Chapter 81: The End
Below the central peak, the surviving Mist ninjas struggled to regain their footing. The aftershocks from Baishi's relentless attacks left them dazed and battered, crashing into the trees scattered around the battlefield.
Seizing the opportunity, Baishi launched a flurry of attacks with the Flying Thunder God Technique, targeting the injured Mist ninjas. Within moments, he mercifully ended their suffering.
Now, only three Mist ninjas remained, including Daikura Rikuo.
Realizing his plan to turn the tables had failed and cost more lives, Daikura clenched his teeth and barked a command:
"Split up and run!"
Without hesitation, he leapt onto a tree branch and disappeared into the dense forest.
The two remaining Mist jonin exchanged a glance before scattering in opposite directions, following their commander's lead.
Baishi watched their retreating figures, a cold smirk playing on his lips. He wiped the blood from his kunai with a casual flick, leaving a crimson streak on the ground.
"Run if you want. It won't matter."
With a single step, Baishi vanished, the Flying Thunder God Technique propelling him toward Daikura Rikuo.
---
In the Forest
Daikura sprinted through the dense forest, branches whipping against his face. His chakra reserves were dangerously low, but survival instincts drove him forward.
Glancing over his shoulder and seeing no pursuers, he allowed himself a momentary sigh of relief.
But the instant he turned back, his heart sank.
Standing directly in his path was Baishi, arms crossed, an amused expression on his face.
Daikura skidded to a halt, but it was too late.
With a flick of his wrist, Baishi unleashed Wood Style: Silent Strangling Binding, sending dark green vines surging toward Daikura.
Caught off guard, Daikura barely had time to raise his hands before the vines ensnared him, binding him tightly.
Unable to move, his chakra suppressed, Daikura glared at Baishi.
"You're unlucky, it seems," Baishi taunted, stepping closer.
Daikura, defiant despite his predicament, gritted his teeth. "What do you want, Baishi?"
Baishi didn't bother responding. With a swift motion, he placed his palm on Daikura's head and unleashed a flurry of sealing techniques: Curse Mark of Binding, Seal of Absolute Silence, and Flying Thunder God Marker.
Satisfied, Baishi grinned. "You'll be useful later."
To ensure Daikura couldn't pose a threat, Baishi followed up with the Mind Reading Technique, diving into the jonin's memories.
Moments later, Baishi pulled his hand away, his eyes glinting with new information. Daikura slumped forward, unconscious but alive.
A flicker of chakra later, Baishi teleported Daikura back to his hideout, locking him away with the other prisoners.
---
Finishing the Hunt
It didn't take long for Baishi to track down the remaining Mist jonin. Armed with the information gleaned from Daikura's memories, he systematically ambushed and eliminated them.
With the Mist forces annihilated, Baishi turned his attention to the scattered Cloud and Leaf ninjas.
The small island provided little room to hide, and with the Flying Thunder God Technique, Baishi methodically hunted them down.
Within an hour, the battle was over.
The Cloud ninjas, save for Daikura's counterpart, Aokan Kaito, who had been captured alive, were wiped out.
A handful of Leaf ninjas managed to escape thanks to the initial chaos of their arrival, but Baishi wasn't concerned. He suspected they would spread word of his exploits—perhaps even attracting Orochimaru's attention.
"A meeting with Orochimaru could be... fruitful," Baishi mused as he teleported back to the island's central peak.
---
Aftermath
At the central peak, Baishi reappeared near a group of surviving pirates.
The ragtag group flinched at his sudden arrival.
"The battle is over. Things go back to normal," Baishi announced, his tone flat.
Without waiting for a response, he disappeared again.
The pirates exchanged uneasy glances. Their numbers had been decimated—only ten of them remained from the original group.
Though they resented Baishi for the losses they had suffered, they knew better than to voice their grievances. Survival was their only priority now.
Unintentionally, Baishi's callousness kindled a newfound determination among the pirates.
"If we want to survive the next time... we need to get stronger."
---
Central Peak
Baishi returned to the hot springs near his hideout.
Before he could settle, one of his most loyal subordinates, Kamimura Takashi, approached him cautiously.
"Master, is it over?"
Baishi gave a tired nod. "Yes. Everything's settled. Go back to your duties."
Takashi bowed and retreated, leaving Baishi alone with his thoughts.
The weight of the day's carnage pressed heavily on his mind. He had killed countless ninjas in rapid succession—far more than he had ever imagined himself capable of.
The heat of battle had numbed him at the time, but now, in the quiet of the aftermath, the reality sank in.
Baishi sighed deeply and retreated to his meditation chamber.
But try as he might, he couldn't quiet his mind. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the faces of those he had slain.
"Damn it... My heart isn't steady," he muttered, standing abruptly.
Unable to find solace in meditation, Baishi headed for the hot spring.
Slipping into the steaming waters, he let the warmth ease his muscles. The gentle breeze carried the scent of saltwater, mixing with the earthy aroma of the spring.
For the first time in what felt like ages, Baishi allowed himself to relax.
The exhaustion of the day's events finally caught up to him, and before long, he drifted into a deep, dreamless sleep.
(End of Chapter)