Chapter 27: The Fourth Man and Kaoru
Rain lashed down as a fierce battle erupted.
The attackers, their faces concealed by masks or scarves, fought to hide their identities. Their ninjutsu was a chaotic mix of water, wind, and blade techniques, lacking any discernible system or coordination. They relied purely on instinct to work together, however loosely.
Like Hyuga Yuto, they had seen the bounty on Takeda Segen's head at the Exchange and were lured by the staggering sum, eager to take on the assassin's job.
The Land of Rain was perpetually embroiled in civil war, a fractured realm ruled by various factions, making it a haven for assassins. The death of a single Jonin wouldn't cause a ripple in this chaotic land.
The assassins unleashed a barrage of lethal attacks, aiming to kill Takeda Segen swiftly. While the Land of Rain was plagued by internal conflict, rumors spoke of a newly formed organization called "Akatsuki" that possessed remarkable unity. If the battle dragged on and Takeda Segen's reinforcements arrived, the assassins knew their chances of survival would plummet.
But Takeda Segen was formidable. He was a master of water style jutsu and possessed above-average taijutsu skills. Wielding two chakra-infused short blades that shimmered with a blinding white light, he moved with incredible speed. The blades were exceptionally sharp; any kunai that touched them would be sliced in half instantly.
Bzzzzzzzzz!
The chakra blades sliced through the rain, emitting a strange buzzing sound. Takeda Segen, employing the Water Body Flicker Technique, appeared behind an assassin in a blink and swung his blade with devastating force. The blade entered the enemy's neck from behind, cleaving through his body like butter.
Bang!
Takeda Segen eliminated one opponent, but in doing so, exposed his back. Another assassin seized the opportunity, his arm coated in hardened rock, and slammed it into Takeda Segen's spine. The Akatsuki's fourth man was sent flying, crashing into the wall of a nearby steel building, the impact denting even the alloy.
Hyuga Yuto raised an eyebrow.
"He's at the level of a Konoha Special Jonin... Those chakra weapons are the most noteworthy aspect. However, it seems Takeda Segen won't last much longer..."
He observed the battlefield. Under the relentless assault of the assassins, the wounds on Takeda Segen's body were multiplying. Though two more assassins had fallen, it was clear to anyone watching that the Akatsuki's fourth man was nearing his limit.
"There's no other way. Time to play the hyena," Hyuga Yuto thought. He needed that money.
He focused chakra into his eyes, activating the Byakugan. The grayish-white, transparent vision returned.
"Huh?" Hyuga Yuto suddenly frowned, halting his steps.
With the Byakugan, he saw a figure hidden underground.
Screech!
A harsh scraping sound echoed as an assassin blocked Takeda Segen's chakra blade. He used something akin to a spiderweb, seemingly fragile but remarkably resilient. It withstood the initial impact of the chakra weapon, then rapidly expanded, ensnaring the short blade and rendering it immobile.
"Haha! The head worth thirty million Ryo!" the assassin roared with laughter, reversing his grip on his kunai, aiming for Takeda Segen's neck.
But just as he was about to claim the precious head, a sharp pain shot through his leg.
"Wind Style: Wind Cutter Technique!"
Tiny wind blades surged from below, shredding the assassin's leg muscles and severely damaging his bones.
Thud!
Seizing the opportunity, Takeda Segen thrust his chakra blade forward, effortlessly slicing the assassin's throat.
A woman burst from the ground, standing back-to-back with Takeda Segen.
"Kaoru! What are you doing here?!" Takeda Segen, the rescued man, exclaimed with a hint of panic. "You..."
"You talk too much, Captain. Men are more charming when they're silent."
"Hmph..." Takeda Segen mumbled something under his breath, falling silent.
The battle resumed in the pouring rain.
The synergy between Takeda Segen and Asano Kaoru was astounding. Hyuga Yuto observed that they didn't need to communicate, not even with a glance, to execute a perfect coordinated attack.
The hastily assembled assassins were no match for the duo who entrusted their backs to each other.
After losing three more lives, the assassins from the Exchange finally lost their resolve, fleeing using various escape techniques.
Having repelled the formidable attackers, Takeda Segen gasped for breath, wiping sweat and blood from his face. He turned to his companion.
"Kaoru, thanks to you this time... But your injuries haven't..."
"It's nothing," the woman named Asano Kaoru replied with an impassive expression, her words laced with a hint of sarcasm. "Captain, if you're truly eager to die, you can jump into the river yourself. At least that way, you'll have a whole corpse."
"Kaoru, you... I didn't want to face fifteen alone, but I had to make sure all the civilians had evacuated before retreating."
"If you had run from the beginning, the assassins would have followed you."
"But what if they slaughtered the people in the parade to force me out?"
"Hah..." Asano Kaoru shook her head, her voice cold. "Your life is worth far more than those civilians. It's only right that they die and you live."
"Kaoru," Takeda Segen began in a lecturing tone, "Akatsuki is an organization founded on great love. The conflict between people stems from insufficient communication. Just like our leader said, we need to become the bridge of the world..."
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps.
They turned, both rising to their feet almost simultaneously. A powerful enemy had appeared. Beads of sweat trickled down their faces, but they still held their fighting stances.
A figure clad in a thick black robe and tinted goggles emerged from the shadows.
Angry, bulging veins were visible around his eyes.
Hyuga Yuto remained silent, walking towards them with a determined gait.
He understood the situation clearly. The duo before him were both at the Special Jonin level, with exceptional teamwork. Despite appearing to be engaged in casual conversation, their vigilance never wavered. Cornered beasts were dangerous opponents.
That's why Hyuga Yuto had activated the Byakugan from the start, choosing a direct approach to pressure them, hoping to gain a psychological advantage.
Asano Kaoru clasped her hands together, silently channeling chakra, preparing to unleash another jutsu.
But Takeda Segen spoke first.
"Byakugan... You're a Konoha ninja."
Hyuga Yuto nodded curtly.
Seeing an opening for dialogue, Takeda Segen continued, "I don't know why you've come to the Land of Rain, nor do I know if your purpose is to kill me. But as a subordinate, I must convey our leader's will."
"The leader I serve told me that he's been looking for a Konoha ninja."
Yahiko? Looking for a Konoha ninja? Hyuga Yuto was surprised.
"Our leader said he wants to ask a Konoha ninja for a favor... To ensure everyone's peace of mind, you can choose the time and place."
Takeda Segen shrugged.
"Our leader said that in a dangerous situation, these words might save your life. Of course, that's assuming you're interested in our leader."
"So, stranger with the Byakugan, will it be war? Or peace?"