Chapter 43: So Obedient—You Believe Whatever I Say?

Despite his shock, Tenzin kept a smile plastered on his face.

"I thought you’d be overwhelmed by the numbers, so I sent Orōi—our best balance of offense and defense—to back you up."

"Turns out I underestimated you. Wiping out that many enemies in just a minute? Even I couldn’t pull that off!"

"Still got any fight left in you? How about we take down the captain together?"

Tenzin extended the invitation, but if Yoru accepted just like that… he wouldn’t be Yoru.

"Ahhh, Captain Tenzin, spare me. I’m completely spent. Let Orōi handle it."

He coughed weakly for emphasis, selling the act.

Tenzin didn’t push further.

Yoru’s performance was already staggering. If he kept stealing the spotlight, the captain’s pride would take a hit.

"Orōi, cover him. The rest of you—with me!"

Tenzin turned to the pirate captain, eyes sharp.

"Time to settle this."

The captain’s face darkened.

"Damn it! Chizō—kill that brat!"

Chizō, an elderly rogue ninja in charge of the ship’s defenses, acknowledged the order and led fifteen men toward Yoru.

"Don’t think this is over, Cloud ninja! You can’t beat me that easily!" the captain snarled.

"Your Lightning Style is useless against the Umibōzu! On the open sea, you’re no match for—"

"Tidal Wav—"

SLASH!

Before he could finish, a deep gash split the Umibōzu’s body—blood spraying into the air.

The captain had barely dodged in time.

"H-How…?!"

He stared in disbelief at the wound, then at Yoru—the one responsible.

"The Umibōzu has liquefaction abilities! Even Lightning Style can’t touch it! How did your blade—?!"

Then he noticed the fading seals on the creature’s body.

"Sealing jutsu?! Where the hell did you learn high-level sealing techniques?!"

Yoru grinned, mischief in his eyes.

"Oh? You wanna know?"

"Too bad—I’m not telling."

(Liquefaction? Pfft. Useless against sealing jutsu.)

(All that chatter earlier wasn’t for nothing. While you were distracted, I slipped the Binding Current Seal onto your precious summon.)

(And you didn’t even notice. Tsk tsk, Captain~)

The captain’s face twisted in realization.

"You bastard! You faked exhaustion!"

"All that talk about being spent—just to lower my guard so you could seal the Umibōzu!"

Yoru smirked.

"Wow, you actually believed me? Captain, you’re adorable."

"I say I won’t fight, and you just… take my word for it? So obedient~"

CRACK!

The captain’s knuckles whitened, fury burning in his eyes.

POOF!

The heavily injured Umibōzu vanished in a cloud of smoke, leaving the captain and Yuta stranded.

Their situation had just turned dire.

"By the way… Our mission’s complete if we take down Yuta, right?"

Yoru’s gaze slid to the nervous man beside the captain, his grin widening.

"Correct. You up for it?" Tenzin replied, eyes gleaming.

He wasn’t annoyed by Yoru’s "betrayal." If anything, this surprise had saved them.

Earlier, even with their combined efforts, the Umibōzu’s control over the sea—tsunamis, whirlpools, relentless water attacks—had made the fight nearly impossible.

Now? That obstacle was gone.

(I should’ve killed this brat first. He’s too dangerous.) The captain seethed.

"Nah, I’ll pass. Seriously out of chakra this time."

Yoru shrugged and stepped back.

"I’ll leave the big shots to you, Captain. Gonna go clean up the trash instead."

Pushing his luck would only breed resentment.

(Best not outshine the Cloud ninja too much. Even if they’re kinda… mediocre.)

(No need to rub it in.)

Tenzin’s brow twitched in irritation.

(This kid… First he refuses, then jumps in, now backs out again? Make up your damn mind!)

But secretly, he was relieved.

If Yoru joined now, the Cloud team’s reputation would really take a hit.

Yuta, too, exhaled shakily.

(No way I could’ve beaten that monster… But the others? Maybe.)

[Meanwhile, near Orōi’s position]

"Die, you bastards!"

Orōi, crackling with lightning, tore through Chizō’s group like a storm.

Most were only Chūnin-level—none stood a chance except the tricky old man himself.

But Orōi’s brutal efficiency made the fight just as thrilling as Yoru’s earlier massacre.

"It’s hopeless! He’s too strong!"

"Run! We can’t win!"

The rogue ninjas were crumbling.

They’d assumed Yoru was the only real threat.

Turns out, Orōi fought like a feral thunder god.

Now? They couldn’t handle either of them.