"Ninjas!"
Konan froze, her little face filled with shock.
How could ninjas have found their secret base—the cave?
This place was in an extremely remote area. No one ever came here; it was absolutely safe.
So why were there ninjas here, and walking toward them?
"What's wrong, Konan?" Yahiko frowned, seeing Konan standing there stiffly. Unable to contain his unease, he got up and walked to the entrance.
Then his eEXPression froze as well, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
Sitting by the fire, Leo's face also darkened slightly. A sigh escaped his lips as he stood up and walked toward them.
Outside the abandoned cave stood a team of ninjas—the same Sand Shinobi from before.
None of them rushed into the cave. Even when they saw Konan and Yahiko at the entrance, they merely observed quietly.
"Captain, looks like two wandering orphans," one ninja murmured.
"There are three," said the Sand Shinobi named Satsurō.
As he spoke, another figure appeared behind Konan.
He looked like a child too, but taller and sturdier than the others.
Just three ordinary orphans—an unfortunate coincidence.
Yahiko trembled inwardly, frozen with fear.
As he had once said, the one thing you must never do is offend a ninja—because that meant certain death.
But as the leader, he had to do something. A thousand thoughts flashed through his mind.
Gritting his teeth, Yahiko stepped out of the cave and boldly approached the team of Sand Shinobi.
"Yahiko!" Konan gasped, completely shocked by his action.
Leo merely shook his head slightly.
According to the rules of the ninja world, if one's location was eEXPosed during a mission, all witnesses had to be eliminated to prevent any leaks.
And now, during wartime, that iron law was enforced even more strictly.
Better to kill an innocent civilian than to risk a spy—let alone mere orphans.
Leo swept his gaze over the team—seven in total. Three were Chūnin, the rest Genin, with average strength.
The one in front, his face painted with red war stripes, was clearly the strongest—an elite Chūnin.
To protect Konan and Leo, Yahiko pressed on, took a deep breath, and said,
"Honored sirs, if you want our things, you can take them all. The cave too—you can have it. We'll leave immediately."
He never imagined they would let them go. He knew that was impossible.
His tone was low, trembling, almost pleading.
The ninjas exchanged glances but said nothing.
"Captain, the cave seems clear—no ambushes inside. What should we do now? Let these brats go?" one asked.
"No," Satsurō shook his head.
"We can't risk eEXPosing our position. Better to kill the wrong people than let anyone live."
"Yes, sir!"
The Sand Shinobi's faces turned cold and merciless.
"What!" Yahiko's mind went blank.
Kill them—just like that?
What a damned world!
How unfair!
But what could a child do against trained ninjas? And Konan was here too…
This was the ninja world—its blood-soaked rule:
The strong decide life and death, make the laws.
The weak can only obey—or die.
Leo remained calm; he had already foreseen this outcome.
Konan's face turned pale as rain plastered her blue hair to her cheeks. She didn't even notice. Her delicate face showed only fear and despair.
In front of ninjas, resistance was meaningless—and escape, impossible.
Yet amid her despair, she couldn't help glancing toward Leo.
Her kind heart filled with guilt.
If she hadn't dragged him into this, Leo would probably still be safe in that little town instead of facing certain death here.
One of the Sand Shinobi stepped forward, a kunai gleaming in his hand.
"Damn it!"
Yahiko's pupils shrank, his body trembling uncontrollably in terror and rage.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Konan—and Leo.
A strange power welled up from within his chest.
If they were going to die anyway—then he'd fight!
He knew he couldn't defeat a ninja.
But he could at least buy Leo and Konan a chance to run.
"Leo, take Konan and run!"
Without hesitation, Yahiko rushed forward and grabbed the Sand Shinobi's leg, holding on tightly so he couldn't advance another step.
"Yahiko!" Konan cried out in anguish.
Satsurō frowned in irritation. "Right Gate, don't waste time—finish them."
The ninja called Right Gate's face turned cold.
"Brat, since you're so eager to die, I'll oblige you! Blame your fate—and your country!"
With that, his kunai flashed downward.
Yahiko's pupils dilated; terror filled his face.
Was this… death? How unwilling he felt!
Damn ninjas. Damn this world!
Konan, Leo—please, you must escape!
Clang!
A clear metallic sound rang out.
Whoosh!
A gust of wind roared through the cave entrance.
Yahiko stared wide-eyed—the kunai stopped just a centimeter from his face.
It didn't move.
He could hardly believe it.
Konan froze in shock.
Satsurō's face stiffened. "Impossible!"
Right Gate looked down at his kunai, then at the figure suddenly beside him—
His eEXPression was as if he'd seen a ghost.
The world seemed to freeze in that instant.
Leo had moved.
His hand clamped tightly around Right Gate's wrist, making him completely immobile.
Yahiko's pupils flickered—something in his heart suddenly clicked, a faint light shining within them.
"Let go, brat!" Right Gate roared, swinging his other fist toward Leo.
"Watch out!" Yahiko shouted.
Leo raised his head—his pupils glowed crimson.
Conqueror's Haki—unleashed!
A tyrannical aura burst forth, rippling through the air!
The right gate was blown backward as if struck by an invisible force, crashing to the ground helplessly.
His eyes went dull and empty—alive, but his mind shattered. He had been turned into an idiot in an instant.
The Sand Shinobi squad froze in horror.
Satsurō's eEXPression grew grim. "A… ninja?"
Leo ignored him. He reached out, pulled Yahiko up, and said calmly,
"You alright?"
Yahiko stared blankly, letting Leo lift him.
That moment—
That image—
He would never forget it.
Leo turned his cold gaze toward the Sand Shinobi squad.
"He who kills… shall be killed."
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