strictlysupreme Chapter 601 Stronghold
Chapter 601 Stronghold
Back on the ground, Zhang Hai obediently began walking. Relying on his memory of the terrain of Sunagakure, he navigated the vast desert and soon arrived at the base where his teacher, Hatake Sakumo, was located.
Bai Ya was reviewing documents when he sensed a familiar chakra fluctuation approaching. He looked up and, seeing Zhang Hai wearing an Anbu mask, a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. He put down his pen, his gaze fixed on Zhang Hai's mask, and his first question was: "Why did you choose to become an Anbu?"
Zhang Hai answered naturally, "I think the Dark Division is great. Wearing a mask, nobody recognizes me." He spoke casually, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.
White Fang seemed very curious about Zhang Hai's choice, and continued to press, "You seem very afraid that your Uchiha clan identity will be exposed, why?" He knew that Zhang Hai harbored many secrets and was aware of the Uchiha clan's situation in Konoha, but he still wanted to hear Zhang Hai's own thoughts. Although Zhang Hai knew that his identity couldn't be hidden from White Fang, when asked this question, he gave a bitter smile behind his mask and replied that he didn't know how to explain, and could only say that he didn't have a good outlook on the future of the Uchiha clan.
Bai Ya remained silent for a moment upon hearing this. He looked at Zhang Hai with a discerning wisdom in his eyes. Then he said, "You suddenly decided to come here. It seems that something has happened these past few days that has changed you quite a bit." He keenly sensed the different aura emanating from Zhang Hai compared to before; it was a kind of world-weariness that came from having experienced life and death and seeing through many things.
Zhang Hai did not deny it. He admitted, "Yes, without you as my guiding light, I have become lost." The events he experienced on the battlefield in Iwagakure had a huge impact on his values and life goals.
Bai Ya chuckled softly. He stood up, walked to Zhang Hai's side, and gently patted his shoulder, his tone light and encouraging: "Looks like you've been too idle lately. Since you can't decide what kind of life you want to live in the future, why be confused? Striving forward and increasing your strength should always be the first choice." He knew that for a ninja, strength was the foundation of their existence and the basis for achieving everything.
Bai Ya's simple words were like a wake-up call, jolting Zhang Hai awake. He abruptly raised his head, his eyes regaining their sparkle. Yes, no matter what the future held, no matter what choices he made, increasing his strength would never be wrong! Power was the foundation upon which he could stand in this cruel ninja world. He sighed, "It seems, Master really saw things more clearly than I did."
Having said that, Zhang Hai's pent-up confusion and pain found release in that moment. He let out a long howl, a wild sound that seemed to unleash all the emotions that had been building up inside him. Then, he became spirited, his eyes flashing with a sharp fighting spirit, and his tone became excited: "A mission? I want to kill someone!"
Upon hearing this, Bai Ya suddenly realized something. Looking at Zhang Hai's eager expression, he smiled knowingly: "I almost forgot. You've been infiltrating Sunagakure the longest, and you're already familiar with the harsh environment here. Given your personality, you must have learned a thing or two about Sunagakure's most troublesome puppeteers. Now it seems that this is indeed the best battlefield for you."
Zhang Hai chuckled, a hint of smugness in his voice: "Haha, my teacher really understands me." He had indeed conducted in-depth research on the puppetry techniques of Sunagakure during his infiltration, and even secretly learned some basic skills.
Without further ado, White Fang took a map from the table and handed it to Zhang Hai. He pointed to several locations they had compiled that might house Sunagakure ninja strongholds, and specifically highlighted several areas marked with red lines, indicating that these were extremely dangerous areas likely to harbor powerful enemies, and possibly even Jinchuriki. White Fang told Zhang Hai to act freely and do his best to eliminate any enemies he could see.
Zhang Hai took the map and quickly scanned the markings on it. He adjusted his equipment, picked up his short knife, and set off without hesitation.
Just as White Fang had said, Zhang Hai had already thoroughly explored the desert environment here. He knew how to orient himself and how to use the wind and sand dunes to conceal himself. He was also very familiar with the ninjas of Sunagakure, knowing everything about them, from the puppeteers' fighting style to the attack patterns of the wind-style ninjas. Now, he was carrying out the mission alone, moving like the wind, able to advance or retreat at will. He believed this would be the best place for him to hone his swordsmanship.
Soon, Zhang Hai arrived at the first outpost marked on the map. It was a simple, temporary camp, surrounded by several watchtowers. A figure suddenly appearing in the desert always stands out.
"Who goes there?! State your identity! Or we'll make things difficult for you!" A Sand Village ninja's voice, filled with vigilance, boomed from a high tower atop a distant stronghold.
In the world of ninjas, blood and dust are always intertwined. Zhang Hai had just finished a fierce battle; the corpses of enemy ninjas lay scattered on the ground around him, and the air was thick with the smell of gunpowder and death. He knelt on one knee, panting heavily, the wound on his shoulder still throbbing, but his eyes were unusually clear, reflecting the sparse starlight in the night sky. He sensed a familiar yet powerful chakra fluctuation rapidly approaching, and the muscles that had been tense from the battle instantly relaxed upon hearing a familiar voice.
"Looks like you really are getting old, Mr. White Fang. Even at a time like this, you're still so worried about me that you came all this way yourself." Zhang Hai said with a hint of self-deprecation, but his voice carried a sense of ease and a long-lost warmth. He knew that at this time, the only person who could appear by his side in this way was his teacher, Hatake Sakumo.
White Fang appeared beside him like a ghost, his white hair shimmering in the moonlight. The chakra blade in his hand was sheathed, but his deep eyes held a complex, indescribable emotion. "Yes, it seems I am indeed getting old. I always feel a pang of guilt towards you, my only disciple." White Fang's voice was deep and magnetic, tinged with a sigh yet filled with satisfaction. "Although I know your strength and that you are capable of handling most situations, this concern in my heart always lingers. Therefore, I have always followed silently behind you."
As Bai Ya spoke, his gaze swept across the surrounding battlefield. The enemy ninjas that Zhang Hai had cleanly and efficiently dealt with made a hint of amazement flash deep in his eyes.