The thick mist began to slowly dissipate.
The petite figure carrying Zabuza's "corpse" had long vanished without a trace, as if it had never appeared.
On the water's surface, only a scene of devastation remained.
Karin knelt on the ground, her hands glowing with soft green light as she desperately stabilized Naruto's and Sasuke's injuries.
Naruto had completely passed out. After the violent chakra vanished, he was like a rag doll drained of all strength.
Sasuke was slightly better—he barely stayed conscious, but blood loss and exhaustion blurred his vision. The newly emerged tomoe in his right eye had faded due to chakra depletion.
Sora stood at the bow, the massive Kubikiribōchō slung over his shoulder like a statue.
He gazed in the direction the "hunter-nin" had disappeared, his usual cheerful grin gaining a touch of amusement.
Good acting.
Both the timing of the appearance and those senbon precisely hitting the "vitals" were perfectly executed.
The only flaw was too small an audience.
[Ding! You have received a legacy gift from NPC 'Zabuza Momochi' (Limited Edition Kubikiribōchō)!]
Sora whistled inwardly.
This deal was worth it.
He weighed the heavy murderous weapon on his shoulder, already planning.
A bit overkill for opening letters, but hanging it on the wall as decoration would definitely be impressive.
Or, simply find a blacksmith, melt it down, and forge dozens of kunai engraved with "Sora"—perfect as Flying Thunder God markers. Throwing them out would feel twice as cool.
He turned, strolling leisurely to the three kids.
"Alright, stop fussing."
He waved at the tense Karin.
"Those two are just exhausted—they won't die."
Karin sighed in relief, plopping down on the ground, feeling her own spirit nearly snapped.
Sora crouched, poking Naruto's face that slept like a dead pig, then glancing at Sasuke stubbornly refusing to close his eyes.
"How was it?"
He grinned, asking a question that baffled Sasuke and Karin.
"That little play just now—enjoyable?"
Play?
Sasuke's brows furrowed with effort.
Karin looked bewildered.
"Big Brother Sora... what do you mean?"
"I mean that so-called 'Mist hunter-nin.'"
Sora pointed with the Kubikiribōchō on his shoulder toward where the "hunter-nin" vanished.
"You two—didn't notice anything off?"
Sasuke stiffened.
Karin froze too.
Off?
"A professional hunter-nin member's mission is to recover a rebel ninja's body to prevent intelligence leaks."
Sora's voice was unhurried, like recounting someone else's story.
"So, first question."
He lightly tapped the menacing giant blade on his shoulder.
"Why take the body but leave this priceless weapon—the most important intelligence carrier on the target?"
Clang.
Sora casually tossed the Kubikiribōchō to the ground with a massive thud, like thunder exploding in Sasuke's and Karin's minds.
Yeah!
Why?
The Kubikiribōchō was Zabuza's signature—its forging techniques, materials, even residual chakra were extremely valuable intelligence.
No qualified ninja would make such a rookie mistake.
"Second question."
Sora held up two fingers.
"That 'hunter-nin' killed Zabuza with senbon."
"Who can tell me how much strength and skill it takes to precisely pierce the neck muscles and bones of a battle-hardened elite jonin with a few thin senbon?"
"Moreover..." Sora paused, a mocking smile appearing.
"I checked earlier—those senbon hit induced-death acupoints."
"Points that lower heartbeat and breathing to minimal levels, entering deep shock but not fatal."
"Coincidence?"
Sasuke's breathing quickened.
His mind raced, connecting Sora's words to everything he'd seen.
The "hunter-nin's" petite build... that overly crisp voice... and that unbelievably fast strike...
An absurd but only logical answer emerged.
"They're... accomplices."
Sasuke's voice was hoarse and dry.
"Bingo!" Sora snapped his fingers. "Congrats, Uchiha brat—you're not completely hopeless."
He stood, hands in pockets, reverting to his lazy demeanor.
"One handles frontal assault to draw attention; the other disguises as a pursuer, 'saving' the comrade openly under the guise of body recovery after 'defeat.'"
"Classic tactic—old-fashioned but effective."
"Especially against inexperienced brats like you."
Humiliation.
Unprecedented humiliation flooded Sasuke like a tide.
He thought he'd been in a life-or-death battle, even awakening the Sharingan for it.
In the end, he was just a fooled supporting actor in someone else's script?
Karin lowered her head too, her little face flushed red.
She recalled Sora's words before departure.
Bring your brains.
But she hadn't thought at all.
"This is your first lesson outside the village—and the most important one."
Sora's voice shed all playfulness, becoming calm and clear.
"In the ninja world, what your eyes see, ears hear, even what your hands touch—can all be false."
"Never easily trust anyone, especially strangers who suddenly appear and 'help' you."
He looked down at his two dejected students.
"A ninja who doesn't doubt, doesn't think—is no different from a walking corpse."
"Today, you were lucky—I was here to cover for you."
"Next time, you might not be so fortunate."
With that, he ignored the thoughtful pair and turned toward the distant trembling boat.
"Hey! Boatman! Mr. Tazuna!"
His voice regained its energetic tone.
"Show's over—time to dock!"
Tazuna and the boatman rowed over shakily.
Sora grabbed the unconscious Naruto like a chick and tossed him aboard, then signaled Karin to help Sasuke up.
"Sora... sensei."
Sasuke spoke suddenly as he boarded.
"You... knew from the start?"
Sora turned back with a brilliant smile.
"What else?"
"Did you think that swing of mine would actually kill him?"
I'm still waiting for him to recover and put on a big "justice triumphs over evil" show in front of all the Land of Waves villagers. After all, building fame needs an audience, right?
"Alright, stop overthinking—get some good rest."