The bandit suppression mission wasn’t particularly far away.
At a shinobi’s pace, it took less than half a day to reach the area.
Thus, although the group had departed in the morning, they arrived near the target village by evening.
However, the three of them did not enter the village.
Instead, at Ryo’s insistence, they stopped in the forest surrounding it.
“Why are we stopping here?” Madara asked, looking puzzled.
“Didn’t the mission report say the bandits frequently harass the village?
Shouldn’t we investigate there first?” “Mm, that would certainly be one way to do it.” Ryo smiled gently.
“But it’s also a little reckless…
Kenji, can I leave the reconnaissance to you?” “Sure.
Give me a second…” Uchiha Kenji reached into his ninja tool pack and pulled out a small spray bottle filled with pale green liquid before handing it to Ryo.
“Use it sparingly.
Hiro charged an outrageous price for this stuff.” “What is it?” “A reagent that only becomes visible in a cat’s eyes.” Kenji didn’t bother hiding the explanation.
“I have a bit of a problem when it comes to finding my way around…
So whenever the team needs to split up, my teammates carry some of this while I have my summons help me track them afterward.” He patted his own pouch.
“I’ve got a bottle too.
The effect lasts about half a day.” Madara’s feelings immediately became complicated, though outwardly he only nodded and turned toward Ryo.
“So what exactly are we investigating?” “The possible connection between the village and the bandits,” Ryo replied calmly.
“Based on the information we’ve received, this bandit group has been operating near the village for quite some time.
Yet they always seem able to distinguish between ordinary merchant caravans and government troops disguised as travelers.” He smiled slightly.
“Do you understand what that implies, Madara?” Madara glanced toward Kenji, who had already slipped silently toward the village.
“A bandit informant inside the village?” he guessed.
“So we’re gathering intelligence beforehand to avoid alerting them?” “You’re half right.” Ryo nodded.
“The other possibility is that the entire village is the bandit group.” Madara frowned.
“Why would you think that?” “Because the local lord who governs this region enforces extremely harsh taxes and laws.
I’ve even seen cases where farmers secretly contacted bandits and invited them to rob their property.” Ryo paused.
“After all, one of the local tax laws states: ‘Those who suffer losses from bandit attacks may be exempted from that month’s taxes.
The unpaid amount shall instead be covered by the responsible local official.'” He shrugged.
“I don’t know whether that law has been revised since then, but being cautious never hurts.” Madara nodded thoughtfully.
“Looks like I need to pay more attention to hidden information like this in the future.
If it had just been you and me, investigating this mission properly might have been difficult.
I’m much better suited for direct combat.” “No.” Ryo shook his head.
“Two people have their own way of doing things.” His tone remained relaxed.
“Missions are fixed, but people aren’t.
There’s no absolute formula for completing a mission.
You adapt according to the circumstances.” He tapped his Chakra Blade Staff lightly.
“Come on.
Let’s scout the mountains and locate the bandits’ base.” Madara followed after him.
As they searched, Ryo took the opportunity to teach him numerous tricks for concealing his presence and identifying traces left behind by others.
Many of the techniques differed from what the clan taught, but they were faster and more practical—though they also allowed far less room for error.
Not long after the two found the bandits’ stronghold, Kenji returned, guided by one of his Ninja Cats.
“The village is mostly elderly people and children,” he reported.
“There are very few able-bodied adults.
Also, no household has more than ten days’ worth of stored food.” He paused.
“But all of their fields are extremely well maintained.
What about your side?” “The exact opposite.” Ryo turned his head slightly.
The smile on his lips faded.
“Looks like we’ve run into the scenario I was hoping to avoid.” He fell silent for a moment before speaking decisively.
“We hide and rest.
We move before dawn.” His voice became cold.
“Anyone inside that stronghold dies.
Leave no one alive.” Kenji simply nodded.
Madara also felt that he understood the situation now.
Regardless of what relationship existed between the so-called villagers and the so-called bandits, it didn’t really matter to him.
This was merely another mission.
When the moon disappeared beyond the horizon and the first light of dawn had yet to rise, all three of them moved almost simultaneously.
Ryo lowered his voice.
“Kenji, take the watchtowers.
I’ll clear the buildings.
Kill anyone you encounter.
Keep it as quiet as possible.” Then he turned toward Madara.
“You follow behind us and finish off any survivors.
Make sure nobody plays dead.” Under the cover of darkness, the three effortlessly crossed the walls surrounding the stronghold.
As blades flashed through the night, crimson blossoms silently bloomed one after another.
A one-sided massacre unfolded within the bandit camp.
During the operation, Madara drove his short blade into a man’s throat.
The sensation of steel slicing through flesh.
The hatred and terror twisted across a dying face.
Every part of it made him deeply uncomfortable.
After they had swept through most of the stronghold together, the three split up and began searching for any remaining survivors on their own.
Madara chose a direction and methodically searched each house one by one.
Yet he still couldn’t stop thinking about it.
The sticky warmth of fresh blood splashing across his hand.
The way it rapidly lost its heat.
So this is what it feels like to kill someone…
It’s unpleasant.
He stopped before another door.
Hearing heavy breathing from inside, Madara frowned.
After gathering strength in his legs and channeling chakra to the soles of his feet, he kicked the door open.
The wooden planks exploded inward instantly.
The person hiding behind the door cried out in pain as they were thrown to the ground.
Madara stepped inside and drew the short blade from his waist.
He intended to end the man’s life quickly and continue his search.
At that moment, a young voice suddenly rang out.
“Bad guy!
Don’t touch my dad!” Madara turned toward the sound.
A little girl stood there glaring at him with fury in her eyes.
Behind her, a woman desperately pulled at her arm.
The woman’s face was pale with terror.
When she realized Madara was looking at them, despair filled her eyes.
“Please!” she cried.
“Please, at least spare my daughter!
She’s still young!
She doesn’t understand any of this!” Tears streamed down her face.
“She’ll forget everything one day.
Please…
have mercy!” The woman’s desperate pleading made Madara hesitate.
His gaze swept across the room.
The furnishings were simple, yet warm and lived-in.
For a brief moment, it looked no different from any ordinary home.
Madara lowered his eyes.
The grip on his blade tightened.
“I’m sorry.” His voice was quiet.
“This is my mission.” He raised the knife.
“I’ll make it quick.” As the words fell, his blade flashed.
But instead of striking the woman or child, it plunged straight into the chest of the man he had kicked down moments earlier—the man who had secretly risen and was attempting to attack him from behind.
Warm blood splattered across the room.
And silence followed.