276-280

Chapter 276: The Might of the Flame Demon and the Mist Ninja Visitor 

The Wind Release technique was just the beginning. Earth Release, Wind Release, Lightning Release, Water Release, and even Fire Release followed in a dazzling array of attacks unleashed by Sōgen. He completely overwhelmed Dairiku, leaving him with no choice but to rely on the Coming Welcome: Diamond Realm technique for barely sustaining his defense. 

This sparring match had its outcome decided from the start, with no suspense whatsoever. 

However, this did not dampen the spectators' enthusiasm. Whether it was the famed talents of the Senju Clan at the Temple of Fire or the renowned Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan, these were not things one could easily witness, especially considering that of those who had seen the Sharingan in action, it was rare for even one out of ten to survive. 

The only disappointment was that Sōgen rarely used the Sharingan's power during the fight. He relied solely on physical combat and the five elemental techniques, sweeping through 99% of his opponents using only the Sharingan's perceptive abilities, much to the dismay of those who had hoped to uncover its secrets. 

Nonetheless, this was precisely why they could now witness the true meaning of the Flame Demon. 

"Today, let's conclude our sparring with this!" Sōgen said, glancing at Dairiku, who was securely hidden within his "turtle shell." With a smile, he decided to grant Dairiku a graceful finish, considering the relationship between the Temple of Fire and the Hidden Leaf Village. 

Then, with a shift in Sōgen's thoughts, flames surged forth. 

An endless sea of fire erupted from around him in an astonishing manner, spreading outward like a tsunami, easily enveloping Dairiku and his Coming Welcome: Diamond Realm in this vast and magnificent blaze. 

This was not some specific ninjutsu. 

It wasn't a secret Fire Release technique exclusive to the Uchiha Clan. 

It was the essence of Fire Release itself. 

Indeed, after obtaining the Banana Palm Fan and combining it with his innate talent for Magic Power Release: Flame, Sōgen had finally mastered the true essence of Fire Release, no longer limited by the constraints of traditional techniques. Even without the aid of the Banana Palm Fan, he could freely wield the power of Fire Release at will. 

The only limitation was chakra. 

If he had an abundance of chakra to expend, incinerating the entire land would not be impossible! "How beautiful!" exclaimed Hotarubi, her eyes filled with longing as she gazed at the dazzling sea of flames. 

Though she was young, her admiration for strong and beautiful things was undiminished. Being from the Tsuchigumo Clan and raised by her grandfather, Eikichi, she had always dreamed of becoming a powerful ninja like him. 

"Yes, it's beautiful... and terrifying," Eikichi murmured, a hint of nostalgia flashing in his eyes. 

Ah, how he missed his younger days!  

Back then, he might not have been as formidable as this advisor to the Hokage, but when he was young, he always felt like he had endless energy. No matter how powerful the enemy was, he was fearless, and no matter how many times he failed, he always got back up. 

Standing at the edge of the training field, Shōjūbō and Ishikirimaru wore grim expressions. 

Feeling the oppressive aura of the immense sea of flames, they quickly assessed whether they could withstand such a terrifying attack. It didn’t take much thought to come to the unpleasant but undeniable conclusion: they couldn't. 

"This... is the Flame Demon?" Shōjūbō muttered. 

It wasn't the first time he had seen Sōgen spar with someone, but it was the first time he had witnessed such an extraordinary Fire Release technique. In previous bouts, Sōgen had used common techniques like Great Fireball or Dragon Fire, which were more notable for their control than sheer power. 

His previous skills never seemed to justify a nickname like "Demon." 

But now— 

He finally understood what it meant to be the Flame Demon. This power truly deserved that magnificent title. 

Ishikirimaru's face turned pale as he realized how reckless his previous actions had been. If the Flame Demon, Uchiha Sōgen, were a petty man, Ishikirimaru might already have been reduced to ashes. While Ishikirimaru prided himself on his strength and held a prominent position among the Oniwabanshū, he could no longer deny that his behavior earlier was that of a foolish monkey pretending to be a man. 

It was truly embarrassing. 

"Don't forget, the most terrifying aspect of the Sharingan is its genjutsu!" Shōjūbō suddenly remarked. 

Ishikirimaru's eye twitched. If Shōjūbō hadn't 'reminded' him, he might have forgotten that the most feared aspect of the Uchiha Clan was their nearly inescapable genjutsu. Once caught in the Sharingan's illusion, few could escape its grip. This is why confronting an Uchiha typically required two equally skilled people to stand a chance. 

Facing an Uchiha alone often meant courting death. 

After all, if one couldn’t break free from the Sharingan’s illusion, challenging an Uchiha alone was basically asking to be defeated. 

"I was too arrogant..." Ishikirimaru muttered through gritted teeth. 

Shōjūbō, though not particularly pleased, observed Ishikirimaru’s humbled state. As a close confidant of the Fire Daimyō, even though certain things were never openly stated, they understood the Daimyō’s unsaid wishes and unrecorded ambitions. 

The stronger the Hidden Leaf became, the more distant the future the Daimyō desired would seem. 

"So powerful!" 

As for Dairiku himself, he couldn't help but inwardly marvel. 

The flames, controlled with such mastery, were terrifying. Although Fire Release techniques weren’t exclusive to the Uchiha clan, and countless shinobi in the ninja world could use them, the flames before him were different. The Uchiha’s Fire Release stood in a league of its own, distinct from other ninjas’ techniques. 

No, even within the Uchiha, this "Flame Demon" must be unique. The massive blaze would transform, sometimes into a fierce dragon with formidable horns, other times into a roaring lion, and even into a towering, muscled bull-headed giant. These changes demonstrated the full complexity of chakra transformations, becoming something unfamiliar yet deeply intimidating. 

Not once did Sōgen form a hand seal. 

Controlling the flames seemed as effortless to him as breathing. 

The fierce blaze felt as if it could reduce everything to ash, scorching the earth into barren wasteland. 

If not for his Sage talent defense, he doubted he’d last even two seconds under ordinary means. Only his Sage talent, which drew on surrounding natural energy to form an invisible yet unbreakable barrier, allowed him to endure the flames for ten seconds. 

But even that reached its limit. 

Despite the formidable "Welcoming the Vajra Realm" defense, the intense heat seeped through, sapping the moisture from his body, leaving his lips cracked and dry—he could no longer endure. 

Suddenly, the air filled with a sound like shattering glass. 

“I concede.” 

With a hoarse voice, Dairiku proclaimed his defeat to everyone present. 

And in an instant, the flames receded, the turbulent sea of fire vanishing as swiftly as a blink. Dairiku was wide-eyed at Sōgen’s precise control over his technique, shaking his head in amazement. Truly, genius is a relative term. 

