Instant Kill

As the five ice sculptures shattered, everyone slowly came back to their senses. Amai finally found his voice too, but his words came out fragmented.

"Th-this... in an instant... five Jonin... How is that possible?"

But no one answered him.

Sōji lowered his hand. His body swayed slightly, but he quickly steadied himself.

His Cursed Energy was nearly depleted, and his Six Eyes throbbed faintly from operating at full capacity, but he showed no sign of anything amiss.

He merely turned around and looked at Tsunade behind him. She was still standing where she was, trembling all over, but her gaze had gone blank.

She looked at the boy's back before her.

In that instant, the images in her mind...

Dan lying in a pool of blood, Nawaki's limbs blown to pieces—those nightmares she desperately wanted to forget but could never erase—suddenly blurred.

After a long while, Tsunade's lips moved. Her voice was soft, so soft it was like a sigh.

"...Brat."

The ice lotuses swiftly melted away, and the air gradually warmed. Sōji stepped closer and tilted his head slightly. "Hm?"

"Just now..."

She paused, seeming to gather her thoughts, then asked quietly, "I heard you muttering something about a Binding Vow?"

Sōji nodded. "Yes. It's an advanced application of cursed techniques. By revealing information about the technique and forming a Binding Vow with heaven and earth, one can greatly increase their Cursed Energy output."

"There's actually such a use?"

Tsunade frowned. "So just now, you practically revealed everything about that technique of yours."

Sōji nodded. "Yes, but Ice Formation isn't a cursed technique that relies heavily on skill."

"After seeing it used twice, others can figure out its capabilities anyway. It's better to trade information for power. Besides, everyone who knows is dead, and Hidden Cloud won't be our enemy for the time being."

Of course, there was another reason he did not mention. Tsunade's condition was far from right. He wanted to end the battle as quickly as possible so she could rest and put her mind at ease sooner.

"All right. As long as you've thought it through."

As she spoke, Tsunade took a deep breath, slowly raised her hand, and patted Sōji on the shoulder. "Good work."

Her voice was still a little hoarse, but her spirit was gradually returning.

Sōji gave a slight nod. "You too. You've worked hard."

Tsunade froze for a moment, then smiled.

The exhaustion was still there in that smile, as was the fragility, but there was even more relief and pride, along with something indescribable.

The Fourth Raikage watched the scene before him in silence for a long time. Then he withdrew his gaze and looked at the ice crystals covering the ground.

Sunlight fell upon them, refracting rainbow-colored light. They were beautiful, but cold.

He suddenly recalled the boy's name. Yamada Soji—this name might soon resound throughout the Shinobi World.

Amai snapped out of his shock. He looked at Sōji, then at the ice crystals scattered across the ground. His lips moved, and in the end, he forced out a sentence.

"Um... Lord Raikage... the Explosive Insects inside our bodies..."

The Fourth Raikage said nothing. He merely looked at Tsunade.

Tsunade raised a brow. "What's the rush? I said I'd treat you, so I'll treat you."

She rolled her wrist. "But everyone's tired today. We'll do the Fourth Raikage's operation later, and the other one tomorrow!"

Amai opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but a look from the Fourth Raikage stopped him.

The Fourth Raikage looked at Tsunade and nodded. "Fine. The support troops from Hidden Cloud, as part of the payment we promised you, will arrive tomorrow as well."

Then he looked at Sōji. His hawk-like eyes rested on Sōji for two seconds. "You..."

He paused, swallowing the recruitment offer that nearly left his lips. "Forget it. I'll remember you."

Sōji nodded slightly in response. The Fourth Raikage said nothing more and turned, striding toward the stone house.

Amai hurried after him. After taking a few steps, he could not help looking back once more.

The silver-haired boy still stood where he was, beside Tsunade. Sunlight fell over them and spilled across the ice crystals covering the ground, reflecting a dazzling radiance.

Amai withdrew his gaze and quickened his pace to catch up with the Fourth Raikage. He suddenly felt that this trip to the Land of Gold had been worth it.

Not only had he met the legendary Three Sannin, but he had also witnessed the arrival of a monster.

At that moment, Shizune jogged over, her eyes red around the rims. "Lady Tsunade, are you all right? You scared me to death just now!"

Tsunade stretched and rolled her eyes. "What could possibly happen to me? I'm perfectly fine."

Shizune looked at Sōji, her expression complicated. "Sōji... just now, you..."

Sōji tilted his head slightly. "Hm?"

Shizune opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, she merely gave him a deep bow. "Thank you."

Sōji fell silent for a moment, then nodded slightly. "No need to be so polite."

Shizune straightened and looked at him. Suddenly, she smiled.

"Sōji, you looked really cool standing in front of Lady Tsunade just now!"

Sōji's brow twitched. Tsunade snorted beside him. "Brat, did you hear that? Shizune says you're handsome!"

Sōji said nothing more. Gripping his cane, he turned and headed toward the stone house. But after taking two steps, he stopped again.

"Shizune."

"Hm?"

"Thanks for the compliment. I think I'm pretty handsome too, but please don't fall in love with me. I'm only a twelve-year-old child!"

With that, he continued forward, his cane tapping against the ground. Tap, tap, tap. The sound was especially crisp in the quiet afternoon air.

Shizune froze for a moment, then could not help laughing out loud.

Tsunade laughed too.

She looked at that slender back, at his silver hair glimmering faintly in the sunlight, and suddenly felt that today's sunlight seemed a little warmer than usual.

In the distance, the stone house door stood open.

The Fourth Raikage stood at the entrance, watching the approaching boy.

Their gazes met for only an instant. Then the boy passed by him and entered the stone house.

The Fourth Raikage did not move. He merely looked out at the open space beyond.

The ice crystals covering the ground were rapidly melting under the sunlight, as though they had never existed. But he knew they had.

Just like that boy, and everything that had happened today, they would remain in his memory for a very, very long time.

The next morning.

Sunlight streamed through a hole in the stone house and fell upon the crude operating table, coating it in a faint golden sheen.

Shizune stood before the table, her hands steady. A chakra scalpel gathered at her fingertips in a pale green glow as she slowly separated the Explosive Insects from Amai's body.

"Senior Amai, try to keep your breathing steady."

"Yes!"

Amai answered through the pain, not daring to take his eyes off Shizune's hands for even a moment.

That strike from the boy last night had completely cured him of underestimating anyone.

Now, lying on the operating table, he even felt somewhat fortunate—fortunate that Hidden Cloud's medical system was sufficiently advanced, and fortunate that he could understand Shizune's techniques.

The Fourth Raikage stood nearby observing. His muscular chest rose and fell slowly with his breathing, and his gaze remained calm, without the slightest tension.

It was merely guidance for an Explosive Insects operation, not enough to concern him, but from time to time, he glanced toward the doorway.

There, a silver-haired boy leaned against the wall, his cane resting at his side, the black cloth over his eyes fluttering in the wind.

The Fourth Raikage withdrew his gaze.

The operation went smoothly.

Shizune's hands were steady. An hour later, the final batch of Explosive Insects had been removed, and the hidden danger within Amai's body was completely eliminated.

"Whew—"

Shizune let out a long breath. Fine beads of sweat covered her forehead. She wiped them away, a tired yet satisfied smile appearing on her face.

"It's finished."

Amai stared blankly at the insects that had been removed. Only after a long moment did he come back to his senses.

"Miss Shizune, your surgical skills are truly incredible."

Shizune smiled a little embarrassedly. "It's all thanks to Lady Tsunade's teaching."