belamy20

206-210

Added 2025-08-15 17:24:09 +0000 UTC

Chapter 206: Team 7’s First High-Rank Mission—Failure

The mist-covered sea bridge was littered with fallen men in black robes.

"Y-You… Morton?"

At Tazuna’s hesitant question, the man kneeling in surrender flinched, pressing his forehead even harder against the ground, as if afraid to meet his gaze.

Kakashi, observing the situation, quickly deduced that these men were likely people Tazuna knew from the Land of Waves. He shot a glance at his team, signaling them to stand down—though the warning was mostly for Hikari, reminding her not to slaughter indiscriminately.

Naruto and Sasuke naturally sheathed their weapons, while Hikari was preoccupied with studying the thick fog beneath the bridge. She had no interest in some groveling civilian. The upheaval in the Land of Waves had caused the disappearance of the Ice Release user she was most concerned about, so men like Morton or Raiga meant nothing to her.

If enemies showed up, she’d just crush them—no need to overthink it.

If this were a game, she’d already be mashing the skip button.

Morton didn’t answer Tazuna’s question, but his silence spoke volumes.

Finally encountering someone familiar brought Tazuna a flicker of relief—but seeing Morton’s bowed head and the enemy’s black robes, reality soon set in.

"Morton, why are you with these rogue ninja? Did you surrender to Gato?"

"I didn’t!"

The man’s head snapped up at the accusation, his face twisted in fury. Now, the group could see his features clearly—bruised eyes, a bloodied nose, the face of a man in his twenties.

"Then why are you wearing their uniform?"

Even Naruto, the most thickheaded of them all, didn’t buy his excuse, pointing at the standardized black garb with disdain. Sasuke’s blade hovered halfway out of its sheath, ready to strike if Morton made a single wrong move.

Sensing the danger, Morton swallowed hard but still insisted:

"Boss Raiga locked Gato in a coffin! The Land of Waves belongs to the Black Ops now! I just joined them—I didn’t surrender to Gato!"

"You—!"**

Tazuna was left speechless by Morton’s shameless justification.

Thanks to the Great Hero Bridge, the Land of Waves had finally connected to the outside world, bringing economic growth—and with it, unsavory characters. The ninja threats had been handled by Zabuza, but ordinary pirates and bandits were another problem.

Tazuna’s son-in-law, Kaiza, had reformed the self-defense force to protect the country from Gato’s thugs. Morton had been one of them—a supposed guardian of the nation. Yet now, he had betrayed them all!

Naruto and Sasuke stared at Morton with open contempt.

Instead of resisting the invaders, he had joined them—even attacking Tazuna, the one who had gone to seek help. People like him were worse than the enemy.

"Let’s just kill him."

"Agreed."**

As the saying goes, "Keep good men company, and you shall be of the number." Spending too much time around Hikari had rubbed off on Naruto and Sasuke—their attitudes had hardened.

Morton’s face flushed red with anger, his fear momentarily forgotten.

"Even that powerful water-style ninja ran from Boss Raiga! You have no idea how strong he is! If he rules the Land of Waves, we’ll never have to fear scum like Gato again!"

"Yeah!"

"The ‘Hero Ninja’ abandoned us—of course we’d seek a stronger protector!"

The other surrendered men, who had been silent until now, murmured in agreement. They had clearly been brainwashed by this twisted logic, genuinely believing they were doing the right thing.

Tazuna studied their faces—he didn’t know their names, but they looked familiar. They must have been part of the self-defense force too. The thought of Kaiza’s unknown fate made his blood boil.

Emboldened by their support, Morton’s bruised face twisted into a smug grin.

"That so-called ‘hero’ ran away and left us to die! These Konoha ninja will finish their mission and leave—then what? We’ll be on our own again!

But now, with the invincible Boss Raiga ruling the Land of Waves, no one will dare bully us! Isn’t that a good thing?

Uncle, you should send these ninja back to Konoha and join the Black Ops with us. You’re a bridge builder—Raiga won’t kill you. Together, we can make the Land of Waves prosper!"

Now, Morton was the one trying to persuade Tazuna to surrender.

And the most unsettling part? Kakashi found some logic in his words.

From the Land of Waves’ perspective, sandwiched between the Land of Fire and Water, it was a natural trade hub. Economic growth brought not just wealth but predators like Gato.

Without their own ninja force, the country was defenseless. Team 7 couldn’t stay forever—Zabuza had vanished, and Raiga’s rule might actually provide some stability.

"No, my family is still—"

"That’s easy!" Morton cut him off with a laugh. "You’re the famous bridge builder! This sea bridge needs your expertise for maintenance and expansion. Just convince Kaiza to stop resisting Raiga, and he’ll surely spare your family!"

"I—"**

Under Morton’s relentless persuasion, doubt flickered in Tazuna’s eyes.

Gato was no longer a threat. If Raiga truly released Tsunami and the others, and protected the Land of Waves like Zabuza had, it’d be far better than spending millions to beg Konoha for help.

Zabuza and the Konoha ninja were just hired hands—but if Raiga took over, he’d rule the Land of Waves. A ruler would defend his own territory fiercely. The more Tazuna thought about it, the more sense it made.

