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In the sky, a fine and continuous drizzle fell.
Chitoro's head slowly turned back, stiffening, only to see Sōsuke standing behind him with a smiling face, his eyes filled with a strange amusement.
"What... What do you want!? As opposing enemies, I don't believe you have any reason to save me!"
Chitoro stared fixedly at Sōsuke, his voice hoarse.
Upon hearing his words, Sōsuke glanced at him, his lips forming a faint smile, speaking gently.
"Relax. I saved you not to force you into doing something against your will."
Sōsuke's eyes flashed with a hint of sharpness as he chuckled softly.
"After all, you were the one loudly proclaiming to become a hero, right?"
Hearing Sōsuke's words, Chitoro, who had been somewhat tense, relaxed a bit.
He didn't think Sōsuke would mock him; instead, he felt a sense of pride.
"You're one of Konoha's 'Legandary Sannin,' right? People like you are probably considered heroes to Konoha as well."
Speaking of this, his rugged expression dimmed slightly, and he murmured.
"Being a hero is quite an impressive existence for a village. I've always hoped for that."
"Unfortunately... it's impossible in this lifetime."
A slightly bitter smile appeared on his lips as he looked at Sōsuke, speaking in a coarse voice.
"Even as an opposing ninja, I have to admit you guys are really formidable."
Hearing his words, Sōsuke smiled faintly and spoke softly.
"Although saying this might interrupt your words, I am not a member of the 'Legandary Sannin' of Konoha."
Upon hearing Sōsuke's denial, Chitoro widened his eyes and exclaimed.
"Not!? You're not one of the 'Legandary Sannin'!? Aren't you guys from Konoha already terrifying enough!"
To this, Sōsuke smiled faintly, explaining softly.
"Earlier, my two companions were, but I am not."
"You can call me Sōsuke, but I'd prefer if you called me Aizen."
Hearing Sōsuke's words, Chitoro looked puzzled.
Sōsuke? Aizen?
Suddenly!
A flash of insight crossed his mind!
He recalled the conversation he had with Captain Chiyo in the tent.
"Chiyo!? That 'Child of Konoha' is called Sōsuke!?"
"I'll remember this name. If I encounter him in the future, I will definitely crush him!"
"Ignorant fool!!"
"That guy is more important to Konoha than 'Shura' and 'White Fang'!"
At this moment!
"Boom!"
A dazzling lightning bolt suddenly struck across the sky, clearly reflecting the expressions on the faces of the two on the battlefield.
Chitoro stared at Sōsuke with wide eyes, a face of horror, pointing at him with a trembling voice.
"You... You are the 'Child of Konoha'!!"
Upon hearing this, Sōsuke revealed a mildly interested smile, his eyes fixed on Chitoro as he spoke softly.
"Oh, it seems like you've heard of my name."
In response, Chitoro's rugged face turned solemn, and he muttered in a low voice.
"Why did you save me? Even if you saved me, I won't reveal any information about the Hidden Sand Village!"
Getting a bit agitated, he continued.
"If you intend to get that information, give up on that idea now!"
Hearing his words, Sōsuke smiled slightly, shook his head gently, and spoke softly, looking at him.
"Don't look at me with such a despicable gaze."
Although his voice was very calm, Chitoro felt for a moment as if the fingers of the Grim Reaper lightly grazed his shoulders!
Listening to Sōsuke's words, Chitoro could almost feel the touch of the Reaper's fingers passing lightly over his shoulder!
Even though his forehead and back had long been wet with rain, another layer of cold sweat emerged at this moment!
What... What kind of person is this!!
Such a terrifying feeling, not even felt with the Third Hokage!!
At this moment.
Sōsuke glanced at him gently, revealing a mild smile and speaking softly.
By the way, I haven't asked for your name yet."
As Chitoro heard Sōsuke speak again, the previous terrifying feeling as if the Grim Reaper had descended suddenly disappeared. However, he still shivered a bit as he said,
"Chitoro."
After hearing his words, Sōsuke smiled gently and spoke softly.
"If I didn't hear wrong, before the battle, your comrades were criticizing you for using human puppets."
"That kind of thing, I've heard about it. It should be a forbidden puppet jutsu belonging to the Hidden Sand Village."
Hearing Sōsuke's words, Chitoro thought of his deceased comrades and couldn't help feeling a bit lost.
"Those guys... being able to enhance their strength. Even if it's a forbidden technique, so what?"
"They simply don't understand."
Hearing this, Sōsuke's eyes flashed with a glint, and he chuckled lightly.
"It seems like you are not recognized in the Hidden Sand Village."
Upon hearing this, Chitoro's face showed a momentary surprise, and his somewhat weathered expression became unnatural.
Some past scenes appeared before his eyes.
"Chitoro! Your puppet jutsu is really lousy. With this, how can you possibly be promoted to Chunin!"
A child pointed at his ugly puppet and mocked him.
"Yuno, don't team up with this guy, he can't protect you!"
Hearing this, a gracefully poised girl shook her head and said softly.
"I believe in Chitoro."
At this moment, the scene shifted.
A young ninja was huddled in a cramped basement, dissecting a corpse. Despite the bloody scene, he seemed oblivious, holding various puppet mechanisms and attempting to install them.
It looked gruesome, but his expression was incredibly serious.
"Creak!"
Hearing the door above, the young ninja hastily covered the corpse.
"Chitoro, the meal is ready. Why are you always hiding here? Could it be you have some secret from me?"
A young woman poked her head in, smiling doubtfully.
Hearing this, the young ninja rubbed his head, avoiding eye contact, and said in a coarse voice.
"No, it's not, Yuno. Let's go, I'm hungry too!"
In the Hidden Sand Village, in front of a quiet little house, two figures stood there.
"Yuno, I'm going to the battlefield. Rest assured, I will become a father that makes our child proud!"
After saying that, the sturdy ninja left the house without looking back.
Behind him, a young woman held a child, lowering her head, her expression unknown.
"No... always... someone has recognized me. She's waiting for me to come back."
Chitoro, with a mournful expression, said in a heavy voice.
Hearing his words, Sōsuke didn't mind, just gently pulling out Kyōka Suigetsu from his waist and placing it in front of him.
"Shatter, Kyōka Suigetsu."
As he softly chanted, Chitoro's eyes showed a moment of surprise, staring blankly at the snowy-white blade in front of him, unsure of Sōsuke's intentions.
Is he planning to kill me!?
Suddenly thinking of this, his breathing couldn't help but quicken!
Yuno, I'm sorry.
I'm really a failure.
(End of this chapter)