「Heavenly Demon Posture EXP +16」
「Mountain Crushing Fist EXP +14」
What a monstrous technique! The burden of executing this ability was way too much for me to handle!
Walking unsteadily, Yoichi took a deep breath and returned to the hideout with numerous injuries all over his body.
Punctured with multiple lacerations from the shurikens, stinging burns from the scorching fireball, and overexhaustion made Yoichi clench his jaw to the excruciating pain.
Earlier ago, he was fortunate enough to understand the Chūnin's mentality and capitalized on his doubts, letting himself buy some time to escape.
With two deadweights and countless Amegakure Shinobi searching for them, Yoshiro wasn't confident in capturing Yoichi in a single exchange.
Furthermore, Yoichi also slightly recovered due to his supply of Qi Blood healing his body slowly as well as the passive benefits of Old Skin and Self Healing Constitution.
"What the hell happened?" Genji cried out, looking at Yoichi's severe situation with a serious expression on his face.
"Let me recuperate..." Then, Yoichi sat down and took 2 more Qi Blood Pills to circulate his vigorous energy, steadily mending his condition to a manageable degree.
As for the rest, their pupils dilated from concern and anxiety, constantly bombarding Yoichi with questions about the earlier dangerous incident.
"There was a fight between two Genin of Konoha and I was one of their objective to capture. Technically, it's we children who are their goal since they have to extract information from us," Yoichi replied with clarity in mind, "From now on, bring another person when you are going out. Let me rest for a bit."
While the concerns became overwhelming, Yoichi took his time to heal quickly as the faint scabs and burns felt itchy in each circulation of Qi Blood, gradually hastening up the process of the autonomous hemostasis all over his physique.
For a while, the rest reluctantly left his side and let their friend unhurriedly regain his strength, going back to the Chakra refining methods with determination in their minds.
...
In the bar.
"What did you say?! A boy defeated 2 Genin and put you in a tight spot too?! Also, he wants to be an ally and gave you a lot of unknown hand signals?! Tell me all the details!"
Upon hearing Yoshiro's report, Ishida became completely shocked before he narrowed his eyes once he heard of the child's request and vague hand signs.
Afterwards, Yoshiro told Ishida all the elements regarding the prior situation, still processing the things happened in a brief span of time.
"He entirely outmaneuvered you! The child understood that you are on a dangerous timer with Amegakure Shinobi pressing into the location."
"Also, the two Genin by your side will be thorns once you fight him!"
"What a crafty and cunning child! He basically pinned you from all sides, leaving no room for you but to comply with his wishes."
While Ishida began explaining his observation, Yoshiro smiled bitterly at each word as if knives were being driven into his heart.
He, a certified Chūnin, was influenced by a 4-year-old child into his abidance. If this news reached Konoha, his reputation would surely plummet to a great extent.
"Regarding the wishes of the child, a secret ally yet unable to— Wait, he has a curse seal on his brain! That's why he decided to use hand gestures instead of saying it out loud!"
As an Intelligence Officer of Konoha for far too long, Ishida gradually deduced and deciphered the hand signs with extraordinary brilliance.
What a talent! That child could undoubtedly shine inside of Konoha once we transport him out of the Amegakure!
In his mind, such a good perceptive and capable talent didn't truly belong to the Amegakure, only Konoha could polish this diamond in the rough.
After losing the First and Second Hokage, Konoha earnestly demanded such aptitudes to be a part of their village.
Since the creation of the hidden villages, Konoha has never experienced such a loss in powerful manpower and arsenal, shaking its cemented foundation as the strongest hidden village in the Shinobi World.
The Senju was slowly dwindling in numbers, the Uchiha Clan was unruly, the Hyūga Clan felt so conservative, and the rest of the ordinary families were fixated on the resources as the internal strife among these rich and poor clans wasn't actually beneficial for the greater good of Konoha.
"But how can we even extract some information from him if the child was subjected to a cruel curse seal?" Yoshiro questioned Ishida's revelation.
"Idiot! It's because the curse seal was flawed! The boy could even point at his head with the intention of implying that he has a curse seal and couldn't risk his well-being triggering the curse," Ishida angrily glared at Yoshiro, who was scratching his head, and slowly comprehended the situation.
