Chapter 136: Time Flies
Two months later, after returning home, Ling had gained quite a bit of affection from Izuna. Izuna was like a little shadow, following Ling closely whether he was going for training or to the market to buy things.
Ling enjoyed it too. As long as he wasn't on a mission, he would give Izuna pointers on his training. He was quite satisfied with his current life.
The Nekomata's Journey was also welcomed by the whole family. However, compared to Father's guarded and calculating kind of affection, Madara and Izuna's pure trust and love for the cat clearly won The Nekomata's Journey over more.
The three brothers also slept in the same room again after a long time. Madara and Izuna even argued a few times over who could hug The Nekomata's Journey and lie next to Ling at the same time. Of course, most of the time, Madara made concessions.
This kind of life followed a pattern: going on missions, training or discussing with others, and then coming home to accompany the family. It made Ling feel extremely relaxed and comfortable. At the same time, he was also in high spirits because he had successfully arranged a battle with the Senju clan in the Land of Water while on an out - of - town mission.
Just when he was thinking about whether to set off for the Land of Water right away, he was stopped by the news brought by Izuna.
Ling picked up his excited young brother and the smile on his lips faded a bit. "Really? Izuna is also going to start going on missions."
"Yeah!" Izuna was extremely excited. "I can finally go on missions with big brother and Madara! Just thinking about it makes me so happy!"
"Heh... Then big brother has to work harder." Ling smiled and pressed his forehead against Izuna's. "How about big brother taking you on your first mission then?"
Izuna nodded vigorously and slipped out of Ling's arms. "I ain't gonna let big brother down! Heh, I'm going to tell Madara right away!"
The Nekomata's Journey watched Izuna run off quickly, then stretched out its paw and patted Ling's forehead. "You don't seem very happy."
"Yeah, just a bit," Ling's smile finally faded completely. "It seems like just yesterday that Madara started going to the battlefield, and now Izuna is going too... Izuna is even starting to take on missions at a younger age than Madara."
"Humph~ It's because humans always fight over meaningless things." The Nekomata's Journey leisurely licked its paw. "I won't be surprised at all if humans go extinct one day because of their own infighting."
Ling picked up The Nekomata's Journey and walked silently to the corridor outside the house and sat down. He absent - mindedly stroked The Nekomata's Journey's soft and warm fur. "I won't be surprised either... After all, as long as there are more than two people, humans are bound to have different opinions."
"I just... don't want my little brothers to put their lives on the line for other people's desires so early."
The Nekomata's Journey purred and obligingly showed its belly. "Humph~ But you seem to enjoy it quite a bit, don't you?"
"
"Yeah," Ling lowered his head, looking straight at The Nekomata's Journey. "I enjoy the feeling of fighting with others and being on the brink of death... But Madara is different. Although he also loves fighting, he's the exact opposite of someone like me, who's a bit cold - blooded.
He always shows mercy to the pitiful. Even though he'll still follow the ninja rules in the end, he always gets all tangled up in his thoughts after everything's done...
If Madara hadn't been born in this chaotic era, with his kind nature, he might've become a really popular, kind, and upright leader, right?"
The Nekomata's Journey looked up at Ling and didn't answer but just listened to him continue.
"Izuna is still way too young. He doesn't even have a clear idea of what a ninja is. He just wants to be a ninja 'cause his Father and big brothers are all ninjas.
Besides, the fact that Izuna has to start taking missions at such a young age only shows that the situation's getting tenser and tenser. In ninja battles, there's no such thing as sparing someone just 'cause they're young. On the contrary, the enemy will only try every means to kill you."
Ling's face showed a touch of sorrow. "Just thinking that I might get the news of my little brother's death someday in the future, a deep - seated sadness will well up in my heart...
This is uneasiness that I can't shake off no matter how strong I get. So sometimes I also think it'd be great if someone could end this chaotic era... At least then the kids wouldn't have to be forced to fight when they can't even figure out their own preferences because of the environment."
"What about you?" The Nekomata's Journey tilted its head, sat up, and asked, "If you were born in a peaceful world, what would you be like?"
"Me..." Ling looked up, fell silent for a long while, and then said, "I'd probably still dabble in all kinds of fighting - related occupations. Or maybe I'd be some notorious criminal?
After all, when I first fought the enemy tooth and nail, I was sure that nothing in this world could please me more than fighting with all my might. I really love this kind of never - ending conflict.
So far, I haven't met any other humans who love fighting as much as I do and are always eager for the next battle. How can I put it? It's kinda lonely."
The Nekomata's Journey looked at the bitter smile on Ling's lips, scurried onto his shoulder in a few bounds, and pressed its paw against his cheek. "How dare you say you're lonely when you've got me, the great Two - Tailed Beast, right by your side? You're really a bold human."
"Little Neko, you don't dig fighting," Ling chuckled softly and turned his face to nuzzle The Nekomata's Journey's soft fur. "But it's really an extremely lucky thing to have you with me... Thank you."
"Humph~ Good that you know. You should know that Tailed Beasts don't easily take to humans." The Nekomata's Journey raised its chin. "You gotta work harder."
"Yes, yes..." Ling's smile grew even broader. "And no matter what it's for, I'll work even harder."