belamy20

71-75

Added 2025-04-27 05:23:38 +0000 UTC

Chapter 71: Hidden Mist Technique – Watch Them Tear Each Other Apart

"Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—!"

A storm of arrows rained down upon Murazawa, dense enough to make even Yoru and Tōrō break out in cold sweat.

No matter how strong they were, flesh and blood had limits. One misstep, and death would claim them.

Shinobi weren’t invincible.

And so, the mighty Murazawa—underground ruler of the Land of the Moon, a tyrant who once dominated the shadows—was reduced to a pincushion, his eyes wide with disbelief even in death.

Rogue Ninja (panicking): "Boss is dead! Scatter!"

Another: "Retreat! No point dying here!"

The moment Murazawa fell, his mercenaries fled in all directions, abandoning the fight entirely.

Murazawa’s Forces (stunned): "H-how…? Lord Murazawa… lost? Just like that?!"

Fear, confusion, and despair twisted their faces. Then—

Someone Yelled: "Run! We’re finished!"

Like rats fleeing a sinking ship, the armed mob dissolved into chaos.

General Tokumono (booming): "Formations! Don’t let them escape!"

"If these rats scatter, the Land of the Moon will bleed for years!"

"Hunt them down—NOW!"

The earth trembled as 60,000 soldiers moved as one—a tidal wave of steel and discipline.

Yoru (dodging the stampede, impressed): "Incredible… the General’s command is flawless."

From the rear, Ieyasu’s voice cut through the chaos:

"Everyone! After the rogue ninja! Don’t let a single one escape—they’re a plague on this land!"

Tōrō (signaling the team): "Move out!"

Yoru (sighing): "Ara ara… guess we’re cleaning up after all."

The Chase

Tōrō (to Yoru): "Your sensing is sharpest. Track them."

Yoru (scanning the fleeing figures):

"Twelve at 1 o’clock. Thirty-three at 4 o’clock. Fifty-six at 8 o’clock."

"Nine at 10 o’clock. Twenty-two at 11 o’clock."

Yoru (grinning): "I’ll handle 8 o’clock."

In a blur, he vanished.

Tōrō (barking orders): "Pairs of two—move out! Leave two guards here!"

Yoru’s Prey – The Mist Trap

The rogue ninja sprinted through the forest, laughing.

Rogue Ninja 1: "Faster! They’ll never catch us!"

Rogue Ninja 2: "Hah! Cloud ninja? More like slowpokes!"

Then—a voice, icy and amused, whispered behind them.

Yoru: "Oh? Is running all you’re good at?"

They whirled around—and there he stood, smirking.

Rogue Ninja (gulping): "Y-you…!"

Yoru (seals forming): "Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique."

Thick fog swallowed the group whole.

Rogue Ninja (choking): "Impossible! You’re a Cloud ninja—how do you know Mist techniques?!"

A scream cut through the mist. Then another.

Panic erupted.

Rogue Ninja 2 (yelling): "Wind Release: Thousand Cutting Winds!"

Rogue Ninja 3: "Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"

Rogue Ninja 4: "Earth Release: Rock Spears!"

The mist lit up with chaotic clashes.

Rogue Ninja (mocking): "Pathetic! This low-level jutsu won’t stop us!"

"No foothold, no advantage—you’re finished, brat!"

They bolted in random directions, desperate to escape the fog.

Yoru’s Game – The Illusion

Outside the mist, Yoru watched, grinning.

Yoru (voice echoing eerily): "So strong… but leaving won’t be that easy."

The rogues snarled, attacking the voice’s direction.

Rogue Ninja 1: "Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"

Rogue Ninja 2: "Lightning Release: Thunder Serpent!"

Rogue Ninja 3 (screaming): "YOU IDIOT! THAT’S ME—!"

A fireball nearly roasted an ally. Lightning seared another’s arm.

Rogue Ninja 4 (raging): "Who the hell attacked me?!"

Rogue Ninja 5 (shrieking): "You bastard! Eat this—!"

Yoru (laughing, faking pain): "Gah! You got me… I’m retreating!"

The rogues, now convinced every injury came from him, turned on each other.

Rogue Ninja 6 (howling): "He’s here! Kill him!"

Blades flashed. Blood sprayed.

Yoru (whispering, unseen): "Perfect."

By the time the mist cleared—

Only corpses remained.

Chapter 72: Just How Did You Do It?

"Agh—!"

"Aaah!!"

"GYAAAA—!!"

Screams tore through the air as lightning crackled, flames roared, wind blades shredded flesh, and earthen spears impaled bodies.