Seeing Tazuna’s hesitation, Naruto and Sasuke exchanged uneasy glances.

If the client gave up, what happened to their mission?

Sasuke had an extra concern—his coveted sword was still out of reach. Returning empty-handed would make this trip pointless.

But how could they stop Tazuna? The truth was, they had no solution.

This country had no army, no elite ninja.

Just a self-defense force of ordinary people. Against even low-level rogue ninja, they stood no chance.

The Land of Waves had survived this long only because it was too poor and small to attract attention—until Gato saw its potential for smuggling.

But now, with the Great Bridge and five years of development, the Land of Waves was becoming a trading hub rivaling the Land of Fire’s ports. Its economy had soared—but its military strength remained pitiful.

Strong economy, weak defense.

A perfect target for predators.

Team 7 couldn’t stay indefinitely. There was no easy fix.

Whatever Tazuna decided, it was for the Land of Waves’ sake. They had no right to interfere.

Time ticked by.

The mist thinned slightly, letting in faint sunlight. The bridge, once filled with screams and clashes, was now eerily silent.

Morton’s persuasive whispers, Tazuna’s conflicted expression, Kakashi and the boys standing helplessly—

Hikari, finally snapping out of her fog-study, took in the scene with confusion.

What the hell happened?

She listened to Morton’s spiel, piecing things together.

The irony. Naruto, the king of Talk No Jutsu, had been out-talked by some nobody.

Faced with this turn of events, Hikari was equal parts amused and resigned.

They were hired ninja. If the client canceled the mission, so be it. If Raiga could actually protect the Land of Waves, maybe it wasn’t a bad outcome.

Most importantly, she hadn’t cared much about the mission to begin with—she’d only come for the Ice Release user. Since that lead was dead, it didn’t matter. If Tazuna wanted to continue, she’d beat Raiga into submission. If not, no skin off her back.

"Uncle, Kaiza just doesn’t get it. But you’ve traveled the world—you know how things work.

Boss Raiga said anyone who joins the Black Ops can learn chakra control! The strong can even become officers and learn ninjutsu! Imagine—our own ninja force! We wouldn’t need outsiders like that coward Zabuza!"

Tazuna’s face was a storm of emotions—the future of the Land of Waves, the bridge, ninja… Finally, under Morton’s expectant gaze, he nodded.

"Fine… maybe you’re right."

"See? You’re a wise man!" Morton’s swollen eye crinkled in triumph.

Tazuna sighed, turning to Hikari and the others. His wrinkled face seemed to have aged a decade in moments.

No words were needed—his choice was clear.

"Tazuna, you can’t—"

"Naruto." Kakashi cut him off. Seeing Hikari and Kakashi’s silent disapproval, Naruto clamped his mouth shut.

"I’m sorry you all came all this way for nothing."

Tazuna’s voice was heavy with guilt. He had begged them to save his country, only to surrender now. He didn’t know how to face them.

Digging into his bag, he pulled out two thick wads of cash and shoved them into Naruto’s hands.

"This is the rest of the payment. It’s not enough, but it’s all I have. The rest belongs to everyone—I can’t take it. I’m truly sorry."

"Think carefully."**

Hikari’s voice was icy. "Raiga isn’t merciful. He might still kill you and your family. By then, it’ll be too late for regrets."

"Tazuna, what if they betray you?" Naruto and Sasuke chimed in.

"They won’t."**

Tazuna shook his head with stubborn pride. "The Great Bridge is the Land of Waves’ lifeline. Only I know its inner structure. Without me, it’ll crumble. They won’t risk killing Kaiza or the others—they need me."

Naïve.

Ninja weren’t profit-driven like Gato. They didn’t bargain.

But Hikari said nothing more. You can’t save those hell-bent on destruction.

Sasuke’s face darkened. He’d really wanted to see that legendary sword.

"Konoha ninja, this is now an internal matter of the Land of Waves. Your services are no longer needed."

Morton, now victorious, began shooing them away. He stressed "internal matter", framing Raiga’s takeover as a domestic affair—none of Konoha’s business.

Hikari studied Morton with newfound interest.

At first, they’d dismissed him as just another civilian. Yet with a few words, he’d derailed their mission.

Ever since mastering the Reverse Eight Gates, her growing power had made her arrogant—she’d stopped seeing ordinary people as relevant.

But Morton was a wake-up call. Even Kaguya had been sealed by carelessness. Hikari might be nearing Kage-level, but the ninja world was full of seals, forbidden techniques, and traps. Arrogance would be her downfall.

This small failure was a cheap lesson.

"You all, guard the bridge. I’ll take Uncle to see Boss Raiga."

"Yes!"

The Black Ops members scrambled to their feet, reclaiming their weapons and sealing off the bridge. Morton helped Tazuna limp away into the mist.

Soon, the enemy forces had vanished.

Only two corpses remained on the bridge. Naruto stared blankly at the cash in his hands.

"Kakashi-sensei… what do we do now?"

Kakashi could only sigh.

"Mission success isn’t just about strength. It takes strategy, adaptability… and luck.

