Reinforcements

Asuma, the Inuzuka Clan's Jonin, and the Akimichi Clan's Jonin gradually turned grim, exchanging glances.

They were not surprised that Ingetsu had returned.

It was within their expectations.

Otherwise, Yager would not have survived until now. They were merely shocked that Ingetsu had arrived without a sound.

The Ninja Hound had issued no warning!

The Inuzuka had not caught the scent of danger!

What kind of person could conceal his presence to such an extent? If Yu Hyuga had not been beside them, they would likely have all dropped dead in that instant.

Asuma shifted his gaze away from Ingetsu.

He discreetly glanced at the beam overhead, raised his right hand to remove the cigarette from his mouth, casually tossed it aside, and naturally moved both hands toward the Ninja Tool Bag strapped to his leg.

Yu Hyuga's pupils widened, and his back turned cold.

His mind and Chakra had been controlled. He could not even make the slightest movement to create a disturbance or pass information to his teammates.

"You shouldn't have come back..."

Kurenai Yuhi's curled lashes trembled lightly. Her eyes shimmered as she gazed affectionately at Ingetsu, breathing rapidly as she murmured to herself.

The scene she feared most.

Had appeared without warning.

The atmosphere remained cold and silent.

Kurenai understood that she could not stop what was happening. Her heart sank as she grabbed the woman holding a child behind her. Her gaze shifted from worry to determination as it swept over Asuma and the others, and she said sternly:

"I'm withdrawing from this mission..."

She led the woman out of the wooden house.

In the corner, Doctor Nak knew this was his last chance in life to escape the wooden house. He decisively followed behind Kurenai toward the door.

Ingetsu did not stop Kurenai.

As they brushed past each other.

Kurenai stopped, her brows drawn together. She looked up at the elegant contours of Ingetsu's face, her red eyes glistening with tears as she gazed at him with resentment and pleading.

Ingetsu remained unmoved.

Kurenai lightly bit her lip, her chest heaving as her heart pounded wildly. She had already understood what he intended. Then, without looking back, she left the wooden house.

Ingetsu looked at Nonō.

The wandering shrine maiden's eyes flowed with light as she widened them, similarly appraising the suddenly appeared handsome young man as though she had discovered a work of art.

When her eyes met those scarlet eyes brimming with ferocity, her appreciation for a beautiful member of the opposite sex instantly vanished, replaced by trembling fear.

"Help me save someone. I'll pay you accordingly," Ingetsu said bluntly.

His tone was calm, yet his words carried immense conviction.

"O-Okay..." Nonō's brows furrowed as she reined in her emotions. Without hesitation, she left the wooden house.

She felt that she should make this deal with him. The moment she stepped outside, Nanfeng, who had been waiting at the entrance, escorted her away.

Asuma watched Kurenai Yuhi's departing back and suddenly felt relieved.

Next.

Whether they killed Ingetsu or Ingetsu killed them, Kurenai would not be caught up in this battle.

In the corner, Yager also wanted to flee, but the kunai in the Hyuga Clan Jonin's hand before him dispelled that thought.

Just as Asuma wanted to say something before the battle, he suddenly realized that no matter what he did, he could not open his lips.

"As expected, Ingetsu's eyes can control others. They really are troublesome. But after running himself ragged, how much Chakra can those eyes have left?"

Asuma gathered his thoughts. Of his entire body, only his brain could still think.

It was not only Asuma.

The Akimichi Clan Jonin, the Inuzuka Clan Jonin, and that Ninja Hound all remained frozen in their turned-around poses like wax statues.

Ingetsu gripped his blade and walked toward Asuma.

Both sides understood.

Once they met, only life and death could be decided. One side was Konoha ninja, the other a rogue ninja. There would be no rest until one of them died.

Asuma stared at Ingetsu.

Unable to blink, his eyes had long since become bloodshot, and tears spilled from his tear ducts on their own.

The only thing he seemed able to do was keep breathing and wait for Ingetsu to take his life.

The distance closed.

Red light flickered in Ingetsu's pupils. Gripping his ninja blade, he suddenly swung it at Asuma.

A cold gleam burst forth.

The straight blade carved a fierce arc through the air, its glinting edge radiating a bone-chilling cold.

Forced by Yachihoko's control, the other three were dazed. They each drew a kunai and prepared to stab themselves in the abdomen, committing suicide!

