Twists and Turns

"When was Konoha's Border Outpost attacked? We of the Hidden Mist know nothing about this." Suikazan Fuguki swept a glance over Kakashi and said flatly, "For now, you should hand him over to us. They stole secrets from our village. This matter is of vital importance to the Hidden Mist, and we cannot allow Konoha to take them away!"

"As for the attack on your Border Outpost, I will return and report it to the Fourth Mizukage. Once we have investigated it thoroughly, we will inform Konoha. However, I ask that everyone from Konoha refrain from pinning baseless accusations on the Hidden Mist!"

"Even if they are rogue ninja, they stole secrets from the village. There is no way they would attack Konoha's Border Outpost at such a critical time. You must have investigated the wrong people!"

"Konoha helped us capture rogue ninja, and afterward, I will report to the Fourth Mizukage and offer you some compensation! But for a matter that concerns the situation of the Shinobi World, I hope everyone from Konoha will investigate carefully! Though Konoha is powerful, the Hidden Mist is not to be bullied!" Suikazan Fuguki spoke in an indifferent tone, turning the accusation back on Konoha.

Could Konoha just declare something baseless and have it become the truth?

He had already secretly instructed his subordinates to prepare. If these Konoha Anbu refused to see reason, then... they could only be left here!

Such things happened often enough in the Shinobi World. Even if they killed Konoha's Anbu here, as long as there was no conclusive evidence, Konoha would never start another great shinobi war over this alone!

Suikazan Fuguki was already thoroughly familiar with this sort of thing. If these few Konoha Anbu dared to refuse, he would have no reservations about attacking them directly!

As long as everything was handled properly and no evidence was left behind, even if Konoha suspected them, it could do nothing to the Hidden Mist without proof!

"Bullshit!" Hearing Suikazan Fuguki's words, Asuma's anger immediately flared as he glared coldly at him.

Anger also flashed through Shisui and Kakashi's eyes.

Suikazan Fuguki's words were simply twisted logic, and there was a faint threat hidden within them...

That much was obvious from the other Hidden Mist ninja, who had subtly begun surrounding the four of them. If they dared to refuse, those people would absolutely attack without hesitation!

Kakashi saw the situation as well. But as Konoha ninja, for the sake of protecting Konoha's reputation, could they simply retreat and release their prisoners? Impossible!

He said coldly, "They are already rogue ninja from your village, and they attacked Konoha. The evidence is conclusive. You have no right to interfere with our actions!"

"Then there is nothing left to discuss. You people from Konoha are suspected of stealing Hidden Mist secrets. Even if Konoha's Fourth Hokage were here, he would not be allowed to leave so easily! Attack!" Suikazan Fuguki gave a cold smile, casually dumping the blame on them before issuing an order to all his subordinates.

Of course, that was just talk. If the Fourth Hokage were truly here, he would not even dare come over...

But he had no fear of these few Konoha Anbu before him!

With a sharp whoosh, the Hidden Mist ninja who had already vaguely surrounded Yei and the other three launched their attacks at the four of them at Suikazan Fuguki's command!

"Water Release: Hiding in Mist Technique!"

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

"Water Release: Water Shark Bullet Technique!"

"Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"

"..."

All kinds of Water Release ninjutsu erupted at once, surging toward Yei and the others!

Seeing that they had attacked without any restraint, Kakashi's expression darkened. However, his reaction was swift. His hands formed seals rapidly before he pressed them to the ground. "Earth Release: Multiple Earth Flow Wall!"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The ground suddenly began to tremble. Then several walls bearing dog heads rose in a fan-shaped formation before them, blocking the incoming Water Release attacks.

However, faced with Water Release attacks from seven ninja, those earth walls could only hold for a moment.

"Retreat!" Kakashi shouted to the other three. He hoisted Biwa Juzo onto his shoulder and darted away from his position.

Yei and the other two also left their original positions in the next instant.

With the Multiple Earth Flow Wall buying them time, Yei and the others had more than enough time to retreat.

"Leave Biwa Juzo behind!" Over there, Chakra covered Suikazan Fuguki's feet as he stood atop the waves. His gaze locked onto Kakashi, and with a kick, he shot toward him.

He held the bandage-wrapped greatsword on his back in his hand. As the bandages unraveled, they revealed a dark-blue blade covered in barbs.

This blade was called Samehada. It could absorb an opponent's Chakra and channel the absorbed Chakra into its wielder's body!

"Kakashi-senpai, be careful!" Seeing Suikazan Fuguki move, Shisui's eyes narrowed. Green flames ignited around him once again, and the phantom of a green skeleton took shape. He used the Body Flicker Technique to rush forward, swinging the skeleton arm and slamming its palm down!

"Hm?" Suikazan Fuguki's expression tightened as he sensed a fierce gust of wind from the side. Turning his head, he saw a skeleton arm crashing down and immediately shifted his focus to deal with it.

Samehada rose before him, writhing like a living creature.

Boom!

Suikazan Fuguki was slapped down from the air. His legs braced against the ground, instantly leaving a massive crater beneath his feet.

"What the hell is that?" Using Samehada as a buffer, Suikazan Fuguki had not been injured despite being swatted down. He merely looked at Shisui with an odd expression.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!" Shisui did not relent. Forming seals with both hands, he puffed out his chest and spat out a massive ball of flame.

The blazing fireball streaked forward, trailing flames behind it.

"Ninjutsu is useless against me!" Facing the incoming Great Fireball Technique, Suikazan Fuguki sneered. He swung Samehada down at the fireball and smashed it apart in one blow.

Samehada could absorb Chakra. Most ninjutsu posed no threat to him!

"That is Samehada, one of the Seven Ninja Swords! It can absorb the Chakra in ninjutsu! Shisui, don't use ninjutsu!" Yei was fighting a Hidden Mist ninja and took a moment to shout toward Shisui.

"You still dare let your attention wander while fighting me?" The Hidden Mist ninja battling Yei was a Jonin-level fighter. His attacks were sharp and fierce, and he showed no disadvantage whatsoever against Yei's Gentle Fist.

He flung out shuriken to force Yei back, then quickly formed seals. "Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"

Splash!

An endless torrent poured from his mouth, gathering into a massive current that crashed through the surroundings like a waterfall and swept toward Yei!

"Rotation!" After landing, Yei's body suddenly spun. Chakra burst from within him and formed a circular shield, directly deflecting the rushing water away.

Steadying himself, Chakra surged through Yei's body. Lightning stimulated his cells, abruptly boosting his speed. He launched forward with Soru, and amid a chorus of chirping, lightning rapidly gathered in his right hand and extended into a blade of thunder!

"Chidori Sharp Spear!" Yei darted forward with terrifying speed, reaching the Mist Jonin in an instant. Seeing the Jonin attempt to evade, he gave a cold smile and formed a one-handed seal. "Lightning Release Seal: Beak Thrust Three Flash!"

Threads of lightning intertwined, outlining three sharp, beak-like bolts that "bit" around the Jonin's waist. The electricity paralyzed his movements, causing his body to stiffen.

Damn it. The Jonin inwardly cried out in alarm, bursting forth with Chakra as he tried to break free.

But Yei had planned for this long ago. How could he possibly let him escape?

Moreover, this man was even weaker than the two Jonin Yei had encountered at the border. How could he be a match for the now even stronger Yei?

Before he could reach the utmost state, Yei swung the Chidori Sharp Spear in his hand, directly severing the Jonin's head...