack them all up and take them away, Karin pointed at a mask above them. It had two sharp horns on its forehead and a mouth full of fangs. "That mask feels terrifying. It seems alive."

Feiyun's gaze sharpened. He stretched out his arm. Hidden Shadow Snake Hands! A python shot out and coiled around the mask, delivering it into Feiyun's hand.

The moment he touched it, a power he loathed seeped through his palm. That was right. It was him!

Feiyun spoke in delight. He was completely certain that this was the Death God's Mask.

After putting the mask away, Feiyun tried touching the others, but felt nothing unusual. It seemed the rest were merely ordinary keepsakes.

Feiyun turned to Karin. "The mission is complete. Do you have any other thoughts?"

"If not, we should leave."

Karin shook her head. Feiyun nodded. "Let's go. I'll take you out for a good meal."

The two walked out of the Mask Hall one after the other and headed beyond Nest Village.

Karin secretly lifted her eyes to look at the tall, handsome back ahead of her. Back in Shadow Village, she had heard many stories about this man.

Shadow Village's strongest ninja, said to be on par with Lord Orochimaru—the Light of Shadow Village, the immortal hero of the Shinobi World.

Of course, no one knew whether the claim that he was on par with Orochimaru was true.

As they were about to leave the ruins of Nest Village, Karin gathered her courage and said, "Um, Lord Feiyun..."

"What is it?"

"Karin heard that Lord Feiyun's Shurikenjutsu is very powerful. Could you teach me?"

"Shurikenjutsu?"

Hearing that, Feiyun paused slightly and fell into thought.

He had never really focused on practicing it. Still, with the Mangekyo Sharingan's dynamic vision, shuriken naturally would not be a weakness for him. Hitting wherever he aimed, using one blade to knock another away, accurately striking blind spots—those things were easy enough.

Feiyun spoke as he walked.

"Shurikenjutsu is really just observation and physical coordination, followed by diligent practice."

"If your Shurikenjutsu is poor, then maybe your movements and thoughts aren't practiced enough, or your thoughts and movements aren't coordinated. Just find a way to make your body move with your thoughts."

Karin listened carefully, murmuring, "Making movements follow thoughts..."

As she spoke, she hurriedly took out paper and pen and began writing it down.

Feiyun took out a shuriken and casually tossed it. It traced a beautiful arc, circling around them once.

Without even looking at it, Feiyun extended his right index finger and steadily caught the returning shuriken. It spun with a whoosh above his right shoulder.

"Ah, that's amazing! Lord Feiyun, teach me!"

Karin's eyes were filled with little stars.

"Mm, it's about thought. First, calculate a simple trajectory, then estimate the force, wind direction, and angle. Then swish—and finally, it goes whoosh."

Feiyun gestured seriously with both hands, trying to make Karin understand.

Karin's little lotus-root-like hand, which was taking notes, froze. She looked slightly dazed. Uh... she did not seem to understand.

"Ha... take it slowly. In short, practice more."

"Whether you're a genius or not, diligence is always the key."

Karin's eyes lit up as she said excitedly.

"I know that one. As long as ordinary people work hard enough, they can definitely catch up to geniuses."

Feiyun chuckled. "Who taught you that nonsense? Catch up with what?"

"You think geniuses don't work hard?"

"I'm a genius myself, and I haven't found anyone more hardworking than me."

Karin froze slightly, her expression dimming. That seemed true. Geniuses worked hard too—perhaps even harder, and they were better suited to hard work. Their physical strength and chakra conditions were better, allowing them to endure more. Ordinary people, on the other hand, would collapse after working hard for too long, run out of chakra, and lack resources as well.

"My mother said it."

"Mm."

Feiyun choked on his words. After a moment, he puffed out his chest and said.

"Your mother was right. That's why I said that no matter what, diligence is always the key."

Karin's gaze became firm, and she nodded hard.

"I understand, Lord Feiyun."

The two arrived at a bustling town and entered a restaurant.

Feiyun picked up the menu and handed it to Karin, laughing heartily. "Karin, order whatever you want. Money isn't a problem."

After saying that, Feiyun picked up another menu and began ordering for himself.

Anyway, all expenses for this trip would be paid by Danzo. Feiyun wished he could order every delicious dish on the menu, then have the owner write him a receipt ten times the actual amount. Before long, all sorts of food were delivered to their table.

Charcoal-grilled takoyaki, brushed with teriyaki sauce and sprinkled with shredded seaweed. Karin took a bite, and the crisp outer layer gave way to a chewy center as sweet, fresh juices burst across her tongue.

She praised it through a mouthful of food. "Mm, this is so much better than the rations from Grass Village!"

Triangular rice balls were stuffed with sour, salty pickled plums and wrapped in crisp seaweed.

Snow-white rolled tofu soaked in grilled fish broth, garnished with chopped scallions and grated ginger.

Karin gently touched it with her spoon, and the tofu trembled apart like a cloud.

Grilled Pacific saury had crispy skin while its flesh remained tender and fresh.

Sticky yam paste hid mushrooms, chicken, and rice cakes within, bubbling with steam.

