Naruto: I, Shikotsumyaku, Byakugan Princess

Chapter 15 The Price of Excellence

"Captain, Kurio Mari has left the village."

"Where did you go?"

"She took on an escort mission to the Land of Fire, and went with her client and her three students."

ANBU.

Ōtengu leaned back in his chair, gently pounding his chest as he listened to his subordinate, Mist Crow, report.

"What client?"

“Such a tall little girl, and she’s blind.” Crow raised his left hand and placed it on his waist and abdomen. “According to Kuryu Mari, this girl’s father was a merchant from the Land of Fire. He came to Kirigakure to do business but disappeared unexpectedly.”

"Blind girl?"

The Great Tengu's eyes narrowed.

The previous order to seal off the village was due to the lack of high-end combat power in Kirigakure, and the fear of being discovered by spies and attracting Orochimaru.

I just received news yesterday that Captain 'Fang' and his Anbu are close to the border of the Land of Water and have engaged Orochimaru in battle. I also received news from Genji that Ao has dispelled the genjutsu in the Mizukage's mind, leaving only the final cleanup.

He can return in three days at most.

To prevent attacks from mysterious figures at crucial moments, Master Yuan and his team are providing close protection.

They are currently in underground bases in the shadows.

It can be said that the crisis in Kirigakure has been largely resolved, except for the mysterious murderer who initially killed Hoshino and Naoko, whose whereabouts remain unknown. That person seems to be a ghost; the scene was cleaned up extremely well, and even his most skilled tracking dogs couldn't find a trace of him.

"Are you sure it's okay?"

"There was no chakra fluctuation in the blind girl's body, and there were no calluses from practicing taijutsu on her fists and palms. Her body muscles were smooth and her skin was delicate and uninjured. My subordinate took her blood to confirm that it was not a transformation technique. Finally, we asked her to remove the blindfold to test whether her blindness was real."

We've collected some of her blood. If you suspect anything, I'll go and bring her back right away.

The raven talked a lot, but never mentioned its own judgment, and in the end, it passed the buck back to the raven.

Faced with the slippery Mist Crow, Ōtengu was helpless. After thinking for a moment, he felt that the test had been thorough enough, and casually waved his hand: "No need, inform the village ninja that the Mizukage and Master Genji are about to return, and the village ban will be lifted soon. Tell them not to bother me."

"Yes."

The crows lowered their heads and vanished into the flowing water.

The underground chamber returned to tranquility.

Watching the mist crows retreat, Ōtengu felt uneasy for some reason. He thought about it for a while but couldn't figure it out, attributing it to the slight unease brought on by the release of inner pressure from the return of the Mizukage.

soon.

As long as Qing Daren returns.

With the Byakugan's powerful assistance, the culprit who killed Genku and the others will surely not escape the investigation.

Thinking of his closest friend and family who had been brutally murdered, the voice from his memory involuntarily echoed in Tobeyake Takuto's mind:

"Takuto! I don't want to kill my comrades. We have to change all of this together, change this damned 'Village of Blood Mist'."

For we, like wild grass, joining the shadowy forces is our only chance of survival.

We need power. If we can become high-ranking members of the village, we can change the current situation in Kirigakure.

I...I married Naoko, and you like Naoko too, right? I know! Even if you're my best friend, I won't give Naoko up to you...

Naoko is pregnant, so I might have to leave the Anbu.

I cannot let my child be born in a village like this.

Takuto, you are the most talented ninja I have ever seen. You will definitely change this damned Village of Blood Mist. I'm sorry, this unworthy brother of yours can no longer accompany you.

Takuto..."

Hey!
A yellow flame shot out from the lighter, the flame licking the cigarette butt, casting flickering light on the basement walls.

"Cough cough cough..."

With a cigarette between his fingers, Tochichi Takuto covered his mouth to suppress a cough, blood gushing from his nose and mouth, leaving mottled bloodstains on his mask and clothes.

The eyes, flashing blue light, flickered between light and darkness.

"The most talented person... Ha... Yuan Kong... Cough cough cough... Ugh!"

……

Two days later.

"Here, be careful, it's hot."

"Thank you, Brother Qiucun."

