Naruto: From Hyuga To Otsutsuki With My Deduction System

"Last hit?"

Nonō held the kunai tightly in her fingers, her grip firm but hesitant.

Shinichi smiled at her, making a gesture across his neck, and chuckled lightly.

"You can't use shuriken for this. You'll need to finish it with kunai."

"Hirito, stay here and keep watch," he added, before turning to Takeuchi Ryo and his companions, who had calmed down significantly after the battle.

"Mr. Takeuchi, let's move ahead a bit and take a rest."

"Oh? Oh, yes, Captain Shinichi. As you say."

Takeuchi Ryo, well-traveled and experienced, had seen his fair share of dead bodies. Though the sudden appearance of robbers and the intense fight had startled him, he quickly regained his composure. Unlike his two companions, who were visibly shaken and still trembling, Takeuchi was steady on his feet.

As Shinichi led the group a little further ahead, he glanced back at Hirito, their eyes meeting briefly. Hirito gave him a small nod and made a reassuring gesture, signaling that everything was under control.

"Nonō, it's time. Be careful."

Hirito understood that all the robbers were already dead, but Shinichi's intentions were clear—he wanted Nonō to face the reality of taking a life directly, up close. So far, she had only thrown two shuriken, while Minato had dispatched the rest of the enemies. She hadn't seen much bloodshed.

Hirito didn't dwell on it further, knowing there was no immediate danger. The challenge now was for Nonō to overcome her inner barrier.

Nonō approached the fallen robbers slowly, her kunai gripped tightly in her hand. Her expression was calm, with no visible signs of panic or fear.

She had already spent time at Konoha Hospital, where she had seen plenty of injuries and death. But there, she had been saving lives. Now, her role was different.

As she stepped closer to the bodies, a wave of hesitation and unease washed over her. But then, she remembered her younger brothers and sisters at the orphanage—she thought of how these robbers preyed on others. Her resolve hardened.

"Chi!"

The kunai struck, making a brief but sharp sound as it cut through flesh.

In that instant, Nonō felt an unexpected calm settle over her heart. It wasn't much different from wielding a scalpel, really. The blade moved along the natural lines of the muscle, just as she had done countless times in the hospital.

With the psychological barrier now broken, Nonō swiftly delivered the finishing blows to the remaining bodies.

"Chi, chi, chi..."

The sounds of her kunai echoed like the first notes of a grim melody.

After the battle, the rest of the journey to their destination was uneventful. Minato and Nonō, however, remained quiet and thoughtful throughout the trip. The mood was subdued until they finally saw the welcoming archway of Harajuku Street, where their faces brightened a little.

"Hey, Hirito," Nonō said quietly, "you don't feel... uncomfortable?"

She had noticed how calm Hirito had remained after killing the wandering ninja, showing no signs of emotional turmoil.

Hirito gave her a cool glance. "Uncomfortable? You mean about killing the enemy? My uncle made sure I dealt with that before I even graduated."

The group exchanged knowing looks at his words.

Minato thought back to the time when Hirito's demeanor had suddenly shifted—his cold, unyielding gaze that day. It must have been then.

Minato recalled inviting Hirito to spar one day, only to be refused. The memory now made more sense.

After completing the mission and receiving their rewards, Shinichi decided it was time to relax a bit.

"To celebrate the completion of our first C-rank mission, we're going to have some barbecue!" he declared, waving a small purse in the air as if he were a wealthy man.

At the mention of barbecue, Minato and Nonō's eyes lit up. Barbecue in Konoha wasn't cheap, and neither of them had the chance to indulge in it often.

Minato, having no family to support, could occasionally afford such luxuries with mission rewards. Nonō, however, usually spent her money on food for the orphanage, leaving little for herself.

Hirito grinned. "Sounds good! Afterward, let's go to the hot springs. We've been traveling for days, and I could really use a proper bath."

"Didn't Mr. Takeuchi mention the Yufuin Hot Spring? We should check it out," he added.

Minato and Nonō both eagerly agreed with the idea.

Shinichi, however, felt his excitement dampen. The moment Takeuchi Ryo had described the luxurious facilities and delicious food at Yufuin Hot Spring, one thing had crossed his mind—expensive.

He glanced down at the small purse in his hand and then unconsciously touched his wallet. He had saved up over the years, and he supposed this could be a worthy splurge.

After finding a barbecue restaurant with a pleasant atmosphere, the group enjoyed a hearty meal, filling their stomachs with delicious food.

Following the meal, the shopkeeper kindly pointed them in the direction of the Yufuin Hot Spring. As they neared the area, a light mist hung in the air, and the distinctive scent of hot spring water filled their noses. Souvenir shops lined both sides of the road, creating a peaceful and leisurely atmosphere.

"Wow! This place is beautiful!" Nonō exclaimed.

The area was dotted with quaint little houses, each one adorned with flower gardens, terraces, and creatively designed rooftops. Every corner of the place was brimming with charm, like a fairy-tale town come to life.

Shinichi's heart sank a little. The beauty of the place only confirmed his worst fear: this was going to be expensive.

As they arrived at the hot spring inn, a young woman greeted them. She had a soft, sweet voice, and her demeanor was equally gentle.

"…Welcome, Master. Thank you for your hard work during your journey!" she said, bowing politely.

Nonō smiled. "She's so cute!"

Internally, Shinichi agreed. The girl was exactly his type.

Hirito, however, frowned slightly. "Why are you calling us 'Master'? We're first-time guests."

The girl giggled. "Oh, that's part of our maid service, unique to this inn! We aim to make our guests feel like they are the 'Master' of the house."

Hirito raised an eyebrow. "Maid service? Hot spring features, huh?"

The girl's eyes lit up at the phrase. "Yes, yes! Maid culture! What a wonderful term!"

She bowed deeply again, her excitement palpable. "Please, allow me to share this term with the store manager. He'll be thrilled!"

The rest of the group gave Hirito strange looks, clearly wondering how he knew so much about this.

Hirito, however, remained unfazed. Embarrassed? Shy? Not at all.

"Go ahead. I don't mind," he said coolly. "We're here for the baths, though. Please make the arrangements."

The girl stood up straight, still beaming, and led them further inside. Shinichi followed, secretly grateful for his sharp vision as he admired the swaying motion of her movements.

"Would you like to experience the basic 'dust removal' bath, or perhaps the more luxurious 'first encounter' option?"

Dust removal? First encounter?

What on earth did that mean?

(End of the Chapter).

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