They’re All Lies! (4/5)

"Waaah… Delicious! It’s so delicious!"

Choji cradled the iron pot and poured every last bit of broth into his stomach, even licking the bottom of the pot spotless.

Ino immediately blushed at her companion’s utterly embarrassing behavior. She covered half her face and explained awkwardly, "We’ve been hungry all day, so…"

"No need to explain. I understand," Allen said with a smile, cutting her off. "Besides, having a good appetite is a blessing. After all, there’s nothing in this world that brings more happiness and satisfaction than delicious food."

"Mm! Mm! Agreed! Eating is the most important thing! Nothing else even comes close!" Choji set down the iron pot and patted his round, bulging belly with a satisfied look.

If he had known they would be willing to treat him to such delicious food, he never would have stupidly spent the entire night hiding behind a tree in ambush.

As for having their scroll taken, the little fat boy did not care in the slightest.

He had not planned on passing this exam and becoming a Chunin anyway.

"What are you planning to do with us?"

Compared to his somewhat unreliable teammates, Shikamaru was undoubtedly more thoughtful.

Although he had already realized that these people did not intend to harm him or his companions, he still could not help asking.

"Nothing in particular. As long as you want to, you can leave whenever you like," Allen replied with a shrug.

"Really?" Shikamaru raised his brows in surprise.

Not only him—even Ino could not help demanding, "Hey! Are you really here to take the Chunin Exam? No, wait! Are you really even ninja? You’re way too relaxed!"

"Didn’t I just say it? Constantly fighting and killing is no good. This world has become so twisted because it has created too much hatred. As ninja, we should devote ourselves to spreading love and justice. And you are the first group I intend to reform," Allen explained solemnly, barely holding back his laughter.

To him, the Chunin Exam was essentially just a game.

And unlike Orochimaru, he did not have to run around testing Sasuke’s potential while keeping in touch with the Sand Ninja to ensure the entire plan went smoothly.

Before things truly began, Allen had nothing to do.

As everyone knew, once people got bored shitless, they would do something pointless, so he planned to have some fun with these genin.

"Love and justice? You’re serious?" Shikamaru’s mouth twitched slightly.

Allen nodded without hesitation. "Of course! I’ve always been quite serious. Do you know that when the Sage of Six Paths founded the Ninja Sect, his original intention was to let people understand one another through Chakra and completely eliminate war and chaos? But look at things now. Ninja are using this power, once filled with love and justice, to slaughter one another. Don’t you think that’s ironic?"

"That… kind of makes sense…" Ino wore a thoughtful expression.

After all, in this dog-eat-dog world, as long as the words came from a strong person, no matter how absurd or illogical they were, there would always be plenty of people willing to believe them.

But if it came from some weakling, no one would care even if every word made perfect sense.

Clearly, in the eyes of the new generation of Ino-Shika-Cho, Allen, who had defeated them so effortlessly, was exactly that kind of strong person.

"It is indeed ironic, but I don’t think anyone can change all this."

Seeing that his two teammates were starting to be led astray, Shikamaru decisively spoke up in rebuttal.

"How would you know if you don’t try? A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step! No matter how difficult something is, as long as you begin doing it and persevere, you will eventually see results. Remember, no matter how twisted and dark this world becomes, people will always yearn for light in their hearts. Where there is hope, there is a future."

As he said this, the morning sunlight happened to filter through the forest and fall across Allen’s face, inexplicably lending him an air of mystery.

For a moment, even Shikamaru’s resolve wavered.

After all, the most important trait of lofty ideals and inspirational platitudes was that they seized upon the beautiful hopes and aspirations buried within people’s hearts.

And in a world ravaged by war, the prospect of resolving hatred and bringing about peace was simply too alluring.

Watching the new generation of Ino-Shika-Cho disappear into the forest, Haku finally could not help asking, "Were the things you said earlier true?"

"Which things? The part about love and justice, or the Sage of Six Paths’ original intent in founding the Ninja Sect?" Allen asked with a faintly amused smile.

"All of it!"

Haku’s eyes shone with excitement and anticipation.

Clearly, he had been thoroughly fooled as well.

The moment Allen realized this, he burst out laughing. "Hahahaha! You actually believed that? Don’t be silly! As long as humans have desires, and as long as resources and wealth are distributed unequally, war, hatred, and chaos will never end. I made all that stuff up on the spot just to mess with those genin. Remember this: if anyone ever tells you he can bring permanent peace to the entire ninja world, then he is either a liar or a madman with something wrong in his head."

"So it was all false…"

Haku immediately revealed an expression of profound disappointment.

With his relatively gentle nature, he wanted more than anyone for the world to remain peaceful forever, preferably without war ever breaking out again.

But unfortunately, that could only ever be a beautiful wish—one that could never be realized.

In comparison, Karin’s reaction to that slogan was much colder. She merely cleaned up the pot and bowls by herself, then linked her arm with Allen’s and assumed a demure, birdlike pose.

During the days when she had lived at the mercy of others in the Grass Ninja Village, she had seen enough of humanity’s ugliness and darkness to possess a clearer understanding of this world.

Besides, to her, it did not matter what became of the world, as long as she could remain by Allen’s side.

"Don’t think about it so much. What the future becomes isn’t something one or two people can decide or change. We’re merely mortals, not omnipotent gods. It’s enough to do what mortals should do," Allen said, patting Haku on the shoulder in comfort.

"That’s true. Thank you for taking care of me these past days. I finally understand what kind of person you are," Haku said, bowing deeply and respectfully.

"Oh? What kind of person do you think I am?" Allen asked with great interest.

"I’m sorry, I don’t know how to describe it, but I would rather believe you are a good person," Haku replied with a smile.

"A good person? That isn’t exactly a flattering term in my Hometown. Also, judging by the time, Zabuza should be arriving soon. Have you thought about what you’ll do then? A rogue ninja like him has almost no future to speak of," Allen hinted meaningfully.

"No matter what the future holds, I will stay by Zabuza’s side and become the finest tool in his hand…" Haku declared his stance without hesitation.