Chapter 22

( Free trial available in patreon )

Inuzuka looked at Haruto and asked:

"But now, to complete the mission, we have to kill these poor people ourselves, then send everything back to the Lord's Mansion so they can continue oppressing and exploiting the residents of Iron Stone Town, day after day, year after year. After that, it's clear he'll keep capturing more town residents, forcing them into the mines to be endlessly exploited in the dark."

"Tell me, is this right?"

Aburame Nami remained silent, watching Haruto with curiosity. She, too, wanted to know how he'd respond.

"We are ninjas."

Haruto's gaze drifted toward the mountain village ahead.

"Ninjas aren't good people. If you want to be a good person, it means you haven't adapted to being a ninja. In the ninja world, there's no right or wrong. In other words, the values of a ninja are different from mainstream values."

"Why do ninjas have to be different from everyone else? We're all human! Living people with feelings!" Inuzuka couldn't help but retort.

Unseen by the others, a spirit body floated nearby in the woods, quietly observing the conversation.

Kato Dan knew that, while his students were skilled and had become genin, they still had one final step to take to become true ninjas. Though he disagreed with this harsh reality, as a Konoha jounin, he understood what it took to be a proper ninja. After all, he had walked this path before.

Kato Dan wondered what his most valued disciple, Haruto, truly thought about this matter.

"Your real opinion?"

Inuzuka Ryu, having the same thought as Kato Dan, questioned Haruto.

"Do you remember Article 23 of the Ninja Handbook?" Haruto asked in return.

"No matter what emergencies arise, ninjas must complete their mission as a rule," Ryu replied quickly; this was core knowledge from ninja school.

"And Article 25?" Haruto asked again.

"As a ninja, you cannot show emotion under any circumstances. Everything is focused on the mission. Ninjas don't believe in tears."

"Are those your answers?"

"No. What I'm saying is, those principles in the ninja manual are wrong."

With that, Haruto silently drew his wakizashi. Under the moonlight, its snow-white blade gleamed with a faint chill.

"Ninjas are distorted creations. The First Hokage may have understood this, which is why he changed the old Warring States ninja system and created Konoha. But even though he achieved so much, even the God of Ninja couldn't change that."

"But whether you continue down this path or aim to change it, you first need to become strong enough. Or, by your thinking, if you want to change this, you'll need to at least become Hokage."

"But don't you think that's still too far off? Even becoming a Jonin is distant for us now. Right now, you should bury all unnecessary thoughts and just do what's expected of you. Keep doing it. Either gain the ability to change it, or end up as another fallen ninja. It's your choice."

"At the very least, you need to control your mind. For ninjas, one thing matters most: tolerance."

After his speech, Haruto might have been trying to persuade Inuzuka, or perhaps he was convincing himself. Without waiting to see if Inuzuka was still sentimental, he activated his Sharingan, gripped his wakizashi, and walked towards the village.

Aburame Nami cast a silent glance at Inuzuka before moving forward with him, releasing a swarm of insects to guard the cottage, ensuring no one could escape.

Inuzuka sighed and looked at the white-haired dog beside him.

"Tiewan, let's go, too!"

Maybe this is the life of a ninja, but Inuzuka still didn't agree. Perhaps he was too naïve.

As Haruto said, if he wanted to change anything, he'd need to first become Hokage to accomplish the great deeds even the First Hokage couldn't.

Though confident in his own talents and, like many others in Konoha, aiming to become Hokage, he knew many in the village had talents equal to or greater than his.

People like Haruto.

Can I… really do it?

…

Upon entering the cottage, Haruto was surprised. It was actually an empty mountain hideout, with guards on watchtowers replaced by scarecrows in ragged clothing.

But it wasn't entirely deserted.

With Nami's insect search, they located the only living person inside.

In the main hall, a tall, thin, dark-faced man sat dozing in the central seat.

Haruto silently took a photo from his ninja bag. The man matched the target: Ichiro Okamoto, former bandit leader and miner.

"You've finally come."

Hearing their footsteps, Okamoto opened his eyes, looking at Haruto and the others.

"You knew we were coming?" Haruto stopped his companions, speaking directly to Okamoto.

Okamoto remained silent.

Haruto had a guess.

"If I'm right, you must have an informant in the lord's mansion. Otherwise, you wouldn't have sent the bandits away ahead of time. But why are you still here?"

Okamoto's body tensed before he spoke.

"It's not that I have people in the lord's mansion. But some there, too, resent Tobita Yuichi and even hate him."

"I see." Haruto nodded, confirming that Tobita Yuichi wasn't a good man.

"What about my next question? Knowing we were coming, why did you stay here? Why didn't you resist?"

Lowering his gaze, Okamoto replied, "If I tell you, will you grant me one request?"

----------------------------------------------------

Here Samurai💖

I deeply appreciate your support since the beginning of this exciting journey!

I hope each chapter has provided incredible moments. If you like my work and would like to support the continuation of this fanfic, consider becoming a patron with plans starting at $5!. As a token of gratitude, I offer access to more than 20 extra chapters

🖤patreon.com/Samurai492🖤

Visit our Patreon for more:

https://patreon.com/Samurai492

Extra Content Already Available.