As night fell, firelight flickered in the eerie forest. Hui Li took the roasted pheasant of unknown origin handed to her by Qiu Cunxin, carefully blew on it, and put it in her mouth.

call!
So hot!

Hui Li chewed quickly, exhaling hot breath continuously.

The unique aroma of oil in the mouth, mixed with the slight saltiness of sea salt, and the chicken is not as soft and mushy as ordinary broiler chicken. It has a chewy and springy texture.

"Is it delicious?" Shin-chan asked, looking at Gray with anticipation.

"Mmm! Delicious," Hui Li nodded emphatically, then took another big bite.

Qiu Cunxin chuckled to himself as his cooking skills were praised.

"Your fire jutsu is only somewhat useful in this aspect."

Yangzhen tore off a piece of chicken to check if it was cooked through, glanced at Qiucun Xin's smug look, and couldn't help but say something to tease him.

"Xiao Yang, come out with some water magic later, I need to wash my feet," Qiu Cunxin quickly retorted. Before Yang Zhen could say anything, Tongshan Huali and Lisheng Mari, who were eating with him, glared at him with disdain while chewing on roast chicken.

Seeing that Shinichi Okimura, who had angered the two women, dared not utter a word, Oma chuckled to herself and was about to lower her head to eat.

tear.

The savory meat juices splattered everywhere.

Hui Li had finished the whole roast chicken without anyone noticing, and casually pulled a chicken leg off his roast chicken.

“Hey… Gray Glass is mine…”

Yang Zhen looked completely bewildered.

Hui Li finished the chicken leg she had snatched in a few bites, then held up her hands, lightly licking the juices from the corners of her mouth. Her delicate face, covered by a blindfold, was full of innocence: "I'm sorry, Yangzhen-ge, I can't see..."

"Hahaha!"

Kurio Mari and the other two burst into laughter, with Okamura Shin's laughter being the most unrestrained.

"Hahaha... Well done, Sister Hui Li! This person can't shut up even while eating. Here! You can have this chicken leg too."

Qiu Cunxin gave Hui Li a thumbs-up, regardless of whether she could see it or not, and then tore off a leg from his roast chicken.

Yangzhen looked at the roast chicken in her hand, which was missing a drumstick, and shook her head helplessly.

Hui Li is well-behaved and lovable, and also beautiful. Although they haven't known each other for long, she holds a very high position in the Chestnut Squad.

Whether it's Kurio Mari, Okamura Shin, or Tōzan Karin, they all have a great fondness for Hairi.

Hui Li is at the age where she is growing, and I, as a ninja, will not argue with a child.

I've only taken a couple of bites.

Seeing that Hui Li had finished the chicken leg that Qiu Cun had just handed her in a few bites, her cherry blossom-like little mouth was making a fuss as if she hadn't eaten enough.

Yangzhen blinked, pulled off the last roasted chicken leg, and coolly stuffed it into Huili's hand.

"Thank you, Brother Yangzhen."

Hui Li beamed with joy and finished her meal in two quick bites.

Since awakening her Corpse Bone Pulse and Byakugan, her stomach has become like a bottomless pit; any food that enters her stomach is quickly broken down and digested into energy by the powerful stomach acid.

If this energy isn't used up, it will be converted into chakra and stored in the body. If she reduces her metabolism, she might even only eat one meal every ten days or so.

Without such an efficient ability to acquire energy, it would be difficult for her to obtain chakra comparable to that of a Chunin at such a young age.

Watching as Hui Li quickly finished off the food in her hand.

Everyone's eyes suddenly widened.

out of curiosity.

Kuryu Mari and Tōyama Karin also joined in feeding Hairi.

Watching everyone curiously surround her through the blindfold, handing her one chicken leg after another, Hui Li felt like a chicken-eating performance artist.

I seemed to be hallucinating: "One more! One more!"—the kind of applause that street performers use.

Clearing away her inner turmoil, Hui Li devoured all the chicken legs one after another.

Being watched is a minor matter; replenishing energy is the major issue.

With sufficient energy, she could proceed with her next plan.

The Perfect Fighter Body Modification Project.

(End of this chapter)