My Techniques are a bit off

"..."

Nawaki's emotions wavered. As much as the idea of a dead person returning to the living world seemed unreliable—perhaps even sinister—he was still just a child at heart. His hesitation was natural, but he ultimately responded with some resolve:

"No!"

Even young, a ninja develops a certain discernment. Nawaki understood that one should never make casual agreements, especially when matters of life and death were involved.

"What if I told you you could see your sister again?" Link shamelessly played the family card.

Nawaki instantly shut down—literally. He refused to communicate further, his last thought being a stubborn refusal to allow himself to be used as leverage against Tsunade.

It was a childish response. Avoiding all communication might prevent exploitation, but it also meant losing any opportunity to influence his circumstances.

Link shook his head, unfazed. He wasn't particularly worried about controlling summoned spirits. With an excess of chakra, he could forcibly materialize a summoned soul in a semi-transparent form in the living world.

Once he grew stronger and more influential, he could pull these spirits into the world, speak to them, appeal to their emotions, and, when necessary, use Rashōmon to summon them fully as combatants.

His main interest in Nawaki wasn't the boy's combat prowess. After all, Nawaki had perished on the battlefield almost immediately. His value lay elsewhere: as Tsunade's younger brother.

Tsunade was a top-tier medic-nin, the holder of a highly coveted jutsu, and someone likely to become Hokage before Link ever could. Building a connection through Nawaki could be strategically valuable.

"Different circumstances, different outcomes," Link thought. Orochimaru's failed gambit in the manga might work in his hands.

He called out to Nawaki a few more times, but the boy remained stubbornly silent, likely tuning him out completely.

Shrugging, Link used the last moments of his summoning to chat briefly with his father before ending the jutsu. He prepared to rest—today had been indulgent, with no training, and tomorrow he intended to make up for it.

Step by step, discipline builds strength.

…

Two days later, morning, Tanzaku Town, at a hotel.

"Chūnin Link, thank you for ensuring my survival during the last mission," the Land of Fire merchant greeted him warmly.

"You're too kind," Link replied courteously, though he didn't entertain the merchant's exaggerated praise.

Standing nearby, Nara Ensui remained composed, adopting a neutral demeanor. "Let the benefactor say what he pleases," he thought. Link was now part of the Nara family in spirit, and any attempts at sowing division would likely fail.

The merchant rose from his seat, his smile never faltering. "I'm counting on you again for this mission."

"Leave it to us," Ensui assured him, stepping in to respond.

…

Downstairs.

"Back here again…"

Iris looked at the bustling streets with a tinge of nostalgia. Their first mission outside the village had started here, and looking at it now, he couldn't believe how much time had passed.

They had grown significantly since then, but the town remained the same—just as lively, just as vibrant.

Ami stood calmly beside him, no longer darting her gaze around like she had on their first visit.

Before long, Ensui and Link descended the stairs, followed by the merchant and a group of unfamiliar samurai.

The two teammates naturally fell into position within the convoy, waiting for the merchant to settle into his kago (palanquin).

Last time, the man had opted for a carriage. Now, with a palanquin, it wasn't just about wealth—it was a show of status.

Of course, the destination played a role. On their previous mission to the Land of Rivers, the merchant had prioritized comfort for the wilderness journey. This time, heading directly to the Land of Wind, the route was more urbanized, with frequent stops in towns and cities, rendering the palanquin practical.

Ensui remained near the palanquin, constantly vigilant. Link blended into the vanguard among the samurai, ready to respond to any forward assaults.

The group pushed through the bustling streets, leaving Tanzaku Town behind and beginning their journey to the Land of Wind.

That evening, at their stopover town.

Link's suspicion about the merchant lingered. When they first met, the man had been dismissive of ninjas and samurai alike. Now, his sudden politeness and warmth seemed suspicious.

"Something's not right."

If the attacker in Konoha had been Kabuto, could this merchant…?

Link's thoughts raced, alarms blaring in his mind. He used coded signals to subtly warn Ensui and his teammates during their evening shift rotation.

A few uneventful days later, the group arrived in the Land of Wind.

The merchant's earlier strangeness seemed like a passing moment. The group's caution felt wasted, though neither Ensui nor the others voiced any doubts about Link's judgment.

Having delivered the merchant to a hotel in the designated city, the team finally relaxed. In the Land of Wind, any trouble would first fall under the purview of the local government or Sunagakure, ensuring their relative safety.

Later that afternoon, the Fourth Kazekage arrived for a meeting.

For the first time, Link saw another village's Kage. He stood in the hallway, stealing a distant glance before excusing himself.

Only the Fourth Kazekage, Sunagakure Jōnin Baki, and Konoha Jōnin Nara Ensui were permitted inside. As a Chūnin, Link's role was simply to wait.

"Hey there."

A familiar voice interrupted his thoughts. It was Temari, the Sunagakure kunoichi they'd briefly encountered in the Land of Rivers. Her smile was wide as she greeted him. "I'm Temari. What's your name?"

Her demeanor seemed friendly enough.

"Link," he replied curtly, keeping his expression neutral.

Inwardly, he remained on high alert. His gaze flickered to the closed door, bracing for the possibility of the Fourth Kazekage suddenly turning hostile.

"The threat of Orochimaru looms too large," he thought grimly.

~~~

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