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Chapter 66: Tokuga VI Strikes Back

"You flatter me. Maybe I just got lucky running into the little princess in the side chamber."

"Let’s talk elsewhere—this isn’t the place for a conversation."

No one objected to Yoru suggestion, so they moved to the council chamber.

"Big Brother, this place is so stuffy! Little Flower doesn’t like it!"

As the group settled in, the little princess—who had been clinging to Yoru shoulder—was set down.

But she immediately burrowed back into his arms like a kitten, clearly attached to him.

"Things are lively outside, huh?" Yoru remarked, glancing toward the direction of the capital.

The sounds of clashing steel, war cries, horse neighs, and explosions painted the chaos of battle.

"With all the rebel factions making their move, of course it is."

"Right now, all we can do is wait."

"Once the rebellion in the city is crushed, we’ll contact the general and march on Matsusaka Town."

"Wipe out Eimura Sawa, restore the Land of the Moon’s unity—victory hinges on this battle!"

Tokuga VI clenched his fist, eyes burning with excitement.

"Yoru, you must’ve faced quite a few enemies in the side chamber. What happened?"

Tōrō’s question made Tokuga VI glance over curiously.

Yoru sighed. "What else? I was training when the little princess wandered in."

"Then a black-clad assassin burst in, trying to kidnap her."

"I stopped him, and we fought. He threw a bunch of explosive tags at me."

"When that didn’t work, his buddies jumped in."

"So I had to kill them all before regrouping with you."

"Gotta say, Eimura Sawa picks his men well."

"Those guys were strong—professional assassins, probably. All had plum blossom tattoos."

Tōrō nodded. "If you call them strong, they must’ve been elite."

Coming from Yoru, "not bad" meant at least Special Jōnin level.

Tokuga VI’s eyes darkened. "Plum blossom tattoos? Then they were from Eimura’s Oniwabanshuu—his elite force of thirty-six rogue ninja."

"Years ago, they ambushed and slaughtered my father’s ten-thousand-strong elite unit."

"To think you cut them down so easily… Your skills are truly exceptional."

Yoru shrugged off the praise.

But the little princess’s eyes sparkled. "Wow! Those bad guys were that strong?"

"But they all fell down the second Big Brother moved!"

"Big Brother is amazing! Take Little Flower with you to fight, pleaaase?"

She clung to him, eyes wide with pleading.

Tokuga VI’s jaw nearly dropped.

"A single moment… and seven Oniwabanshuu were dead?"

"What kind of monster is this guy?!"

His gaze flicked to the other Cloud shinobi.

"If they’re all on this level… Eimura Sawa, you’re finished."

But Yoru remained unmoved. "No. Battles are no place for children."

Little Flower pouted. "Aww, Big Brother! I’ll be super good! I won’t get in the way!"

"No."

"Pleeease? Just once!" She tugged at his sleeve, deploying full puppy-dog eyes.

"No."

"Hmph! Meanie!" She crossed her arms and buried her face in his chest, sulking.

The others exchanged awkward glances.

Just then—shouts erupted outside.

"Your Majesty! Are you unharmed?!"

"What happened? Why was there an explosion?!"

Several captains rushed in, dropping to their knees in feigned concern.

Tokuga VI’s voice turned icy. "Shouldn’t you be telling me what happened?"

"Letting assassins slip into the palace—a failure worthy of exterminating nine generations."

The captains trembled, foreheads pressed to the floor. "W-We deserve death! Spare us, Your Majesty!"

Tokuga VI waved a dismissive hand. "I should execute you. But right now, you’re more useful alive."

"Take your men and crush the rebellion. Consider this your chance at redemption."

"Fail again, and don’t bother coming back. Understood?"

The men kowtowed frantically before scrambling out.

Soon, marching footsteps faded into the distance.

Tokuga VI’s eyes narrowed. "Let’s see where your loyalties truly lie."

In these times, he trusted no one outside this room.

If they proved loyal, rewards awaited.

If not—

He glanced at his guard. "If they betray us… have Kanemura eliminate them."

The guard bowed and slipped away.

Meanwhile, in Matsusaka Town…

"By now, there should’ve been word from the Cloud team. Why the silence?"

Eimura Sawa frowned, an uneasy feeling creeping in.

"Did something go wrong?"

"Yayoi!" he barked.

A shadow materialized. "Your orders, Lord Eimura?"

Chapter 67: Deceiving Heaven to Cross the Sea – The Night Strategist

Murazawa: "Send scouts to investigate the capital and the surrounding routes! It’s strange—there’s been no news at all. The Cloud ninja couldn’t possibly be this slow!"