The rogue ninja had turned on each other—slaughtering their own allies in the chaos.

When the mist finally cleared, all twelve lay defeated. Some were gashed beyond recognition, others charred black by fire, a few skewered on jagged spikes of stone.

"You… made us… kill each other…" one choked out, blood bubbling from his lips.

"How…? We only heard… your voice… No one else’s…"

The last man’s eyes bulged in horror as he pointed at Yoru. "You’re not just… a Cloud ninja… You’re—!"

A flash of steel. His head hit the ground before he could finish.

Yoru wiped his blade clean. "Was it really that hard? Just distort their hearing at different frequencies."

After disposing of the bodies, he turned away.

The other water clones should be wrapping up soon.

A faint smirk. Pity my clones only have a quarter of my strength. But with the Mist Technique and a little strategy… most won’t escape.

A few might slip through—but he’d done his part.

Still…

He flexed his fingers, feeling the lingering hum of water chakra. After relying on Lightning Release for so long, Water feels… familiar.

Not that it mattered. Power was power.

By the time Yoru strolled back to the rendezvous point, most of the assassination squad had already regrouped. Only four were missing.

"Results, Kōkō?" Towaru asked, eyeing the bloodstained scroll in his hand.

"One or two got away. Nasty little rats." Yoru shrugged and tossed the scroll over.

Towaru scanned the contents—then whistled. "You hunted thirty alone and only lost a couple? No wonder Tenzin vouched for you."

The others gaped.

"Seriously, is this your first assassination? You move like a veteran."

"Even twenty kills would’ve been insane. But thirty? What are you, a demon?"

"Did they just… not scatter? Or are you that strong?"

Yoru chuckled. "Luck. They trapped themselves in a ravine. Like shooting fish in a barrel."

Not a flicker of guilt on his face.

Nearby, Ieyasu and General Tokumaku were deep in discussion while officials tallied the kills.

Thirty minutes later, the squad was complete.

"Nine escapees total. Negligible."

Only one task remained: raiding Eimura’s stronghold.

The combined forces—General Tokumaku’s 60,000, Ieyasu’s elite guard, and the eighteen assassins—marched toward Matsusaka Town.

"Beat the bad guys! Beat ‘em! Wheee!"

Perched on her father’s shoulders, little Princess Hana cheered, her cheeks flushed with excitement.

"Big Brother! Take Hana with you!" She waved at Yoru.

He ignored her.

Bringing a kid to battle? Hard pass.

Especially when that kid was the daimyō’s daughter.

"Waaah! Big Brother’s mean! Hana hates you now! Hmph!" She puffed her cheeks, tears welling.

Yoru didn’t even glance back.

General Tokumaku sighed in relief. Good. The last thing we need is a toddler on the battlefield.

Matsusaka Town

News of Eimura’s defeat hadn’t arrived yet. The town festered with crime, its denizens oblivious to their impending doom.

When 60,000 soldiers surrounded the town—led by Tokō Kōgetsu himself—the criminals froze.

…What? A coup?

One tried to sweet-talk Kōgetsu. "Hey, Boss, what’s the—"

"Loose."

Arrows blotted out the sun.

Panic erupted.

"Y-You’ll regret this! Lord Eimura will—!"

Kōgetsu laughed. "Eimura? Oh, right." He signaled his men. "Show them."

A corpse was hoisted high—Eimura’s body, riddled with wounds.

Silence.

Then—chaos.

"SCRAM!!"

But there was no escape.

Without Eimura’s protection, Matsusaka’s thugs were lambs to the slaughter. Ieyasu and Kōgetsu’s forces crushed them effortlessly.

The assassination squad barely had to lift a finger.

"And with this… the Land of the Moon is finally at peace."

Kōgetsu exhaled, turning to General Tokumaku, Ieyasu, and Towaru. "Just one last step."

In Eimura’s vault, they’d found a ledger—names of every corrupt official, meticulously recorded by Kōgetsu himself during his time as strategist.

No one would escape justice.

As they marched back victorious, the daimyō himself rode out to greet them.

The heroes had returned.

Chapter 73: Reunion with Darui

Tōrō (to Tokugawa the Sixth): "The mission is complete. We’ll take our leave now."

Despite Tokugawa’s repeated pleas for them to stay, Tōrō refused.

Teammate (whispering): "Why not at least stay for a meal? Free food!"

Tōrō (coldly): "Stay to watch them divide the spoils—then turn on each other?"

Teammate (shocked): "Turn on each other? No way!"