Zabuza’s protection made the people of the Land of Waves complacent. What seems like madness now is just the consequence of that dependence.

Until they find the will to fight for themselves, no one can save them. Maybe one day, when they’re ready, our help will mean something."

"Pathetic."**

Sasuke sheathed his sword with a cold scoff. The others nodded silently, turning back toward the Land of Fire.

Team 7’s first high-rank mission—failed.

Thud. Thud. Thud.

Their footsteps faded into the distance.

Beneath the Great Hero Bridge, the unnatural fog clung stubbornly to the stone pillars, refusing to disperse.

Chapter 207: The Hero, Zabuza

The Hero’s Bridge was slowly swallowed by mist, the warm golden light still struggling to pierce through the haze.

Waves crashed against the jagged rocks, sending sprays of saltwater and foam two meters high, the bitter scent carried by the wind.

On the return journey, their formation had changed.

Sasuke, now carrying a nodachi, took the lead. Kakashi and Hikari walked leisurely in the middle, while Naruto—usually the most energetic—lagged at the back, hunched over, head drooping. Every now and then, he glanced back at Wave Country, his expression full of reluctance.

"Naruto, even though the mission’s canceled, the advance payment for an A-rank is still over a hundred thousand ryo. We took out some thugs, got paid, and even got extra compensation from Tazuna. We’re not losing out here."

Kakashi sighed, trying to console him. Unlike typical genin teams, their squad didn’t have a lively girl to lighten the mood—so the job fell to him.

"I know… I’m just worried about Tazuna."

Naruto looked back again at the bridge, now completely obscured by fog. He didn’t care about the money—he just knew Tazuna was walking into danger. He hoped the old man would change his mind before it was too late.

But it was precisely this concern that made him the first to notice the anomaly approaching.

A dense, unnatural mist, its center a swirling gray, was silently condensing into a humanoid shape—and it was closing in fast.

"ENEMY ATTACK!"

Naruto roared, instantly snapping into battle mode. Knuckle-dusters slid onto his fists, and the sharp whine of Wind Release chakra coated his hands.

This was his imitation of Hikari’s Lightning Release Chakra Mode—a self-developed Wind Release Nin-Taijutsu he called "Wind Release Chakra Mode."

(Of course, that was just wishful thinking. The real Lightning Chakra Mode was a secret technique of the Yotsuki clan—not something easily replicated.)

Wind was far more destructive to the human body than lightning. Naruto couldn’t yet withstand its cutting edge barehanded, so he relied on weapons—making his version much weaker.

The moment Naruto shouted, Sasuke and Kakashi’s Sharingan spun, scanning the mist. But even their enhanced vision couldn’t pierce through—they only saw chakra glow, not the figure inside.

Hikari didn’t bother.

If her Byakugan couldn’t see through it, the Sharingan wouldn’t either.

Then—

The mist contracted, as if being absorbed by the figure within. When it finally dissipated, a towering man stepped forward, a massive cleaver-like sword strapped to his back.

Pale skin. No eyebrows. A missing-nin forehead protector. And—

Bandages covering the lower half of his face.

Just like Kakashi.

Hikari recognized him instantly.

Momochi Zabuza.

The Demon of the Hidden Mist.

"I mean no harm. I just need to speak with her."**

Zabuza raised his hands, his gaze locked onto the silver-haired blind girl in the group.

Memories of their last encounter came flooding back—and none of them were pleasant.

"Relax. This is Zabuza—the one Tazuna mentioned."

Hikari stepped forward, stopping the others from attacking. She’d sensed him following them since the bridge, skulking in the shadows. She just hadn’t known why.

At the name "Zabuza," Naruto’s eyes lit up with admiration.

This was the hero who’d protected Wave Country!

"What do you want?"

Up close, Zabuza was certain. This was the same monster he’d met in Water Country—the one who’d sprouted bone blades from her arms.

"You’re from Konoha?"

"You followed us all the way from the bridge just to ask that?" Hikari’s voice was icy. Their first meeting hadn’t been friendly—he’d slashed her and stabbed needles into her eyes. (Not that it did much, but she remembered.)

Kakashi was stunned.

Zabuza had been tracking them since the bridge—and he hadn’t noticed at all. The mist had helped, but this level of stealth was worthy of the "Demon" title.

Zabuza wasn’t surprised she’d detected him. He studied her youthful face and said, "I’ve been following you since you left Konoha. I just didn’t expect… a survivor of the Kaguya clan to join the Leaf."

"Kaguya?!"

"The Kaguya clan? From the Warring States era? Rivals of the Hyūga, Uchiha, and Senju?!"

Kakashi’s eye widened. According to Shimura clan records, the Kaguya were a legendary bloodline, as prominent in Kirigakure as the Hyūga were in Konoha.

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged confused glances. They’d never heard of the Kaguya—but the Uchiha and Senju were household names.

No wonder Hikari was so ridiculously strong.

"Get to the point."

At the mention of her clan, Hikari’s voice turned deadly cold. Her red barrier flickered, and an oppressive aura seeped out uncontrollably.

Zabuza’s throat locked up.

Every muscle in his body tensed. His instincts screamed at him to run.