Yayoi: "Understood!" With that, he vanished in an instant.

"Am I overthinking this? By normal travel speed, they might’ve only just arrived."

"Even if my scouts spotted them, it’s too soon for a report to reach me."

"But then… why do I feel so uneasy?"

"I’ve even sent men to retrieve Tokumono Hanaka. Once she’s secured, I’ll command an army of 60,000, backed by elite forces. Tokugawa the Sixth won’t stand a chance!"

"With such overwhelming advantage… why am I still restless? Is it just paranoia?"

Murazawa frowned, deep in thought. Though reeking of alcohol, his mind remained sharp.

"Maybe it’s the lack of real-time intel. That’s what’s unsettling me."

His entire strategy relied on controlling information. But this time, the delay in updates left him unnerved—what if something unexpected had happened?

Just then—

Yayoi: "Lord Murazawa! The scouts’ report has arrived!"

Murazawa’s face lit up, and he quickly ordered Yayoi to deliver it.

Yayoi—a man with an eerily feminine demeanor—handed over the message. Murazawa scanned it:

"Cloud ninja have crossed the border. Eighteen in total."

Murazawa: "Good!" He slapped his thigh and stood. "Notify the Oniwabanshū and all units—the war begins now!"

"This is our chance to seize the Land of the Moon and claim its riches! We have the upper hand, but never underestimate the Cloud ninja."

With his orders given, Yayoi withdrew to relay them.

Meanwhile, in the Capital…

Yoru (standing atop a plaza, surveying the battlefield below): "By now, our first wave of false intel should’ve reached Murazawa. He probably thinks we’ve just entered the Land of the Moon, still far from the capital."

Random Ninja (grinning): "Who knew you had such tactical genius, ‘Kō’ō’?"

Tōrō (skeptical): "You sure he won’t suspect anything? Murazawa didn’t amass this much power in a few years by being careless."

Yoru: "Even if he doubts it, he won’t act until the third report arrives. His scouts are too trusted—no one expects them to detect movement from three ri (1.2 km) away."

"But by then, three hours will have passed. Plenty of time for us to deploy."

His gaze shifted toward Matsuzaka Town.

"Murazawa’s rise wasn’t just luck. His intel network was his ‘eyes’—and we’ve just blinded him."

"When we strike, he’ll be caught completely off guard."

"And if Tokugawa the Sixth’s spies have infiltrated his inner circle… Murazawa is already dead."

The others chuckled in admiration.

Ninja: "You’re more a strategist than a shinobi! Wasting talent like yours on fieldwork is a crime."

Yoru smirked. "A strategist? Hardly. The tacticians from my past life would’ve outmaneuvered him in minutes."

Nearby, Ieyasu—covered in blood—reported to Tokugawa the Sixth. The capital’s rebellion had been crushed. It was time to march.

Though Tokugawa’s remaining forces numbered only 3,000, it didn’t matter. The real trap lay in the 60,000-strong army of General Tokumono—forced into loyalty by his daughter’s captivity.

Tokugawa the Sixth (approaching Yoru’s group): "Move out. I await your victory."

Tōrō: "Move!" With that, he and Ieyasu led the charge.

Later…

Advisor (to Tokugawa): "Why not mobilize the 10,000 troops garrisoned outside the capital?"

Tokugawa: "Unnecessary." (Internally: "Who knows how many of them are Murazawa’s spies? One slip could ruin ‘Kō’ō’s’ plan.")

With Yoru’s Unit…

Princess Hanaka (giggling on Yoru’s back): "Ehehe~ Big Brother’s the best!"

Yoru (flatly): "Don’t misunderstand. You’re just leverage to flip the general."

"Stay silent when we arrive. Understood?"

Hanaka (nodding vigorously): "Mhm! I won’t make a sound!"

Murazawa’s Camp – Second Report Arrives

The message read: "Princess secured. Advance with confidence."

Murazawa forwarded it to General Tokumono, ordering the army to march.

General Tokumono (a grizzled veteran with a scarred arm, glaring): "If you break your word, even your elite won’t save you from my wrath."

Yayoi (smiling): "Lord Murazawa holds you in the highest esteem, General."

Tokumono (snorting): "Eastern Division—move out!"

With Murazawa’s forces mobilized (and a token defense left behind), he rode forth, brimming with confidence.

"How could I possibly lose?"

Yoru’s Team – Ambush Point

Yoru (surveying a narrow, bowl-shaped canyon): "Perfect for an ambush."

The winding pass—tight at the entrance and exit, wide in the middle—was a death trap. A well-placed strike here could decimate an army ten times its size.

