Chapter 56: Reactions from All Sides
After the masked Anbu member with the hawk-shaped visor completed his hand seals, he stepped back. Along their path, they had staged several scenes like this—signs of fierce battle left purposefully behind.
Though many of the Anbu were puzzled, none dared to question it. Obedience to orders—that was the unspoken rule of the Anbu.
The captain of Kirigakure's Anbu gazed at the massive crater carved into the ground by the Water Release technique and nodded slightly.
"Pursue."
At his low command, the Anbu members vanished in an instant, chasing into the dense forest ahead.
…
As time passed, the bounty on Kinoshita Jirō spread through the entire shinobi world in less than two days.
It wasn't just the S-rank bounty's allure; Kirigakure had also quietly pushed the rumor to spread faster.
Land of Earth — Iwagakure.
Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki sat behind his desk, staring expressionlessly at the intelligence report before him. Though his hair was white and his face lined with age, his presence still radiated sharp, unyielding energy.
"Kurotsuchi, what do you make of this?"
After a brief silence, he turned toward the tall young woman beside him.
"S-rank bounties like this are rare," Kurotsuchi said casually, her hands resting behind her head. "And this one's not even asking for his death—just information. That's strange."
"It looks like this Kinoshita Jirō must have some important intel or item from Kirigakure. Otherwise, they wouldn't put up this kind of offer."
She tilted her head, smirking faintly. "So… should we get involved?"
"Get involved? And why would we do that?"
Ōnoki floated up from his seat, his voice cold.
…
Land of Lightning — Kumogakure.
"Hmph. Kirigakure's getting weaker by the day. They can't even manage their own shinobi and have to rely on bounty hunters now," scoffed a tall, muscular man with dark bronze skin and a voice like thunder.
"Lord Raikage, it's possible this Kinoshita Jirō holds crucial information about Kirigakure. It may be worth making contact," Mabui suggested softly, eyes narrowed in thought.
"No need," said the Fourth Raikage, A. He waved a dismissive hand. "The Land of Fire lies between us. By the time our operatives get there, he'll already be in Konoha's hands."
He leaned back with a scoff. "Let them have him."
…
Land of Fire — Konohagakure.
In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen exhaled a stream of smoke from his pipe, his expression clouded with thought as he studied the report on his desk.
Knock, knock.
A sudden rapping at the door broke his concentration.
"Come in," Hiruzen said, his tone calm but firm.
The door creaked open, and Danzo strode in, cane in hand, his single visible eye sharp and cold.
His gaze flicked toward the document on Hiruzen's desk. "You've seen the intelligence on Kirigakure, then," he said coolly. "That man, Kinoshita Jirō, is clearly hiding something. I intend to send someone to make contact."
Hiruzen frowned slightly but showed no visible emotion. "There's something off about this situation," he said quietly. "This doesn't fit Kirigakure's usual behavior."
"Still too cautious as always, Hiruzen," Danzo scoffed. "With the state Kirigakure's in now, even if they're scheming, what of it?"
He tapped his cane against the floor and continued. "I've already sent scouts to the borders of the Land of Water. They found signs of battle there—your concern is unnecessary."
Hiruzen's eyes narrowed behind the veil of pipe smoke, his silence saying more than words.
Hiruzen's eyes flickered with a sharp glint at Danzo's words, though he remained silent.
Seeing that Hiruzen didn't object, Danzo understood his statement had received tacit approval. Without another word, he turned and walked out of the Hokage's office.
When the sound of his cane finally faded down the corridor, Hiruzen sighed softly. "Lately, Sunagakure's been making too many small moves… and now Kirigakure as well. I hope I'm just being paranoid."
— — —
Kirigakure.
Not far from where Utakata lived, at a nearby training field, Yuto stood with amusement in his eyes as he watched four figures clashing fiercely in the center.
Ringo Ameyuri, Ranmaru, Kimimaro, and Hōzuki Suigetsu!
The four were locked in chaotic battle, moving at blinding speed.
Kimimaro's illness had been completely suppressed with Yuto's help.
Originally, Yuto hadn't planned to give Kimimaro a curse mark, but after witnessing Ranmaru's transformation, Kimimaro had begged him seven or eight times.
In the end, Yuto could only tell him to first fully adapt to his current body—then he would consider it.
The battle before them had started as a spar between Kimimaro and Ranmaru, but when Ringo Ameyuri saw how fired up they were, she jumped in without hesitation.
And Suigetsu? He'd been dragged into the chaos—literally thrown in by Yuto himself.
In a free-for-all like this, everyone was an enemy. The moment Suigetsu landed, he was attacked from all sides before he could even speak.
Though reluctant to fight, he had no choice but to defend himself against their fierce strikes.
"Lord Yuto, will Suigetsu be all right?"
Chōjūrō asked nervously, glancing at the battlefield where Suigetsu was barely holding his own.
After all, Suigetsu was someone he had personally brought here. If something happened, how would he explain it to the Hōzuki clan's leader?
"Relax. He won't die," Yuto said lightly, waving a hand. "And besides, I'm here."
Chōjūrō had once served as Mei Terumi's aide, but as one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, he was now under Yuto's direct command.
From this point on, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of Kirigakure answered only to Yuto.
Hearing Yuto's casual tone, Chōjūrō exhaled in relief.
"Chōjūrō, how about you join the fight too?" Yuto asked suddenly, turning to him with a teasing smile.
Chōjūrō froze, about to refuse—when Yuto vanished.
In the blink of an eye, Yuto reappeared, dragging out a half-liquid Suigetsu, whose clothes were in tatters.
And before Chōjūrō could even react, he found himself airborne—then slammed into the middle of the battlefield.
Boom!
With a loud crash, Chōjūrō joined the brawl.
Yuto shook his head as he glanced down at the exhausted Suigetsu.
"Honestly, your strength is still the weakest here. Maybe I should consider recruiting another from your Hōzuki clan as a replacement."
(End of Chapter)
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