RADG: Chapter 50/51

Chapter 50: Hizashi's Resentment, Training Time

After the meal, Kurenai strongly insisted on joining their two-person training team.

"You don't train in swordsmanship, so what's the point of tagging along? It's a waste of time," Yami said in confusion.

Kurenai argued, "I can train in genjutsu. Yami, your mental strength is so strong—you can be my sparring partner."

Yami looked at her with disdain. "You just want to take advantage of me for free, don't you?"

Pfft!

Yugao, who was drinking water, spat it out. Luckily, no one was sitting across from her—otherwise, it would've been a disaster.

"Yami, that… that kind of dirty talk, where did you even learn it?"

She immediately thought of two suspects—Hizashi and Jiraiya. Those two pervy old men must've corrupted cute little Yami.

"Then what do you want? At worst, I'll treat you to barbecue once a week," Kurenai blushed, gritting her teeth as she made the promise.

"No matter how tasty something is, you'll get sick of it if you eat it every day." Yami shook his head slightly. With Yugao already here, plus Hizashi still being a fat sheep, if Kurenai joined, he could basically live in a barbecue shop.

"What do you want then?"

"Can you cook as well as Kurenai?" Yami asked.

Kurenai's face turned pale. She turned away, both embarrassed and angry. "No, but it's edible. I've been eating it for years and haven't ended up in the hospital."

She had seen Kurenai's cooking earlier. It wasn't any worse than the restaurants in the village, and it had a homely warmth to it. If she wasn't embarrassed, she would've wanted to pay Kurenai to cook long-term.

Yami and Yugao both frowned.

What do you mean by 'haven't ended up in the hospital'? Are you proud of that?

Yami started counting on his fingers, complaining, "Your cooking isn't as good as Yugao's, you're not needed to clean, and you're not as gentle as her… so why should I help you?"

"Aahhh!" Kurenai screamed and lunged at him. "You little brat! I'll fight you!"

[Host and Kurenai have reached stage two of the 'Rivalry Bond'. Reward: Genjutsu – Tree Binding Death]

…

After the chaos, Yami still agreed to let Kurenai join him and Yugao's training team. The reason? During the fight, he discovered that Kurenai's strength was just right for massages.

Also, he had recently obtained Shisui's genjutsu talent, so Kurenai could serve as a sparring partner.

The two struck a deal—two massages per week.

However, Yami didn't share the medicinal bath formula. Their relationship hadn't reached that level yet.

Over the next few days, Yami lived a nine-to-five lifestyle, heading out to train at nine in the morning, and picking up Izumi from school at five in the afternoon.

Nothing changed until the seven-day period ended and Hizashi returned to his post.

Outside the Hokage building.

Hizashi saw Yami approaching with two girls and rolled his eyes dramatically, not caring who saw.

"You really are heartless. Were you hoping I wouldn't survive? You actually went and tattled to my brother about the Red District incident."

Hizashi spoke with deep resentment. His legs were still wrapped in bandages and plaster. Of course, most of that was for show, meant for his brother Hiashi. In reality, the minor injuries could've been treated at Konoha Hospital.

"Just giving Hizashi-sensei a little lesson," Yami replied with a bright smile. "My old man always said—people can't teach people, but things can teach people. That's the future."

Hizashi savored the words, then nodded in awe.

"As expected of Elder Danzō. He really does speak in proverbs."

Yami muttered to himself. How many times have I had to praise that old man by now?

He was really breaking his back trying to make Danzō's reputation look good…

…

After some banter, Hizashi led the three of them inside to pick a mission.

Yugao quietly said, "Hizashi-sensei, we'd like to take missions near the village, so we still have time to train. We also don't want to take them too frequently. Is that okay?"

This was a plan the three had agreed on.

The purpose of taking missions was just to accumulate experience and practical combat opportunities.

They were currently in a period of rapid growth, so it would be a waste to spend too much time on missions.

As long as they fulfilled the village's minimum requirements, that was enough.

Hizashi nodded without hesitation. "Alright. After each mission, we'll take three days off. Let's also avoid time-consuming escort or guard missions."

