Klautz growth could be explained as nothing but exponential. While the other newbies were groveling in their 40s, Klautz had already reached his 90s. But his growth was soon to find a bottleneck.

In the tutorial zone, it was surrounding that was specifically for the impetus for growth that aided in his exponential rise. While in the newbie drill it was simply Maebi's help.

But in the absence of Maebi Klautz had to grind to a great degree to ever reach the level cap.

'Her help aided me a lot.' Klautz thought. Internally. he was thankful to both her and to Shizu.

While she defended him, Shizu was the one who funded it all. It was Shizu's money that bought him the stamina potions anyway.

The Sunset in the horizon as it basked the white and snowy world of Ice Post in an orange glow. It was truly a mysterious site as the Ice dunes cast their long and breathtaking shadows on the white world dividing the floor into several contours.

"Today is the end of your duties huh?

" Klautz whispered.

"Indeed,

" Maebi spoke from behind her mask as she too mesmerized at the setting sun. Even though Klautz was aware of her identity, she had never removed her mask.

If one were to catch a glimpse of them in the bask of the evening sunset, they might have mistaken them for sharing a moment of kinship or worse… possibly a romantic moment. But that was hardly the case.

She could only thank the second gen to arrive so early. For her time spent with Klautz was not something she favored. The faster it ended the better it was for her. Escorting a newbie definitely undermined her ego. She was a prideful lady that couldn't bear this shame.

Little did she know that in Klautz's past life she was the very Kage who had proposed such a grinding method and advertised it to be sold to the offsprings of the influential figures. Everyone loved to have a quick boost in their strength.

It was this very decision that had marked the rise of Mizukigakure under her leadership. Before the Kishigakure could even realize anything, she had dominated the sector of the missions of this sort with her ninjas making her village the go-to place for quick grinds.

One must remember that thinking of good ideas is not the only important factor that comes to play. Anyone can think of an idea. But executing it on a mass scale? An idea that is not properly executed is just an idea. It has no monetary value.

The thought of speed grinding was a simple one, but it gave her huge returns.

Many had probably come before her who had similar ideas. But it was only her who could put the idea on the large scale with her ninjas to profit from it.

Klautz sighed at his loss. The sudden arrival of the second gen was rather unexpected. While he was not sure of the reason for that but he was sure that it was something trivial.

'When have those kids ever used their brains?'

To Klautz who had lived two lives the second gens who boasted great glory for their achievements appeared nothing other than kids. Had Klautz the opportunity to tap into the same resources as they had done since their childhood he would have achieved much greater heights than those prideful kids.

Klautz extended his hand in way of a handshake.

His dangling hand caused Maebi to tilt her head in confusion as her lips turned woozy.

"Welp, our deal was only till here. Hope you fare well. And I hope that we never cross our paths.

" Klautz claimed.

Klautz didn't lie. All ninjas were on his hit list. The next time he would be visiting a ninja village, it would be probably to kill them all. It was the grudge of a life that he carried. It was not easy to settle it especially after knowing that his tormentors were still alive and kicking.

If at that time, Maebi stood in his way which she definitely would, Klautz would kill her without a second thought. In fact, Maebi might prove to be the greatest obstruction he would face.

In his past life, Klautz had killed all the ninjas of Kishiogakure. In this life, he would obliterate not only Kishigakure but all ninjas from the face of hell!

Klautz whispers brought Maebi back to reality as she realized what that gesture was.

Maebi reached out her hands as he shook them with Klautz. She had a bitter smile on her face that spoke all of her evil intentions.

"Me too. Best of luck. I too hope that we never cross paths.

"

Maebi didn't lie either.

'By the time we meet again. My escape would have probably come to fruition.'

She smirked. She could already see the future where she wasn't held down by the norms of the ninjas and she could enact her will freely.

Maebi planned to free herself from the Mizukigakure once she was strong enough to not need a backer like Akihiko anymore.

At that time, Maebi would make sure to take her revenge on Klautz. She bared a grudge against him for everything that he had done to her. May it be in the darkness on his bed or in broad daylight at the Ice Post.

She felt offended by it.

One must note that one of the core differences between Maebi and Klautz was their thirst for Vengeance. Both were quite perceptive of their plans. But while Klautz was nulled to revenge, Maebi found an unusual sense of joy from it. Maebi was simply too young to have freed herself from the arrogance in her heart.

Had Klautz known of the inner thoughts of Maebi that planned for betrayer and escape from the ninja village, he would have laughed out aloud.

***

Author:

Creation is hard for authors. Cheer me up with your power stones.

Let me know about your thoughts on the chapter in the comments sections.