Chapter 27: Enraging the Tailed Beast!
Hibari was about to strike Reigetsu with his sword, but then Kakuzu's Earth Grudge Fear emerged from behind him. If he continued to strike Reigetsu, he would surely fall victim to Kakuzu's jutsu.
Thinking this, Hibari hardened his resolve. 'Damn it, it's not like I haven't died before. Besides, getting hit once won't necessarily kill me. I can't be a hindrance on this mission, can I? Even if I'm facing formidable shinobi, I can't be so pathetic! No matter what, I have to take down that damned Reigetsu first!'
With this thought, Hibari cast aside all hesitation. A murderous glint flashed in his eyes as he mercilessly brought down the blade, imbued with powerful Lightning Release chakra, onto Reigetsu.
Upon sensing Hibari's action, Reigetsu's internal alarm bells blared. He never expected this young shinobi from the Senju clan to be so ruthless, choosing to go for a mutual kill without a moment's hesitation when faced with such a choice.
The Hozuki clan's Hrydification Technique was indeed powerful, but it had a very obvious weakness: just as Hibari feared water, they feared Lightning Release chakra. If struck, they would lose mobility for a short time, turning into a puddle of soft mud, leaving them vulnerable.
"Damn brat!" Reigetsu cursed, filled with resentment, and swiftly moved his feet, trying to escape.
His movement was also seized as an opening by Hiruzen. Without time to form complex seals, and since Hiruzen didn't know any no-hand-seal Lightning Release ninjutsu (though he possessed all five nature transformations, he was most proficient in Fire Release and Earth Release, and Fire Release was of little use here), he decisively unleashed an Earth Release ninjutsu.
"Earth Release: Condensing Earth Prison!" Hiruzen roared.
Then, the rock pillar where Reigetsu had been standing instantly twisted and deformed, directly enveloping Reigetsu, who couldn't dodge in mid-air, effectively imprisoning him.
Meanwhile, just as Hibari's sword strike missed its mark, and Kakuzu's Earth Grudge Fear's black threads were about to surge from the monster and entangle Hibari, a burst of wind pressure flew past Hibari's body, cleanly severing all those black threads.
"Kakuzu, you dare show your face here!" Sasuke stood in front of Hibari, looking at the dark monster and speaking in a deep voice.
As Sasuke's words fell, another figure emerged from the pit: Kakuzu, the missing-nin from Takigakure.
To talk about Kakuzu, his original story shouldn't have been like this. He was supposed to have defected from Takigakure after failing to assassinate Senju Hashirama and then being framed and hunted by the village elders.
However, for some unknown reason this time, no one from Takigakure attempted to assassinate Senju Hashirama. Instead, Kakuzu, who loved money above all else, heard about Chomei and unhesitatingly sold the information on the black market, becoming a missing-nin.
"Hehehehe, Sasuke. Since someone is paying a high price to hire me, of course I'd show up... After all, who wouldn't want money?" Kakuzu said, looking at Sasuke.
Before Sasuke could speak, the Condensing Earth Prison that held Reigetsu suddenly burst open. Then, Reigetsu, carrying a greatsword from an unknown source on his shoulder, licked his lips with his tongue and appeared there.
"Sasuke, you are here after all..." Reigetsu said, looking at Sasuke.
"Colluding with Kakuzu, it seems your Kirigakure truly intends to seize Chomei. This is a serious violation of the Five Kage Summit agreement..." Sasuke scrutinized Reigetsu and said in a deep voice.
Reigetsu's lips curved into a smile. He said, "You can consider this my personal action. I just wanted to experience Chomei's power, which is why I came here. Afterwards, you can complain about me to Kirigakure. If I get punished, I'll accept it. Kakuzu and I are like-minded; it wouldn't hurt to become missing-nin together, hahaha."
"Hmph, with me here, you won't take Chomei away!" Sasuke snorted coldly.
Reigetsu fell silent for a moment, then said, "Indeed, Kakuzu and I alone cannot take Chomei. But as I just said, I merely wanted to experience Chomei's power; I didn't say I had to take it away..."
No sooner had Reigetsu's words fallen than a powerful chakra burst from the valley in the distance. Then, a shrill 'insect chirp' echoed, and Hibari and the others saw the figure of a giant insect emerge from the distant valley, seemingly chasing something, flying erratically towards them.
"Chomei?!" Hibari cried out in surprise, looking at the situation.
"Damn it, they've enraged Chomei!" Hiruzen cursed, enraged, looking at the scene.
At the same time, Kakuzu said to Reigetsu, "Reigetsu, this matter is going to cost me a heart..."
