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"If you refuse to cooperate, I'll have no choice but to take you to Konoha and negotiate with the Hidden Mist Village," Jiraiya said, crouching down.
Kisame stayed silent.
He couldn't bear the cost of 'cooperation.'
Jiraiya stopped being polite. He bound him tightly with rope and, in passing, knocked out Kisame as well.
The other two were simply put to sleep—
Well, one of them might never wake up.
"Kurenai, no need to save them. Just tie up the ones still alive and bring them along."
"Yes."
Kurenai rose, glancing at Leo.
Even if she wanted to help, she was powerless. She had only been observing the situation to study it and gain medical experience.
The injured ninja looked to be around fourteen or fifteen—probably a Chunin from the Hidden Mist.
In that critical moment, Leo had teleported in and sent the attacker flying with a single punch.
And that was it.
Just one punch.
The guy's heart was almost shattered. Internal bleeding was likely severe.
She didn't have the skill to save him.
What a terrifying display of strength!
Had he fully mastered Lady Tsunade's monstrous power?
Kurenai watched Leo quietly, a mixture of admiration and awe crossing her mind.
Before, Leo hadn't been able to control it. Now, he could wield it effortlessly—without injury.
The speed of his progress was terrifying.
A few months ago, she might have chalked it up to natural talent.
But now?
Her perspective had changed.
Behind this rapid growth, both Leo and Kakashi had put in unimaginable effort.
He must have been training day and night over the past several days.
"Jiraiya-sama, are we done here?"
"Yes, Mr. Matsuyama. We can continue on our way to Kado."
"Good, good, thank you. If it weren't for you… and your three subordinates, I'd be in serious trouble this time."
Ichiro Matsuyama let out a sigh of relief, though his eyes still burned with resentment.
"Damn Kado… we, the Matsuyama family, tried to do honest business with him, and he wanted to devour us. He'll pay for this!"
His eyes glimmered with hatred.
"Jiraiya-sensei, could I request another favor?"
"If it's to kill Kado…"
Jiraiya hesitated, then shook his head. "I can't give you an immediate answer."
"Why not?"
Matsuyama looked puzzled.
Jiraiya explained, "From what you say, Kado is now an important power in the Land of Waves. The situation there is complicated. Any action I take could send a signal far beyond what we intend."
"Ah, I understand. At least let's finish this business first," Matsuyama sighed.
They continued northeast.
Near the streets, Kakashi finally woke up.
His eyes fluttered open, still dazed, but as soon as he took in the surroundings, clarity returned.
He'd been unconscious?
Then—wait a minute.
Kakashi's face drained of color as he leapt off the toad's back.
He saw two people tied up behind the wagon.
Hidden Mist ninja?
He felt like he had missed something important!
Jiraiya sensed Kakashi waking and slowed down, moving from the front to the center.
"Jiraiya, your subordinate is awake. If nothing else, I'll head back now."
"All right, thank you," Jiraiya replied politely.
The Iron Arm Toad nodded lightly, then vanished.
Kakashi immediately bowed.
"I'm sorry, Sensei. I fainted at the crucial moment of the mission. I don't deserve to be a ninja!"
Every word, every tone, revealed that this was exactly what he believed.
Jiraiya shook his head helplessly.
This kid's way of thinking was extreme!
Mission above all else?
It wasn't even that critical.
He looked around thoughtfully, then said seriously, "Kakashi, you shouldn't be apologizing to me. You should apologize to your teammates—they're the ones who need you most."
Kakashi turned to Leo and Kurenai.
He immediately understood Jiraiya's point.
To Jiraiya, his strength didn't matter much. But to Leo and Kurenai, it did. And yet, he hadn't been there in the fight.
Of course, the situation wasn't as dangerous as Kakashi imagined.
Kurenai had nearly been attacked, but Jiraiya had been watching over her and Leo, with the Iron Arm Toad nearby.
If danger had struck, the Toad would have intervened.
After speaking, Jiraiya returned to the front.
Kakashi stepped back.
When they met, he hadn't said a word, but Kurenai gently said, "Kakashi, I'm glad you're okay. Next time, don't push yourself to the point of passing out, okay?"
He looked at Leo and Kurenai, moving his mask nervously, unsure what to say.
Kakashi had imagined many possible reactions.
Maybe—
Leo would mock him, say he hadn't followed the rules, hadn't contributed to the mission.
Or even call him useless.
Kurenai…
Though gentle, she might not have looked kindly on him either, since he had been a burden.
But.
Leo said nothing. Kurenai comforted him warmly, not seeing him as a burden.
Kakashi froze.
"But I couldn't help at all," he muttered.
"You don't need to feel sorry. Everyone has flaws, weaknesses. That's why we help and rely on each other—to form a team. Besides, the mission wasn't critical. As long as we stayed safe, that's what matters," Leo said, voice mature despite his youthful face.
Then he added a sharp note:
"But you do need to apologize."
"Huh?"
Kurenai blinked. She had thought Leo would comfort him, but now… it seemed he had something else in mind.
Kakashi was confused, unsure what he meant.
"As a ninja, you're responsible to your teammates. I just graduated and I already understand this. You knew there was a mission today and still trained all night yesterday? Even if you hadn't passed out, how much could you have contributed? You might've even endangered your team," Leo said seriously.
"I'm sorry! I really wanted to master this technique. I won't let it happen again!"
Kakashi spoke earnestly.
He'd been desperate to catch up to Leo over the past couple of days.
Although Leo had been practicing similar techniques, Kakashi knew that Leo hadn't been this skilled with chakra before.
Even if he had started with water-style training, it had only been about a month.
One month—Leo's progress had been astounding.
And him?
Practically standing still.
Kakashi realized this clearly, recognizing both his shortcomings and his hunger to grow stronger.
But it had been reckless.
For the mission and his teammates,
Kakashi blamed himself deeply.
Leo watched, quietly pleased.
The circumstances were different, but the result matched his expectations.
Next, he hoped Kakashi would truly understand the value of a team and comrades.
And—
According to the reward system, if one greatly impacts the target, the reward often relates to the target's strongest skill.
Kakashi, you need to get stronger, fast!
"....."