Chapter 11: Who Gave You Permission to Die Without My Order?

"This is... the Nara Clan's Shadow Imitation Technique from Konoha?!"

With the connection of shadows, Mangetsu's body began to move uncontrollably. From the bushes ahead, several figures started to emerge one by one.

Seeing these figures, nearly identical to those on the Mist Assassination Squad's kill list, Mangetsu's heart began to sink.

"Shibi Aburame of the Aburame Clan, Shikaku Nara of the Nara Clan, Inoichi Yamanaka of the Yamanaka Clan, and this large figure... Choza Akimichi of the Akimichi Clan."

"The contemporary Ino-Shika-Cho of Konoha is here, along with several top-level Jonin..."

Mangetsu's gaze swept over these individuals, finally resting on a wild, white-haired figure who appeared last.

The hope he clung to completely vanished at that moment.

"The Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya Toad Sage..."

Mangetsu never expected that delivering intelligence would lead him to encounter the Konoha Jonin squad, fresh off the Iwagakure battlefield, now here to support the Mist battlefield.

What kind of luck was this—was it a stroke of fortune or disaster?

"Judging by his attire, he's from the Mist's assassination squad. To venture so deep past the frontlines, it seems Mist is planning something significant."

Jiraiya's gaze swept across Mangetsu's body before looking toward Inoichi Yamanaka. "Inoichi, he's yours."

"Understood."

Inoichi nodded and approached Mangetsu.

"Ninja Art: Mind Reading Technique!"

But the moment Inoichi activated his mind-reading jutsu, Mangetsu’s body suddenly turned into a splash of water, dispersing as he forcibly broke free from the Shadow Imitation Technique.

In an instant, the scattered water droplets reformed, and a liquid, bullet-like projectile shot from Mangetsu's hand toward Inoichi's head!

"Watch out!"

"Wild Lion's Mane Technique!"

Just as the water bullet was about to explode Inoichi's head, a mass of white hair suddenly struck, grabbing Inoichi by the waist and yanking him backward.

The bullet-like water grazed Inoichi’s scalp, smashing into a tree trunk behind him, shattering it effortlessly.

Mangetsu clicked his tongue in frustration, wanting to escape, but quickly realized there was no way out.

In the instant he had attacked, all escape routes had already been sealed off by the Konoha Jonin.

Unless he had the Flying Thunder God technique like the Yellow Flash, or Night's Shunshin technique, there was no escaping this encirclement.

"That was close!"

Inoichi looked at the tree trunk that had been pierced and shattered, his expression grave.

"Water Bullet Technique, and the Hydration Technique... Lord Jiraiya, this guy's from the Hozuki Clan!"

"Ah, seems we've caught a big fish."

Jiraiya's expression grew serious.

The Hozuki Clan held a special position in the Mist, akin to the Senju Clan in Konoha. They were the absolute core of Kirigakure.

Even in the current "Bloody Mist" regime, the Hozuki Clan remained in positions of power. Every member held high-ranking or crucial roles within the village.

Given this, the presence of a Hozuki Clan member in the heart of the Fire Country was something Jiraiya couldn't take lightly.

"Water Style..."

Boom!

Just as Mangetsu was gathering chakra, Jiraiya suddenly disappeared.

With a loud crash, Mangetsu’s upper body exploded into a spray of water.

Water droplets scattered.

Jiraiya spun around, delivering a fierce elbow strike to Mangetsu's shoulder.

Crack!

Bones shattered.

"How... how is this possible?!"

With just a single blow, Mangetsu felt his right side go completely numb. The force of the impact sent him flying like a cannonball, crashing into a tree stump, spitting blood.

The searing pain radiating from his back and right side terrified Mangetsu even more—the Hydration Technique had failed?

Insects…?

Mangetsu looked up slightly, noticing that Jiraiya's arm was now covered with a fine layer of parasitic insects.

These bugs had drained his surface chakra, forcibly disrupting his Hydration Technique...

His signature jutsu was nullified in a mere moment—this was the power of the Konoha Jonin squad and one of the Legendary Sannin?

"It seems... I’m facing certain death..."

"No! The intel in my head, and the scroll Lord Yoru gave me..."

I can’t die yet. Even if I can’t bring back the scroll, I absolutely cannot die in front of the Yamanaka Clan!

And I must get this information about these reinforcements to the frontlines!

Mangetsu took a deep breath, struggling to stand up.

As his cheeks puffed out, he grabbed a thin wire from his vest, sending a signal flare high into the sky.

"You’re still trying to resist?"

Jiraiya instantly appeared in front of Mangetsu. But in that moment, a wave of water surrounded Mangetsu, encapsulating his entire body.

"Water Style: Water Prison Jutsu!"

The water prison enveloped Mangetsu entirely. Even Jiraiya couldn’t break through and was forced to watch as the technique took shape.

Inside the water prison...

Mangetsu removed his pale ANBU mask, showing a slightly bitter smile. "Sorry, Lord Yoru."

"Shikaku, stop him!"

Jiraiya shouted angrily as Shikaku Nara, who had been prepared all along, released his Shadow Imitation Technique. Shadows shot out!

"Water Style..."

Shadows and water clashed violently.

But in that instant—

Squelch!

The sound of flesh being pierced echoed. The shadow extending toward Mangetsu stopped dead.

Shikaku Nara, in the middle of performing the Shadow Imitation Technique, looked down in disbelief at his chest.

A blade had pierced through him!

*Target "Shikaku Nara" detected. Side Mission triggered:*

*Mission 1: Successfully recruit Shikaku Nara—Reward: 10,000 points.*

*Mission 2: Successfully defeat Shikaku Nara—Reward: 5,000 points.*

*Mission 3: Successfully kill Shikaku Nara—Reward: 30,000 points.*

-

Blood sprayed from Shikaku’s mouth as he collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

*Ding! Successfully completed Mission 2 and Mission 3—Reward: 35,000 points.*

*Ding! Successfully killed an Elite Jonin—Reward: 2,000 points.*

"Shikaku!!"

The Konoha group’s pupils shrank, Inoichi and Choza staring in disbelief.

Shikaku... dead?

Mangetsu, who had been ready to kill himself using a secret technique, was equally stunned.

"Lord Yoru..."

"Why is he here?"

"Did he come because he saw my signal flare?"

Mangetsu was frozen for a moment but quickly snapped back to reality, shouting hoarsely, "Lord Yoru, run! This is Konoha's Jonin squad and Jiraiya of the Legendary Sannin! You must get this information out!"

With Lord Yoru’s secret techniques and Shunshin Jutsu, even the Legendary Sannin and Konoha’s Jonin squad couldn’t catch him.

As long as the intel about Jiraiya and the Konoha Jonin squad was delivered to the frontlines, the Mist army could prepare for battle and avoid being caught off guard.

"Spotting Konoha’s reinforcements is a major accomplishment. Are you really going to hand the credit to me so easily, without worrying about the elders of the Hozuki Clan giving you trouble?"

With a burst of speed, Yoru appeared in front of Mangetsu, sword in hand, his gaze fixed on the grim-faced Jiraiya.

"Besides..."

"Until you’ve completed the mission I gave you, I won’t allow you to die just yet, Mangetsu Hozuki!"

(End of chapter)