Yoru (nodding): "‘When the birds are gone, the bow is put away.’ History’s full of betrayed allies. The captain’s call is wise."*

"Stay longer, and we’ll be dragged into their power struggle. Leaving now is our cleanest exit."

He glanced at the others.

"A general with 60,000 loyal troops, and a young lord hungry for control? Sooner or later, blood will spill. Only one can rule."

Tōrō gave Yoru an approving look.

Tōrō: "If you all had Kō’ō’s foresight, I could retire in peace."

"But alas, I’m stuck babysitting you lot—lest you get swindled counting your enemy’s coins."

The team flushed with shame. A few shot Yoru envious glares.

Why’s he always one step ahead?!

Three Days Later – Kumogakure

Fourth Raikage (reading Tōrō’s report): "Yoru’s a gem. Shines no matter where you place him."

"If not for… that incident, he’d be the village’s pillar."

He sighed. Tōrō stayed silent—orders were orders.

Yoru’s Life – Training & Shadows

Soaking in a bath, Yoru mused:

"Assassination squad life isn’t bad. Dangerous, but no patrols, plenty of leave… and paychecks fat enough to fund my training."

His recent mission had netted him 600,000 ryō—enough to lounge for weeks.

But Yoru’s routine was brutal:

Dawn till dusk: Sparring, jutsu drills, kenjutsu.

Visitors? Rarely home. Always at Training Ground 3… or 7… or the cliffs.

When asked why he pushed so hard, his answer never wavered:

"I need to get stronger."

Three Months Later

Twenty-plus missions under his belt:

Hunting rogue-nin.

Crushing insurgent groups.

Even exterminating bio-engineered horrors (courtesy of reckless scientists).

Through each, Yoru’s brilliance cemented his reputation as the squad’s unofficial vice-captain.

A Rare Break – Clouds & Clashes

Yoru (strolling the village): "Four months in Kumo already…"

Even machines needed maintenance. Today, he’d enjoy the view.

Darui (leaning against a wall): "Yo, Kō’ō. Skipping training? Miracles do happen."

Yoru (grinning): "You’ve sharpened your edge, I see."

Darui (laughing): "Says the guy who reeks of killer intent. Drink?"

Bar Talk – Challenge & Subtext

Darui (raising a glass): "Heard you bagged an S-rank rogue solo. No ‘luck’ this time?"

Yoru (modest): "Caught him injured. Right place, right time."

Darui (leaning in): "Cut the act. I’ve got a new technique—Ranton: Storm Release."

"Spar with me. Let’s see if you’ve really outgrown me."

Yoru’s thoughts: "Storm Release? And… is the Raikage testing me?"

Yoru (clinking glasses): "Bring it on."

Darui (smirking): "The old you’d have hesitated. Kumo’s youth all want to surpass you, you know."

Chapter 74: "Have Mercy, I Gave It My All!"

Most people never got the chance—or simply weren’t strong enough.

But Darui? He had both.

The moment Yoru agreed to spar, Darui abandoned his drink, too restless to sit still.

Training Grounds

"Get ready. My new technique won’t disappoint." Darui cracked his knuckles, grinning.

Yoru drew his sword. "Bring it."

"Then don’t blame me!"

"Lightning Release: Surge of Gratitude!"

A storm of electricity erupted from Darui’s hands, lashing toward Yoru.

A casual backstep. "This level of Lightning Release won’t work on me."

"Wasn’t trying to." Darui’s smirk widened. "Just buying time."

"Genjutsu: Hell Viewing Technique!"

A pulse of chakra surged at Yoru—but he shut his eyes, flooding his system with counter-chakra to weaken the illusion.

His hands flew into seals. "Sensing Barrier!"

Even blindfolded, he’d "see" everything.

"Cloud-Style Crescent Moon Slash!"

Three Daruis lunged from different angles, blades gleaming.

Yoru’s sword flashed. "Same move won’t work twice. You know that."

One clone shattered under his strike; the other two dissolved—

"Who said it’s the same?"

Darui’s voice echoed as the "clones" erupted into searing light.

"Lightning Release: Pillar of Radiance!"

Blinding electricity detonated in Yoru’s face, tendrils snaking toward his limbs.

Damn—!

He recoiled, but Darui was already mid-seal.

"Not fast enough. Storm Release: Laser Circus!"

Beams of light shot from Darui’s palms, weaving a net around Yoru.

The energy hummed—lethal.

No time for ninjutsu. Yoru slammed his palms together.

"Six Pillars Flame Formation!"

