Lightning Flash is a powerful technique of instantaneous movement.
Though it doesn't approach Space-Time Ninjutsu, this instant activation method that surpasses speed is equally a formidable skill or technique.
Shiroishi slowly withdrew his hand, gazing at the bandits lying collapsed on the ground.
"Lightning Flash..."
He murmured softly, his gaze falling upon Eevee perched on his shoulder.
The little creature lay obediently, tail swaying slightly, eyes bright as if responding in kind.
This was originally Eevee's skill.
But as its caretaker, Shiroishi shared high intimacy with Eevee.
As long as their hearts synchronized, he could borrow Eevee's power to execute the same technique.
This ability originated from the fundamental laws of the World Tree.
The relationship between caretakers and Pokémon wasn't that of master and pet, but rather a symbiotic partnership.
On another note, the Pokémon of this world served as mediums merging the energies of the God Tree and Ten-Tails, with Chakra being part of their power.
Shiroishi lifted his head, looking toward the night sky above the valley.
He stepped forward, crouched down, and searched each unconscious bandit one by one.
Tattered leather pouches, rusted kunai, a few copper coins, and some coarse dry rations.
Nothing of particular value.
"Struggling just to survive, yet daring to harbor murderous intent."
His tone remained even, betraying neither anger nor pleasure.
During his search, he retrieved from the leader's chest the list he had handed over during daytime.
Rising to his feet, his eyes swept over the unconscious figures scattered across the ground.
A gentle breeze passed, carrying the mingled scents of blood and vegetation.
Without further hesitation, Shiroishi returned along the passage to the surface.
Outside the Breeding House in the night, traces of chaos remained - overturned cargo crates, scattered footprints, and earth charred black by lightning strikes.
Just as he stepped outside, several small shadows peeked out from the street corner.
A group of children from the Land of Rain.
Clad in tattered clothes, yet their eyes shone brightly.
"Brother Shiroishi!"
"Were there... bad people earlier?"
"We heard fighting sounds and wanted to help!"
They chattered excitedly around the entrance, their faces showing not fear but curiosity and concern.
In this perpetually war-torn nation, they had long grown accustomed to scenes of violence.
Shiroishi smiled gently, his expression as warm as ever.
"It's alright now. They had considerable nerve causing trouble, but they won't be moving anymore."
"Really?"
The youngest girl peeked out cautiously, looking toward the courtyard.
"Brother Shiroishi, should we help you clean up? The place is all messy."
"Yeah, we can help too!"
Another boy raised his small hand, his expression serious.
Warmth bloomed in Shiroishi's heart.
"Go inside and watch the house for me. Remember not to touch the eggs - they're sleeping."
"Got it!"
The children cheerfully ran inside and began cleaning.
The sound of brooms scraping against floors mixed with their light laughter, creating a rare moment of peace in this turbulent land.
Shiroishi watched them quietly, his gaze softening momentarily before turning toward the valley direction.
The wind ruffled his clothes as Eevee jumped down from his shoulder, landing nimbly on the ground and looking up at him.
Shiroishi bent down, gently stroking its head.
"Let's go deal with these people."
Eevee responded with a soft cry, tail swaying gently.
Thus, Shiroishi carried the unconscious bandits out of the tunnel one by one, tossing them onto their own carriage.
The torches of the caravan flickered in the night, illuminating a face that was calm yet chillingly cold.
He deftly tightened the reins, guiding the carriage forward at a steady pace.
The wheels crushed through the muddy ground, splashing cold, damp water.
The sound of hooves echoed through the night, fading into the distance.
No one knew where he was taking these people, and no one asked.
A long while later.
The night remained silent, the mountain wind carrying a chill as it swept past the worn-out carriage parked at the edge of the valley.
A few low groans came from inside the carriage!
The bandit leader had finally regained consciousness.
His body ached as if it had been shattered, and when he tried to push himself up, he found his hands tightly bound to the carriage frame with coarse rope.
