Dan dashed through the dense forest accompanied by his two sons, Leon and Sato. Naturally, he did not utilize his true maximum speed. He restrained himself significantly so that his sons could keep pace and remain with him. Had he wished, he could have appeared before his distant target in a single moment—a second or less—traversing kilometers as if they were nothing.
However, this did not imply that his sons were slow. Quite the contrary; they moved at an immense speed. Both sons—Leon and Sato—were at the Kage level. Not just ordinary Kage, but elite. If Dan were to place them in a comparative ranking against fighters who would appear in the distant future, the current thirty-seven-year-old Leon would undoubtedly be at the level of the three Legendary Sannin. In fact, he might even be slightly superior to some of them in certain aspects. His massive chakra reserves inherited from Dan, his body enhanced by the Vitality Seal, and his thread techniques all placed him in a very high rank.
As for Sato, although he was younger—only twenty-one years old—he was at a level slightly below Leon. It was not a vast gap, but the additional years of experience showed their difference. Nevertheless, Sato remained exceptionally powerful by any standard. Dan's choice of these two specific sons among his forty-four children was never random; it was for a clear and specific purpose.
Regarding Leon, the reason was simple and direct. Dan had decided some time ago that Leon would be the primary guardian for the family's future external expeditions. When members of the Walt family began venturing into the outside world—for trade, exploration, or gathering resources—they would need protection. Leon was ideal for this role. The reason? His fierce nature and natural inclination toward combat. Leon loved fighting. He did not fear it; rather, he looked forward to it. When he faced an opponent, he smiled. His eyes gleamed with an enthusiasm he did not hide. This nature—which might be a flaw in other contexts—made him perfect as a guardian and a frontline combatant. Therefore, Dan saw this current situation—confronting a group of unknown intruders—as a perfect opportunity for Leon to gain real experience in dealing with external threats. This was not a drill; it was a real threat—actual danger. This kind of experience cannot be acquired on the training grounds.
As for his reason for choosing Sato, it was entirely different. Sato was selected because of his unique temperament and way of thinking. Among all of Dan's many children—male and female, young and old—Sato was the closest to him in personality and mindset. He was calm, a man of few words, and preferred observation over impulsive action. He thought with cold logic, analyzing a situation before making a decision. He was not easily swayed by emotions when making important choices. He was essentially a younger version of Dan, with features that were perhaps slightly more serious.
For this very reason, Dan decided to train him specifically, allowing him to gain administrative and leadership experience—especially in handling sensitive situations like this one. These were situations that required calm thinking, rapid risk assessment, and decisive action. Why? Because Dan intended to make Sato responsible for managing all the family's affairs in the near future. Not now, but after he had matured sufficiently. Dan knew that at some point, he would need to focus entirely on his personal training and his research, which grew more complex as he delved deeper. The massive projects he planned required immense time and concentration. He would not have enough time to manage every daily family matter—resolving small disputes, organization, overseeing resources, or making mundane administrative decisions. He would need someone he trusted, someone who mirrored his thinking and principles, to uphold the specific rules and laws he had meticulously established. He needed someone who would not deviate from the path, would not be influenced by emotion, and would maintain the family's isolation and secrecy. Sato was perfect for this.
Thus, this situation—dealing with unknown intruders, making quick decisions, and leading the operation—was practical training for what was to come.
The three covered the distance in record time. Two hundred and fifty kilometers in just half an hour. They approached the location of the intruders they had sensed. When they were close enough, Dan did something unexpected. He moved to the rear, positioning himself behind Sato and Leon instead of in front. With a simple gesture of his hand, he made Sato the leader, placing him at the head of the group. Then, he said in a calm but clear voice: "Act as you see fit."
Sato looked at his father with slight surprise for a moment. Then, he understood. A test. A real situation, real decisions, and real consequences. He nodded his head seriously, accepting the responsibility. They continued to advance, but now Sato was in the lead.
A few minutes later, when less than a thousand meters remained between them and the advancing intruder group, something expected occurred. The intruder group finally sensed the presence of the three. Immediately, the group moved. They advanced rapidly toward Dan and his sons, closing the distance quickly. Then, they appeared. From between the dense trees, the group emerged into the open.
Exactly twenty people, just as Dan had initially sensed. All of them wore light combat armor—reinforced leather and metal plates on the chest and shoulders. It was practical, designed for rapid movement with protection. They stood in an organized fashion, a clear formation. They were not a random gang; they were trained and disciplined. In the front stood a middle-aged man with sharp eyes that scanned the three before him. Behind him, nineteen fighters stood at attention, their hands near their weapons but not yet drawn.
The two parties stopped. A distance of about fifty meters lay between them. A short silence followed as each side studied the other. Sato stood at the front, his face entirely calm, showing no sign of tension or fear. Slightly behind him, Leon and Dan watched.
The man at the front of the intruder group narrowed his eyes slightly. He looked at the three—two young men and a third person who appeared even younger than the other two. Then he spoke. His voice was loud, confident, and carried a clear tone of interrogation:
"Who are you?"
A direct question. But it was not a friendly one. Sato did not answer immediately. He studied the group before him with calm eyes. Twenty fighters. Armed. Organized. Moving directly toward the base. They were not merchants. They were not random travelers. So, what did they want?
This was his first true test.
------------
If you are enjoying this work and would like to read the upcoming chapters , you can access the advanced chapters on Patreon.
Patreon :Aaron4dicard
I publish several chapters there before they are released here, you can join through the link partreon/Aaron4dicard Thank you to everyone who reads and supports the work.