"Wait!"
Tai San sensed the killing intent radiating from Natsuhiko and knew he wasn't just saying it for show. Panic finally began to set in.
"Don't kill me! I... I can help you steal back that game console. Right, and the money, all my money, you can have it—"
*Splat!*
A spray of blood splashed onto the rock wall, staining it red.
The kunai lodged in Tai San's throat cut off his words.
He stared in disbelief at Natsuhiko, who had just thrown the kunai, utterly shocked by his decisiveness.
He had been so close to breaking the seal on his body that there should have still been a chance to turn things around.
Sure enough...
He shouldn't have come to Konoha...
Filled with regret and unwillingness, Tai San's pupils began to dilate, gradually losing their light.
The chains formed by the runic Jutsus on his body also slowly dissipated as they lost the support of his chakra.
"From your tactical style, we probably would have gotten along well."
"If we had met under different circumstances, we might have even become good friends."
Natsuhiko sighed softly, then stepped forward to deliver a few more stabs, ensuring that the other was thoroughly dead.
To be honest, he had considered other ways of handling it, like recruiting the guy for his use.
Unfortunately, this guy was too slippery, even more so than Natsuhiko himself.
If he missed this chance, Natsuhiko wasn't confident he'd get another one.
Even this time, it was only because he had planned and caught the other off guard.
In fact, he owed some thanks to that Root ninja from earlier. After all, the curse seal principles he had extracted from him had played a significant role this time.
The curse seal, being a "virus" in the runic system, was most adept at forcibly embedding itself into someone else's chakra.
This time, Natsuhiko had borrowed the concept of the curse seal, implanting segments of the runic Jutsu into the other's chakra while destroying his shadow clones.
By the time those chakras, following some mysterious connection, returned to the main body, Natsuhiko's curse seal Jutsus had unknowingly infiltrated the other's body...
Then, when the curse seals exploded within the other, Natsuhiko could subdue him from afar, even without knowing his exact location.
Finally, these curse seal Jutsus emitted chakra waves, allowing Natsuhiko to pinpoint his location, which is how he found his hiding spot.
To use an analogy from Natsuhiko's previous life, this guy was like an online troll, relying on anonymity to cause trouble with multiple fake accounts, making it hard for people to deal with him.
Natsuhiko, on the other hand, was like a hacker who traced the troll's digital footprints and hacked into his computer.
Except, in the ninja world, Natsuhiko could really beat someone up through the internet connection.
It's worth mentioning that Natsuhiko, to avoid detection, had divided the curse seal Jutsu into many parts, embedding them into the other's body through multiple shadow clones' chakra, where they reassembled into a complete Jutsu.
So, if the guy hadn't used so many shadow clones, Natsuhiko might not have succeeded so quickly.
It was indeed a case of both success and failure due to the Shadow Clone Jutsu...
And although this move was difficult, defending against and breaking it was pretty easy.
Therefore, Natsuhiko knew that with the other's intelligence, he would quickly detect and break his Jutsu.
To avoid any mishaps, Natsuhiko decisively killed him.
After all, a dead enemy is the best kind...
After confirming that the other had gone to meet the Sage of Six Paths, Natsuhiko finally breathed a sigh of relief and began the familiar process of looting the body.
This guy didn't have much on him. Besides the essential ninja tools, the most valuable items were three storage scrolls.
After carefully checking that there were no traps on these scrolls, Natsuhiko opened them one by one.
The first scroll contained various miscellaneous items. Natsuhiko took a quick look and put it away, planning to examine it more thoroughly with the three little ones when he got home.
The second scroll contained some ninjutsu scrolls and notes.
The ninjutsu scrolls were quite common, but the notes were interesting.
After flipping through them, Natsuhiko discovered that they recorded the other's insights into tool summoning and storage scrolls.
He was immediately delighted, realising that these notes would be pretty valuable for his use.
Just for these notes, the trip had already been worthwhile.
With these materials, he could easily replicate the other's methods and become a thief feared throughout the ninja world.
Next, Natsuhiko opened the last scroll, which contained a suitcase full of money, probably the reward for stealing the game console.
To quickly count the money, Natsuhiko used a storage card to materialise a chakra-powered bill counter.
This little gadget was something he had made a long time ago to cosy up to Kakuzu but had never had the chance to use. He wasn't sure if that was fortunate or unfortunate...
