The flames of vengeance burned fiercely within Yugao’s chest, but reason told her it wouldn’t be easy.
Haruto curled his lips into a faint smile.
“That’s true. But the good news is that these people probably won’t keep expanding.”
Yugao blinked curiously.
“Why?”
It sounded like good news, but she couldn’t understand the reasoning.
Counting on his fingers, Haruto explained:
“Theoretically, if they wanted to evolve from jonin level to Kage level, they’d need to drain the blood of at least an entire nation—hundreds of thousands, maybe millions of people.”
“Not to mention finding that many victims. Just processing all that blood would take forever.”
“So my guess is they’ve already made enough profit and are preparing to run.”
“If you want to wipe them out, now’s the time.”
“Once those five chunin-level ones evolve into jonin as well, you’ll have eight jonin-class fighters.”
“That’s enough power to topple a small country.”
“Sure, their method shortens their lifespan, but that doesn’t make them any less dangerous.”
“If they really complete their little ‘Eight Kings’ lineup, eliminating them later will cost far more.”
To surround and kill eight jonin, Konoha would need to deploy at least an equal number of comparable fighters.
Even for one of the Five Great Villages, that would be a painful commitment of resources.
Jonin weren’t cannon fodder.
They were strategic assets.
The truly horrifying part was that these lunatics had slaughtered ten thousand people just to rise from chunin to jonin.
It was a crime against humanity.
The medical ninja who originally created the technique had intended it to save lives.
Who could have imagined it would become a tool for monsters?
Yugao’s expression changed immediately.
Those demons absolutely couldn’t be allowed to escape.
For the sake of the countless dead, she grabbed Haruto’s wrist.
“Haruto, do you have any way to stop them?”
He gave a helpless smile.
“Didn’t I already tell you?”
“The best solution is brute force.”
“Even if you have to bury them beneath a mountain of bodies, they need to die.”
“And remember, their power comes at a price.”
“Jumping from chunin to jonin this way costs at least thirty years of lifespan.”
“Normal shinobi don’t live that long to begin with.”
“After all this, they probably only have ten or twenty years left.”
Hearing that only intensified the killing intent in Yugao’s eyes.
“Ten or twenty years?”
“That’s already far too generous.”
“With that much blood on their hands, they don’t deserve another day.”
She suddenly stood up and stretched.
The wounds still ached faintly, but not enough to stop her from drawing a sword.
Watching her force herself forward, Haruto shook his head.
He pulled out a small black ration pill from his pouch and, before she could react, stuffed it directly into her mouth.
This was his own improved version.
Smaller.
Better tasting.
And packed with healing properties.
Unfortunately, as he did so, his fingers accidentally brushed against her soft lips.
The brief touch made Yugao freeze.
The atmosphere immediately became a little strange.
Haruto didn’t think anything of it.
They’d known each other for six years.
There was nothing awkward between them.
“Don’t get worked up.”
“The village higher-ups will handle something this big.”
“Why are you worrying about it as a squad captain?”
“Since it’s been upgraded to an S-rank mission, they’ll definitely send stronger people.”
“Your teammates will get justice.”
Standing face to face, the two were almost the same height.
Haruto was already around five foot seven.
Determination filled Yugao’s eyes.
“I’m reporting everything you just said.”
“If the village doesn’t have accurate intelligence, sending people in blindly is just sending them to their deaths.”
Haruto nodded.
“Before you report it, you might want to consult the old hospital director.”
“He should know the details of this forbidden technique.”
“But don’t mention where you heard it.”
A gentle smile appeared on Yugao’s face.
“I know you like keeping a low profile.”
“Don’t worry.”
“I’ll take it to my grave before I reveal your name.”
With Haruto’s approval, Yugao immediately rushed toward the Hokage Tower.
The information shocked Hiruzen enough that his smoking pipe nearly slipped from his hand.
After confirming the existence of the forbidden technique with the hospital director, his expression darkened considerably.
If the intelligence was accurate and the enemy could truly create eight jonin-level monsters, the threat level was outrageous.
Without hesitation, he summoned three of Konoha’s strongest available shinobi:
Kakashi.
Yamato.
Might Guy.
All three happened to be in the village.
Together with Yugao, who volunteered to return, they stood before the Third Hokage.
His voice was grave.
“According to the intelligence brought back by Yugao Uzuki, these criminals in the Land of Grass pose a significant threat to the Land of Fire.”
“They must be eradicated.”
“But this mission is dangerous.”
“People may die.”
“Be prepared.”
Kakashi and Yamato were genuine elite jonin.
Guy might appear ridiculous most of the time, but everyone knew how terrifying he became when he got serious.
As for Yugao, now that Haruto had healed her injuries, nothing would stop her from seeking revenge personally.
Kakashi narrowed his eye.
“Then I’ll go.”
Yamato straightened his posture.
“This falls within ANBU responsibilities. Leave it to us.”