As the top talent among the younger monks of the Temple of Fire, Dairiku was undoubtedly a prodigy. But after experiencing Sōgen's overwhelming power firsthand, he realized his own genius paled in comparison. 

“Thank you for the guidance, Assistant Hokage,” Dairiku said, managing to bow despite his fatigue. 

“Likewise. Your Sage talent from the Temple of Fire was impressive,” Sōgen replied with a smile. “Now, go get checked by the medical ninja. Dehydration’s no small matter.” 

Dairiku didn’t argue. 

In truth, he didn’t have the energy to continue with pleasantries. Though the brief sparring session had left him mostly unscathed, the dehydration from the intense heat felt worse than a physical wound. Sometimes, a bit of blood loss might have been easier to bear—so long as he wasn’t missing any limbs. 

Luckily, the Konoha embassy was equipped with top medical ninjas. Since they were stationed in the Daimyō’s domain, the embassy was well-prepared and fully staffed with skilled personnel. Soon, the medical ninjas whisked Dairiku away for treatment. 

Spectators came forward one by one to bid farewell to Sōgen. 

“Leaving so soon, Shanzubō, Ishikirimaru? Not staying for tea?” Sōgen asked. 

“Not today; we have matters at the palace. We’re already on break, and if we stay any longer, we’ll lose our whole month’s salary,” Shanzubō responded, friendly and without the slightest generational gap. 

Ishikirimaru, saying nothing, opted to act the part of a silent observer. 

“Alright then, perhaps next time,” Sōgen replied, his tone void of emotion. 

“Next time, for sure,” Shanzubō said with a grin, and both he and Ishikirimaru hurriedly departed for the palace. They needed to report today’s events to the Daimyō and, he thought, warn him against pinning too many hopes on certain individuals. 

The current Konoha was indeed formidable, untouchable, even intimidating. 

Back at the embassy, as all non-embassy spectators dispersed, the elderly Yajin the Walker also retired for the day. His granddaughter, Tsuchigumo Hotaru, was training diligently, though Sōgen only gave her a brief reminder to keep an eye on her and avoid any mishaps. 

Then, Sōgen returned to the tea room. 

Reflecting on the intricate elements of Dairiku’s Sage talent, he noted the unique skill of using specialized chakra to harness natural energy. Even though unraveling the full mystery of the Temple’s Sage talent would take time, understanding this technique was already a notable gain. 

Even if it couldn’t immediately translate into new combat power, it laid the groundwork for future breakthroughs. 

Fire Country, eastern coast, at a seaport: 

A massive warship bearing the flag of Kirigakure from the Land of Water slowly entered the harbor. Standing on the bow, Hōzuki Mangetsu gazed at the unfamiliar scenery, so unlike the misty landscapes of his homeland. After half a year, he had returned to this country. 

And this time, he would likely remain here for a long, long time. 

“Big brother, is this the Land of Fire?” A white-haired boy with purple eyes and shark-like teeth, nearly identical to Mangetsu, looked around with curious eyes. 

“Yes, Suigetsu, we’re in the Land of Fire.” 

“Oh, awesome!” Suigetsu exclaimed excitedly. 

It was his first time outside the Land of Water. Unlike his elder brother, who seemed burdened by worries, Suigetsu had no concerns, only boundless excitement. 

“So, big brother, when can we reach Konoha?” 

“It might take a few more days. This is Konoha’s territory, so we can’t act on our own,” Mangetsu replied, noting the Konoha ninjas waiting at the dock. “Suigetsu, get ready. We’re disembarking.” 

He took a deep breath, shaking off the disappointment of not becoming the Fifth Mizukage, and readied himself to face the Konoha shinobi. He would be here for a long time, and building good relations with Konoha was essential. 

After all, he was the leader of these elite Kirigakure shinobi, and his second-in-command, Ameyuri Ringo, depended on him. Only he could represent Kirigakure in these official dealings; he couldn’t delegate this responsibility. 

Forcing a stiff smile, he approached the Konoha shinobi waiting on the dock. 

(End of Chapter) 

Chapter 277: Setting Out on the "Return" Journey

News of the arrival of guests from the Land of Water spread quickly to Konoha and soon reached Sōgen, who was currently at the Daimyo's residence. This visit from the Mist Shinobi was expected, so it didn’t come as a surprise to Sōgen.

It seemed that the death of the Fourth Mizukage hadn’t significantly impacted the Mist Village. Sōgen thought they might wait until next year to send emissaries, as internal conflicts were common in the Mist Village. Even without Uchiha Obito stirring things up, there were still plenty of ambitious individuals with designs on power. Fortunately, with Elder Genji watching over things, the village wasn’t likely to fall into chaos anytime soon.

This was actually a good thing.

Now that the Mist Village was an ally of Konoha, the sooner they settled their internal affairs, the better. This meant that Mist Village was less likely to once again fall into Uchiha Obito's clutches—though Sōgen wasn’t particularly worried about that happening again.

In any case, it was beneficial for Konoha to have another ally rather than another enemy. It would bring a sense of stability to the village.

---

“Lord Hokage, what does this mean?”

“It’s about establishing a joint investigation unit with the Mist Shinobi to look into that mysterious person who claims to be Uchiha Madara. It was your proposal, and no one understands this matter better than you. Lord Hokage would like you to lead this effort. So… when do you plan to return to the village?”

Nara Saltwater, the Hokage’s secretary, asked cautiously.

Saltwater had been sent as a messenger to deliver the Hokage's message to Sōgen. Recently, the Fifth Hokage had been less involved in handling official matters, leaving daily work to the Jonin Commander, Nara Shikaku, along with two advisors, Hyuga Masayuki and Kiba Mokuda. Together, they had been managing Hokage duties, only alerting him to major issues like this one involving the Mist Shinobi.

As a result, Saltwater had recently found himself with a lighter workload, allowing him to be dispatched as a messenger this time.

“A joint investigation unit, huh?” Sōgen mused.

The proposal had indeed come from him, and the Mist Shinobi had responded positively. However, due to the recent death of the Fourth Mizukage, Mist Village's emissaries had been delayed. “Has Mist Village already reached Konoha?”

“Not yet,” Saltwater shook his head.

“The message came from the Eastern Border Defense Unit. It was sent urgently. The Mist Shinobi are currently being escorted by the Eastern Border Defense Unit, and if there are no delays, they should arrive at the village the day after tomorrow at the latest, or possibly even tomorrow.”

“Since we still have two days, there’s no rush. I’ll return after wrapping up things here at the Daimyo’s residence. It won’t take too long—three or four days at most. The Hokage didn’t specifically ask me to rush back, did he?”

“No, he didn’t. Lord Hokage just wanted to know when you’d return. The rest is up to you,” Saltwater replied respectfully, not only because of Sōgen’s immense strength but also because Akimichi Torifū’s health had been deteriorating.

