Although Earth Release had buried the bloodshed in the camp, an invisible sense of oppression and estrangement lingered. The campfires crackled, illuminating the varied expressions on everyone's faces.
Dr. Mitsui and his assistant, Kenichi, sat far off to one side, not daring to look toward Ling. Whenever their eyes strayed his way, they held unmistakable fear. Ling's cold, efficient slaughter had left them deeply shaken.
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio gathered around another campfire, their mood subdued as well. Choji ate potato chips in silence, seemingly trying to quell his unease with food. Shikamaru rested both hands behind his head and gazed at the dancing flames, his brow furrowed in thought. Ino occasionally stole glances at Ling, who sat alone nearby with his eyes closed. Her gaze held a complicated mix of concern, awe, and a trace of unfamiliarity. She had never seen Ling so... ruthless and decisive.
After clearing away the last traces at the scene, Asuma sat down beside Ling and offered him a flask of water.
"Thanks, Asuma," Ling said, opening his eyes and taking the flask.
"What you did just now... wasn't wrong." Asuma lit a cigarette and took a deep drag, his voice low. "Showing mercy to vicious Missing-nin like those is cruelty to yourself and your comrades. It's just... your methods were a little... unexpected." He chose a relatively tactful word.
"The situation was critical. I needed to eliminate the threat as quickly as possible." Ling's tone was calm and devoid of emotion. "Besides, they saw my techniques. I couldn't leave survivors to leak that information." His reasoning fit a ninja's mindset perfectly-silencing witnesses.
Asuma fell silent for a moment, then nodded. That reasoning was unassailable, especially given Ling's unique and powerful Water Release, which certainly should not be exposed to potential enemies too soon. He