The disparity in strength had already taken roots and grew by every hour even larger and larger. It had begun to show. But since it won't be affecting their performance for the competition Klautz had chosen to ignore it.

The essence of time here was of absolute importance. And Klautz was making them waste day after day specializing in a task of his wish alone. Something that would do them no good in the future instead of letting them grow in strength. That alone was enough to destroy their future!

Witht their measly stat they could only end up as slaves and dogs for the guilds by the end of the newbie camp… or worse they might be pulled into the ninja village.

They were naive and followed Klautz instructions but they had no idea of the hell that waited for them at the end of it. But even if they had known there was no way they could have defied Klautz. The fear of that man had etched onto their brains.

Such were the cruel ways of the world. A group of individuals were exploited only for the growth of a selected few.

'Though I didn't want to do this at all. This would indirectly supporting the ninjas in the future… helping them gain more manpower. With so many weaklings here they cannot help but join the ninjas since any other guild won't be accepting them anyway. But this is the only way our group stands a chance.'

That was Klautz's primal worry and also the reason why he had never chosen this path. He would be indirectly supporting an enemy.

Thus although reluctant, Klautz had to take this step. Even if he hadn't, Klautz was confident that he could defeat most of the groups. The information that he has collected on them so far by spying on them wasn't any less extensive. But when facing groups like those of the Benton, Klautz couldn't underestimate his opponent. Not to mention that if there was any group that was in the greatest spotlight at the moment. Then it was undeniably the Yukiho group. They would be easy to attract the attention and animosity of others.

***

*Knock* *Knock*

Klautz turned his head to the wooden door that was knocked. He was expecting someone to carry out a strategic meeting and it eeemed that his guest had already arrived.

"You can come in.

" Klautz voiced out.

*swish*

Shizu walked inside the room that was illuminated by just a single candle at the center. It seemed that some monsters had attacked a power station and with the workers not being able to defend it by themselves the power supply was cut off and won't be returning in quite a few days.

*Hoot* *hoot*

The nights were the darkest with the howl of the beasts sending shivers making them unable to stand on their legs. In such a situation there was only but a candle to hold onto to throw light on their hearts.

"I hope that you have a basic gist of what is going on?

" Klautz asked as Shizu comforted herself on her seat.

She nodded. Klautz had been the acting commander throughout the deal but she had become more serious than she originally was. She had followed the Klautz regimen closely while keeping some deep secrets inside of her heart.

"It seems that I can't trust anyone but you for this.

" her muttering seemed to have been lost somewhere inside of her for the guilt that she felt but KLautz nodded affirming them.

She grabbed onto the helm of her dress as she looked down collecting her thoughts. From the very beginning she wasn't much acquainted with how the things worked . It was simply not her cup of tea.

Klautz sighed.

'She isn't very confident with this, is she?' Klautz thought.

"The men are well trained. They can carry themselves well I believe. I would be checking out on them from time to time. You just have to act your part as the leader and not let your nervousness show up on your face. The kind of gloomy face you have now won't cut for it.

"

Klautz shrugged.

Leading a large group as large as this at least required some basic level of charisma. While Shizu didn't seem to have any of it, Klautz wasn't any better. Klautz sheltered life in his previous life and hardly allowed him to interact with others.

'But I know how to do it.'

Klautz had employed what the ninja villages had always done to control their ninjas. He had employed fear to rule over their hearts. Does he need charisma? Yes he does. He would like to avoid the ninja ways But that was something he would have to acquire in the future, For now this was the best route for him.

If he were to be honest he didn't think that Shizu would be able to pull it off herself. That is why he couldn't rely on her and had instead spent a lot of time properly disciplinging the newbies. This was after all one of the traits of the ninjas of hell. They were good at disciplining to the point that the trainees lost the ability to utter a word and became mindless tools obeying every order.

'But that doesn't mean that the true leader panicking would be a good sign. She sure would be pulling us back.'

Thus training the soldiers wasn't the only thing that had been on the mind of Klautz. Training the leader herself was something that was important for him to succeed.

But Shizu had different concerns.

"But why?

"

Her pupils rippled in worry. Klautz was the one who had trained them. He was the acting leader who all of the newbies under Yukiho's banner feared. Shouldn't he be the one to lead them as well?

"Is it about your pay? If then I can…

"

Klautz shook his head.

***

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