With Tsunade’s whereabouts still unknown, she’d become famous as a “big spender” in the Land of Fire and surrounding nations, owing vast sums of gambling debt. To evade creditors, she’d honed top-tier escape and concealment skills, often eluding even the Anbu.

So, Nara Saltwater approached Sōgen, one of the Sixth Hokage’s strongest candidates, with extra care.

“Alright then, you can go back and inform the Hokage. If the Mist Shinobi arrive at the village before I do, let them rest for two days. I’ll handle any issues when I get back.”

Sōgen had been staying at the Daimyo’s residence for some time, so it was about time he returned to the village. Originally, he’d planned to set out in mid-August, with a few sparring sessions planned with several individuals, which he’d now need to rearrange.

Also, both Riki the Traveler and Daichi were set to leave—Riki was returning to Mount Katsuragi, and Daichi was heading back to the Fire Temple.

“Master Earth Spider, are you sure you don’t need someone to escort you?”

Standing at the embassy’s entrance, Sōgen was seeing off Riki and the others. Over time, they’d formed a strong bond, putting aside clan and village affiliations to build personal friendships. They’d had many enjoyable conversations centered on ninjutsu.

“No need. If I could walk here from Mount Katsuragi, I can walk back just as easily,” Riki replied, smiling as he declined Sōgen’s offer. Though weakened with age, he still felt capable of handling things alone.

He had already preemptively dealt with most enemies of his clan, so he didn’t expect any trouble while he was alive. It was precisely this confidence that allowed him to bring his granddaughter along on the journey.

Additionally, Daichi would be traveling with him on the return journey. Although they’d part ways halfway, it was still enough for Riki to feel secure.

“Daichi, are you sure you’re ready to leave like this?” Sōgen turned to the young monk standing on Riki’s left.

“Yes. Since Hama and the others aren’t in the Daimyo’s residence, I have no reason to stay here. I only joined the Twelve Guardian Ninjas temporarily, and I was always going to return to the Fire Temple. Now I’m just leaving a bit sooner,” Daichi responded calmly.

Since the death of Kitane and others, and with the exposure of Hama’s wrongdoings, Daichi’s motivation to stay had dwindled. He’d initially remained in the Daimyo’s residence to avenge Kitane and others, but after searching the area with the Onmitsu Squad for over a month without finding any trace of Hama, his anger had subsided.

Realizing that he would only find Hama if the rogue ninja revealed himself, Daichi felt it was pointless to stay. He could neither remain at the Daimyo’s residence nor stay in one place any longer.

“Then I wish you both a safe journey.”

Sōgen didn't insist on sending someone to accompany them. Honestly, he didn’t have many capable people at his disposal in Daming Prefecture. Unless he personally stepped in, his subordinates weren’t nearly as skilled as Dilu.

"Thank you for the good wishes."

Dilu clasped his hands in a respectful gesture.

The elderly Yizhi Traveler casually waved his hand, turned around, and left with his granddaughter, accompanied closely by the loyal Tonbei.

Just like that, Yizhi Traveler, his granddaughter Tsuchigumo Hotaru, and their attendant Tonbei, along with Dilu, departed from Daming Prefecture.

However—

No one noticed that, as they left, a grayish-brown sparrow hawk took flight from a nearby grove. It circled once in the air, determined its direction, and flew deeper into the forest.

...

In an abandoned, desolate village in the forest—

Hema and his group had been waiting there for days. Except for a fox spirit who liked to complain, everyone was quite patient. Even the fox spirit’s grumbling was just a habit; he remained disciplined and didn’t act out.

Finally, the messenger sparrow hawk landed on Hema’s arm, cawing.

“They’ve finally set off?”

Hema read the secret message brought by the sparrow hawk and a cold smile appeared on his face.

He called out, “Kama no Suke, Tenme! Gather everyone! It’s time to work.”

In response, the more aggressive members of the original Guardian Twelve Shinobi quickly assembled. The fox spirit entered swiftly, carrying a blood-stained sword, his bloodthirsty intent making the sparrow hawk tremble.

“Hema, is it finally time for action?”

“Pretty much. Our target has left Daming Prefecture and is heading northwest.” Hema shook the short message scroll in his hand. “But, there’s a slight complication.”

“What’s wrong?”

Kama no Suke frowned.

“Dilu is with our target.”

“Dilu? That bald guy?”

“What’s he doing with the target?” Kama no Suke, Shiko, and Tenme were surprised but showed little emotion. After killing Kitane and the others, any lingering ties from the past meant nothing to them. And, for just Dilu, they felt no fear.

“Hema, what’s the plan? Take care of them all?”

Kama no Suke asked. Being an old rival of Dilu, he knew how troublesome the Sennin could be. Unlike Kitane, who was aggressive but lacking in defense, Dilu was balanced in both. Unless they used special techniques or overwhelming force, dealing with Dilu wouldn’t be easy.

“Of course we’ll take out that bald monk!” The fox spirit shouted, exuding killing intent. “We let him go last time, but this time he’s walked right into us.”

“We’ll play it by ear,” Hema replied. “The main priority is still capturing Yizhi Traveler. As for Dilu…his life isn’t critical. If it’s convenient, we’ll deal with him, but if not, stick to the original plan and prioritize Yizhi Traveler. No one is to act recklessly.”

He gave a warning look at the fox spirit, specifically cautioning him not to mess things up.

“Ugh,” the fox spirit grumbled but didn’t argue further, only glaring at Hema.

With Hema’s command, the group set off. Tenme, a sensor ninja, led the way, tracking Yizhi Traveler’s group. Since they didn’t know if Yizhi Traveler still possessed hidden techniques, Hema’s subordinates only dared to secretly monitor them from the crowd when they were in Daming Prefecture.

Outside the city, however, they lacked the courage to pursue a former legend openly—especially with a young monk of the Fire Temple, like Dilu, accompanying him.

Hema’s men had only reported the composition of Yizhi Traveler’s group and the direction they left the city in. Whether they changed routes afterward would be up to Hema and his team to track down.

Fortunately, Tenme’s sensory range was extensive. As long as Yizhi Traveler’s group didn’t return to Daming Prefecture or use space-time techniques to escape—both of which were unlikely—they would catch up to them before they reached Mount Katsuragi.

They began searching along the main road, planning to enter the forest if needed.

Their luck held. After setting out in the morning, by noon Tenme finally spotted the targets. Yizhi Traveler and Dilu had taken no hidden paths, traveling along the main road. Tenme, crouched on a treetop, opened his eyes, breaking his hand signs.

“What’s their position?” Hema asked.

