The reinforcent squad arrived at the defensive camp established by Suna on the border of the Land of Wind.
What t their eyes was a scene of complete ruin, a scorched graveyard. The stinging sll of burnt flesh mixed with the heavy scent of blood drifted across the desolate desert with the night breeze. A bluish light slowly spread across the horizon. The dead of night had passed; dawn was about to break.
Corpses of Suna ninjas lay scattered in twisted positions, mingled with the grotesque remains of dozens of strange monsters.
"Captain, what are these?"
An A ninja frowned, staring at the monster corpses on the ground, and called out toward the distance.
Chiba stepped forward and crouched down slowly in front of one of the monster corpses. His gaze landed on a forehead protector scattered beside the creature.
"There's a forehead protector… but no body…"
A strange look flashed in his eyes.
Could it be…
A bold guess suddenly surfaced in his mind.
He stood up, his expression serious. "Let's rendezvous with Iso and the others first. They should know what happened."
"Yes!"
The ninjas nodded and followed behind him.
He made his way toward the center of the camp. Soon, the troops from A appeared in their line of sight. They had gathered in the center of the camp, surrounded by a mountain of corpses.
Their armor was covered in congealed dark red blood.
Chiba looked over the scene, there were no casualties. He breathed a sigh of relief, but his eyes were quickly drawn to Kuroi.
Shiratori was curled up on Kuroi's broad shoulder, face pale and eyes tightly shut.
[Pain detected: Chiba 5000 points]
[Energy transferred to Kenjaku]
[Developnt progress: 35%]
Chiba's legs went weak as he staggered toward Shiratori. His heart sank deeper with each step.
[Pain detected: Chiba 5000 points]
[Energy transferred to Kenjaku]
[Developnt progress: 40%]
In Shiratori's mind, he thought, He doesn't seriously think I'm dead, does he?
[System Alert: Multiple emotional signatures detected]
[Analyzing pain source: Previous trauma - loss of younger sibling]
[Cross-referencing with current situation]
He ntally sighed. Of course that would trigger painful mories for Chiba.
He finally stood before Shiratori, reaching out with trembling hands. He froze, on Kuroi's shoulder, Shiratori's slightly parted lips released the faintest sound of breathing.
His eyes reddened, and a wave of relief burst up from deep within him.
"What happened to him?" he stared at Kuroi and asked.
Kuroi explained, "Don't worry. He just overused his chakra and fell asleep."
Pain flooded Chiba's eyes. He said to Kuroi, "You guys head back to camp first. Leave things here to us."
He wanted Kuroi to take the boy back to the camp as soon as possible for proper rest. Cleaning up the battlefield was the reinforcent squad's job.
"Alright."
Kuroi nodded. Carefully cradling Shiratori, he moved steadily, leading the team of ninjas back toward their camp on the border.
On the way back, daylight broke, and the distant mountains were bathed in a crimson glow.
The sun gradually rose from the deepest part of the valley, casting golden light across the road beneath their feet.
The A camp gradually ca into view.
"They're back! It's Iso and the others!"
"Kuroi is with them! Look! On his back… it's Shiratori!"
"..."
The ninjas surged toward the camp gate, joy brightening their faces as they looked upon Kuroi and the others returning safely.
No casualties, that was the greatest victory.
Suddenly, the crowd seed to part on its own, opening a wide path. At the end of the path stood Hanzō, silent and unmoving. He didn't speak a word, didn't make a single motion. Yet from the mont he appeared, the noise of the entire camp seed to be silenced.
Instant quiet.
Kuroi gradually stepped forward and bowed deeply before Hanzō.
"We did not fail your expectations."
"The Suna border camp… has been completely annihilated!"
The ninjas erupted into wild cheers.
Hanzō's gaze slowly moved, sweeping over Kuroi, Iso, and the others, and finally landed on Shiratori, slumped over Kuroi's shoulder.
A questioning look appeared in his eyes.
Kuroi imdiately explained, "Hanzō-sama, Shiratori overexerted his chakra and fell unconscious."
A complex emotion flickered in Hanzō's eyes. All the ninjas who carried out the surprise attack had returned safely, and only Shiratori had pushed himself to the point of collapse.
[Reminiscence detected: Hanzō 3000 points]
[Energy transferred to Choso]
[Developnt progress: 52.2%]
Lying on Kuroi's back, Shiratori tried hard to control his facial expression.
Why is there reminiscence value?
The mont he asked himself that, he suddenly understood.
Hanzō was rembering his own younger days, the reckless determination, the willingness to sacrifice everything for his village.
Hanzō looked toward the dical-nin standing nearby. Two dical-nin had been waiting impatiently. As soon as he signaled with a glance, they dashed out from the crowd and hurried to Kuroi.
One of them moved gently as he carefully examined Shiratori's condition. After confirming what Kuroi said, he nodded to him.
Kuroi very carefully transferred the unconscious Shiratori from his shoulder onto the stretcher the dical-nin had prepared.
They lifted the stretcher, and under the solemn gazes of all the ninjas present, steadily carried Shiratori toward the dical tents.
All eyes were on Shiratori's pale face.
He lay on the white stretcher, looking especially fragile.
Once again, the ninjas were reminded, Shiratori was still just a child.
And yet this child had, ti and ti again, selflessly saved their lives… had fearlessly stepped forward to protect ninjas far older than himself… had brought victory and hope to A again and again…
[Emotional energy detected: Awe 1000 points]
[Insufficient threshold for cursed spirit activation]
[Energy stored for future use]
[Emotional energy detected: Awe 1000 points]
[Insufficient threshold for cursed spirit activation]
[Energy stored for future use]
[Emotional energy detected: Faith 2000 points]
[Insufficient threshold for cursed spirit activation]
[Energy stored for future use]
[Emotional energy detected: Faith 2000 points]
[Insufficient threshold for cursed spirit activation]
[Energy stored for future use]
What kind of cursed spirit could be activated by awe and faith?
He had no idea.
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150 = 1 bonus chapter
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30 Advance chapters!
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