Encircling Yuki Yoru

More than a dozen figures raced through the forest.

The man at the front had a wild mane of long hair and a powerful presence. It was Jiraiya, who had arrived at the front lines.

Besides Jiraiya, five Jonin had accompanied him: Aburame Shibi of the Yamanaka Clan, Hizashi Hyuga of the Hyuga Clan, Yamanaka Inoichi of the Yamanaka Clan, and a member of the Nara Clan.

Other than the Nara Clan member, the other three were practically among the strongest fighters in their respective clans. Even the Nara Clan member was an elite of his clan!

Moreover, the personnel arrangement made it clear that Jiraiya intended to seal Yoru in completely this time, leaving him nowhere to run!

Yoru's last appearance had not only taken Hozuki Mangetsu away, but had also killed Nara Shikaku, dealing Jiraiya—who had only just arrived at the Kirigakure Front—a severe blow.

Most importantly, no sooner had Jiraiya reached the camp than he learned that, after escaping from their grasp, Yoru had not immediately retreated back to Kirigakure. Instead, he had gone elsewhere and taken away the severely wounded Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!

How could Jiraiya possibly tolerate that?!

After paying a tremendous price, Konohagakure successfully pinpointed Yoru and the Ninja Swordsmen's location. Having also dealt Kirigakure a heavy blow at the front, Jiraiya decisively set out with an elite team toward Kumamoto Prefecture.

"Everyone, although the target has been located, we still need to be careful."

As they sped forward, Jiraiya said gravely, "The target has mastered all kinds of secret techniques, and he is highly skilled in the Body Flicker Technique and possesses terrifying swordsmanship. He may also have the Ninja Swordsmen assisting him."

"Though those three Ninja Swordsmen are injured, their wounds must have recovered somewhat after this period of rest. If we fight them, their threat absolutely cannot be underestimated."

"Also, Fugaku, if the Ninja Swordsmen make a move, we'll be relying on you."

Jiraiya spoke to Uchiha Fugaku at the rear of the group.

"Mm. Leave it to me."

Uchiha Fugaku nodded, indicating that there was no problem.

That was right. Uchiha Fugaku, the Clan Head of the Uchiha Clan, was also participating in this operation.

As for the reason—

It was simple.

He wanted to reclaim Shisui's eye!

One Kakashi was enough when it came to the Uchiha Clan's bloodline limit falling into outsiders' hands. There absolutely could not be a second case!

The six figures swiftly darted through the forest. An elite team with such a lineup was powerful enough to easily destroy an entire nation!

Jiraiya led the way, while the four reconnaissance ninja observed everything around them. Uchiha Fugaku remained at the rear, protecting the four secret technique ninja.

Before long, the outline of Kumamoto Prefecture appeared before the six of them.

At the same time.

Inside a loft in Kumamoto Prefecture.

Four ordinary-looking figures sat cross-legged, yet the dense Chakra flowing around them revealed their extraordinary identities.

They were Yuki Yoru and the three Ninja Swordsmen he had saved.

At the time, the three Ninja Swordsmen had been severely wounded, and Yoru's Chakra had nearly been exhausted.

Facing Konohagakure's search and extermination efforts, Yoru knew that hiding in the wilderness would inevitably lead to them being discovered by Konohagakure's sensory ninja. Besides, the three Ninja Swordsmen needed medicine to treat their injuries.

Yoru could only take the risk of coming to Kumamoto Prefecture to temporarily settle down.

Kumamoto Prefecture was a renowned county within the Land of Fire, especially famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms. During peacetime, it attracted countless visitors from all corners of the Ninja World.

Even now, with war raging everywhere, Kumamoto Prefecture had not been disturbed by the conflict. Other than its cherry blossoms, it possessed no strategic value, and few Konohagakure ninja were stationed there.

After using the power of the Sharingan to hypnotize several sensory-type Konohagakure ninja guarding the place, Yoru brought the three Ninja Swordsmen here to stay temporarily. He also gathered some medicine to treat their injuries and restore their Chakra.

"I'll check the surroundings."

"Go."

After assessing the state of the Chakra in his body, Yoru rose voluntarily, pushed open the door, and walked outside.

Cool air washed over him. The long-lost tranquility made Yoru let out a soft breath, but his heart remained tightly wound.

Judging from Konohagakure's response, they had undoubtedly learned of him and the Ninja Swordsmen. Four severely wounded high-level Kirigakure combatants were trapped deep within the Land of Fire; Konohagakure had no reason to give up pursuing them.

Kumamoto Prefecture was by no means a safe place. Those people would find them sooner or later. In fact, they might already be on their way.

If there's really no other choice, I'll have to abandon these three brothers.

The mission to rescue the three Ninja Swordsmen had earned him fifteen thousand Points. That was absolutely no small amount.

But if Konohagakure truly refused to let up, Yoru could only abandon them for the sake of his own survival.

"Right, I need to check the Points I got for killing Might Duy, along with those Konohagakure ninja I killed on the way."

Opening the system interface, Yoru's eyes were immediately filled with a dazzling array of exchange items. Looking at the SSS-rank items that required over a million Points, he swallowed hard and could only stare helplessly.

With a thought, he scrolled past them.

When he saw that he had nearly one hundred and sixty thousand Points, he felt rather pleased with himself.

Thanks to the Father of Youth, I can finally be considered out of the poorhouse.

One hundred and sixty thousand Points were enough to exchange for plenty of things—high-level Kido, high-level Bakudo, and even the Shikai of certain Zanpakuto. Yoru could already afford them.

Looking at the valuable items on the Exchange Panel before him, Yoru's eyes gleamed.

[Destructive Art #91: Senju Kōten Taihō]

Item Rank: S

Item Description: Kido scroll. After use, grants mastery of "Destructive Art #91: Senju Kōten Taihō."

Price: 100,000 Points.

[Binding Art #81: Empty Break]

Item Rank: A

Item Description: Kido scroll. After use, grants mastery of "Binding Art #81: Empty Break."

Price: 50,000 Points.

[Gigai]

Item Rank: A

Item Description: A custom-made one-to-one Gigai that allows the user's soul to wear it perfectly. Can be modified.

Price: 10,000 Points.

[Cero]

Item Rank: B

Item Description: A flash attack formed by highly concentrating spiritual pressure.

Price: 5,000 Points.

[Zanpakuto: Three-Step Sword Beast (Shikai)]

Item Rank: S

Item Description: Bestows the name "Three-Step Sword Beast" upon an unawakened Asauchi.

Price: 100,000 Points.

[Sonido] [Anti-Membrane] [Flying Sickle Leg] [Black Flash] [Super Speed Regeneration] [Rantōtenkai]...

One treasure after another flashed before Yoru's eyes, making him itch with desire. Unfortunately, his Points were only enough to exchange for some of them, which was what troubled Yoru the most.

"With my current combat power, in a one-on-one fight, I could exchange a few moves even against Jiraiya. But once I enter a group battle, the ninjas' messy assortment of secret techniques could cause me enormous trouble."

"Besides, with my current strength, the windup for high-level Destructive Arts is simply too long. Without prior preparation or someone else's assistance, there's no way I could use them on the front lines."

"In the end, what I lack is a method for explosive power."

In other words, the release of my Zanpakuto!