“About 600 meters away, to our eight o’clock, by a creek. Yizhi Traveler and his group are resting there,” Tenme answered quickly. Though Hema appeared calm, Tenme, a sensor, could sense his excitement.

“They’re resting?”

Hema took a deep breath, adjusted the four-bladed claw on his hand, and ordered, “Begin the operation.”

*Chapter 278: The Binding Technique of Words*

The Land of Fire remained as hot as ever in the early autumn. While the roads were still busy with travelers in the morning, by midday, the scorching sun had driven most of them away. Even the group of travelers led by Yaku no Gyosha took shelter, avoiding the sweltering heat.

However, Dairoku, being young and strong, barely felt discomfort from the sun. The young Tsuchigumo Hotaru managed to endure with sheer willpower, but for seventy-something Yaku no Gyosha, the midday heat was unbearable. Around eleven o'clock, they decided to take a break, resting in the shade by a stream, waiting out the hottest part of the day before resuming their journey.

"Tsuchigumo-senpai, would you like some water?" asked Dairoku.

"Thank you, Dairoku," Yaku no Gyosha replied, finishing the last bite of his rice ball and taking the offered water flask. "I know traveling with an old man like me has slowed you down. I apologize for the trouble."

"It's no trouble at all. I'm in no hurry to get back to the temple, and my master always says that every step in life is a part of our training," Dairoku replied with a smile.

"Master Chujaku? Ah, for over twenty years, people have called him a wise man. It’s unfortunate that I’ve never had the chance to meet him," Yaku no Gyosha said with a sigh of regret.

"My master’s health hasn’t been great these past few years, so he rarely leaves the temple."

"Understandable. If memory serves me right, Chujaku is even older than I am. Age takes a toll on the body..." Yaku no Gyosha trailed off, suddenly frowning as he sat on a rock in the shade, sipping water. "Dairoku, do you hear that... the insect sounds. Have they become quieter?"

He wasn't sure if it was his imagination or if something was amiss. Time had not only drained his strength and energy but dulled his senses, too. Still, ever cautious, he quickly switched the water flask to his left hand while deftly drawing a kunai from his sleeve with his right. Dairoku, sitting nearby, immediately tensed up.

And then it happened.

Dairoku noticed the old man was right—the buzzing of the insects was indeed fading, as though they had been killed or driven away. Even with age, Yaku no Gyosha's instincts were sharper than his own.

"Tsuchigumo-senpai, wait here. I'll go take a look—"

Before he could finish, he felt a familiar shift beneath his feet. This attack method wasn’t unique—any ninja versed in Earth Release could perform an underground ambush. But as soon as he saw the hand reaching up to grab his ankle, he recognized the attacker.

"Kama no Suke!"

His shout echoed through the trees, startling the birds. With a quick substitution jutsu, Dairoku dodged the attack and took a fighting stance, chakra flowing along specific meridians to draw in natural energy.

*[Thousand-Hand Strike]*

Invisible fists struck like a storm, pounding the ground so hard it warped. However, Kama no Suke knew Dairoku’s techniques well. Missing his initial strike, Kama no Suke burrowed deeper underground to evade the furious blows.

"Kama no Suke, you coward! Come out!" Dairoku shouted, unable to contain his rage.

Kama no Suke remained silent, and Dairoku gritted his teeth, scanning the area, only to see Yaku no Gyosha under attack too—by none other than Homa!

Not just Homa—Kogitsune, Unko, Tenmoku, Shiko, and Kama no Suke, who was lurking underground.

Recently, he had desperately searched for his comrades without success, but now, here they all were. Homa, Shiko, and Unko were attacking Yaku no Gyosha together, Kogitsune was fiercely fighting Tonbei, who guarded Hotaru, and Tenmoku seemed to be scouting the surroundings.

Dairoku's anger burned even hotter, mingling with a deep sense of guilt. Because of him, Yaku no Gyosha was now in great danger.

Just then, Yaku no Gyosha’s voice snapped him out of his thoughts.

"Dairoku, I beg you—take Hotaru and leave!" Despite his age, the seventy-six-year-old Yaku no Gyosha stood his ground, deflecting Homa’s wind-bladed claws, dodging Shiko’s poisoned senbon, and constantly evading Unko's lightning jutsu.

"Got it?" Yaku no Gyosha called again. He wrote the kanji for "wind" in the air, and a fierce gust rose, blowing Shiko’s poisoned needles aside and leaving bloody scratches across Unko. Even Homa was forced to retreat a few steps to avoid the vicious wind.

This was the secret technique passed down through the Tsuchigumo clan—the *Binding Technique of Words*. By writing a word, Yaku no Gyosha could manifest its power; here, "wind" summoned a fierce gust to repel his foes. But the technique had its limitations.

"Tsuchigumo-senpai?" Dairoku asked, taken aback.

Did Yaku no Gyosha want him to take Hotaru and flee? Shouldn’t he stay to help Yaku no Gyosha escape? Despite the burning rage in his chest, his logic prevailed—facing Homa’s group alone was hopeless.

They had only one option: to run.

"These people are here for my clan’s forbidden technique, Dairoku. Take Hotaru and go—they won’t stop you. The forbidden technique is within me. If I die, they gain nothing; my memory is useless to them. Only if I live do they have any chance of obtaining our clan’s forbidden knowledge."

Yaku no Gyosha's voice rang out for Dairoku, but it was also meant for their attackers.

In truth, Yaku no Gyosha didn’t know who Homa and his allies were. However, the way Homa looked at him reminded him of those who had attacked his clan in the past, seeking the forbidden technique. So, he decided to test his guess by speaking openly.

Homa's reaction confirmed he was correct.

"Impressive, Yaku no Gyosha," Homa clapped his hands, momentarily halting his comrades’ attacks. "You're right. I want your clan’s forbidden technique. Surrender it to me, and I’ll let you go. Whether you live or die doesn’t matter to me—I only want the technique."

This statement—half true, half false. His main goal was indeed the forbidden technique, but he wouldn’t pass up the chance to add a few more high-quality bodies to his *Soil of the Dead* technique. However, if need be, he would prioritize capturing the technique above all.

Yaku no Gyosha sighed deeply, feeling neither anger nor despair, only a strange calm. He had long considered this outcome, especially in recent years, as his health declined, and he lay awake each night, wondering if he’d see the next sunrise.

Death was only a step away.

Now, it was clear—he wouldn’t die in bed.

He thought that Homma and the others were targeting him and felt guilty for dragging his senior, Yakuzhisha, into the mess.

But was it actually the other way around?

After re-evaluating the situation in front of him, he had to admit that Yakuzhisha’s assessment might have been correct. It seemed that Homma and the others weren’t after him after all. If they were, it wouldn’t have just been Kamazuke making a move against him, nor would Yakuzhisha have been the one under siege.

