Shota and the Suna ANBU team left the battlefield as soon as the Third Raikage was erased from existence.
No one spoke about the third Raikage's Death and how they were successful in the mission. They moved silently and quickly, slipping away before Ōnoki could change his mind about letting them live.
Shota glanced back once as they retreated. The Tsuchikage floated above the battlefield, his small body surrounded by angry chakra. His old face looked twisted with rage.
He had lost hundreds of men. The Raikage had carved through them like a hot knife through butter, even after his cloak vanished. Shota shuddered.
'It's glad that we did not stay much. Ōnoki did not look happy losing so many of his shinobi against a single shinobi.'
He remembered the look Ōnoki gave them as they left. The old man's eyes had narrowed on Shota. For one terrifying second, Shota swore he saw a small cube of light form in Ōnoki's hand, aimed right at him. The particle release glowed faintly, ready to fire. Then it disappeared. Ōnoki had clenched his fist and turned away, muttering something under his breath.
Shota felt cold sweat under his mask.
'If he had fired that thing, I would be dust right now. Note to self: never make an old man with world-ending jutsu angry again. Especially when he's already cranky.'
He shook his head and kept running.
'I think he was more angry with himself. The Raikage killed his men in front of him and he could not do much but watch. First, he could not contend with Raikage's speed and the Raikage ignored him to kill Iwa shinobi rather than engage him. Second, when he had no chakra, the Raikage chose to stay close to other Iwa shinobi to prevent Ōnoki from using particle release. The Raikage was pretty clever despite being a musclehead.'
Shota had to admit it. The Raikage had played the fight perfectly. He used the Iwa troops as living shields. He forced Ōnoki to hold back his strongest jutsu. And he killed hundreds before the end.
'But damn, Raikage was scary. I don't think that I would be able to beat him in a one-on-one fight even if I used Erasure on him constantly. Even without chakra, the dude killed jōnin through his sheer strength and skill in taijutsu.'
Spider glanced at him as they ran as if he was listening to Shota's thoughts.
"Now you understand why I told you to improve your taijutsu further?"
Shota nodded, but he still argued back.
"I am still a growing kid. I don't have the Raikage's physique and it would be pain to train to that degree. Besides, my main strength is Erasure and then using ninjutsu on my opponents who don't have any chakra. What would be the point in engaging them up close with taijutsu if I don't use my advantage of using ninjutsu against those who can't?"
Spider sighed.
"Excuses, excuses, my dear disciple."
Shota had other reasons too.
He wanted to become strong, but he was not a masochist like Lee or Guy. He had read too many fanfics where main characters did ridiculous training routines to improve their physical condition, running with weights the size of houses, punching waterfalls until their knuckles bled, standing under freezing rivers for days. No thank you.
Guy and Lee focused purely on taijutsu, so they could dedicate all their time to it. Shota had ninjutsu to train too. Fireballs did not throw themselves. Wind blades did not cut themselves. Ninjutsu took just as much dedication and hard work as taijutsu.
'And who wants to throw punches when you can blow fireballs from your mouth at your enemies?'
Shota asked Spider in a low tone so the other ANBU could not hear.
"With the Third Raikage's death, our mission is completed. So when would we be getting the tailed beast?"
Spider answered without looking back.
"It would take a while. Iwa and Suna will pressure Takigakure for some time. When their jinchūriki is breathing his last, then we might get the Seven-Tails."
Shota murmured.
"That might take a while."
"Well, we will be busy until then. We also have to strengthen our borders for now."
Shota frowned.
"Huh? Why? Didn't we have a ceasefire with every village?"
Spider's voice became serious.
"Kumo is going to be very angry that we were a critical part of ambushing and killing their Raikage. I am sure Iwa will spread this news even if it gives Suna some credit. But it will make sure that Kumo is angry at Suna too, dividing their focus on revenge between us and Iwa."
Shota thought about it.
'Ah, that makes sense. Ōnoki is crafty. He probably wants Kumo to keep Suna busy too. And the next Raikage will be A. He has quite a temper. He will surely try to make moves against us especially after knowing that we were critical in killing his dad.'
The team kept running.Shota felt tired but proud.
He had completed his second S-rank mission. This time, no one in his group died. No casualties. Everyone returned alive.
He considered that a win and a symbol of growth.
He had come a long way from the boy who nearly died on his first big mission with the Explosion Corps. Back then he had been carried home half-dead. Now he returned with his team intact.
He smiled under his mask.
Maybe the lazy life could wait a little longer.
He was getting good at this.
---------Author Notes--------
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