Chapter 75: The Gathering of Three Forces
Moon Island.
In the crescent-shaped natural harbor, the Mist Village's warship rested at anchor.
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Aboard the Ship.
Two Mist squads remained on guard along the ship's sides. Though they feigned vigilance, their demeanor betrayed a growing complacency.
After all, over an hour had passed since they docked. If danger existed, it would have already shown itself.
What they had forgotten, however, was Murphy's Law: if something can go wrong, it inevitably will.
Far beyond their sight in the deep ocean, over a hundred "half-mermen" and "mermen" steadily approached the ship.
These weren't ordinary sea creatures but Konoha's amphibious ninja unit. Their mission was clear: sabotage the warship and eliminate as many Mist ninjas as possible.
Initially, the unit had considered abandoning the mission when they discovered Okura Riku's reinforcements, which rendered a direct confrontation unfeasible.
But Moon Island's sudden appearance gave them a strategic opportunity.
With the Mist forces divided between the island and the warship, Konoha's amphibious forces saw their chance.
All they needed was to eliminate the guards on the ship and destroy the vessel. This would effectively trap the Mist ninjas on the island.
The distance between the two sides gradually closed. Once certain the warship was lightly defended, the leading "merman" issued a silent signal—a ripple of soundwaves spreading through the water.
The message was clear.
The amphibious forces split into smaller groups, each led by a "merman," forming a fan-shaped formation that encircled the ship.
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Meanwhile, on Moon Island.
Along the mountain path leading to the central peak, dozens of Mist ninjas hurried upward under Okura Riku's command.
At the summit, near the hot springs, the door to Baishi's dwelling suddenly swung open.
Out stepped Baishi, fully prepared for combat.
Ignoring Kamimura Takashi seated nearby, Baishi strode forward, pausing on the water's surface in the center of the hot spring.
Opening his senses, he extended his chakra detection across several kilometers. Immediately, he noted the Mist ninjas ascending the mountain path.
This group was larger and stronger than the last.
But Baishi remained unfazed.
To him, sheer numbers weren't a true advantage. Thanks to the Flying Thunder God Technique, he couldn't be surrounded.
This island was his domain. Over the past year, he had scattered countless Flying Thunder God markers across it, transforming the terrain into his personal hunting ground.
"Hm... Let's split them up first."
Muttering to himself, Baishi began a series of hand signs, channeling chakra into the hot spring.
Soon, dense white mist radiated from the water, spreading rapidly and blanketing the entire central peak.
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On the Mountain Path.
The advancing Mist ninjas halted, their senses on high alert as the thick fog enveloped them.
"This is... Mist Concealment Jutsu?" one of them muttered warily.
Indeed, it was the signature Mist technique—Water Release: Hidden Mist Jutsu—a skill Baishi had learned from Yumura Ki through his Mind Reading Technique.
Today was the first time he was deploying it in combat.
Suddenly, a scream pierced the silence from the rear of the formation.
"What's going on?!" another ninja shouted.
Before an answer could come, more cries erupted in quick succession.
Baishi, though lacking formal training in Mist Village's assassination techniques, possessed superhuman physical capabilities and a near-perfect Level IV Five Senses Enhancement nearing mastery. For him, stealth and assassination were child's play.
In just moments, he had slain or incapacitated over ten Mist ninjas—jonin and chunin alike. None were a match for him.
Had the Mist forces not been on guard against potential ambushes, his success would have been even more devastating.
"Such a shame," Baishi sighed softly as he retreated into the mist.
By now, the Mist ninjas had initiated countermeasures. Strong gusts of wind tore through the fog, dispersing it in their immediate surroundings.
They were clearly well-acquainted with their own village's signature jutsu.
Despite their efforts, the Mist ninjas had already suffered significant losses.
Okura Riku's expression darkened as he surveyed the dead and injured around him.
Before he could issue new orders, a signal flare erupted in the sky, drawing his attention.
"A distress signal?" he muttered, his face paling. "Everyone, return to the ship immediately!" he commanded, urgency clear in his voice.
The remaining Mist ninjas, now disheartened and wary, quickly abandoned the pursuit and retreated downhill.
Watching their hasty departure, Baishi smirked.
With a flash of his Flying Thunder God Technique, he teleported to the source of the signal flare.
Perched on a tree branch, Baishi observed the events unfolding in the crescent-shaped bay below.
"So it was a call for help," he deduced.
This realization explained Riku's swift withdrawal.
"But what are those 'mermen' and 'half-mermen'?" Baishi wondered as he watched the amphibious forces besiege the Mist warship.
The Mist's presence on the island didn't surprise him, but the arrival of Konoha's amphibious unit did.
"Could it just be a coincidence?"
After a moment's thought, he concluded that the odds were high. Given the ongoing conflict between Konoha and the Mist, it made sense for the amphibious forces to target Mist ninjas.
"This is getting interesting," Baishi murmured, preparing to resume his hunt of the Mist ninjas.
Just then, two more warships entered the bay, bearing the unmistakable markings of the Cloud Village.
The Cloud forces wasted no time. From the decks, their ninjas began scattering a mysterious substance into the water, targeting the "mermen" with evident precision.
"Ah, the mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind," Baishi mused, watching the turn of events.
A bold idea formed in his mind: if he could simultaneously suppress all three forces, he could resolve this situation permanently.
After a brief deliberation, he decided to act.
With another flash of the Flying Thunder God Technique, Baishi teleported to a position behind the Cloud warships.
As luck would have it, a marked fish was swimming nearby, giving him the perfect vantage point to attack.
"If you want to be the oriole, then I'll be the hawk. Let's see who prevails," he whispered.
With a flurry of hand signs, Baishi poured a massive amount of chakra into the surrounding seawater. Moments later, a towering water spout—the Water Release: Water Tornado Technique—erupted from the depths, roaring toward the Cloud warships like a natural disaster.
(End of Chapter)
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