After wrapping up the scene, Otokaze's team lingered for a moment, scanning the area for any lingering threats. When no one appeared to investigate, they sprinted back to the border town. After a quick rest, they set off for home. The dilapidated town they left behind was so insignificant it didn't even have a name, and the Sand Ninjas had no desire to disturb its residents any further.
But why not clear out the remaining thieves? Beyond the moral dilemma of sparing innocent lives, there was a less palatable truth: Ninjas were born from chaos, thriving on conflict. In a harmonious world, their roles would vanish. Despite over a decade of peace among the five great nations, smaller countries remained embroiled in constant warfare.
Nearby, the Kingdom of Grass clashed with the Kingdom of Earth, while the Kingdom of Rain continued to be a battleground for various ninja villages vying for dominance in the region's persistent downpours. While Hanzo's reign had quelled some of the chaos, rebellions and skirmishes still flared regularly.
In the barren Country of Wind, few tasks awaited, and the borderlands often went unnoticed. Assassination missions and protection contracts formed the backbone of Sunagakure's economy. Thieves, bounty hunters, and rogue ninjas thrived in this lawless environment, and Sunagakure didn't shy away from lucrative commissions. Yet, attempts to eradicate these groups proved futile; they always returned like weeds.
The ninjas of Sand Village were acutely aware of their harsh realities. They recognized the futility of performing thankless tasks. They didn't fight for justice, especially not those from Sunagakure, who had their own struggles. For them, survival was the priority, followed by the quest for a better life. This mindset was less about morality and more about pragmatic choices in a world of gray.
As they neared Sunagakure, Sen, still uneasy from the mission, turned to Daimaru. "Hey, is it really necessary for ninjas to call themselves mere tools? Seems like a way to avoid feeling guilty about the blood on our hands."
Daimaru grinned, ruffling Yome's ponytail with a playful touch. "It's one way to look at it! Being a tool means no guilt, just duty. But hey, what's your nindo? You'll need to figure that out eventually."
The three genin then rested in a corner sheltered from the wind, where signs of strong sandstorms loomed in the distance. Otokaze went to scout the area, knowing a sandstorm would pose significant danger for the genin.
"Speaking of nindo, what's yours?" Yome asked, curiosity shining in her eyes.
"My nindo?" Daimaru chuckled. "It's too complex to discuss my Nindo right now, but I have a goal: to make Temari feel my strong love..."
Sen frowned, clearly displeased by this ambition, yet she made no move to stop him. "Temari likes handsome guys with fine features. You might not fit the bill..."
It was strange how Daimaru managed to look somewhat fresh in a land exposed to wind and sun year-round. "From what you're saying, there aren't many people in Sunagakure who meet those criteria! Appearance, temperament, and innate qualities matter, but nurture plays a significant role too."
"I won't try to convince you to give up any further; you'll just ignore me anyway." Sen glanced outside, where the dust settled a bit. "You keep mentioning your plans to participate in this year's Chunin Exam. Is that because of Temari?" She scoffed, her eyes narrowing.
"Yup! And I have my own strategy for this!" Daimaru declared confidently and obliviously. "The Chunin Examination will begin with a team competition, followed by an individual one. Though the events differ, the dynamics are similar. All you need to do is work with me to pass the group competition, and then you can do whatever you want. You can even drop out when it's time!"
Although his growth was far from linear, after years of effort, he felt decent enough to give it a shot, especially with the advantage of inside information about the Chunin Exam.
"Is that so? You sound more confident than I expected!" Sen remarked, observing Daimaru's determined gaze. "In that case, shouldn't we test your abilities to give our teammates some reassurance?" Saying this, Sen pulled out a folding fan, while Yome brandished a kunai, her eyes glinting with challenge.
"Oh? It looks like you two have planned to test my skills as a teammate!" Daimaru suppressed a grin. "If I can't convince you today, you might not take me seriously in the future!"
"You'll need some real strength to back up that big talk of yours," Sen teased, a playful smirk tugging at her lips as she lightly fanned herself. "Otherwise, it'll be pretty embarrassing to have two girls flanking you." Her words dripped with a mix of jealousy and playful determination, underscoring her challenge.
Suddenly, the wind and sand around Daimaru spiraled into a chaotic vortex, crafting a disorienting illusion designed to confuse and mislead. Shadows danced ominously, twisting reality around him.
"An illusion? Interesting! But your execution is too obvious…" Daimaru assessed, his senses heightened as he anticipated the incoming strike. With a precise flick of his wrist, he summoned chakra to sharpen his reflexes, thrusting his hands into the void and snatching a leg aimed at him. With a powerful motion, he hurled his opponent aside, sending them sprawling into the swirling sands.
Looking into the empty space, his gaze remained unwavering, piercing through the chaos. He formed the necessary hand seals, drawing in energy and focusing his chakra.
"Kai!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the storm.
The distorted landscape quickly faded, restoring reality to its original state. Sen stumbled, a dark handprint marking her calf—a clear sign of Daimaru's strength and prowess in combat.
Yome hurried over to support Sen, who had landed awkwardly, her resolve unwavering despite the fall. She worked hard to catch her as she fell, showcasing her determination even with her small stature.