Chapter 34: Wow... Whatever

Author Note:

Here's the BONUS CHAPTER as promised—thanks for the support, and let's keep this energy going!

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"Orochimaru, isn't this mission a bit too risky?"

Tsunade frowned as she studied the map, her finger hovering over the marked location of the Sand Shinobi granary.

"It's too close to their main camp. One wrong move, and the entire team could be surrounded."

Orochimaru's response was cold, indifferent.

"With the Spiritualization Technique, the risk is manageable. Whether he takes the mission or not... is his own choice."

To Orochimaru, this was nothing more than a chance to observe Guts' capabilities.

If he succeeded, he might shift the tide of the war. If he failed… well, another corpse on the battlefield wouldn't change much.

Konoha had buried many "prodigies" before.

Kato Dan suddenly spoke.

"Lady Tsunade, with my Spiritualization Technique, I can infiltrate the granary from a distance."

"The mission won't require us to get too close. If your student is eager to prove himself, let him join us."

His tone was calm, but his words didn't sit well with Guts.

It made him feel like some reckless, attention-hungry brat—like Uchiha Sasuke charging in without thinking.

Sure, avoiding Danzo had been part of his reason for coming to the front lines.

But above all, he wanted to grow stronger—through real battle.

He didn't need lectures from a nearly thirty-year-old special jōnin who had barely climbed out of mediocrity.

Kato Dan wasn't the type to explode in anger like some possessive side character in a bad novel.

He didn't have the power or background for that. The Kato clan was hardly more than civilian-tier—nothing like the Uchiha, Hyuga, or even the Ino–Shika–Chō families.

Still, Guts had opposed him more than once.

And Kato Dan held grudges.

He wasn't stupid enough to strike Tsunade's student directly—not with other shinobi around.

If he tried, the team would abandon him in an instant and report him the moment they returned.

So instead, he thought of a more subtle plan.

Let the enemy handle it.

(PS: Man, I can already see the future criticism creeping in while I'm still writing this shi...)

A "borrowed blade."

If Guts died in the field, well... no one would question a casualty in enemy territory. Especially during a raid on a heavily guarded granary.

In his mind, it was simple: eliminate the threat clinging to Tsunade's side.

PS: But hey, let me hear it... screw you, Kato Dan.

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If Guts had known Kato Dan's thoughts, he might've laughed and walked away.

You really think you're the only one who knows how to play these games?

I'm not some simpering fool like you—chasing someone's back while ignoring your own weakness.

And yet, they shared something.

A single, mutual thought: I won't save you.

Guts didn't need to dirty his hands. If the timeline stayed intact, Kato Dan was already doomed to die in this war.

No matter how much he despised him, Guts had no intention of changing that fate.

So, under Orochimaru's cold suggestion, Guts joined the small assassination team led by Kato Dan.

Their target: the Sand Shinobi granary.

Their timing: just before dawn—when the Sand's forces would be focused on a full-scale attack from the front.

Orochimaru and Tsunade led the primary forces to intercept the advancing Sand Shinobi army, spearheaded by the formidable Third Kazekage—the "Strongest Kazekage in history."

Meanwhile, Guts moved in the shadows, traveling with Kato Dan's team deep into enemy territory.

They followed obscure trails under the cloak of night, traversing rough terrain.

When they were about twenty kilometers from the granary, Kato Dan raised his hand, signaling a halt.

He was the captain, after all.

Dawn was less than thirty minutes away.

After scanning the area, Kato Dan turned to the team.

"This is far enough. I'll use my Spiritualization Technique to scout the interior. Guard my body while I'm out."

"Oh? So your technique can reach that far?"

Guts asked, eyes narrowing.

Only a handful of techniques—like the Tailed Beast Bomb or Susanoo—had that kind of range.

Another jōnin chuckled.

"Of course. It's what got him promoted. He mastered the Spiritualization Technique so thoroughly that he was bumped from chūnin to jōnin."

"Wow. Promoted for a single skill."

Guts feigned admiration, but the sarcasm in his voice was razor-sharp.

Kato Dan clenched his jaw. He could hear the derision beneath the words. Still, the mission came first.

He sat cross-legged, hands forming a seal.

A white, translucent form emerged from his body and streaked into the distance like a spectral arrow—toward the heart of the Sand Shinobi base.

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