“Dilu, I can’t hold on much longer. I’ve already taken a soldier pill, which should allow me to hold them off for roughly three minutes. You and Tonbei need to get Hotaru out of here. Don’t argue—just, please, take Hotaru to find the Hokage’s assistant as a favor for our recent companionship.”

Yakuzhisha completely ignored Homma’s words.

Although the saying that “the old grow wise” has a hint of criticism, it fits Yakuzhisha quite well. He witnessed the end of the Warring States era, observed three Shinobi World Wars, and even participated in one. His life has been one of turbulent experiences.

With so much betrayal and deception behind him, how could he be fooled by a youngster like Homma? Yakuzhisha didn’t believe a word of his promises.

In situations like this, from his experience, there was never a peaceful outcome. Either you’re slaughtered to the last man, or you fight your way out to survive. Occasionally, you might get a rare "wolf in sheep’s clothing" situation, but that’s the kind of rarity you encounter once in decades. Usually, it’s the first two outcomes that prevail.

That’s why, as soon as the battle broke out, he had swallowed a soldier pill, forcing his aging body to squeeze out some chakra. If not, Homma and his crew would have already left him in the dust. But a soldier pill isn’t some miracle elixir.

It’s a poison that drains you slowly.

His aging body could never endure a second soldier pill’s effects.

So, three minutes was all the time he could buy.

As for turning the tables by using forbidden techniques to capture all of Homma’s men… unfortunately, that wasn’t possible. His clan’s forbidden techniques require preparation time, and the longer the preparation, the greater the technique’s destructive power. But now, he didn’t have the time, and more importantly, he didn’t have enough chakra to fuel a forbidden technique.

“Ungrateful fool!”

Homma, with a cold expression, spat these words through clenched teeth and signaled his men, who resumed their attack.

“Sir Tsuchigumo, I…”

Dilu was about to say something.

But—

“Dilu!”

“Please!!”

“There are barely three minutes left!!”

Words choked in Dilu’s throat, leaving him feeling a pent-up anger with nowhere to release it. Glaring at Homma and the others, he gritted his teeth and rushed toward Tonbei and Tsuchigumo Hotaru. Kamazuke, who had been lurking underground, struck again, trying to block Dilu’s path.

But Yakuzhisha wrote the character for "thunder" in midair.

In an instant,

Thunder roared, and lightning fell from the sky.

Kamazuke scrambled up from the ground, covered in dirt. The thunder nearly took him out in one blow. If he hadn’t been close to Dilu, Yakuzhisha would have likely targeted him directly. Even if it wouldn’t have killed him outright, it would have certainly laid him up in bed for three to five months.

Dilu ignored Kamazuke.

Yakuzhisha had promised to hold off Homma and his men, leaving him to escape with Tonbei and Tsuchigumo Hotaru. The thunder didn’t just target Kamazuke; it forced Homma, Yunkou, Shishi, and the fox spirit Komamaru—who was fighting Tonbei—to back off.

This gave Dilu and Tonbei an opportunity.

Dilu reached Tonbei’s side, scooping up the injured Tsuchigumo Hotaru, and both, battered and exhausted from their previous clashes, sprinted towards the northeast. They couldn’t go southwest towards the Daimyo’s residence because Homma’s group blocked that route.

At this point,

The best option was to put as much distance as possible between themselves and Homma’s group.

They could worry about returning to the Daimyo’s residence to find Uchiha Sougen once they were safe.

“Grandpa—!”

Tsuchigumo Hotaru, who had been silent throughout the battle to avoid being a burden to her grandfather and Tonbei, lay in Dilu’s arms, watching her grandfather’s figure fade into the distance. It dawned on her that this might be the last time she’d ever see him, and she began to cry.

However, her tears hadn’t fallen far before,

Dilu whispered, “I’m sorry,” and gently tapped her neck, knocking her unconscious and silencing her sobs.

Beside him,

Tonbei, his face pale from blood loss, showed a deep sadness in his eyes, though he suppressed his sorrow. This wasn’t the time to mourn. His duty now was to protect Hotaru, even if it meant sacrificing his own life to ensure her safety.

Yakuzhisha looked with satisfaction at Dilu and the others retreating into the distance.

Then,

He abandoned all hope for his already short future.

He poured his remaining chakra recklessly, disregarding the toll it took on his frail body.

Pushing the [Word Binding Technique] to its utmost, with his aging form, he managed to hold back Homma and his group for two and a half minutes, preventing any of them from escaping. But as his chakra drained, the backlash from the soldier pill left him too weak even to lift a finger, much less take his own life.

However,

He was down to his last breath.

“Shishi, don’t let this old man die yet. The forbidden technique hasn’t…”

Yakuzhisha felt their voices growing more distant as if his ears were underwater. His eyelids felt like they weighed a thousand pounds, gradually falling shut, and his vision turned dark.

Then,

He slipped into an endless abyss.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 279: Up Ahead... Mist Ninja?

"He's still breathing."

Ziji placed her fingers on the chest of Yuki's envoy, feeling the faint but persistent heartbeat. He had fallen unconscious due to the backlash from taking a soldier pill.

He was still alive! The worst scenario that Kazuma feared hadn't happened.

"Good, he's alive!"

Kazuma let out a sigh of relief. He had learned about the forbidden techniques of the Tsuchigumo Clan in the forbidden archives of the palace—a secret so well-guarded that the ninja forces, numbering likely over a thousand, had invested a great deal of effort in gathering information.

The Tsuchigumo’s forbidden techniques weren’t like ordinary forbidden arts acquired through years of practice. Instead, they were inherited techniques passed down through the clan, almost having a tangible existence beyond just "knowledge."

Although their nature was somewhat mysterious and hard to understand, one thing was clear:

The palace's spies had concluded that capturing the forbidden arts of the Tsuchigumo Clan was exceedingly difficult, and capturing Yuki's envoy alive would likely be the only way to secure them. At the time, Yuki's envoy had not been as weakened as he was now.

After weighing the risks, the palace had refrained from making a move on the Tsuchigumo Clan.

Until now—

Once renowned, Yuki's envoy had first been worn down by time and then ambushed by Kazuma, left vulnerable and outnumbered... The forbidden arts of the Tsuchigumo Clan were now either going to vanish into the past or fall into Kazuma's hands, waiting for a chance to be revived.

Which outcome it would be depended on Kazuma's efforts and luck.

"He can't be moved?"

Kazuma, relaxed for only a few seconds, grew frustrated once again.

"Leader, don't put this on me. I'm no Tsunade. This old man is barely breathing; I can’t guarantee he’ll survive if you carry him. If you run fifty meters, he might become a corpse."

Ziji placed her hands on Yuki's envoy's chest, using a healing technique to reduce the backlash from the soldier pill.

