From the moment the signal flare was launched by the Sunagakure ninja killed by Yagura to the conclusion of Yagura and Pakura's battle, a significant amount of time had passed.
Enough time for Jinin Akebino to arrive.
Even if he only started heading this way upon noticing the presence of Scorch Release in battle, with his strength as an elite jonin, Yagura was certain he wouldn't have taken this long to get here.
He had probably arrived much earlier and just watched from the sidelines.
If that was the case, then Yagura had secured Pakura entirely on his own. Even though he had let go of an enemy who posed a considerable threat to Kirigakure, he had no reason to feel guilty when facing Jinin Akebino head-on.
"Hmph."
Jinin Akebino shot a deep glare at Yagura, knowing full well that he wouldn't change his mind.
Pakura had already escaped.
Continuing to press Yagura on the matter was pointless now.
In the shadows, the Anbu accompanying Yagura had made no move either.
"Your strength has improved."
"Thanks for the recognition."
Jinin Akebino withdrew his weapon. "Fine. You caught her, so you had the right to decide what to do with her."
"However! As the team leader, I will report everything about Pakura to the Mizukage along with our mission documentation!"
Tattling, huh?
And you call yourself a respectable adult?
Yagura's mouth twitched slightly. He wasn't sure how the Third Mizukage would react to such a report.
He cast one last glance in the direction Pakura had escaped.
Facing Jinin Akebino's stern gaze, Yagura forced himself to remain calm. "Of course. That's your duty, old man."
...
Two Sunagakure ninjas were dead, and one was gravely injured. The escort mission had been successfully completed.
When it came to work, Jinin Akebino was at least reliable. He handled the task of submitting the mission report himself, allowing Yagura and the others to rest.
They chose an open space neither too close nor too far from the mansion to spend the night.
After a grueling battle, it was finally time to rest.
There was still plenty of time before they needed to depart for Konohagakure. No need to rush through the night.
...
In a makeshift partition, a red-haired girl stepped out after a bath.
Her usually tied-up hair was now loose, cascading down her shoulders.
A towel draped casually around her neck, and she held one end of it, using it to dry her hair and ears.
Her delicate nose twitched slightly, ensuring the scent of blood had been completely washed away.
The crackling of the campfire filled the silence.
Two male teammates were chatting nearby. "Did you two take down that Sunagakure ninja?"
Hearing Ringo Ameyuri return, Yagura glanced sideways. "Finished bathing?"
"Yeah, just a quick rinse."
It took you nearly twenty minutes, though.
And Yagura could clearly smell the scent of apple-scented body wash.
He was skeptical of Ameyuri's definition of "quick."
But then again, a rough-and-tumble kunoichi like her bringing body wash on a mission?
Ameyuri sat cross-legged on the ground, joining the conversation.
"Yeah, I spotted that guy while scouting the terrain. But he was tough. Luckily, Mukumo arrived, and we took him down together."
"No, I didn't really do much," Mukumo waved his hand in denial. "By the time I got there, Ameyuri had already heavily injured him."
"Hey! You can't put it like that!"
"So basically, the old man didn't lift a finger to help?"
Yagura casually redirected the topic to Jinin Akebino.
Right as the words left his mouth, the man himself overheard and scoffed. "If you need me to step in just to deal with a chunin, you might as well go home now."
Fair enough.
After all, when Yagura fought the other Sunagakure ninja, he took him down in an instant.
Still, Yagura wasn't about to let it slide. "You didn't step in when I was fighting Pakura either."
He had nearly been hit by her Scorch Release fireballs multiple times!
What if he had been burned to death?!
Jinin Akebino smoothly shifted the blame. "You're stronger than them. I trust you can handle it. Ask them if they agree."
Mukumo and Ameyuri had arrived later and at least witnessed part of the fight.
Yagura suddenly felt two pairs of heated gazes fixed on him.
Having successfully stirred the pot, Jinin Akebino left them with a parting remark.
"Get some rest. I'll take first watch."
...
Ringo Ameyuri was a traditional Kirigakure ninja.
Like Mangetsu and Zabuza, she yearned to grow stronger and respected powerful shinobi.