"Thank you, Hizashi-sensei." Yugao and Kurenai smiled gratefully.

Another week passed in the blink of an eye. During that time, Hizashi's team only took on two missions, eliminating a rogue ninja and taking down a bounty hunter from Kankinso. Both were completed smoothly.

The rest of the time was spent training in the village.

Thanks to the substantial increase in physical strength and chakra, Yugao's Dance of the Crescent Moon had improved significantly. After using Shadow Clones, even Yami couldn't tell which was the real body or which was the main attacker, and he could only rely on brute force to counter them.

Although this sword technique was named after the Konoha style, it wasn't the typical Konoha swordsmanship seen everywhere.

It was actually an A-rank technique created by Senju Tobirama. It definitely had its unique traits, but the flaws were obvious too. The technique relied on trickery, and its true lethality depended on the user's own level.

What Yugao needed now was a sword technique with stronger killing power.

After learning she had both Fire and Lightning attributes, Yami suggested she start with chakra nature transformation and try infusing chakra into her blade to enhance its power.

Yugao discovered a new direction and began practicing enthusiastically.

But Kurenai was suffering.

She had watched Yami evolve from a genjutsu novice to someone almost on par with her—in just a few days!

She had always thought she was a rare genjutsu prodigy in the village.

But compared to Yami, she was nothing!

Thankfully, she wasn't someone who collapsed easily from setbacks. After a short slump, she reignited her fighting spirit.

Even if she would eventually be surpassed, she hoped that time would come later. Otherwise, it'd be way too embarrassing.

In the blink of an eye, it was already the 14th of the month.

That night, Yami stood on the windowsill, looking toward the Land of Water.

"Shisui-senpai, don't let me down."

"Otherwise, I really will kill Uchiha Itachi..."

(To be continued.)

Chapter 51: Substituting One Thing for Another
Land of Water.

Uchiha Shisui had been working hard during this time.

After accepting the mission, he quietly left the village to make preparations.

Rescuing Pakura without alerting either Sunagakure or Kirigakure was extremely difficult. He couldn't rescue her immediately, he had to wait until she was seriously injured and unable to resist.

Otherwise, he risked being attacked by a Kage-level powerhouse and exposing himself.

After racking his brain for a full night, Shisui finally came up with a meticulous plan.

After leaving Konoha, Shisui didn't head straight to the Land of Water. Instead, he first traveled to Sunagakure in the opposite direction.

To rescue Pakura, he needed someone to die in her place.

Randomly selecting a female ninja with a physique similar to Pakura's, Shisui used secret techniques, makeup, and genjutsu to shape her into a convincing "Pakura." Then he took her to Kirigakure and hid in the shadows to observe the ambush site.

Finally, the agreed-upon day arrived.

In the silent early morning, mist blanketed the canyon, and the crisp sound of footsteps echoed in the distance.

Pakura cautiously scanned her surroundings. Even the slightest disturbance would put her on high alert.

Not encountering any danger along the way made her relax slightly.

She didn't understand why the village arranged the handoff of important intelligence in a place so close to Kirigakure, but as a shinobi, she still accepted the difficult mission.

Step, step, step.

Pakura frowned and looked forward sharply.

A figure stepped out of the mist. It was a man wearing a Kirigakure forehead protector. The man raised both hands, signaling he meant no harm.

"Don't misunderstand, I'm the one you're supposed to meet," the man quickly said, following with the designated passphrase. Pakura's expression eased, and she pulled a scroll from the ninja pouch at her waist and tossed it over.

"Here's what you need. Be careful when hiding."

For her allies, Pakura was always gentle—unlike the ferocity of her Scorch Release ninjutsu.

"As expected of Lady Pakura. You're truly thoughtful toward your subordinates." The man caught the scroll with a smile, gave no further pleasantries, and turned to leave.

Pakura didn't dare linger either and also turned to evacuate.

At that moment.

Tsk!

Pakura's eyes widened in disbelief as she looked back.

A kunai had been driven into her back by the man, who then kicked it hard, sending her flying.

The man's expression froze for a second before bursting into wild laughter:

"Scorch Release Pakura, did you really think I was from Sunagakure? I'm a jōnin from the Land of Water!"

