Chapter 83: Chapter 83: Plan to Return to the Village
"Yuto-sama, you're back."
"Yuto-sama, your military merit record has been updated. Oh, by the way, according to the normal rotation, you're due to return to the village this month. Do you have any suggestions regarding the schedule?"
"Yuto-senpai, Orochimaru-sama is waiting for you at the command post. But this girl… Oh? Sure, of course."
Upon his return to the Konoha camp, Yuto was met with respectful gazes and treatment from everyone.
Reputation is a powerful weapon. Over the past year, Yuto, known as the "Lone Lion," had achieved great feats for the village, becoming a symbol. Although his position remained that of a battlefield free agent, his status was significantly elevated.
Ordinary shinobi addressed him with "sama" or "senpai."
Even bringing a young girl to the command post of the troop leader wouldn't raise any objections—this was the privilege of a war hero.
In the central building of Konoha's camp, Orochimaru looked up and scrutinized the two people entering.
"Yuto-kun… You've worked hard recently. I heard you repelled the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki and saved many lives."
Yuto bowed slightly and replied with a light laugh, "Commander-sama, the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki's body has not been the same since being injured by the Moon God. I merely took advantage of the situation."
"You possess the humility taught by the Hyuga clan. This is good, Yuto-kun. A shinobi must always remain cautious," Orochimaru said, pausing, his golden eyes reflecting the image of the white-haired girl.
He keenly detected the peculiar aura emanating from her.
"Orochimaru-sama," Yuto said, patting the girl's head. "This child… I found her in a small village within Frost Country. Her parents were killed by invading Kirigakure shinobi."
"Yuto-kun, this girl is very unusual."
"As expected of you, commander," Yuto praised effortlessly.
"She's called Ruri Mochizuki. She… Well, seeing is believing. Ruri, demonstrate by attacking me."
As soon as the words were spoken, Ruri's wrist sprouted a bone spike. With speed and strength far beyond her age, she struck towards Yuto's waist.
Boom!
Yuto's right arm, reinforced with Ryuun Steel, collided with the bone spike, the shockwave blowing all the papers off the desk.
It was clear that the girl's foot had created a shallow pit on the floor. The Shikotsumyaku had always been a top-tier close-combat kekkei genkai. The robust bones not only endowed the Kaguya clan with unique ninjutsu but also granted them naturally powerful physiques.
Orochimaru waved away the guards who had rushed in and walked over to Ruri Mochizuki, his eyes intense.
"Little girl… Do you remember your parents?"
Ruri withdrew the bone spike, shook her head, and held Yuto's hand, her small face showing just the right amount of nervousness.
Such natural talent for acting was something both the main body and the clone excelled at.
Orochimaru was not offended and even smiled, apparently accustomed to such expressions.
—What little girl wouldn't be scared of a creepy snake-eyed man?
The fact that she trusted Yuto was quite telling. Orochimaru thought this as he looked at the branch house youth.
Yuto was prepared for this.
"Orochimaru-sama, Ruri possesses the Shikotsumyaku. When I found her, she was using her innate abilities to steal food. After some inquiries, I learned her parents were…"
Orochimaru nodded, not probing further.
Kekkei genkai spreading to outsiders was not uncommon in any village. As for her deceased "parents," whether they were adoptive or defected Kirigakure shinobi, it was impossible to verify.
"Very well, Yuto-kun, you've done excellently." Orochimaru praised twice.
"You've brought a precious asset to the village. This is a tremendous achievement."
His words were true. The wars between nations and shinobi villages were essentially about resource acquisition.
In the shinobi world, what is the most precious resource?
Not land or money, but people—those with the potential to become excellent shinobi!
Kekkei genkai made individuals inherently superior to ordinary people, often becoming competent Chunin with just a bit of training.
At Ruri's age, her worldview was just forming. If brought back to the village and trained, she would become a loyal Konoha shinobi. The power of the Shikotsumyaku in her bloodline could take root in the Land of Fire. Perhaps many years later, Konoha would boast a renowned "Mochizuki Clan!"
As for the possibility of her being a spy… It wasn't impossible but highly improbable, almost negligible.
Sending a clan's kekkei genkai to an enemy village, even with ulterior motives, would be a foolish move that Kirigakure would never make.
"Yuto, you've done very well." Orochimaru repeated, refraining from further comments in front of Ruri, and said, "I'll inform the village about this immediately… Oh, and you're due to rotate back soon, right?"
"Yes, Commander-sama."
During wartime, most of the village's elite shinobi would fight on the front lines. However, no matter how intense the front-line battles were, the village couldn't be left unguarded. Besides the highest commander, other elites would rotate back to protect civilians and take a break.
Orochimaru calculated the time and said, "You should head back tonight, taking Ruri Mochizuki with you. The battlefield is dangerous, and she seems very attached to you."
Yuto accepted the order, "Yes, Commander-sama."
Orochimaru, being meticulous and decisive, immediately arranged for someone to handle the reception in the village. After giving careful instructions, he allowed Yuto to leave with Ruri.
As they left the camp, Yuto picked up the girl and dashed towards the secret base.
"This was unexpected. I didn't think Orochimaru would be so decisive," Yuto frowned while running.
"If we're leaving tonight, I need to pack up the experimental materials from the base. God's Mask must be taken along, and some things need to be destroyed… who knows when I'll return next, and there might be unforeseen mutations."
"Then why are you carrying me?"
"To help me organize things. The time is too short; I might not manage alone." Yuto smiled.
"Once we're in the village, I might be busy for a while. What do you plan to do? Enroll in the shinobi academy? Or find a sensei directly?"
"What? Don't want to be a babysitter?"
"No… It's just that I think, while in the village, many things might happen, and taking you along might be inconvenient."
"Hmph," Ruri frowned. "Really… In front of me, there's no need to pretend. You want to obtain the cells of the Uzumaki or Senju, right? Be careful, the village is a dragon's lair. One wrong move, and the Lone Lion will become a dead lion."
"This is just a temporary plan, and I will bring God's Mask," Yuto replied softly. "The Moon God won't stay dormant for long."
The white tuft of hair on Ruri Mochizuki's head moved slightly. After a long pause, she said without holding back, "Wherever you are, the Moon God will follow. You're making it too obvious. And do you really think you're invincible in the masked mode? Wow, my brother, how impressive. Can you bring down the moon for me?"
Yuto: "..."
'This clone's personality is nothing like mine.'
(End of Chapter)
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