Time, one minute ago.
Lightning Burial: Banquet of Lightning!
Raikiri!
As Raiga and Kakashi unleashed their final techniques, a massive lightning sphere erupted, blazing like a colossal searchlight that instantly split the night apart…
"That's… not good, it's too late!" Using the brief flash of lightning, Ishikawa caught sight of the bow of the cargo ship nearly a thousand meters away. His expression shifted instantly.
Though the distance blurred the details, he could clearly make out figures locked in combat. With the strength of those enemy Chunin, his two Genin teammates couldn't possibly last until he returned.
And even if he did make it back in time, there was no guarantee he could turn the tide and take down both Chunin.
"Twenty seconds… at most I've got twenty seconds left before I black out! Damn it, I'll gamble it all! If I survive this, you two brats owe me ten thousand ryō each… If I die, then consider this my farewell gift as your big brother!"
Rapidly flashing through hand seals, Ishikawa summoned the black eagle. His eyes hardened with resolve as his hands wove another sequence.
'Spiritualization Jutsu…'
In the next instant, his soul flowed into the black eagle. Its wings unfurled, and under the veil of night it streaked forward like a shadow of lightning, arrowing straight toward the cargo ship.
As he dove at breakneck speed, Ishikawa's spirit instinctively turned its head. Through the eagle's night vision, he clearly saw a familiar figure sprinting across the water—heading directly toward his body, which was already sinking beneath the waves.
That sight settled the last of Ishikawa's doubts. With no hesitation, he unleashed a full-speed aerial detonation.
BOOM!
The sky erupted in a thunderous explosion, and Ishikawa's spirit was yanked back to his body. Darkness claimed him instantly, and he collapsed unconscious without opening his eyes again…
"Kakashi-sensei, is Brother Ishikawa alright?!" Taro rushed to Ishikawa's side, staring at his blood-soaked back with worry.
Though Jiro's body was covered in wounds, he gritted his teeth, enduring the pain as he pulled out medicine and bandages, preparing to stop Ishikawa's bleeding.
"He's fine. Get ready—I'll stitch his wounds and stop the bleeding." Kakashi wiped the cold sweat from his brow, the deep furrow of worry easing slightly.
Thankfully, everyone was injured—but no one was sacrificed. Even so, Ishikawa's condition was severe. Kakashi himself was near exhaustion, but he couldn't afford to ignore it.
"Mr. Nagayashi, get this ship moving faster. We need to clear these waters immediately. In our current state, if pirates find us again, we won't stand a chance." Kakashi spoke while disinfecting his hands, already preparing to work.
"Yes, yes, yes—I'll urge the crew right away!" The client scrambled off toward the cockpit in a panic.
That battle had shaken him to his core. If not for Kakashi and his team, he would have perished tonight for sure. No… once they returned, he'd have to increase their reward. An A-rank bonus was too much, but adding on a B-rank reward would be proper…
As the cargo ship surged forward and Kakashi worked tirelessly to patch wounds, time bled away until noon the following day.
"Ugh…" With a groan, Ishikawa stirred. His brows furrowed, and he sluggishly opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw was Jiro's face leaning over him, filled with relief and concern.
"Brother, you're finally awake!"
"How long… was I out? Hiss…" Ishikawa tried to rise, only to freeze as sharp pain tore through his back. He grimaced hard.
Damn it—he'd almost forgotten about that wound!
"Big Brother, don't move, you're injured. Whatever you need, just tell me." Ignoring his own bandaged injuries, Jiro hurried forward, carefully supporting Ishikawa upright.
That simple act warmed Ishikawa's chest. Saving this little brother had been worth it—at least the boy still cared deeply for him.
"Alright… how's Kakashi-sensei? What about Taro? Everyone's safe, right?" Reclining again, Ishikawa asked quickly.
After all, he'd passed out right after the explosion. He hadn't seen the outcome—hadn't even confirmed if the enemy Chunin were destroyed. But since he was still alive, and Jiro wasn't wearing grief on his face, things should be alright.
"Kakashi-sensei is unconscious, and Taro's looking after him. Brother, last night you…"
Seeing Ishikawa's eagerness, Jiro immediately recounted everything in detail.
Just as Ishikawa had suspected, no one from Team 7 had fallen, and the cargo ship was still safe on its course.
Although Taro and Jiro had sustained many injuries, they were all superficial and not serious. As a result, Ishikawa was the most heavily wounded, while Kakashi lay completely incapacitated, drained by the excessive consumption of his ocular power and chakra.
Without the Slug's healing to aid his recovery this time, Ishikawa estimated that Kakashi would remain unconscious for at least a week, given his condition.
"Alright, go get me something to eat so I can replenish my strength. After that, don't worry about me—just rest. Don't forget you're injured too." Ishikawa waved him off, his gaze inadvertently falling on the ninja tool pouch at his side.
Inside was the sealing scroll containing Ranmaru's head.
Though sealing scrolls could preserve a head from decay, Ishikawa wasn't certain if the eyes' vitality could be maintained well enough for transplantation.
That was why he had to send Jiro away—so he could attempt using his clumsy Mystical Palm Technique to keep the eyes alive.
Currently, Ishikawa's Mystical Palm Technique can't heal injuries, but it could at least delay decay. If only he had prepared nutrient solution vials beforehand… but now this was all he could do.
"Yes, Brother Ishikawa." Jiro, unaware of Ishikawa's true intent, nodded tearfully and turned to leave.
Brother Ishikawa —even in this condition, he was still worried about his injuries. No, he had to take even better care of him!
Creak…
As the door shut, Ishikawa immediately clenched his teeth, forced himself upright, and unrolled the scroll. He ignored Ranmaru's head, immediately weaving hand signs to channel his crude Mystical Palm Technique.
For ten minutes, he continuously nourished the eyes, then resealed the scroll and collapsed back onto the bed, lost in thought about the Red Eye transplantation.
The operation was inevitable. And the only one who could perform it was his interdimensional roommate—Rin Nohara.
Not only for secrecy, but also to avoid unnecessary trouble should the procedure fail.
As the saying goes: Do things quietly; if you succeed, celebrate. If you fail, act as if you never tried.
Now the real question was—how should he convince Rin Nohara to do it…?
"Brother, time to eat."
After who knew how long, Jiro's voice broke through his thoughts. Looking at the feast carried in, Ishikawa, already starving, abandoned his worries and devoured everything like a machine.
Days passed as Ishikawa recovered while secretly nourishing the Red Eye.
On the third day, they reentered the Land of Fire, forming a long convoy to begin their return to Konoha.
Originally, the client had wanted to delay departure due to Kakashi's condition, but Ishikawa strongly insisted. Preserving the Red Eye's vitality was the priority, and so the client reluctantly agreed.
To accommodate, the client personally arranged a luxurious carriage for Kakashi, while Ishikawa and his two subordinates guarded it.
The journey remained peaceful for seven days, until finally, Kakashi stirred awake…
"Kakashi-sensei, can I have that Lightning Blade?" Ishikawa's eyes blazed with eagerness as he pointed at Raiga's twin swords resting in the carriage.
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-->Harry Potter: The White Devil Who Grows Stronger with Reputation
-->Naruto: I'm a Teacher, But the System Thinks I'm Naruto's Classmate! (Completed)