"Don't worry, once this is over, you'll get every penny you're owed!" Reigetsu chuckled.
Indeed, after learning from Kakuzu that Konohagakure was also involved in this incident, Reigetsu adjusted their mission accordingly. The first step was still to investigate the situation in Mushiking Valley to understand the state of affairs.
If they truly encountered Konoha shinobi, they would proceed to the second phase of the plan.
The outcome was clear: his subordinates were all dead. And the moment he engaged with Konoha shinobi, the plan had already shifted. Kakuzu would, according to his arrangement, go and enrage Chomei, hidden in the valley.
Using Chomei's power, Reigetsu intended to see if he could eliminate Sasuke, one of Konohagakure's 'pillars,' within Mushiking Valley.
What he hadn't expected was not only the appearance of the Sarutobi clan, but also the Senju clan. If they could be taken down by Chomei, that would be a huge gain!
Watching Chomei, drawn by one of Kakuzu's Earth Grudge Fear tendrils, fly closer and closer, Sasuke's expression grew increasingly grim.
Feeling the time was right, Reigetsu stretched his body and said, "It seems my desire to challenge Chomei was too wishful thinking. The pressure is too great; I can't handle it, so I'll retreat first. I wonder if you all still want to fight? If not, I'm leaving now..."
After speaking, Reigetsu rolled over and landed beside Kakuzu. Then, with a wildly arrogant laugh, he casually turned and made to leave.
Seeing this, Kakuzu didn't say much. His employer was leaving, and his work was done, so there was no need for him to linger. He was there for money, not to take lives.
Thus, Kakuzu also turned and left with Reigetsu.
Watching this scene, Hibari was consumed with fury. The electric light on the sword he held flickered intermittently.
Sasuke watched the backs of those two scoundrels casually walking away, feeling incredibly annoyed. But shinobi must prioritize the mission. Their task wasn't to pursue Kirigakure shinobi; it was to keep Chomei contained until Hashirama arrived.
Thinking this, Sasuke said in a deep voice, "Let them go. Get ready. We must delay Chomei. It absolutely cannot leave Mushiking Valley!"
After speaking, Sasuke unhesitatingly turned and charged first towards Chomei's location.
Hibari thought for a moment, then said, "Hiruzen, what if those two scoundrels come back for a sneak attack?"
"Reigetsu's identity has been exposed. He wouldn't dare act too rashly now. Otherwise, if even one of us three returns alive, Kirigakure will face trouble; they won't escape the charge of disrupting peace!" Hiruzen said in a deep voice.
Before, when Reigetsu's identity wasn't exposed, his machinations were one thing. But if he dared to play such games now, he would truly be disregarding the peace agreement. If Konohagakure and Kirigakure actually went to war, he wouldn't get away with it.
However, he still had the guts to enrage Chomei. After all, he hadn't forced Konoha shinobi to stop Chomei, had he?
At most, it would be considered a 'skirmish where Konoha's actions were accidentally disrupted during a confidential mission.' The two villages would argue a bit, but the matter wouldn't have any major outcome.
Of course, if Konoha's shinobi truly fought Chomei to the death, he would be secretly pleased, having achieved his goal of 'killing with a borrowed beast.'
Hibari listened to Hiruzen's words, thought for a moment, then suppressed his anger. He said, "Just you wait. If I ever get the chance, I'll definitely kill that bastard!"
Hiruzen chuckled upon hearing this. He said, "Coincidentally, I was thinking the same thing!"
After their laughter subsided, Hiruzen regained his serious expression and said, "For now, let's figure out how to delay this enraged Chomei. I really hope Hokage-sama can arrive quickly..."
Hibari looked at the furious Chomei and estimated his own chakra reserves. Then, he reached into his ninja tool pouch and pulled out a military ration pill, swallowing it in one gulp.
As Hibari chewed the military ration pill, he said, "Hiruzen, I'll restore my chakra first. Later, cover me a bit and buy me some time. I have a jutsu that might be able to restrain Chomei and create a good opportunity for Sasuke-jiisan!"
Hiruzen listened to Hibari's words and, seeing Hibari's determined gaze, didn't doubt him. Instead, he said, "Then let's see your performance, kid. Don't mess it up!"
"Hahahaha, leave it to me!" Hibari said with a laugh.
Meanwhile, Reigetsu, who had already walked away, suddenly spoke to Kakuzu, who was following him, "I have another business proposition. Are you interested...?"
"Hmph, as long as the price is right, I'm interested in any business," Kakuzu snorted, glancing at Reigetsu.
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