"..."
Why do you want us to learn it when you didn't learn it yourself?
Shinki put down the book in his hand and sighed regretfully. "When I was your age, I didn't have a teacher. Other than the classes at the ninja academy, everything was taught by my family members, who weren't exactly known for their patience."
"Did they beat you?" Nawaki's eyes lit up with curiosity.
Shinki raised the stick in his hand, causing Nawaki to shrink back and hide behind Minato Namikaze.
"No! But they'd call you useless!"
"Imagine being called useless in front of all your clan members. Trust me, most people would rather be beaten than humiliated like that."
Nawaki and the little blond boy envisioned the scene, and soon, they exchanged glances.
They suddenly felt a bit better. While they might get scolded and occasionally hit, at least they wouldn't be shamed in front of everyone. Besides, Shinki only used the stick to warn them, not actually strike them.
Compared to what he went through, they were quite lucky.
"There are some experiences you don't want to have—they leave scars that never heal. Be thankful you have me as your teacher."
He tossed the stick onto the table and took a book from Nawaki, scrutinizing it for a moment before chuckling. "No wonder you're pulling your hair out. If I were you, I'd find whoever wrote these questions and give them a piece of my mind."
"Then why are you making us learn it?" Nawaki's voice rose, and Minato's smile faltered.
"Because that's me, not you."
Shinki laughed. "Besides, I didn't buy these books. If you're not happy with them, you can go complain to Tsunade—if you dare."
"..."
He's spot on. We definitely don't dare.
Even the bold Nawaki, who was used to Tsunade's strict discipline, wouldn't risk confronting her. The little blond boy didn't even entertain the thought.
"Relax, I'm not that cruel. Look at this. I asked Orochimaru for these notes. If you study them, you should be able to manage..."
Shinki pulled out a stack of books and notebooks. Just as he was about to set them on the table, he paused and glanced toward the entrance of the camp.
What's outside?
Nawaki and Minato exchanged nervous glances and looked in the direction Shinki was staring.
It was dark, with only the steady drip of rain visible through the gloom. Nothing else seemed amiss.
"Kids, lesson's over. Stay here and don't leave this room."
Shinki quickly stashed the books, placing a hand on Nawaki and Minato's heads as he leaned in and said, "You can watch from the window, but do not leave unless I tell you to. Understood?"
The two nodded vigorously. They weren't foolish; they knew something serious was happening.
"Teacher, is the enemy attacking the camp?" Minato asked.
"Almost. The 'demigod' is here," Shinki said with a reassuring smile, ruffling Minato's hair. "Don't worry, your teacher isn't weak. Even gods can fall."
At the edge of the camp, Hanzo of the Salamander had led his troops on a circuitous route, as informed by intelligence from the Sand Village. His plan was to launch a decisive attack on Konoha's camp.
The camp was currently undermanned, with many ninjas deployed on missions or recovering in the medical wing. Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and other strong fighters were engaged on the battlefield and absent from the camp.
Hanzo had chosen the perfect time to strike.
After ensuring Nawaki and Minato were secure, Shinki closed the door, signaled to the darkness, and stepped into the rain-soaked night.
The ANBU teams guarding the medical area swiftly sprang into action.
"Swoosh!"
A flare shot from Shinki's hand, bursting into the sky like a signal fire and exploding with a bright flash.
An attack signal?
Who launched it?
The camp erupted into action, transforming from calm to chaos in an instant. Nara Shikashin rushed out from the command center, staring at the dying flare in the sky with a sinking feeling. Only two people could send out such a signal: himself and Shinki.
If Shinki had triggered it, it could only mean one thing—a powerful enemy was upon them.
Could it be Hanzo of the Salamander?
The flare had alerted the entire camp. The Rain Village's ninjas, who had been preparing outside, were taken aback.
Have we been discovered?
Damn it!
Hanzo cursed internally. Despite carefully eliminating scouts and taking a long detour, they'd been detected before they even reached the camp's outer traps.
How did they know?
Frustrated, Hanzo barked, "Charge!"
The time for stealth was over. With a hand seal and a slam to the ground, he summoned his colossal beast.
"Bang!"
With a burst of smoke, a giant, venomous salamander appeared at the camp's edge. The creature, as large as the Toad Buntai of Mount Myoboku, exuded deadly poison.
"Hiss!"
The salamander let out a deep, guttural roar and charged the camp's barrier. All ninja camps had defensive traps, but the salamander was perfect for breaking through.
"Boom!"
Its massive frame crashed against the camp's wall, shaking the ground with its weight.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 260 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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