Chapter 68: He’ll Definitely Take the Bait

“Are you sure they’ll come this way?”

“If they don’t take this route, all our preparations will be for nothing!” Towaru muttered behind him.

Yoru’s eyes gleamed with cold confidence as he replied, “Relax, they will come. There’s no faster path than this!”

“Eimura Sawa’s been itching to crush the Daimyō. And if he hears the capital’s in revolt? He’ll jump at the chance to attack—no way he slows down.”

“And if he wants speed, this road is his only choice.”

Towaru studied Yoru’s unwavering expression, then nodded silently.

…

They didn’t have to wait long.

Three hours later—

The distant rumble of marching feet and the whinny of warhorses echoed through the valley.

“They’re here.”

Yoru and Towaru exchanged a glance, and word was swiftly relayed to Ieyasu: Prepare the troops.

…

“Dokō the Sixth… I’m coming. Let’s see how you stop me now.”

Bathed in the crimson sunset, Eimura Sawa’s grin twisted into something vicious. Ahead of him marched the Great General’s army—60,000 strong.

Behind Eimura, Tokō Kōgetsu’s eyes flickered with unease.

“Brother… what’s happening over there? Is there really no hope left?”

It had been days since Tokō the Sixth last contacted him. Now, rumors swirled of rebellion in the capital—and Eimura’s forces were less than fifty li away.

The situation was dire.

Suddenly—

“Halt!”

The Great General’s sharp command brought the entire army to a stop.

Hidden in the shadows, Yoru’s group tensed.

Did they find us? Yoru’s mind raced.

“What’s going on? Why are we stopping?!”

Eimura scowled, then snapped at a subordinate, “Go demand an explanation! Is he trying to delay my victory?”

The messenger stormed ahead, his tone dripping with hostility.

The Great General didn’t flinch. “This terrain is perfect for an ambush. I won’t march blindly into a death trap—unlike your master.”

He glared at the messenger. “Well? Run back and tell him.”

As the highest-ranking general in the Land of the Moon, he had no reason to fear Eimura’s lackeys. Soldiers with the right weapons could slaughter even ninja.

“Tch!”

Grudgingly, the messenger retreated—the Great General’s forces were too crucial to provoke.

“An ambush? Here?” Eimura scoffed upon hearing the report. “Since when does Tokō the Sixth have that kind of cunning?”

Still, he waved a hand. “Fine. Send scouts to sweep the area.”

Towaru’s breath hitched. “They’re searching for us!”

Ieyasu paled. “If they find us, everything falls apart! Damn that general—he’s ruining everything!”

“We should strike now,” someone urged. “At least we’d catch Eimura off guard. With the princess as leverage, we might even turn the Great General to our side!”

Towaru hesitated—normally, he’d agree instantly. But now, his gaze shifted to Yoru. “What do you think, Kōkō?”

Yoru exhaled sharply. “We move. Hesitation means defeat.”

A wry smile touched his lips. “Guess I’m no master strategist—I didn’t foresee this.”

Then, to the little girl beside him: “Ready, Hana? Time to see your father.”

“Ieyasu—cut off Eimura’s retreat at Lost Bridge. The rest of you, with me!”

In a flash, Yoru lunged toward the Great General’s position, Hana in his arms. Towaru’s team surged toward Eimura, blades drawn.

“Lightning Release: Thunder Dragon’s Roar!”

The sky split open.

Eimura’s face twisted in shock as explosions erupted around him. “An attack?! Impossible—!”

His bodyguards barely had time to react before another volley of lightning rained down.

“Protect Lord Eimura!”

“Don’t let a single strike through!”

Not far away, the Great General watched the chaos unfold—until a green-haired ninja at his side barked, “Send reinforcements! Now!”

“Sorry. Can’t do that.”

A masked figure flashed past—the ninja’s throat split open before he could blink.

The Great General’s guards drew their weapons, but the stranger raised a hand. “Wait.”

Then, gently, he held out the child in his arms.

“Recognize her?”

The Great General’s eyes widened.

A porcelain-faced little girl—her features mirroring his own—beamed up at him.

“Hana?! Why are you—?!”

His joy vanished as he rounded on Yoru, voice razor-sharp. “Who are you? What do you want? If you’re using her as a hostage—”

Yoru chuckled. “No threats here, General. I’m Kōkō—Kumogakure’s assassination squad. Tokō the Sixth hired me to eliminate Eimura Sawa.”

“I’m here to propose an alliance.”

“I know Eimura’s been blackmailing you with your daughter’s life. This ‘deal’ to march? A lie. Hana was never in his hands—that was my rumor to lure him out.”