She was even stronger than five years ago.

"I—I’m just a Mist Clone," he forced out, voice strained. "I didn’t expose you to threaten you. I want to make a deal."

Hikari didn’t speak. She just watched him, the pressure mounting. Even the insects nearby fell silent.

Finally—

The red barrier stillened.

The suffocating aura lifted.

Kakashi and the others let out a collective breath. They’d felt the terror too—but since they weren’t the target, they could endure it.

"What deal?"

Hikari’s mood had soured. The Kaguya’s massacre wasn’t a topic she liked revisiting.

"Raiga’s a monster. He’ll kill anyone who defies him—Tazuna’s whole family will be buried. I want you to kill him."

Zabuza’s heart was still pounding, but he pushed through.

"What’s in it for me?"

Hikari remained indifferent.

To Wave Country, Raiga was a calamity. To her? He was fodder—something she could handle with a Shadow Clone.

She only cared about what Zabuza could offer.

"You’re looking for Haku, right?"

Zabuza’s gaze was wary… but also hopeful.

Hikari’s eyes narrowed.

So he had been spying on their interrogation. He probably even helped Tazuna reach Konoha safely.

His stealth had improved—but his combat skills? Unclear.

In short: He’d gotten cowardly.

"Haku’s the last survivor of the Yuki clan. After Kirigakure captured them for experiments, the Ice Release bloodline vanished. She might be the only one left."

Zabuza added this to sweeten the deal.

"Experiments?"

That word piqued Hikari’s interest.

She’d always wondered—where had the Ice Release chakra in the Three-Tails’ flesh come from?

Rōshi and the Four-Tails could use Lava Release. Gaara and Shukaku could use Magnet Release. If the Three-Tails had Ice Release, then the Fourth Mizukage (its jinchūriki) should’ve been able to use it too.

But he never had.

And after absorbing the Nine-Tails’ chakra, Hikari had inherited most of its abilities—except for the Tailed Beast Ball.

Yet the Ice Release from the Three-Tails’ flesh? Nothing.

Even her Wind Release was self-taught—nowhere near as natural as her Water Release.

This didn’t add up.

Zabuza’s words lit a spark.

That abnormally potent Ice chakra might not have been the Three-Tails’ power at all—but a Yuki clan experiment’s remnants.

Or worse…

Had the Three-Tails’ chakra been implanted into a Yuki clansman?

She didn’t dare think further.

The Three-Tails had been sealed inside the Fourth Mizukage for years, then controlled by Obito. Extracting chakra was one thing—but cutting off its flesh for experiments? Unlikely.

…Maybe she shouldn’t eat random things anymore.

Zabuza watched Hikari’s shifting expression, his own anxiety hidden behind a cold mask.

But the emotional flickers above his head betrayed him.

Hikari snapped out of her thoughts.

If her theory was right, then Haku might be the only Ice Release user left.

And Zabuza was the only one who knew where she was.

"Where is she?"

No point hiding her interest now.

"Kill Raiga, and I’ll tell you."

Zabuza’s eyes darkened with something unreadable at the mention of Haku.

"Why not do it yourself?"

Hikari’s question made Zabuza relax slightly—she was interested.

"There’s someone hunting me. If I show myself, they’ll come—and this whole country will burn."

"Hunting you?"

"So you faked your disappearance because of this?" Kakashi recalled Tazuna’s words.

Zabuza’s sudden vanishing act was why Tazuna had gone to Konoha in the first place.

And why Motonui and his men had surrendered to Raiga’s Black Lightning Gang—thinking him invincible.

Now, it made sense.

"Yes."

Zabuza’s voice was tense.

"I stayed too long. They found me. When I sensed that chakra… I ran."

Hikari’s eyes narrowed.

So that was why he’d been hiding.

But another question arose:

Zabuza was an elite jōnin. To scare him this badly, his pursuer had to be at least Kage-level.

Her real body hadn’t yet reached Super Kage tier. This was just a Shadow Clone. If they ran into a Kage-level enemy, it’d be a hard fight.

This mission just got a lot more complicated.

She glanced at Kakashi and the others—still processing everything.

Originally, the Wave mission had gone from C-rank to B-rank. Now? It was escalating from A-rank to S-rank.

Did Team 7 just attract trouble?!

"Tazuna’s in danger! Let’s go save him!"

Naruto’s eyes shone with determination, oblivious to the real threat. Sasuke gripped his nodachi, eager for a fight. Only Kakashi understood the gravity of Zabuza’s warning.

"Your mission’s over. Return to Konoha. This is my problem—no need to risk yourselves."

Hikari decided to go alone.

She was a Shadow Clone—death meant nothing. Naruto had the Nine-Tails as a safety net. But Sasuke and Kakashi?

Too squishy.

Naruto and Sasuke’s faces fell.

They knew Hikari’s decisions were final. This mission was really over.

"No. We’re coming with you."

To their shock, Kakashi spoke up.

"You’ll be in danger."

Hikari frowned. Since when was lazy, cautious Kakashi so reckless?

"I hate to admit it, but you’re the strongest here. If we split up and get ambushed on the way back, it’s worse."

