บท 41: Chp-41: What Lies Beyond the Sea
In the forest.
Several figures moved like phantoms, swiftly traversing the treetops, the giant trees around them quickly falling behind.
Shibi Aburame's deep voice resonated, reaching the ears of the three behind him.
"Recently, many caravans have been plundered in the southern part of the Land of Fire. Our mission is to eliminate those bandits. Do not underestimate them; according to the intel, some among them are Chūnin-level."
"That's secondary. The main point is that these bandits are quite cunning. The intel marks four possible locations for their hideouts. We might have to split up."
"Understood," Satoru responded somewhat helplessly.
Based on the mission details, this seemed like another Anbu assignment. Was the Hokage using them as Anbu substitutes?
But considering the mission itself, it was indeed suitable for them. Bandits were adept at hiding, and both Satoru and Shibi had excellent reconnaissance abilities. The reward was also more enticing than a standard mission.
Just clearing out those bandits would complete an A-rank mission with a substantial reward.
Quite tempting.
Satoru couldn't help but lick his lips.
After two days of travelling, they arrived at the location mentioned in the intel.
Satoru could clearly feel the humidity in the air increasing. Glancing through the forest, he could see the blue expanse of the sea beyond the grey boundary.
Even from a distance, he felt as if he could vaguely hear the sound of the ocean.
Having spent his previous life inland, this was the closest he had ever been to the sea, making him feel slightly melancholic.
Noticing Satoru's gaze toward the sea, Shibi Aburame also looked in the same direction, remarking with a sense of nostalgia.
"Every year, countries from the other side of the sea transport a large number of goods to the Land of Fire. Ninja tools from the Land of Craftsmen, specialities from the Land of the Sea. That's why caravans are so frequent along this route."
"By eliminating these bandits, we can ensure their safe passage, which is what you hope for, right?"
Shibi looked at Satoru with a sly smile.
"The new generation's top genius, the inheritor of the Will of Fire, who dreams of world peace—Satoru."
Satoru responded with a wry smile.
"Sensei, please don't tease me."
Indeed, Shibi had heard the village rumours. He also remembered Satoru's offhand remark about his dream during their first meeting.
"Satoru, don't be modest. At least you can't shake off the title of the top genius of the new generation," Rin Uchiha said with a hint of envy.
She had been quite shocked when she saw Satoru easily defeat Kakashi. After all, she had just fought him and knew how difficult he was to deal with.
"Rin, even you..."
However, Anko was unusually silent on this topic, hanging her head and seemingly lost in thought.
"Let's start the mission," Shibi said, taking a deep breath. The intel marks four locations. Given the enemy's strength, splitting up would be more efficient."
Shibi looked at Satoru.
"I'll team up with Rin. Satoru, you go with Anko. Any objections?"
"No problem."
Satoru nodded. Based on the intel, he could handle the bandits alone.
After splitting up, the two teams set out on their separate paths.
...
As Satoru approached the marked location, he soon discovered the target's cave. It was well hidden, barely visible through the dense foliage.
"Byakugan, activate!"
With the Byakugan, he could see everything inside the cave.
The space inside was much larger than it appeared from the outside. He saw many ninjas moving about in an orderly fashion, clearly organized.
"Anko, there are nine bandits. Three are Chūnin, two are Genin, and the remaining four don't even have the chakra levels of Genin."
"I'll handle the Chūnin and Genin. You take care of the rest. Got it?"
"Anko?"
Receiving no response, Satoru turned back in confusion.
He saw Anko with her head down, looking listless and lost in thought.
"Anko?"
Satoru nudged her shoulder.
"Oh!"
Anko immediately lifted her head.
"Did you hear what I said?"
"Oh, I got it," she replied, still sounding dispirited.
"Forget it." Satoru shook his head helplessly. "You stay here and rest. I'll take care of the bandits."
He pulled out a scroll from his bag, and with a puff of smoke, a long ninja blade appeared in his hand.
Ninja Blade: Chōtō (Long Fang)!
For dealing with groups of enemies, this long-bladed weapon was perfect.
"Wait here. I'll be back soon."
He instructed and then charged into the cave, blade in hand.
"Enemy attack!"
"What the hell? It's just a kid?"
"Is he insane? Let me teach him a less—"
The voice stopped abruptly, eyes wide in terror as a line of blood appeared from his forehead to his chest, and he fell backwards, lifeless.
Satoru impatiently clicked his tongue.
"So much unnecessary talking."
"Get him! It's just a kid! I refuse to believe we can't handle him with so many of us!"
"Kill him!"
...
In an instant, a barrage of shuriken and kunai flew at Satoru.
An incredible sight unfolded as the projectiles seemed to be gently deflected by an unseen hand curving around him.
"What the hell? Is this kid using some kind of sorcery?"
Satoru dashed toward the nearest bandit, his blade cutting a deadly arc, slicing through the man's throat.
"Kid! Die!"
One of the bandits suddenly ripped open a scroll, releasing a barrage of metal weapons towards Satoru, each wrapped with smoking explosive tags.
A cold gleam flashed in Satoru's eyes as he assumed a strange stance, spinning rapidly on one foot.
"Revolving Heaven - Yang!"
A high-speed spinning blue sphere enveloped him. The incoming projectiles paused briefly before being violently deflected in all directions.
In an instant, the cave was filled with the whirling metal.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The explosive tags detonated in a series of bright flashes, filling the chaotic cave with explosions.
The bandit who had opened the scroll died without realizing his desperate act had doomed his entire crew.
Eventually, the explosions ceased, revealing a scene of carnage with no surviving bandits.
Satoru shrugged helplessly.
"I planned to leave you guys with a whole body."
Revolving Heaven—Yang was a technique he developed from Revolving Heaven. It uses electromagnetic force to create a repulsive field, instantly deflecting any approaching objects, similar to Shinra Tensei (Almighty Push).
He had also developed Revolving Heaven - Yin, which attracted surrounding objects, similar to the Banshō Ten'in (Universal Pull).
Having spent enough time in the ninja world, he was no longer the same person who had been tormented by sleepless nights after his first kill.
Being a ninja was a profession that always accompanied death.
He stored the necessary proof for the mission in a scroll and left the cave, returning to where Anko waited. She was still in the same despondent state.
"What's wrong with you, Anko?" he couldn't help but ask.
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