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If completely eradicating Hidden Mist's entire intelligence network in Konoha without any mishaps was merely a matter of course for Sawara Kiri, then Hiruko brought him a complete surprise.
Even Sawara Kiri himself hadn't expected Hiruko to actually find a way to block Sealing Technique formulas in such a short time, which showed he was indeed a heaven-sent genius.
However, this Sealing Technique now belonged to Sawara.
This also allowed him to find a new path to obtain research results besides investing in his own research—stealing others' research results.
Of course, he wasn't a devil; at least, he would let Hiruko develop a little before the latter completely gave up.
Whenever the other party was about to despair, he would give him a glimmer of hope.
This was called—sustainable overfishing.
Although it might not be easy for outsiders to understand, this was the way he and Hiruko formed their bond.
Probably?
After completing all of this, Sawara Kiri did not return to his own home but went to the Senju Residence instead. Yuki and Shizune had gone home early after dinner, not getting involved in the adults' troubles.
They had a leisure unique to children.
The Senju Residence had many rooms and large beds, so Sawara Kiri conveniently stayed there for a night.
As for Tsunade?
She wouldn't be able to go home for a while.
The next day, the entire Konoha Village began to move, adjusting organizational structures and reorganizing mobilization everywhere. Members of the Wind of Land front-line army, who had just been released, were now reassembled.
The most miserable among them was Namikaze Minato, who had just returned to Kushina's side only to be dragged back again.
As a high-speed Ninja like him, he was among the first tier of the Raikage sequence, being dispatched to the Land of Lightning front line at the fastest speed.
On the other hand, Sawara Kiri's side showed a strange quietness.
This was also part of the current Konoha high-level power struggle.
Although Sawara Kiri now bore several impressive titles, his age easily suppressed his speed of 'progress' in the political sphere.
Therefore, under normal circumstances, he was considered an important member of Tsunade's faction.
Understanding this premise, one could understand why many people did not want a powerful individual like him to continue accumulating military merits for Tsunade's faction.
Just like Hatake Sakumo in the original work.
Therefore, Sawara Kiri, a top combat force in the Village, was idly at home during this critical moment, completely contrary to his colleagues who were fully preparing for the war with the Land of Lightning.
However, Sawara Kiri himself was not in a hurry at all.
Instead, he freeloaded at the Senju Residence, eating and drinking, and idled around Konoha Village every day.
He lived such a leisurely life for several days.
Still the same old saying.
People who have been immersed in the power arena for too long always forget, consciously or unconsciously—the essence of power is still violence.
Those old guys who hadn't been on the battlefield for too long, hadn't smelled the smoke of gunpowder, and hadn't continued to roll between life and death, had forgotten.
How dominant a powerful individual like the Third Raikage would be on the battlefield if he risked his life and became a Tailed Beast Jinchuriki at any cost.
"Those fools always have to pay with their lives to understand things," Sawara Kiri thought to himself, slowly eating the grapes Yuki had washed for him.
At this moment, he was swaying on Tsunade's newly bought recliner, with little Shizune sitting obediently on his lap, her small hands slowly peeling grape skins, revealing the glistening fruit inside.
He didn't know where Yuki bought the grapes; they were seedless and very sweet.
Little Shizune peeled the grapes and put them into her mouth. After eating one, she raised her small hand and put another one into Sawara Kiri's mouth. Seeing him smile contentedly as he ate the grapes, Shizune's fair little face also showed a silly smile, her cheeks full of grape pulp.
At this moment, Sawara Kiri suddenly understood why Tsunade took this little one with her when she traveled.
This child was truly endearing.
His big hand ruffled the little one's head, eliciting soft grunts.
Just as Sawara Kiri was thinking this, his gaze inadvertently shifted outwards and suddenly paused. A profound light unknowingly appeared in his azure eyes.
A sparrow with rain-colored markings on its back was standing casually on the opposite eaves, its dark eyes staring straight into the courtyard.
That was a summoned sparrow often used by Hidden Mist spies for secret communication.
However, the Hidden Mist intelligence network within Konoha had already been completely eradicated.
"…"
It seemed that even when not on the battlefield, troubles always found him.
Sawara Kiri thought this, picked up Shizune, who was still peeling grapes, and put her on the ground. He stood up with his hands in his pockets and slowly walked outside.
The happiest person during his recent quiet time at home was probably Yuki. Seeing him suddenly walk out when it was almost dinner time, Yuki peeked out from the kitchen window:
"Kiri, dinner is almost ready, why are you suddenly going out now?"
"Something came up."
