"This path is closed. Keep fighting."
Two armored puppets stood like gatekeepers, blocking the Sand Jonin's escape.
With no way out, the Sand Jonin had no choice but to continue battling Shikudō and his team.
After their initial coordinated assault, Shikudō and Kogure began losing ground, while Inuzuka Ryō only grew fiercer.
The Sand Jonin occasionally disrupted their rhythm with low-level Water Release techniques.
Though Shikudō's trio fought in perfect sync, capable of tangling with a Jonin, the moment their flow was broken, they faltered.
"Lightning Release: Earth Flow!"
Seizing the opening, the Sand Jonin unleashed a surge of lightning through the lingering water. Shikudō and Kogure, unable to dodge in time, were electrocuted into unconsciousness.
"Seems the intel-gathering skills of these three still need work."
Watching from the sidelines, Umino Yoru shook his head. Shikudō and Kogure had underestimated their opponent—a Sand ninja proficient in Water Release was already suspicious. It was only logical he'd have another elemental affinity.
Judging by his skill, Lightning was likely his primary nature, while Water was a secondary mastery honed from years stationed at the coastal fortress.
Aside from the B-Rank Water Wall, his Water techniques were mediocre. But his Lightning Release? It had not only knocked out Shikudō and Kogure but also left Inuzuka Ryō struggling to counter.
Yet instead of pressing his advantage, the Sand Jonin lunged for the unconscious duo—clearly aiming to take hostages.
Yoru, however, had already threaded chakra strings into their bodies, manipulating them to hurl kunai and shuriken while retreating.
"Sand ninja, if you keep playing tricks, our earlier wager is void."
The armored puppet's three-meter blade slammed down in warning.
"White Blood Demon, I've already won. Don't go back on your word."
Though still poisoned, the Sand Jonin had taken an antidote and recovered well. Now, facing only an Inuzuka brat, victory was assured.
"Of course."
Yoru crossed his arms, observing.
Insulted and backed into a corner, Inuzuka Ryō unleashed his ultimate technique.
First, a shadow clone. Then—fusion.
"Inuzuka Style: Human-Beast Triple Transformation—Three-Headed Wolf!"
A savage, three-headed monstrosity emerged.
Ryō's power had more than tripled.
The Sand Jonin's face paled.
"ROAR—!"
With speed rivaling the Body Flicker, the beast charged. Its feral instincts overwhelmed the Jonin—one snap nearly tore off his shoulder.
Forced into close combat, the Sand Jonin barely managed to disengage, retaliating with ninjutsu.
After a brutal exchange, the three-headed wolf crouched—gathering power for its final strike.
"Fang Fang Rotating Fang!"
The beast spun violently, a whirling drill of destruction far surpassing the B-Rank Fang Wolf Fang.
"Water Release: Water Wall!"
The Jonin's defense shattered under the assault. The spinning wolf broke through—but spent.
With a thunderous crash, the Sand Jonin was sent flying, his arm and chest mangled—yet still standing.
Meanwhile, Ryō and his ninken, Akitarō, collapsed, unconscious.
"Cough… White Blood Demon, I won. You won't break your promise, will you?"
The Jonin glared, poison capsule ready between his teeth.
"I keep my word. Go."
Yoru waved him off—to everyone's shock.
They knew Yoru wasn't the type to follow rules blindly. Why let him go?
Yet, against all expectations, he did.
Unfortunately for the Sand Jonin, he hadn't even traveled half a mile before running straight into Chagakure Ryūsuke and Kizoku Uzu, fleeing from the coastal fortress.
In his weakened state, he stood no chance.
Ryūsuke beheaded him in one stroke.
By the time Yoru's group finished looting the battlefield, Ryūsuke returned, the Jonin's head in hand.
"Lord Yoru! The coastal fortress has fallen! Mist ninja are advancing—we must retreat!"
Ryūsuke delivered the grim report:
The fortress, already weakened after splitting its forces and losing Garuō, had been ambushed.
With only 150 Sand ninja left, the Mist assault broke their defenses instantly.
Seeing the battle lost, Ryūsuke and Uzu fled to warn Yoru.
"Lord Yoru," Uzu added, trembling, "the Mist forces are led by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. We can't win. We must run."
"Yes," Ryūsuke agreed, eyes flickering with something unreadable. "The Seven can annihilate nations. A hundred of us won't even slow them down."
"Heh." Yoru's lips curled. "Should I call you Chagakure Ryūsuke… or Mist ninja Ryūsuke?"
"Lord Yoru, I don't understand."
Ryūsuke's face remained calm.
"The fortress was vulnerable because you leaked its status, didn't you, Mist spy?"
"HAHA! The White Blood Demon lives up to his name."
No longer pretending, Ryūsuke shed his meek act, arrogance taking over.
Surrounded by Konoha's elite, he showed no fear—only confidence in his own strength.
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