The ninjas moved in sync. All of them together in perfect harmony as the horns of the forest became their stepping stones.


    utz didn''t stop until they found themselves facing a canal meant for drawing in water.


    "This is a shortcut. We can find them faster this way!" utz imed.


    The newbie camp didn''t really have any water source to rely on. As it was far from the human settlements it could only rely on canals to draw in water.


    The green river that flowed beside them didn''t have anything that could be imed to be drinkable. Thus, to help the newbies and provide them with water this basic canal was built.


    *Ssh* *Ssh*


    utz and his group moved through the canal as a shortcut as they were soon to find the running away ninja.


    The Kishiogakure vige was called a ''hidden ninja'' vige because no one knew of its location except for the ninjas of the vige. But utz was a big exception to this rule. And he was already aware from the very start the direction thest ninja was heading.


    Thus catching up with him was just a matter of time as utz took the aid of the ''E'' rank ninjas along with him. The ranks not only represent ability as a ninja but they signify strength and agility as well.


    Under the assault of the three of them the ninja had no hope. Soon enough the ninja noticed their presence causing his eyes to widen in shock.


    His pupils shook. Even if he was a ninja he was but a rank E. The fear of death was clearly written on his face.


    *Crackle*


    The ninja formed a fireball at the palm of his hand that was at the size of a ser ball.


    utz''s squinted his eyes.


    ''Closest guess would be, he is using an essory to create that.''


    "Stop him!" utz cried to the two ninjas.


    But they were toote to react as their eyes widened in surprise. Contrary to what they had expected, instead of firing the ball of fire at them, the man chose to burn himself instead!


    "Dammit!" utz cursed as he ran towards the burning man.


    The two ninjas who were apanying him were too much of a dimwit to react.


    He held out the ninja by his cor ignoring the burning sensation that he felt in his skin as he tossed him into the canal.


    *Ssh*


    The water sprinkled while some of it evaporated. utz was fortunate that the location was suited to his cause otherwise he wouldn''t have been able to stop the ninja from burning himself alive.


    "Kill me…" the ninja whispered, having lost all strength in his burnt limbs and lungs that had nothing but smoke in them.


    "Of course I would kill you."


    utz took out his dagger and slit his neck. But s the de didn''t pierce through. The difference in stats was too high for him to do anything.


    utz snorted in annoyance as he called out to hispanions to kill him instead.


    "Kill him."


    In the usual scenario, utz would have kept thest man alive for the sake of interrogation. But this time things were different.


    ''They are cockroaches who have nothing on them.''


    Such was the state of ninjas. Hollow husks who themselves weren''t aware of the cause they wereying their life for. There was no information to be gained from them for they were just tools to be used.


    For example, the man that died just now, didn''t know anything. The only thing that would have probably been on his empty mind was the fact that they were attacked by ninjas of unknown origin and his entire group of ninjas was wiped out.


    utz searched through the remains of the killed ninja. Usually it is this one ninja who stalks the entire team from behind is the one with anything substantial on him. That would also exin why he would have an essory on him that could create fireballs.


    Name: Nanorse


    Effect: Used to create fire balls. Uses left (2/3)


    It was an essory simr to utz''s probationer but utz had witnessed it himself that the fire that it created was much smaller aspared to the one created by probationer.


    utz slipped the ring on his finger as he searched for more clues.


    "Dammit, nothing here."


    There were only two things that he got on his body. One of them being his rank card. BUt utz didn''t destroy it this time. He stacked it away instead. Who knew? Someday it might prove useful to him.


    The second thing he got was the mission parchment.


    [Mission: Monitoring Work at the newbie Camp


    Rank: F


    Objectives:


    1. A representative would be dispatched. Follow all of his orders.]


    utz sighed.


    "Should I say ''As expected of the ninjas?''"


    For the sake of protecting this parchment the ninja was willing to burn himself alive! He could have burned the parchment instead. Wouldn''t that be enough?


    utz shook his head in annoyance.


    ***


    Evelyn was worried sick so much so that her face had lost its color. She had rejoined with her grinding group but she couldn''t help but find herself dizzy from the series of events that happened so far.


    What if utz fails? What would befall upon her again? She couldn''t help but agonize over her state. She couldn''t fight the monsters with so much worry dominating her let alone grind. But his group mates didn''t seem to care anyway. From the very start she was isted as they didn''t want to associate with anyone who had connections with that ''omnious bell''.


    But Evelyn wasn''t that worried. She was used to loneliness ever since her mother died. But the something else was what striked the finishing blow on her.


    *Tring* *tring*


    Her eyes widened as her body went stiff.


    ***


    Author:


    Creation is hard for authors. Cheer me up with your power stones.


    Let me know about your thoughts on the chapter in thements sections.