Someone replied, "They are the strongest pirate crew, wreaking havoc in the East Sea for over a decade. Usually, they strike in groups of three, and the chance of encountering them is very low, but if you do, death is certain.
In all these years, no ship has ever escaped them. They are ruthless, can summon aquatic creatures (Kuchiyose: Suijū), and never leave survivors. This time… we're really finished…"
"Don't panic! We still have ninjas, right? They'll definitely protect us!" another crew member cheered for morale.
Meanwhile, Captain Kurein was at the helm. The reefs around Sanretsu Island were numerous, and navigating safely required absolute focus—any lapse in attention, and the ship might run aground even before the pirates could strike.
"Hahaha, this time you're right—aren't I here?"
Suddenly, the water churned violently, and Tenma shot up from the sea, the aquatic monster nowhere in sight.
His entire body radiated purple chakra, spreading like a peacock's tail.
Tenma hovered in the air, his face twisted with excitement. "Roar, Kujaku Myōhō (Peacock Technique)!"
With that, he spun and dashed into the dense fog, vanishing instantly.
"Where did he go?" the ninja squad leader asked instinctively.
"He's probably going after the pirate captain. Thank goodness we hired the Star Ninja Village for escort; this was the right call," the ship crew breathed a sigh of relief, some cheering in joy.
On the other side, the Star Ninja Village ninjas looked solemn.
No wonder Tenma was so nagging and petty—they still tolerated him because he was one of the few Star Ninja Village members who successfully mastered Kujaku Myōhō (Peacock Technique).
Just as everyone was feeling relieved, the sea to the right suddenly roiled, and five or six octopus tentacles shot up from beneath the waves, reaching toward the crew.
"Ah!" a scream of terror erupted.
Immediately, four ninjas sprang into action. Some used Ninjutsu, others wielded weapons with ruthless precision, striking at the tentacles. Eventually, all the tentacles withdrew.
It seemed these five ninjas had already prepared a battle plan.
While everyone watched warily, Tenma suddenly returned from afar, hovering above the ship. He called out, "What's the matter? Couldn't hold out just a little while I was gone? That pirate who attacked from behind might still be nearby. We should catch the leader first!"
"Shigeo, be careful! Don't let your guard down!" the squad leader, Tenma, warned.
"You worry about yourself; you have no skill and don't even know how you became leader," Tenma retorted coldly, his gaze fixing on Hyuga Shigeo standing on the deck, his smile slowly fading.
"Everyone, I have a condition. I could have killed this monster immediately, but if you meet my demand, I'll continue fighting. If not, I won't. I'm in the sky; you're on the ship. Let's see who tires out first," Tenma declared.
"What demand?" Captain Kurein leaned against the cabin window, asking loudly.
"I want you to throw that brat into the sea!" Tenma's face was filled with smug triumph. "You offended me, you put a sock in my mouth—today, you'll learn my power!"
"Young man, you can't behave like this. He's just a child. Besides, he saved you—you can't repay kindness with cruelty!" Hyuga Shigeo's protector, Jun, rushed forward to shield him.
Tenma's expression contorted with rage. "What did you say? He didn't save me; he mocked me! Those who mock me deserve death…"
Purple chakra sprouted like monstrous tentacles around him as he lunged toward Shigeo, intending to grab him and toss him into the sea.
Jun was directly in front, shielding Hyuga Shigeo, and any move could hurt him.
Jun didn't dodge, and Tenma didn't care about collateral damage. To him, a death or two was meaningless.
As Tenma's chakra hand closed in, Shigeo pushed Jun to the ground with one hand, then allowed himself to be grabbed by the chakra hand.
"Hahaha, brat! Even if you kneel and apologize, I won't forgive you. Die!" Tenma yelled, throwing Shigeo into the sea.
As he hit the water, Shigeo closed his eyes slightly. Around him, countless yellow, brass-like eyes appeared, a monstrous mouth opened wide, ready to swallow him.
"Hahaha…" Tenma laughed maniacally from above, already imagining the creature leaping out to devour the boy.
"Ah… it's my fault, little one… little one…" Jun cried loudly, thinking of his own child.
If he hadn't let him on board, would his fate have been different?
"Why cry? He's dead; my mood is better. Now I can save you all. Isn't it just a summoned monster? I'll kill it right now!" Tenma shouted, laughing wildly at the bizarre scene.
The other four ninjas had complex feelings; this was not their first mission with him. Whenever he disliked someone, they usually ended up dead.
His personality was suffocating, yet undeniably powerful in Ninjutsu, which was why the Star Ninja Village tolerated him.
In recent years, as his power grew, so did his temper.
Sometimes they feared that one day, this lawless, murderous madman might go completely out of control, destroying the entire Star Ninja Village.
Tenma plunged into the sea. There was a fierce struggle, with shrill screams echoing, and he threw one octopus tentacle out of the water. "I've cut off one of its legs, hahaha…"
Then the second tentacle was thrown, then the third…
One by one, showing off his strength at a deliberate pace. Finally, he appeared holding the octopus's head. "I killed it. We're safe now…"
Everyone stared at him. Even the other ninjas frowned, their faces showing horror rather than relief or triumph.
(End of Chapter)
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