Shiratori left Number One at the blacksmith shop where the iron pellets were being made.

On the way back to his apartment, he saw from a distance a large crowd of ninjas gathered under the village bulletin board.

The ninjas were all red-faced, veins bulging, filled with righteous indignation.

His eyes sparkled, he immediately realized this was a great chance to collect emotional energy. So, he strode confidently toward the crowd, his face full of innocent curiosity.

"Shiratori?"

Kirite caught sight of him from the corner of his eye and asked, "Finished training?"

Shiratori stood beside him and nodded, rising on tiptoe to peer into the crowd. "What's everyone looking at?"

Kirite paused and glanced at the bulletin board. He decided not to tell him the truth. Better to stop the boy from sneaking onto the battlefield again like the last two times.

This time, the war wasn't just a small skirmish, it was a full-scale conflict. It was still far too dangerous for someone like Shiratori.

"It's nothing," he said with a smile, changing the subject. "Have you had dinner yet?"

Shiratori looked at Kirite, then cleverly slipped into the crowd and ran straight toward the center.

"Hey!" Kirite's eyes widened. He was too slow to react, and by the time he reached out to stop him, the boy had already darted through, disappearing into the center of the crowd.

The ninjas inside all looked down at the sudden appearance of Shiratori.

"Shiratori?"

He tilted his head upward, staring intently at the scroll posted on the bulletin board.

Everyone noticed his presence, but it was too late to stop him from reading further.

"Suna has gone too far!"

After reading it, his eyebrows shot up. He turned to the surrounding ninjas and said firmly, "We absolutely can't let them succeed!"

Seeing his passionate expression, the ninjas couldn't help but smile.

"Of course!"

"How can we let them insult us like this?"

"We'll drive Suna out of the Land of Rain completely!"

"Make sure they never set foot here again!"

"Let's make Ame great! Greater than Suna ever will be! Let's show them our will! The Will of Rain!"

"…"

One voice after another rang in Shiratori's ears.

His gaze swept across the crowd, eyes shining with determination. He loudly declared, "I will go to the battlefield with everyone! We'll drive the Suna ninjas out together! I will make sure everyone returns safely to Ame!"

The previously fired-up ninjas fell completely silent after hearing his words.

[Gratitude detected]

[Multiple sources: +2000 points each]

[Total accumulated: 28,000 points]

[Energy transferred to Smallpox Deity]

[Development progress: 62.5%]

"Shiratori," Mizu placed a hand on his shoulder, bent down, and looked seriously into his eyes.

"Just wait here in the village for us to return safely. You're still a child, war has nothing to do with you."

The smile vanished from Shiratori's face. His mouth straightened with defiance. He pointed to the forehead protector on his head and said, "I am a ninja of Ame! Why should war have nothing to do with me? I'm also a medical-nin, I need to be on the battlefield to treat everyone!"

[Affection detected]

[Multiple sources: +1000 points each]

[Total accumulated: 14,000 points]

[Energy transferred to Rika]

[Development progress: 69.3%]

"You are indeed a ninja of Ame, but you're still too young. The battlefield is full of danger. Your value is greater than all of ours, you can't afford to get hurt."

After a moment of silence, Amatetsu spoke in a serious and heartfelt tone.

Shiratori's gaze shifted to him. Amatetsu's face was expressionless, like a steel tower quietly standing in the rain.

"A ninja's strength is never measured by age, right?" Shiratori asked in return.

Amatetsu was left speechles, he had no rebuttal.

"You're a prodigy, and very powerful," Takigawa interjected, "but the battlefield is a place made to destroy prodigies."

"Once Suna discovers your talent, they will target you specifically, until they're certain you're dead."

Takigawa's voice fell like ice water.

"But I'm not afraid of dying! I just want everyone to live!" Shiratori shouted resolutely.

His clear, childish voice echoed in everyone's ears.

A child stood before them, facing the coming war without fear, and told them firmly, he wasn't afraid to die. What he wanted was for everyone else to live.

[Affection detected]

[Multiple sources: +2000 points each]

[Total accumulated: 28,000 points]

[Energy transferred to Rika]

[Development progress: 72.1%]

"My teacher has already agreed to let me go to the battlefield with everyone! No matter what, I won't change my mind!"

He declared loudly to them.

"I'm going to prepare my things!"

He pushed his way out of the crowd and ran toward his apartment.

Halfway there, he suddenly turned around and waved at the ninjas still staring blankly at his retreating figure.

"See you tomorrow!"

[Gratitude detected]

[Multiple sources: +2000 points each]

[Total accumulated: 28,000 points]

[Energy transferred to Smallpox Deity]

[Development progress: 65.3%]

"Did Hanzō-sama really approve this?"

Mizu watched as Shiratori disappeared into the distance, voicing his doubt.

"He probably wasn't lying. Hanzō-sama really did agree to let him go with us to the battlefield."

Kirite's eyes were full of worry.

"What is Hanzō-sama thinking?" Ren suddenly asked.

"Hanzō-sama is his teacher. He must have his reasons for making this decision," Amatetsu replied to Ren.

"Ame can't afford to lose Shiratori's value."

Ren stared intently at Amatetsu, speaking each word clearly.

"I know," Amatetsu said with a sigh, "but we can't keep him locked up in Ame forever."

"Until he becomes strong enough, keeping him in the village to protect him is the safest course of action."

Ren looked away from Amatetsu's face, his gaze settling coldly on the lead-colored storm clouds in the distance.

"How do you know he isn't strong enough already?"

Chiba appeared before the group. He walked up to Ren, lightly patting him on the shoulder.

"I know you're worried about him, but please trust Hanzō-sama. Trust Shiratori. And trust us, we'll protect him, won't we?"

Ren lowered his gaze and nodded slowly.