"Is there any way at all?"

"No."

Ziji’s definitive answer left Kazuma defeated. He crouched down in resignation. "Well, it looks like we’ll have to try something here. Kamanosuke, Kohanemaru, Tenme, go after Dairiku; don’t let them escape."

As he rummaged through Yuki's envoy's pockets, Kazuma issued orders to his companions. Originally, he hadn’t planned to pursue Dairiku. Once he had captured Yuki’s envoy, he had intended to relocate and work on obtaining the forbidden arts. But with Yuki’s envoy unable to be moved, plans had changed.

In this case, he couldn’t let Dairiku escape.

Otherwise...

He could easily imagine what would happen if Dairiku and the others escaped; soon, Konoha’s ninja would arrive, especially Enma, who was still lurking at the palace. Kazuma had little confidence in facing such a powerful opponent.

"Haha! Leave it to me!"

Kohanemaru, with his hand on his sword hilt, had yet to cool down his bloodlust.

They had achieved their objective, but not a single person had been slain. Even without Kazuma’s orders, he had already planned to chase down and take out the irritating Dairiku.

"I’ll do my best."

Kamanosuke left his words open-ended, indicating he’d see how things went. As Dairiku's old rival, he knew the tricks Dairiku had up his sleeve. With six against one, they’d undoubtedly bring Dairiku down. But with only himself, Tenme, and Kohanemaru, defeating Dairiku would be possible, but killing him might not be easy if Dairiku was intent on escaping.

"Alright... Yunko, you go too," Kazuma said after considering it for two seconds.

For insurance, Kazuma decided to add one more. Tenme was good at tracking, Kohanemaru preferred frontal attacks, Kamanosuke excelled at ambushes, and Yunko, a Lightning Release specialist, was the fastest for short-range movement. If Dairiku tried to escape, Yunko could intercept him.

With four of them, they’d have a high chance of taking down Dairiku.

"What about you two? Just you and Ziji…?" Kamanosuke looked at Kazuma.

There were only six of them, so sending four would stretch Kazuma’s side thin, leaving limited resources if anything unexpected happened. The palace wasn't far, and it was possible they could run into others even if Dairiku didn’t call for backup.

As part of the Guardian Twelve, they knew that the palace, like a drop of honey on the ground, attracted ninja from all over the country. The palace ninja numbers were not far behind those of Konoha.

"Don’t worry; I have backup here," Kazuma replied without lifting his head. He had found several scrolls in Yuki’s envoy's pocket and was examining each one, hoping to find something useful.

Kamanosuke nodded, remaining silent. He knew Kazuma had his own followers who had helped them track down Yuki’s envoy's group this time. Since Kazuma didn’t lack support, he’d focus solely on hunting Dairiku.

Without delay, they set off, following their standard formation, with Tenme, the sensory ninja, leading, and the others following closely. They pursued Dairiku's trail at top speed.

...

Holding the unconscious Tsuchigumo Hotaru, Dairiku couldn’t help but slow down. His companion, Tobie, also couldn’t maintain a high speed. As Yuki’s envoy's attendant, he was getting on in age.

Tobie had taken several hits in his earlier battle with Kohanemaru. Though the wounds weren’t deep enough to take him out of action, blood loss was unavoidable. Even though he took a blood-staunching pill, the effect took time, and he had already been weakened.

His breathing grew ragged, and he felt his strength waning.

“Dairiku, it looks like they haven’t followed us yet!”

"Just keep going a bit longer. We can't be sure they’ve given up."

Dairiku’s tone was serious.

Tobie shook his head and replied with difficulty, "Master Dairiku, if… if they do catch up, please don’t worry about me. I’ll stay behind to buy time; please take Lady Hotaru and keep going. My abilities can probably only stall them for a few seconds.”

This old man’s resolve was impressive.

Though his breath came in gasps like an old bellows, he was still tying explosive tags to his kunai as he ran.

"...Understood."

After a two-second pause, Diluk gave a definitive answer.

"Thank you for your help."

Dunbei’s pale face softened slightly with a hint of a smile as he expressed his sincere gratitude.

To him, death wasn't something to be feared. At over sixty years old, he was considered to have lived a long life in this world. As an orphan taken in by the Yakshi Traveler, he might not have survived to this age without that stroke of fortune. To him, each extra day was a gift.

Just as he was speaking, Diluk suddenly looked back over his shoulder.

“They’re here!”

Although brief, his words conveyed everything to Dunbei, who followed his gaze and immediately recognized the figure approaching with a blade in hand—a sight he could never forget. White hair, a beautiful fox-like face…

And they weren't alone.

In addition to the blade-wielding Kohomaru, there was Yunkou, enveloped in lightning, and Tenmu, who didn’t appear remarkable at first glance.

"Three of them?"

Diluk frowned.

It was a relief not to see Kazuma among them, but they couldn’t rule out the possibility that Kazuma and Kamano were lurking underground, given their expertise in earth techniques. Even without them, Kohomaru and the other two would be more than enough for him to handle alone.

They were all elite ninjas of the Guardian Twelve. Although differences in skill levels existed, they were never so drastic that anyone could easily outmatch another in a one-on-one fight.

“Master Diluk, take Lady Hotaru and go ahead. I’ll stay and buy you some time,” Dunbei quickly offered, ready to fulfill the promise he’d just made.

But—

“Wait,” Diluk stopped him suddenly. “There are a lot of people ahead; we might have a chance.”

Diluk wasn’t a specialized sensory ninja like Tenmu, but his spiritual training from the Fire Temple gave him a heightened perception, much sharper than the average elite ninja.

Shortly after noticing Kohomaru and his group drawing near, he sensed a significant cluster of chakra waves up ahead. Among these, he could detect a few especially powerful ones. Based on their quantity and quality, it was likely they were upper-tier ninjas at least.

For a brief moment, Diluk felt a spark of hope.

They were still in the Land of Fire, after all, and Konoha had the most ninjas here. Other ninja villages and clans rarely traveled in such large groups, so there was a high probability the ones ahead were Konoha ninjas. If they were, then they not only had a chance to escape, but they might also be able to turn the tables and defeat Kazuma’s group.

Diluk wasn’t the only one who had noticed, of course. Even with his limited sensory skills, he’d been able to detect the chakra waves ahead. Tenmu, a professional sensor, had already noticed them as well. Using his "Bird’s-Eye Technique," he sent his mental energy soaring above like an invisible bird, surveying everything below.

He and Diluk had noticed almost simultaneously because Tenmu couldn’t use the technique while moving at high speed. He hadn’t detected the group during his previous scan when they were further away.

As the distance closed, however, Tenmu sensed the chakra cluster, crouched down, and performed another round of the Bird’s-Eye Technique. This time, he took in the scene ahead before the others, and his expression grew strange.

