The journey took three days. Despite Yuhi Shinku controlling the travel pace, Sarutobi Asuma and Yuhi Kurenai arrived pale and exhausted.
At the gate of the village, two men brandishing farm tools like makeshift spears took defensive stances.
"Who are you?"
"We're ninjas from Konoha, here on a mission from your village," Yuhi Shinku explained calmly.
The two exchanged glances before one sprinted toward the village. Moments later, the sound of hurried footsteps approached, led by an old man with white hair and a long beard.
"Are you the ninjas from Konoha?" the old man demanded.
"Yes," Asuma stepped forward, pointing to the ninja forehead protector on his arm. "Leave the bandits to us."
The villagers frowned.
"Can you really handle them?" the elder asked skeptically.
"Of course," Asuma said confidently. "I am a very capable ninja."
Before the villagers could respond, a voice shouted, "We spent so much money, and in the end, we hired three little devils? Give me back my money!"
Chaos erupted. Asuma stammered, "Please trust us—we can handle the bandits! Besides… Shinku-sensei is a Jonin!"
At the mention of a Jonin leading the team, the crowd quieted slightly.
"Your commission barely covers a few Genin," Shinku added calmly. "I won't interfere unnecessarily."
The villagers, however, were not convinced. Whispers of mistrust spread, and anger simmered.
Just as tension threatened to boil over, a figure stepped forward.
Uchiha Mirai seized a man by the neck.
"What are you doing?!" the villagers shouted.
Mirai's dark eyes turned scarlet, the Sharingan activating. A cold, violent aura radiated from him, causing the crowd to step back in fear.
The man's eyes went blank. "I… I am a bandit's insider… stirring hostility and reporting intelligence…"
The villagers realized the truth: this man had been inciting them against the outsiders.
"Name your accomplices," Mirai commanded.
"There are two more… besides me… the other is—"
Before he could finish, Mirai swung his long sword. A middle-aged man attempting to escape was pierced in the chest, twitching before losing consciousness.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully plundering the reward: Constitution +0.5!]
Mirai's mind raced. The system had triggered a reward for combat… again. Could killing also trigger loot?
He tested it with another flick of his hand.
Snap!
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully plundering the reward: Constitution +0.5!]
It was confirmed. Killing and looting granted rewards, and they stacked. Mirai's pulse quickened, but he remained composed.
"Mirai?" Kurenai Yuhi's voice brought him back. He threw the unconscious man to the ground.
"The bandits' accomplice has been neutralized. From now on, no one may leave the village. Tonight, we capture all the bandits."
The villagers obeyed, intimidated by Mirai's display. The white-haired elder, Fujio Komura, bowed.
"My lords, I am Fujio Komura, village chief. Please forgive the earlier chaos."
"Prepare some food for us. We'll rest first," Mirai said.
After Komura left, Kurenai scolded Shinku. "Father, you were terrible! If we hadn't acted, the villagers would have driven us out!"
Asuma looked at Shinku, confused. "I don't understand why you said those things."
Shinku smiled. "Mirai, explain it."
Mirai spoke calmly: "Normally, the village chief would handle this. But some villagers were incited to hostility. My master's words confirmed my judgment."
Asuma and Kurenai finally understood.
Shinku laughed heartily. "Hahaha… Mirai, you've taught us all something today. Such coordination—it's been a long time since I've witnessed it."
Asuma seethed silently. Why was Uchiha Mirai so good at everything?!
After eating and drinking, Mirai rested. Though he hadn't shown it, the act of killing for the first time left him slightly uneasy. He needed to adjust his mindset before the night's operation.
-End Chapter-
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