Chapter 23: A Captain's Resolve
If it weren't for Fei'er, Ryouma would never have thought to inquire about the system's healing functions. Among the vast array of options, the Life Restoration Pill was the cheapest, but its efficacy was in no way diminished.
"There's no time for sentimentality. Hinata, check on Naruto's team," Ryouma said. In the original story, Orochimaru left a cursed seal on Sasuke and then departed. But with his own arrival, Ryouma didn't know if the plot had been altered, so he was still deeply concerned.
"Sasuke-kun and Naruto-kun seem to be unconscious on the ground," Hinata reported, her Byakugan active. "But judging by their chakra flow, they should be fine. Sakura-san is guarding them. Should we...?" She trailed off hesitantly, but Ryouma knew she wanted to go protect Naruto.
Ryouma pondered for a moment. Based on Sasuke and Naruto's condition, the plot likely hadn't diverged because of him. That meant events would continue along their original course. He couldn't recklessly change the plot and make the future unpredictable.
"They won't be in any real danger," Ryouma stated firmly. He glanced at Hinata and continued, "Besides, our own situation isn't great. While Kiba's life is no longer at risk, his chakra hasn't recovered. I'm in the same state; there's not a trace of Divine Power left in my body. And even if there was, with my right hand in this condition, I doubt I could perform any ninjutsu."
Hinata listened to his analysis and nodded. He was right.
"Ryouma-nii, what should we do now?"
"Find a safe place, hide for a while, and recover our strength," Ryouma said calmly, his gaze shifting to Kiba.
Kiba had been watching Ryouma. Seeing the look, he shrugged, a slight grin touching his lips. "You're the captain. Your call."
"Captain?" The title sent a small thrill through Ryouma's heart. It wasn't just a word; it was a weight of responsibility.
"Mhm, Ryouma-nii is the captain. I agree too," Hinata said, clasping her hands over her chest and tilting her head with a supportive smile.
"Alright then... Hinata, search the area for any hiding spots. Kiba, you're the best at setting traps. You'll be in charge of that. But don't make the perimeter too wide."
"No problem!"
Hinata activated her Byakugan, scanning intently. "I found one! There's a hollow tree trunk not far ahead. The concealment is excellent."
"Then let's move out!" Ryouma said decisively. He glanced at the two corpses on the ground, then helped a still-wobbly Kiba to his feet. He then reached out and took Hinata's hand.
The moment his hand enveloped hers, Hinata flinched like a startled rabbit, her face flushing a bright red.
Ryouma-nii's hand... it's so big... so warm, so strong... it feels so safe...
"Hinata, you lead the way. Our Team 8... we advance and retreat together, hand in hand!" Ryouma declared solemnly, staring straight ahead.
Hinata's hand was so soft, and she didn't pull away...
Hinata Development Plan... Phase One, accomplished!
They didn't have to walk far before Ryouma saw a towering tree. While the surrounding trees were tall, this one was easily twice their height—the tallest tree Ryouma had seen since entering the Forest of Death.
At first, he thought the hollow was at the base of this giant, but after a quick search revealed nothing, he inwardly praised its excellent concealment.
"Ryouma-nii, the hollow is over here. What are you looking for?" Hinata asked, pointing toward a more normally-proportioned (though still large) tree nearby.
The corner of Ryouma's mouth twitched. Following her finger, he saw a hollow in the trunk about the size of a large dog's door.
"Kiba, set the traps. I'll... see if I can find some food nearby. Hinata, you stay here."
"Got it!"
"Okay!"
Seeing Hinata and Kiba's immediate, coordinated agreement, Ryouma almost gave a military salute in his excitement, but managed to restrain the impulse through sheer force of will.
Ryouma walked off slowly, looking down at his injured hands, his thoughts turning to Orochimaru.
That guy... why didn't he come to finish us off after dealing with Sasuke? Does he think we're beneath his notice? Or did accomplishing his goal with Sasuke make him lose interest in everything else?
He shook his head, dismissing the thought. All that matters is that he didn't come after us. Why am I even wondering about his reasons?
In the end, he gave himself a more precise assessment: I'm an idiot.
He hadn't gone far when he spotted an apple tree. Marveling at his luck, he quickly climbed it, gathered over a dozen apples, and teleported back to the tree hollow.
"Ryouma-nii, you found apples!" Hinata greeted him the moment he appeared.
Ryouma's heart warmed. He knew this girl must have been worried about him, keeping her Byakugan trained on him the whole time, ready to rush to his aid if he was in danger.
He hadn't let Hinata search for food precisely because he feared for her safety.
By the time Ryouma returned, Kiba had finished setting all the traps. They ate the apples together, restoring some energy, and established a watch rotation so the other two could rest.
Lying on the slightly damp ground inside the hollow, Ryouma and Kiba both let out sighs of relief. Soon, Ryouma heard Kiba's soft snoring.
"Only 30 Almighty Points left..." Ryouma mused, thinking about how to use them. The feeling of being "newly rich" after completing his last mission and getting 300 points had vanished without a trace, leaving him feeling broke again.
"I have to keep 20 points for emergencies. That leaves only 10 points I can actually use. How can I use these 10 points to improve my combat effectiveness, so I'm not just useless after firing three Great Ball Rasengans...?"
He racked his brain but came up empty. His gaze drifted to Hinata's silhouette, blurred in the dim light, and soon, exhaustion pulled him into a fitful sleep.
After placing the Cursed Seal on Sasuke, Orochimaru had considered toying with Ryouma's group for a while. But suddenly, a figure blocked his path.
"Orochimaru... It really is you!" The speaker was the proctor for the second stage of the Chūnin Exams, the kunoichi with a love for dango: Mitarashi Anko!