“Something’s changed!”

With no time for discretion, he yelled out to alert Kohomaru, Yunkou, and Kamano, who was lying in wait for an ambush underground. Sound can travel through solid matter, and in fact, it travels even faster that way.

What he saw was so unexpected that his mind momentarily struggled to process it.

“What’s going on?”

Kamano surfaced from the ground.

They’d only just caught up, and Kamano’s Earth Technique wasn’t faster than the others’. Earth techniques excelled at stealth, not speed. He hadn’t yet caught up to Diluk and his group when he heard Tenmu’s shout.

“There are a lot of ninjas ahead. I didn’t have time to count them, but there are at least thirty or so.”

“Konoha ninjas?”

Kamano’s face paled.

Thirty Konoha ninjas? What kind of bad luck was this? Why would there be that many Konoha ninjas here? As Kamano mulled over which way to escape and whether he should signal Kazuma, Tenmu responded with an unexpected answer.

“No, judging by their headbands and attire… they look like Mist ninjas!”

“...What did you say? Mist ninjas?”

Kamano froze, dumbfounded.

What was going on? Thirty Mist ninjas… Why would Mist ninjas be here? Wasn’t this still the Land of Fire? Had they somehow unknowingly fallen into a time-space technique and been transported to the Land of Water?

Kamano, with his unassuming appearance and young but farmer-like demeanor, wasn’t the type to spend his days training nonstop. In his spare time, he enjoyed reading—not popular works like Icha Icha Paradise, but more mythical and fantasy-based stories.

He was no stranger to wild ideas.

“Kamano, are we still pursuing them?” Tenmu asked, looking at the dazed Kamano. “Kohomaru and Yunkou have already charged ahead.”

“What? Those idiots!”

Kamano snapped out of it, glaring at their backs in frustration, but he quickly gritted his teeth and said, “Fine, Tenmu, let’s go check it out too. If it’s Mist ninjas… Well, Konoha and Mist may be allies now, but that doesn’t mean they’ll go out of their way to help Konoha. Plus, Diluk’s group isn’t Konoha ninjas. If we act quickly, we might still have a chance to take them down.”

“All right!”

Tenmu shrugged, agreeing casually.

After all, with Kohomaru and Yunkou leading the charge, they could still retreat if things went south. And honestly, ever since the day they’d chosen to “defect” with Kazuma, they’d accepted the risk of life and death.

Of course, if there’s a chance to live, they didn’t need to go looking for death.

(End of Chapter)

*Chapter 280: What Business Do You Have with the Konoha Ninja?*

If you ask why the Mist Ninja are here, the answer is actually simple. They’re just passing by. The shortest route from the port they landed at to Konoha happens to pass close to the Daimyo's residence, and today's sun is particularly harsh. To be honest, the Mist Ninja, coming from the Land of Water, aren't used to such blazing sunlight, so by midday, they really didn’t want to keep traveling under the scorching sun. So, they decided to take a break.

In fact, for the past couple of days, they’ve been stopping frequently, significantly slowing down their progress. If they had been pushing forward, they’d likely already be in Konoha, relaxing in the Hokage’s office or waiting room rather than cooling off in the shade of this forest.

“It's so hot!”

Suigetsu Hozuki complained, squatting under a tree while gulping down water. His canteen was emptied in seconds.

Around him, the Mist Ninjas were scattered in groups, finding shade wherever they could—squatting, leaning, sitting. None of them dared to lay down completely relaxed, as it was still the wilderness, and an excellent ninja is always on guard, prepared for battle at any moment.

“Suigetsu, shut up! It’s already hot enough. Just give my ears a break,” his older brother, Mangetsu Hozuki, weakly scolded.

Mangetsu was also exhausted, leaning against a tree with an empty canteen, looking as if he could dissolve into a puddle at any second. This wasn’t just an impression—the heat was indeed brutal today.

Most of the Mist Ninjas were managing fine as long as they stayed out of direct sunlight, but for Mangetsu and Suigetsu, members of the Hozuki clan, it was different. Their clan’s secret techniques were powerful but had certain unavoidable weaknesses, such as being vulnerable to lightning techniques—and intense heat!

Yes, the Hozuki clan members are very susceptible to heat. High temperatures can cause them to lose water rapidly, and in severe cases, it can be fatal. In the Warring States period, before they crossed the ocean to the Land of Water, the Hozuki clan had a brutal punishment called "sun exposure," where wrongdoers were locked in a transparent, heat-absorbing container and left in the sun. Prolonged exposure would be torturous, and those who feared heat suffered the most, with some even succumbing to it.

"This Land of Fire is too hot! Big Brother, you never mentioned that the Land of Fire’s weather is so unbearable.”

“Hah! It’s not like I forced you to come, so don’t blame me.”

“What kind of attitude is that, Big Brother? I’m your own brother!” Suigetsu was clearly unhappy with his brother’s hostile tone, glaring at him. He didn’t dare swing at him, though—not in this heat; it was too draining.

“So what?” Mangetsu’s attitude only worsened.

Were it not for the heat, he’d probably have already taught his pesky little brother a lesson about respecting his elders.

"…Big Brother, do you have any water left?” Suigetsu, who had just been grumbling, now reluctantly begged for water.

“Take a look for yourself.” Mangetsu shook his empty canteen.

Suigetsu’s expression fell as he looked around at the other Mist Ninjas, hoping someone still had water. But just then, the scout ninja stationed in the trees spoke up: “Lord Mangetsu, there’s a strong chakra presence coming toward us from seven o’clock, and it's moving fast.”

“What’s going on?”

Before Mangetsu could react, the four Konoha ninjas escorting them—members of Hayama Shirakumo's team from the Eastern Border Guard—jumped up. Team Captain Hayama quickly moved to the base of the tree where the sensor ninja was stationed and looked up. "Can you confirm the identity? Is it a Konoha ninja, or… someone else?”

Hayama Shirakumo had earned enough merit in last year’s battles with the Cloud Village to be promoted to Jonin. After the war, he served in the northeastern border guard for three months before being reassigned to the eastern border guard, and now he’d been tasked with escorting the Mist Ninjas to Konoha.

The assignment was called "escort," but their actual duties were twofold: first, to guide the Mist Ninjas so they wouldn’t wander freely around the country; even if they couldn’t gather important intel, precautions were essential. Second, they were to prevent any conflicts with fellow Konoha ninja who might be unaware of the Mist delegation’s presence, which could lead to misunderstandings.

In summary, no one expected the Mist Ninjas to encounter anything unexpected along the way, nor did they suspect any hidden motives. This was why Hayama Shirakumo’s team alone was assigned to escort over thirty Mist Ninjas, and they didn’t even have a specialized sensor ninja with them—after all, even Konoha couldn’t assign sensor ninjas to every single team.

