Chapter 29: The Harvest
Thirty-four bandits initially—nine remained without even touching Kagenori's clothes. This demonstrated the ninja's superiority. Ordinary people, even strong adults, posed no threat to underage shinobi. Consider Kakashi, graduating at five and immediately killing enemy ninja.
In Kagenori's Sharingan-enhanced perception, the nine fleeing bandits moved with turtle-like slowness. He effortlessly overtook one, his blade severing the bandit's neck without breaking stride.
The bandit felt himself still running, yet his vision sank lower until he collapsed. Seeing his headless body beside him, realization dawned—he'd been decapitated. His final clear sight was Kagenori's face.
A child? Just one child had nearly exterminated them all. Surely none would survive.
'Next life... next life I'll become a ninja and rob again!'
With this hopeful thought, his consciousness faded.
Continuing his grim tally, Kagenori counted down. To the surviving bandits, his childish voice sounded like death warrants. Each scream meant another comrade's death, their despair becoming unbearable.
At "three," the two remaining bandits ahead stopped fleeing. Escape was impossible—exhausted, they awaited destruction. Death meant no more fear.
Showing no mercy, Kagenori beheaded them both.
He counted down to "one."
Only the bandit leader remained.
Terrified by Kagenori's melon-cutting ease in slaughtering his men, the leader fled desperately. Nearing the village outskirts, he cursed, "Bastard hired ninja against us! If I knew who, I'd torture them slowly!"
"Damn it! Today's loot remains behind! Have to abandon it! At least previous earnings remain."
"Can't stay in Rice Country. Proceed to Moon Country as planned. Recruit new members, raid Moon Country villages directly."
He suddenly halted—something had snagged his ankle. Looking down: steel wire.
Relief washed over him—that momentary panic over nothing.
As he stepped forward, a sizzling sound stopped him. Glancing down again, he saw paper bearing the character "explosion" half-charred.
"Huh? Just paper—"
"Paper? Explosive tag?!"
His hair stood erect. But before flight, the tag detonated.
BOOM!
The blast hurled him against a wall. Dazed, he struggled up only to collapse again. Seeing his legs, his pupils contracted in horror—his right leg was severed, blood gushing from the wound.
"MY LEG!!" he screamed, clutching the stump.
Kagenori approached, scarlet Sharingan fixed on him. The leader stared transfixed, forgetting his pain. Those eyes felt like falling into an ice cellar—soul-chilling cold.
Raising his sword, Kagenori pressed the tip to the leader's throat, whispering, "Zero."
The blade pierced through. Blood sprayed as the leader's eyes glazed over, his "grand ambitions" accompanying him to hell.
Vigorously shaking blood from his blade, Kagenori wiped it clean on his sleeve before sheathing it.
"Phew..."
Exhaling deeply, he reflected on the ease of eliminating thirty-four bandits—they'd offered no resistance. Using Thunder Breathing would have been faster, ensuring none escaped. But this mission specifically tested his month's training results—using forbidden techniques would defeat the purpose.
Still,Actual combat felt different from training—somehow more fluid.
Turning to find Orochimaru, he discovered the Sannin already behind him.
Observing the leader's corpse, Orochimaru smiled approvingly. "Well executed. Excellent stealth during assassinations, proficient ninjutsu application, clever tactics leveraging Water and Lightning natures' synergy."
"Operation rigor was notable—pre-set explosive traps prevented escapes."
Hearing praise, Kagenori smiled involuntarily—Orochimaru's first unequivocal approval this month. During training, the Sannin constantly identified flaws, making Kagenori doubt his aptitude repeatedly. This recognition lifted his spirits tremendously.
Orochimaru continued, "One habit particularly stands out."
Kagenori paused—a habit? Ears pricked intently.
"You consistently target vital points—decapitation or throat-slitting. Human vitals are limited. Even heart-pierced enemies retain brief action capacity, risking counterattacks."
"Decapitation and throat-slitting ensure immediate incapacitation. An excellent habit."
Rubbing his nose sheepishly, Kagenori realized throat/neck targeting had indeed become instinctive—because Thunder Breathing targeted demon necks as weak points. Under Orochimaru's praise, this habit felt truly valuable.