Chapter 161: Stealing in Passing (Part 1)
"Baishi... You're Baishi?"
With just one glance, Yamamoto Kiyoi recognized Baishi's identity.
It was hard not to. Baishi's reputation preceded him.
Not only was he a S-rank rogue ninja from Konoha, but he was also a high-value target listed on the black market.
Both Iwagakure and Kirigakure had placed bounties on his head, willing to pay a fortune for him dead or alive.
As an experienced jōnin of Iwagakure, Yamamoto naturally kept tabs on high-profile criminals. It took only a moment for him to identify Baishi.
However, recognition did not bring him any comfort. Instead, a wave of unease surged within him.
Baishi's feats were infamous. Yamamoto knew there was no chance he could match someone of Baishi's caliber in a fight, and his unease quickly turned into a realization.
Without hesitation, Yamamoto issued a command.
"Retreat!"
His two subordinates wasted no time, pivoting on their heels and preparing to flee alongside him.
But Baishi wasn't about to let them off so easily.
"Since you're here, you might as well stay," he said calmly.
Even as he spoke, Baishi unleashed a subsonic wave jutsu.
Yamamoto and his team felt a sudden, excruciating contraction in their chests. Within moments, they collapsed to the ground, gasping in pain.
Unlike Cangshi, however, they weren't rendered unconscious immediately. Yamamoto, in particular, mustered enough strength to speak.
"W-what kind of jutsu... is this?" he managed to choke out, his voice trembling.
Baishi merely shook his head in mild disappointment. "Don't bother pretending. You don't stand a chance."
Realizing his facade was useless, Yamamoto gathered what strength he had left to launch a desperate counterattack.
Yet, as soon as he tried to rise, a sharper, more intense wave of pain coursed through his chest.
"Urgh—"
A mouthful of blood spilled from Yamamoto's lips, and he collapsed fully, his consciousness fading.
Baishi appeared beside him in a flash, gripping his neck. Activating Energy Absorption, he quickly drained Yamamoto's chakra reserves.
It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.
Snap!
With a swift motion, Baishi broke Yamamoto's neck, dropping the limp body to the ground.
Turning to the remaining two shinobi, Baishi found them writhing on the ground, barely able to move. Unlike Yamamoto, they lacked the resilience to resist the subsonic wave.
Baishi showed no mercy. After draining their chakra, he ended their lives just as swiftly.
Standing amidst the aftermath, Baishi glanced at his system panel.
[Chakra: 43 points]
"How long has it been since I've been this low on chakra..." Baishi muttered to himself.
Typically, even during intense battles or moments of self-improvement, he would never let his chakra reserves dip below 100 points. Falling below this threshold left him feeling vulnerable.
Now, with just 43 points remaining, he was undeniably at his weakest.
Sealing the extradimensional space had demanded an extraordinary amount of chakra—not just from him but also from the Nine-Tails.
Shaking his head, Baishi turned, intending to leave.
But then, a familiar surge of chakra entered his perception, stopping him in his tracks.
"Wait... Is that... tailed beast chakra?"
Baishi's eyes lit up with a mix of surprise and delight as he turned his gaze toward the source.
On the distant horizon, a figure was rapidly approaching. Clad in a crimson armored cloak and wearing a wide-brimmed hat, the individual moved with incredible speed.
The ground shook faintly with each step, and a rhythmic, steam-like hiss accompanied their movements.
"Han..."
The realization hit Baishi immediately.
The figure was none other than Han, Iwagakure's Five-Tails Jinchūriki.
Having housed the Five-Tails, Kokuō, within him since childhood, Han had honed his control over the tailed beast's power over many years. Though he had yet to achieve perfect synchronization, he was still a fearsome warrior, renowned as the Steam Ninja.
Baishi's mind raced as he recalled the Five-Tails' abilities.
The beast specialized in steam release, using it to amplify its host's physical strength and speed to extraordinary levels. The Five-Tails had been powerful enough to injure the Eight-Tails, and Han himself had once launched Naruto—while in his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode—flying with a single kick.
However, Baishi wasn't overly concerned.
His body's durability and strength had reached a point where, while Han's attacks might hurt, they wouldn't easily incapacitate him.
Moreover, Han's steam-boosted power came in bursts rather than sustained use. If Baishi could weather the storm, he stood a solid chance of winning.
Worst-case scenario, he could always escape using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
Weighing the pros and cons, Baishi smirked.
The opportunity to capture another tailed beast—one that would alleviate the strain on the Nine-Tails—was too good to pass up.
Before confronting Han, Baishi decided to gather additional chakra.
His gaze shifted to the remaining Iwa-nin scattered on the mountainside and at its base.
"They'll do nicely."
Vanishing in a blur, Baishi descended upon the remaining shinobi.
---
Just moments later, at the mountain's base, Baishi released Cangshi's lifeless body, having drained the last of his chakra.
In the distance, Han, now fully aware of Baishi's presence, surged forward like a locomotive.
Baishi stood his ground, unmoving, as Han barreled toward him.
The confidence in Baishi's stance unnerved Han.
He had already recognized Baishi from afar, knowing full well the rogue ninja's infamy.
"Someone this calm must have a plan," Han murmured to himself, tightening his focus.
But his hesitation didn't slow his charge. If Baishi was prepared, so was he.
As the two closed the gap, Han activated his steam armor, a torrent of superheated vapor erupting around him. His speed and power surged dramatically.
At this range, Baishi had no time to dodge—unless he teleported. But he chose to stay.
Boom!
The collision sent Baishi flying backward, his body slamming into the mountainside with a deafening crash.
Before the dust could settle, Han launched himself forward once more, his body shrouded in a dense, fiery aura of tailed beast chakra.
The Five-Tails' horns manifested atop his head as he charged, aiming to skewer Baishi.
The attack struck true.
Han's horned assault pierced through Baishi's chest, drawing a spurt of blood.
But as Baishi coughed, his lips curling into a smile, Han froze.
"Why... are you smiling?" Han muttered, his instincts screaming that something was amiss.
(Chapter End)
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