After quickly counting the money with the machine, Natsuhiko was surprised to find there was a total of 15 million Ryo!
Didn't the Third Hokage cut funding to the Root? How was Danzo still so rich?
Natsuhiko couldn't help but grumble inwardly.
Although there was no direct evidence, Natsuhiko was already convinced that Danzo was the mastermind behind this whole affair.
After putting the money away, Natsuhiko did some quick math: 15 million ryo here, plus the 20 million ryo bounty on this guy's head...
Doesn't that mean he earned an "Asuma" in just one night?
So, robbing and killing is the quickest way to get rich?
The only regret was that the guy either hid his other treasures somewhere or spent it all; otherwise, Natsuhiko's haul would have been even more significant.
Shaking his head at his insatiable greed, Natsuhiko took out a storage scroll and packed up the body, preparing to leave.
With this "Eleven Arhat" as an example, anyone thinking of targeting the tavern would think twice.
Natsuhiko thought to himself.
But then there's the employer...
Judging by the timing, the second "warning" should be happening about now...
...
Meanwhile, in the Seal Jutsu Research Room at the Root Base.
A group of researchers in white lab coats gathered around a game console with its casing removed. They carefully studied the runic Jutsus on it and tried to dismantle it without damaging the contents.
At this moment, Danzo Shimura strode in and beckoned a researcher over, asking in a deep voice, "What's the progress?"
"Lord Danzo, by studying the seals on the plush toys' runic components, we've already broken the first part of the game console's seal and removed its casing. We're now working on the second part," the researcher respectfully reported.
Hearing this, the usually grim-faced Danzo softened a little.
It looks like even without Orochimaru; our Root researchers can figure this thing out.
He thought with some satisfaction.
Although he had hired the "Eleven Arhats" to steal the game console at Orochimaru's request, his thoughts had shifted once he had it.
If it's just reverse-engineering the existing console, we don't need Orochimaru after all. Our Root researchers should be able to handle it.
Though progress might be slower this way, it avoids falling under Orochimaru's control.
For someone like Danzo, who always preferred to work alone, the choice was obvious.
"Good, keep it up."
Danzo praised and then added, "Remember, no need to rush. Take your time, but make sure it's done quickly!"
"Uh... yes?"
The researcher found the contradictory order confusing but nodded in agreement.
At that moment, a cheer erupted from the group by the game console, catching the attention of both men.
"We've broken the second part of the seal! We're close to the core area."
"Sure enough, the seals Amou Natsuhiko used are similar to the runic components in those plush toys!"
"Our efforts to destroy thousands of toys have finally paid off!"
Hearing this, Danzo's face lit up with joy, and he quickly walked over.
As expected, Amou Natsuhiko is still too young.
He must not have expected that the runic components in the plush toys he sold for some quick cash would reveal his Sealing Jutsus.
Though his seals are indeed clever, they can't withstand thousands of research attempts!
Moreover, since the Sealing Jutsus on the game console and the plush toys are fundamentally the same, it's like he handed over the key to breaking the game console's seal.
When Danzo reached the group, he saw everyone engrossed in studying the newly revealed part of the runic Jutsu after the seal was broken.
The unconventional approach to Sealing Jutsus opened everyone's eyes and earned their admiration.
"Although it only accomplishes simple functions, this design that maximises the material's properties is an unprecedented concept!"
"That Amou Natsuhiko is truly a genius. I can sense a beauty of order in these runic formations."
"I feel the same. No wonder Lord Mito broke the rules to take him as a disciple."
"Huh, look at this."
Amidst everyone's praise, a young researcher suddenly pointed to a strange line of text on a core component and said, "What does this mean?"
"It looks like a rune, but it seems unfamiliar."
"Maybe it's Amou Natsuhiko's signature?"
"If it is, his handwriting is awful. He's not a medical ninja, after all..."
The researchers discussed it among themselves but couldn't reach a consensus.
Fortunately, at that moment, an elderly researcher stroked his beard and hesitated before saying, "This might be ancient text from the shinobi world. I've seen something similar in ancient records."
"Ancient text?"
"It's very possible!"
"I recall there being some related materials in the archives."
"Then hurry and get them. There might be clues here to break the core's restrictions!"