At that instant.

Solemn Buddhist chants imbued with chakra echoed from the roof—grave, majestic, pure, upright, harmonious, clear, profound, all-pervading, and far-reaching.

They washed over everyone inside like flowing water.

Cleansing away the discordant rhythms within their minds.

The mental fluctuations controlling Asuma became chaotic. As the cold blade slashed toward his throat, he regained control of his body and rolled aside. The ninja blade cut across the right shoulder blade on his back, leaving a deep wound.

Yachihoko's mental control briefly failed.

"Spread out!!!"

The Hyuga Clan jonin roared.

"Damn it, did you have to act at the very last moment? Do you enjoy making things this exciting?" the Inuzuka Clan jonin cursed as he retreated with his beloved dog in his arms.

The four scattered to the four corners of the Wooden House, surrounding Ingetsu in the middle.

The Buddhist chanting from the roof continued.

Ingetsu watched it all impassively. He was not surprised by Asuma's contingency.

His Yachihoko Mangekyo Yin Release Chakra had yet to recover to its peak. Only thirty percent remained.

He had to reserve ten percent.

He could only use twenty percent.

That was why Yachihoko's mental control could be disrupted by the solemn, resounding recitation of Buddhist scriptures.

Even if he had attacked that Hyuga Clan jonin immediately, Asuma's backup plan would still have activated.

Yager, who remained inside, underwent a drastic change in expression. He looked up at the roof—the chanting was filtering down from above.

It was as though countless monks sat cross-legged atop the roof.

Just as Yager had guessed.

At that moment, ten monks sat cross-legged on the roof. With their palms pressed together, heads bowed, and eyes closed, their lips moved as they recited Buddhist scriptures.

These were the reinforcements Asuma had invited from the Temple of Fire!

The Buddhist chants recited by these monks could strengthen the human spirit and interfere with genjutsu and mental control.

Inside the room.

"Yukimaru... don't be afraid. Eat this. Once this battle is over, I'll dig up as many as you want!"

The Inuzuka Clan jonin maintained his kind smile. Crouching beside his beloved dog, he took an organ from his pocket.

The large white-furred dog stared at the organ. Catching its bloody scent, its brain seemed to receive some kind of stimulus. Its limbs trembled as it entered a state of stress.

It no longer looked uneasy. Ferocity appeared on its face, green light shone from its pupils, and it opened its blood-filled maw, exposing its fangs as foul-smelling saliva dripped to the floor in long strands.

Yukimaru bit down on the organ, lifted its head as it chewed, and swallowed it down its throat.

Yager's eyes abruptly widened as he stared fixedly at the organ. His stomach suddenly churned, and he began dry-heaving.

He was a hunter who slaughtered all kinds of animals every day, so he knew a fair bit about organs.

What that Inuzuka Clan jonin had fed the Ninja Hound was not the organ of a wild beast or animal, but a human heart!

If his guess was correct, it had been taken from a refugee.

In an instant—

Yukimaru's neck swelled, muscles bulging section by section beneath protruding veins. Its claws grew out, sharp as blades.

The Inuzuka Clan jonin formed hand seals with both hands, creating a Shadow Clone. Still smiling, he said, "Inuzuka-Style Beast Human Transformation: Three-Headed Wolf!"

Boom—

Smoke exploded outward.

A massive wolf appeared, with three wolf heads, snow-white fur covering its body, knotted muscles, black claws, and a frame so huge it burst through one corner of the Wooden House.

Szzzt—

Asuma took a deep breath, enduring the searing pain in his back. He drew Chakra Blade: True One Character from his Ninja Tool Bag and fitted it over four fingers. Infusing it with Wind Release Chakra, he glared coldly at Ingetsu.

"Expansion Jutsu!!"

The Akimichi Clan jonin's body began to expand as well, turning him into a small giant inside the Wooden House. His two fists swelled into enormous lumps of flesh.

His presence surged with it.

Meanwhile, the Hyuga Clan jonin spread his hands. His activated Byakugan had never been deactivated as he watched through his opponent and assumed the stance of the Gentle Fist.

In the center of the Wooden House.

Ingetsu's Mangekyo glanced from side to side.

One man, one blade.

Like a lone skiff surrounded by raging waves, as though it could capsize at any moment.