Guy flashed his signature gleaming smile and raised a thumbs-up.
“This darkness shall be consumed by the flames of youth!”
“I’ll teach them the power of the Leaf’s Strong Whirlwind!”
Yugao gripped her sword.
“My teammates died to bring this information back.”
“I’ll take the heads of those monsters myself.”
Even with such a strong lineup, Hiruzen still felt uneasy.
Three jonin and one Special Jonin against potentially eight jonin-class enemies?
If these people died, Konoha would lose several pillars of its strength.
He needed additional insurance.
Unfortunately, most capable shinobi were already assigned elsewhere.
The village itself couldn’t be left undefended.
Then his gaze landed on Kakashi.
A spark flashed in his old eyes.
“Kakashi.”
“What about bringing Haruto along?”
The room instantly fell silent.
Before Kakashi could respond, Yugao exploded. This chapter was taken from g.com without permission.
“No!”
“Hokage-sama!”
“Haruto is only a genin!”
“Sending him into something like this is asking him to die!”
Kakashi, Guy, and Yamato immediately nodded.
The suggestion sounded ridiculous.
Yet Hiruzen merely smiled.
“His strength already surpasses yours, Yugao.”
“Right now we need one more person to complete a five-man squad.”
“Every bit of strength helps.”
Both Yugao and Kakashi opposed the idea fiercely.
The argument dragged on for several minutes.
Finally, Hiruzen slammed his authority down.
“Enough.”
“I know you’re trying to protect him.”
“But I know exactly how capable Haruto is.”
“What he lacks is real experience.”
“This mission is the perfect opportunity.”
“If he returns alive, he’ll be promoted to chunin this year.”
Authority prevailed.
No matter how unhappy they were, they could only accept the decision.
Even Guy and Yamato looked uncomfortable.
Nobody wanted to throw a child into a battlefield like this.
After receiving the mission scroll, the four of them headed to the training grounds behind Konoha.
When Haruto learned he’d been drafted into an S-rank mission, his face nearly cracked.
He stared at Kakashi in disbelief.
“You’re kidding, right?”
“I’m a weak, pitiful, helpless little genin.”
“And you’re sending me into an S-rank raid?”
“Has the old Hokage finally gone senile?”
Since nobody else was around, he held nothing back.
Kakashi looked equally miserable.
“I argued until my mouth went dry.”
“It didn’t matter.”
“He insists you already have chunin-level or even Special Jonin-level ability.”
“He wants this mission to be your trial.”
“If it succeeds, you’ll be promoted immediately.”
Haruto twitched.
“Who cares about a stupid chunin title?”
“If I wanted one, couldn’t I just take the exam myself?”
Both Kakashi and Yugao looked guilty.
Yamato stepped forward to smooth things over.
“I didn’t agree with it either.”
“It’s too early for you.”
“But Hokage-sama also promised something else.”
“If the mission succeeds, you’ll be allowed to study the Scroll of Seals and learn one S-rank forbidden technique.”
Yamato was a kind man.
Though loyal to Hiruzen, he genuinely cared about Haruto.
He was simply trying to ease tensions.
Being caught in the middle was clearly making him uncomfortable.
Suddenly, Yugao asked:
“Haruto, you were the one who analyzed the intelligence.”
“Do you know any more efficient way to kill them?”
Kakashi, Guy, and Yamato all froze.
“What?”
“You got that information from Haruto?”
Yugao nodded.
“Yeah.”
“I went to him for treatment.”
“I casually mentioned the mission.”
“Then he practically stripped the enemy naked.”
“Don’t forget.”
“Even the hospital director admits his medical skills are superior.”
The three men stared at Haruto as though he were a monster.
“So you know their weakness?”
Haruto rolled his eyes.
“Keep dreaming.”
“Those guys are built like iron.”
“Their only weakness is that they don’t have one.”
“If you want them dead, you’ll have to overpower them.”
“There’s no clever shortcut.”
Kakashi thought for a moment.
“And what about the director’s claim?”
“That they can reach Kage-level strength after activating that berserk state?”
Haruto nodded.
“Pretty much.”
“So we’re potentially looking at three Kage-level monsters and five jonin-class lunatics.”
The air instantly became heavy.
Yamato and Kakashi both felt a chill run down their spines.
“You’ve got to be joking.”
“Other than Guy, who here can fight at Kage level?”
The gap between elite jonin and Kage level was enormous.
Kakashi understood that better than anyone.
If Guy opened enough of the Eight Gates, maybe.
But Kakashi himself, Yamato, Yugao, and Haruto?
Elite jonin at best.
The odds looked terrible.
And nobody even knew whether Guy could open the Seventh Gate yet.
Even Kakashi wasn’t confident.
All he knew was that when Guy truly went all out, he became terrifying.
For the first time, the mission felt genuinely impossible.
Seeing the gloomy atmosphere, Haruto actually laughed.
“It’s not all bad.”
“They might have Kage-level chakra and physical ability.”