In terms of Sealing Techniques, the Uzumaki Clan was unparalleled in that department as some of the sealing scrolls were scattered all over the world and diligently explored by the hidden villages for their overpowered capability to seal someone's fate.
As for the curse seal, intent matters a whole lot. If the intent of the person with a curse seal suddenly indicates the confidential information, then expect the person's head to blow up.
"Hah, what a ruthless bastards! They even utilized a curse seal just to absolutely silence the children. Still, their seal was so flawed that a child could gradually figure out its content," Ishida was really astonished by the child's intelligence and capability.
"You may leave, I'll transmit this urgent report to Danzo and the Third Hokage for a proper briefing on this unexpected news. It's only our option to get the child and know the truth behind the scenes!"
After that, Ishida waved his hands and dismissed Yoshiro, returning to his room with severity written on his face.
For Yoshiro, merit was the thing he liked the most. Therefore, he left and returned to Junko and Rokuro's room, carefully looking for their stable recuperation.
...
In the tallest building of Amegakure.
"Are you all really competent shinobi?! Then why the hell couldn't you even find a single strand of clue regarding these pesky rats?! Answer me!"
At this point, Hanzō was frankly angry and seething in rage. Along with the dejected and ashamed shinobi lowering their heads, their report made his wrath more simmering.
Allowing Konoha Shinobi to wander recklessly was something that Hanzō couldn't endure, vehemently blaming his outrage on his incompetent troops.
"Sir, we really couldn't find a clue about these rats but we knew someone who might be a part of this incident." One of the shinobi replied with courtesy.
"Who? Tell me right now!" Hanzō became slightly composed.
"According to the traces of the fight, there are footsteps of the children. I suspect that our ongoing trainees were possibly have had a piece in the crime scene."
Seeing the thoughtful Hanzō, the stalwart shinobi continued, "From the looks of it, our main suspicion was Yoichi and his group of children since they found a shelter in the vicinity."
"Then what are you all waiting for? Look out for the children and ask them about the incident! If you see anything dubious or suspicious, interrogate them without mercy!"
As Hanzō's ruthless tone resonated across the room, all of the shinobi departed and rushed to Yoichi's location with seriousness in their eyes.
...
In the basement room.
I should probably find an alibi for my injuries. The burns and pierced wounds were now barely healed but the appearance could be easily deduced by the Amegakure Shinobi!
As cautious as a shrewd crow, Yoichi instantly made a shaky alibi since he didn't underestimate the capability of the shinobi to decipher information in an immediate process.
His physical appearance now felt slightly recovered. Thanks to his mystical Qi Blood, the scabs and burnt skins were presently gone yet the imprints of injuries remained such as the scars and burn marks.
Luckily, his tightly fitted black shirt was undamaged by the countless assaults before the situation.
"Everyone, listen up!" Yoichi's voice reverberated in the room while the party began rushing toward him.
"There's no time for questions. If the shinobi came, tell them that I was around here all of the time. Don't tell me why or what, just follow it!"
Yoichi's seriousness left a curious but compliant attitude in their minds.
After that, Yoichi rolled bandages over his arms and put on the remaining pants to hide his injuries, walking into the room without any issues.
"Why did you think Yoichi said that? I mean, is he hiding something from us?" Haruhiko leaned and whispered in Genji's ear.
"Why do you have so many inquiries? Just stay silent and do your work!"
At this point, Genji believed in Yoichi since all of his friends' decisions were logical and able to let them survive throughout their whole lives.
From his perspective, Genji gradually understood the burden and huge responsibility Yoichi carried the whole time. If not for Yoichi's rational verdict and capabilities, perhaps they would have had to resort to robbery or other malicious actions.
Hearing Genji's remarks, the rest refined their Chakra in the afternoon and did their best to act unaffectedly.
"Yoichi and the rest, come outside!" A knock outside suddenly resounded, making the children including Yoichi skip a heartbeat.
"Stay calm and don't lose composure. Simply state your experience today and let them ask questions." Yoichi stood up and whispered as the Genji and the rest nodded.
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(Current Progress)
[Heavenly Demon Posture: (Great Success) 160/500]
[Mountain Crushing Fist: (Entry) 14/100]
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