Chapter 19: The Ninja World
The leader of the mountain bandits was a man whose face was crisscrossed with old slash scars. He was the fastest to react, swinging a massive axe and cleaving it straight toward Izumo.
The blade carried a fierce rush of wind, clearly showing the brute strength forged through years of robbery and killing.
Izumo stayed calm, not panicking in the slightest. The Body Flicker Technique activated once more, and he slipped past the axe's path with ease.
The axe slammed into the ground with a heavy, ringing impact, sending dust and clods of earth flying into the air.
Izumo used that opening to spin behind the bandit leader. His left hand clamped down on the man's wrist, while his right hand drew a kunai and drove it straight into the center of his back, right where the heart was.
"Uh…" The bandit leader let out a choked groan. The massive axe slipped from his grip. His body slowly turned, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief. "How… how old are you…"
He never finished the sentence. His body collapsed to the ground, blood steadily seeping out from around the kunai embedded in his back.
When they saw their leader fall, the remaining bandits completely broke.
When had they ever seen a sight like this—three kids who still looked so young, yet when they moved, their cruelty was like demons crawling up from hell.
"N-No… don't kill me!" One bandit dropped to his knees, smashing his forehead against the ground again and again. Tears and snot mixed together on his face, pitiful beyond words.
Izumo stood in front of him, his eyes showing not the slightest ripple of emotion. He raised his kunai and didn't give him another chance to beg.
The blade fell. The bandit's head rolled across the ground, and blood painted the stones at the edge of the cliff a deep, dark red.
Kotetsu and Kurenai had each already taken down three more bandits of their own.
Now the bandit camp was filled with corpses and blood. The sharp stench of it spread through the air, making anyone who breathed it in feel like vomiting.
Kotetsu leaned against a tree, retching uncontrollably, his face drained of all color. Kurenai crouched on the ground, both arms wrapped tightly around her knees, her body trembling slightly.
Izumo walked over to the two of them. He didn't say anything, only gently patted their shoulders.
He himself wasn't doing much better. Across both of his lives, this was the first time he had personally killed so many people. His stomach churned violently.
But he knew—this was the world of ninja. Kill, or be killed.
"You did very well." Akimichi Dōtō stepped out from behind the trees. His gaze swept over the pile of bodies on the ground, then turned to the three of them. "You didn't hesitate. You weren't soft-hearted. Those are the most basic qualities a ninja must have."
A flash of ferocity crossed his round face.
"Welcome to the ninja world."
...
After pushing past the barrier in their hearts, Team 8 returned to their usual rhythm of missions.
"Izumo, Sensei told us to go to the Mission Hall right away. It looks like there's an emergency mission!"
By the time Izumo and Kotetsu arrived at the hall, Kurenai was already there.
Akimichi Dōtō stood in front of the counter, holding a red scroll in his hand—the mark of an emergency mission.
The hall was brightly lit. Many high-ranking ninja were busy turning in and receiving missions. The air was thick with tension.
"Sensei, what's actually going on?" Kotetsu couldn't help but ask.
Akimichi Dōtō turned around. The usual smile that often sat on his round face was gone.
He opened the red scroll, his voice low and heavy. "We received orders from Hokage-sama. Ninja from Iwagakure attacked a Konoha outpost on the border of the Land of Grass and have taken three key positions. Casualties on the front lines are severe."
"Our Team 8 will depart tomorrow morning to provide support to the battlefield in the Land of Grass."
"The battlefield?" Kurenai's voice trembled slightly, but she still clenched her fists. "Are we going to fight ninja from Iwa?"
"That's right." Akimichi Dōtō's gaze swept across the three of them. "This is no longer a C-rank mission. This is real war. When you arrive on the battlefield, remember three things."
"First, obey orders completely. Don't act on your own. Second, protect yourselves and your teammates. Survival is the most important thing. Third, when you face Iwa ninja, don't hesitate even for a second—they won't show you any mercy."
"Now go back and prepare your ninja gear. Tomorrow morning at eight, gather at Konoha's main gate and depart with the main force."
"Sensei… can we win?" Kotetsu asked quietly. Even though he was usually cheerful and carefree, he also understood how cruel war could be.
Akimichi Dōtō patted his shoulder calmly, his eyes filled with firm confidence. "We are ninja of Konoha. Behind us is the village, and behind that, the villagers. As long as we stand together, there is no war we can't win."
Remembering the words Ibiki-sensei had said to him before he was transferred, Izumo let out a soft breath.
So… the day had finally come.
After returning home, Izumo Kamizuki opened his panel again and carefully looked over his skills.
[Name]: Kamizuki Izumo (Ren)
[Age]: 9 years old
[Attributes]:
Physical Energy: 1.4
Chakra: 1.3
Mental: 1.5
[Skills]
Basic Taijutsu: Expert (Proficiency: 335/1000)
Chakra Extraction Technique: Expert (Proficiency: 280/1000)
Clone Technique: Expert (Proficiency: 106/1000)
Transformation Technique: Expert (Proficiency: 108/1000)
Substitution Technique: Expert (Proficiency: 111/1000)
Ninja Tools Handling: Expert (Proficiency: 138/1000)
Chakra Control: Expert (Proficiency: 166/1000)
Body Flicker Technique: Beginner (Proficiency: 85/100)
Earth Release: Earth Style Wall: Beginner (Proficiency: 86/100)
Water Release: Starch Syrup Capturing Field: Beginner (Proficiency: 82/100)
"I've already pushed myself as far as I can for now," Izumo murmured softly.
"Come on, Iwa ninja."
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