Let Us Take Him Home

Sarutobi Ryo thought about what the system had just told him.

"Ringo Ameyuri is one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, and she knows at least two types of Chakra," he mused. "But that shouldn't have anything to do with the Ice Release power..."

In the Ninja World, there are seven basic types of Chakra: Water, Fire, Wind, Earth, Lightning, Yin, and Yang. But there's also something special called Kekkei Genkai.

Kekkei Genkai are special abilities that are passed down through bloodlines.

They come in two main forms.

The first type involves changes in the body, like what the Hyuga and Uchiha clans have. These clans have special eyes called the Byakugan and Sharingan that give them unique powers.

The second type comes from mixing different types of Chakra together. For example, if you mix Wind and Fire, you get Scorch Release. If you mix Wind and Earth, you get Magnet Release.

As for Ice Release…

It's a mix of Wind and Water Chakra.

So, it should only belong to the Yuki Clan from Kirigakure. They're the only ones who naturally have that ability.

There are also ninja in the far-off Land of Snow who can use Ice Release, but that's because of the cold weather there. It's not the same as true Ice Release.

"Interesting..." Ryo thought.

He was interrupted by Utatane Koharu shouting.

"Chase them! Take her down!" she yelled.

Ringo Ameyuri's Lightning Strike from before was impressive and fast, but it had a big problem.

When she used it, the thunder could be heard and seen for miles around.

Creating such a huge lightning storm in broad daylight was sure to get Utatane Koharu's attention.

Anyone could see that it was an attack from the Lightning Sword, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist's signature weapons.

It was obvious who was attacking.

If they could defeat one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist on this mission, it would be a great victory, no matter what.

Utatane Koharu was known for being the most quick-tempered of the high-ranking leaders.

Just like in the story, when Itachi told them about the Uchiha clan's plan to rebel, Utatane Koharu was the first to demand that the entire clan be killed.

So, it made sense that she would rush into action with her team.

But Ringo Ameyuri was one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and was incredibly fast, second only to the ninja with the Sewing Needle sword. Regular ninja teams couldn't keep up with her.

All they heard were loud explosions coming from the forest.

Then, thunder shook the trees, scaring away all the birds.

The team chasing her had to retreat or risk being struck by lightning and killed.

After a wild chase, Ringo Ameyuri helped her teammates escape.

The ninja from Kirigakure were experts at swimming. They could dive underwater as easily as breathing.

Since the Land of Whirlpools was surrounded by water, with many lakes and rivers, it was almost impossible to find them once they went underwater.

Utatane Koharu was frustrated.

She watched her target get away right in front of her. To be outsmarted by someone so much younger made her angry.

"How is Hakumo Hayama?" she asked.

Sarutobi Ryo went back to check on Hakumo Hayama.

The woman had been threatened by him and chose to kick Hakumo Hayama away instead of killing him.

Ryo didn't believe she was really scared of him.

It was all about weighing the risks and rewards.

That's how most ninja in this world thought.

"He's not badly hurt, just some minor injuries… it just looks worse than it is…" Yamanaka Hui said after examining Hakumo Hayama.

Even though it wasn't serious, this would probably be the end of the mission for him.

But it didn't matter. Hakumo Hayama was already qualified to be a Jonin. This mission was just a formality.

The leaders of Konoha had other plans. They really wanted to reclaim the Land of Whirlpools Ruins and show off their success back home.

"Lord Koharu," Sarutobi Ryo said as he walked over to report what had happened.

Soon, eight bodies were pulled out from underground.

Hakumo Hayama, Hyuga Ruri, and Yamanaka Hui had each killed one person.

Sarutobi Ryo had killed the other five all by himself.

Everyone who saw the broken bones and mangled bodies was amazed.

"To do that much damage with just his body… as expected… only Young Master Ryo of the Sarutobi Clan could do that."

"He's worthy of being the Honorable Hokage's eldest son. He's just like his father, the Honorable Hokage…" people said, praising him.

Sarutobi Ryo enjoyed the attention, but he didn't show any emotion on his face.

_"He's not arrogant or cocky, very good …" _Utatane Koharu thought as she watched Sarutobi Ryo. She was very pleased with his reaction.

Just then, Namikaze Minato arrived with Kushina and the others after hearing the commotion.

After finding out what had happened, Namikaze Minato also told them about his achievements.

He had killed eight people.

Two Kirigakure squads were wiped out in a flash.

"It was just an instant! I only saw a flash of light!"

"Golden flashes flickered everywhere! The battle was over in seconds!" two of his teammates said, exaggerating the story.

The name Golden Flash became famous again, and the crowd gasped in amazement.

Yamanaka Hui watched the crowd's shocked faces and Namikaze Minato's warm smile, and her eyes darted around.

Then, she stepped in front of everyone and cleared her throat. "Lord Koharu, my Young Master also found the Barrier that Jonin Kigume Isao set up and retrieved Late Kato Dan's remains…"

"!"

A large ninja with narrow eyes and crossed arms stood silently next to Utatane Koharu. When he heard this, his eyes widened.

He was Utatane Koharu's most trusted subordinate and had worked with Tsunade and Kato Dan in the past.

Utatane Koharu had secretly hoped to find Kato Dan's remains.

"You've done well…" Kigume Isao said, his voice deep and strong.

He had gone through many hardships and had finally found the courage to speak.

As Kigume Isao, who was older than the Sannin, told the story, those who knew the truth and those who didn't learned the secrets of Kato Dan's death.

Of course, Kigume Isao didn't mention that Tsunade had become afraid of blood and left. That was a secret.

"Princess Tsunade's lover…"

"Jonin Kigume Isao set up the barrier trap…" the crowd whispered.

Compared to breaking Kigume Isao's Barrier and finding Kato Dan's remains, Namikaze Minato's instant kill of eight people seemed less important.

"Lord Koharu," Sarutobi Ryo said as he took a Scroll from his chest and handed it over solemnly.

"Senior Kato Dan's remains are inside. Let us take him home…"

The sea breeze of the Land of Whirlpools blew through the scene, and a feeling of sadness spread through the crowd.

Everyone there was a ninja who had fought in the Second War.

The war had just ended, and the pain was still fresh.

Touched by the moment, everyone's faces grew serious.

They all stared at Sarutobi Ryo, waiting for Utatane Koharu's answer.

"..."

Utatane Koharu didn't show any emotion, but her mind was racing.

Next to her, Namikaze Minato's smile slowly faded as he watched Sarutobi Ryo thoughtfully.

"Mm," Utatane Koharu finally said as she took the Scroll and quickly put it away.