Outside Hell Valley, squad after squad of Star-nin appeared at the valley's exit.
At the front, Akahoshi stared coldly at the mouth of the valley. He turned to a Star-nin beside him and asked:
"Are you certain the last place the meteorite's chakra appeared was inside Hell Valley?"
He had long, pale-purple hair tied into a ponytail, wore the Star Village forehead protector, and had a thin, sharp face with light-blue pupils.
Just from his appearance, one could tell he was difficult to get along with.
The Star-nin being questioned lowered his head respectfully.
"According to our sensory team's tracking, the person carrying the meteorite's residual chakra did indeed enter Hell Valley — absolutely confirmed.
Also, per your orders…
We— we dug up that guy's grave and thoroughly searched his corpse.
Natsuhi did not hide the meteorite in her husband's grave. It is likely she already gave the meteorite to her accomplices."
Star Village was built entirely around the meteorite. They had their own methods for tracking its chakra.
Akahoshi narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them as he stared at the Hell Valley entrance, falling into thought.
He couldn't understand one thing—
If Natsuhi's accomplices already had the meteorite, why would they go into Hell Valley?
Were they afraid of being caught?
It wasn't impossible… but Hell Valley's terrain was deadly, devoid of all life. Entering it meant near-certain death if one got lost.
Why would they willingly go in?
What's more, the enemy had easily killed Death Funeral and Night Hawk, and possessed a giant summoned serpent he had never seen or heard of.
They clearly weren't afraid of Star Village.
Because all Star-nin who fought Natsuhi that night had died, no one knew who her accomplices truly were.
Akahoshi sank deeper into thought.
"Lord Akahoshi…" one of the Star-nin said nervously, "Do you… really think we can defeat Natsuhi's accomplices?"
"Whether we can or not, it doesn't matter. You will hold this position with your lives.
The meteorite must not be lost.
If it is, Star Village faces extinction."
Akahoshi spoke coldly.
Star Village had existed only because of the meteorite. And raising the Star Village to rival the Five Great Hidden Villages had been Akahoshi's dream since childhood.
To him, the village was merely a tool for achieving that ambition.
But without the meteorite that empowered its shinobi… how could he accomplish anything?
After speaking, Akahoshi retreated to the back of the formation. The Star-nin were clearly displeased.
They were about to risk their lives—
and he hid in the rear?
But none dared speak up.
Star Village was strictly hierarchical. Those trusted by the Star Shadow got greater access to the meteorite, more chances to train the Peacock Technique, greater strength, and thus greater status.
Natsuhi had been able to steal the meteorite only because her personal strength was the strongest in Star Village — a once-in-a-century talent…
Which gave her the access she needed.
Now, Akahoshi believed he had laid a perfect trap at Hell Valley's only exit.
In his mind, even if Natsuhi's accomplices were strong, they couldn't possibly defeat all of Star Village.
His confidence came from knowing the strength of his subordinates. Akahoshi himself could kill those two dead men easily. The only threat was the giant summoning creature.
But no matter what, he could not allow the meteorite to leave the Land of Bears.
The world was in turmoil. Even they, far away, had heard about the recent wars in Konohagakure of the Land of Fire.
If Star Village lost the meteorite, they wouldn't need to wait for natural decline—
the nearby small villages would destroy them first.
The Fourth Great Ninja War was imminent.
Therefore, the elderly Star Shadow had ordered Akahoshi to mobilize the entire Star Village to seize the meteorite. Only around three hundred shinobi in total—
but all of them had trained using the meteorite's chakra.
Akahoshi believed that when combined, their strength was not inferior to the elite forces of the great villages.
He even had a method to unify all Star-nin power.
…
…
Afternoon.
The sun blazed high, clouds thin and scattered.
Distance to the exit:
One kilometer.
The forest was thick, the only sound the rustling leaves in the wind.
Not even a single insect could be found— the eerie environment created an unsettling atmosphere.
Within a dense tangle of vines, three figures moved swiftly through the jungle.
Leading them, "Madara" had a vine as thick as a thumb and seven to eight meters long tied around his waist.
He had explained to Hikari that when a hunter wandered through complex terrain, tying a long vine to one's waist allowed them to check if they were still walking in a straight line — simply by glancing back occasionally to see if the vine remained taut.
This prevented hunters from losing their way or circling endlessly.
During their journey, Hikaru had learned many wilderness survival techniques from "Madara," strengthening her belief that he truly was a mountain hunter.
Even Tsunade had to admit internally —
Uchiha Yu really had done his homework.
But in truth, it wasn't knowledge he prepared for Hikari.
These were survival skills he learned in his previous life.
The three continued walking straight through the vine-covered jungle.
"Stop…"
Hikaru's expression suddenly grew solemn, her tone turning cold.
She pulled both Uchiha Yu and Tsunade down with her into a crouch. Her gaze cut through the leaves like a hunting feline, calmly scanning the area ahead.
"It's them!"
Uchiha Yu also sensed something was wrong. His whole body trembled as he looked at Tsunade in feigned panic.
His acting was perfectly natural.
"Who are they supposed to be?"
Tsunade frowned, as if saying: Why are you looking at me? What are you plotting now?
Directly ahead—
Beyond the dense forest—
Three Star-nin stood atop three separate trees, scanning the forest below.
They were fully equipped: Star Village forehead protectors, tool pouches, and the poise of trained shinobi.
"You two know these ninja?" Hikaru asked in a low, serious voice.
"We should take another path," Uchiha Yu said gravely.
"They're likely here to kill us. It's complicated, and I don't want to drag you into it."
He continued in a heavy tone:
"If they find us, I'll hold them off. You two run. Once I shake them, I'll come find you."
"Chasing you two?"
Hikaru let out a sigh.
This couple had already suffered so much—and now they were being hunted, too? The ninja world truly remained chaotic and cruel.
"No need for you to delay them," Hikaru said.
"You're too weak—anyone can tell you can hunt and survive outdoors, but you definitely can't fight.
Since they're enemies, that actually makes this simple. Dealing with enemies is my specialty. Wait here."
Wearing her light-blue outfit and shoes, she slipped away to the side, her movements swift and light.
"Wait—"
Uchiha Yu reached out, but she had already vanished. He lowered his hand.
"…"
He looked down at himself.
So after transforming into Madara's appearance, people think I'm weak?
Right… the white mask didn't just change his face—it completely hid his chakra signature.
To others, he was nothing more than an ordinary man.
Tsunade struggled to hold back her laughter.
In the distance—
On a treetop—
One of the Star-nin suddenly felt uneasy. Staring at the still, vine-covered forest ahead, he muttered,
"Let's go. I feel like some kind of beast is watching us…"
The other two Star-nin mocked him from their trees:
"You're still the same coward as always!"
"There aren't any beasts in Hell Valley. As long as the wind direction is right, the poison gas blows from the exit to the entrance—anyone inside is safe. You're overthi—urgh—"
The last Star-nin didn't finish his sentence.
A muffled sound escaped his throat.
Then—
A heavy thump echoed through the woods.
"Ryota?!"
The remaining two Star-nin looked down sharply.
Their teammate lay on the leaf-covered ground, his neck twisted unnaturally.
From that height—
How could anyone appear behind him without a trace and assassinate him?
The two scanned their surroundings in terror, seeing no enemy. They dropped to the ground, checking their comrade's body—
At that moment, a faint red gleam flickered behind them.
°°°
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