Chiba wasn't lying.
The central district of A had been utterly devastated by war.
Shiratori held Chiba's hand and looked around. The once neatly arranged houses had beco nothing but broken walls and ruins.
Bricks and rubble were piled into chaotic little mounds. The air was thick with the sll of burning, mixed with the stench of blood and mildew.
"Watch your step."
Chiba's voice reminded him.
Shiratori looked down. His feet were stepping on a heap of rubble, one careless move and he could slip or get cut by a sharp shard.
"War is terrifying," he sighed.
Chiba didn't deny it. Still holding his hand, they continued walking toward the heart of the area. The outline of steel buildings in the distance made Shiratori feel a little relieved.
Thankfully, the central zone hadn't been destroyed by the war.
He really didn't want to live in ruins for the rest of his life.
Two tall towers made of steel stood before him. Between them stretched an iron sh nearly ten ters high, covered with spikes.
As Chiba stood under the iron net, two dark shadows leaped down from the towers and landed in front of him monts later. Even their masks couldn't hide their excitent.
"Chiba! You're finally back! We almost thought…"
The two ninjas didn't finish their sentence.
"We're just glad you're back."
They patted him on the shoulder.
A relaxed smile appeared on Chiba's face. He glanced at Shiratori. If it weren't for him, he might really have died.
He had been sent by Hanzō's people to gather intelligence in Suna. Unfortunately, he was discovered by Suna ninjas. The pursuers had assud he was mortally wounded and wouldn't survive, yet sohow, he'd made it back alive.
The two ninjas' gazes slid past Shiratori and turned to Chiba with concern.
"This isn't a place to bring civilians."
If war broke out again, no one could protect civilians. They could easily be mistaken for enemy ninjas and killed, especially a child this small. Surviving in a deadly ninja battle was nearly impossible for soone like that.
Chiba nodded. "I know."
The two ninjas were taken aback, if he knew, then why…?
Before Chiba could say more, Shiratori stepped forward and spoke first:
"I was the one who insisted on coming. Please don't bla Chiba-nisan."
He let go of Chiba's hand, took a step forward, and stood in front of him with his arms slightly spread.
[Reminiscence detected: 2000 points]
[Total accumulated: 10000 points]
[Activation threshold reached]
[Cursed Spirit: Choso (Death Painting Womb) - ACTIVATED]
[Developnt progress: 10%]
The cursed spirit awakened by nostalgia is Choso?
Why?
Could it be because Choso always longed for the beautiful days with his brothers?
"He's not just an ordinary child, he has incredibly strong dical ninjutsu. If not for him, I'd already be dead."
Chiba explained solemnly to them.
"What?!"
Their shocked gazes landed on Shiratori. Their eyes were filled with disbelief.
A child… capable of dical ninjutsu?
And even saved Chiba?
Shiratori glanced at Chiba, then looked up at the two ninjas in front of him.
"I ca to help protect A with my Chiba-nisan, and drive out the enemies."
"..."
One of the ninjas let out a mocking laugh.
"Just you? You haven't even grown all your teeth yet! Go ho and drink so milk!"
Chiba said calmly, "His parents were killed in the war."
The A ninja's smile disappeared instantly.
"He has no family left?"
He lowered his voice.
Chiba nodded. "His dical ninjutsu is incredibly advanced. I want to take him to et Hanzō-sama."
The A ninja looked at his serious expression and couldn't help but doubt him.
Could this kid really know dical ninjutsu?
There were already very few dical-nin left in the entire village.
After the war broke out, many of the village's dical-nin were deliberately targeted and killed by Konoha and Suna.
Now, there weren't even three dical-nin left in the whole village.
The two ninjas exchanged glances. They opened a tightly sealed iron gate beneath the spiked iron net. The rusted tal groaned as it opened with a creaking sigh.
Shiratori held Chiba's hand again and stepped through the gate with him.
Once they were inside, the two ninjas shut the gate behind them.
Inside was a village made nearly entirely of steel. Because the area was so limited in size, buildings were built exceptionally tall to save space. Since they were made of reinforced steel, they wouldn't easily collapse or be destroyed even in the event of a bombing or full-scale war.
Shiratori and Chiba walked along the empty streets. From ti to ti, black shadows flitted across the sky above them.
"Is there no place to eat here?" Shiratori asked. He hadn't seen a single restaurant along the way.
Chiba shook his head. "Ninjas have their food distributed on schedule."
"Is Hanzō-sama really strong?" Shiratori asked, hoping to gather so information in advance.
"My mom and dad used to say he was the strongest ninja."
Chiba looked at his innocent expression, then nodded firmly.
"He is the strongest ninja. Without him, we wouldn't be able to stand against Konoha and Suna at all. A would forever be a battlefield for those two powers."
His voice was full of admiration for Hanzō.
"I believe he will lead us to drive Konoha and Suna out completely! The future of A will no longer have to survive between their conflicts. The villagers won't have to suffer from endless war anymore."
The light in his eyes grew brighter as a faint flush appeared on his cheeks. He gripped Shiratori's wrist tightly, overco with emotion.
"..."
So Chiba is actually a die-hard Hanzō fan.
"Hanzō-sama is amazing!" Shiratori nodded enthusiastically, his voice full of conviction.
"I want to beco a ninja as powerful as him too."
A flicker of a smile passed through Chiba's eyes. He didn't want to crush a child's dream.
"I believe you'll beco an even stronger ninja than ."
Just then, a calm, deep voice ca from up ahead. Chiba froze and imdiately looked forward.
A tall, familiar figure appeared in front of them.
"Hanzō-sama!"
Chiba quickly let go of Shiratori's hand and bowed his head.
Hanzō stepped in front of him and gently lifted him back up.
"It's enough that you're safe."
Chiba's eyes reddened, his face full of guilt.
"I was incompetent."
Hanzō patted his shoulder.
"This mission was dangerous from the start. The fact that you returned alive is already a great accomplishnt…"
"And besides," his voice carried a powerful confidence,
"Even without intel on Suna, I will drive them out of our lands!"
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