Hajime Hoshita and Nonō Yakushi blended into the ranks of the Sky Ninja with ease.
After everything was packed and secured, the Sky Ninja withdrew from the town.
As wounded escorts, Hajime and Nonō were protected in the center of the formation by many Sky Ninja.
But not long after leaving the town, an ambush struck.
Hajime's clone, along with Inuzuka Ryo and Aburame Shino, launched hit-and-run strikes, harassing the attackers continuously.
When the enemy advanced, they retreated; when the enemy tired, they struck.
After several rounds of clashes, although the Sky Ninja suffered no more deaths, the number of wounded significantly increased.
The importance of Nonō Yakushi became even more apparent.
Although the injuries she could treat were limited, her presence allowed them to control the wounds, preventing them from worsening and buying valuable time.
After a few ambushes, the enemy seemed to realize her value and began targeting her directly.
In response, Hajime—disguised as a wandering swordsman—revealed some of his strength.
Though he suppressed his chakra, his physical skills and swordsmanship were still impressive enough to surprise Kogetsu Daisei and the other Sky Ninja.
Finally, as they neared the Sky Ninja Village, the attacks ceased.
Kogetsu Daisei breathed a sigh of relief, then turned to Hajime Hoshita and said, "Hajime, why don't you join our Sky Ninja Village?"
Hajime remained serious and replied flatly, "I must protect Nonō."
Kogetsu Daisei hurriedly added, "She'll be safer in the village."
Hajime shook his head. "We won't participate in the war. Only that way can we survive."
Kogetsu Daisei could only give a helpless, bitter smile.
Soon after—
The group arrived at the Sky Ninja Village.
Compared to Konoha, the Sky Ninja Village was much smaller in scale.
The village lacked any sort of prosperity.
Hajime Hoshita quietly observed this enemy stronghold from the corner of his eye, memorizing the terrain in detail.
The group went straight to the hospital. However, Nonō Yakushi was not immediately assigned to treat the wounded. Instead, she was given a place to stay near the hospital to settle down temporarily.
After making sure Nonō could rest at home, Hajime went out to buy food.
He didn't wander aimlessly; his goal was clear and straightforward—he bought the food and returned immediately.
Because Hajime had a strong sense of being watched—it was unmistakable.
One hour later—
Kogetsu Daisei appeared again and brought the two of them to the hospital, introducing them to the head medical officer, Shion.
Currently, the Sky Ninja were short-staffed, and Nonō Yakushi was quickly assigned to help treat the injured.
Hajime followed her closely, guarding her side.
For three days straight, Hajime did nothing else.
Every day, he watched over Nonō as she busied herself at the hospital.
On the other hand, Nonō, despite her young age, won unanimous praise from both the injured Sky Ninja and the other hospital staff with her gentle demeanor and diligent attitude. She fully integrated into the environment.
And naturally, the information-gathering began.
Bits and pieces of intelligence were gleaned from patients and colleagues alike.
On the fourth day—
Hajime sensed that the feeling of being watched had vanished.
The Sky Ninja now completely trusted them.
That night, after carrying the utterly exhausted Nonō Yakushi home on his back, Hajime formed hand seals with both hands. Three Wood Clones split off from his body.
As soon as they landed, the three Wood Clones silently melded into the wooden floor and disappeared.
At the Sky Ninja Hospital—
Medical jōnin Shion was still buried in work in his office.
There had been too many injuries recently. Many were even wounded by secret techniques, which made things difficult even for him.
At this moment, he was trying to find a solution for a particular poison.
So focused was he that he didn't notice a figure silently rising from the wooden floor behind him.
Hajime Hoshita, dressed like a ROOT ninja, raised his hand. From his palm, wooden vines extended outward.
Great Forest Technique!
Shion suddenly sensed something, but just as he turned around, the wooden vines had already wrapped around him, even sealing his mouth. All he could do was stare wide-eyed at Hajime Hoshita.
***
Beneath the mask, Hajime's face was expressionless.
Even though the man before him had looked after Nonō Yakushi during the past three days and had even considered taking her as a disciple—
—it still couldn't stop Hajime's killing intent.
The value of a medical jōnin far surpassed that of a combat-oriented jōnin.
Especially to the Sky Ninja right now.
He raised his hand, and a wooden spike pierced through Shion's body. With a twist of his wrist, the spike split and branched, tearing through everything from the inside out.
After withdrawing the wooden tendrils, Hajime also removed the spikes from Shion's body before quietly slipping away.
At the same time—
The other two wood clones each picked a target of their own.
Both were chūnin.
And neither had visited the hospital in the past four days.
In the dead of night, the two Sky Ninja were caught completely off guard and had their throats cleanly severed by Hajime's Vacuum Slash technique.
The moment the kills were confirmed, the clones vanished into the distance.
None of the three clones returned to the main body. With ample chakra still remaining, each one hid in a different forested area.
Inside the hospital—
An hour later, Shion's lifeless body was discovered, sending shockwaves through the entire Sky Ninja Village.
Within five minutes, the village leader personally arrived to lead a search for the killer.
Less than half an hour later, the bodies of the other two assassinated chūnin were also found.
Tension immediately gripped the entire village.
The once quiet night had become restless and anxious.
…
"Who's there?"
Inside the room, Hajime suddenly opened his eyes, one hand resting on the hilt of his ninja blade laid across his lap.
"It's me, Hajime Hoshita."
The voice of Kogetsu Daisei called out, followed by the sound of a window opening and him leaping inside.
Hajime frowned. "Are you here to ask Nonō to return to the hospital?"
"She's still exhausted and hasn't recovered yet."
Kogetsu Daisei shook his head, his expression heavy. "Shion was assassinated."
"We suspect someone from Konoha has infiltrated the village."
"So be on your guard. The village has increased patrols—if anything happens, call for backup immediately."
Hajime's expression changed. "Are they targeting medical-nin specifically?"
Kogetsu replied, "Doesn't seem like it."
"But we can't rule out the possibility."
Hajime responded at once, "Then we should end our employment."
Kogetsu Daisei frowned slightly. "You're free to leave, of course, but I don't recommend it."
"Leaving the village now would only put you in greater danger."
He then added reassuringly, "Don't worry. The village has tightened security around the hospital. Staying here is the safest option."
At that moment, Nonō Yakushi appeared at the bedroom doorway in her pajamas and said, "Onii-chan, Lord Daisei is right. Let's stay here for now."
Hajime looked at her and let out a sigh of feigned helplessness before nodding. "Alright then."
Kogetsu Daisei gave a gentle nod to Nonō Yakushi, then quickly departed.
That night, the Sky Ninja Village was doomed to be sleepless.
Yet even after a night of frantic activity, not a single trace of the killer was found.
The next day, around noon, three more Sky Ninja corpses were discovered.
Despite an expanded search, no suspects were found.
A deep sense of dread began to settle in the hearts of every Sky Ninja.
(End of Chapter)