After some time, the researchers found the meaning of the first few ancient characters in the books from the archives:
"Art is..."
"Art is what?"
"It seems the last two ancient characters aren't in the records. What should we do?"
Just then, Danzo, who had been silently watching, finally couldn't hold back and spoke:
"Don't you think these two characters resemble the core rune of the Explosive Tag?"
The researchers paused for a moment, then suddenly realised.
"You're right! How did we not think of that?"
"As expected of Lord Danzo!"
"Then these two characters should translate to 'explosion,' so the whole sentence means..."
"Art is an explosion!"
Everyone said in unison.
But just as they were about to ponder the deeper meaning of the phrase, the console seemed to trigger something. A faint light began to flow through the runic formations on it.
Then, a series of thuds echoed, and one by one, the Explosive Tags they had just mentioned started appearing out of thin air around the console!
Amid the researchers' horrified gazes, those Explosive Tags began to emit a dazzling light...
Boom——!
...
On a small hill not far from Konoha, a series of muffled explosions suddenly rang out.
The hill then began to collapse and sink, causing mud and rocks to fly and trees to topple.
From a distant tree, Natsuhiko observed the hill's condition through binoculars.
"The explosion wasn't as powerful as expected. I knew the chain reaction of summoning Explosive Tags repeatedly would be interrupted due to the high temperature..."
"It seems my original Jutsu for multiplying Explosive Tags didn't succeed."
After putting down the binoculars, he continued to ponder, "Moreover, it took so long for the explosion mechanism to trigger. It seems Orochimaru wasn't involved in this."
"To be honest, I almost had to detonate it manually."
"Too bad that Danzo is still in peak condition. Otherwise, I might have been able to blow him up and be done with it."
"But after this warning, I suppose that guy will lay low for a while."
With that thought, Natsuhiko smiled wryly and then vanished in a puff of white smoke.
...
After a long time, not far from the collapsed area, the ground suddenly shifted.
First, a hand emerged from the earth, followed by a head and then a body. Before long, Shimura Danzo had climbed out of the ground, sitting wearily on the ground.
He was covered in dirt and looked quite messy.
Remembering the earlier scene, he couldn't help but feel a lingering fear.
Who would have thought that the console would suddenly produce so many Explosive Tags, with an effect resembling Lord Tobirama's Multiplying Explosive Tag Jutsu?
Amou Natsuhiko actually placed hundreds of these devices in Konoha's core area.
What is he trying to do!?
Sealing Jutsu practitioners really are madmen!
As Danzo mentally complained, several other Root ninjas and researchers also emerged from the ground, each looking as dishevelled as Danzo.
It was impossible to tell that this group was the feared Root ninjas.
After resting for a while, a few Earth-Style ninjas, under Danzo's orders, dove underground to search for survivors.
Soon, a few more people were rescued.
Danzo counted and found that although everyone was dusty, there were no significant casualties, which slightly surprised him.
As he recalled, although the Explosive Tags kept appearing around the console and seemed overwhelming, they actually took a long time to start exploding, giving them plenty of time to escape.
If it weren't for that, aside from him, probably no one would have escaped.
What does this mean? Amou Natsuhiko's mercy?
Regardless, seeing the situation, Danzo let out a sigh of relief.
After all, he knew that his proper foundation wasn't this Root base but these subordinates, who, marked by his cursed seals, were always ready to give their lives for him!
But thinking about how his long-established Root base was suddenly gone, with all the experimental equipment and data turned to ashes, Danzo couldn't help but feel a deep sense of loss.
This sudden disaster had made the already impoverished Root even worse...
Thinking of the culprit behind all this, Danzo couldn't help but grit his teeth and say in his heart:
"Amou Natsuhiko, you'll regret this!"
Although Danzo thought so, he also knew that to secure funding for rebuilding the base from Hiruzen, he'd have to keep a low profile for a while and couldn't cause trouble...
"It seems I'll need to change my approach..."
Danzo thought darkly and soon concluded.
"Perhaps... it's time to deploy that woman..."
(End of this chapter)
P.S Guys, do check out the fiction my friend Senatus Alpha is translating. The stories are unique and engaging, and the translations are fantastic. You can have my word for it. They go by the title…
BTTH: Receiving My Own Death Farewell Letter
Exploding Soul Rings in Doulou
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