Chapter 67: Ninja Way
<span style="font-weight:400">Hui''s words echoed through Hatake Sakumo’s mind, leaving him frozen in ce.
<span style="font-weight:400">Rules… andrades.
<span style="font-weight:400">These were the two things that gued Sakumo’s heart with endless conflict.
<span style="font-weight:400">As a shinobi, he knew the importance of following the rules, of prioritizing the mission above all else. A mission was an absolute for a ninja, and his every action must serve its sess.
<span style="font-weight:400">Yet, his training in the vige, the teachings at the ninja academy, had also stressed the value ofradeship.
<span style="font-weight:400">A shinobi shouldn’t be a cold, emotionless tool—they must cherish theirrades.
<span style="font-weight:400">All this time, Sakumo had managed to follow both teachings. He had done well.
<span style="font-weight:400">But that was only because he had never been forced into a situation where he had to choose between both of them.
<span style="font-weight:400">Until today.
<span style="font-weight:400">After a deep struggle within himself, he had decided to prioritize the mission.
<span style="font-weight:400">Sakumo didn’t know if his decision was right, only that it was the one he had instinctively made.
<span style="font-weight:400">But now, Hui’s words had shaken him, filling him with uncertainty.
<i><span style="font-weight:400">Rules… emotions… being a shinobi...</i>
<span style="font-weight:400">His mind felt like a nk te, unable to process anything clearly.
<span style="font-weight:400">Watching Hatake Sakumo’s expression, Hui understood that an invisible battle was raging within his heart.
<span style="font-weight:400">In a time like this, he needed someone to guide him—someone who could help him reach a personal decision
<span style="font-weight:400">But Hui didn’t have time for that. He had arade enduring unspeakable torture, waiting for him to arrive.
<span style="font-weight:400">“If a shinobi has no emotions, then there’s no difference between them and a mere tool,” Hui said firmly, his voice unwavering.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s because we have emotions that we’re able to create a world full of wonders and miracles. Missions are important, but life is the most precious thing in this world.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Missions versusrades—there was no single right choice between them, Hui thought. <i><span style="font-weight:400">It was a matter of staying true to one''s heart.</i>
<span style="font-weight:400">Yes, he had a mission to fulfill. He was supposed to regroup with the squad leader and carry out the important task assigned to them.
<span style="font-weight:400">But to abandon his subordinate and rush off toplete that mission… Hui just couldn’t do it.
<span style="font-weight:400">Not when there was still hope of saving Hunter.
<span style="font-weight:400">“As long as there’s even a sliver of hope, I will never give up. That… is my ninja way!” Hui dered, his voice filled with determination.
<span style="font-weight:400">His words left both Lightning and Hatake Sakumo momentarily speechless, their hearts shaken.
<span style="font-weight:400">After a few seconds of silence, Lightning finally spoke. “Hui, if you believe there’s hope, then go for it. What’s your n? Do you need my help?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Hui’s lips curled into a slight smile, while Hatake Sakumo’s expression shifted once more as he absorbed what was said.
<span style="font-weight:400">“My initial n was to create a Shadow Clone and use it to pose as myself, appearing to deal with Hunter. That way, I could draw Kamizuru Ishigawa and the majority of their forces away. My real body would then seize the opportunity to attempt a rescue,” Hui exined.
<span style="font-weight:400">Lightning shook his head. “That’s too risky. A Shadow Clone won’tst long before it’s taken out, and losing half of your chakra in the process would leave your true self in serious danger.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I know that. But it’s the best option I’vee up with so far. Now that you’re staying, Lightning, we can work on a new n together.” Hui’s tone lightened slightly, knowing that with Lightning’s support, the chance of rescuing Hunter had just increased.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Count me in too!” Hatake Sakumo suddenly said, his voice firm. “Hunter is myrade too, and I am a part of the Fourth Squad.”
<span style="font-weight:400">As he spoke, a newfound resolve gleamed in his eyes.
<span style="font-weight:400">Hui and Lightning both smiled at that.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Alright then, if we’re all in this together, it’s time to give it our all!” Hui’s voice brimmed with confiLightningce, and that assurance spread to Lightning and Hatake Sakumo, steadying their hearts.
<span style="font-weight:400">Lightning nced at Hui, feeling a surge of admiration.
