章節 242: 242.The Fading Smile

A thank you for being my patron:

"Deva Path":

-Victor Gonzalez

-Linh Q Tra

"Animal Path":

-Umar Jawed

"Human Path":

-Joseph Stan

"Outer Path":

-jayjayche990

-Ken Kaza

You can read 40 chapters ahead of everyone on p@treon.

P@TREON - p@treon.com/lessaservantofcosmos

(just replace the "@" with "a")

ps: Please support me on P@treon. I can really use your help!

--------------------------------------------------------------

The stone giant that emerged from the ground roared towards the sky and then swung its massive fists towards Hiruzen and Danzō.

Seeing this, Hiruzen and Danzō slightly furrowed their brows and quickly retreated.

Seizing the moment, Sōsuke glanced at them.

"Whoosh whoosh whoosh..."

With a distortion in space, his figure vanished from there, appearing in front of Ōnoki.

Standing before Ku, Sōsuke held himself upright and looked at him with a light chuckle, "I presume you've heard the Tsuchikage's instructions. Now, follow me."

After speaking, he slowly turned around and leisurely walked forward.

Hearing Sōsuke's words, Ku nodded solemnly, yet his eyes were constantly fixed on Sōsuke's retreating figure, feeling a deep sense of helplessness.

This youth, nearly his own age, could converse and laugh with his father and even required his father, the Tsuchikage, to treat him with caution. Achieving such feats at such an age truly felt unattainable.

Shaking his head vigorously to clear these thoughts, Ku signaled the Iwagakure ninja behind him to follow Sōsuke out.

Meanwhile, the Tsuchikage, Onoki, was left to confront Hiruzen and Danzō alone.

"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"

"Whoosh!"

Onoki once again eradicated a combined jutsu shot by Hiruzen and Danzō with his Dust Release.

On the ground, the giant stone golem quickly rushed towards Hiruzen, its palm swinging fiercely at him!

Facing this attack, Hiruzen showed no sign of retreat, his expression solemn as he stared at the incoming palm and called out, "Enma!"

Hearing Hiruzen's voice, Enma quickly rushed to his side, responding, "Understood!"

Enma leaped towards Hiruzen with a powerful jump.

"Boom!"

In mid-air, his body suddenly transformed.

Hiruzen then stretched out his arm and grabbed ahold of a golden rod, declaring, "Summoning Jutsu: Adamantine Staff!"

The giant palm was almost upon Hiruzen!

"Boom!"

A loud noise echoed as the powerful slap was met by Hiruzen wielding the Adamantine Staff, smashing it halfway through!

Seeing this, Onoki's brows furrowed.

Meanwhile, Sōsuke walked leisurely along the devastated streets of Konoha, seemingly taking a stroll, indifferent to the Konoha ninja on high alert around him.

The Iwagakure ninja closely followed behind him, their gazes cautiously scanning the surrounding Konoha ninja.

"Swoosh!"

A slender figure appeared before Sōsuke, her purple hair and fair complexion giving her a distinct charm amidst the chaos.

She stood in front of Sōsuke, her voice slightly cold, "As a ninja of Konoha, I must stop you from leaving."

Sōsuke looked up, glancing at her with a hint of a smile on his lips, and spoke in a tone laced with indifference.

"Himiko, don't try to do something beyond your abilities; it would be very foolish," Sōsuke said, facing Himiko's cold gaze without getting an answer. Despite his gentle smile, that smile no longer felt as warm to her as it used to.

Suddenly, the situation on the field changed dramatically.

"Swish!"

A snow-white blade pierced through Himiko's chest, disbelief etched on her face. Blood soaked her clothes instantly.

The blade was swiftly withdrawn, and her body fell to the ground like a discarded doll.

Sōsuke's indifferent voice then came from behind her, "You used to be able to judiciously assess the situation on the field. What led you to make such a wrong judgment now? If you've become this foolish, then there's no need for you to continue living."

Himiko's body collapsed powerlessly to the ground, her once proud and cold expression now marred by an undeniable sadness. Not for her impending death, but for the gentle smile she would no longer see — a smile she had always claimed to despise, now seemingly lost forever.

Blood quickly stained her clothing red. Sōsuke glanced at her before continuing forward, followed by the Iwagakure ninja, who were at a loss for words.

At that moment, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and others arrived at the scene, their expressions grave.

Sōsuke wasn't surprised by their arrival. He glanced at them indifferently, his lips still curved in a slight smile, "Don't try to stop me, or I can't guarantee I won't eliminate you as well."

However, one person didn't heed his warning.

"Swoosh!"

Tsunade appeared before the fallen Himiko, ignoring Sōsuke's words to examine Himiko's injuries. Her brows furrowed in concern, and without saying much, she began to treat Himiko with a faint green glow emanating from her hands.

Sōsuke watched briefly before turning away and continuing to leave. Jiraiya, filled with sorrow, called out, "Sōsuke! Why did you have to attack Captain Himiko!? If Dai's injuries don't heal, he might never be a ninja again! Don't you have any feelings for your former comrades?"

Sōsuke stopped, turned to look at Jiraiya with a now subdued smile, and coldly said, "Jiraiya, I believe I've already mentioned that trust and dependence are for the weak. For me, trust is unnecessary."

After leaving those words behind, Sōsuke walked away without hesitation, leaving Jiraiya disheartened. Tsunade, treating Himiko, had tears silently rolling down her cheeks, a profound sadness evident in her gaze. There were no sobs, no whimpers, just a deep, silent despair