[Reupload: Fixed the weird chapter sequences!]
Suguru always wondered about the world that his parents of this world had lived in.
Not the shinobi world of wars, death, and power... But the world of negotiations, leverage, and trade.
The world of merchants.
A subtle, but omnipresent existence that kept the world running. The movement of resources. The caravans they were always tasked to protect.
Suguru wanted to know what kind of resources flowed through the shinobi world.
Then, perhaps he could exploit all of these things for his benefit. His body wasn't originally shinobi material, after all.
Thus, there was a chance that his 'talents' might be in trade.
Suguru thus opened his mouth to speak,
"I want a compendium of the world's resources and trading trends." Suguru's answer was concise, yet revealing of his nature.
His request shocked the Wind Daimyo, however, the surrounding shinobi were confused. The world of merchants was far from their common knowledge. Perhaps only those working as leaders of the village could understand Suguru's request.
"That can be arranged," The Wind Daimyo answered, "Though, may I ask why you want such a thing?"
Suguru's answer was simple again. "My parents were merchants."
"Were?" The Wind Daimyo asked.
"A group of bandits ambushed our caravan, killing my parents. I want to know what was so important to them that they would risk their lives in such a way."
"...I see," The Wind Daimyo knew of the realities of the shinobi world. However, as with any high position, such deaths either felt quite surreal or were parts of their everyday life.
After taking a moment to recollect himself, the Wind Daimyo nodded. "Very well, I will supply you with this compendium you seek. I'll have it delivered to Konohagakure as soon as it is completed."
The Wind Daimyo chuckled, "Use it well, boy."
***
Suguru returned to the Konohagakure genins with a subtle smile on his face. Kyou and Ryoko were still looking at him with annoyance. Kyou was irked Suguru didn't hold back his wide-area jutsu despite having a shinobi from Konoha in the same arena. While the latter glared at him for the same reason.
What right did he have to attack his own Konoha-nin?
Even more so since Suguru was nothing but an orphan — incomparable to the large clans of Konoha.
Thus, Kyou and Ryoko glossed over the fact that the latter sided with the Suna-nins to eliminate Suguru first. It was an illogical course of action if one were to consider sides, after all.
"It's time to return," Kyou said with a stiff tone, and everyone turned to leave.
Kyou's eyes flashed when he felt a slight pinch in his stomach. There were movements in the shadows, and it seemed related to him and his group.
'Could it be...' Suspicion flashed across Kyou's face.
However, he pushed it down and acted natural — as if he noticed nothing at all.
***
The Konohagakure-nins hastily left Sunagakure right after the end of the Chuunin Exams. They moved through the desert, seemingly thankful they could finally escape the constant scrying.
The shinobi from Ame, Kusa, and Iwa shared a similar sentiment, fleeing from those annoying eyes as soon as possible.
However, only Konoha had a group following after them.
'No...'
It wasn't a single group.
When Kyou and the Konoha genins arrived at the edge of the desert, several entities made their presence known. When they appeared with their headbands hidden, Kyou knew that his suspicions were right.
They were after a certain someone.
The four squads of shinobi each glanced at each other. They realized that their intentions were similar. Their target was as clear as day.
"The child..." One of the shinobi stepped forward, emitting chakra of the jounin level. "Hand him over and we will let you all off with your lives."
***
Suguru looked around him with a blank look. The genins were trembling, terrified of the bloodthirsty auras erupting all around them. Seasoned veterans who were participants in the Third Shinobi World War were waging a mental battle.
It was clear which side would lose.
Glancing at Kyou, Suguru was surprised that he wasn't being handed over in an instant. The Hyuga jounin was still weighing his options, deciding which was the most logical move.
Kyou's emotions did not control him — a trait worthy of an older shinobi.
Sensing Suguru's gaze, Kyou realized that there was not a hint of fear in Suguru's eyes. Instead, a devious light could be seen shining within them.
'If I recall correctly... Ah,' Kyou remembered who Suguru's jounin sensei was.
'He's one of Hitomi's. Then, that means he can outrun everyone here.' Kyou sighed in relief. His mission would not go up in flames as he thought it was.
Suguru nodded and Kyou took this as a sign.
"Everyone," Kyou addressed the genins, "We'll be leaving Suguru here. Let's move."
Shock rippled through the group, however, their expressions grew grim. They all looked at the boy being left behind expecting fear and betrayal to appear on his face. However, they soon realized the same thing that Kyou had, just moments ago.
There was no fear. No trembling anxiety.
Even when faced with an insurmountable wall...
Only a devious desire that seemed almost hungry and starved of carnage roiled within Suguru's gaze.
Some of the genins felt chills, and they thus understood what Kyou's words meant.
'Let Suguru deal with this. He's more than capable."
However, they still couldn't help but gulp. They were surrounded by chuunin squads led by jounin captains. Suguru had just completed his Chuunin Exams.
How could he survive?
Nonetheless, they all strengthened their resolve. Hesitation would define their doom. They poured chakra into their feet.
Kyou nodded, and with a look, sent Suguru a signal.
Then, in the next moment, the Konoha-nins fled. They left Suguru behind.
Seeing his fellow shinobi leave, Suguru looked around him. He was surrounded. The four groups had tightened their encirclement.
"Oh? I didn't expect Konoha to abandon one of their own so quickly. You're an unlucky child." The same shinobi that spoke earlier sent words of mockery.
However, Suguru didn't react.
Suguru's eyes fell upon the shinobi that spoke such bold words. He looked straight into the shinobi's eyes with an unwavering blank gaze.
He began to ravenously analyze the situation.
'Four jounins. Twelve chuunins. Eighteen genins.' Suguru licked his lips. His blank gaze began to change.
Drool began to leak out of his lips. He no longer put a limit on his hunger.
He was no longer repressing its impulses.
Thus, his silver eyes grew dark.
"I'm... starving..."
[Rat » Hare » Bird].
'Dark Release: Inhaling Maw!'
[]=[]=[]=[]
I appreciate your support on P@treon! Hehe~
Link: pa treon.com/ubemantou
(No space.)
You can read up to 35 chapters ahead, which I update more than once a day!
[]=[]=[]=[]