Chapter 183: Life
Chapter 183: Life
Hearing the familiar voice, Kawano Taro turned his head toward the dark passage.
From the shadowy depths of the long corridor, a black-robed elder emerged, holding a scythe similar in design to the one Tonari carried. However, the materials appeared to differ.
If the Kawano family were truly wealthy enough to forge so many weapons with precious metals, much of Yugakure's finances would have been monopolized by their clan. But that was clearly impossible.
Following behind the elder were several others, all dressed identically in black robes.
"Father."
Kawano Taro's low voice carried a mix of emotions.
The elder cast him a cold glance, as if Kawano Taro were not his son but a complete stranger.
That expression—a chilling disregard for familial ties, love, and friendship—was the most unsettling part.
In the elder's eyes, only one thing mattered: the documents in Tonari's hand.
Tonari, unfazed, stored the documents safely away.
"I thought it might be that sly old leader of Yugakure scheming something, but it turns out it's just the Jashin cult—those lunatics," Tonari muttered inwardly, slightly amused.
"Well, the documents are mine now. If you want them, come and take them!"
As he finished speaking, his figure began to fade, slowly disappearing.
While he could fight, there was no reason to.
The mission was complete, and Kawano Taro had fulfilled his end of the bargain by handing over the research. There was no need for Tonari to risk unnecessary battles, especially to save a man who had lost both his chakra and his scientific utility.
Moreover, the Jashin cult had already gauged his strength during their previous ambush. The fact that they dared to strike again meant they were either fools or had made adequate preparations.
Though Tonari hadn't revealed his full capabilities, there was no point in gambling on a needless fight.
Kawano Taro had already resigned himself to death, prepared to die at the hands of his father. It was, in a sense, poetic closure—an ending Tonari saw no reason to disrupt.
As Tonari vanished, Kawano Taro showed no change in expression, silently watching the man who was once his father, now transformed into a bloodthirsty, emotionless weapon.
The elder, realizing Tonari had slipped away, suppressed the madness in his eyes and waved off the cultists behind him, stepping forward.
"Where is Yuko?" the elder asked, his voice low.
At the mention of Yuko, Kawano Taro's indifferent demeanor faltered for the first time.
Yuko, his daughter, was the person he cared about most in the world. Everything he had done was for her sake.
"My sickly granddaughter, the one destined to become the saintess of our great Jashin cult—where is she?" The elder's voice began to rise, tinged with madness.
Had Tonari been present, he would have been surprised to hear this revelation: Yuko was both gravely ill and intended to be a saintess of the cult?
Kawano Taro resisted the urge to retort, coldly meeting the gaze of the man he once respected as a father.
"You cannot hide her from me."
The elder sneered. "You only joined that experiment to cure your daughter. Now that she's fully recovered, your claims that the experiment was incomplete were obviously lies.
"You went to Konoha for years under the pretense of learning, but it was all to monitor Yuko's condition, wasn't it?"
Kawano Taro couldn't deny it. The elder's words were true. But it was too late now; all he needed was to buy a little more time.
"Yuko's condition is still unstable," Kawano Taro replied, feigning calm. "I returned to resolve it."
"Unstable, you say?" The elder frowned.
---
Meanwhile
After leaving the Kawano clan's compound, Tonari headed straight for the inn where Asuma and the others were staying.
Fortunately, they had just finished their bath.
Tonari grabbed the bewildered kids and the equally stunned Yuko without explanation, lifting them like sacks of grain.
At Yugakure's gates, he handed over the travel permits signed by Majika and left the village.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
In a puff of smoke, a small blue cat appeared.
"Little Blue, grow larger and carry them!"
The cat's body rapidly expanded, growing from the size of a housecat to larger than a tiger.
Tonari tossed the four children onto Little Blue's back and immediately set off.
Asuma, Kurenai, and Guy, while surprised, quickly adapted to the situation. However, Yuko remained utterly confused and silent throughout the journey.
This arrangement had been part of Tonari's deal with Kawano Taro: to take Yuko away from Yugakure. If he had the power, he would ensure her lifelong safety. If not, he would hide her somewhere safe where she could live peacefully.
At Tonari's speed and Little Blue's assistance, the trip back to Konoha would take just over a day.