He set the girl down. “Check for yourself. She’s unharmed.”

“Once you’re satisfied… I hope you’ll make the right choice.”

Hana didn’t wait. She leaped into her father’s arms with a giggle.

“Papa!”

Chapter 69: "Of Course You Were Fooled"

"General, look out!!!"

The guards around the general reacted in shock—this was the perfect moment for an assassination. If this were an enemy, they could strike a fatal blow in an instant.

Immediately, they threw themselves in front of the general, seizing the little princess. The general didn’t stop them—their reaction was justified.

Princess Hanaka (struggling): "Uncle Akita, let me go! I want Daddy to hold me!"

Her outburst made the guards freeze in disbelief.

Akita (stunned): "You’re… really Hanaka?"

Hanaka (pouting): "Ughhh, of course I’m Hanaka! Who else would I be?!"

Akita quickly rolled up her sleeve—and there it was: a petal-shaped birthmark. His eyes widened.

Akita: "It really is the princess!"

Other Guards (rushing over): "What?! Seriously?!"

The general and his men inspected the birthmark—impossible to fake.

Hanaka (crossing her arms): "Duh! Uncle Ryoen, since when am I an imposter?"

Her signature sassy pout erased any remaining doubts. Only the real Hanaka would act like this.

General Tokumono (softening instantly): "My little flower…"*

No longer the stern commander, he embraced his daughter as she nuzzled into him.

Then, his gaze snapped toward Yoru. A silent understanding passed between them.

General Tokumono (commanding): "Send the order—all forces, attack Murazawa!"

Akita: "Yes, sir!"*

With that, he rushed off to relay the command.

Yoru (nodding): "Then I’ll take my leave."*

In a flash, he scaled the cliffside—heading straight for Murazawa’s position.

Murazawa’s Side – Utter Confusion

Murazawa (seething): "What the hell is happening?! Weren’t the Cloud ninja just reaching the capital? Wasn’t the city still in chaos? So where did this ambush come from—did they fall from the sky?!"

Yoru’s Voice (mocking, from behind): "No, no… you were just outplayed, Murazawa."

Murazawa (whirling around): "Who’s there?! Show yourself!"

Yoru materialized in front of him, smirking.

Murazawa (growling): "Who are you?! Explain yourself!"

Yoru (shrugging): "It’s simple. Every report you received? Fake. All of it."

"The goal was to keep you blind. And judging by how deep you’ve dug your own grave… it worked."

His teammates burst into laughter.

Teammate 1: "Hah! ‘Not smart’? More like a total idiot!"

Teammate 2: "Thought he was untouchable. Pathetic."

Murazawa’s fists clenched, knuckles cracking.

Murazawa (low, dangerous): "My scouts could detect movement from three ri away. How did you evade them? Do you have the Byakugan?!"

Yoru (grinning): "Three ri? That’s your big advantage? Seriously?"

"Wow. Someone’s overestimating themselves."

Murazawa’s face darkened further.

Murazawa: "So the report about the princess’s capture… also fake?"

Yoru: "Obviously. But she’s not here—she’s safe in the capital."

Murazawa (lips curling into a snarl): "You’re the first to make me suffer such humiliation."

"I’ll carve your skull into a wine cup. Let this be a lesson—never challenge me alone."

With a roar, his elites lunged at Yoru.

Elite 1: "Die, brat!"

Elite 2: "Regret your arrogance!"

Elite 3: "Your teammates can’t save you now!"

Yoru’s allies paled.

Teammate (yelling): "Kō’ō, retreat! You can’t take them alone!"

But Yoru just smiled.

Yoru: "Who said I came here to die?"

"Flash."

A blade gleamed—and in the next instant, Yoru vanished.

He reappeared 50 meters from Murazawa, flashing a grin that sent chills down his spine.

Behind him, the attacking elites froze—then collapsed, their bodies cleanly bisected.

Murazawa (gaping): "What…?!"

His assassination squad cheered.

Teammate (stunned): "He took out multiple Special Jōnin… in one move?!"

Even Murazawa’s personal swordsman, Kenshin, tensed.

Kenshin (grim): "That sword technique… monstrous."

Murazawa (urgent): "Can you kill him?"

Kenshin (grave): "At best… 40% odds. If I’m lucky."

Murazawa’s blood ran cold.

If even Kenshin doubts victory… just how strong is this guy?!

*Chapter 70: The God of Slaughter Under the Setting Sun*

*“The strategist has betrayed us!”*

*“Stop them! The strategist is a traitor!!!”*

The panicked shouts erupted from Eimura Sawa’s ranks—his elite ninja forces were turning against him.

