"If what you said is true, then… Ryosuke Naraku is yours to take."
Hayate's heart leapt with excitement, though his expression remained calm and unreadable. He thought carefully for a moment before answering.
"In my dream, there were ten men," he began, voice steady. "They wore black cloaks embroidered with red clouds, and wide hats with little wind chimes tied to them. Each one had a ring… and a scratch across the forehead."
"Oh?" Jiraiya's eyes widened. "Go on."
"They seemed to be hunting something—huge monsters. Every single one of them was strong… terrifyingly strong. And above them… hung a red moon."
"Anything else?" Jiraiya asked quickly. "Did you catch any more details about those men—or about what they were after? You said monsters—do you mean tailed beasts? What's their purpose in catching them?"
"I don't know what their goal is," Hayate replied. A glimmer of satisfaction flickered in his eyes—Jiraiya had taken the bait. Three hundred almighty points were practically within reach. "But I do know what their leader is called."
Jiraiya unconsciously raised his voice. "What's his name?!"
"Ryosuke Naraku," Hayate said quietly, drawing out each syllable as if savoring them. "From now on… he's yours."
"Ryosuke Naraku… Nagato…" Jiraiya muttered to himself, stunned. His mind froze for a moment.
Hayate turned his back and walked away, not sparing Jiraiya another glance. Whether revealing that the Akatsuki's leader was his former pupil would change destiny or only make certain tragedies arrive sooner—he didn't know.
And honestly, it didn't matter.
What Hayate could do now was simple—to grow strong enough to protect himself, and strong enough to protect those he wanted to protect.
Maybe that was selfish. But in this world, who wasn't?
When Hayate returned to the hall, the vulture-nin was gone. Kurenai was giving instructions to Hinata and Kiba. When she saw Hayate approach, she asked,"Hayate, what did you and Lord Jiraiya talk about?"
"Oh… just some questions about ninjutsu," Hayate said casually, improvising on the spot. The lie rolled off his tongue with practiced ease.
But Kurenai frowned. "You just became a genin, didn't you? The only ninjutsu you've mastered is the Clone Technique, as far as I know. What could you possibly have to discuss with Lord Jiraiya?" She sighed. "Hayate, you're still young. Don't be too ambitious."
Her tone wasn't harsh—just weary, as if trying to steer him onto a safer path.
"Master Kurenai," Ryoji Takeda called out, walking in from outside. "Do you really think Lord Jiraiya can stop the Blood Clan's attack? That Sand jōnin was pathetic—he ran off without a fight! And he took the money, too! Unbelievable!"
"You have no right to doubt Jiraiya-sama's strength!" Kurenai's good temper finally broke. Being betrayed by their supposed allies was bad enough—but hearing these cowards mock her mentor snapped something inside her.
"Master Kurenai, that's not what he meant—please calm down," Trump, the merchant, said quickly, stepping between them. "He just spoke out of frustration."
Hayate watched silently, shaking his head. He had once admired this country—the warmth of its people, the scent of fresh tea leaves, the pleasant manners of men like Trump. But now he saw it for what it really was: a sunlit facade.
Every person had their sunny side… and their shadow.
And under pressure, those shadows always surfaced.
"I'll take Hinata and Kiba ahead," Hayate said quietly. "Master Kurenai, you and Lord Jiraiya should be careful."
Kurenai nodded. "You too. If you run into danger, fire the flare I gave you."
At the gates, she handed each of them a signal bomb—a glorified firework, really. It was meant to look like a distress signal, but to Hayate, it felt more like a symbol of farewell.
He nodded, adjusted the unconscious Ryosuke Naraku on his back, and turned to leave. Kurenai hesitated, as if she wanted to ask something—but when Jiraiya entered the hall, she fell silent.
Just as Hayate and the others were about to step outside, Jiraiya appeared beside him with a grin."You really surprised me, kid. Once this is over, you and I need to have a proper talk."
"Hayate, why are you carrying that guy?" Kiba asked once they were on the road. "What if he wakes up? He's dangerous!"
"Oh, he won't wake up," Hayate said lightly. He glanced around to make sure no one was near, then gently laid Ryosuke on the ground. Pulling out a kunai, his hands trembled slightly.
His heart pounded.
He'd never done this before—never killed anyone. It had always seemed simple in thought, but now that the moment was here, the reality pressed on him like a mountain.
Hayate inhaled sharply, trying to steady his breathing.
"Hinata," he said softly, forcing a smile. "You and Kiba go on ahead. I'll catch up soon."
Kiba frowned but didn't argue. "Fine, just don't do anything stupid." He led Hinata down the path.
Hayate gripped the kunai tightly, eyes fixed on Ryosuke's still form. His heartbeat roared in his ears.
"Sorry," he whispered—and thrust the kunai into Ryosuke Naraku's neck.
Pshh—
Blood splattered across his face.
When Hayate opened his eyes again, Ryosuke's were still wide open, filled with disbelief. He tried to speak, but only blood bubbled out. His trembling hands reached for Hayate, then froze midair.
Mission complete. Reward: 300 almighty points.New mission: Become a Chunin — Reward: 250 almighty points.
"He's… dead?" Hayate stared at the lifeless body. A strange hollowness opened inside him—like something had been torn away, leaving only silence.
And yet, deep within that silence… something else was born.
"That's how this world works," he muttered. "The strong devour the weak."
He stood up, eyes sharp and unflinching now. A faint silver light flickered across his irises—the Eyes of the Flash.
In an instant, he vanished, his body blurring as he sprinted ahead to rejoin Hinata and Kiba.
"Brother Hayate," Hinata asked timidly when he caught up, her pale eyes glimmering with worry. "That man… did you kill him?"