"Teacher, I will definitely avenge you!"
Amaru buried Shinno's body on the spot. When she stood up again, her gaze had become incredibly firm. As things stood, it was now a fight to the death between her and the enemy. If she ever discovered their identity, she would make them pay in blood!
"Lord Yuzuru, I'm sorry for the scare, and for what I put you through." Amaru spoke apologetically. If she hadn't insisted on going to Konoha to seek help, perhaps none of this would have happened.
Yuzuru merely waved his hand and said flatly, "I have only ever been the one to startle others; someone in the shinobi world capable of scaring me does not yet exist."
"Enough. The people in your village are still waiting for medical treatment. Let's get moving."
Hearing this, Amaru nodded. After bowing to Shinno's tombstone, she followed Yuzuru and departed.
Once they were gone, a thick, muscular arm suddenly thrust out from the previously quiet grave. Shortly after, Shinno crawled out from the earth. He gazed gloomily in the direction where Amaru and Yuzuru had left, letting out a cold snort.
"Amaru, you must not disappoint me when we meet again. The more resentful you are, the stronger my power becomes."
When Amaru and Yuzuru reached the village, they were met with a landscape of ruins. Debris was scattered everywhere, and some houses were still smoldering.
Seeing this, Amaru's heart sank. She ran quickly into the village, shouting at the top of her lungs, "Is anyone there?"
"Is anyone still alive?"
She shouted until her voice was hoarse before finally hearing a faint call in response. Following the sound, she soon found a dozen villagers hiding behind some rubble. They were huddled together, their faces deathly pale.
Amaru immediately stepped forward and used Mystical Palm Technique to provide basic treatment before asking, "What happened? Where did everyone go?"
Hearing her, an old man with white hair and a white beard said in a trembling voice, "Amaru, not long after you left, those people who attacked the village returned. They were like birds in the sky, attacking us with bombs from above."
"Now… only a few of us are left."
After listening to the old man, Amaru clenched her fists. Just as she was about to speak, Yuzuru interrupted, "Let them eat something first."
He took a bag of Soldier Pills from his robes and distributed them. After a while, the group managed to recover some strength.
The old man who spoke earlier spat through gritted teeth, "Amaru, we didn't come away empty-handed this time. Those bastards who attacked us are hiding in the mountains about ten kilometers away! The Momo couple saw their camp while hunting in the mountains."
Yuzuru frowned slightly and analyzed, "They should be the Sky Ninja remnants. Leave this to me; I'll take this opportunity to wipe them all out."
Amaru gave Yuzuru a grateful look and said solemnly, "Lord Yuzuru, thank you for everything you've done for us. I may not have much ability, but as long as Lord Yuzuru needs it, I am willing to do anything for you!"
Yuzuru smiled faintly and replied, "We can talk about that later. For now, treating the villagers is the priority."
Over the next three days, Yuzuru assisted Amaru in treating the villagers. The casual way he performed the Mystical Palm Technique left Amaru in awe. In her eyes, a powerhouse like Yuzuru shouldn't have been interested in studying medical ninjutsu. She couldn't help but think that Yuzuru must be a very gentle person at heart to be willing to do such things.
Three days later, the reinforcements sent by Fugaku finally arrived. Yuzuru prepared to head into the mountains to scout the Sky Ninja camp. But just as he was about to set off, Amaru blocked his path.
"Lord Yuzuru, I'm going with you!"
Yuzuru raised an eyebrow and said softly, "Amaru, this mission is dangerous. You could lose your life if you aren't careful. You only specialize in medicine; you should stay in the village."
However, Amaru shook her head firmly and said in a heavy voice, "Lord Yuzuru, I want to personally avenge the dead villagers and my teacher. Please allow me to accompany you. I beg you!"
Seeing her serious expression, Yuzuru remained silent for a moment before finally nodding in agreement.
"Follow me closely."
"Yes!"
The two quickly reached the camp the villagers had described. Watching the Sky Ninja patrolling the perimeter, Yuzuru smiled. "This should be the place. Let's go in; don't let them spot us."
Having said that, he walked straight out into the open. Amaru was startled. Didn't he just say not to be spotted? Why was he walking out so boldly?
But soon, Amaru realized her worries were redundant. The Sky Ninja acted as if they didn't see Yuzuru at all, allowing him to walk right past them. While she was still in shock, Yuzuru suddenly turned back.
"What are you standing there for? Didn't you want revenge? Kill them."
Amaru tremblingly gripped her kunai and nervously approached the Sky Ninja. Finding their eyes vacant and dull, she summoned her courage and raised the blade. Killing for the first time put immense pressure on her heart. But thinking of the comrades and kin who died at their hands, her heart hardened.
Die!
As the sound of blades piercing flesh rang out, the Sky Ninja instantly lost their lives. Yuzuru nodded in approval. "Not bad. All of them were one-hit kills."
Amaru lowered her head shyly and whispered, "Because I am a physician, after all. I have a fair understanding of human anatomy."
With the ice broken, Amaru was no longer as nervous. Yuzuru used Genjutsu to control every Sky Ninja they encountered, and Amaru was responsible for the finishing blows. In this manner, the two made their way to the deepest part of the underground camp.
"This place... it feels like a fortress. Is it a ruin of the old Land?" Amaru guessed.
Yuzuru didn't answer. If his guess was correct, a good show was about to begin. Sure enough, once they entered the central chamber, Amaru froze in place. Sitting on the throne in the room was someone she could never have imagined.
"Te... Teacher?" Amaru looked at the Shinno before her in total disbelief, blurting out, "Aren't you dead?"
Hearing this, a peculiar smile appeared on Shinno's face. He spoke slowly, "Amaru, haven't you realized it yet? All of this... was my plan!"