Chapter 208: Looting

From the expression on the other side, it was clear that this genius boy was relatively kind-hearted.

The reason why this matter was pushed onto him was likely Shizadam and Longhuo's idea. Otherwise, how could something like this fall on Shisui to handle? 

"Hmm! Since they are captives... kill all those taller than you!"

"For the rest, use the family's 'Heavenly Fire Prison' to seal their chakra!"

"Oh, right! You know this jutsu, right?"

In the long-lasting wars, it wasn't just Konoha that had young children step onto the battlefield. The Land of Earth was no different, though their situation was slightly better than Konoha's.

As for the Heavenly Fire Prison, it was a jutsu used by the Uchiha Police Force to seal the chakra of criminal ninjas. Its effect was similar to the 'Fire Release: Heavenly Prison' from the Grass Country Prison in the original work.

In essence, it prevented ninjas from using chakra!

The reason for sparing these children was due to Hitsugaya's influence from his previous life. Even now, he still felt that making children under ten years old bear the consequences of war was utterly unacceptable.

This was one of the few things he continued to insist on!

Otherwise, how would he differ from those beasts consumed by hatred?

"Yes!"

"I've already learned this jutsu!"

Facing Hitsugaya's plan, although Shisui still felt somewhat uneasy, he knew this was the best outcome for those people. They couldn't retreat with captives.

There was nothing to complain about!

"A real genius indeed!"

"Compared to you, senpai, I still have a long way to go!"

Faced with Hitsugaya's praise, Shisui humbly replied and then reluctantly went to carry out Hitsugaya's orders.

[Did I just commit some evil act?]

Watching Shisui's small figure fade away, Hitsugaya couldn't help but wonder if making such a young child handle this was the right thing to do.

...

"How is it? Still can't break through this barrier?"

While Shisui was still troubled, a group of Iwa-nin gathered outside the barrier.

These were the Iwa-nin who had assembled when they noticed something wrong after Hitsugaya and his team attacked the outpost.

Although Hitsugaya and his team moved quickly, finishing the battle in less than twenty minutes, the nearby Iwa-nin were no pushovers and soon detected the anomaly at the outpost.

They sent a team to investigate, who then issued a distress signal, gathering a large number of Iwa-nin.

"Rongko! Your team was the first to notice the anomaly. Did you find anything else?"

"No, Akaseki-sama!"

"We hurried over as soon as we found something wrong with the camp, but the outpost was already enclosed by a barrier!"

"I see!"

"Are there any barrier specialists here? We need to break this barrier quickly to investigate the situation inside the outpost!"

Although not very hopeful, he still asked the present ninjas. Gathering over a dozen teams, he wasn't sure if anyone had special skills.

"..."

The scene fell silent for a moment!

Barrier techniques, being relatively advanced, weren't something frontline ninjas commonly encountered.

If they had such expertise, they wouldn't be risking their lives in this godforsaken place!

"In that case, we'll have to use large-scale Earth Release jutsu to try and destroy this barrier!"

When it came to barriers, Iwa-nin weren't entirely helpless. With enough chakra, they could break through these barriers.

Though this meant altering the terrain significantly, it wasn't worth the cost.

But they couldn't afford to worry about that now!

Just as the Iwa-nin outside the barrier were preparing to combine their strength to destroy it, Hitsugaya sensed the movement.

"Is everything packed? What's the haul?"

"If we don't leave soon, those Iwa-nin outside will be inviting us for breakfast~"

Facing his partners, Hitsugaya casually asked, his tone one of genuine concern.

"Yeah! The haul's pretty good. This was an Iwa-nin supply point, filled with lots of weapons, medical supplies, explosive tags, and other consumables!"

"Although a bit disorganized and hard to tally, there's quite a bit!"

Replying to Hitsugaya were Longhuo and Shizadam, who had been searching the camp. Though the numbers weren't specific, Hitsugaya could tell from their expressions that the team struck gold!

It was their luck that things like weapons, which were hard and resistant to explosions, were intact. The stored medical supplies and explosive tags were preserved thanks to the cautious storage by the Iwa-nin.

"With that settled, there's no point in lingering!"

"Ninja Art: Summoning Technique!"

Mobilizing his chakra, he performed the summoning technique!

"Hitsugaya! Can't you stop summoning me before dawn for chores? I'm not human, but I value my sleep!"

Before the large summoning smoke dispersed, a voice full of complaints sounded.

It was no less than Hitsugaya's long-unseen 'Mountain Hawk'!

After Hitsugaya started his scout work, he'd had his 'brother-in-law' Uchiha Akira sign a summoning contract with it, making him responsible for camp and village logistics—one of the few ways Hitsugaya could assist his family.

Since arriving at the Grass Country camp, whether for scouting using the Hawk's abilities or for logistical tasks between the camp and village, Hitsugaya had little involvement.

With an inkling in mind, Hitsugaya handed this relatively easy task to his kin.

"No complaints! Once we're back at camp, you can catch some prey, and we'll cook it for you!"

The creature's appetite was something Hitsugaya couldn't handle; it was better to let it hunt. With so many teammates around, it shouldn't go to waste~

Conveniently, summoning it was to ensure a smooth retreat. At least these hitchhikers would do some work~

(End of Chapter)