<span style="font-weight:400">This… this was what made Hui the “Light” of Konoha.
<span style="font-weight:400">It was what made him… <i><span style="font-weight:400">his</i><span style="font-weight:400"> light as well.
<span style="font-weight:400">Hatake Sakumo, too, allowed a small smile to break through—a smile of liberation.
<span style="font-weight:400">Though he hadn’tpletely resolved his inner struggle between duty and camaraderie, for this moment, he felt free.
<span style="font-weight:400">Free from the chains that had bound him between the cracks of rules and emotion.
<span style="font-weight:400">And suddenly, he understood why he saw that hopeful, guiding light in Hui.
<span style="font-weight:400">It was because Hui himself <i><span style="font-weight:400">was</i><span style="font-weight:400"> a light—one that had the power to reveal the truth to others, a light that could guide everyone in the shinobi world to a realization of their true selves.
<span style="font-weight:400">….
<span style="font-weight:400">“Now that we’ve all decided to stay, our chances of sess have just gotten better,” Hui continued, his voice calm yet filled with a sense of urgency. “First, we’ll set up a few traps around here—they’lle in handyter.
<span style="font-weight:400">“After that, I’ll create a Shadow Clone that will stay hidden somewhere beyond Kamizuru Ishigawa’s sensory range. My real body will go in and make it look like I’m trying to deal with Hunter.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Lightning, Sakumo, your job is to back me up after my ‘attempt’ fails, and we’ll all flee together toward the Country of fire.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Since they’ll sense chakra from three individuals—three high-level shinobi—Kamizuru Ishigawa will assume we’re the entire team and will likely pursue us with all his forces.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Moreover, when he sees us risk returning to deal with Hunter, he’ll believe that Hunter has crucial information. He won’t kill him immediately; he’ll either take Hunter with him during the chase or send him back to their base with a smaller team.
<span style="font-weight:400">“At that point, as long as Kamizuru Ishigawa isn’t present, my Shadow Clone will have a chance to rescue Hunter. Meanwhile, after our retreat, I’ll use the traps we set to dy their pursuit while you two head back to seek help from the squad leader.
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s the n,” Hui concluded, calmly outlining the strategy he hade up with in his mind.
<span style="font-weight:400">There wasn’t much time—this was the best he could devise given the circumstances. There might still be ws or gaps, but there was no time to refine it further.
<span style="font-weight:400">Lightning and Hatake Sakumo frowned as they listened to the n, their brows furrowing with concern.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Captain, if you stay behind to hold them off, then what’s the point of rescuing Hunter?!” Hatake Sakumo protested. Even if someone had to remain behind, it shouldn’t be Hui.
<span style="font-weight:400">Lightning, however, didn’t immediately object. He simply asked, “Hui, do you really think you can pull it off?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Hui’s smile deepened, a confident glint in his eyes.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Trust me, you know what I’m capable of. With my recovery abilities and <i><span style="font-weight:400">certain</i><span style="font-weight:400"> skills, I should be able to manage it. Just focus on getting help as quickly as you can.”
<span style="font-weight:400">His confidence was contagious—it was as if he had already envisioned the sessful rescue.
<span style="font-weight:400">Lightning took a deep breath, nodding. “We’ll be back with reinforcements as fast as possible.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Despite the deep concern gnawing at him, Lightning knew that once Hui made up his mind, there was no changing it—unless there was a better alternative. And he knew that among them, Hui alone had the unique physical capabilities and secret techniques necessary to hold back the enemy. If he and Hatake Sakumo stayed, they’d only end up bing liabilities.
<span style="font-weight:400">Hatake Sakumo seemed ready to argue further, but Lightning cut him off with a stern look.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Sakumo, trust the Captain!”
<span style="font-weight:400">And Hui’s voice joined in, “Don’t worry. My abilities are beyond what you have seen.”
<span style="font-weight:400">With that, he issued his final order, his voice brimming with the authority of a leader.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Then, as the leader of the Fourth Squad, I order you: Lightning, Sakumo, your mission is to return and rendezvous with the squad leader.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Hatake Sakumo’s eyes widened.
<i><span style="font-weight:400">Rules… duty… being a shinobi</i><span style="font-weight:400">… and now, his captain…
<span style="font-weight:400">So, this was what it truly meant to make a choice.
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