Traitor

It was just that his Hashirama Senju version of Wood Release had been replaced!!!

What kind of reason was that???

Fortunately, on top of Yamato's Wood Release, he had been given the Lava Release Kekkei Genkai.

Lava Release was a Kekkei Genkai combining the fire and earth attributes. Chiba remembered that in the original Naruto, the Four-Tails Son Gokū and its Jinchūriki, Roshi, both used Lava Release.

Even though he had lost Hashirama's version of Wood Release, he at least had Yamato's version and Lava Release as consolation. But first, he had to master the earth-attribute Chakra transformation.

So... had he become the Four-Tails' Jinchūriki... or Admiral Akainu?

Or a future unscrupulous real estate developer?

"My lord, you're awake?" At that moment, a young man in a black robe walked in from outside and spoke with a respectful expression.

His voice brought Chiba back to his senses. Chiba looked around at the bedding, which was filled with a young woman's fragrance, and was a little stunned.

He had clearly fallen asleep sitting on a stool. Even if he woke up, he should have been lying on the ground, right? So why... was he in bed now?

Could it be?

The black-robed young man seemed to notice Chiba's confusion and smiled. "Early this morning, Lady Ultear instructed me to carry you to bed, my lord. The rebels in Lute Town seem to know we've arrived, and they've already sent someone to negotiate with Lady Ultear."

"Negotiate?" Chiba jumped out of bed. "Where are they negotiating?"

"Outside the tent, my lord. We've already confronted the people from Shadow Skull."

"You can go out first." Chiba gestured for him to leave.

The black-robed young man bowed and walked out of the tent.

"Shadow Clone Technique!"

Chiba created two Shadow Clones.

"What do you want with your big brothers?" a Shadow Clone asked with a carefree air.

Chiba glanced at them, seemingly at a loss for words, then instructed them, "Number One, keep studying earth-attribute shape transformation. Number Two, continue learning Fire Dragon Flame Bullet."

"Please don't call us by code names. I'm Dazhu Uchiha, and he's Second Pillar Uchiha. We're Shadow Clones with dignity, so please respect us, thank you..."

"...I really want to slap you two..."

"If you dare, I'll report you the next time we see Mira. Not only are you not dead, but you've also been flirting with a pretty girl, shamelessly calling her 'big sis' every day."

"Exactly. You sound so affectionate, too. As your clone, I'm ashamed of my existence."

"Ptui! Scumbag!"

"Bullshit! I wasn't flirting!"

"You think we, the people's police, would believe that crap?"

Chiba slapped him apart.

Then he made another one.

"Don't doubt it, I'm still me. We brothers already discussed it, and they're letting me be today's clone. Don't doubt your bro's ability to control the thread." The Shadow Clone continued to chatter.

Chiba's head was about to explode. He glared fiercely at them and said, "Cut the crap and study hard, both of you!"

"Sure thing, dear. We're not idiots like you, dear..."

Chiba stumbled and nearly fell.

He walked out of the tent and looked around. Almost all the tents had been taken down, and this seemed to be the only one still standing.

Not far away, two groups of black-robed people faced off. Their respective leaders seemed to be negotiating something, but the people on both sides appeared to dislike each other, and they were only a step away from coming to blows.

Chiba slipped into the crowd.

"So you're saying you don't intend to give our territory back to us?" Surrounded by the crowd, Ultear spoke with a gloomy expression.

"Now, don't put it like that, Lady Ultear." A thin young man stood opposite Ultear. He smiled nonchalantly. "I've made myself perfectly clear. We'll hand the traitor over to you, and this town will belong to Shadow Skull. We're both members of the Balam Alliance. Even if Grimoire Heart is known as the strongest, we shouldn't be fighting among ourselves, should we?"

As he spoke, he kicked a person who was kneeling on the ground, bound with iron chains.

"Puroke, after I put so much trust in Shadow Skull, you beasts! You tricked me into switching sides in the middle of battle, and now that the hare is dead, you're cooking the hound!"

The disheveled figure on the ground glared red-eyed at the man behind him and cursed angrily.

Puroke put on a regretful expression. "I'm terribly sorry, but those were the master's orders. After all, even our guild doesn't want to confront Grimoire Heart head-on. Only an idiot like you would believe us and actually commit treason. Tsk, tsk..."

"You!"

He wanted to say more, but the mage named Sawen on Ultear's side pointed a finger, sending a streak of dark light through his chest.

"A traitor... has no need to stay alive..."

He spoke indifferently, as though he had done something insignificant.

Ultear's gaze remained calm. "I told you, we're determined to take this town. If Shadow Skull wants war, Grimoire Heart will see it through to the end."

"As expected of someone already chosen for the 'Seven Kin of Purgatory.' That kind of resolve isn't something just anyone has."

"But what a shame. Since Lady Ultear can't see our sincerity, then... let's go to war..."

As Puroke's words fell, the people on both sides began to stir.

"Attack!"

Sawen took the lead and charged straight into the opposing crowd.

The two sides officially went to war!

Chiba: "???"

They called this a fucking negotiation?

So it was just two strokes across and one down: if you didn't like it, you fought?!

As expected of dark guilds. Sigh, a bunch of violent thugs.

Couldn't they learn from him and be civilized people who used words instead of fists?

Boom!

A magic missile flew in from somewhere and struck Chiba right in the forehead.

"Fuck! Who the fuck wants to dance?!"

The idiot flew into a rage on the spot, pulled out a Kunai, and joined the battle.

The battle between the two sides had reached a fever pitch. Just then, Puroke's lips curled up, and he shouted, "What are you waiting for?!"

His words immediately startled Ultear, who had been fighting him all along. Then a familiar figure came into her view.

"Sorry about this, Lady Ultear!" Qiaote smiled coldly, then pulled a book from his robes, placed it on the ground, and spread it open.

Ultear reacted quickly, sending a Free Ball flying straight at Qiaote. It struck him and sent him flying.

"Qiaote, are you planning to betray Grimoire Heart?" Her expression darkened somewhat.

Thinking back to Puroke's words, it was highly likely that this guy was acting on his orders!

Qiaote struggled to his feet, a sinister smile spreading across his face. "Lady Ultear, you forced me to do this. If you hadn't insisted on protecting that brat, how could I have betrayed Grimoire Heart?"