MTLNOVEL Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Shadows of the Past
A/N : I know people will complain that it's too slow paced...but let me say this : Mc is not overpowered, atleast not from the start, I want to build MC's character and his relationship with his teammates..and there will be many instances where this will happen ...so if you want an overpowered MC who sweeps every other heroine from the start then sorry this is not your cup of tea.
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Chapter 6: Shadows of the Past
The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a kunai. Kiyoshi studied the newcomer carefully, his instincts on high alert.
The man was tall and broad-shouldered, his dark gray Jonin vest fitting snugly over a black long-sleeved shirt. His short silver hair was slightly disheveled, and a faint scar ran down the side of his jaw. But what stood out most were his piercing blue eyes—sharp and calculating, scanning them like a predator evaluating prey.
Mikoto's Sharingan spun cautiously. Ryota, gripping the hilt of his katana, took a half-step forward, instinctively placing himself between the newcomer and their team.
Kenshiro, however, seemed unimpressed.
"Still sticking your nose where it doesn't belong, Renji?"
Renji crossed his arms. "And you're still playing babysitter, I see."
Kiyoshi frowned. These two know each other?
"You didn't come all the way here just to insult me," Kenshiro said, his tone more serious than usual. "What do you want?"
Renji's gaze flickered to Kiyoshi and the others before locking back onto Kenshiro. "Not here. We need to talk—privately."
Kenshiro sighed dramatically, as if already regretting whatever was about to happen. "Alright, alright. You three—take a break. But don't slack off."
Mikoto hesitated before nodding. Ryota muttered something under his breath but followed. Kiyoshi lingered a moment longer, trying to read their body language.
Something wasn't right.
From a distance, Kiyoshi watched as Kenshiro and Renji stepped further into the woods, speaking in hushed voices. Mikoto stood beside him, her crimson eyes focused.
"You can tell, right?" Kiyoshi murmured.
Mikoto nodded slowly. "It's serious."
Ryota scoffed. "Obviously. But what's worse is that we're being kept in the dark."
Kiyoshi didn't reply. Instead, he activated his system and quietly pulled out a small item he had nearly forgotten about.
[Gacha Item: Eavesdropper's Whisper (One-time use)]
Allows the user to hear any conversation within a 50-meter radius for 5 minutes.
Kiyoshi smirked. Well, I can't just let this go to waste.
He crushed the item in his hand.
Immediately, sound rushed into his ears like a wave.
"--happened near the border. Three teams were wiped out."
Kiyoshi's stomach tightened.
"Wiped out?" Kenshiro's voice was sharp. "By who?"
"That's what we're trying to figure out. But based on the aftermath… it wasn't just some rogue ninjas. This was something worse."
A pause. Then Kenshiro's tone lowered.
"You think it's them?"
Renji didn't answer right away. Then: "I don't think. I know."
Silence. Kiyoshi could hear his own heartbeat pounding.
"And what does this have to do with me?" Kenshiro asked.
Renji exhaled. "Orders from above. You and your team are being considered for a mission."
Kiyoshi almost stumbled.
We're Genin. We shouldn't be anywhere near something like this!
Kenshiro's voice hardened. "They're not ready."
Renji's reply was ice-cold. "They don't have a choice."
The sound cut off.
Kiyoshi staggered back slightly, his mind racing.
Mikoto narrowed her eyes. "What did you just do?"
Kiyoshi took a slow breath. "We're in trouble."
Minutes later, Kenshiro and Renji returned. Kenshiro's usual smirk was gone, replaced with an unreadable expression.
Renji glanced at the team. "They're stronger than they look. Maybe they'll survive."
Kenshiro ignored him and faced Kiyoshi, Mikoto, and Ryota.
"Change of plans," he said. "Your real training starts now."
Ryota frowned. "What do you mean 'real' training? What the hell was all of this before?"
Kenshiro's green eyes gleamed. "The warm-up."
Kiyoshi tightened his fists. He didn't like where this was going.
"You've got two days," Kenshiro continued. "After that, we're going on a mission. A real one."
Mikoto's expression remained unreadable, but her fingers twitched slightly.
Ryota scowled. "We just became Genin! Shouldn't we start with escort missions or catching lost pets?"
Renji scoffed. "Those are for the ones who have time to waste. You don't."
Kiyoshi's mind spun, remembering the conversation he overheard. Three teams wiped out. Something worse than rogue ninjas.
"...What kind of mission?" he finally asked.
Kenshiro stared at them for a long moment before answering.
"A survival mission."