200. Small Gift For Baby

Wind Style: Net Trap was one of Shamon’s signature Wind Release techniques. Unlike the ordinary net-based jutsu, he took a novel approach by leveraging the terrain, mixing sand grains into the wind, and increasing the technique's destructive power.

Indeed, yellow sand truly represents the identity of the Land of Wind ninjas.

Shamon, satisfied, watched the sand grains swirling with the wind jutsu, a proud glint flashing in his eyes.

The fierce yellow wind, carrying sand, weaved an intricate net across the sky, determined to ensnare the elusive Shana. Yet, when the net descended, Shamen realized his carefully prepared jutsu had caught nothing—not even a strand of hair.

Frowning, he looked up, and what he saw left him dumbfounded. His jaw dropped so wide that even the flying sand failed to register in his mouth.

The once-confident Shamon now stood frozen, his round eyes wide open as he stared at Shana gracefully soaring through the sky. Shocked, his thick chin practically hit the ground.

“She can actually fly?!”

“Cough... um, just... technology! All thanks to technology!”

Faced with Shamon’s astonishment, Uchiha Gin awkwardly laughed it off, realizing how advanced the Ōtsutsuki technology truly was for this era. Puppeteering techniques didn’t even exist yet, and here he was, showcasing a full-fledged Iron Man. A true case of dimensional suppression.

“Shana, end this quickly.”

Seeing the fight between Shana and Shamon dragging on, Uchiha Gin transmitted the command through his chakra to the floating puppet.

This aerial battle had already gone too far. Any longer, and he wouldn’t make it home in time for dinner.

“Understood.”

Receiving the order, Shana's yellow eyes flashed briefly. She then dove toward the ground, aiming directly at the wary Shamon.

“Hmph, I’ve never lost in close combat!”

Watching Shana charge at him, Shamon sneered. A mere puppet could never match his powerful physique. With the Dragon Vein chakra protecting him, ordinary opponents couldn’t even get close to him.

“Let’s see if your fists are stronger than my defenses.”

As Shana dove down, she extended a delicate fist wrapped in a pale green chakra, aiming straight at Shamon’s large face.

To Shamen, the seemingly light punch posed no threat. As the Dragon Vein’s guardian, he was protected by its chakra, forming a faint purple barrier around him. It was more than enough to deflect physical attacks.

“With the Dragon Vein shielding me, no ordinary strike can... GAH!”

This time, Shamon’s overconfidence backfired. Shana's small fist landed squarely on his face, shattering his nasal confidence. His once prominent nose was flattened, and blood gushed out in an instant.

“I went easy on you because you’re a woman! That’s one strike; you still have two left. Come on!”

Clutching his nose to numb the pain, Shamon stubbornly continued his bravado.

Hearing this, Shana showed no mercy. Her internal power core unleashed a burst of force as additional arms emerged from her back. Each arm glowed faintly with blue light, and she launched a flurry of slaps at Shamon’s chubby face.

Smack! Bang! Crack! Boom!

“ARGHHH!”

A symphony of impacts filled the air, followed by a mournful wail echoing across the desert. Shamon, now beaten into a swollen-faced “pig,” lay sprawled on the sand. His small eyes were completely obscured by swollen eyelids, with tears trickling from the gaps.

“Why... why just my face? What if I’m disfigured?!”

The only injuries on his body were on his face. With his swollen lips resembling sausages, Shamon whimpered in despair. Even without seeing his eyes, Uchiha Gin could sense the deep confusion etched into his thoroughly battered face.

“Well... Shana is an autonomous puppet. I don’t control every action. Maybe your face is just... too punchable?”

Fresh from receiving a system notification for gaining a Steel Heart Energy Point, Uchiha Gin waved Shana back, who looked as though she hadn’t had enough. Approaching the tearful Shamon, Gin maintained a composed demeanor while barely suppressing his laughter.

“Brother Shamon, my deepest apologies. Shana didn’t know how to hold back. But hey, look at it this way—your disfigurement is practically a makeover.”

“WAAAHHHH!”

Shamon, now utterly broken, could only stare at the blazing desert sun, his tears a painful testament to his newfound growth.


---

At the entrance of the Rōran camp, Shamon had wrapped his swollen, pig-like face tightly in a large scarf to hide his shame. Standing before Uchiha Gin, who was preparing to depart, his muffled voice called out:

“Mr. Gin, are you sure you won’t stay a few more days?”

Carrying a large bag of local specialties gifted by Shamon, Uchiha Gin tightened his grip on his travel supplies. With genuine reluctance, he replied,

“Brother Shamon, I feel a deep kinship with you. I’d love to share wine and discuss the world’s affairs. But with the ongoing war, I cannot bear to let my family worry. I must leave now. Let us hope that the next time we meet, the Land of Wind will be at peace.”

