Morning, in Nozama.
After the chaos of that night a few days ago, the town had returned to its forr peace. Word had spread quickly that the ghost haunting the town for years had finally been slain. The streets were livelier than before, and the oppressive atmosphere had lightened considerably.
The Konoha mission squad, due to their captain Sarutobi Sasuke's injuries, remained at the lodging provided by the town chief to recover.
After several days of rest, Sasuke's condition improved enough that he went alone to the town chief's residence to discuss the mission's aftermath. But in truth, what he really wanted was to inquire about the so-called bounty hunter who had slain the ghost.
"…Tch, my first mission outside the village and it ends in failure. How am I supposed to face everyone back ho?"
After Sasuke left, Sarutobi Hiruzen sat gloomily on the steps, blaming himself. The other kids around him all looked just as defeated.
"Hiruzen, don't take it too hard. No one could have expected a B-rank mission to spiral into sothing like this."
Uchiha Kagami patted his teammate's shoulder comfortingly.
Hearing this, the others eased a little. They had called themselves Konoha's rising generation, entering this mission full of confidence—only to end in failure.
Koharu's team was lucky. They had stood guard at the other exit, but nothing had happened, so they all fell asleep peacefully. By the ti Hiruzen's team woke them, the terror had already passed.
Hiruzen's squad, however, had faced sothing entirely beyond them. If not for Kagami saving them with sheer money-burning power, they might have been devoured by the ghost.
"Thank you, Kagami."
"You're too polite, Hiruzen. We're comrades, aren't we?"
Kagami's warm smile made Hiruzen flush with sincerity.
On the side, Danzo's face darkened. His teeth nearly cracked from grinding.
It was supposed to be him!
He was the one who used his Butt Release to buy ti!
He was the one who was Hiruzen's best partner!
"Danzo, why don't you thank him? If not for Kagami sacrificing his New Year money, we wouldn't have escaped."
Hiruzen frowned at Danzo sulking on the side. Did this guy not know gratitude?
"Don't say that, Hiruzen. Danzo also played a big part."
Kagami quickly waved his hands, not wanting credit. He then turned seriously to Danzo.
"Danzo, your secret art is incredible. Without it, we'd have died to that rogue."
"…Haha, it wasn't that great."
Danzo froze, then scratched his head smugly, basking in Kagami's admiration.
"What secret art?"
"Danzo, you were holding back on us!"
"Show us, co on!"
Koharu's trio crowded around him, urging him to demonstrate.
"Hmph! A secret art is not sothing to show so lightly!"
Danzo puffed up, trying to resist the urge to yank down his pants for a Butt Release demonstration. He pretended to be deep and mysterious instead.
"Booo—"
Their disappointnt and jeers quickly made Danzo's face redden with embarrassnt.
Just then, Sasuke returned. His face was grave.
"Everyone, gather."
They imdiately fell into line, faces serious.
"This mission's failure is on as captain. Don't let it weigh on you. These enemies were never at your level to handle. The fact you survived is already sothing."
"Captain Sasuke… was it true? Was it really the Hunter Rider, Ken, who killed the ghost?"
Hiruzen asked, his voice tight.
"Yes."
Sasuke nodded. The three who had witnessed Kakuzu and Kamibi's desperate struggle sighed in relief. They had hoped the mysterious Rider had survived.
"Alright. Pack up. After lunch, we return to report."
His wounds healed, there was no more reason to stay.
"Yes, sir!"
Watching the kids prepare, Sasuke touched his sore chest, his gaze complicated.
The town chief had told him earlier: after that night, a hooded ninja ca forward, presenting the belongings of the missing villagers and claiming the ghost was slain. The families confird the items, so reluctantly, the chief believed him.
But still cautious, the chief had asked:
"…But even the ninja of Konoha were no match. You—"
The aning was clear. If even Sasuke, an elite jōnin, had been nearly killed, how could this stranger have succeeded?
"Hmph. Do you know who I am? I'm the Hunter Rider Ken. My jobs go for millions. You think I'd waste my ti on a petty task worth less than a hundred thousand?"
