Chapter 37: Sorry, I Didn’t Mean It

Author Note:

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

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As Rasa pressed the attack, it was clear he wasn't playing games—so neither was Guts.

The ambush of Sand Shinobi had already begun closing in, and the Konoha Jōnin stationed behind them were forced into a brutal decision:

Carry the burden of their two injured comrades and risk dying here, or abandon them and flee with a sliver of hope.

But before a decision could even be made—

That window slammed shut.

Sand Shinobi outnumbered them nearly three to one, and now Rasa himself had entered the fray, bearing down directly on Guts.

Elsewhere, a Sand Jōnin had already taken aim at Kato Dan.

The female ninja by his side instinctively tried to intercept—but was blocked by two elite Chūnin, who flanked her fast.

"Magnet Style · It's so Hot!"

With a quick seal, the Sand Jōnin released a flash of crimson—hot and magnetic, sticking to the air like molten glue as it streaked toward Kato Dan.

Unfortunately, it was perfectly timed.

Kato Dan's soul had just returned to his body from his Spiritualization Technique.

And given how well Rasa had planned this ambush…

There was no saving him.

As the soul re-entered, his body froze—caught in the strange red glow of the enemy's jutsu. His limbs locked up, his face blank with confusion.

"Huh? What… is this—"

He didn't finish the thought.

The Sand Jōnin formed a single seal—chakra flared—

Boom!

The explosion wasn't flashy. Just… devastating.

Guts glanced sideways. Even in the dark, the arc of flying viscera—internal organs and torn flesh—was visible against the sky like fireworks of gore.

"Ah… so that's how he died."

Guts vaguely recalled the original timeline: Kato Dan, fatally wounded, found with his insides blown apart.

Seems the plot hadn't changed after all.

Still… it felt oddly satisfying.

Not for any personal grudge, but for how cleanly it all fit together.

Kato Dan's shredded body crashed to the sand, blood soaking into it like ink.

There was no saving that. Not unless Hashirama himself climbed out of the grave and started healing.

"Still distracted, kid?!"

Rasa snarled, controlling his sand with a sweep of his arm. A massive sand hand surged upward and closed around Guts like a titan's grip.

"Your group tricks work in battle,"

Guts muttered, cracking his knuckles.

"But one-on-one? Even if I don't win… I'm not losing either."

The sand hand clenched.

"Hand of Sand!"

Rasa roared, sealing the grip with force.

A normal ninja would've had every bone shattered on impact.

But Guts grinned in the shadows of the sand.

"Gate of Opening — open! Soru · Tekkai!"

BOOM!

The sand exploded outward as if a bomb had gone off inside it.

Rasa's eyes widened—but Guts was already moving. His fists blurred, and he charged, lightning-fast.

Instinctively, Rasa raised a sand shield—

But Guts didn't aim for him.

Instead, he slammed his fist down, punching the ground with monstrous force—

BOOM!

BOOM!!

BOOM!!!

Each punch distorted the terrain. The shockwaves cracked the battlefield apart, shattering the sand and earth, kicking up gusts like a hurricane.

The entire area turned uneven, broken—unpredictable.

Kato Dan, barely conscious and lying in a pool of his own blood, was caught in the tremors.

His weak, broken body rolled uncontrollably—right into one of the growing cracks.

"GUTS!!!"

He screamed—not in fear, but rage and disbelief—as he tumbled into the pit.

Even with his internal organs gone, he hadn't given up. Somewhere in his heart, he still believed—If I can just get back to Tsunade, I might survive.

But now… even that fragile hope was crushed.

Crushed by Guts.

"Sorry! I didn't mean it!" Guts shouted over his shoulder.

But even the half-dead could hear the smugness in his voice.

Mocking. Unapologetic.

"If you're not gonna move, I am,"

Guts yelled toward the stunned Konoha Jōnin behind him.

"If I die here, I get nothing!"

With a blur of speed, he activated Soru again—flashing into the sky, vanishing from sight.

"All Jōnin—after him! Don't let him escape!"

Rasa roared, clutching his shoulder, eyes burning with fury.

The remaining three Konoha Jōnin hesitated, their hearts sinking. The young one fell to his knees, shaken.

But the older one gritted his teeth and surged forward—fighting to break through the enemy lines.

[Achievement Unlocked: "The Death of Kato Dan"]

[Template Character: Monkey D. Garp

Completion: 15.22%]

As he fled, Guts felt the notification pulse in his mind.

He blinked.

Wait… That counted?

He hadn't even meant to kill Kato Dan. The mission had basically been a failure… and yet, he still gained some template progress?

Then again—Kato Dan was a side character at best. If it weren't for his connection to Tsunade, most people wouldn't even remember his name.

"…But seriously, I didn't mean it~~"

Guts muttered to himself, sounding almost childishly wronged.

And yet—he smirked.

Because no matter what anyone believed…

He was getting stronger.

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