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From a distance, Shimura Himiko witnessed the entire process of the dazzling blue lightning emitted from Sosuke's hand.
After seeing how effortlessly the lightning took the life of the fleeing ninja, Himiko couldn't help but be astonished.
Hidden behind her mask, her beautiful eyes secretly observed Sosuke, and she couldn't help but feel amazed.
Tha... that was his Kekkei Genkai, right? It has such power! Could this guy already possess the strength of a Jonin!?
If we only consider Sosuke's impressive proficiency in Taijutsu up until now, he couldn't be called a Jonin yet, at most he could be considered an elite Chunin.
As a genius in ninjutsu herself, Himiko naturally didn't pay too much attention to him.
However, when Sosuke caught up to her and claimed to have personally created a Ninjutsu technique comparable to the Body Flicker Technique, Himiko's perception of this student acknowledged by her uncle deepened.
At this moment, when she discovered that Sosuke's unknown Kekkei Genkai could effortlessly kill a Chunin, Himiko's emotions became indescribable. She could only describe it as shock. Is this kid really a super genius!?
Himiko looked at Sosuke, who was not much taller than her, and couldn't help but shake off that thought from her mind.
He's just a kid after all! How could it be...
On the other hand, Sosuke, looking at Himiko's angry eyes fixed on him, maintained an awkward smile on his face but couldn't help feeling helpless inside.
Did I do something to anger this Captain Hannya again... I don't think I said anything inappropriate...
The two of them approached the bandit leader lying on the ground, barely clinging to life.
At this point, he was the only one left with a faint breath.
Then, he struggled to open his eyes, his expression complex, coughing continuously as he spoke.
"I... I never expected... Konoha would send two Jonin... cough... cough... to wipe us out."
Hearing his words, Himiko wasn't surprised. Indeed, Sosuke's performance in this mission had truly exceeded her expectations.
"Where is your source of information? Who is your superior? If you tell me, I'll give you a swift end," Himiko asked coldly.
"Cough... cough... Do you think I'll tell you? Although I hate this damn war... I can't betray my village... cough... cough... This time, it's finally my turn to die."
He uttered hoarsely, his coughing growing heavier, and a trace of pain crossed his face.
"Kill him."
At this moment, Sosuke quietly spoke.
Surprised, Himiko turned her head and glanced at him.
This brat... He does have a kind heart, which doesn't match his efficient style of action...
However, she didn't stop him and casually replied, "Do as you wish. After all, this kind of person won't reveal any useful information."
Sosuke stepped forward, his gaze beneath the mask glancing lightly at the fallen leader of the ninja thieves. There was no sympathy, no anger, just indifference.
He didn't say a word.
"Phew!"
He gently raised his hand, and Kyōka Suigetsu accurately pierced the ninja leader's heart from above.
The ninja leader, lying on the ground, naturally heard their conversation and felt the pain. However, a relieved expression appeared on his face.
Ever since becoming a ninja, it seemed he had been trapped in this involuntary war. When the overt war ended, a covert war would begin, and he spent his days in constant bloodshed, his hands stained with the blood of countless innocent lives.
Is this kind of life finally coming to an end...?
As he lost a significant amount of blood, his vitality gradually faded away.
Before dying, he murmured softly.
"Thank you..."
After killing the ninja leader, the two turned and left.
Sosuke heard those words, but his departing figure showed no change, standing upright as before.
On the other hand, Himiko, who heard the words, cast a slightly intrigued gaze at Sosuke.
Uncle's disciple, huh... He's an interesting fellow...
By this time, all the bandits in the bandit village and the enemy village ninja had been slain. As for the abducted women, Himiko left them with enough provisions and pointed them in the right direction before leaving with Sosuke.
After all, their mission was simply to kill all the bandits.
If it were a different Root ninja, they might have killed even those few surviving women!
Over the next two days, the two of them hurried back to the village.
Along the way, Sosuke never stopped practicing, as expected.
For him at this moment, chakra and physical strength were the main challenges for his growth.
If he could solve these two problems, Sosuke's strength would undergo another qualitative leap.
They returned to the village.
Inside the underground Root headquarters.
After reporting the mission details, Himiko walked out of the room and looked at Sosuke, who was waiting there.
Himiko still regarded Sosuke with her usual coldness and spoke in a chilly tone.
"Due to Root's confidentiality regulations, this mission will not be recorded in your file. However, during normal times, your identity will be that of a member of my team."
Upon hearing this, Sosuke looked at Himiko inquisitively and asked softly, "During normal times?"
Himiko couldn't help but respond irritably, "It means within the village. In public, you will be a member of my squad, and I will be your captain. Remember, my name is Himiko Shimura."
"From now on, when you see me, address me as Captain Himiko!"
Upon hearing this, Sosuke finally understood Himiko's meaning and couldn't help but chuckle.
"Well, well, Captain Himiko. But I still prefer calling you Captain Hannya more than this name."
These words made Himiko a little angry. She flicked her purple hair and turned to leave, not wanting to pay any more attention to this brat!
Arrogant brat! How dare he...
dare... tease me! Just you wait...
As Sosuke watched her retreating figure, a smile hung on his face. However, behind his lenses, there was a hint of doubt deep in his eyes.
Shimura Danzo... Shimura Himiko... What exactly is their relationship?
This mysterious teacher, Shimura Danzo...
Since he had chosen to follow this teacher, who rarely showed himself, Sosuke would wait and see what this so-called teacher wanted to accomplish.
Deep within Root, Himiko Shimura separated from Sosuke and half-knelt in the shadows before Danzo.
She carefully reported her observations of Sosuke during their journey.
In the shadows, Danzo kept his eyes half-closed.
Only when he heard that Sosuke had created a ninjutsu that rivaled the Body Flicker Technique did he slightly open his eyes, with a glint of imperceptible brilliance in his gaze.
After Himiko finished speaking, Danzo pondered for a moment.
"You may leave, Himiko. I know everything you've told me."
Upon hearing this, Himiko was about to leave. However, she suddenly looked up and asked Danzo.
"But, uncle, why do you want Sosuke to join my team openly in the village? If it attracts the attention of those people, won't your relationship with him be exposed?"
Danzo contemplated for a while before hoarsely answering.
"Because of balance. It hasn't been long since time passed, but some people in the village have started to become active. Only with enough deterrence can we suppress their arrogant ambitions."
Hearing this, Himiko felt a sense of realization, but she sensed that there were more secrets hidden deep within.