KAGE

A terrible rage flooded my heart. I looked at old Akiyama Kensuke, who would probably not survive because of his age and injuries, and I regretted everything.

This was the consequence of my arrogance.

During the days following the fight in the marketplace, I had considered every possible outcome—except this one.

Honestly, I had thought about kidnapping as a possibility, but I knew it would be impossible for them to abduct my family. That was why I stayed at the inn during the following days. Partly because old Akiyama Kensuke had already registered me as his apprentice in his workshop, and since Hikari and Daichi were busy learning from him, I decided to remain at home. If anything happened, I could intervene without forcing my mother to reveal herself, allowing her to remain our hidden trump card.

Who would have thought the villains of this world would surprise me like this?

You can never underestimate anyone, no matter what world you're in.

Since they suspected my family's strength, they chose not to risk kidnapping Daichi or Hikari. Instead, they used a method that was just as cruel—one that would destabilize us without forcing us into a fight to the death.

Old Kensuke was the perfect target.

After all, he was practically Daichi's teacher, making him a problem they could still control.

"What the hell did you do? Why drag him into this?" I asked, glaring at Arakawa Goro with burning anger.

"As I said earlier, I needed to give my people an explanation," he replied calmly. "Since you and your family are strangers, we couldn't act recklessly. And the way you treated my subordinate showed me that you already knew who I was, yet you still didn't fear my name. That was the dilemma I mentioned before."

"You know, young Ren..."

"Throughout my life as a shinobi, I was never the strongest, the most talented, or the luckiest. I was always... ordinary."

"Even so, I had dreams. I wanted to become powerful someday and protect my homeland and my family."

"But what happened to me?"

"Exactly what happens to ordinary people in this miserable world."

"I am fifty-seven years old, and all my life I've witnessed war after war. I saw every Great Ninja War. I fought in two of them."

"And what did I gain?"

"My family disappeared."

"My children died while I was fighting on the front lines."

"Some died in battle."

"But my youngest son wasn't even a shinobi."

"He was murdered inside his own home."

"And the saddest part..."

"The people who killed him weren't enemy ninjas."

"They were cowards who used their family's influence to avoid being drafted into the war. They stayed behind while others fought. Then, unsatisfied with their worthless lives, they became street criminals who preyed on ordinary people."

"My son happened to become one of their victims."

Arakawa Goro's voice remained calm, almost detached, as though he were telling someone else's story.

"I devoted my life to this country."

"What did it ever give me in return?"

"I loved this nation."

"But it never loved me back."

"So if my love wasn't returned..."

"Then I'll use it the same way it used me."

"As for ordinary civilians..."

"It's unfortunate."

"But they're simply victims of circumstance."

I remained silent as I looked at him.

The Ninja World's endless cycle of hatred.

A story older than my grandmother, yet one that never seems to end.

I'd rather leave that problem for my dear nephew Naruto to solve someday.

I had to admit...

His story left me unsure how to deal with him.

That was the biggest curse of the Naruto world.

Almost everyone has a tragic past.

Even the villains become sympathetic.

If I survive this...

I swear I'll start killing villains before they get the chance to tell me their life stories.

That way I won't end up trapped in this kind of moral dilemma.

Damn it...

What should I do?

I looked at the five men.

"How will the outcome of the fight be decided?" I asked.

"Will it be a fight to the death?"

"Or will knocking the opponent unconscious be enough?"

Arakawa Goro smiled.

"There's no need for a fight to the death."

"But if you lose..."

"You'll lose one of your arms."

He stared coldly into my eyes.

"Are you sure you want to go down this path?" I asked.

"I know I can't defeat all of you."

"But the people standing behind me..."

"They've toyed with far stronger men than a mediocre Jonin nearing the end of his life like you."

"I'd advise you to think twice."

"Hahahaha!"

"That was a good one."

"'A mediocre Jonin nearing the end of his life.'"

"I like you, young Ren."

"I know that powerful woman behind you is stronger than I am."

"But do you really think I don't have cards of my own?"

"Let me tell you a little secret."

"Years ago..."

"I fought in the war against Uzushio—the Land of Whirlpools."

My heart sank.

That wasn't merely a statement.

It was a threat.

This man had to die.

No matter how much his past moved me...

He had to die.

The only question was...

How?

While I weighed my options, the door burst open.

The newcomers were an unexpected but welcome surprise.

Hikari and Daichi.

Both of them were breathing heavily, and their clothes were stained with blood.

They must have fought their way here.

The moment they saw me, relief flashed across their faces.

But when they recognized the barely conscious old man being held up by his captors...

A terrifying killing intent exploded from both of them.

Like a flash of lightning, Daichi appeared before Kirisawa Yuna, who was holding the old man.

Puchi!

A sickening sound echoed through the room.

Daichi's hand pierced straight through Kirisawa Yuna's chest.

Taking advantage of everyone's shock, I attacked Kazehara Nao, the second strongest man after Arakawa Goro.

I struck with my left fist, immediately followed by my right.

Just before my left hand reached him, I summoned Hakutsuki.

Expecting only a normal punch, he merely tilted his head slightly to dodge.

The sudden appearance of the blade forced him to block with a kunai.

Because he reacted in such a hurry, he failed to notice what came next.

Kokutsuki materialized in my right hand.

The black blade cleaved through his abdomen, nearly splitting him in half.

Before I could even catch my breath, my instincts screamed.

Danger!

I immediately performed a backward flip.

While I was still in the air, the place where I had been standing exploded.

When I landed beside Hikari, I saw Arakawa Goro standing amidst the rubble...

And Kazehara Nao's body, severed in two, lying at his feet.