The dilapidated refugee camp was filled with hundreds of people crowding in front of a corner. The filth and stench made Kai wrinkle his nos
The dilapidated refugee camp was filled with hundreds of people crowding in front of a corner.
The filth and stench made Kai wrinkle his nose.
He watched the red-haired woman, her face filled with despair, protect the child behind her, and looked at Akihiko Kusano, wondering how he would handle the situation.
However, he was met with a shake of the head.
The four elders were standing in front of Akihiko Kusano, their faces grim, clearly enjoying the show.
Seeing Kai's gaze, the horse-faced elder said coldly, "Akihiko, don't forget you're just the acting village head."
"There are hundreds of people here, including our own ninja and wandering ninja who want to join us."
"They could all become members of Kusagakure. Offending them for a child of questionable lineage who might not even have awakened any abilities is not something you can be responsible for."
The horse-faced elder glanced at Kai. "Besides, they're surrounded. Can you even save them?"
The other three elders nodded in agreement.
Akihiko Kusano and the ANBU ninja looked grim.
As the horse-faced elder said, he was just the acting village head, appointed by the daimyo.
His power couldn't compare to the elders.
If they really pushed the issue, he was just a puppet, meant to stabilize the people.
The potential riot from hundreds of people was insignificant.
All he could do was wait outside the circle.
But then, a light laugh broke the tension, making them tense.
"That elder's logic is baffling," Kai said, approaching. He met the horse-faced elder's gaze.
"If someone were to surround your family member and try to rape them, and she didn't call for help, would you just stand by and watch?"
"Would you wait until it was too late, until she had been harassed hundreds of times, before punishing the culprit?"
"Or would you say that interfering would cause a riot, and for the sake of Kusagakure's future, she should just swallow her pride? And continue to be harass, sacrificing herself for Kusagakure…"
His words were laced with amusement, making them even more jarring.
Akihiko Kusano and the ANBU ninja were stunned, nodding subconsciously.
If the elders weren't there, they would have applauded.
"You insolent brat! What are you talking about? This is Kusagakure's business, not the Akatsuki's," the horse-faced elder said coldly.
"Besides, they aren't even members of Kusagakure."
"We've given them refuge. That's more than enough. Do you expect us to risk a riot to save two outsiders, discouraging our future leaders?"
"They're surrounded by hundreds of people. We can't save them, and we won't try. If you have a problem with that, you can leave!"
His words were firm.
Kai's smile widened.
His warm smile sent a chill down Orochimaru's spine.
As a frequent loser to Kai, he knew what that smile meant.
"Orochi, you heard them. The elders said they aren't members of Kusagakure. I think she looks like someone who went missing from the Akatsuki. What should we do?" Kai asked, smiling at Orochimaru.
Everyone was stunned.
Orochimaru hesitated, then smiled slyly. "Of course, we can't stand by. If necessary, we'll use force!"
"You dare?" the horse-faced elder roared.
The burly men surrounding the red-haired woman flinched.
One of them, his face twisted, reached for the red-haired child.
"Little brat, stop crying. Even if you cry your eyes out, no one will save you. Let me take a bite, and I'll give you back your glasses."
He had been ordered to incite this riot.
He needed to test the child's potential and see if she was worth fighting for.
The horse-faced elder smiled.
He needed to confirm the girl's healing abilities.
The refugees would riot.
Kusagakure's remaining strength would be weakened.
Then, they could act.
He didn't believe anyone could stop him.
However, as he reached for the child, the horse-faced elder's expression froze.
A figure had appeared before the red-haired child.
His right hand grabbed the burly man's wrist.
The speed shocked everyone.
"You are?" the red-haired woman said, stunned.
She had heard the horse-faced elder's words.
Her hopes had been dashed.
She hadn't expected anyone to appear at this critical moment.
"Aren't you a member of the Akatsuki? My memory is bad, but I recognize faces. And I'm very protective," Kai said, smiling at the burly man.
He tightened his grip, causing the man to scream.
"Give back the glasses and get out of here. Otherwise, I won't be so nice. I'm very protective!"
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