“But that doesn’t mean they have Kage-level brains.”
“Their combat experience definitely can’t compare to yours.”
“You guys are veteran jonin.”
“This fight isn’t hopeless.”
“The risk is only slightly higher than normal.”
“A few hundred million times higher.”
Kakashi sighed helplessly.
At this point, there was no turning back.
Yugao looked apologetic.
“I’m really sorry, Haruto.”
“I dragged you into this.”
He waved dismissively.
“Yugao-sis, this isn’t your fault.”
He knew perfectly well she’d fought against the idea.
The same was true for Kakashi and the others.
The problem was that over the last month, Hiruzen had probably gathered enough information to conclude that Haruto possessed jonin-level strength.
It was a final examination.
A test to determine whether this blade was worth investing in.
Haruto could practically picture the calculating look on the old man’s face.
And honestly?
Being manipulated like this annoyed him.
Not that he cared about Hiruzen’s support.
The old man didn’t have much time left anyway.
Once Tsunade took over, life would become much easier.
At that point, he wouldn’t need to hide nearly as much.
But for now, he had no choice.
Kakashi placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Sorry.”
“As your teacher, I couldn’t shield you from this.”
Haruto could feel the guilt in that gesture.
Looking up at Kakashi, he smiled brightly.
“Don’t worry, Kakashi-sensei.”
“Even if I’m being forced into this, it’s still a good opportunity to gain experience.”
“And who knows?”
“I might surprise you.”
“Haven’t you always wondered how many secrets I’m hiding?”
Kakashi paused.
The guilt in his eye deepened.
“Then I’ll protect you.”
“Even if it costs me my life.”
It sounded suspiciously like a death flag.
But Haruto knew he meant every word.
Laughing, he replied:
“Don’t be so dramatic.”
“What if I end up saving you instead?”
Guy, Yamato, and Yugao assumed he was joking.
Only Kakashi fell silent.
“Maybe…”
He had always known this student was unfathomable.
Like a bottomless well.
Yet he respected Haruto’s privacy.
If Haruto chose not to reveal something, Kakashi would never pry.
Haruto turned toward Yugao and pulled out a delicate porcelain bottle.
“Yugao-sis.”
“I made this healing medicine while experimenting.”
“Take one.”
“It’ll help.”
He poured a single jade-green pill into his palm.
It was crystal-clear, almost like carved emerald.
“I used quite a few expensive ingredients.”
“It should restore you to full condition.”
Yugao stared at it blankly.
Even from appearance alone, it was obviously priceless.
The chakra contained within it was extraordinary.
“This is far too valuable…”
Before she could refuse, Haruto pressed it into her hand.
“The healthier you are, the fewer weak links our team has.”
“And the higher everyone’s survival rate.”
In truth, Yugao was unquestionably the weakest member of the squad.
Haruto didn’t want to say it outright.
But the implication was obvious.
If she entered battle injured, she’d become a liability.
Yugao stopped protesting.
She swallowed the pill immediately.
Kakashi chuckled.
“Well, that’s a surprise.”
“You’re actually willing to hand over one of your treasures.”
Guy and Yamato looked equally shocked.
“You really gave it away?”
Haruto tucked the empty bottle back into his pouch.
“Don’t get any ideas.”
“I don’t have many left.”
That wasn’t an exaggeration.
These healing pills were incredibly difficult to make.
Over three years of effort—and roughly five hundred thousand ryo—he had produced only six.
One each had already gone to Kakashi, Guy, and Yamato.
Now Yugao received another.
Only two remained.
The effect was simple:
Lock the user’s life in place.
As long as someone still had a breath left, the pill could bring them back to peak condition.
It also granted immunity to most poisons for an entire month.
Yamato knew that firsthand.
During an S-rank mission, he had nearly died after being overwhelmed by enemies.
One pill later, he was back on his feet and proceeded to wipe them out.
Naturally, he’d tried asking for another afterward.
Haruto had refused mercilessly.
The landlord had no surplus grain.
Yamato immediately rubbed his hands together and grinned.
“Haruto…”
“Given our friendship…”
“How about another one?”
Haruto’s face darkened as he protected his pocket.
“Get lost.”
“I’m serious.”
“I only have one emergency pill left for myself.”
Yamato sighed dramatically.
“What a waste.”
“If we had more of those, it’d be like having extra lives.”
“Incredible.”
In a world where lives were cheap, medicine like this was priceless.
Most resurrection techniques demanded a life in exchange for a life.
Compared to that, Haruto’s pills were practically miracles.
Kakashi and Guy still hadn’t used theirs.
The two exchanged sly smiles.
“Yamato.”
“Thank you for risking your life to test the medicine for us.”
Yamato’s face immediately turned bitter.
He looked at Kakashi hopefully.
“Senior…”
“You’re so strong.”
“Why don’t you give me yours?”
Kakashi smiled kindly.
Far too kindly.
“You must be out of your mind.”