Sawara Kiri pointed towards the roof but didn't elaborate, pretending it was another assignment from the Anbu, which made Yuki look helpless:
"Why do they always make people work at such times? They're really annoying."
Hearing this, Sawara Kiri just smiled and waved at her, saying casually:
"Don't worry, it won't take too long."
"Oh, and,"
He paused mid-sentence, as if remembering something, and turned back to the girl: "It's not very safe outside recently, so don't go out casually."
"Yes~"
Although she still had her hands on her hips and a pouting face, Yuki still dragged out her words, agreeing quite unhappily.
After her brother had gone far, a rather helpless expression appeared on her face, and she sighed:
"Kiri, that idiot, why does he still treat me like a child!"
"I'm already a Chunin!"
"Seriously."
However, despite saying so, Yuki still decided not to go out for the next few days.
Although she was just an ordinary person, unlike the Ninja of the major Ninja clans who were born with extraordinary Kekkei Genkai abilities, her childhood experiences cultivated a mature personality in Yuki.
Although she didn't say it, she had noticed her brother's unusual qualities from a very early age.
Therefore, at the most crucial moments, she always listened to Kiri.
However, at this moment, the girl's heart also held a subtle sense of melancholy.
She didn't know when, but it seemed that everyone around her began to notice the sharpness Kiri displayed on the battlefield, praising his strength. Everyone said Kiri was strong, so strong that even on the battlefield of two warring armies, he was not in the slightest danger, and could even, like the great figures in legends, cut down generals and seize banners, acclaiming him as an extraordinary individual in the entire Village.
But in Yuki's heart, he was always that older brother who would never disdain her, a small burden, and who struggled to live with her in the small house left by their parents. No matter how poor and desperate their life was, he would still save money to bring her a box of cheap Wagashi as a cake on her birthday—an ordinary, yet rock-solid older brother.
Other bad guys only noticed him when this uncut gem gradually began to shine with its unique brilliance.
Only she was the one who had admired Kiri from the very beginning.
The girl turned around and continued to prepare dinner for the day, muttering discontentedly under her breath:
"He always talks about Anbu missions; he wouldn't be tricking me again to go on a date with that woman from the Uchiha Clan, would he?"
"Hmph."
"The situation is grim."
The girl's heart held its own little melancholy.
Noticing Sawara Kiri walking out of the courtyard, Yagura Karatachi secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
He didn't speak, still dressed in his Hidden Mist Anbu attire, with a short sword on his back.
After standing on the rooftop and glancing in Sawara Kiri's direction from afar, he immediately concealed his presence.
By now, he no longer dared to meet the other party at a pre-arranged secret location as he used to.
In fact, merely daring to infiltrate Konoha alone again to meet him, knowing that the Hidden Mist Village's intelligence network had been completely eradicated, was already an act of immense audacity.
If Sawara Kiri had given even the slightest signal, Yagura Karatachi would probably not have been able to leave this Village today.
However, he still came.
This wasn't because Yagura Karatachi was particularly brave, but because he had observed for several days and found that Kaguya Ren showed no signs of leaving the Village, while the Village side was pressing him more and more urgently, leaving him with no choice but this last resort.
The only thing worth celebrating was that after observing multiple combat intelligence reports related to the other party in the past few days, Yagura Karatachi had already made sufficient contingency plans and preparations in his mind, barely having a way to deal with this guy.
No matter how absurd his battlefield performance was, he could not deviate from the fundamental principles of the Ninja World—that is, all the abilities he displayed were mere manifestations based on Chakra reactions.
Therefore, even if Ren's strength was immense, he would definitely be limited by Chakra.
Yagura Karatachi silently pondered deep within his mind.
Even now, he could still feel the Sealing Technique he had set up for Kaguya Ren.
After activating that technique, even if his strength was comparable to a Tailed Beast, he could at least restrict his movements for three seconds.
Three seconds, only a brief three seconds.
He could set up a Chakra Sealing Technique on the spot.
At that time, the special spatial Ninjutsu created by Kaguya Ren would be unable to activate.
If he lost that spatial Ninjutsu, Kaguya Ren himself would only be a Jonin skilled in Taijutsu and Kenjutsu.
Yagura Karatachi had enough confidence in his close-combat abilities!
Thinking this, the two, one after another, avoided the eyes of the Anbu and Ninja scattered throughout Konoha Village, and made their way from the center of the Village to the Nanto Riverbank, located in a secluded area on the outskirts.
Surrounding them were vast, lush forests, and a little further away was the legendary Death Forest, created by Shodai-sama himself.
Within their sensory range, there was no sign of human habitation for at least five kilometers in any direction.
