Madara could feel the blood, already cooling, slowly running down the blade and into his palm.
Through the sword itself, he could clearly sense the man’s weakening heartbeat as it gradually faded away.
Frowning, Madara pulled out his short blade and flicked the blood from its edge.
Without the support of the blade, the corpse could no longer remain standing.
Its limbs twisted unnaturally as it collapsed onto the floor.
The moment the body hit the ground, the little girl broke free from her mother’s grasp and ran toward Madara.
“You bad guy!
Bad guy!” Her tiny fists pounded against him again and again.
“Don’t hurt my daddy!
Waaaah!
Why are you bullying us?!
Bad guy!
I’ll hit you!
Waaaah!
Daddy, get up!
I’ll help you chase the bad guy away!
Please get up!
Waaaah!” The woman finally recovered from her shock as well.
Falling to her knees, she begged through sobs for him to spare her child.
Madara lowered his head and looked at the crying, screaming girl.
Slowly, he raised his blade once more.
Yet when he met those eyes—dark as obsidian, overflowing with grief, anger, and tears—he found that he simply couldn’t bring himself to strike.
Should I let them go?
No…
if it’s only the child…
Before he could reach a conclusion, a thin line of blood suddenly appeared across the girl’s neck.
The anger and confusion remained frozen on her young face, as though she wanted to question why this had happened.
The light faded from her obsidian eyes.
Before her head could even fall to the ground, the woman’s pleas abruptly ceased as well.
Instead, a somewhat subdued voice sounded from behind him.
“I was wondering why you’d been in here so long.” Uchiha Kenji stood there, blood dripping from his blade.
“So you ran into a woman and a child.” Madara stared at the small lifeless body.
His voice came out dry and stiff.
“…Sorry.
I hesitated.” “It’s fine, it’s fine.” Kenji casually flicked the blood from his sword.
“Today was your first time killing someone.
You’ll get used to it eventually.” Walking over, he reached out and covered Madara’s eyes with one hand, preventing him from staring at the corpses any longer.
“If you’re feeling sick, go wait at the entrance of the stronghold and keep watch.
Ryo and I can handle the cleanup.” Madara only nodded blankly before walking outside with stiff movements.
Even when Ryo and Kenji eventually approached him, their clothes stained with blood, his mind was still in complete disarray.
Only when a wave of scorching heat washed over him did Madara finally raise his eyes.
Ryo and Kenji were destroying evidence with Fire Release techniques.
Ryo coughed several times before reaching into a Sealing Scroll.
His fingers brushed over the seal formula, and two bamboo containers filled with water appeared.
His throat sounded somewhat hoarse.
“Kenji?
Madara?” “Ah, thanks.” Kenji accepted one and tossed the other to Madara.
His own voice was rough as well.
“Fire Release is convenient, but it really does a number on your throat.” Ryo took out another container for himself and drank a few mouthfuls before speaking again.
“Kenji, how’s the fire?” “No problem.
Given tonight’s wind direction and the location of the stronghold, it won’t spread to the surrounding forest.
We can withdraw.” “Good.
Then let’s go.” Ryo turned toward Madara.
“The intelligence theft mission is in a nearby city, if I remember correctly.
We’ll head there and rest during the day.” He paused.
“Madara, can you still lead the way?” “…Yes.
I’m fine.” Madara stepped forward to take the lead, only for Ryo to suddenly grab his wrist as he passed.
“…Elder Brother?” “Your condition isn’t right.” Ryo’s tone remained gentle.
“I think we need to talk.” “The plan has changed.
We’ll find a campsite nearby first.” Before Madara could object, Ryo bit his thumb and drew a horizontal line across his left palm.
Then he formed a series of hand seals and pressed his hand against the ground.
“Summoning Technique!” White smoke billowed upward.
A crow with jet-black feathers appeared before the three of them.
The bird immediately covered its head with one wing in a surprisingly human manner before flying onto Ryo’s shoulder.
“Being summoned out of a nice dream is a terrible experience, caw.
What do you need me for, caw?” “Sorry, Yatagarasu.” Ryo tilted his head slightly.
“Could you find us a suitable campsite nearby?” “No problem, caw.” The crow nodded.
“Though I think we need to have a serious discussion about working hours later, caw.” “Deal.
Once I return from this mission, I’ll bring Mitsuashi along and we’ll discuss it.” Ryo smiled.
“For now, I’m counting on you.” “Leave it to me, caw!
Follow me!” “Kenji, I’m counting on you too.” Kenji glanced at the still-distracted Madara.
Without another word, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan quietly emerged as he looked toward the circling Yatagarasu overhead.
“Got it.” Ryo guided Madara forward as they followed Kenji.
“Madara, what happened?” “Nothing.” Madara had finally recovered enough to respond, though his thoughts remained troubled.
“I just…
had doubts that a shinobi shouldn’t have.” “Are you struggling with killing?” Madara shook his head.
Then he remembered Ryo couldn’t see and spoke aloud.
“No.
It’s uncomfortable, but not to the point that I reject it.” He hesitated.
“I just…
don’t know whether what I did was right.” “Let me explain it instead,” Kenji said, slowing his pace slightly.
“In simple terms, the kid felt sympathy for the woman and child.
He couldn’t bring himself to kill them cleanly, and seeing me do it shocked him.” “I see…” The moment he heard Ryo’s voice, Madara unconsciously pressed his lips together.
His thoughts became tangled again.
I must have disappointed Elder Brother.
I couldn’t even complete a mission of this level on my own.
As a shinobi, I need to completely get rid of this useless weakness— “Looks like our Madara is a kind-hearted child.” Madara froze.
He turned toward Ryo in surprise.
Seeing the gentle smile on his brother’s face immediately eased much of the frustration and anxiety weighing on his heart.
Even so, guilt remained in his voice.
“You don’t have to spare my feelings, Elder Brother.
Wrong is wrong.” “If Kenji hadn’t been there, I might have let that mother and daughter escape.” He lowered his head.
“The mission might have been judged a failure.
I should be punished for something like that.” “I’m not defending you.” Ryo’s voice carried a faint smile.
“There’s simply no need.” He continued calmly.
“In fact, I’d say you performed very well.” “You didn’t vomit.
You didn’t break down crying.
And afterward, you were able to reflect on your own actions.” “For a first killing mission, that’s already impressive.” Then Ryo smiled.
“And in my opinion, the fact that you hesitated because they were a woman and a child is exactly what shows you have the potential to become a truly strong person.”
CREATORS’ THOUGHTS NextChapterStudios Liked It?