Chapter 33: The Audacity of Man

Rescuing Kai and the others was actually quite simple: just let Ah Fei slip in and bring them out one by one. But doing so would mean a low mission rating, perhaps even without any reward at all.

He had to rely on his own strength.

From what this captive said... they requested reinforcements?

That’s it! Bai Mu grinned.

Natural Illusion... Transformation!

Four-Tailed Jinchuriki, Roshi!

“The brat can use transformation jutsu now?!” Ah Fei stared in shock, unable to see the slightest flaw. The basic transformation jutsu merely cloaks the user in an illusion, causing strong chakra fluctuations. If you get close, even if you’re not a sensory ninja, any perceptive genin can feel the jutsu’s presence. Otherwise, every lowly ninja would be impersonating lords with this most basic technique.

The truly advanced transformation jutsu are Wood Style or Earth Style transformations—much more difficult.

“Maybe it’s inherited from my mother?” Bai Mu tossed out a random excuse.

“Amazing!”

“You just attach yourself to me. If necessary, disguise as a tailed beast’s tail. We call this ‘stealing the sun and moon, mixing the real with the fake!’” Bai Mu gave a thumbs-up. It was time to let the ninja world experience the terror of the Thirty-Six Stratagems from another universe.

“You two are far too bold, disguising as a Jinchuriki... Maybe I shouldn’t go,” Parker scratched his canine head. Not a combat ninja dog, he didn’t want to risk his life alongside these two.

“If you don’t come as our token, Kai will kick me so hard I’ll cough up my guts.” Bai Mu grabbed Parker by the scruff.

“Oh, Kakashi entrusting me to you was a mistake. I hope these Iwagakure ninjas are all dog lovers,” Parker thought this was the most dangerous thing he had ever done.

Thus, Bai Mu swaggered toward the Iwagakure camp.

“Who goes there?” A night watch ninja spotted them at once, leaping from the shadows.

“You don’t recognize me?” Bai Mu cast a contemptuous glance.

“Ro—Roshi-sama! Why are you here?!” The ninja was startled, his voice trembling.

Roshi was notorious in the Hidden Stone for his bad temper. He even dared to argue face-to-face with Onoki, showing no respect. Young ninjas cowered in his presence, avoiding him whenever possible.

No one really knew what they feared. Though Roshi was irascible, he’d never slaughtered his comrades. Perhaps... it was simply the aura of a Jinchuriki?

By contrast, the other Jinchuriki, Han of the Five-Tails, was the opposite: meek, often mocked, never resisting.

“Wasn’t it you who requested reinforcements? Useless lot—over thirty men and you can’t take three Konoha chunin.” Bai Mu snorted angrily.

“N—not...” The night watch ninja fumbled to explain.

“Enough talk. Take me to your captain.” Bai Mu, furious, wore a face as if everyone owed him millions.

He actually knew little of Roshi’s true character, improvising on the spot. The original work described him only briefly—he was at odds with Onoki, both stubborn and hot-tempered, but deep down, he loved his village.

“Yes, yes... Roshi-sama, this way.” The ninja bowed and scraped, showing Bai Mu’s acting was flawless.

“Captain Sanga... Captain Sanga! Roshi-sama is here!” The ninja hurried to wake the captain.

“What Roshi nonsense...” Sanga, a jounin, frowned and roused from sleep.

“It’s the Four-Tailed Jinchuriki...” The ninja barely finished speaking.

Smack!

Bai Mu delivered a sharp slap.

Refreshing!

“Damn...” Parker nearly wet himself, convinced this was courting death.

Sanga snapped awake, anger blazing up his spine. He drew his sword—halfway.

“Baron’s Scorn” activated.

Bai Mu’s lofty gaze shook everyone’s soul. Through that look, Sanga felt himself become a trembling chicken, facing an enraged lion.

“Ro—Roshi-sama!” Sanga bowed deeply.

“Useless fools, needing reinforcements for three leaf brats.” Bai Mu berated them.

“Yes!” Sanga dared not argue, feeling aggrieved. He’d requested a jounin for support, but now a disaster-bringing Jinchuriki arrived. Wasn’t this overkill for a Konoha squad?

“Bring me something hot to eat. I’ve traveled all night and I’m hungry.” Bai Mu waved a large hand.

Parker nearly fainted.

“But...” Sanga hesitated. In wartime, lighting fires at night was strictly forbidden—it would expose their position.

“With me here, you’re afraid of those cowardly leaf ninja sneaking up on us?” Bai Mu gave another fierce glare.

“Of course...” Sanga sighed and ordered, “Light the fire!”

Three campfires blazed, illuminating the whole camp. Everyone woke, offering all the food they carried to cook for their Roshi-sama.

Bai Mu picked and chose; the Land of Earth’s cuisine was bland and rough, nothing like Konoha’s. He’d hoped for exotic flavors, but found only dry bread and hard biscuits—tasteless and tough.

“Roshi-sama... could you... show us...” Sanga nervously mimed the shape of a scroll.

For any mission, the commander issued a scroll detailing the objectives, stamped with their seal, and required for handover.

“You’re questioning me?” Bai Mu threw another scornful look.

“Never... never...” Sanga felt his courage shrivel. Whenever he saw Roshi’s eyes, his mind filled with the clucking of weak chickens.

Displeased, Bai Mu sliced a hard biscuit in half, stuffed in a chunk of steaming roast beef. Without lettuce or sauce, the earth-style meat sandwich had no flavor.

“Why is Roshi-sama carrying a Konoha ninja dog?” Sanga finally couldn’t resist asking, seeing Parker’s leaf headband.

“A trophy. I keep it as reserve food—take it and roast it too.” Bai Mu tossed Parker by the scruff to Sanga.

“Damn it! May the gods curse you!” Parker cursed in foreign profanities.

“Wait... it can talk? Good breed. Too precious to eat—better take it back to the village for breeding.” Bai Mu smiled, retrieving Parker.

“I may not be human, but you’re truly a dog,” Parker rolled his eyes.

“Wine.” Bai Mu stretched out a hand.

“I’m on duty—where would I get wine...” Sanga looked awkward.

“Hm?” Bai Mu’s nasal tone rose.

Sanga reluctantly produced half a jug from his robes. Rules were rules, but ninja facing uncertain death often bent them.

After eating and drinking his fill, Bai Mu patted his belly.

“Roshi-sama... shouldn’t you go in and capture the leaf brats? I’m worried Konoha might send reinforcements,” Sanga reminded him.

“You’re teaching me how to do my job?” Bai Mu glared again.

“Never, never...”

“So, what’s the situation?” Bai Mu asked, picking his teeth.

“It’s not that we’re incompetent. Killing them would be simple—they’ve been driven into a cave. We could collapse the mountain and bury them...”

“But there’s a leaf brat in green, whose taijutsu is incredibly strong. He uses a secret technique to burst out several times his power. If we could gain this secret, the whole village would benefit, so I requested reinforcements.” Sanga explained his tactical goal.

“Excellent! Your foresight is remarkable!” Bai Mu slapped Sanga’s shoulder, thinking this was better than the Third Hokage, who let Might Duy stay a genin for life.

“Thank you for your praise, Roshi-sama...” Sanga was flattered.