Jun turned around, ready to walk out, but as he looked back, he saw a small figure standing behind him, only up to his abdomen in height.
"Your treasure? You dare call it yours? How many lives were taken for that money? This money belongs to no one—and certainly not to bandits like you!"
The pirate Binshui staggered back several steps in fright. That kid—when had he come in?
"Y-You… how did you get in? The traps at the entrance never sounded!"
"Doton (Earth Release), Iwagakure (Hidden in Stones). Why would I need to use the entrance?" Jun's brows knitted coldly, eyes sharp as he glared at the ruthless man.
He had already been asleep earlier. If not for those words about killing everyone to silence them, he wouldn't have woken. But since they disturbed his sleep, the price would be paid.
"Bandit! This treasure is hard-earned. Why should we give it to you?" Binshui shouted, trying to form hand seals. But his arms clutched a huge bundle too tightly to let go.
He hesitated. If he released the package, the boy might take it. If he kept it, he couldn't fight. Trapped in this dilemma, he was too slow—Jun's small hand already touched him.
"Shoton, Shinkei Dansetsu Shōka (Crystal Release: Nerve Severing Crystallization)!"
It was one of the most painful jutsu—crystallizing nerves in fragments. Jun often used it to punish villains.
"A pirate calls me a bandit? Should I be proud or ashamed of taking from thieves? How ridiculous! You kill the innocent on Nakajima Island and still talk of reason? You locked me up, hoping I'd die. For someone who wanted me dead, why should I spare your life or argue with you?"
With one tug, Jun snatched the bundle from him.
"In your world, strength decides. Then today, I decide—this is mine now!"
Binshui writhed in agony. "Please, young master, spare me! I shouldn't have killed so many. I'm sorry, forgive me! Stop the pain—I beg you!"
His suffering was entirely his own fault. Had he let go earlier, he could have escaped.
Jun didn't care. The corpses littering the cave had suffered worse than this. Compared to a thousand knife cuts from the dead, this was mercy.
He turned and walked away. Binshui screamed, "Monster! You'll die a horrible—"
Before the last word left his mouth, Jun's Mokuton (Wood Release) sealed his lips. "You want a quick death? No chance. Didn't you say this treasure was your prize? Then stay here with the corpses and show it off."
Jun stored the bundle in his scroll, then used Chō Karui Iwa no Jutsu (Ultra-Lightweight Rock Technique) to lift Binshui, carrying him outside.
On Nakajima Island, he entered the cave where hostages were held. The stench of rotting corpses hit him. Jun frowned.
These pirates were twisted. They didn't even dump the bodies at sea—they piled them up like trophies, as though showing off their kill count.
Jun flung Binshui onto the corpse heap. "Three days of this pain would've killed you. Now you'll experience what your victims endured."
The fire torches crackled. Prisoners in cages saw the scene and gasped.
"It's the boy! He came back—with a pirate!"
"It's Binshui! The cruelest one! Kill him! Kill him!"
Binshui convulsed among the corpses. The skulls seemed to stare, the rancid air choking him, firelight casting the bones into terrifying shapes.
"No, no—!" he sobbed, struggling, but Mokuton bound him tight.
Jun turned to the cage, split it open with wood release, and freed seven or eight prisoners.
They bowed deeply. "Little brother, thank you—thank you so much!"
"No need. Let's leave this place." Jun helped them up, others crowding close.
"What about the other two pirates? If only this one is dead, the others will be trouble. One's taijutsu is fierce, the other summons a sea monster. If they're nearby—"
Jun smiled calmly. "Don't worry. They're already dead. Let's go home."
The rescued villagers were stunned—this child could fly them back home.
All the way, Shizuka clung to Jun.
"Jun-oniisan, I live in Nadeshiko Village, southwest of the Land of Fire. Come with me! Our village doesn't admit men, but if I tell my mother, she'll let you stay. Please, come to our village—she'll thank you properly."
The little Shizuka was adorable, her big eyes curved like crescent moons when she smiled.
"Jun-oniisan, I want a hug…"
"Young lady, you're a girl. You can't let a boy hug you," an elder warned.
"Why not? He saved us! I'd marry him in thanks, why can't he hug me? Jun-oniisan, hug me!"
She sprinted forward and wrapped her arms around him.
"If not now, then when I grow up—I'll marry you to repay you!"
The Nadeshiko ninja panicked, prying her off. She burst into tears.
"You're all bad! No gifts, no reward, and you won't let me marry him! You're breaking the rules—you're the real villains!"
(End of Chapter)
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