A hasty barrier flared to life just as the lasers coiled around it.

"Zzzzt—!"

Sparks screeched as the beams constricted the fiery dome.

"Close call." Yoru exhaled, watching Darui’s frustrated glare through the flames.

"You’ve gotten stronger. Still not enough, though."

Darui gritted his teeth. "Not… done… yet!"

Chakra surged as the lasers thickened, creeping over the barrier’s apex like vines.

"Clever. But no."

With a thought, Yoru sealed the gap. Then—

The ground trembled.

His chakra swelled, the barrier’s flames whitening to nuclear intensity.

"Hiss—!"

The lasers burned away.

Darui’s eyes bulged. How much chakra does he have?!

"Give up, Darui. You can’t win." Yoru’s voice was almost bored.

"Hell no! A man doesn’t surrender!"

Sweat poured down Darui’s face, his arms shaking—but he held on.

Yoru sighed. "Fine. Let’s end this."

The barrier vanished—and so did he.

"Where—?!"

"Here."

A fist rocketed toward Darui’s face.

"Too slow!"

Crossed arms blocked the blow as Darui backflipped—

"Really?" Yoru’s smirk froze him mid-air.

Hands still in a seal, Yoru pointed.

"Binding Flame Curse!"

Crimson sigils exploded across Darui’s body.

Shit—!

Muscles locked. Chakra stifled.

That punch… was a feint?!

A blade tapped his throat.

"My win. Again."

Darui groaned. "Even with Storm Release and my upgraded techniques… the gap’s wider now."

He squinted. "You weren’t even serious, were you? How strong are you?"

Yoru sheathed his sword. "Dangerous missions force growth. Don’t take it personally."

"‘Not serious’? I used barrier ninjutsu! What more do you want?"

He raised his hands in mock surrender.

"Have mercy—I did give it my all."

Chapter 75: Super Enhancement

As Yoru vented his frustrations, Darui couldn’t help but think: "In both of our fights, when have you ever gone all out?"

"It’s just that last time, the gap between us wasn’t this wide!"

Yoru was truly an opponent beyond reach.

"I’ll keep training. One day, I’ll make even you shocked!" Darui declared as Yoru turned to leave.

Yoru simply chuckled. "Do your best. I’ll be waiting."

"But surpassing me? You’ve got a long way to go."

Raikage’s Office

"Well, Darui? How did the fight go? Did your Ranton even scratch him?" The Fourth Raikage eyed Darui as he entered.

"Not a single wound."

"Lord Raikage… he’s too strong. So strong that I can’t even gauge his true power." Darui’s expression darkened.

"Hah! For you to look like that… he must really be something." The Raikage clapped Darui’s shoulder. "Keep at it. I know you’ll surpass him one day."

"…Understood." With that, Darui left.

"Kirai… just what are you hiding? What’s your game?" The Raikage muttered, eyes glinting with suspicion.

Yoru’s Home

"Three months… 1.5 million enhancement points. Not bad."

Yoru opened his system panel, excitement bubbling inside.

With this, he could finally break past the "Elite Jonin" tier and step into the realm of Kage-level power.

"Enhance: Strength, Speed, Agility, and Stamina—all to Elite Jonin level!"

System: "Enhancement initiated. Total cost: 600,000 points."

A surge of energy flooded his body, a euphoric rush as his cells roared to life. Five minutes later, the sensation faded.

Ding! "Enhancement complete. Achievement unlocked: ‘Elite Jonin Supreme’!"

Ignoring the system’s voice, Yoru immediately selected another option.

"Enhance: Stamina—to Kage-level!"

Elite Jonin wasn’t his goal. Kage-level was.

Even if only one stat reached that tier, he’d officially be a Kage-class fighter—albeit on the lower end. But that was enough. Most Kage-level fighters only had one or two stats at that tier anyway.

Three stats? He’d surpass even the Third Hokage in his prime.

Four stats? Unrivaled among Kage. Not even Sage Jiraiya could touch him.

System: "Enhancement initiated. Cost: 500,000 points."

A deep, swelling pressure erupted inside him. His veins burned, his chakra refined, his control sharpened.

"This… this is true mastery."

A foul, yellow sludge oozed from his pores.

"Purification… again, huh?" He closed his eyes, savoring the transformation.

Ten minutes later, the power settled.

Now covered in grime, Yoru headed to the bath, washing off the filth while still focused on his system.

"The remaining 400,000 points… time to upgrade my skills."

Even a C-rank jutsu in his hands could rival an S-rank.

And if he mastered an S-rank?