章 62: Experience

But it was Black Zetsu who truly inspired respect. Seemingly insignificant, he had managed to harm Madara, whose power level rivaled that of Hagoromo himself.

At the top of a mountain, a humble thatched-roof hut stood alone, seemingly harmless.

Kushina was the first to break the silence. Her eyes fixed on the hut with disdain. "Is this the great bandit hideout?" she exclaimed. "It seems these guys aren't doing well at all. Are you sure they're a threat?"

Tsunade shook her head. "Don't be fooled by appearances, Kushina," she warned. "The most dangerous bandits are often those who seem the most harmless. These specialize in intimidating defenseless civilians. Wealthy merchants can afford to hire ninja protection, so these bandits settle for robbing the most vulnerable."

Tsunade's words had an immediate effect on Kushina. Her mocking expression transformed into indignation. "They're miserable!" she growled, clenching her fists. "And to think I felt sorry for them for a moment."

Tsunade couldn't help but smile slightly, remembering her own inexperience in her first missions.

However, her expression quickly turned serious. "Listen carefully, both of you," she said, looking alternately at Kushina and Mikoto. "What I'm about to tell you may sound cruel, but it's the reality of the world we live in. Once we enter that cabin, everyone inside is a target. Everyone. Including women and children."

A heavy silence fell over the group upon hearing these words.

"It may sound ruthless," Tsunade continued, "but in the shinobi world, letting your guard down, even in front of a child, can mean death. This rule dates back to the Era of Clan Wars. Although times have changed and its application has softened, the essence remains the same."

Mikoto visibly paled. "Even... even women with babies?" she asked.

Tsunade nodded gravely. "That's right, Mikoto. On a mission, if you confirm someone is an enemy, you must eliminate them without distinction. Doubt can cost you your life, or worse, the lives of your comrades."

Chen, observing Mikoto's hesitation, remained silent.

He understood better than anyone that in this world where death was commonplace, kindness and compassion should be reserved only for allies. With the enemy, the only option was coldness and cruelty.

Tsunade, noticing Mikoto's internal struggle, added: "Mikoto, understand this: if you let an enemy go today, they could come back tomorrow to take revenge against you or your loved ones. Don't hesitate."

Hearing these words, Mikoto's eyes, previously filled with doubt, rested on Chen and Kushina. Suddenly, a fierce determination shone in her gaze.

Kushina, for her part, seemed to accept the situation with ease. But Kushina had witnessed the fall of her own country and had hardened.

Finally, Tsunade stepped back. "I'll observe from a distance," she announced. With a jump, she reached the branch of a nearby tree. "Begin!"

Without hesitation, Chen launched forward.

His body became a blur, approaching the hut. "Don't hold back," he growled. "When they wield a weapon, they're demons, and demons know no mercy."

He had barely finished speaking when an alarm cry broke the silence.

"What are you-" The bandit's voice was abruptly cut off, transforming into a nervous laugh that died in his throat.

The dull thud of a body falling to the ground.

Chen, with one movement, had cut the man's throat with a kunai before he could finish his sentence.

Blood gushed from the wound, forming a dark pool that quickly expanded under the bandit's body.

Observing the scene with calm, his eyes reflecting cold satisfaction. "This world of strong and weak suits me well," he murmured.

Upon arriving in the Naruto world, Chen experienced a radical transformation. It was as if a caged beast had been released, breaking the chains that contained his inner demon. The restrictions imposed by the laws and morals of his previous world vanished, leaving room for a new version of himself to emerge.

In this universe, Chen did not long for peace or justice. On the contrary, he embraced the idea of conflict as an integral part of the natural order. He understood that the pursuit of absolute peace was futile, and instead of chasing that unattainable ideal, he chose to accept the reality of enmity.

Chen did not see himself as a savior or a defender of noble causes. His perspective was pragmatic and, in a way, selfish. He did not care about the general well-being of the inhabitants of this new world nor did he harbor lofty ideals. For him, it was preferable to face injustices and learn to endure them than to maintain a facade of hypocritical peace.

This new freedom allowed him to explore previously repressed facets of his personality. Chen no longer felt obliged to conform to conventional moral expectations. Instead, he was willing to immerse himself in the complexity of this ninja world, with all its contradictions and challenges, without the burden of having to be a hero or a villain.

With an almost casual movement, he extended his finger. Five bullets of light sprouted from the tip. Each found its target, penetrating the bodies of the bandits trying to flank them. The men fell without a sound, their lives extinguished in an instant.

Suddenly he stopped, remembering the purpose of the mission.

This time, the true protagonists were Mikoto and Kushina. They needed this experience, cruel as it might be.

Shortly after, Mikoto and Kushina arrived at the scene. They looked at each other briefly, before launching themselves towards the cabin.

In a matter of minutes, more than a dozen bandits lay lifeless at their feet. The metallic smell of blood filled the air.

At first, both felt overwhelmed by the brutality of their actions. Mikoto doubled over, vomiting violently while Kushina struggled to maintain her composure.

But gradually, as if a curtain fell over their emotions, they recovered and continued with their mission.

Chen watched from above, scrutinizing the massacre that unfolded. The surviving bandits cried and begged for their lives, their pleas falling on deaf ears.

"Weakness is the original sin," Chen murmured coldly. "I too was weak once."

____

In a quarter of an hour, the battle came to an end.

From the cabin emerged Kushina and Mikoto, their figures dramatically contrasting with the scene of destruction they left behind. Surprisingly, neither showed signs of sweat.

The interior of the hut told a different story. More than a hundred bodies lay lifeless on the floor, a mixture of men, women, and children. The blood, still warm, formed small streams that snaked between the corpses, a testimony to the brutality that had taken place.

Now outside the cabin, they presented a pale and trembling appearance.

The reality of their actions seemed to be settling in their minds, manifesting in their expressions and in the uncontrollable trembling of their hands.

Observing the situation, Chen decided to approach.

With slow steps, he approached the two.

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly while placing a comforting hand on each of their backs.

Mikoto, trying to maintain her composure, forced a smile. "I-I'm fine," she murmured, but her trembling voice betrayed her words. Her pale face and the way she visibly fought against nausea revealed her true state.

Kushina, on the other hand, made no attempt to hide her discomfort. With one movement, she threw herself into Chen's arms, burying her face in his chest as if wanting to hide from the world.

"It's horrible," Kushina sobbed. "I feel so bad... I want to vomit, but I can't. It's as if my whole body was at war with itself."

Chen, not really knowing how to console, could only offer words. "With time, it will become easier," he said, knowing it was a cruel but necessary truth in the shinobi world. "The more experience you have, the better you'll be able to handle it."

Seeing that words were not enough and the nauseating smell of death that permeated the air. Concentrating his chakra, Chen formed the seals.

"Great Fireball," he murmured, and an inferno was unleashed.

The flames quickly engulfed the hut and began to spread across the mountain.

Without wasting time, he took Mikoto and Kushina by the arms and quickly moved them away from the place.

Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, they met Tsunade. She was waiting for them with a smile.

"I must say I'm impressed," Tsunade declared with pride. "I confess I was worried you wouldn't be able to carry out the task. It seems I worried in vain."

Then she added: "The mission is complete. How about we celebrate with a good meal?"

As soon as the word "food" left Tsunade's mouth, Mikoto and Kushina vomited. Between retches, they shot reproachful looks at Tsunade, who maintained her enigmatic smile.

________

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