As for the aftermath in Yugakure or the Jashin cult's plans, Tonari didn't concern himself.
A cult that preached killing one's own people could never grow into a significant threat. They would likely self-destruct before causing any real trouble.
Yuko, still in shock, read the letter her father had left for her.
Afterward, she sat on Little Blue's back, dazed and silent.
Before reaching Konoha, Tonari stopped in a nearby town, leaving Yuko there temporarily. If the Hokage approved her stay, she could live in Konoha. If not, Tonari would ensure she had financial support to live comfortably in the nearby town.
Upon entering Konoha, Tonari led his team to the Hokage's office to report the mission's completion.
---
Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, listened attentively to Tonari's account of the mission.
"It seems the mission's difficulty exceeded our expectations. This should have been classified as an A-rank mission."
Tonari had deliberately omitted details about the Jashin cult's experiments and the unkillable cultist. Otherwise, the mission might have been reclassified as S-rank.
Though challenging, the mission had been a success. Hiruzen was particularly pleased to see how much Asuma, Kurenai, and Guy had grown.
After receiving their payment, Tonari grinned at the kids. "Tonight, we're celebrating your first mission success—barbecue on me! But first, go clean up and get ready."
"Yay! Tonari-sensei is the best!"
As the kids ran off excitedly, Tonari and Hiruzen's smiles faded.
"Anything else to report?" Hiruzen asked.
"Majika sends his regards and wishes you good health," Tonari said with a wry smile.
Hiruzen chuckled dryly. "That old fox should worry about his own health. Half his body is already in the grave, yet he clings to power without the strength or courage to match his ambitions."
Tonari raised an eyebrow. Hiruzen's insight into Majika's character was unexpectedly sharp.
"Anything else?"
"A group called the Jashin cult has emerged in Yugakure. I assess them as an A-rank threat, with some combat power but limited influence. They pose no significant danger to the Land of Fire."
Hiruzen nodded, making a mental note of the cult. Since it was contained within Yugakure, he saw no need for immediate action.
Tonari hesitated briefly, then shook his head. "Nothing else."
After leaving the office, Tonari took the kids to celebrate at the barbecue restaurant.
---
Back in his lab, Tonari spread the stack of documents across his workbench.
He began meticulously reviewing the material, which covered everything from experimental procedures to results.
Though he couldn't verify its authenticity without conducting experiments, the contents left him in awe.
"Humans are truly fascinating creatures," he murmured. "So fragile, yet full of endless potential."
If the documents were genuine, it was plausible that the cultist Hidan from the future had been created using these methods.
While Tonari found the idea intriguing, the risks and limitations of the technique made it impractical.
However, certain aspects, such as enhancing cellular vitality and regenerative abilities, could be valuable for his own research.
Setting the documents aside, Tonari retrieved a scroll from his belongings—the one Tsunade had given him long ago.
It required exceptional chakra control to unlock, and he had failed numerous times before.
Now, after years of training, he felt confident.
With steady hands, he channeled his chakra into the intricate seal.
After a tense moment, the seal broke with a crisp crack.
Unfurling the scroll, Tonari's eyes widened as he read the title:
"Creation Rebirth."
---
Elsewhere
Amidst a vast desert, the golden sands stretched endlessly.
At its center lay Sunagakure, one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages.
A convoy of Sunagakure shinobi escorted a large, white-draped carriage through the streets.
Leading the group was a confident young man with reddish-brown hair: Rasa, the future Fourth Kazekage.
As villagers cheered for Rasa's return, their attention shifted to another figure walking toward them—a red-haired boy with a cold, indifferent expression: Sasori of the Red Sand.
The crowd buzzed with excitement at the sight of the prodigious puppet master, who paid them no mind.
Rasa greeted Sasori with a warm smile, though his eyes betrayed a hint of rivalry.
Sasori responded with a curt nod before walking away, leaving Rasa seething inwardly.
In Sasori's mind, one thought dominated:
"Humans are too deceitful. Only puppets are truly genuine."
(End of Chapter)
---
Read up to 20 chapter ahead of time on patreon.com/Legendryweeb
{please give this novel 5 Star review and power stone}
*Thank you*