The sincerity in Gin’s tone made Shamon’s honest heart ache. Truly, the people of the Land of Wind were too pure—he almost felt guilty for taking advantage of them.

“Your words bring hope. The winds of the Land of Wind will settle.”

With these parting words, a flicker of determination passed through Shamon’s eyes. He extended a hand toward Gin.

“Thank you, Mr. Gin.”

“Uh, you’re being awfully polite.”

Slightly puzzled by the sudden gratitude, Gin nevertheless shook Shamon’s hand courteously.

“Although you have a puppet to accompany you, Mr. Gin, I still feel a bit uneasy. Let him lead you to the nearby main road,” Shamon said, waving to someone behind him.

A familiar figure—a gate guard ninja—walked over in response.

“Mr. Gin, you can leave the rest of the journey to me. I know these surroundings so well I could walk them blindfolded,” the lavender-haired guard declared confidently, thumping his chest.

He was known as the "Living Map of the Desert."

"Alright, I’ll leave it to you then,” Uchiha Gin said, nodding to the guard.

“Paths may twist, but we’ll meet again someday!” Gin called, waving goodbye to Shamon as he and the guard headed off into the vast desert.

“Mr. Gin, the next time we meet, I’ll show you a new Shamon,” Shamon whispered, clenching his fists as he watched Gin’s figure fade into the distance. Then, he turned to gaze resolutely at the black tower standing at the center of the Roran Tribe. His eyes, once filled with hesitation, now held firm resolve.

“Roran is too small for me,” he thought. Though revered as one of the Dragon Vein’s protectors, the tower he guarded felt more like a prison, a cage formed by false glory. After realizing he couldn’t even match Gin’s puppet, he understood that he wasn’t truly powerful.

He still had great ambitions to fulfill, and Roran was not his true home.

“Reto… I’ll test your mettle!” Shamen decided, recalling the name Uchiha Gin had mentioned. It was time to see if this man called Reto had the qualifications to unify the ninja world of the Land of Wind.

The lavender-haired guard led Uchiha Gin across a barren plain, taking several turns before finally arriving at a main road etched with cart tracks. Exhausted, the guard pointed in a direction, gasping as he informed the unruffled Gin, “Mr. Gin, this is the official road of the Land of Wind. Follow that direction, and you’ll reach the next town.”

“So soon? Thank you so much! Without your help, I might’ve wandered around forever,” Gin said gratefully, though he thought to himself, If it weren’t for you, I’d already be home by now.

“Oh, no problem at all! You’re a friend of Captain Shamon, after all,” the guard replied, waving off Gin’s thanks.

“Seems you really admire Brother Shamon,” Gin remarked, calculating his way back home while chatting with the resting guard.

“Of course! Captain Shamon is my idol. As his number-one follower, I’ll go wherever he goes!” The guard’s eyes sparkled with admiration as he spoke, looking every bit the devoted fan.

"Nice, very spirited! By the way, I remember you recently had a daughter, didn’t you?”

Gin suddenly recalled the guard’s future famous daughter upon seeing his lavender hair and asked.

“Heh, you’ve got a good memory, Mr. Gin! My little Chiyo will be a month old soon,” the guard replied, a look of tenderness in his eyes as he spoke of his daughter.

"Wow, almost a month, huh? But look, I didn’t bring a gift...” Gin patted his pockets, finding nothing. Thinking for a moment, he reached into his system inventory and pulled out a short purple staff. He glanced at it and handed it to the guard.

“Here, take this as a gift for your daughter’s first month. Don’t turn it down.”

“What? No, no, I can’t accept something so valuable!” the guard stammered, instinctively taking the staff and feeling its weight. Looking closer, he noticed it was decorated with a purple gemstone and an intricately carved silver dragon. Such a fine item seemed far too precious to accept.

“No need to return a gift once given,” Gin said, waving him off. He had plenty of those lying around in his inventory, and it was perfect as a gift for a young girl.

“Then I’ll thank you on Chiyo’s behalf, Mr. Gin.” Unable to refuse, the guard tucked the elegant staff into his coat and thanked Gin profusely.

“Alright, you take a rest here. I’ve got to hurry home,” Gin said, nodding to the guard before vanishing down the road.

Just as Gin departed, the guard returned to the Roran camp and noticed a commotion near the entrance. Curious, he joined the crowd.

“Captain Shamon, where are you going?” he asked, learning from others that Shamen was planning to leave Roran. The guard squeezed through the crowd and finally found Shamon in the center, asking the burly man directly.

“I’m going to change the Land of Wind. Will you come with me?” Shamon invited his loyal follower, his voice full of purpose.

“With all my heart! My family and I pledge to follow you, Captain Shamon!”