Chapter 24: Hesitation
Madara could feel the cold blood slowly trickling down the blade onto his palm. The fading heartbeat of the man was clearly felt through the Tantō in Madara's hand.
Frowning, Madara withdrew the Tantō and shook off the blood on the blade. Without the support of the blade, the lifeless body behind him slumped to the ground in a twisted heap.
At the sound of the body hitting the floor, the young girl broke free from the woman's grasp and ran towards Madara. She pounded her tiny fists on Madara's body, shouting, "Bad guy! Bad guy! Don't hurt my dad! Wahhh, why are you bullying us! Bad guy! Hit you! Wahhh, Dad, get up quickly. I'll help you drive the bad guy away. Get up, please! Wahhh!"
The woman finally snapped out of her shock and knelt on the ground, pleading with Madara in a choked voice to spare the child at least.
Madara looked down at the screaming and crying girl and raised his Tantō again. But as he stared into her tear - filled, angry eyes that were as black as obsidian, he just couldn't bring himself to strike.
[Should I spare them? No, if I just spare the child...]
Before Madara could make up his mind, a thin line of blood appeared on the girl's neck. Her young face still held anger and disbelief, as if blaming someone. Her obsidian - like eyes lost all their sparkle.
Before the girl's head could roll to the ground, the woman's pleading stopped abruptly, and instead, Uchiha Kenji's somewhat deep voice rang out, "I was wondering why you've been in here so long... Turns out you've encountered women and children."
"
Madara looked down at the lifeless young body. His voice sounded dry and stiff. "...Sorry, I hesitated."
"It's okay, it's your first time killing someone with a sword today. You'll get used to it gradually," Uchiha Kenji shook off the blood on his blade, walked over, and reached out to block Madara's eyes so that he wouldn't stare at the corpse anymore. "If you're really feeling bad, go and help guard at the entrance of the bandit stronghold. Ling and I will take care of the rest."
Madara just nodded blankly and walked out stiffly. His mind was still in a complete mess even when Ling and Uchiha Kenji, their clothes stained with blood, walked towards him.
It was not until the rolling heat wave hit him that Madara shifted his gaze to the two who were using Fire Release Ninjutsu to destroy the scene.
Ling coughed a few times, reached out and took out a [Scroll of Seals], and ran his fingertips across the jutsu pattern, taking out two cans of water in bamboo tubes. His voice was a bit dry. "Kenji? Madara?"
"Ah, thanks," Uchiha Kenji took the water cup and threw one to Madara. His voice was equally dry. "The Fire Release Ninjutsu is handy, but it really dries out my throat."
Ling took out another bottle of water. After taking a few sips, he spoke. "Kenji, how's the fire?"
"No [Mondai]. Judging from the wind direction tonight and the location of the stronghold, it won't pose a threat to the forest. We can retreat."
"Yeah, then let's go. I remember the [intelligence theft] mission we're supposed to carry out is in a city not far away. Let's... no, we'll rest there during the day today." Ling turned towards Madara. "How about it? Madara, can you still lead the way?"
"...Yes, I'm fine." Saying that, Madara was about to step forward to lead the way, but Ling grabbed his wrist as he passed by. "...Big brother?"
"You're not in the right state. I think we need to have a talk... The plan has changed. We'll find a suitable campsite nearby."
Before Madara could refuse, Ling bit his right thumb, drew a horizontal line on his left palm. After forming seals in sequence, he pressed his hand on the ground and said, 'Summoning Jutsu.'
With the rising white smoke, a crow with black wings appeared in front of the three. After very human - like behavior of covering its head with its wings for a while, it flapped its wings and landed on Ling's shoulder. "It's really an unpleasant experience to be summoned from my dream caw... What do you want me to do caw?"
"Sorry, Yata," Ling tilted his head slightly. "Can you help me find a suitable place for camping nearby?"
"No problem caw," Yata nodded. "But I think we need to discuss the working hours later caw."
"Okay, when I get back from the mission, we'll have a discussion with Sanshu. I'll leave it to you now."
"Don't worry, follow me caw!"
"Kenji, I'm counting on you too."
Uchiha Kenji glanced at the still - dazed Madara, didn't waste any words. The [three - tomoe Sharingan] in his eyes quietly activated, and he looked at Yata hovering in the sky. "Okay."
Ling led Madara and followed Uchiha Kenji's steps. "Madara, what happened?"
"No, nothing."
Madara finally came to his senses and followed the two of them. However, he still felt uncomfortable inside. "I just had some uneasiness that didn't fit a ninja's identity..."
"Are you averse to killing people?"
Madara shook his head, but then quickly realized something and said, "No, although I do feel a bit uncomfortable, it's not to the extent of aversion... I just, just... don't know if what I'm doing is right."
"Let me put it," Uchiha Kenji slowed down his pace a bit. "Simply put, this kid has pity for women and children and can't bring himself to kill them neatly. He was a bit shocked after seeing me kill someone."
"I see..."
Hearing Ling's voice, Madara unconsciously pursed his lips, and his thoughts became chaotic again.
[I must have disappointed my big brother. I couldn't even complete a mission of this level independently... As a ninja, I must completely get rid of these useless things in the future —]
"It seems that our Madara is a kind - hearted kid."
Madara looked at Ling in surprise. After seeing the gentle smile on his lips, his frustration and nervousness were greatly relieved, but there was still doubt and self - blame in his words. "Big brother, you don't have to take my feelings into account. A wrong is a wrong.
If it hadn't been for Kenji then, I might have let that mother - daughter pair go... Then, the mission might have been deemed a failure, right? I should be punished for such behavior."
"I'm not covering for you. There's really no need for that," Ling's voice was filled with a smile. "Rather, Madara's performance has been excellent. He didn't vomit or cry, and he could reflect on himself in time... For his first killing mission, it's already very good.
Moreover, in my opinion, Madara's act of showing mercy to women and children just shows that Madara has the potential to become a real strong - one."
[Although I've said it yesterday, I still need to state again that the content of this book is purely fictional and only serves the plot. The actions of the characters in the book do not represent the author's values. Please don't imitate the actions of the characters in this book and speculate about the author.]