"Art is *explosion*! Behold — such magnificent fireworks!"
"What a shame they soared too high — can't hear their screams and wails!"
"Even if we can't hear them, don't drop lower! Don't forget how we lost last time — it was our own recklessness that cost us!"
"I know. It's rare for Cloud Village to foot the bill — I haven't finished playing yet myself!"
At six hundred meters high, a group of Sky Ninjas cackled with glee.
But suddenly, one Sky Ninja eyed the space below suspiciously.
"It looks like someone's flying toward us. Could it be one of our stray comrades?"
"That forehead protector… no, it's a Konoha ninja!"
"Daring to invade *our* sky? Don't they know who rules this airspace?"
"Kill him!"
Noticing the Sky Ninjas' movement, Seiki formed hand seals in an instant.
[Genjutsu: Confusing Mind]!
Since it's incorporeal, illusions of this level naturally have the longest reach among techniques of similar strength.
In nearly no time at all, all the Sky Ninjas at this altitude had fallen victim!
"Seiki, are you sure using genjutsu is okay? What if someone breaks free..." Natsuhoshi's concern wasn't unfounded. While illusions worked well in one-on-one situations, during group attacks, if even one person escaped, the entire illusion might collapse.
"Don't worry. These trash ninjas have no hope of breaking my genjutsu!" Seiki remained calm. Even the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist and the A/B brothers feared his illusions. These Sky Ninjas stood absolutely no chance of escaping.
Maintaining his "gentlemanly" manners, he didn't straddle her back but instead knelt on it.
"If you say so," Natsuhoshi murmured before curiously asking, "Aren't we going to eliminate them directly?"
"Of course not. I'm looking forward to their gift being returned to Cloud Village."
Seiki snapped his fingers. Then, the controlled Sky Ninjas turned around and flew straight toward the Cloud Village forces.
"Can illusions actually achieve this effect?" Natsuhoshi was stunned. Ordinary illusions usually only disrupted or damaged enemies, but Seiki's technique forcibly controlled them while allowing them to remain conscious enough to continue piloting.
This revealed an absurd gap in mental strength.
It meant, based purely on this, Seiki was already the strongest illusionist she'd ever encountered.
"They're just incredibly weak to genjutsu — which makes my skill shine even brighter," Seiki explained with a smile.
"That's still impressive!" Natsuhoshi sincerely praised. Even if the enemy was weak, the sheer number made this feat extraordinary.
"One must admit," Seiki smiled, "managing so many all at once — that's real mastery of illusion."
Natsuhoshi reined in her thoughts and replied with enthusiasm, "Then let's continue!"
...
At the Cloud Village battlefield.
"Can't these bastards aim any worse?" A cursed through his telescope, grinding his teeth.
Those Sky Ninjas weren't dropping bombs — they were tossing away Cloud Village's hard-earned blood, sweat, and coin!
"After this battle, we'll have to go around collecting again... cough, I mean, gather some 'protection fees'!" As A lamented, he overheard nearby ninjas whispering:
"Huh?
"
"Why did this group of Sky Ninja return for supplies so soon?"
"Damn it, they must have intentionally withheld some bombs!"
"What? They dare to withhold our commission from Cloud Village? Those Sky Ninja must be tired of living!"
"Let me see who..." A raised his binoculars and was about to jot down names in his notepad when suddenly his pupils constricted violently. "What the hell do these bastards think they're doing? Damn it, everyone, scatter and take cover immediately..."
Too late—his warning didn't reach them in time.
Before anyone could react, bombs began exploding across their camp.
"Why are there bombs?"
"Cursed! Those Sky Ninja have betrayed us!"
The Cloud Village ninja were completely unprepared. After one round of attacks, severed limbs and charred body parts were everywhere, with the stench of burnt flesh mixed with blood filling their noses.
Witnessing the carnage, A burned with fury.
These bastards actually used bombs funded by Cloud Village to blow them up!
"Bee, use your Tailed Beast Ball to wipe out these scumbags!"
"Got it!"
In an instant, the monstrous Eight-Tails erupted from hiding, towering over the battlefield. Whipping its tentacles at the Sky Ninja while launching successive Tailed Beast Balls into the sky.
Bombs tore the earth apart as flames roared skyward, while Tailed Beast Balls carved chaotic storms through the air. In no time, the entire battlefield erupted into chaos.
...
From a distance, watching the turmoil within the Cloud Village forces, Natsuhoshi felt exhilarated and eagerly asked, "Seiki, shall we continue?"
Seiki shook his head slightly. "Other Sky Ninja have noticed our movements already. Getting close to them secretly again won't be easy."
"I see," Natsuhoshi looked somewhat disappointed; she wanted revenge against Cloud Village still.
Seiki continued analytically, "Judging from their haste returning now, they probably know they've severely offended Cloud Village and want to rush back home to hide again."
Natsuhoshi exhaled in relief. "So does that mean the crisis is over?"
Don't mistake today's victory for an easy one—it hinged on the enemy underestimating the range of Seiki's Genjutsu (illusion technique). If they hadn't let the enemy get so close in the first place, the outcome might have been very different.
"At least for now, they probably won't dare pop up their heads again so soon." Seiki paused, then shifted tone. "Still, allowing such dangerous enemies hiding in shadows remains a threat!"
"Seiki, what do you plan to do?" Natsuhoshi asked.
"I intend to infiltrate their ranks and follow them to locate their den." Seiki spoke calmly, as though describing trivial matters.
"That's too dangerous..." Mid-sentence, Natsuhoshi chuckled to herself.
Sky Ninja were only dangerous in the air. Against Seiki? They didn't stand a chance.
Accurately speaking, the danger should be on the enemy's side.
Calmly resuming, Natsuhoshi asked, "But how will you infiltrate?"
"That's simple. Please find a secluded location to land first."
After landing in a secluded valley, not long after, another Sky Ninja touched down just behind them.
Then, right before Natsuhoshi's astonished eyes, he started dismantling his equipment.
"Seiki, are you going to disguise yourself as a Sky Ninja?" Natsuhoshi asked with surprise, then added with concern, "But isn't this too risky? After all, it's your first time operating that aircraft."
"It's just about handling wind-style chakra and body coordination. I'm confident in those two areas," Seiki replied, spinning a kunai in his hand. "At the very least, I still have this!"
Thinking about Seiki's [Flying Thunder God Technique], Natsuhoshi relaxed slightly. "Unfortunately, I don't know much about Wind Release, so I can't accompany you any further."
"Your help means a lot already. Leave the rest to me!"
Running along the cliffside, Seiki launched himself from the edge and soared smoothly into the sky.
Watching Seiki's retreating figure, Natsuhoshi softly murmured, "A hero capable of creating miracles—that's what someone like you truly is. If anyone can save Hoshigakure, it would definitely be you!"
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