A Good... Friend

After wasting some time, the three of them finally slaughtered every surviving bandit on the mountain.

Most of the mountain bandits had died beneath Yue's blade.

Ryuga and Yoshitaka had not killed many, but they had still acted.

At first, they had hesitated over killing people. But they were ninjas, and if they wanted to become qualified ninjas, they would have to step onto the battlefield sooner or later. They possessed that resolve. This was not an age of peace in the ninja world.

Besides, these people were not ordinary civilians, but Grass Seed's followers. They had put the three of them in grave danger as well. Spurred on by Yue's actions, the two joined the ranks of executioners.

This mission gave Ryuga and Yoshitaka a new impression and understanding of Yue.

In short, as far as the two were concerned, anyone could be provoked except Yue.

It was that poker-faced devil who had suggested killing them all.

By the time they headed back to the village, night had long fallen.

All three looked thoroughly bedraggled, mainly because their clothes had been badly damaged.

Ryuga had exhausted himself using his Kekkei Genkai, so Yue had carried him on his back the entire way.

"Once we return, the village will definitely question us in detail about the mission. Masada is dead, so there is no way to submit the mission record. We need to get our stories straight," Yue proposed.

"Alright."

Ryuga and Yoshitaka nodded.

"We'll say the three of us killed them together... While heading up the mountain after arriving at the mission site, we discovered Teacher Masada had left the group and was conspiring with Grass Seed's people," Yue said.

"Just like that?"

Yoshitaka froze for a moment. "Don't we need to discuss the details? What if our stories don't match? Besides, with the strength of the three of us, wiping out such a large group, not to mention Masada and that powerful man called Muramasa... It might be..."

It sounded far too unbelievable.

"There's no need."

Before Yue could answer, Ryuga spoke up from his back.

His family belonged to the Grass Flower faction, so he understood the village's political situation better.

The Grass Seed and Grass Flower factions were locked in an open and covert struggle for control of the village. To severely wound the other side, neither faction needed much of a reason... all they needed was a tangible spark to light the powder keg.

Grass Flower would not investigate what had truly happened, especially since Ryuga had been dragged into it. To Grass Flower, the greatest value of the entire incident... was that it gave them a reason to move against Grass Seed.

They would not care about the details at all.

"But Yue... is it really okay to say that?"

Ryuga seemed to think of something.

Yue gave a quiet hum.

At the Ninja Academy, even though Yue did not possess a Kekkei Genkai like him, he still bore the title of genius and drew the attention of many people. If the truth of this incident came out, then for a brat who had only just graduated to possess such strength, he would surely be highly valued by the village... whether that "value" was good or bad, Yue's reputation would undoubtedly grow even louder.

But by sharing the credit with him and Yoshitaka now, Yue was making it clear that he did not want attention.

"Even with your father, I hope you won't say too much... I don't want to get caught up in any trouble."

Yue spoke.

"Alright."

After a brief silence, Ryuga gave his promise.

After all, both he and Yoshitaka had only escaped danger this time because of Yue.

And although he was somewhat afraid of Yue's true side...

What Ryuga felt more than anything was respect and admiration.

It was not until the latter half of the night that the three finally returned to the village gates.

"Stop!"

The moment they appeared, the guard ninjas stationed at the gate emerged and stopped them.

The three hurriedly identified themselves.

Then they were taken away by the Anbu who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

That was right, Kusagakure had Anbu too.

Aside from a few especially small villages that lacked manpower and resources, any village with even a little standing basically copied Konoha's system.

The other four great ninja villages were no exception.

Some might have changed the name or title, but the nature was the same.

The only difference was that Kusagakure's Anbu answered to several elders rather than a Kage.

Furthermore, aside from the Anbu, there was no organization like Root.

It was only because of the struggle between Grass Seed and Grass Flower that the loyalties within the village were exceptionally tangled and chaotic. Almost every department had pieces planted by both factions.

The three were separated.

Yue was taken alone to a dim interrogation room.