Yet Eimura didn’t dare look away, his burning gaze locked onto Yoru. *“What a brilliant scheme. Well played.”*

*THUD—THUD—THUD!*

The thunder of hooves shook the earth as another wave of chaos erupted.

*“The Great General has turned! He’s attacking us!”*

Eimura’s personal army—five thousand strong—was now caught in the crossfire. Screams, the clash of steel, and the shrieks of warhorses drowned the battlefield.

*“Damn… it!!”*

Eimura’s fists trembled, veins bulging on his forehead. Every loss carved deeper into his pride.

*“Not moving? Then I’ll come to you.”*

Yoru lunged, lightning crackling around him.

*“You won’t lay a hand on Lord Eimura!”*

A wall of defenders surged forward, blades raised.

*“Lightning Release: Surge of Gratitude.”*

No hand seals. No warning.

Yoru’s body became the storm.

*“ARGH—!”*

The lightning cloaked him like a second skin, ravaging the attackers mid-charge. Before they could recover, his blade flashed—a whirlwind of steel that left corpses in its wake.

*“Swallow’s Tail Slash!”*

A voice colder than winter cut through the chaos.

The swordsman—Kenshin—was already upon him, his katana slicing toward Yoru’s ribs.

Hair stood on end. Yoru twisted back, barely avoiding the lethal strike.

*“Die, you brat!”*

Eimura’s snarl came from behind. His right hand blazed with chakra.

*“Lightning Release: Thunderblade Decapitation!”*

The thrust aimed straight for Yoru’s heart.

*“Lightning Release: Pillar Barrier!”*

A hasty defense, but enough.

*“CRACK—!”*

The barrier shattered under Eimura’s assault, but retaliatory bolts forced him back, teeth gritted in frustration.

*“Running? Not that easy.”*

Yoru’s hands blurred. The air itself warped with gathering energy.

*“You won’t succeed!”* Kenshin roared, charging again.

*“Try and stop me.”*

*“Lightning Release: Judgment of the Storm.”*

Yoru’s finger pointed skyward.

The heavens split.

Two pillars of lightning—thick as ancient trees—crashed down upon Eimura and Kenshin.

*“HISS—!”*

Kenshin’s blood turned to ice. Instinct screamed: Dodge!

Eimura’s face twisted in primal terror. *“I won’t die—block it—!”*

The assassination squad watched, jaws slack.

*“T-This is Kōkō’s power?!”*

*“How… how is he this strong?!”*

*“And the Raikage sent him to our unit?!”*

Towaru’s voice cut through their disbelief. *“Of course. He helped suppress the Two-Tails. Did you think he was some green recruit?”*

A dry chuckle. *“We’re lucky he didn’t kill us back then.”*

*“BOOM—!”*

The lightning struck like divine wrath. The earth quaked, a crater exploding into existence. Ninja were sent flying like leaves in a gale.

Silence should’ve followed.

But—

*“Look! Kōkō’s still moving!”*

Yoru was already a blur, his sword a streak of silver through the scattered survivors.

*“What the—?!”*

Elegant. Deadly.

Each step, each slash—a dancer’s grace paired with a reaper’s precision. Blood arced through the air, painting the sunset crimson.

A god of slaughter, bathed in twilight.

The entire massacre lasted seconds. Yet to onlookers, it felt like an eternity.

Beautiful. Terrifying.

As the dust settled, Yoru stood alone, his blade dripping. The fading sun dyed him scarlet.

*“Guh… damn… you…”*

A ragged voice.

Eimura dragged himself up, right arm limp, flesh seared and bleeding.

Yoru smirked. *“Survived Judgment? Not bad, Eimura.”*

Then—he vanished.

Eimura’s instincts screamed.

*“CLANG—!”*

Kenshin’s blade intercepted at the last moment, sparks flying.

*“Lord Eimura treated me well. I won’t let you kill him.”*

A push—Yoru skidded back.

Kenshin bowed slightly. *“Forgive me, my lord. This is my final duty.”*

To Yoru, he raised his sword. *“Flash Step.”*

He disappeared.

Only the razor’s edge of killing intent remained.

Eimura didn’t hesitate. He ran.

*“After him! Don’t let the snake escape!”*

Tokō Kōgetsu and his white-armbanded troops surged forward.

The Great General’s forces moved—a steel tide blocking Eimura’s retreat.

*“Sky-Piercers—Loose!”*

*“Explosive Arrows—Fire!”*

Crossfire. No way out.

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