Konoha has a number of sensory ninjas, like the Hyuga clan, the Yamanaka clan, the Aburame clan, and the Inuzuka clan—all with top-tier sensory abilities. However, Konoha has a huge number of ninjas overall, especially with the rise of many civilian-born ninjas. With so many ninja squads, some inevitably end up without a sensory ninja.

Hayama Shirakumo happened to be one of the unlucky ones.

It wasn’t that anyone was targeting him; he just had a streak of bad luck.

Originally part of the northeastern border defense squad, he was reassigned to the eastern border. But due to some family issues, he arrived about a week late. By then, the squads in the eastern defense unit had mostly formed, and positions for sensory and medical ninjas were already filled. All that was left for him were rough types who were good at fighting but not much else.

As a result, he was now left with no choice but to consult the Mist Village’s sensory ninja for information.

“If you find anything, report it immediately.”

Suigetsu Hozuki walked over to Hayama Shirakumo.

The sensory ninja crouching in the trees flinched. Shirakumo’s questions could be ignored, but not Suigetsu’s—ignoring him would be as reckless as tempting fate. In Mist Village, out of all five great villages, they were the least hesitant about taking down their own people.

If he dared to act recklessly here, Suigetsu would make sure he really ended up dead!

“There are three people approaching… Only one of them seems strong, and another appears to be a child, as their chakra is very faint. The third isn’t weak, but not as strong as the first. As for their identities… I’m sorry, but I don’t have the Byakugan or any visual jutsu. I can only sense nearby chakra, so I can’t determine who they are,” the sensory ninja reported quickly.

“A child?”

Shirakumo felt a bit confused, though his tense expression softened slightly.

The child was unexpected, but at least it didn’t seem like anyone had come here just to cause trouble for the Mist ninjas. As long as they didn’t interfere with his mission, he didn’t particularly care what was happening.

Just as Shirakumo began to relax a bit,

“Wait—no, there are more people behind them! One, two, three… four powerful chakras. They’re likely all Jonin-level. It looks like… they’re chasing the three people in front!”

The Mist sensory ninja, though more skilled than most Chunin, was only a Special Jonin by Mist standards, specializing in sensory techniques. However, compared to geniuses like Tenmu with his clan’s secret techniques, he was lacking.

As a result, he hadn’t detected the pursuing enemies as quickly as Tenmu and others.

When he finally sensed them, it was already too late; he could clearly see the oncoming figures of Dairoku and his companion from his vantage point.

“A monk, an elderly man, and a child—none of them appear to be Konoha ninjas. It looks like some dispute between other ninja clans. Ambassador Suigetsu, there’s no need for us to get involved,” Hayama Shirakumo said.

“As long as they don’t bother me, I won’t cause any trouble here in the Land of Fire,” Suigetsu responded with a straight face, adhering strictly to the principle of ‘if you don’t provoke me, I won’t provoke you.’

Before setting out for the Land of Fire, his mentor had given him a serious talk about not acting recklessly. Mist Village was currently in a downturn, while Konoha was on the rise again, like a new dawn after a dark night.

Mistakenly causing a conflict with Konoha was the last thing they wanted.

Suigetsu understood this well, even if he was slightly annoyed that his mentor had treated him like a child. Out of respect, however, he kept his mentor’s words in mind, reminding himself not to let emotions cloud his judgment.

The Mist ninjas had all gathered and taken up defensive positions.

Hearing Suigetsu’s response and seeing the Mist ninjas ready for defense, Hayama Shirakumo felt a sense of relief. Fortunately, the Mist Village prodigy was reasonable and not as difficult to work with as he’d feared. Now that he had communicated with Suigetsu, the next step was to deal with the trouble approaching them.

Thoughts raced through his mind, coming and going as he tried to think of the best way to make this ‘trouble’ turn away on its own.

Just as he opened his mouth to shout,

The monk running toward them suddenly called out, “To the Mist ninjas—are you allies of Konoha?”

This question caught Suigetsu off guard, and even Shirakumo was briefly at a loss. His prepared response vanished instantly. What kind of question was that? Asking Mist ninjas if they’re allies of Konoha? Did this monk, old man, and child have some connection to Konoha?

Suigetsu grinned; things were getting interesting.

Shirakumo, on the other hand, was less amused, his face as grim as a debt collector.

Meanwhile, Dairoku was also feeling the pressure, his heart pounding anxiously as he waited for the Mist ninjas’ response.

He had assumed that such a large chakra presence would be Konoha ninjas, but as he got closer, he was baffled to see so many Mist ninjas here instead. Why would so many of them be in the heart of the Land of Fire? It was hard to understand.

But as Tenmu and the others closed in from behind, undeterred by the presence of the Mist ninjas, Dairoku had no choice but to take a gamble and call out to them, hoping that their presence here meant they were somehow connected to Konoha.

If he guessed right, he might have a chance to appeal to these Mist ninjas for aid.

If he guessed wrong and these Mist ninjas were in the Land of Fire for some covert mission… well, either way, he had nothing to lose. Maybe it would even spark a conflict between Tenmu and the Mist ninjas, so either way, he had nothing to lose!

Incidentally, Dairoku hadn’t noticed Shirakumo’s squad.

It wasn’t due to poor vision; it was simply that Shirakumo’s team members were blending in perfectly with the environment, and the large group of Mist ninjas was drawing all his attention. Tenmu and his pursuers hadn’t spotted Shirakumo’s squad either.

“What now, Shirakumo?” Suigetsu asked, noticing the sweat on Hayama Shirakumo’s forehead.

“…I’ll ask them a few questions first,” Shirakumo replied reluctantly. Like many Konoha ninjas, he believed in the ‘mission above all’ principle—even if it meant abandoning comrades. However, if the mission didn’t warrant such sacrifice, then a comrade’s safety took priority.

The times had changed, and ninja principles were no longer so rigid.

Especially after the passing of the Third Hokage and Danzo, the White Fang incident had been reevaluated and spread as evidence of their wrongdoings. During this time, many long-held ninja rules had begun to waver, sparking debates on the importance of mission versus comrades.

And Hayama Shirakumo,

was a middle-ground thinker who believed the importance of mission versus comrades depended on the circumstances. If a mission involved the village’s safety, then it took priority; otherwise, comrades’ lives were also important.

Because of this belief, he hadn’t immediately dismissed Dairoku and his group but decided to hear them out first and determine his course of action based on their response.

“I am Hayama Shirakumo, a Jonin of Konoha. What business do you have with Konoha?”

Shirakumo leapt down from the tree, standing in front of the Mist ninjas with his drawn sword, ready to drive them off if Dairoku’s response didn’t satisfy him.

(End of Chapter)