Kakashi’s logic was sound.

"Yeah! Let’s go together!"

Naruto bounced in agreement. Sasuke nodded vigorously.

They were stronger than in the original timeline. If they only had to fight Raiga, it’d be manageable.

After a long pause, Hikari relented.

"Fine. Let’s plan."

"YES!"

Naruto jumped for joy.

As the group huddled to strategize, Zabuza sat with them, explaining Raiga’s abilities in detail.

Watching Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi, and Zabuza—enemies turned allies—discussing how to save Wave Country, Hikari wondered if she’d been hit by Infinite Tsukuyomi.

She looked up at the sky.

The morning mist parted.

Sunlight flooded the Hero’s Bridge, turning the sea into liquid gold.

Wave Country was no longer in shadow.

It was time.

Chapter 208: The Funeral

Land of Waves — A newly built circular plaza.

The overcast sky cracked open slightly, allowing thin golden rays to spill down, illuminating the center of the plaza. Where a bridge-shaped monument should have stood, a crude makeshift judgment platform had been erected instead.

Seated solemnly in a black formal kimono was Raiga Kurosuki, his twin swords stabbed into the ground on either side of his chair. His jagged teeth gleamed faintly in the light, his eyes brimming with madness and excitement.

Beside him stood Ranko, a bandaged boy with only his eerie red eyes exposed, scanning the terrified crowd below. The Kurosuki Gang, clad in uniform black, stood in a semicircle behind the civilians, their steel blades glinting—as if ready to slaughter them at any moment.

"Is all this really necessary, Raiga?"

Ranko glanced at his companion, inwardly sighing. Raiga’s obsession with holding funerals was truly baffling.

"Of course it is! I’ve never held one this grand before. Just thinking about it makes it unforgettable!" Tears of emotion welled in Raiga’s eyes, his pupils dilated with a mix of insanity and sorrow.

"Do whatever you want."

Seeing no point in arguing, Ranko fell silent.

Meanwhile, Mouton—who had earned his place beside Raiga by capturing Tazuna—subtly curled his lip. He’d long since realized Raiga was a complete lunatic. But with power like a god’s, no one dared oppose him. Joining the Kurosuki Gang was the only way to survive… and maybe even learn ninjutsu.

BOOM!

Another group of Kurosuki Gang members marched into the plaza, carrying rough, oversized wooden coffins. The heavy thuds of the coffins hitting the ground sent tremors through the silent crowd.

The people of the Land of Waves trembled, unsure of what was happening—too afraid to even ask. The plaza was deathly quiet, save for stifled breaths and the distant sobbing of the waves.

Raiga’s lips twisted into a chilling grin as he casually waved his hand.

In unison, the black-clad gang members flung open the coffin lids.

Gasps rippled through the crowd.

Inside the coffins—

Kaiza, the self-defense captain, bound and bloodied, his eyes still burning with defiance.

Inari, biting his lip to hold back terrified tears, trembling in his mother’s arms.

Tsunami, pale as paper, clutching her son with a gaze full of fear and hatred.

Tazuna, the elderly bridge builder, glaring at the judgment platform, his white beard quivering with rage.

He’d been betrayed.

After canceling the Konoha mission, he’d followed Mouton to meet Raiga—only to be captured immediately. He’d thought his expertise in maintaining the bridge would give him leverage, but Raiga didn’t play by normal rules.

"You brought Konoha ninja to kill my men, and now you want to negotiate? Throw this old man in too. No—wait, let’s hold the funeral today."

Raiga’s eyes gleamed with manic excitement, his tongue flicking over his lips as if anticipating a feast rather than a solemn ceremony.

"Y-You can’t kill me! The Hero’s Bridge—"

"That piece of junk? Who cares if it’s gone? What does the Land of Waves’ prosperity have to do with me?" Raiga tilted his head, his grin widening. "Actually… giving an entire country a funeral? I’ve never tried that before! I’ll need really big coffins!"

Tazuna’s confidence shattered.

This man is insane.

He’d expected greed, ambition, a desire for power—but Raiga’s mind operated on a completely different wavelength. The only two types of ninja Tazuna had encountered before were:

Zabuza—a silent, professional killer who at least followed contracts.

Team 7—mostly kind-hearted (except for Hikari’s occasional brutality).

Even Gato, as evil as he was, had goals—wealth, control. But Raiga? He just wanted violence and spectacle.

Tazuna turned to Mouton in disbelief, but the traitor kept his head down, silent.

He never cared about the Land of Waves. He just wanted to save his own skin.

Regret and fury churned in Tazuna’s gut. He’d trusted the wrong people, sent away Konoha’s powerful ninja, and now his family—his country—would pay the price.

Tears of remorse spilled down his wrinkled face.

But it wasn’t just his family in those coffins.

Gato and his cronies, once arrogant, now gray-faced with terror.

Self-defense fighters who’d dared to resist.

Wave officials who’d tried to stand against tyranny.

All crammed into those wooden prisons, their faces streaked with grime, exhaustion, and despair.

Raiga, still in his dignified black kimono, gazed down at his "masterpiece" with satisfaction.

"Boss, it’s time," Mouton whispered, checking his watch.

