While chatting and laughing, the five of them had already left the Land of Taki and returned to the borders of the Land of Fire.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
A sudden explosion erupted nearby, forcing the group to halt and assess the situation.
"Enemy attack," Minato said solemnly, his eyes narrowing. "Be careful. It's likely those hired ninjas again."
They hadn't sensed any hostile presence earlier, indicating the enemy's skill in hiding their chakra.
"East side, three people. West side, two people. Directly in front, one person!" Aburame Kan reported. "Six attackers in total. Looks like we're being targeted again," he added, smirking at the irony.
Earning a bounty high enough to appear on the black market spoke volumes about their strength. Only those who knew they couldn't win would go to a money exchange to issue a bounty.
"Get ready for combat. Reiki, I know your capabilities. You and Nozuki should be able to handle one or two attackers. As team leader, I authorize you both to engage in this mission. Now, go!" Minato ordered, dashing off into the fray.
Akimichi Choza and Aburame Kan flanked Reiki.
"Reiki, I need a potion!" Choza said.
"Give me more explosive tags," Kan added.
"And this kunai... I need some of these," Choza continued.
After completing their quick shopping, the two vanished into the battlefield.
"Nozuki, two attackers are heading our way. Follow my lead, and we'll give Brother Minato a surprise," Reiki said with a mischievous grin.
"Got it," Nozuki replied, nodding. She trusted Reiki completely, both from their shared team experiences and this mission.
"They're here! Nozuki, now!" Reiki commanded, drawing his large sword, Haunted by Evil Spirits, and charging forward.
The enemy ninja was momentarily stunned by the sight of a medical ninja charging with such a massive weapon. Instinctively, he raised his kunai to block, but it was no match for Reiki's powerful strike, and he was sent skidding back.
This ninja was no amateur; he was a Jonin who had survived the Great Ninja War. Realizing Reiki was more formidable than he appeared, he quickly changed tactics.
Dozens of kunai adorned with explosive tags were launched, while the Jonin completed a rapid series of hand seals.
"Lightning Release: Thunderstorm!"
A wave of lightning surged toward Reiki with lethal force.
"ROOM: Slaughterhouse!" Reiki shouted, activating the power of the Op-Op Fruit. In an instant, he swapped positions with the Jonin.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The kunai explosion and the lightning technique combined, engulfing the Jonin in the blast.
"Ding!"
A second ninja lunged at Reiki with a kunai, but Reiki blocked the strike with his sword.
"Impressive. No wonder you're worth 1,200 million taels. You've earned it," the ninja sneered before unleashing a new jutsu.
"Lightning Release: Blue Lightning!"
A bolt of blue lightning struck the spot where Reiki stood, only for his form to dissipate into a puff of smoke, leaving the large sword embedded in the ground.
"A shadow clone?" The Jonin frowned. "Using such a cumbersome weapon... it's just for show. It's not practical."
The hired ninja reached out to grab the sword.
"Om..."
A wave of malevolent energy emanated from the weapon, making the Jonin feel as though a monstrous presence loomed before him. The mental shock froze him momentarily.
"Slice!"
Reiki's real form appeared behind him, Murasame in hand, piercing through the Jonin's chest.
"Buried," Reiki whispered.
The cursed blade ensured the Jonin's silence as life faded from his eyes.
"Didn't even need to use any one-time items to kill a Jonin. Even if it was an ambush, this proves how much stronger I've become," Reiki said confidently. It felt a bit underhanded, but in the ninja world, anything went.
Meanwhile, Nozuki was struggling against her own Jonin opponent.
Reiki pulled his sword from the ground and dashed to her side.
"Treat!" He placed his hands on Nozuki, infusing her with healing energy and boosting her recovery within moments.
"Back at it!" Nozuki yelled, charging at the Jonin with renewed energy. Knowing Reiki had her back was her greatest strength.
Each time Nozuki struggled, Reiki's shadow clone would step in, intercepting attacks and healing her. The cycle repeated, wearing down their opponent.
After an hour, the Jonin's confidence had waned. He was battered and bruised, unable to understand how his opponent kept coming back stronger each time.
"When fighting, never get distracted!" Nozuki shouted, landing a powerful punch that sent the Jonin flying.
It was no ordinary punch—she was Tsunade's disciple, after all. The impact left an explosion in its wake.
"That... was from the explosive tag I placed on him earlier," Nozuki said with a grin. With Reiki's support, she had just taken down a Jonin by herself. It was a moment of pride.
"Reiki, wasn't that amazing—"
Before she could finish, a sudden arm appeared from nowhere, striking her and sending her sprawling.
A second arm lashed out toward Reiki.
"Splash!"
Reiki reacted instantly, slashing with Murasame and drawing blood. The arm fell limp.
An angry roar erupted from the distance, and Reiki recognized the voice immediately.
>>>>>
Up to Chapter 440 available on Patreon.com/c/GGFanfiction :)
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