During her time in Anbu, she had heard about Yagura—another ninja proficient in Lightning Release, just like her.
Back then, she had been intrigued.
Upon actually meeting Yagura for the first time, she had seen him as nothing more than a younger brother.
But today, after witnessing his strength firsthand, she finally acknowledged him as a formidable ninja.
His strength surpassed hers, and his Lightning Release techniques were incredibly potent.
With only their peers left in camp, Ameyuri eagerly asked, "Yagura, does your Lightning Release technique enhance your speed?"
She had been closely observing his battle and noticed how his speed seemed to surge whenever he activated his Lightning Release chakra.
"Yeah."
The scent of apples lingered in the air.
Yagura's expression tensed slightly as he briefly explained the principles of his Lightning Release technique.
The more Ameyuri listened, the brighter her eyes shone.
Seeing her excitement, Yagura suddenly remembered that she would eventually become one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
A thought crossed his mind.
Steadying himself, Yagura brushed away the scent teasing his nose and said,
"If you're interested, I can teach you when we have time."
Ameyuri and Mukumo both froze in shock!
They could hardly believe their ears!
Yagura? Offering to teach his techniques to someone else?
Ameyuri was so excited she nearly pressed her face against his.
"You're not joking, are you?"
Yagura understood why they were so surprised.
In this world, a shinobi's self-developed techniques were often their most guarded secrets, passed down only within their clan.
But Yagura shifted slightly backward and shrugged. "It's my technique. I decide who learns it."
Unlike the Coral Palm technique, which belonged to the Karatachi clan and couldn't be shared, this was entirely his own creation.
"Seriously?! Of course!"
Ameyuri, overjoyed, grabbed Yagura in a bone-crushing hug!
She squeezed him so hard it felt like she might break his ribs!
In front of Mukumo, she declared, "Mukumo, you're my witness! From now on! Anyone who messes with you—just drop my name!"
The strong scent of apple-scented body wash filled the air at such close range. Yagura wiped his nose with his fingers and politely averted his gaze.
Still too young.
Yagura didn't refuse the gesture and instead accepted it with a smile. "Then I'll be counting on you, Ameyuri."
Mukumo wasn't a swordsman, nor did he specialize in Lightning Release. Though he was interested in Yagura's Lightning Flash technique, it wasn't compatible with his own style.
Even so, he was sincerely happy for Ringo Ameyuri and offered his congratulations.
"Yagura, why did you let Pakura go?"
Perhaps encouraged by Ameyuri's straightforward nature, Mukumo hesitated for a moment before mustering the courage to voice his doubts.
Especially since he could sense the presence of ANBU following them.
They hadn't pursued Pakura either, letting her go without interference.
"That, huh..."
In the end, he just couldn't do it.
He had gone soft on a character from the story.
His expression darkened slightly as he averted his gaze, lowering his head until it rested between his knees.
"She'll come back."
She would be sent back by her Kazekage, personally.
This was the first—and last—time he would allow himself to be softhearted.
He had already warned Pakura never to set foot in the Land of Water again.
So, if you ignored my words… what then, Pakura?
...
Suppressing a smirk, Yagura stood up. "I'm going for a walk."
Ameyuri stopped a teammate who had instinctively reached out to follow him and said,
"Alright. Just don't wander too far."
"Mm."
After spending some time together, Ameyuri had already figured out what kind of person he is.
Maybe the heavens were fair. They had gifted him immense talent but not the personality suited for a shinobi.
Watching Yagura's confused figure gradually fade into the distance, Ameyuri chuckled.
"Let him clear his head, Mukumo. He'll figure it out."
"But even Tonbo-sensei followed after him."
Mukumo could see and sense Jinin Akebino's intentions. "Nothing's going to happen, right?"
"Nah, don't worry."
Ameyuri reached out, covering his second little brother's ears, taking on the role of the big sister in the group. "From now on, you didn't see or hear anything."
Ah, these two clueless kids.
What would this squad do without her?
...
BAM!!!
A massive, razor-sharp axe blade cleaved into the ground, slicing through rock and earth like tofu beneath the weight of Blunt Blade.
In that instant of life and death, Yagura used Lightning Step, flashing several meters away. Heart pounding, he stared in shock at Jinin Akebino.