Raiga, snapped out of his reverie, gave Mouton an approving nod.

"Good boy."

"T-Thank you, Boss!" Mouton bowed even lower, practically melting under the praise.

Ranko turned away in disgust.

"Traitor!"

"Scum!"

"Your heart’s blacker than three-year-old rotten fish!"

The self-defense fighters spat curses, knowing they were doomed anyway. The civilians, emboldened, joined in—until the plaza buzzed with fury.

Mouton ignored them. In his mind, he was already the future ruler of the Land of Waves. Their hatred only proved his loyalty to Raiga.

But Raiga’s smile vanished.

"Silence."

He yanked Kiba from the ground, the blade crackling with lightning. The crowd recoiled—but the fighters in the coffins kept shouting.

Raiga’s killing intent spiked.

With a single swing, a bolt of lightning lanced down—

"GAH—!"

One of the fighters exploded into charred meat.

"ANDŌ!" A woman shrieked, only to be muffled by a man’s hand.

Silence returned.

Ranko frowned at the corpse, uncomfortable with Raiga’s brutality. Mouton, however, stared at Raiga with even greater hunger—longing for that power.

Tazuna’s face twisted in agony. If not for my stupidity, Andō would still be alive…

Raiga, satisfied, grinned.

"Now, let’s begin the first event."

His gaze landed on Mouton, who was eyeing the swords greedily.

"You. Go kill them all."

"M-Me?!"

Mouton paled, staring at Kaiza, Tazuna, and the others—their eyes promising vengeance.

"You refusing?"

"N-No! Right away, Boss!"

Trembling, Mouton drew his dagger and approached the coffins. To prove his loyalty, his first target was Kaiza.

"Captain—"

"You bastard!" Kaiza strained against his ropes, but escape was impossible.

Inari screamed. Tsunami clutched him tighter. Tazuna struggled uselessly against the Kurosuki thugs holding him down.

The crowd seethed—but they were powerless.

Mouton raised his dagger, aiming for Kaiza’s heart—

Then—

BZZZZZT!

A sound like angry hornets filled the air.

A distorted ripple of energy sliced through Mouton’s torso without slowing—then shot straight for Raiga!

"RAIGA!" Ranko’s voice shrieked like a whistle.

Raiga flew backward, crashing through the judgment platform.

Mouton’s face froze mid-sneer.

A perfect red line split him from forehead to groin—as if drawn by a master artist.

Then his body peeled open, spilling organs onto the ground.

"Naruto, Sasuke—handle the Kurosuki Gang. Hikariand I will take Raiga!"

Kakashi’s usually lazy voice was sharp with urgency.

Tazuna stared at Mouton’s blackened heart, the sight that once terrified him now bringing relief.

"Multi-Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

Naruto’s roar echoed as hundreds of orange-clad clones flooded the plaza, overwhelming the Kurosuki Gang in seconds.

Some tried to grab hostages—

"You little—!"

But Sasuke’s Sharingan locked onto them, his blade piercing their backs before they could react.

Screams filled the air—but not a single civilian was hurt.

"Y-You are…?"

The people gaped at the identical blond boys.

"We’re the Konoha ninja Tazuna hired!" Naruto grinned, stomping on a thug’s knee with a crunch.

"AAAAAGH!"

(He’d learned his lesson with Mouton. No mercy for scum.)

"Konoha’s here to save us!"

Cheers erupted. A sobbing woman hugged her child, bowing to Sasuke—who awkwardly fled back into the fray.

Meanwhile…

Ranko clung to Raiga’s back, his red eyes wide.

Raiga, bleeding from countless cuts, crossed his swords defensively.

Before them stood two silver-haired figures—their presence alone like blades pressed to his throat.

Kakashi Hatake.

Hikari.

The real battle was about to begin.

Chapter 209: The Perfect Combat Body – Version 2.0

The dark clouds overhead grew heavier, two vast slabs of leaden gray pressing down, leaving only a sliver of golden light splitting the sky.

Morton, still gripping his blade, was cleanly bisected—along with the judge’s bench. Dozens of coffins stood ominously in the square as the people of the Land of Waves surged in panic, orange and black figures clashing amidst shouts, screams, and chaos.

Yet, on the other side of the square, an eerie silence prevailed.

Blackmail Zabuza—no, Blackmail Raiga—crossed his twin blades defensively, his posture slightly hunched. His emerald eyes flicked between the two opponents before him, his earlier madness replaced by cold focus. That long-range wind slash had been enough to sober him up.

The girl, he didn’t recognize. But the tall, silver-haired man with the mask, a single visible eye, and the Konoha headband?

That one was unmistakable.

"You’re Konoha’s Copy Ninja—Hatake Kakashi!"

His mind, now clear, worked swiftly.

"Ranmaru, keep feeding me chakra."

He didn’t dare take his eyes off the two, not even for a second.

"Y-Yes…" Ranmaru’s voice trembled from behind him, his small body paralyzed with fear. If not for Raiga pulling him from the judge’s stand, he’d have been sliced apart by that wind technique.

"Sensei’s reputation precedes him, huh?"