He explained everything that had happened from leaving the village to returning, as well as the unusual behavior Teacher Masada, a key member of the team, had displayed before they departed.

The Anbu members wearing animal masks merely went through the routine before leaving, locking him alone in the room.

The Anbu masks here were not Konoha's white masks. They were painted black or dark in color, and instead of having animal features painted onto their surfaces, the masks themselves were carved in the shape of animals. They differed somewhat from the masks Yue remembered.

Not long afterward—less than two hours later—the Anbu returned and told him he could leave.

But they instructed him not to leave the village for a period of time.

Yue picked up his backpack and slowly walked out of the building.

The moment he stepped outside, he saw a father and son waiting for him.

Both had striking white hair.

Ryuga and his father.

Yue was not surprised. He had guessed that someone must have helped him get out so quickly.

That was the advantage of having connections. If it had been his own father, then Fuma Ryoma, a mere Chunin with little say in anything, would never have been able to get him out.

"You must be Yue... Ryuga told me about it. If it hadn't been for you, it would have been difficult for you to return alive this time."

Ryuga's Father was not very old either, not yet thirty.

After all, Yue and Ryuga had only just crossed from childhood into adolescence.

"My name is Ryuga's Father. Thank you."

The man extended a hand to him.

Yue shook hands with the elder, catching Ryuga mischievously winking at him from the corner of his eye.

Apparently, he had told his father some of the truth, but probably not all of it.

They had an agreement between them.

Ryuga would not betray his trust so quickly.

Yue had often heard the name Ryuga's Father.

He was something of a notable figure in the village, a ninja of considerable status and standing, and a confidant of one of the elders.

"Strictly speaking, what you experienced was the village's failure."

Ryuga's Father suddenly became solemn.

"Sigh... We never expected the scheming among adults to lead some people to set their sights on children like you."

"Yue, on behalf of the village, I apologize to you."

Ryuga's Father said solemnly.

A good person?

Ryuga's Father's manner did fit the Grass Flower faction's style.

Yue's heart stirred, but he waved his hand with an almost flattered expression. "Uncle, you're too kind. Although I was indeed frightened this time, Ryuga and I made it back safely. That alone is a blessing amid misfortune. Besides, accepting such a special mission right after graduation, I believe Ryuga learned a great deal too, not just me."

Seeing Yue suddenly act like a child, shedding his mature, steady, indifferent air, Ryuga's mouth twitched.

He could tell... Yue was putting on an act.

But he did not expose him.

Ryuga's Father smiled.

He patted Yue on the head. "Go home and get some proper rest. Don't dwell on this matter. I'll handle it."

"Mm."

Then Yue waved to the father and son before turning and running away.

"Those words weren't something a ten-year-old could easily say... especially after just going through something like that. At the very least, this child truly is extraordinary in terms of temperament."

Watching Yue leave, Ryuga's Father suddenly commented.

After speaking, he lowered his head to look at his son. "I'm starting to believe what you told me."

"Yue is really amazing... Back when we were in school, I wasn't entirely convinced by him. But now... Even though I have a Kekkei Genkai, if it's Yue, I'm willing to concede to him." Ryuga rubbed his nose and grinned.

"Oh?"

Ryuga's Father raised an eyebrow in surprise.

He knew his son's proud nature well. For someone to make Ryuga willingly admit defeat, this Yue...

"You hid some things from me, didn't you?"

"Hehe... I did hide a few things, but they're not important. They're just little secrets between classmates, Dad, so don't dig too deeply."

"Hehe... Fine. It seems you've made a good friend." Ryuga's Father took his son's hand and turned away. "Although this happened a little sooner than I expected, but... it's not bad."

"What happened?"

"You killed someone, didn't you..."

"Huh? Dad, you..."

"Those who have killed and those who haven't are different. We are the most familiar with that change. It's a step every ninja has to take, and from what I can see, you've accepted it well."

"Uh..."

"When you have time, invite Yue over to the house. Spend more time with each other."