174.Present And Past

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Only to see Dan standing at the edge of the chaotic scene, his face slightly guarded as he looked at Sōsuke standing in the distance. His gaze gently swept over the wreckage on the field, causing shock to surge within him.

They actually... caused such destruction...!!

What are they doing... is this the aftermath of their previous battle!?

Moreover... why is Shino's face so pale...

Seeing Shino leave the camp, Dan followed, deeply concerned as a very close friend. During the chase, he heard the intense bombing noises from this direction and hurriedly arrived.

The scene that greeted his eyes was Sōsuke slowly walking towards the weak and half-kneeling Shino on the devastated battlefield.

Considering the long-standing conflict between Shino and Sōsuke, he naturally thought that Sōsuke intended harm to Shino.

"Shino, how are you? Are you okay?"

Dan, standing at a distance, shouted in a deep voice, but his gaze was calmly fixed on Sōsuke, watching his every move with vigilance.

Feeling Dan's subtle movements and the strong hostility, a smile flashed in Sōsuke's eyes beneath his lenses. He just chuckled and looked at him without saying a word.

Shino slowly turned around, his eyes complicated as he looked at Dan, and spoke.

"Dan... I was just with Sōsuke..."

Before he could finish his sentence, Sōsuke gently interrupted him, speaking on his behalf.

"Dan, Shino and I haven't seen each other in a long time. When we reunited, it was inevitable that things got a bit heated. You should understand this, right?"

"And besides, it seems like it's been a long time since I've seen you too."

Sōsuke, wearing a gentle smile, looked at Dan and spoke softly, as if addressing an old friend they hadn't seen in a while.

Hearing Sōsuke's words, Dan remained vigilant on his face.

But in his heart, memories of the first time he met Sōsuke resurfaced.

...

As if on a heavy film, the dimly lit streets of Konoha.

The beautiful blond girl stuck her tongue out at him, her face carrying a happy smile, pulling the boy with a clear smile to introduce him.

"Sorry, Dan, I was a bit rude just now. Let me introduce you. This is Sōsuke."

"Hello, Sōsuke. I've heard your name before. Nice to meet you."

"I'm glad to meet you too, Dan."

The boy in front of him, renowned in the major clans, seemed to be injured. Did something happen to him?

"Now that you've all met, let's go eat barbecue today. The one who arrives first pays! No cheating!"

The smile on the beautiful girl's face seemed genuinely happy...

"Sōsuke! Put your hand down; your hands are injured! Open your mouth and listen!"

The expression on the girl's face in his memory seemed to be angry because the boy in front of her was not cooperating. He also felt embarrassed for eating the grilled meat she handed him.

Hmm... Did it work? She looks so happy with her smile... 

Indeed... for her, he is an important person... Even Orochimaru and Jiraiya have never seen her treat anyone like this...

The guy's words and actions are very comfortable, truly flawless. Rumors are really not to be believed. Even as a commoner, what does it matter?

He will eventually become a dazzling new star in Konoha...

....

Returning slowly from the memories in his mind to reality, Dan looked at Sōsuke with a slightly complex expression.

The beautiful girl from the memories had become the most beautiful memory, and certain words were forever buried in the depths of his heart.

However, the young man with the clear smile on his face seemed to slightly overlap with the tall and gentle young man before him.

He... has become a towering tree in Konoha...

Dan's voice sounded complex as he said, "Long time no see... Sōsuke... Captain."

To this, Sōsuke smiled slightly, his tone gentle. "This kind of address feels quite unfamiliar. I thought you would call me by my name."

With a smile in his eyes, he continued, "But... compared to Captain Sōsuke... actually... I prefer the title of Captain Aizen..."

Hearing this, Dan's face showed a slight expression of confusion, maintaining his vigilance. He said in a deep voice, "What does that mean?"

Meanwhile, on Sōsuke's side, Shino, who heard his words, had a change in his expression. Despite the distance, Dan could see Shino's sudden change in complexion and became more vigilant.

At this moment, a gentle laughter suddenly sounded in his ears. "As fellow villagers, maintaining such vigilance against me is quite excessive, isn't it?"

Hearing the voice close behind him, Dan's pupils instantly contracted, his face tightened, and he leaped forward!

Sōsuke, with a casual smile on his face, slowly extended a finger and aimed it at the figure, murmuring, "Hado no Shi. Byakurai!"

As his words fell, a dazzling blue-white lightning flashed from his fingertip!

Boom!

The originally slender and dazzling white light, shot from his fingertip, instantly turned into a thick and brilliant lightning, striking fiercely at Dan!

Boom!

Under the impact of the dazzling blue lightning, his figure instantly became extremely hot, rapidly turning black!

Bang!

With a sudden burst of smoke, an almost charred wooden stake suddenly fell to the ground.

"Huff, huff..."

Seeing this scene, Sōsuke did not mind that his attack missed. He just smiled slightly and said gently, "Maintaining hostility against fellow villagers is not a good habit. But I have to say, Dan, your hand seal speed is quite surprising."

In a corner of the chaotic battlefield, Dan's forehead was covered in cold sweat, panting heavily as he crouched there.

That was close... it almost hit me...!!

Hearing these words, he quickly turned his head, looking at Sōsuke with a heavy gaze, silently pondering the current situation on the field.

Shino seemed to have some hidden difficulties, and his condition seemed unable to participate in the battle again.

As for Sōsuke... judging by the power of his previous move... he definitely harbored intentions to kill me...

Regardless, first, deal with him!

After a moment of contemplation and decision, a serious expression appeared on Dan's face.

Sōsuke!

Watch me; I haven't stopped moving forward all these years!

He quickly formed a strange hand seal with his hands, emitting a faint blue light.

Seeing this scene, Sōsuke made a surprised sound, not continuing his actions. Instead, he looked at Dan with interest, seemingly fascinated by the ninjutsu he was about to release.