C147

The camp had fallen silent, the last of the bandits lying lifeless at Haruto's feet. The air was thick with the smell of blood and damp earth, the only sounds being the rustle of the wind and the faint cries of the women he had freed. His chest heaved, the adrenaline still coursing through his veins as the Chakra Scalpel dimmed, the green light flickering out of existence as the rage within him settled into a cold calm.

When the mission was over, and Haruto rejoined his team, Sakumo was waiting, his expression calm, yet his eyes sharp, as if he'd already assessed everything. The veteran shinobi had watched from a distance, observing every move Haruto made. Now, with the job done, it was time for the critique.

"You completed the mission," Sakumo began, his tone neutral but weighted. "Efficiently. You controlled your Chakra Scalpel well and handled your first real kills with precision."

Haruto felt a flicker of relief at the praise, but he knew Sakumo wasn't finished. There was always a "however" with the White Fang.

"However," Sakumo continued, his voice shifting, "you let your emotions take the lead when you saw the women. The situation was terrible—any shinobi would be enraged. But you let that anger drive you. While anger can push you forward, it can also cloud your judgment. There's a fine line between using it and letting it control you."

Haruto flinched slightly at the words, realizing that Sakumo had seen right through him. He thought he had kept his emotions in check, but in the heat of the moment, he had allowed the anger to take over. He had lost himself in the rage, driven not just by the mission, but by his fury at the bandits.

"But," Sakumo said, softening his tone, "you didn't let it compromise the mission. You still acted with purpose, and your strikes were clean. That's a good sign. It means you can channel that emotion into action without losing complete control. But remember, anger is a double-edged sword. It can cut the enemy, but if you're not careful, it can cut you too."

Haruto nodded slowly, taking in the feedback. He had let the fury overtake him, but he hadn't realized how deeply it had influenced his actions. His Chakra Scalpel had moved with ruthless efficiency, but his mind had been consumed by the images of the suffering women.

"You've got a lot of potential," Sakumo continued. "Your skill with medical ninjutsu is impressive, especially for your age. But being a shinobi means more than just raw talent. It's about control—over your techniques, over your emotions. If you let anger drive you in the wrong situation, it can lead to mistakes. Mistakes that cost lives."

Haruto clenched his fists, feeling the weight of Sakumo's words. He had killed with precision, yes. But the rage had blinded him for a moment, and that had almost been a dangerous distraction.

Sakumo gave him a steady look, his voice firm but not unkind. "You did well. But keep your emotions in check. Channel them, but don't let them rule you. A shinobi's greatest weapon is their mind—clear, focused, and in control."

Haruto felt the gravity of the critique sink in. He had completed the mission, but he knew now that his first taste of real combat had exposed a weakness. He hadn't controlled his emotions; his emotions had almost controlled him.

Sakumo gave a final nod of approval. "You've got the skills, Haruto. Just make sure you have the balance to match them. That's the difference between a skilled shinobi and a great one."

Haruto swallowed hard, his thoughts racing as Sakumo turned to address the rest of the team. As Haruto glanced down at his blood-stained hands, the weight of the experience settled on him. He had succeeded today, but he knew the path ahead wasn't just about getting stronger. It was about mastering not just his abilities, but his emotions.

The mission had been a victory. But it had also been a lesson.

As the team packed up and prepared to move on, Sakumo lingered in his thoughts. Something about the mission had unsettled him. Haruto had been confident—too confident—when he reported 17 hostiles in the camp. And while the number had been technically correct, it wasn't 17 bandits. It was 13 bandits and 4 women.

Sakumo hadn't pressed the issue in front of the others. It wasn't the right time, but it gnawed at him. How had Haruto been so sure? Most shinobi, even at an advanced level, wouldn't be able to give such a precise count from just a quick scan, especially when innocent civilians were mixed in with the hostiles.

It was something worth looking into—something that would require a private conversation. He didn't want to question Haruto's skill or instincts in front of the others, especially not Daichi and Shisui, who had both shown promise but didn't need to know all the details. Whatever was behind Haruto's confidence, Sakumo intended to find out.

For now, though, he would leave it alone. They still had a long journey ahead of them.

But as they moved forward, Sakumo knew there would be more to discuss with Haruto. Much more.