"Performance?"
Minato Namikaze didn't understand what Haruki meant, but he could sense the confidence in his words.
Could it be?
Being extremely intelligent, he quickly speculated that Haruki had such confidence either because he had a reliable backup or because he was being secretly protected by other ninjas. He leaned towards the latter because Haruki was one of the Konoha's Twin Lights.
Medical ninjas were exceedingly rare. Tsunade had even established three principles for protecting medical ninjas. Simply put, no matter the situation, medical ninjas must be the last to die. This was especially true in wars; medical ninjas were not sent to dangerous places.
Minato took a deep breath and asked, "Teacher, are we being protected by someone?"
Haruki shook his head and replied, "There's no protection. Even the Hokage doesn't know that I'm on a mission, so where would the protection come from?"
Minato felt a chill run down his spine. Two years ago, the war between Konoha and Sunagakure was at its fiercest. They had hoped to end it with a decisive victory under the leadership of the strongest Kazekage, the Third Kazekage, along with Chiyo and her brother Ebizō. But after many failed attempts, it turned into a series of local battles.
Although the situation had eased, Sunagakure was still the enemy. The possible outcome for him and Haruki was clear.
Haruki didn't offer further explanation. He observed the cautious approach of the Sunagakure ninjas and smiled.
They weren't afraid of his strength; they were afraid he might escape. Over the past few years, even without killing a single Sunagakure ninja, his role was no less important than that of any elite ninja. He had saved many Konoha ninjas who should have died.
"Don't worry, teacher won't let you come to harm."
Haruki's calm voice steadied Minato's nerves a bit.
"Teacher, should we set up traps?"
"No need to waste time."
Haruki pointed at the corpses on the ground and said, "With the time we have, let's do something more meaningful, like a lesson."
"..."
Minato's mouth twitched. Despite Haruki's relaxed attitude, he felt even more secure.
"Do you know why they became bandits?"
Minato instinctively glanced at the still-burning camp. The flames mixed with the devastation conjured images of hell.
"Because of the war."
After a brief thought, Minato gave his answer.
"Correct. They were once just like us, living peaceful lives, but the war left them homeless. Unable to survive, they turned to robbing ordinary citizens as a form of resistance."
Haruki's gaze remained steady as he asked, "Minato, what do you think the relationship is between the Land of Fire and Konoha?"
Minato hesitated before replying, "They should be allies."
Allies?
In the earlier parts of the original story, the Daimyo of the Land of Fire seemed to be on par with, if not superior to, the Hokage. But later, they became mere tools, only echoing the Hokage's decisions.
"To be precise, Konoha is the military organization of the Land of Fire with a certain degree of independence. The Land of Fire provides financial support, and Konoha offers protection."
Haruki recited the explanation from the original story.
"Minato, do you think the Hokage should protect Konoha Village or the Land of Fire?"
Minato was taken aback by the question.
He had never considered this before. Or rather, no ninja would think about it this way.
The Second Shinobi World War claimed more civilian lives than ninja lives in the Land of Rain. But no one cared.
"Both should be protected?"
Minato replied uncertainly.
"Protected? What have we protected? This devastated land is the result of our so-called protection?" Haruki countered.
Minato couldn't help but respond, "It's not just Konoha's fault."
"You're right, it's the entire world's problem."
Haruki looked at the blue sky in the distance and the approaching Sunagakure ninjas.
"Minato, if you become Hokage one day, will you only protect the tens of thousands of people in Konoha Village?"
"Of course not."
Following his teacher's gaze, Minato could now clearly see the faces of the Sunagakure ninjas. Despite his growing tension, he said, "I would also strive to protect the civilians of the Land of Fire."
"Only that?" Haruki chuckled. "If all you do is provide protection, they will still live in poverty. To truly solve the problem, you need to do much more."
Minato's face showed confusion. His education had never prepared him for this.
"The Land of Fire has tens of millions, maybe even hundreds of millions of civilians. They are just like you, but lack opportunities. If these civilians became ninjas, even the most ordinary ones, it would create a storm, forming a vast sea."
Imagining such a scenario, Minato felt a mix of fear and understanding. But because he understood, he felt even more confused and overwhelmed.
He also quickly realized that this task was even more daunting than becoming Hokage.
"Shhh." Haruki put a finger to his lips and smiled. "Today's lesson is over."
A flash of white light surrounded them as a dozen Sunagakure ninjas encircled them.
"Lord Haruki, long time no see. You probably never imagined you'd fall into my hands, right?"
The Sunagakure leader's face showed a triumphant smile. "Do you remember me?"
Haruki thought for a moment, then looked up with sudden realization.
"Oh, I remember. You're the one who challenged Konoha's White Fang and got half-killed, right?"
The leader's smile froze.
Angrily, he shouted, "Bastard! I'm Arimura Shin! Today, I'll be the one to kill you!"
Haruki calmly replied, "Why remember the name of a dead man?"
"Humph! Still talking tough even now."
Arimura Shin took a deep breath and then laughed loudly. "Today, I will see if the rest of you are as tough!"
As he finished, his men laughed with him.
Haruki remained unfazed.
Seeing no reaction from Haruki, Arimura Shin felt foolish.
"Stop laughing!"
He abruptly waved his hand, silencing his men, and looked at Haruki.
"Indeed, as one of Konoha's Twin Lights, you remain calm even now. I admire that. If not for you and Princess Tsunade turning the tide by breaking Lady Chiyo's poison, Konoha would have long been defeated. Such a pity, a character like you dying by my hand."
Haruki, not wanting to talk further, casually took out a kunai.
"A kunai? Are you joking?"
Arimura Shin mocked, "A medical ninja wielding a kunai. It seems Lord Haruki isn't as calm as he appears. Well, let me send you off!"
An invisible wave of wind swirled.
In an instant, immense chakra blew away the remnants of the bandit camp, layer after layer of ashes soaring into the sky.
Minato felt a tremor in his body. He could deeply sense the strength of the opposing jounin. Not knowing Haruki's full capabilities, he felt worried.
"Minato."
Haruki stood in front of him, his expression unchanged. "Watch closely."
"What?"
Minato shouted over the wind noise.
Haruki casually threw the kunai towards the center of the wind pressure.
Arimura Shin's face twisted into a cruel smile.
Wind Release: Wind Blade!
An A-rank ninjutsu.
Releasing the technique, the wind before him expanded explosively, emanating a horrifying force.
The transparent wind became countless blades.
But the kunai still passed through the wind screen.
Arimura Shin was momentarily stunned.
But then he ignored it, not understanding why the kunai wasn't destroyed, but convinced Haruki would be.
In the next moment, like the sun breaking through clouds, a white flash shot into the sky.
Haruki suddenly appeared above the kunai.
Arimura Shin saw him, but his thoughts couldn't catch up.
Silver chakra gathered in Haruki's hand, like a blue star in the summer night, then struck Arimura Shin's head.
Skin tore, bone marrow shattered, blood and flesh flew.
The kunai returned.
The white flash vanished in one blood mist, reappearing in another.
Minato watched in shock.
The kunai seemed like a death warrant.
Death, only death.
In the end, his eyes saw only the white flash.
Haruki stood before Minato, a kunai on his finger. He smiled, without a drop of blood on him.
Sunlight warmed his figure.
"Want to learn? I'll teach you."