"Whoosh—!"
Their figures appeared almost simultaneously in the center of this forest.
Yagura Karatachi removed his mask, revealing his childish face with a scar, and looked coldly at the man in front of him with deep eyes.
"To actually dare to follow me, should I say you're audacious, or simply reckless?"
"Kaguya Ren."
Sawara Kiri still had his hands in his pockets, meeting Yagura Karatachi's eyes with his azure ones, speaking warmly and politely: "The one who should be confused, is clearly me, Yagura-sama."
"If I recall correctly, I've already told you, haven't I?"
"It's best not to contact me again for at least half a year."
This was the agreement they had made when they first met on the rooftop.
However, at the mention of this, Yagura Karatachi seemed to feel greatly insulted, suddenly drawing his sword and pointing it at him, saying sharply:
"You traitor, how much longer do you plan to keep up this act?!"
"As a Ninja of Hidden Mist, not only do you show no gratitude for the Village's kindness, but you've even successively killed two superiors, eradicated the entire intelligence network the Village painstakingly established in Konoha, causing immense losses to the Village!"
"Don't you feel ashamed, Kaguya Ren!!"
Upon hearing this, Sawara Kiri's face revealed a surprised expression, seemingly astonished:
"Oh dear."
"I've been discovered."
Almost the instant his words fell, Yagura Karatachi's figure lunged forward, the blade in his hand cutting a silver chain through the air, piercing the void like moonlight.
"Clang—!"
A Ninjutsu blade, casually raised, blocked the short sword in mid-air with ease, metal clashing against metal, erupting in a series of sparks in that brief moment.
The immense force from the opposite side even caused Yagura Karatachi's expression to falter, and he took a sudden step forward.
He stared intently at the man in front of him, gritting his teeth:
"To actually possess such strength..."
"How much have you been hiding from the Village, you fellow?!"
"Clash!"
The two Ninjutsu blades in mid-air, having clashed with great force, separated and then met again.
Yagura Karatachi wielded his blade with both hands; his swinging speed and skill in finding weaknesses were both considerable, and his taijutsu alone was enough to surpass many ordinary Jonin.
However, the man in front of him still stood there seemingly casually, as if toying with him, with one hand even still in his pocket, wielding his blade as if he didn't care about him at all.
"Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang—!!"
Within a seemingly short distance, a dazzling fireworks display, like forging iron, erupted; their speed and movements were so fast that they were almost impossible for an observer to track.
Yagura Karatachi, however, grew more and more alarmed as they fought.
Strength, speed, skill, timing…
Even though Yagura Karatachi considered himself capable of being one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, and even possessed a higher level of swordsmanship, he still felt somewhat out of his depth when facing Sawara Kiri's offense and defense.
The swordsmanship he displayed at this moment was at least one level higher than his own.
It was completely different from what he had shown during their last encounter!
Yagura Karatachi gritted his teeth, now realizing that he had been played by this scoundrel back then.
What kind of genius was this fellow, to be able to hone such a level of ability at his current age?
It was simply monstrous talent!
However, the contempt Kaguya Ren displayed at this moment inexplicably put his mind at ease.
He hadn't even used the Fire Release swordsmanship recorded in the archives.
Is he underestimating me?
Then let him continue to underestimate me.
"Snap—"
The next moment, the short sword, which had been struck three times consecutively in the same damaged spot, suddenly broke.
Yagura Karatachi unhesitatingly flung away the blade in his hand and quickly retreated, simultaneously completing hand seals.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
Almost the instant the hand seals were completed, Yagura Karatachi's chest swelled simultaneously, as if expanding for a moment, and he suddenly spat out a huge water orb.
The water orb, like a falling meteor, suddenly covered the entire area where Sawara Kiri stood.
He easily stepped aside, dodging dozens of meters away.
Yagura Karatachi's heart leaped with joy.
Immediately after, the meteor-like water orb slammed into the ground, exploding with an extremely impactful spreading wave.
"Boom!"
The entire ground caved in with a deafening sound.
However, at the same moment the water wave spread, the rising water mist, along with a large amount of impact waves, engulfed both their figures, inadvertently obscuring Sawara Kiri's vision.
He seemed to stand in place with interest, as if wanting to see what tricks this little fellow could pull off.
However, before he could take another step, he saw a mirror made entirely of water mist suddenly appear before his eyes.
At the same time, Yagura Karatachi's low shout came from his ear.
"Water Release: Water Mirror Technique!"
Almost the instant the water mirror reflected Sawara Kiri's figure, an identical figure shot out from the mirror, striking with a blade at a speed completely imperceptible to the naked eye.
