Chapter 4: I Learn Quickly

"Qin Yu, you can be rest assured, but understand this: this checkpoint is a vital strategic stronghold for the Land of Fire. While we will follow orders, we will never abandon it without a fight. If we fail to hold this pass, Konoha itself will be in grave danger."

Shenyue Kaguya, the veteran shinobi who had spoken earlier, hesitated for a moment before continuing.

"Prepare for battle!" Qin Yu's voice was firm as he surveyed the gathered shinobi.

The world of Naruto was one where the strong ruled, and Qin Yu's display of power had already shaken them.

More importantly, abandoning comrades—even for the sake of the mission—meant being forsaken in return when they returned to Konoha.

Besides, if the forces of Kumogakure breached this checkpoint, they would have an open path straight into the heart of the Land of Fire.

Defending it would be an uphill battle, but they had no other choice.

"Qin Yu, we stand with you!" the shinobi responded resolutely, shifting into defensive formations.

"By the way," Qin Yu asked suddenly, "does anyone have a ninjutsu scroll?"

Now that he had activated his One-Click Full-Level System, he could instantly master any technique he learned.

With three days before the impending battle, he couldn't afford to waste this opportunity to strengthen himself.

After all, he was up against the AB Combo—A, the future Raikage, and Killer B, the perfect Jinchūriki. They were no ordinary opponents.

"A ninjutsu scroll?"

The twenty or so shinobi exchanged uneasy glances.

"You don't have any?" Qin Yu had expected as much.

During wartime, shinobi typically did not carry learning materials with them.

Most jutsu were taught directly by mentors or passed down through their clans.

Carrying scrolls into battle posed a serious risk—if they fell into enemy hands, they could be used against Konoha.

Shenyue Kaguya finally spoke up. "Qin Yu, I don't know why you need a ninjutsu scroll, but I happen to have one—an A-rank Lightning Release technique called Lightning Prison Bind. I originally prepared it as a gift for my daughter after this mission."

"But rather than let it fall into enemy hands, I'd rather entrust it to you."

"Your daughter?" Qin Yu raised an eyebrow. As he studied Kaguya's face, a familiar resemblance clicked in his mind. "Your daughter is Yūgao Uzuki, isn't she?"

"Haha, Yūgao is talented, alright—even Qin Yu knows of her," one of the older shinobi chuckled.

Shenyue Kaguya shot him a glare. "You old fool, stop trying to set up your son with my daughter. My girl has standards—at the very least, she needs to like the guy herself."

"Che, my son, Inuzuka Ran, is already a Chūnin and will make Jōnin soon," another shinobi, Inuzuka Fū, retorted.

"Besides, what about Qin Yu? His strength is already at tokubetsu jōnin level, and even our best veterans can't match his genjutsu."

The group chuckled at the back-and-forth.

Shizune, however, quickly interjected, "Enough joking! Give the scroll to Qin Yu—he might actually need it."

The laughter died down as a knowing smirk spread across one of the shinobi's faces.

"Shizune, why are you blushing? Don't tell me… you like Qin Yu?"

With that, the tense atmosphere in the cave softened slightly.

Shenyue Kaguya, after studying Qin Yu carefully, clapped him on the shoulder. "Kid, your illusions are already at the level of a tokubetsu jōnin. Take this scroll—if you survive, I have another favor to ask."

"If you make it back alive, please deliver this letter to my daughter."

"Qin Yu, I also have something! Could you deliver this to my son?"

"I have a message as well."

"Me too!"

One by one, the shinobi handed over personal letters and keepsakes.

It was clear to everyone that Qin Yu had the highest chance of making it back to Konoha alive.

"Qin Yu," Shizune finally spoke, hesitating for a moment before holding out a small kunai, "could you return this to Lady Tsunade for me? It was a gift she gave me when I became her apprentice…"

For a brief moment, the group's smiles carried a hint of sorrow.

"You all think this battle is a death sentence, don't you?" Qin Yu's voice was calm, yet unwavering. "Then tell me, why did you object earlier when the others wanted to retreat?"

The group fell silent.

They all recognized Qin Yu's talent—his strength was certainly at tokubetsu jōnin level.

But the enemy force numbered in the hundreds, led by the AB Combo—two of Kumogakure's strongest warriors.

Shenyue Kaguya was the first to break the silence. "Qin Yu, don't misunderstand. We're not afraid to die. The moment we accepted our mission as shinobi, we steeled our hearts for this possibility."

"What's more, this pass is the last major defense before Konoha. If we allow Kumogakure's forces to breach it, our village—our families—will be in danger."

"That's why we must hold the line, even if it costs us our lives."

Inuzuka Fū nodded. "Qin Yu, we misjudged you. We never expected you to possess such powerful genjutsu. We were already prepared to die here, but if you can carry our last words back to our families—"

"Qin Yu, please," Shizune pleaded. "Help them… and help me too."

For a long moment, everyone looked at Qin Yu, eyes filled with quiet desperation.

Then, he finally spoke.

"No," Qin Yu said firmly. "Take back your letters. Deliver them yourselves."

"Including this scroll—you'll return with me."

His words hit them like a thunderclap.

For a second, no one spoke.

Then, Shenyue Kaguya clenched his fists, his voice thick with emotion. "Alright. You're right, kid. We'll go back together."

"Hah! Yueyue, you're really shameless," one of the shinobi chuckled.

"Hmph. Don't act like you wouldn't do the same!" Kaguya shot back. "Now, Qin Yu, tell me—what do you need the ninjutsu scroll for? This is an A-rank Lightning Release technique, after all."

Curiosity flickered across the faces of the gathered shinobi.

Before a battle of life and death, learning a new A-rank jutsu seemed impractical—mastering such a technique usually required weeks or months.

"It's nothing," Qin Yu replied, taking the scroll. "I just want to learn a few more jutsu before the fight."

Shenyue Kaguya frowned. "Kid, I've studied that technique myself—it took me over a month to fully master it. You only have three days."

"Don't worry. I'll learn it quickly," Qin Yu said with a small smile.

He couldn't exactly tell them about his One-Click Full-Level System—they'd never believe him anyway.

Shenyue Kaguya studied him for a moment before sighing. "Well, if you're that determined, I can help guide you."

"Thanks, but that won't be necessary," Qin Yu replied, already stepping away with the scroll.

As they watched his retreating figure, the remaining shinobi exchanged glances, a quiet admiration settling in.

For the first time, they felt a flicker of hope.