"Hmph! Just in time. I'll show you that my Susanoo is nothing like your Mysterious Peacock Method, which relies on an external object for training."
Facing the charging Bear Demon, Chen didn't dodge. He controlled his Susanoo to raise its fist and meet the attack. But the Bear Demon controlled by Natsuhi was clearly more nimble than Chen's Susanoo. It easily dodged the fist, then pounced onto Susanoo and bit down on its shoulder. It was all in vain, though; it did no harm to Susanoo or Chen.
While the Bear Demon clung to it, Susanoo seized it with both hands and tore it off, then hurled it forward with all its might. It smashed several buildings, and several Star Ninja were caught in the destruction.
Seeing this, Natsuhi realized things were going badly. Damn... The damage and casualties in Star Hidden Village are already too great. If we keep fighting here, the village will be destroyed by the two of us. I have to lure him somewhere else.
"Mysterious Peacock Method: Soaring Cloud!"
Having made up her mind, Natsuhi immediately recalled the Bear Demon. Then she formed Hand Seals again, gathered Chakra into a pair of enormous butterfly-shaped wings, and flew toward a forest far outside the village.
"Hmph! Trying to run? No... You're afraid our fight will destroy Star Hidden Village, so you want to draw me away from it? It doesn't matter. My only target is the Star. I don't care about the village, so I'll spare them." As he spoke, he dismissed Susanoo and pursued Natsuhi with Moon Step.
Natsuhi deliberately slowed down to draw Chen away, while Chen didn't hurry after her. He knew she wouldn't escape; after all, she wanted to kill him, too.
Ang, whom Chen was holding hostage, watched Natsuhi's retreating figure, deep in thought. Damn, the one wearing the gas mask must be the Natsuhi this demon is looking for. The villagers seemed to say he used to be a Star Hidden Village ninja and died ten years ago. Why has someone who died come back? Why did he steal our Star? And why do I feel a strange sense of familiarity from him? Ang, still held hostage, stared at Natsuhi's figure, his mind full of questions.
Soon, Natsuhi reached a forest and waited atop a large tree for Chen. Before long, he caught up with her.
"So, picked a place?"
"Is that so? You already know what I'm after, so why follow me?"
"I told you already, my target is the Star. I have no interest in Star Hidden Village. I attacked the village only to force you out. Now that you're here, there's no reason to waste any more time there."
"What makes you so certain the Star is in my hands?"
"Hmph, I have my reasons. Enough talk. I only want the Star. Hand it over, and I'll leave at once. Otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
"Damn you! Keep dreaming! You've committed an unforgivable crime. I'll see you punished for it, no matter what it takes, and avenge everyone you killed in Star Hidden Village!"
"Natsuhi, haven't you figured out who I've been holding hostage? I think you'll find him very interesting. Heh heh heh."
Oh no. Does he know about my relationship with Ang? Is that why he took him hostage? How could he? Damn it... Natsuhi had noticed long ago that the Star Ninja Chen was holding was Ang, her only child with Fire Fly. But Chen hadn't seemed intent on hurting Ang, and she was afraid that if he learned of their relationship, he would use Ang to force her to hand over the Star. So she hadn't dared to say anything. But it seemed her worst fear had come true.
"Shameless! Despicable..." Natsuhi had lost the composure she'd shown earlier. She glared at Chen, gritting her teeth in fury.
"Hmph! Enough of this pointless talk. I'm losing patience. Hand over the Star now, or I'll kill him! Or is your son's life worth less to you than that harmful Star?"
"What? You... What did you just say? What's going on? Tell me! Tell me now!" Ang, who had been silent until then, heard their exchange and stared at Natsuhi in disbelief. Then he suddenly grew agitated and demanded answers from Chen.
"Hmph! Shut up, or I'll kill you!" Chen ignored Ang's questions. With a cold snort, he tightened the snake-like arm holding Ang, squeezing his face red with pain until he couldn't speak.
"Stop! Let him go!" Seeing her son suffer, Natsuhi felt as though her heart were being torn apart. She hurriedly shouted at Chen.
"Hmph! It hurts, doesn't it?" Chen sneered as he loosened his grip a little. Ang immediately gasped for breath.
Seeing Ang was all right, Natsuhi breathed a sigh of relief. She reached up and removed her gas mask, revealing her true face.
"How did you know? Why do you know so much about me?"
"That's none of your concern. Well? Can you hand over the Star now? Your mission is to stop the people of Star Hidden Village from using the Star to train again, isn't it? Since that's the case, you have no use for it. Why not give it to me?"
"I'll give you the Star, but you have to let Ang go first!"
"Hmph! You're in no position to bargain. Hand it over!" As Chen spoke, the snake-like arm wrapped around Ang tightened again.
"Damn it, stop!" This time, Natsuhi didn't hesitate. She quickly pulled a fist-sized stone from her robes. It looked as though insects had eaten holes through it, leaving it riddled with large and small cavities. The stone also gave off a strange, flickering purple Chakra.
"This is the Star. Take it!" Natsuhi threw the Star to Chen, who caught it.
Chen raised the Star in his hand and examined it closely, but couldn't see anything special about it at a glance. So this is the Star? It really does contain immense power. Those idiots in Star Hidden Village don't know how to use it properly. All they do is train around it. What a waste!
"I've given you the Star. Let Ang go!" Natsuhi saw that Chen still hadn't released Ang and hurriedly called out, interrupting his thoughts.
"Oh! I almost forgot. Here!" Chen swung his snake-like arm and flung Ang toward Natsuhi, who quickly caught him.
"All right, now that I have the Star, it's time to leave this godforsaken place!" With the Star in his possession, Chen was in a better mood. He gave Natsuhi and her son a lighthearted farewell, then prepared to leave.
Just as Chen turned to go, he suddenly sensed danger coming at him. Without a second thought, he used the Body Flicker Technique to leap away. The instant he moved, a Bear Demon formed of Chakra pounced on the spot where he had been standing.
After using the Body Flicker Technique to evade Natsuhi's sneak attack, Chen turned around and fixed his eyes on her. "Heh heh! Looks like you don't plan on letting me leave just like that. In that case, I'll have to kill you, too!"
"Ang, get out of here. Leave!" Natsuhi watched Chen with a grave expression as she spoke to Ang beside her.
"But..."
"No buts. I know you have a lot of questions for me. I promise I'll explain everything when I get back. For now, leave!" Natsuhi said urgently.
"I... I understand. You... Be careful!" Ang knew that, given his strength, he wouldn't be able to help if he stayed. He would only hold Natsuhi back. He gave her a complicated look, said no more, and immediately leaped back toward the village.
Ang was no longer useful to Chen, so Chen didn't stop him from leaving. Instead, he watched Natsuhi with interest.
"Hmph! You've committed such heinous crimes. I won't let you leave just like that. No matter what, I'll take you back today and punish you in front of everyone, avenging those who died in Star Hidden Village."
"Tch! Stubborn fool. If you're looking for death, don't blame me!" Chen put the Star in his clothes. The three Tomoe in his scarlet Sharingan turned slowly as he stared at Natsuhi and sneered.
Natsuhi said nothing. She simply controlled the Bear Demon, which charged at Chen with a roar!
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