Hearing the title "Konoha’s Technician", Hikari nearly laughed. It sounded like something out of a shady massage parlor rather than a shinobi’s epithet.

Kakashi shot her a sidelong glance. "Laugh now. You won’t be later."

He turned back to Raiga, his Sharingan locked onto the enemy.

"The Lightning Man of Kirigakure."

Titles were important in the shinobi world. They weren’t just for intimidation—they were intel.

A name like "Lightning Man" told you everything: Avoid Earth Release. Expect speed. Beware instant-kill techniques.

Likewise, Raiga calling him "Copy Ninja" meant he knew about the Sharingan. That warning to Ranmaru? A direct counter to genjutsu.

This was a game of psychological warfare.

While Kakashi and Raiga sized each other up, Hikari and Ranmaru were already locked in a silent battle of dojutsu.

Her Byakugan flared, veins bulging—but for the second time in this tiny country, her vision was blocked.

Two piercing red lights, like car headlights in the dark, flooded her sight with crimson. A dense chakra barrier wrapped around Raiga and Ranmaru, distorting her perception.

"Red Eyes…"

A rare kekkei genkai, said to be the natural counter to the Byakugan. Not only could it mimic the Byakugan’x-ray vision and long-distance view abilities, but it could also create chakra illusions to deceive it.

She didn’t remember much about Raiga’s abilities, but Ranmaru’s Red Eyes?

That was a problem.

Meanwhile, Ranmaru was shaking like a leaf.

"T-The silver-haired man… His chakra is on par with yours. His muscles and bone density suggest high taijutsu proficiency. His hands… have minor electrical burns—he frequently uses a high-level Lightning Release technique."

His voice grew even more strained.

"The girl… There’s a barrier around her. I can’t see through it. She’s also a dojutsu user, and her ocular power is terrifying. My Red Eyes can’t fool her—only blur her vision slightly."

He swallowed hard.

"Raiga… She’s the real threat. A hundred times more dangerous than him."

Raiga’s grip on his blades tightened.

If this girl had a barrier specifically countering Red Eyes, was it coincidence… or premeditated?

And that oppressive, drowning fear radiating from her—

It wasn’t Kakashi making his skin crawl.

It was her.

A twisted excitement surged through him.

Without warning, electricity crackled along his twin blades.

"Lightning Release: Lightning Fang!"

The air itself split as twin arcs of lightning erupted from his swords, lashing out faster than thought.

"I’LL GIVE YOU A FUNERAL WORTH REMEMBERING!"

The attack was instantaneous—no hand seals, no buildup. Just raw speed.

Countless enemies had died to this very technique, their bodies charred before they even realized they’d been hit.

But—

"D-Don’t let your guard down! Their chakra hasn’t dropped at all!"

Ranmaru’s warning came just as a nearly invisible distortion sliced through the air—

"MOVE!"

Raiga’s body erupted with lightning, his muscles supercharged as he blurred sideways.

WHOOSH!

The ground where he’d stood split open, a ten-meter-long gash carved into the stone like butter.

"Tch…"

Raiga’s teeth ground together.

That wind slash could’ve bisected him just as easily.

As the smoke cleared, his eyes widened.

A shimmering, geometric barrier of red light encased the girl, its diamond-like facets unbroken despite the lightning’s fury.

"That’s the barrier blocking my vision!" Ranmaru gasped. "It was clinging to her like a second skin—now it’s reshaped into a shield!"

"Offense and defense… What a pain."

Kakashi, who’d wisely taken cover behind Hikari, whistled.

"That’s one hell of a shell you’ve got."

"Anbu Barrier: Mimic Veil of the Hidden Mind Technique," Hikari replied calmly. "You should know it."

"Bullshit." Kakashi’s eye twitched. "That thing needs thousands of hand seals or a room-sized seal array. It’s for guarding bases, not combat!"

"I modified it."

Her tone was as casual as if she’d just tweaked a recipe.

Over the past five years, while waiting for her Byakugan and Senju body to mature, she hadn’t been idle.

Her "Perfect Combat Body 1.0" plan—reinforced bones, optimized muscle structure—had already made her a physical monster.

Now?

Version 2.0.

Beneath her skin, intricate chakra-seals pulsed like circuitry, each one a self-contained jutsu.

Weapons like the Seven Swords of the Mist used chakra-conductive metal and inscribed techniques to function.

So why not the human body?

She’d turned herself into the ultimate weapon—one that could deploy barriers, techniques, and enhancements instantly, without hand seals.

This was the foundation of her path—

The physical mastery of a Six Paths-level taijutsu shinobi.

Chapter 210: A New Battle Style

BOOM!

CRACK!

Thunder roared as Raiga Kurosuki crossed his twin blades, unleashing a relentless storm of lightning. The dazzling arcs twisted through the air, their terrifying might enough to shake the soul.

Yet, standing firm against the onslaught was a radiant crimson barrier, unwavering even under the barrage. Each strike caused only a brief ripple before the shield stabilized again—unbreakable, like an indomitable mountain.

"It… it’s not even scratching her!"

