Kazekage Ninja: The Rise of the Hidden Sand

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"Light Release: Orb of Radiance!"

A small orb of light slowly floated out from Aotu Taro's hands, suddenly shooting skyward. Like a miniature sun, it illuminated the surrounding area.

"Seventeen minutes have passed since the fireworks signal. The earlier sounds of battle were intense—it seems that Shuki's team has encountered some serious trouble. Let's pick up the pace."

As the orb ascended higher and higher, piercing through the forest canopy, it exploded in the sky, casting light over a vast area of darkness. Aotu Taro and his team emerged from the forest, stepping into a clearing, where they were greeted by an astonishing sight.

The clearing was in utter disarray. Scattered across the ground were seven or eight bodies, lying motionless—whether dead or alive was unclear. Broken puppet limbs, shattered components, snapped kunai, and ninja swords were strewn all over, along with pools of water glistening under the light.

A tall, thin ninja leapt high into the air, holding a sword in a reverse grip. His body coiled mid-air, gathering momentum like a tiger pouncing down a mountain. The sword's tip was aimed straight at the ground below!

Below him was Shuki of the Red Sand, battered and bruised. She was struggling to control her half-destroyed puppet, "Horse Face," with a look of sheer determination. She stood protectively in front of Ban no Sho and Wu Zhong Furong, both lying unconscious and possibly lifeless.

"Damn it, just one step away!"

Aotu Taro cursed inwardly. From his current distance, there was no way he could intervene in time. Based on his experience, Shuki of the Red Sand was clearly at her limit. With her damaged puppet, there was no way she could withstand such a powerful blow.

At that moment, a small figure burst out from the shadows, charging fearlessly toward the descending blade of Kiyomizu Renman. It was none other than Hidan, wielding his three-bladed scythe!

It was a desperate gamble, a fight to the death!

"Clang!"

In a flash of sparks and lightning, Hidan managed to block Kiyomizu Renman's sword with his scythe!

However, the difference in strength was evident. With a subtle flick of his wrist, Kiyomizu Renman used a clever technique to disarm Hidan, sending his scythe flying.

The attack, originally meant to be a fatal strike, was interrupted by this reckless child. Clearly irritated, Kiyomizu Renman thrust his sword straight into Hidan's chest, the blade sinking in to the hilt!

The two figures collided, merging into one. Kiyomizu Renman grinned maliciously as he prepared to pull his sword out and continue his assault on Shuki of the Red Sand. But to his shock, the boy clinging to his blade was gripping it tightly, refusing to let go. Hidan looked up at him, a cold smile on his lips.

"Splat."

A slender spear suddenly pierced through Kiyomizu Renman's throat in an instant!

Both figures crashed to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust and grass.

Kiyomizu Renman's body convulsed uncontrollably. Life drained rapidly from him as blood gushed from his neck. A single thought echoed in his mind:

"Are all the brats from Sunagakure this ruthless now?"

"Hidan!" Shuki of the Red Sand screamed, rushing toward the fallen boy like a madwoman.

Konoha-Suna Allied Forces Field Hospital

"Everyone, out. Don't worry, he'll be fine with me here." Jinghang smiled as he shooed the group out of the tent.

Inside, Hidan lay quietly on a stretcher, his face pale (understandable, given the blood loss). His upper body was wrapped in bandages, and the sword that Kiyomizu Renman had driven into his chest was still lodged there. The medical ninja who had initially treated him hadn't dared to remove it, fearing massive bleeding. To avoid disturbing the wound, they had even thoughtfully carved a hole in the stretcher beneath him. Hidan's breathing was steady, as if he were merely asleep. (Well, he was actually asleep.)

Jinghang pulled out a short knife and glanced at the bedside table. Reaching over, he picked up an apple, sat down on a small stool, and began peeling it with great focus.

The sound of the knife scraping against the apple seemed to disturb Hidan, who slowly woke up.

"I'm... still alive?! Wait, Master! Ah!"

In his haste to sit up, Hidan tugged at the sword stuck in his chest, causing a sharp pain.

"Ah, damn it, I forgot about that. Alright, lie back down slowly."

Hidan carefully lay back down, his eyes fixed on the sword hilt protruding from his chest.

"Here, take this."

Jinghang handed him the peeled apple. Hidan dumbly accepted it.

"Don't look. And... here we go!"

Before Hidan could react, there was a swift shhk! as Jinghang pulled the sword out of his chest in one smooth motion.

"Aaaah!" Hidan let out a delayed scream, clearly startled. The apple in his hand was crushed to pieces.

"Stop wasting food. And quit yelling—it'll be over soon." Jinghang tossed the sword aside and pulled out a packet of medicinal powder. Tearing it open, he sprinkled it evenly over Hidan's chest wound.

"Hiss!" The sting of the powder made Hidan suck in a sharp breath.

"Hmm, the hemostatic powder from Yuehu District is pretty good. Definitely worth praising."

Before their eyes, the bleeding from Hidan's wound stopped visibly.

"Don't let the wound get wet for the next few days. Once it scabs over, you can take a bath and clean up. I'll have the medical team prepare some chicken soup for you. With proper rest, you'll be up and about in less than two weeks."

"Master..."

"I have to say, you were reckless. Opening all five gates at once and then pulling a suicidal move with that scumbag? What kind of training is Shuki of the Red Sand giving you? Use your brain! You could've started with a shadow clone—"

Jinghang's lecture was cut short when Hidan raised a hand to stop him.

"Master, we can talk about that later. But this..."

Hidan pointed to the wound on his chest.

"Oh, that..."

Jinghang's tone shifted, becoming more serious.

"You've noticed it too, haven't you? That you're... different."

"Hmm? I've had a feeling during training. But this time... I know for sure."

"You're right. Your suspicions are valid. You are indeed... unique."

Jinghang didn't try to hide the truth or spin a lie.

"Then... what am I, exactly?"

Hidan's gaze was filled with confusion.

"Great," Jinghang thought. "This kid's probably entering his rebellious phase. With the guts he showed going toe-to-toe with Kiyomizu Renman, I can't let his mindset go astray."

"Do you remember anything about your life before becoming my disciple?"

Hidan scratched his head.

"Some things I do, some I don't..."

"Hmm, it seems like your brain's self-defense mechanism is at work. The time you spent with the Jashin Cult in Yugakure must have been too dark, too painful, too bloody. A seven- or eight-year-old child naturally wouldn't want to remember that." (Kidnapped by the Jashin Cult at seven or eight, spent over a year there, then rescued and brought to Sunagakure for two years. He's now around eleven or twelve. Don't argue—I'm explaining this just once.)

"It's time to tell you the truth. Actually, you are—"

"Master, stop." Hidan interrupted Jinghang again.

"Don't try to fool me. I may be an orphan, but I remember my parents. Villagers used to say I looked just like my father, and my mother was known far and wide as a respectable woman. So there's no way you're my real dad."

"Get lost! I don't know your mother, and I'm definitely not your father!"

Jinghang smacked Hidan on the head in frustration.

"And stop reading Yecang's romance novels—they're full of nonsense. Also, if you interrupt me again, I'll shove that sword back where it came from."

Jinghang pointed at the discarded sword.

"Oh."

Hidan sheepishly rubbed his head.

"What I meant to say is this..."

Jinghang pulled out half of a black scroll from his pocket.