Kakuzu, under the hood, shook his head disdainfully. He definitely wasn't there for the 80,000 ryō reward. No way. Absolutely not.
"You… you're the Hunter Rider Ken?"
The chief had heard rumors of a bounty hunter who had slain enemies worth tens of millions. Trembling, he quickly handed over the money.
Kakuzu counted the bills three tis in front of him before leaving satisfied.
"May it be true… may the ghost truly be gone."
The chief whispered with hope.
—
Later, Sasuke treated his squad to lunch before leaving.
But as soon as they entered the restaurant, he froze.
At one table, a girl was devouring food like a starving beast. Plates towered around her. Across from her, a scruffy young man watched with doting eyes.
"…That girl."
Sasuke frowned, recognizing sothing.
"Wow! Choza, she eats more than you!"
Koharu elbowed Akimichi Choza, who imdiately puffed his cheeks in indignation.
"I won't lose to her!"
Choza slamd his hand down. "Boss! One of everything on the nu!"
"…Sorry, we're out of stock. Only two dishes left."
The kids all groaned. Sasuke, relieved, told them to settle for it.
At the other table, Jinako finally put down her chopsticks, sighing happily.
"Kamibi, what now?"
"Find work. My savings are nearly gone thanks to you eating."
"Sorry…"
Her eyes lowered in guilt.
"Idiot. Eat all you want. I'll take care of you forever."
Kamibi swore, heart pounding.
Jinako's smile blossod.
Later, they passed a crowd. A notice had just been posted: hiring a night watchman, high pay, free housing.
"Perfect!" Kamibi tore the paper off imdiately.
An old man in the crowd grabbed him. "Young man, you're not local? Our town… it has a ghost."
Kamibi smiled. "No problem. Ghosts? I laugh at them."
Hand in hand, he and Jinako walked to apply.
From that day, Nozama gained a watchman. At night, the sound of his drum reassured all the villagers.
"Hey Kagami… didn't those two look familiar?"
As they left town, Hiruzen frowned.
"…Now that you say it, yes."
The two exchanged uneasy glances but let it drop.
—
Elsewhere, a massive red figure bounded swiftly. Uchiha Madara sat cross-legged on the Nine-Tails' head, twirling the hot Nine-Tails card in his fingers, brows furrowed.
"Human. I'm hungry."
The Kyūbi's sharp voice cut his thoughts.
"I have no money."
Madara's blunt reply made the fox grind its fangs.
"You went to that human town. Don't tell …"
"Don't tell you what?"
"…Don't tell you ate alone?"
Madara's glare silenced him instantly.
"Let's not get ugly here. We've known each other too long to fight."
The Kyūbi forced a smile, but inside cursed him bitterly.
"Hey, Nine-Tails. You recognize this?"
Madara showed him the card.
The fox froze. The chakra inside was undeniably its own.
"W-where did you get that?"
"Not your concern. Do you recognize it?"
"…Yes. And no."
The Kyūbi trembled, curling its tails tight between its legs, mumbling incoherently.
Madara's eyes narrowed, blue aura flaring.
"Alright! I recognize it! It's my chakra!"
"…So when was it stolen?"
The Kyūbi's face twisted. For a long mont it was silent. Then suddenly, tears welled in its eyes, spilling down its muzzle.
"…What the hell are you crying for? I haven't even hit you yet."
Madara blinked, startled.
"Waaah! Why am I so pitiful? Kun-kun is gone, my stomach growls, and Father abandoned !"
The Kyūbi howled, rolling in the dirt.
Madara pinched the bridge of his nose. "…Enough. When we reach the next town, I'll buy you food. Now calm down and explain."
The fox froze. Its eyes lit up.
"Really?"
"…Yes."
"Then I want chicken. A big roasted chicken!"
"…Fine. Now talk."
The Kyūbi licked its lips, then sighed, voice low and heavy.
"…Back in the Land of Lightning, I lost… my dignity as a male beast."
(End of Chapter)
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