Ranmaru’s violet hair clung to his forehead, damp with sweat. His face was pale, his voice trembling. The oppressive aura of fear was gnawing at his mind, making it impossible to stay calm. His usual composure was crumbling.

"Stay focused, Ranmaru!"

Raiga, usually the most erratic of the two, was now eerily composed in battle. He kept up a relentless assault, bombarding the strange red polyhedron with lightning strikes.

This was his specialty—using the Lightning Release: Fang of Lightning technique, an unsealed jutsu that allowed him to flood the battlefield with electricity. A single hit would paralyze the enemy, leaving them helpless against the storm that followed.

"I’m sorry!"

Ranmaru knew his panic was a liability. He took deep breaths, steadying himself, his red eyes locking onto the dull gray pupils of his opponent—trying to disrupt their sensory perception.

WHOOSH!

A transparent shockwave slipped through the lightning, aiming for Raiga. But the swordsman didn’t even flinch. He kept firing, trusting Ranmaru’s interference.

The vacuum blade grazed Raiga’s hair, slicing off a few strands before vanishing into the distant sea.

"Nice work!"

Raiga grinned, his shark-like teeth glinting. Behind him, Ranmaru nodded silently.

The enemy’s sensory ability was being disrupted—they couldn’t lock onto Raiga’s position. If they could just break through that damn barrier, victory was theirs!

At least, that’s how it should have been.

But Ranmaru’s dread only grew stronger. His heart pounded in sync with the flickering red barrier, as if warning him—

Something was wrong.

Meanwhile, on the plaza, most of the Black Ops had already been taken down by Naruto and Sasuke. Only one remained—a towering rogue-nin from Kirigakure, a veteran who had fought alongside Raiga for years.

"Hahaha! Raiga-sama is invincible! Your friend’s already been turned to dust!"

Dodging Sasuke’s lightning-wreathed blade, the man laughed, gesturing toward the storm of thunder in the distance.

"You have no idea how terrifying she really is. And do you really think I’d fall for that?"

Sasuke smirked, his Sharingan locking onto the steel needles hidden between the enemy’s fingers.

The Black Ops member’s grin faded, his expression turning cold. The act was over—now, it was pure killing intent.

"Your comrades are done for too."

Sasuke’s smirk widened as he glanced behind the man—where an army of Naruto clones had swarmed the last remaining enemies.

"Tch."

The rogue-nin scoffed, spreading his steel claws in defiance.

Then—

"LEAF WHIRLWIND!"

A blur of green slammed into the man’s side, sending him flying like a ragdoll. He crashed into the ruined execution platform, buried under the rubble.

Sasuke sheathed his blade, watching the fading chakra signal.

Turning, he saw Naruto—the real one—grinning, thumb raised.

"Show-off."

"Hmph!"

The two exchanged their usual bickering before heading toward Tazuna and his family, now freed from captivity.

"D-Dad…!"

Inari sobbed, clinging to Kaiza’s arm. Tsunami wept with relief, holding the other.

Kaiza, once bound by ropes, now found himself bound by love—his family’s embrace far stronger than any restraint.

Tazuna stood frozen, staring at Naruto and Sasuke with guilt, regret, and gratitude tangled in his chest.

These were the same ninja he had dismissed, even driven away—yet here they were, saving his family and country.

"Naruto, I—"

"Tazuna, you okay?!"

Naruto cut him off with a grin, acting as if nothing had happened. His sunny demeanor melted the old man’s shame.

"Y-Yeah… thanks to you."

Kaiza and the self-defense force quickly organized, rounding up the defeated Black Ops and stuffing them into coffins—fitting, given Raiga’s morbid tastes.

But the real battle was still raging in the distance.

BOOM!

Another pillar of lightning struck the crimson barrier, cracks spiderwebbing across its surface.

Tazuna and the villagers watched in horror and hope, some even praying silently.

"They won’t lose, right…?"

"No way! Hikari’s unstoppable!"

Naruto, now a full-blown fanboy, had zero doubts. Five years ago, she’d killed an elite Jonin with ease. Now? She was barely even trying.

Sasuke said nothing, his gaze locked on Raiga’s twin blades—thunder crackling along their edges.

That’s the source of the lightning…

He craved those swords.

But for now, the battlefield was beyond their level.

Inside the crimson barrier, Hikari observed the lightning strikes with detached interest.

"So this really is a modified Barrier: Invisibility Door technique…"

Kakashi, watching from behind, felt his jaw drop.

The jutsu filtered chakra signatures, allowing only pre-approved energy to pass. But Hikari’s version was faster, more precise—her wind blades sliced through the barrier without hesitation.

A defensive fortress that could freely attack outward? If this spread, long-range specialists would become unstoppable artillery.

"Enough testing."

Hikari’s white eyes gleamed as the seal markings on her body lit up like circuitry.

For five years, she had refined her Perfect Combat Body.

Now, it was time to unleash its true power.

Raiga, sensing weakness, gathered his chakra—

A sphere of crackling plasma formed between his blades, liquid electricity swirling at its core.

"DIE!"

He hurled it forward, the air itself burning black in its wake.

Kakashi’s Sharingan tracked the attack.

"That’ll level the plaza…!"

His hands flew into seals—