Imagine spending your entire life working hard for it… pouring your sweat and blood only to realize that what you had worked for was non-existent?

Imagine working your entire life for your children nurturing them, only to be abandoned by them in an old age home when you grow old?

Imagine putting everything in a relationship thinking that love that you shared was mutual only for that bitch to be taken away by some other man?

That was the kind of feeling Klautz had felt the day that he received the title of 'Rank A ninja'. It could be explained as nothing but devastating completely shattering his already cold as ice heart.

Klautz only smiled wryly as those similar feelings of hate that had taken root at his heart began to resurface.

But soon enough all of them were washed away as Verona sealed his lips with hers.

"Take me with you…

" she whispered, gradually gaining force in her voice.

"You always leave me behind during grinds.

"

"I might be a burden to you on the battlefield. But still… take me with you. The loneliness when you leave is too much to bear,

" The attention seeker had voiced out his thoughts.

Verona said as she looked down in embarrassment.

On the other hand Klautz could only smirk. The stone that was weighing on his heart was gradually lifted as a rare smile of joy bloomed on his face.

'I didn't think she would be making such demands.' Klautz chuckled.

While it was indeed true that taking Verona along might slow him down. But if he can't enjoy being with his lover then what was the point of rebirth? Why should he devote his life to serving others again?

Klautz hadn't realized that he was contradicting his own usual stances but that was what the power of love could do. Through centuries countless men had curbed to its will.

"Pfft, okay,

" finally KLautz couldn't hold back his laughter making Verona all the more flustered.

She wasn't sure if what she said was right or wrong but she felt that if she didn't voice out her opinions she was never gonna get what she deserved. She even more so felt compelled to do so after Klautz unusual silence. She felt like a lot was weighing on his mind.

"So, you won't leave me right?

"

Klautz stopped laughing as he stared atraight into her eyes.

After a pause he nodded as he wrapped his hand around her waist pulling her closer. Verona too had no resistances as fell in his arms.

It was then…

*Swish*

A sound ripping through the air caused Klautz ears to twitch.

*Flick*

Klautz turned around only to find an arrow stuck to the floor. It was clear as a day that it had come in from the window.

Klautz pulled away storming to the window as he witnessed a familiar silhoutte gracefully storming away.

'Maebi?'

The figure looked small from that amount of distance. But the clothes that the woman was wearing sure seemed familiar to what he was used to seeing by now. She indeed had an unusual dressing sense for a ninja that made her stand out.

Klautz raised his brows as he turned around. His gaze fell on the arrow that had just invaded his private space.

The was a piece of paper stuck to its root signifying its purpose.

Klautz picked it up as he unfurled the note. But the text on it made him frown.

Klautz,

The Kishiogakure is backing the culprit. My most accurate guess would be that they are forcing a newbie to do their dirty work. I am already driven out of the newbie camp by them so you are on your own terms. Don't let your identity as my representative be revealed.

These are some suggestions I would like to leave for you. Follow at your own risk:

1. Find the culprit

2. Keep him trapped away from the eyes of Kishiogakure.

3. Extract information from him regarding the source of his power and the involvement of the Kishiogakure.

4. Don't let them find out your identity.

5. Stay away from Colt Ackerman!

6. Destroy this piece of paper.

Your employer,

Ueda Akihiko

Klautz fingers drew closer as the paper crumbled under his fist.

"Employer my ass! Since when did you pay me a single penny?

"

Klautz gritted his teeth. Putting everything aside. He had just got important information out of nowhere. Its credibility? Klautz had no choice but to trust Akihiko.

'But it doesn't help me in any way!'

The veins on Klautz's forehead popped. The letter was less of an information booklet and more of an order.

The information provided was highly vague. Take the line mentioning Akihiko's absence for example. There was hardly any mention of why he was driven out.

With such stupid information there was no way for Klautz to get to any concrete conclusion let alone formulate plans. Planning was not so simple as making guesses and following hunches from a few clues. That was simply not Klautz's way.

'Damn, Akihiko.'

One must note that Akihiko runs a ninja village. He was used to leading them and issuing missions. The ninja doesn't need to know the importance of the orders or what and why the orders were even enacted.

They just need to follow the orders. Thus, the letter that Akihiko had written for Klautz was formulated in a similar manner as a mission. Even though Akihiko had not paid a single penny to Klautz nor made any promises to pay in case he completes the orders.

Klautz rubbed his forehead that had formed grooves as he tried to calm himself down.

"Klautz are you okay?

" Verona said seemingly worried.

"Yea…

" Klautz replied before unfurling the chit of paper again.

"Colt Ackerman, huh?

" Klautz whispered as his gaze travelled across the name.

***

Author:

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

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