That attack had been meant to kill him.
"Jinin-senpai, what are you doing?"
He locked eyes with Jinin Akebino, whose expression showed no signs of joking. Taking a deep breath, Yagura steadied himself from his initial shock.
There was only one reason.
Yagura let out a bitter laugh. "Because of Pakura?"
He had intentionally distanced himself from their camp, yet he had still been followed.
Jinin Akebino said nothing—neither confirming nor denying it. Instead, he gripped Blunt Blade with both hands and lunged at Yagura!
His speed exceeded even Yagura's Lightning Step!
The only thing Yagura's eyes could catch was a lingering afterimage of Jinin in his original position!
Blunt Blade's massive blade swung in a ruthless horizontal slash, severing its target cleanly!
The body split apart midair before dissolving into water.
A Water Clone.
"Water Release: Coral Water Cannon!"
Facing an opponent whose strength surpassed his own, Yagura had no choice but to go all out.
His clone served as a distraction, buying him just enough time to gain distance.
Now nearly fifty meters away, he raised his hand and fired a highly pressurized water jet. The attack barely lost its momentum as it pierced through Jinin Akebino!
Direct hit!
Jinin's eyes widened in disbelief before his form exploded into mist.
"!"
A sharp gust of wind roared from behind!
Yagura spun around, only to be met with a powerful kick to the stomach, sending him flying. His body curled from the impact before two heavy punches struck his face, knocking him to the ground.
His consciousness blurred for a moment as he fell backward.
"Listen up!"
Jinin grabbed Yagura by the scarf around his neck and yanked him up forcefully.
Through his hazy vision, Yagura nearly smacked into Jinin's large nose.
Meeting the older shinobi's furious, near-murderous glare, Yagura instinctively averted his gaze, guilt weighing on him.
"What the hell were you thinking, letting Pakura go?!"
Jinin had stewed in his anger all night. He had realized the Third Mizukage wouldn't severely punish Yagura—the chosen successor for the Fourth Mizukage position. That smug confidence of Yagura's only made him explode with rage.
The brat had even run off on his own.
Before they left, the Third Mizukage had given him a private order: ensure Yagura's survival.
As one of Kirigakure's strongest warriors, Jinin knew full well there was no one else fit to inherit the title of Mizukage.
That's why he was so furious.
"Do you even know how many people died because of Pakura?!"
Jinin slammed his forehead against Yagura's, spitting furiously, "Five Jonin! Hundreds of Chunin and Genin!"
BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!!!
With all his strength, Jinin hurled Yagura away!
Yagura crashed through several trees before slamming into an ancient trunk, finally coming to a stop.
"Cough…!"
Blood dripped from his mouth as he choked.
He hung his head, offering no resistance.
Because, in the eyes of Jinin Akebino and the others in Kirigakure, he had indeed let the enemy go.
He was a traitor to Kirigakure.
"Hmph."
Jinin slung Blunt Blade over his shoulder and walked up to Yagura, taking in his battered state. With a sharp grin, he sneered, "Still pretty tough, huh? Just like that damn turtle inside you."
It was over.
Yagura, always one to take advantage of a situation, seized the moment. "Can you help me up, Uncle? You hit me too hard."
"I wouldn't mind cutting off your legs."
"Hahaha, never mind then."
Bracing himself against the shattered tree trunk, Yagura struggled to his feet.
Jinin let out a whistle, mocking his tenacity. "Don't think this is over. What the Third Mizukage does with you is his decision."
"He won't do anything. At least, not this time." Yagura smiled. "The ANBU didn't stop me, did they?"
"Tch." Smart little brat.
Jinin met Yagura's determined gaze. "No regrets?"
"Before you beat me? I was being stubborn—no. After getting beaten awake? Still no."
Yagura clutched his wounds, that same stubbornness burning in his eyes.
"I never regret the path I choose. Even if it's the wrong one, I'll keep walking it. That's how I've lived."
"Smartass."
Jinin scoffed, slinging Blunt Blade onto his back.
"Just don't do anything stupid. Dumbasses like you are a pain."
He waved a hand as he walked off. "Follow me if you can. If not, sleep out here tonight—brat."
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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