Mochizuki Hui's words left the Third Mizukage with a dark expression, though Ōnoki and the others remained unfazed.
Kill an ally? Ha! What ally?
"Heh, fitting for the Konoha's Ghost, moving through this battlefield as silently as a ghost," the Third Kazekage said, his previous underestimation of Hui replaced by wary respect.
"I warned you all—this kid is slippery. But it doesn't matter. By the end of today, the Konoha's Ghost will be no more," Ōnoki declared coldly, his killing intent sharp as a sword. He was determined to ensure that Mochizuki Hui would not leave here alive.
Hui, however, didn't even glance in their direction. His gaze was fixed on the Third Mizukage.
At that moment, the Third Mizukage, supported by his subordinates, looked pale and shaken.
Hui's ambush had been swift and brutal. Despite the Mizukage's attempt to dodge, he'd still taken a Rasengan to the back, leaving him severely injured and effectively out of the fight.
"Why haven't you left with your subordinates yet?" Hui asked, addressing the Mizukage. "Didn't you notice? Ōnoki and the others were ready to kill you along with me just a moment ago."
The Third Mizukage's face darkened. He knew all too well that he'd nearly been collateral damage.
He'd seen how Ōnoki had set a similar trap for Ay, and he'd been prepared to do the same to him. Ironically, it turned out he was the real fool here.
"Leave? Why would I leave? I've seen your future, Konoha's Ghost—and it's death. I'll witness your end myself," the Mizukage replied icily.
"Tsk, tsk. How foolish," Hui mocked, his tone laced with sarcasm. "Do you honestly believe that if I die here, they'll spare you? You're injured and this battlefield is isolated. They could kill you, blame it on our battle, and everyone would believe it. Do you think you can walk away safely when the three of them decide to turn on you?"
Hui's words, combined with his mocking gaze, drove his point home.
"Hmph! You're trying to sow discord between us right in front of us?" the Third Kazekage scoffed. "No matter what you say, we're allies here, and we only have one enemy: you."
Ōnoki and Ay said nothing, neither affirming nor denying the Kazekage's statement. In truth, no one present actually believed in this fragile alliance. Hui's words had merely revealed what they already knew.
The Third Mizukage's expression grew even darker. He understood the reality of the situation. If Hui died here, he, weakened as he was, would likely be the next target.
It wasn't difficult to imagine. If it were one of them injured and vulnerable, he knew he'd act in the same way.
"Hmph. Almost believed them for a second there," he muttered, then turned to his subordinates, teeth clenched. "We're leaving!"
He chose to retreat, unwilling to trust this alliance's paper-thin loyalty any further.
As he led the Mist ninjas away, the remaining shinobi from various villages let them go without a word. Losing the Third Mizukage might weaken their collective power, but it also meant one less rival vying for the spoils of Whirlpool Village.
With the barrier around Whirlpool Village broken, nothing could stop them now.
Not long after, one-fifth of the shinobi forces present had departed, including one Kage-level ninja, two elite Jōnin, and eight Jōnin. A formidable force anywhere in the ninja world—but ultimately, just one-fifth of the assembled army.
Clap, clap, clap!
The sound of applause drew everyone's attention.
It was the Third Kazekage. He looked at Mochizuki Hui with grudging admiration.
"The Konoha's Ghost truly lives up to his reputation. We'd heard tales not only of your strength but of your cunning.
"Today, you've proven it. One surprise attack, a few words, and you've weakened us by a fifth."
But his voice grew cold. "However, we won't let you pull that off again. Ōnoki, you wanted to kill the Konoha's Ghost, didn't you? Let's end this."
He gestured to Ōnoki, clearly intending to corner Hui together.
"We shouldn't have wasted our time talking. Should've gone after him from the start," Ay said, his tone frustrated.
Yet, despite his words, he hadn't actually taken any action so far. And now, once again, he spoke but didn't move.
Ōnoki sighed inwardly.
This so-called alliance was fragile to the core, on the brink of falling apart at any moment. This was precisely why Hui had so easily sown discord and driven the Third Mizukage away.
If possible, Ōnoki would've preferred they split up and moved independently. But Hui's sudden assault earlier had left him uneasy.
He was truly afraid. He feared that if this boy grew any stronger, he might become another Madara Uchiha.
In Mochizuki Hui, Ōnoki saw the same terrifying potential.
This boy had to die.
"Let's finish him together, then," Ōnoki said, clasping his hands together as he prepared to activate Dust Release.
The Third Kazekage's iron sand reappeared behind him, floating ominously in the air, ready to attack at a moment's notice.
As for Ay, he still hesitated to engage in close combat. Taijutsu was his specialty, but getting close to Hui meant risking becoming collateral damage from Ōnoki and the Kazekage's attacks. After all, his allies posed just as much danger as Hui.
"If it were one-on-one, I might humor you a bit. But three-on-one? You'll have to play without me," Hui said, turning sharply as if to run.
"!!!"
The three shinobi were momentarily stunned.
Was this the same arrogant Konoha's Ghost who'd declared he'd take them all down?
Was this the same Mochizuki Hui who'd driven off the Third Mizukage with just a few sentences?
This speed, this urgency in his escape… was this really the same person?
"Trying to flee, are you? Everyone else, stick to the original plan. The three of us will pursue him!" Ōnoki shouted. This was a rare opportunity, and there was no way he would let Hui slip away.
"Don't hesitate! Do you really want to face another 'God of Shinobi' someday?" he barked at Ay and the Third Kazekage, growing anxious as he watched Hui put distance between them.
Ay and the Third Kazekage's faces hardened.
"Everyone else, stay on task. We're going after him!" they commanded, and with that, the three of them set off in pursuit of Mochizuki Hui.
As Hui ran, he could sense the three Kage-level shinobi closing in behind him, and a small smile played at the corner of his mouth.
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