Naruto: I Have Cursed Spirits!

[Gratitude detected: Kageto +1000 points]

[Energy transferred to Smallpox Deity]

[Development progress: 51%]

Shiratori let go.

After all this time, the level had only increased by 1%. He looked around, his gaze falling on the two medical-nin beside him.

The two medical-nin let out a simultaneous sigh of relief when they saw him stop. They had been worried his body wouldn't be able to withstand such high-intensity work. But he was stubborn by nature, and persuading him to take a break was incredibly difficult. Now that he was finally willing to stop and rest, it was more than welcome.

Shiratori sat down on the ground. The number of injured ninjas he had healed kept growing. Many of them kept glancing anxiously toward the tower's main gate. Although protecting him was important, they were constantly thinking about the battlefield ahead. Their comrades were fighting and bleeding out there, yet they were stuck here, waiting for news.

"Can you two take care of the rest of their injuries?"

He had already healed the critically injured. The remaining wounds were manageable for regular medical-nin.

The two medical-nin quickly nodded. "Of course. Please, rest up, you've done enough."

They were truly afraid he would collapse from exhaustion. The boy was far too valuable to Ame.

He nodded and stood up from the ground. As he took a step forward, the two medical-nin quickly reminded him with alarm, "There's a war outside, it's extremely dangerous. Please don't leave the tower."

"..."

He gave a vague response and instead walked toward a corner where some ninjas were gathered. The ninjas, upon seeing him approach, withdrew their gazes from the iron gate.

If it weren't for him, they might already be corpses.

"I've got some rice balls here. Want to try one?"

One ninja smiled and offered him food from a small container.

Shiratori took it, leaned against the wall, and looked at the ninja. "Thank you."

The ninja smiled. "We should be the ones thanking you."

Compared to the fact that he had saved their lives, giving him a rice ball was nothing. But Shiratori didn't really care about the food. He absentmindedly bit into it and asked cautiously, "Why do you keep looking toward the gate?"

The ninjas exchanged glances. The one who had given him the rice ball sighed. "We're just... worried about the war."

"You want to go to the battlefield?" Shiratori asked curiously.

The ninja hesitated, then nodded. He explained, "We'll leave a few of us here to protect you. That's the most important thing."

Shiratori glanced at the two medical-nin still busily tending to the wounded and changed the subject. "Are there a lot of injured ninjas on the battlefield?"

The moment he asked, the atmosphere grew heavy. In truth, they were lucky compared to many others. Though gravely wounded, at least they had survived long enough to return to the village.

More importantly, they had encountered Shiratori. Most ninjas had died on the battlefield. Many bodies were never recovered. Quite a few still had a breath of life in them before dying, but with no medical support on the battlefield, they could only watch themselves bleed out and take their final breath.

Even so, they couldn't send medical-nin to the frontlines. Otherwise, the enemy would target them specifically.

Losses among medical-nin were something a village like theirs could not afford.

Ame's previous medical unit hadn't even made it to the battlefield before being ambushed. Let alone those who actually reached the front lines.

"You should go help Hanzō-sama and the others."

Shiratori broke the heavy silence.

The ninjas froze, staring at him in surprise.

He explained seriously, "We don't need that many ninjas guarding this place. The inside of the tower is very safe. You all should go to the battlefield and assist Hanzō-sama."

The ninjas looked at each other in hesitation.

"We still need to leave a few people here to guard this place," one of them said, squatting down and looking firmly at him.

He knew Shiratori was a sensible, good kid, but his life was more important than anything else. As long as he was alive, the others had a chance to survive.

A plan began to form in Shiratori's mind. He held up two fingers. "Then just leave two ninjas behind."

The group of ninjas thought for a moment, then nodded.

"Alright, we'll leave two ninjas behind."

"Kageto, Sakikawa, you two stay."

The two ninjas who were called stepped forward from the group. They looked especially young, around seventeen or eighteen years old.

"Make sure to protect him."

The other ninjas repeatedly reminded them.

Kageto and Sakikawa nodded solemnly and promised, "We will!"

After reminding them, they also warned Shiratori, "It's dangerous outside. Don't wander off. If you absolutely have to go somewhere, make sure Kageto and Sakikawa go with you."

Shiratori nodded. "Got it!"

He only said he understood, but didn't say he would do it. The ninjas turned and walked toward the iron gate.

Kageto and Sakikawa followed them and opened the gate.

The moment the iron gate opened, the cold rain was blown into the interior of the tower by the wind. The ninjas' figures quickly vanished into the endless curtain of rain.

The iron gate closed once more in front of Shiratori. Darkness returned to his vision, lit only by the faint flickering of candlelight.

He glanced at Kageto beside him and lowered his head slightly as he spoke in a soft voice, "I want to go to the bathroom... but I'm a little scared..."

His voice grew quieter and quieter.

A faint smile flickered in Kageto's eyes. He immediately said, "I'll go with you."

Shiratori nodded.

Kageto led him to the bathroom inside the tower.

Once the bathroom door closed, Kageto tilted his chin toward him. "Go ahead. I'll wait right here."

Shiratori said, "Then turn around."

Kageto let out a chuckle. "Alright."

He turned his back, only for his vision to go black and a sharp pain to strike the back of his neck. He staggered a few steps, but a hand caught his falling body with ease.

Shiratori commanded Rika to lock Kageto inside the bathroom.

Once the unconscious ninja was securely locked inside, Shiratori formed hand seals. A burst of white smoke erupted, and when it cleared, his figure had been replaced with Kageto's. He touched his own face, he had now completely taken on Kageto's appearance.

He removed the ring where Rika resided and slipped it into his pocket, then walked boldly toward the iron gate.

"Kageto?"

"Where's Shiratori?"

Sakikawa stopped him, looking behind the disguised figure in confusion.

Kageto pointed toward the bathroom with his thumb and explained, "He's got an upset stomach. He sent me to find something for him."

Sakikawa glanced toward the bathroom. "Upset stomach? Nothing serious, I hope?"

Kageto shook his head. "He said it's fine."

Sakikawa asked again, "What's he looking for? Should I come with you?"

Kageto refused without hesitation. "No! You have to stay here and protect him."

Sakikawa thought about it and agreed. They couldn't both leave the tower.

"Then go and come back quickly."