"This canyon was the grave prearranged by Kirigakure and Sunagakure—just for you!"

"Fire!"

At his order, a large number of Kirigakure shinobi emerged from the cliffs, hurling kunai and shuriken toward Pakura, riddling her body like a pincushion.

Seeing the plan succeed, the man let out a long breath, his face filled with arrogance.

He casually tossed the "critical intel" Pakura had risked everything to deliver in front of her.

"Take a good look for yourself. This was the unanimous decision of Sunagakure's higher-ups, they sold you out in exchange for a peace agreement."

"You, a Scorch Release ninja who killed so many of my comrades, ended up like this. Isn't that pathetic?"

Unfortunately, facing his mockery, Pakura no longer had the strength to respond. She could only weakly twitch her fingers before closing her eyes completely.

A Kirigakure ninja in an Anbu uniform leapt down from the cliff, checked her condition, then nodded and said, "Scorch Release ninja Pakura is confirmed dead. Bury her somewhere random."

If it were any other village, they definitely wouldn't waste the corpse of a kekkei genkai ninja.

But Kirigakure had already begun implementing the Blood Mist policy, treating all kekkei genkai users with hostility and showing them no value.

Gradually, the mist dispersed, and the canyon welcomed its first ray of morning sunlight.

All nearby Kirigakure shinobi had already withdrawn, leaving behind only scattered kunai and bloodstains.

Crack! Crack!

The cliff face cracked open as Shisui emerged, carrying a massive scroll. He exhaled in relief.

This was a sealing scroll specially prepared by Yami. It not only suppressed all signs of life from the person sealed inside but also ensured they remained unconscious.

After confirming there were no Kirigakure stragglers nearby, Shisui swiftly departed with the scroll, returning to the Land of Fire.

…

Konoha.

Atop a small waterfall outside the village.

Yugao and Kurenai were training their chakra control.

Both had already mastered basic water-walking. Hot springs and still waters were no longer challenging, so they had moved on to turbulent waters.

They needed to adjust the chakra output under their feet in real time according to the shifting flow rate.

Since they had only just begun this training, Yugao and Kurenai weren't very proficient and often fell into the water.

Yami sat on a large rock nearby with a pile of leaves at his side, studying Wind Release nature transformation. By the waterfall stood a female ninja from the Hyūga clan, activating her Byakugan to observe Yugao and Kurenai's chakra output.

She was a special instructor invited by Hizashi. With the Byakugan, she could precisely detect issues in the girls' chakra flow—much more accurate and efficient than their own self-awareness.

Although Hizashi himself had a Byakugan, because Yugao and Kurenai were both female, he had to ask a fellow branch member to assist.

Even the Third Hokage had put in effort to coordinate this—otherwise, a regular person wouldn't qualify to instruct in this capacity. When Yugao and Kurenai found out, they were both very grateful to Sarutobi Hiruzen.

But Yami suspected it was all for his sake.

Otherwise, why would Hiruzen go so far for Kurenai and Yugao? Their talent and strength weren't enough to warrant his attention.

Still, Yami didn't refuse.

He accepted all the sugar-coated benefits and sent the hidden barbs right back.

Suddenly, a sharp whistle sounded from the woods nearby. Yami looked up to see three Root shinobi leap toward him. They landed swiftly and knelt on one knee.

Kurenai and Yugao, still training, noticed the movement, exchanged a glance, and jumped back to shore.

"Yami-sama, the mission has been completed," the leading Root ninja said quietly.

"You brought her back?" Yami's eyes lit up.

"She's at the Root base, currently receiving treatment."

"Got it." Yami jumped off the rock and shouted toward the other side of the waterfall, "You two better not slack off. I've got something to handle and I'm heading back first."

With that, he left the training grounds with the three Root shinobi.

"What happened?" Kurenai murmured with a confused look. "Why do I feel… Yami seems really happy?"

Yugao shook her head. "If it's something we need to know, Yami-kun will tell us. Let's focus on our training."

With that, she stepped back into the waterfall.

(To be continued.)