Chapter 16 II: Unexpected Performance

Kazi was already standing, so with the activation of the 'shadow faint' technique, he moved at a blurring speed towards the tree. He was so fast that Lanira, Ann and Koro who were right in front of him, though not facing him directly, didn't even notice him move. On the other hand, Linx and the two captains saw this and followed Kazi's trajectory to see where he was headed.

In a single breath, Kazi appeared beside a tree several metres away. 

'Did that tree just shake?' Was the thought that ran across the three who were looking towards that direction.

Once Kazi came to a stop, he immediately followed up with a rock shattering punch directed right to the body of the tree.

Though it seemed like just being mean towards nature, that was quickly proven to not be the case as the tree instantly went *puff in a body of smoke, revealing a man who had been knocked out from Kazi's punch that sent him flying several feet backwards, rolling on dried leaves like a ragdoll. After this commotion was when the rest caught wind that something had happened.

As Kazi regained his stance, the two captains disappeared from where they sat and appeared before the body in an instant.

'This kid, he's mastery of shadow faint is excellent... What clan is he from?' Gaz said in his mind, stealing a little glance at Kazi before focusing on what was before him.

"The kids amazing, I can't believe he was able to pick up something even we couldn't." Gaz expressed his mind to Daru.

"Yeah, those from the Divara clan never cease to amaze in that aspect." Daru responded.

'Divara clan? This kid?' Gaz was shocked to hear this, and for good reason too, but he decided to focus on the matter at hand for now.

"We need to treat him with care, he has just become a potential information source for us." Gaz said, to which Daru responded, "certainly." After that, Daru proceeded to grab the man by his ankle and dragged him across the floor towards the tent.

'With care...' Gaz and Kazi thought to themselves.

After the man was brought back, Daru took him into the tent and Gaz followed, telling the rest outside to inform those of his team not to come in after they get back. When he said this, he was looking at Kazi, somehow automatically viewing him as the leader.

"Yes, we'll pass the order." Kazi answered.

'Well, this is also good. I did move late in my plan to instil myself as their natural leader apart from captain Daru.' Kazi was satisfied with the results. Though, maybe the reason he had not made such efforts previously was because he had seen that this team would not help his cause in anyway, whether short term or long term.

'Whatever. This mission itself might actually not be so beneficial for me.'

Kazi went back to where he stood before, but this time he sat down and Linx was also sitting close. Koro who saw the boys together also moved towards them, after all it wasn't like he was going to partake in all the girl talk.

"How did you discover the spy?" Linx asked out of curiosity. Actually, he tried to play it off as just a random question, but Kazi knew very well that it wasn't so. 

'Any sutori who hears the name Divara tends to look down on whoever it is that bears it, so I'm not surprised by momentary disbelief.' 

"Well, I am a Divara after all." Kazi answered, not wanting to say too much. 

'Honestly, I could invest a bit of my energy into these guys, but I just don't see it being worth the effort at all... Maybe I should try a bit.'

"Well, you aren't an adult, so that doesn't explain it." Linx responded, still looking towards Kazi for an answer.

"I've already unlocked and trained my clan's bloodline, so my senses are much sharper than normal sutori." Kazi answered casually.

"I see."

Koro who had just been listening also grew curious. "Well, my amazement is how you were able to move that fast! I only noticed you disappeared, and before I could turn to look for where you went, I heard the sound.. *BAM, hahaha. What technique was that you used? I only remember being taught the stone illusion technique, self disguise, and the half-evasion technique, alongside some other little tricks..."

'Right, the illusionary technique that allows you conceal your presence and turn into a rock and the other one that greatly improves disguise; and the other that can allow you evade an attack...'

"I was lucky enough to meet someone who taught me the technique, it's called the shadow faint technique." Kazi explained.

"WAWW, that's amazing! I want to learn too! Can you teach me?" Koro seemed excited.

"The shadow faint technique..." Linx murmured to himself. 'Strange, doesn't that technique leave you disorientated for several seconds? But... Does that mean he has mastered the technique?' Linx glanced over at Kazi shortly before drawing his gaze back. 'That just sounds so impossible, but I saw it with my own eyes. Divara Kazi...'

'Calm down kid...'

While on the thought, Kazi turned his head to the right to spot Zuki and two others walking towards the tent.

"They're here."