"Clang, clang, clang—!"
The intense metallic explosions were many times faster than before; the mere aftershocks of their exchange left traces on the surrounding tree surfaces, as if etched by blades.
The Water Mirror Technique could temporarily replicate an enemy's exact form, and even their Ninjutsu could be reproduced with identical power.
Although it didn't last long, it was enough to stall him.
Taking advantage of the brief, intense clash, Yagura Karatachi, who had hidden behind a tree, narrowed his eyes and slowly drew the hooked long staff from behind him—this was his most preferred unusual weapon.
However, his perception Ninjutsu, which had a wide observation range, seemed to make him instantly aware of Yagura Karatachi's intention; he suddenly turned his head this way, revealing a chilling smile.
A mere fake, dares to contend with the real thing?
The next moment, he suddenly met the blade of the water mirror clone in front of him, and abruptly took a step forward.
"Crimson Blade: Hinokami Kagura!"
A blazing crimson fire suddenly enveloped the entire blade in an instant; the blade, originally held with one hand, was now wielded with two, and even the speed of the swing was elevated to its extreme in this brief moment, as if igniting a fleeting, dazzling blaze in this lush, dense forest, seemingly making even breathing feel hot.
"—Flying Wheel Solar Flare!"
The Water Mirror Clone, which should have exhibited a synchronized blade technique with him at this instant, clearly stiffened for a moment at the point where it should have ignited this ultimate Fire Release Chakra; the Fire Release nature transformation, having reached a certain peak, inherently conflicted with the Water Release nature that composed its body.
Just this momentary pause.
"Rip—!"
The blazing crimson flame cut a dazzling arc through the air, decisively cleaving both the blade and the person in two, from diagonally above.
Almost the instant he perceived the Water Mirror Clone was about to be defeated, Yagura Karatachi, hidden behind the tree, suddenly burst out from behind him with lightning speed, his hooked long staff pointing with its tip, his extreme Body Flicker Technique tearing open a piercing whoosh in the air as he moved.
Sawara Kiri seemed to have anticipated this attack early on; the moment Yagura Karatachi burst out, he had already stepped and distorted his body, preparing to turn and swing his blade.
From the current situation, Yagura Karatachi's small, childlike figure seemed to be charging headlong into his blade without hesitation.
However, at this critical moment.
"Stop."
From behind another bush, a figure identical to the man in front of him suddenly emerged.
He held his hands in a strange seal, looking directly at Sawara Kiri with his deep purple pupils.
The moment those words fell.
Sawara Kiri, who had been preparing to strike, suddenly seemed to be bound by some invisible Ninjutsu, completely unable to move.
"Ugh! How could this be—?!"
He immediately let out an incredible sound.
Yagura Karatachi's expression, however, was grim.
You were too careless, Kaguya Ren.
After realizing you might have already broken through the previous layer of seals, how could I possibly use a Sealing Technique with the same structure to control you?
The last seal I set for you had three layers.
At the same time, I also left a self-regulating mechanism where if one layer was broken, the remaining parts would all become hidden.
Using intention against unwariness.
How will you win against me now?
At the same moment Sawara Kiri's body stopped, an arm almost simultaneously shot out from beneath his feet, gripping his ankle tightly through a layer of air.
"Chakra Sealing Array!"
The moment this sound fell, the entire ground where Sawara Kiri stood suddenly lit up with an extremely wide array.
The intricate Sealing Technique incantations, like tadpoles, quickly climbed up Sawara Kiri's body surface, following the arm of Yagura Karatachi's main body that had emerged from underground.
Immediately after, the layer of 'space' that had originally been able to separate from his body surface, under his astonished gaze, began to make faint 'hissing' sounds, like corroding metal, constantly being eroded and indented by this massive Chakra sealing script.
Yagura Karatachi's heart instantly trembled.
It worked!
A large amount of the spatial Ninjutsu that had originally covered Sawara Kiri's body surface was now completely consumed, transformed into basic Chakra by countless sealing runes, simultaneously removing the last layer of defense on his body surface.
"Puff!"
Finally, the clone that had descended from the tree, holding the hooked long staff, pierced straight through his abdomen.
Spraying a large amount of bright red blood.
Yagura Karatachi's youthful face, splattered with blood, slowly revealed a triumphant smile.
For a Ninja, information is life.
Kaguya Ren, you were too careless.
join p atreon.com/KeyofStars and become a Sequence 9: Reader for dozens of advance chapters for over a dozen fics | Every 100 powerstones = 1 extra chapter