Chapter 29: Chunin Compensation  

Seeing the water bat's corpse split in two, Umino Yoru felt a pang of dread—but his mind quickly shifted gears. This was the perfect opportunity to play up sympathy and reinforce his image as a loyal Konoha shinobi. 

Time for another award-winning performance. 

"Hey! Hey, what's wrong?!" 

Yoru channeled chakra to his tear glands, forcing out tears as he wailed dramatically. "Hey, you can't die! We've been through so much together! I raised you like my own child, taught you everything… And now, to bury you before your time…" 

He dropped to his knees, clutching the dead bat, his face a mask of grief. 

In reality, while this particular water bat had lasted longer than most, it was only because of its high poison resistance—something Yoru had thoroughly tested over time. 

Raised like his own child? What kind of father force-feeds his kid toxins as part of daily training? 

"Such is the fate of a shinobi," one of the Konoha nin muttered. 

The others (except for Sarutobi Eijirō) nodded solemnly. They weren't too shaken—this kind of thing was just part of the job. 

But Yoru's display of loyalty and "Will of Fire" devotion? Even if they'd seen it before, it still tugged at their hearts. 

Damn those Sand bastards. They deserve hell. 

"Senior, the dead are gone. Don't grieve too much." 

Sarutobi Shinnosuke, trying to sound mature beyond his years, patted Yoru's shoulder. "The village recently acquired a batch of desert hawks from Wind Country—some even have high-level summoning beast bloodlines. I'll pull some strings to get you one." 

"Really?!" Yoru looked up, his eyes theatrically red and swollen, a perfect mix of sorrow and hope. 

Everyone knew high-level summoning beasts were rare treasures. Wild ones were intelligent, often understanding human speech, and nearly impossible to tame without overwhelming strength. 

But tamed high-level summons? Those were priceless. 

And a flying high-level summon like a desert hawk? That was top-tier. 

Even future Yoru, after gaining the snakes of Ryūchi Cave, still contracted a giant eagle. That said everything. 

"It's true." 

Akimichi Torifu, as the area's jōnin commander, had inside info. A young prodigy named "Hakumo Sagiri" (TL Note: Likely a placeholder name for Sakumo) had recently raided a Sand ninja beast breeding facility, capturing several desert hawk fledglings. 

They were now stored in the logistics department, listed as high-value exchange items—just 5 B-rank mission points for one. 

Normally, someone like Yoru wouldn't qualify—logistics loved their shady backdoor deals. But with Shinnosuke vouching for him? No one would dare refuse. 

This mission alone would net at least an A-rank reward, more than enough for a hawk. 

Still, Torifu privately thought it was a waste. Shinnosuke meant well, but summoning beasts took years to mature. By the time the hawk was battle-ready, the war might be over. 

Better to spend points on jutsu or equipment. 

But now wasn't the time to say that. 

The others, assuming Yoru needed space, left him to "grieve" while they cleaned up the battlefield. 

Before leaving, Torifu pulled Shinnosuke aside. 

"When you file the mission report, list the water bat's death as a fallen chunin comrade. Compensation goes to 'Umino Yoru.'" 

It was standard to pay out for summon deaths—if you were from the Inuzuka clan or had connections. Low-ranking nobodies? Tough luck. 

But Yoru was Torifu's man now. A little favoritism never hurt. 

"A chunin-level summon for a chunin? Perfectly reasonable." 

Other chunin lied about having jōnin-level summons. This was nothing. 

And with Shinnosuke handling the paperwork? No one would question it. 

"Got it!" Shinnosuke nodded firmly. 

He might lack field experience, but he knew bureaucracy. Filing for summon compensation? Easy. 

"We're heading out." 

Gekkō Yoru gave Yoru a respectful nod before carrying Hyūga Tobishō and following Shinnosuke into the trees. 

"Senior, I won't forget your hawk!" Shinnosuke's voice echoed through the forest as he vanished. 

Meanwhile, Torifu exchanged a glance with "Eternal Genin" Mitarashi Anko (TL Note: Likely a placeholder for someone else). Anko formed a shadow clone, leaving it behind while her real body trailed Shinnosuke. 

"Commander Torifu, I need to return to my patrol sector—can't let Sand sneak through." 

Once the cleanup was done, Yoru hurriedly bowed out, not even bothering to chat up Anko's clone. He rushed off with Shukudō's team in tow. 

"A truly dependable subordinate." 

Torifu nodded approvingly. Yoru's dedication impressed him. 

Turning to Aburame Shibi, he said, "Keep an eye on Yoru's team. They're low on supplies and combat power now. Don't let Sand exploit that." 

"Mm." 

Shibi, ever the man of few words, adjusted his sunglasses and nodded.