Uzumaki Clan rice was covered with salmon, salmon roe, and sea urchin, with a whirlpool-shaped radish carving on top. Three-colored sweet rice dumplings were skewered on bamboo sticks, while chilled amber-colored liquor held green plums beneath its surface, droplets of water gathering on the cup.

Watching Karin stuff herself, Feiyun suddenly asked, "Karin, Orochimaru was the one who brought you to Shadow Village, right?"

"Do you have any thoughts about it?"

"Or any emotions?"

For some reason, Feiyun felt an inexplicable empathy toward members of the Uzumaki Clan.

A lifetime spent laboring without rest; when rest finally came, one was already sleeping beneath the mountain. Perhaps that described the ordinary masses buried beneath the dust of this world.

The most brilliant splendor would never be discovered. Only a few who personally witnessed it from nearby were fortunate enough to see it.

Karin slightly raised her pretty face, shiny with grease.

"I don't know. I just feel much more comfortable than I did in Grass Village."

"Although Lord Orochimaru looks frightening too, he never made anyone bite me. He only occasionally drew some of my blood or gave me injections."

Feiyun sighed and put down the chicken leg in his hand. "If I let you go now and made Shadow Village promise never to hunt you again, would you rather leave and gain your freedom, or return to Shadow Village?"

Karin considered it carefully for a moment before answering, "I'd rather stay in Shadow Village. Compared to Lord Orochimaru and all of you, I'm more afraid of the outside world."

Feiyun nodded. Indeed, with Karin's bloodline, there was no place for her in the Shinobi World. Leaving would only lead to an even more tragic fate.

Too many people coveted the Uzumaki Clan's bloodline. Who could guarantee that her next owner would treat her better than Grass Village had?

You fought for your village, and I fought for mine. Everyone had their own beliefs, yet no one had any intention of fighting for the Uzumaki Clan.

It was the same for Feiyun. If he had not been strong enough, leaving aside everyone else, countless forces and even Orochimaru would have long ago turned him into their next vessel. Was that assumption wrong?

No. There was no right or wrong in this world. Wasn't it simply that you had your justice, while I had mine?

If Feiyun let Karin leave now, would he really be helping her?

No. After leaving Shadow Village, Karin might end up ten times more miserable than she was now. Like her mother, she would most likely be exploited to death.

When the nation prospered, the people suffered. When it declined, the people suffered.

There were no idle fields beneath the four seas, yet farmers still starved to death. Life had already lost its home—how could it speak of fine wine and crystal?

Everything had meaning, yet everything was so meaningless. What irony. What irony!

Feiyun merely wore a gentle smile and continued eating and drinking with Karin, saying nothing more.

After they had eaten their fill, the two came to a hot spring inn. The moment they entered the mixed-gender bath, Feiyun spotted an acquaintance—Asuma Sarutobi.

At that moment, Asuma Sarutobi was soaking in the hot spring with a beautiful red-haired woman, chatting and laughing.

He had not noticed Feiyun's arrival at all.

Karin went to the women-only bath.

Feiyun's lips curled as he slowly entered the spring. He soaked across from Asuma Sarutobi and Yuhi Kurenai, smiling as he said, "My, my. Konoha is really free these days. Even the Hokage's son has time to come out on vacation?"

Steam rose from the hot spring, and Asuma and Yuhi Kurenai could not make out the man's face across from them. He was probably some ally from Konoha.

"The Land of Fire has indeed been fairly peaceful lately, so I managed to get some leave."

Yuhi Kurenai was more cautious by nature. In a pleasant voice, she asked, "May I ask which friend you are? What a coincidence that we met here. Oh, right, I haven't introduced myself yet. How rude of me."

Feiyun spoke apologetically, then continued with a smile. "My name is Uchiha Feiyun. Konoha should be looking for me."

The moment those words left his mouth, a gust swept through the hot spring. Powerful chakra blew away the mist, making the bath area completely clear. Feiyun tilted his head slightly as the fierce wind stirred his messy black hair.

"Why is Mr. Asuma so irritable in front of his girlfriend?"

"You'll leave a bad impression that way."

Asuma Sarutobi remained silent, every muscle in his body taut as he stared fixedly at the young man across from him.

Yuhi Kurenai also came to her senses. Her deep cleavage was faintly visible beneath the water.

"Uchiha Feiyun?"

"Is he that criminal beyond S-rank?"

Yuhi Kurenai's shocked expression held a trace of surprise. She had not expected the legendary vicious criminal to look so sunny, handsome, and refined.

At that moment, the most frustrated person was undoubtedly Asuma. He had finally gotten some time off and planned to take Yuhi Kurenai on a romantic trip. If nothing unexpected happened, there would be a soul-stirring battle at the hot spring inn tonight.

But that was life. Between surprises and accidents, you never knew which would arrive first.

Asuma flexed his fingers, secretly preparing hand seals.

Though the gust from earlier had caused quite a commotion, it had not alarmed the other bathers. Everyone merely thought the wind had picked up, since this was an open-air hot spring.