Chen really didn't want to waste any more time. He went straight to using the power of his Mangekyō Sharingan, manifesting Susanoo. He planned to crush his way through Hoshigakure with Susanoo, and he was eager to see what his Susanoo looked like. He also wanted to use the Star Ninja as targets for practice.
Chen's Susanoo rampaged through Star Hidden Village, causing countless casualties with every punch. The village had become a living hell. The Star Ninja had split into two groups: one desperately attacked Chen, trying to stop him, while the other hurried to evacuate the villagers and lead them to safety.
"Demon... You're a demon! Stop it, stop!" Ang screamed at Chen, his heart breaking at the sight of the village's destruction. "I already told you: those who avoid me live, and those who stand in my way die! I won't stop until Natsuhi shows herself."
"Damn it! If you're looking for someone, why attack our village? There's no one named Natsuhi here!"
Chen ignored Ang and continued directing Susanoo's destruction. Although he wasn't deliberately targeting civilians, plenty of them were still caught in the crossfire. Chen didn't care.
"The innocent are punished for possessing a treasure. Blame your own weakness."
While Chen's Susanoo rampaged, Natsuhi was leaving Star Hidden Village with the Star, which she had just retrieved. She had been secretly protecting the village all this time, and had followed the Third Hoshikage's wishes: if the village ever resumed training with the Star, she would do everything in her power to stop it. Three years ago, after Hong Xing assassinated the Third Hoshikage and became the Acting Hoshikage, he had once again revived training with the Star. Natsuhi had wanted to steal it, but for the past three years, she hadn't had the chance.
Until Chen showed up today. While Hong Xing and most of the Star Ninja were occupied confronting Chen, she seized the opportunity and broke into the Star Training Room. She knocked out the several young Genin who had been training around the Star, then stole it. As she carried it toward her secret hideout, she suddenly noticed smoke billowing from the direction of the village. Something had to have happened.
"Hm? What's going on? That direction is... the village! What on earth happened there? I have to go take a look!" She formed Hand Seals, then gathered the Mysterious Peacock Method behind her.
"Mysterious Peacock Method: Soaring Cloud."
Natsuhi shaped her Chakra into wings, leaped into the air, and flew toward the village. As she drew closer, the scene became clearer. More than half of Star Hidden Village had been destroyed. Smoke filled the air, and cries of anguish rang out. A living hell stretched before her eyes.
"Th-this can't be... Why is this happening?" Natsuhi couldn't believe what she was seeing. The village had been fine when she'd come to steal the Star. She couldn't believe it had been reduced to this in such a short time.
Natsuhi flew faster, reaching the skies above Star Hidden Village in the blink of an eye. Susanoo was impossible to miss, and she immediately spotted the culprit wreaking havoc on the village. Without a second thought, she swooped down.
"Damn you! I'll never forgive you. Mysterious Peacock Method: Bear Demon!"
Landing on a rise behind Susanoo, Natsuhi instantly changed the form of her Mysterious Peacock Method, shaping it into a Bear Demon just like Hong Xing's. Hers was much larger than Hong Xing's, and naturally, much more powerful.
As soon as the Bear Demon took shape, Natsuhi sent it charging at Susanoo. Chen had been directing Susanoo as it slaughtered the Star Ninja. Confident in Susanoo's absolute defense, he hadn't bothered paying attention to their puny attacks, and hadn't even considered looking back. He never noticed Natsuhi's attack. Caught off guard, he was knocked off balance when her Bear Demon slammed into him.
The Bear Demon hadn't broken through Susanoo's defenses or hurt Chen, but it had caught everyone's attention. No matter how the Star Ninja had attacked before, it had been like tickling Susanoo. They hadn't even managed to make it twitch, let alone knock it off balance.
"Th-that's... Mysterious Peacock Method: Bear Demon! Could it be Lord Red Star?"
"Haha! Lord Red Star is back! Ang said Lord Red Star had been killed. That's unforgivable! Once Lord Red Star defeats the enemy, he can deal with him."
When the Star Ninja saw Natsuhi use Mysterious Peacock Method: Bear Demon, their spirits soared. The first person they thought of was their Acting Hoshikage, Hong Xing! After all, Hong Xing was the only person in all of Star Hidden Village who could shape the Mysterious Peacock Method into a beast. As far as they knew, Hong Xing was the strongest among them, and had mastered the Mysterious Peacock Method. No one could beat him.
Still, while some rejoiced, others noticed something was off.
"Wait... If that's Lord Red Star, why is he wearing a gas mask? And look—the Bear Demon formed by the Mysterious Peacock Method is even bigger than the one Lord Red Star used to create. Its Chakra is much denser, too."
"You're right... It is!"
"If that's not Lord Red Star, then who is it? They seem even more skilled in the Mysterious Peacock Method than Gao Ming."
"Don't worry about that for now. Our top priority is destroying that monster. Whether or not that person is Lord Red Star, they just attacked the monster with the Mysterious Peacock Method. They're on our side. The stronger they are, the better for us."
Chen had spotted Natsuhi, too. He stopped the destruction and simply looked at her. She must be the Natsuhi I'm looking for. So she finally showed up?
While Chen had stopped, the Star Ninja tried to attack him again, but Natsuhi stopped them.
"Don't go near him! You can't beat him. Nobody move!"
"Damn it..." Though they were deeply frustrated, the Star Ninja had to admit she was right. They stopped what they were doing and didn't dare make a reckless move.
"Hmph! At least you know when to quit. But you finally decided to show yourself, Natsuhi!" Chen had lost interest in the Star Ninja and didn't attack them again. Instead, he focused on Natsuhi.
When Chen said Natsuhi's name, the Star Ninja began whispering among themselves. Many of them barely knew who she was; she had left Star Hidden Village ten years ago, and only some of the older Star Ninja remembered her.
"How can this be... It really isn't Lord Red Star."
"Natsuhi? Our Star Hidden Village has someone this powerful? How have I never heard of her?"
"I remember her. I think she died ten years ago. How could she be here now...?"
Natsuhi ignored the Star Ninja's chatter and didn't try to explain anything to them. She turned to Chen in surprise. "You know who I am? Did you come here for me? No... You came for the Star!"
"Of course. I came for this so-called Star. What else in this place is worth mentioning? I know you have it. Hand it over!"
"Did you attack the village to force me to come out?"
"That's right. I wanted to force you to show yourself. I knew you'd been secretly protecting Star Hidden Village for ten years, so I knew you'd appear if I attacked it. Simple as that."
"Bastard! You did something so cruel just for that? Unforgivable! I'll make you pay for everyone in the village who died!"
"Enough talk. I don't have time to waste on you people. Hand over the Star!"
"Hmph! Never. Mysterious Peacock Method: Bear Demon!" Enraged, Natsuhi formed another Bear Demon and sent it charging at Chen.
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