CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE: WORMS.
“What… what is this?” The cart driver gulped hard as beads of sweat trickled down his wrinkled leathery forehead. How could two children who were less than half his age put pressure on him? His view about Konoha ninjas still remained unchanged as he managed to speak again. It’s not like they were trying, the person in front of them was their client after all.
“You… you… shouldn’t you respect your elders? Is this… how… the leaf ninja… behaves?” The cart driver asked in a shaky voice.
Gilgamesh retracted his chakra pressure and smiled at the man. At least he can hold firm to his stubbornness even under pressure. Gilgamesh thought as he folded his hands and walked towards the carriage behind the cart driver.
As he passed the cart driver, the cart driver flinched and covered his head but Gilgamesh only chuckled with his eyes closed.
Itachi on the other hand released his chakra pressure after Gilgamesh had released his but stayed still for a while then followed Gilgamesh but flanked at the other side of the carriage.
The cart driver humphed to himself, got to the front of the carriage and began the journey to the Village hidden in the sand.
.
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At the Hidden Leaf Gate.
“Did see that?” Kotetsu asked.
“Yeah, that kid is pretty impressive. His chakra matches that of a proper jounin ninja. No wonder The Third made Gilgamesh a chunin ninja without letting go through the normal procedures.” Izumo remarked.
“It’s not just his chakra level that makes someone as strict as The Third would allow anyone to get promoted to chunin without taking exams. He must have other exceptional skills, I think it would be in our best interest to know someone The Third approved. We could just be looking at the next Hokage!” Kotetsu added.
“Tell me about it. The second Hokage took in a disciple that we know today as The Third Hokage so you may be right.” Izumo agreed in response as he recalled some historical facts.
“But I digress. That’s not what I was talking about.” Kotetsu said as his expression turned serious.
“Ho, was there something really eye-catching about Gilgamesh that you think is worthy of discussion? I will admit he might be an upcoming talent but he’s still a kid.” Izumo reasoned as he reclined at the gate.
“Izumo, why do you think we were selected as the gatekeepers here most of the time?” Kotetsu asked.
“Because we are strong and capable?” Izumo replied with a smirk while pointing to himself using his left thumb.
“Sure. We are capable ninjas with some experience under our belt. But we were chosen for this task for our skills. We are good sensory and genjutsu ninjas. We have coordinated attacks capable of taking down almost any opponent coupled with the ability to cast genjutsu in any area of our choice, boosting our chances of eliminating any threat at the gates.” Kotetsu answered.
“Yeah, so what did I miss?” Izumo asked getting irritated about Kotetsu drawing this out longer than necessary.
“You see, I noticed that I could only sense Gilgamesh's chakra when he released it but the instant he released it, it was like he was gone! Only high-level jounins or ninjas who specialize in masking their presence completely can do this. I am sure Itachi also noticed this since I saw the reaction on his face when he looked at Gilgamesh. It scares me to think of what a monster he will grow up to become!” Kotetsu finished his explanation.
“Oh, but that’s not enough to make a person strong.” Izumo said.
“Yes, let’s wait and see.” Kotetsu concluded and halted a merchant approaching the gate.
.
.
After six hours of travel, the cart driver looked at the children who were escorting him and felt bad that they had been walking all this time on both sides of his carriage and felt the urge to invite them to sit beside him.
“Say, young men, why don’t you take a sit, aren’t you tired and hot.” The cart driver offered with a smile.
“Thank you for your concern, but our mission is to escort you safely to the Village hidden in the sand and that requires us to be alert at all times. But my junior over there might appreciate your offer since this is his first time outside the village.” Itachi replied while keeping his eyes on the road but he checked under the carriage to see if Gilgamesh was still walking on the other side of the carriage since he couldn’t even sense him.
“Oh me? You are too kind captain, why don’t you go ahead and… tch. Worms.” Gilgamesh said and Itachi’s eyes went wide.
“Sir, please retreat inside your carriage, there is a threat in front of us. We will send clones ahead to go ahead and investigate or eliminate them. We will ensure your safety before joining up with the clones okay?”
Earlier, Itachi and Gilgamesh discussed behind the carriage together about their attack strategies and more code names. Itachi decided on calling enemy ninjas or rogue bandits on the road enemies but Gilgamesh refused the idea stating that not many are worthy to be called his enemy and decided on Worms instead. Itachi went along with him since he is a vital member to this mission thanks to his sensory skills.
Tens of metres ahead,
A bandit leader organizing a group of ten bandits observed a carriage moving towards his location with considerable speed.
“Alright boys let's prepare, dinner’s ready at twelve o'clock!” The leader ordered.
“Yeah!!” All the bandits behind him cheered and began making preparations for the ambush.
.
.
Currently,
“Itachi… I can’t make a shadow clone.” Gilgamesh said with all seriousness.
Upon hearing this, the cart driver changed his view of the ninjas escorting him as he wore a grim expression.
“What?” The cart driver and Itachi asked at the same time.
“Now moving on, what do we do captain?” Gilgamesh asked.
‘How? Was I too hasty in telling The Third to put Gilgamesh to training? Even though, what did The Third see in him to make him a chunin? Does he even have chakra?’ Several thoughts ran past Itachi’s head but he stopped as he saw Gilgamesh run ahead at full speed.
The cart driver was surprised that someone with such a small body was capable of such speeds.
Speechless, Itachi weaved hand signs for a clone in a second and left the clone to the cart driver.
‘Tch, you better don’t die already.’ Itachi thought as he ran forward.
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Running ahead, Gilgamesh brought his right palm in front of his torso and a transparent cube with black inscriptions appeared on his palm. Gilgamesh shook his head and cancelled his potent barrier jutsu and decided to experience what combat was like outside of training, and the bandits up ahead proved to be valuable training partners since he could sense one jounin level ninja, six chunin level and four genin ninja.
“Alright let’s set a threefold earth barrier that will trap our meal ticket in front of us.” A masked bandit ninja said to the other as his partner with a build as small as a child, agreed and began weaving signs until he saw a small blackball rolling towards them.
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