"This…"
Kaijin and Kaisei could hardly believe it. Natsuhane had such ambitions. Kaisei was conflicted; he understood that Natsuhane didn't necessarily need their agreement. After all, Natsuhane had resolved the monster issue on Mother Island and the mysterious disappearances on Ghost Island. If he also dealt with the Funato Clan's invasion, the villagers would undoubtedly come to revere and support him.
Natsuhane's consultation was merely a matter of expediency, using their authority to expedite his rise to power.
"Boom!"
While they were still grappling with their thoughts, at the harbor, the guards and villagers who hadn't managed to flee were already being slaughtered by the giant red-shelled crab. The Funato Clan's pirate ships were also reaching the shore, with swarms of pirates, armed with tridents, advancing inland.
A few pirates noticed Natsuhane and the others, sneering and taunting them:
"What's with these guys? Why aren't they running? Are they too scared to move?"
"Look at their clothes; they must be nobles of the Land of the Sea. Haha, these are my prey!"
"Tsk tsk, you can have the money, but that red-haired chick is mine!"
Armed with tridents, these pirates swaggered toward Natsuhane and the others, believing them to be helpless and defenseless, easy targets with no means of resistance.
Seeing the menacing pirates approaching, Kaijin and Kaisei were utterly terrified. Despite their status as the pillars of the Land of the Sea, their swordsmanship was no match for these experienced pirates.
In the face of death, Kaisei instinctively retreated several steps. Unable to hold back any longer, he finally shouted, "Natsuhane, I… I accept your terms."
"Good." Natsuhane nodded calmly, then turned to Kaijin. "And you, Kaijin-sama?"
"I…"
Kaijin was initially reluctant, having served the daimyo for most of his life. But seeing the carnage and recalling that the daimyo had already fled, he gritted his teeth and firmly said, "As long as you protect the people of the Land of the Sea, Kaisei and I will follow your orders."
"Excellent." With a nod of satisfaction, Natsuhane stepped in front of them, shielding them from the pirates. He turned his head slightly and coldly warned, "Remember your words today. If you betray me, I promise your deaths will be as painful as possible."
"Understood."
Feeling the chilling aura emanating from Natsuhane, Kaijin and Kaisei shivered involuntarily, but they also breathed a sigh of relief. With Natsuhane stepping up, at least they wouldn't die today.
"Be careful, Natsuhane," Honoka clung to Natsuhane's hand, her face full of concern.
Natsuhane gently stroked her cheek, smiling, "Don't worry. Give me a few seconds."
"Haha, looks like these two youngsters are a couple! Boys, go get them. Throw the man to the sharks and keep the woman! Whoever catches her first can have his way with her!"
The leading bald pirate shouted, and his underlings, eager for blood, charged at Natsuhane with their tridents.
"Hmph…" Natsuhane raised his hands, forming hand seals with such speed that Honoka could barely follow.
"Natsuhane, I didn't know your fingers could move so fast…"
"He's a ninja? Be careful, everyone!"
Seeing Natsuhane's hand seals, the leading pirates halted, watching cautiously to see what jutsu he would perform. But nothing happened.
"Hahaha! I knew it! There are no ninjas in the Land of the Sea. This kid is just pretending!"
"Damn it! Kill him!"
Feeling deceived, the pirates' rage intensified. Just then, a deafening roar came from the harbor behind them.
"Boom!"
The sound was overwhelming, shaking the entire island. Everyone turned to see the row of pirate ships anchored at the shore being dragged into the sea by an unseen force, disappearing without a trace.
"Our ships! What's happening?"
The pirates were stunned. A scrawny pirate noticed Natsuhane's expression and voice trembling, "B-brothers, could it be that kid?"
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive fireball erupted from Natsuhane's mouth, its appearance striking fear into everyone's hearts.
"What the hell? Is that a Great Fireball?"
"This isn't ninjutsu! It's a disaster!"
In the face of the giant fireball, there was no escape. The front-line pirates were incinerated into ashes, and the fireball continued rolling forward, leaving a trail of destruction.
Seeing no other choice, the remaining pirates prepared to counter the fireball with all their might.
"Water Release: Water Wall!"
They formed a massive water wall, hoping to extinguish the fireball. The clash produced a vast cloud of steam, and for a moment, it seemed like the fire was out.
"Phew…"
Just as the pirates began to relax, the sound of rolling fireballs came again.
"Fire Release: Consecutive Great Fireballs!"
A series of fireballs pierced through the steam, barreling toward the pirates.
"Damn it! Again?"
The pirates were utterly hopeless. As ninjas, they were familiar with Fire Release, but they had never seen such powerful and deadly fire jutsu before.
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