His blurred vision gradually sharpened, and he finally saw the figure standing quietly in front of the carriage.
Dressed in a light gray kimono, silver-rimmed glasses glinted coldly under the moonlight, his expression so calm it was almost terrifying.
"You..."
His voice trembled, his throat so hoarse he could barely speak.
Shiroishi did not respond, merely gazing down at them indifferently.
The ground beneath his feet was damp, and under the moonlight, he appeared both gentle and cold.
The other bandits gradually awoke, their faces paling instantly at the sight of Shiroishi.
"Lord Ninja, please spare us!"
"We were blinded by greed—we shouldn't have offended you!"
"We'll give you all our money and goods, just let us go!"
They cried out, struggling to kneel and crawl, their faces etched with terror.
Shiroishi listened quietly, not interrupting.
The wind swept by, rustling the leaves.
He spoke slowly, his tone so faint it was almost devoid of emotion:
"I have only one question."
The bandit leader lifted his head with difficulty.
"Are you bandits, or merchants?"
The leader froze, his lips trembling. "We... are both."
Shiroishi's gaze remained unchanged.
The leader swallowed hard, his words speeding up, almost pleading.
"In this Land of Rain... there's no way to survive. Business doesn't earn us enough, and if we don't kill, we starve. We just wanted to live!"
Shiroishi nodded gently, as if confirming the answer or contemplating it.
"I see."
He turned, pulling a small porcelain bottle from his robe, its mouth sealed with a wooden stopper.
A faint medicinal scent drifted on the wind.
"These are pills I occasionally refine."
He said softly, removing the stopper.
Inside were several deep-red pills, gleaming eerily under the moonlight.
"Swallow them."
"What... are these?"
The bandit leader hesitated, backing away, his face turning pale.
Shiroishi offered no explanation, stepping forward instead. He bent down, gently but irresistibly prying open the man's jaw.
"Ah!"
Before he could resist, the pill was forced down his throat.
One by one, the other bandits were made to swallow the pills as well.
Shiroishi's movements were precise and efficient, his expression unchanging, as if carrying out a routine task.
Soon, the bandits' bodies began to convulse violently.
A searing heat rose from their stomachs, spreading through their veins to every part of their bodies.
Their faces contorted, their skin flushed, and cold sweat beaded on their foreheads.
"Ahhh! What is this?!"
"Help us!"
"It's hot... so hot!!!"
Their screams echoed through the valley, only to be swallowed by the wind.
Shiroishi did not look at them, slowly straightening up and wiping his hands.
His tone remained calm, even gentle:
"Don't worry, it's not poison."
The mountain bandit leader struggled to lift his head, his eyes bloodshot. "What... what was that?"
Shiroishi lowered his head, his glasses reflecting the moonlight, concealing his expression.
"That was a Special Soldier Pill."
He pulled out a cloth pouch from his robe—the deposit he had paid earlier.
"I don't like being deceived."
He reattached the pouch to his waist, his tone indifferent.
"Deliver the medicinal herbs I requested to the Breeding House before tomorrow. Otherwise, the Soldier Pills will run wild inside your bodies. When that happens, blood will slowly seep from your pores."
He paused, his voice growing softer yet cold as a blade.
"If you want to live, remember to fulfill my arrangements."
With that, he turned around.
His footsteps echoed steadily and clearly on the damp ground.
The mountain bandit leader lay trembling on the ground.
He tried to shout, but his throat, torn by pain, could only produce a hoarse rasp.
As Shiroishi reached the carriage, Eevee leaped from the shadows onto his shoulder, gently nuzzling his cheek.
"Eevee~"
Shiroishi reached out and stroked its head, his tone softening.
"It's alright now. They'll obediently do as they're told."
The sound of hoofbeats arose.
He drove the carriage away, its wheels churning through the mud and splashing water.
The valley returned to silence.
A distant breeze, carrying the scent of plants, swept by, masking the lingering groans.