The two techniques collided. In an instant, steam and waves of heat mingled inside the building, unleashing a deafening roar.
"What kind of joke is this? A hand-seal-less jutsu!"
The scar-faced ninja's eyes widened, disbelief written all over his face.
At that distance, there was no way Dongfang Mao could have reacted in time to use a jutsu.
And yet, at the last possible moment, his opponent had completed the technique in an instant, without even needing to form Hand Seals.
What shocked him even more was that Dongfang Mao's fireball was like a blazing sun. The water dragon, which should have had the advantage against Fire Release, began to fall apart the instant they touched, before finally being swallowed whole by the scorching fireball.
"What kind of Fire Release is that? He's a monster!"
The scar-faced ninja cursed through gritted teeth. He instantly released his Hand Seals and turned to run without hesitation, abandoning his companion.
"Hmph! You think you can run?" Dongfang Mao scoffed and brought his hands together again.
"Earth Release: Multiple Earth-Style Walls!"
Without warning, four massive walls of earth burst from the ground, surrounding the scar-faced ninja after he had taken barely two steps. Only a narrow patch of sky remained open above him.
At the same time, several blazing fireballs came roaring down from overhead, completely sealing off his escape route.
"Damn hand-seal-less jutsu!"
The scar-faced ninja had been driven to utter despair. He could no longer hold back his furious roar. He simply couldn't understand why the world had to have such a cheap trick as hand-seal-less jutsu.
Boom!
The fireballs exploded inside the earthen well, their blinding light and violent shockwave sweeping outward. Even the New Martial Army, with their strong physiques, staggered back several steps.
When the dust settled, the scar-faced ninja lay collapsed among the rubble, his body charred black and giving off a strange smell of roasted meat. He was barely clinging to life.
"Bind both of them with iron chains, gag them, and take them away."
Dongfang Mao pointed at the barely breathing scar-faced ninja and the red-haired Mist Ninja, whom he had kicked to the ground. The latter was curled up and still writhing in pain.
Ninjas were powerful, far beyond the reach of ordinary people, but they were also easy to deal with. With the exception of a handful like Madara and Hashirama, as well as Taijutsu specialists, all you had to do was bind their hands so they couldn't form Hand Seals. After that, they could hardly cause any trouble.
The New Martial Army soon took the two Mist Ninjas away. At the same time, several soldiers lifted the curtain and dragged out the deputy lord who had been hiding behind it.
The fat deputy lord trembled all over. His sparse hair lay in disarray against his scalp, and dust covered his fine official robes. He looked utterly wretched as he cried out again and again.
"Don't kill me! Don't kill me!"
This man seemed to be the deputy lord, but Dongfang Mao still had one of the surviving dancers identify him.
After all, the deputy lord was crucial. They couldn't afford to make a mistake.
Once the dancer had nervously identified him, Dongfang Mao gave a satisfied wave, signaling the soldiers to take him away.
Then he stood with his hands behind his back, surveying the wreckage strewn across the Magistrate Office. The corners of his mouth lifted in a confident smile.
From this moment on, Tsukimiura had effectively changed hands. It would be under his control!
As he stood there, basking in triumph and inspecting his future residence, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the hall.
A personal guard hurried forward and knelt on one knee to report.
"Grand Governor, the two commanders, Yasuke and Kyuzo, request an audience."
"Both of them?" Grand Governor frowned slightly, a hint of foreboding rising in his heart. He immediately replied in a low voice:
"Bring them in at once!"
A short while later, Yasuke and Kyuzo entered the hall with a squad of personal guards.
The two were travel-worn, and their armor still bore fresh bloodstains. They knelt on one knee and saluted with clasped fists.
"Grand Governor, we have carried out your orders!"
Dongfang Mao gave a slight nod, but his gaze searched for someone behind them. Then he suddenly asked:
"Where's Zenpachi?"
At the words, Yasuke stiffened. He raised his head with some difficulty.
"Grand Governor... The Watanabe Clan, which Commander Zenpachi was assigned to attack, had a ninja in hiding. By the time we arrived... Zenpachi had already..."
Before he could finish, the atmosphere in the hall froze.
Dongfang Mao slowly closed his eyes, a bitter feeling welling up in his chest.
But after so many years living by the sword, he had grown accustomed to life and death, to the parting of those he cared about.
"What about that ninja?"
Yasuke immediately reported:
"That ninja wasn't particularly strong and had limited Chakra. Zenpachi and his men fought to the death. By the time we arrived, the enemy was exhausted, and we captured him."
Dongfang Mao took a deep breath and opened his eyes again, a bone-chilling coldness flashing in their depths.
"Leave no one alive in the Watanabe Clan. After that ninja has been cut a thousand times, hang his head above the city gate."
By now, half the night had passed, and the cries of battle echoing through the city had gradually fallen silent.
Tsunade paced back and forth inside her room, her slender brows tightly furrowed, anxiety and unease plain in her eyes.
She had never meant to get involved in Tsukimiura's mess. But after returning to her room, she suddenly realized that Subaru's village was only about ten li from here. The fighting might well spread there.
The thought made her increasingly uneasy.
"No. I can't wait any longer. I have to go to the village and see for myself!"
Tsunade slammed her palm against the table. The wooden tabletop shattered, sending splinters flying.
"But, Lady Tsunade, the streets outside are covered in blood. Your condition..."
Shizune cradled Tonton, her face full of worry.
"It's fine." Tsunade decisively pulled a dark scarf from her ninja tool pouch.
"I'll cover my eyes with this. Shizune, you can guide me."
Just as she was about to tie on the scarf, a sudden knock sounded at the door.
"Who is it?"
Tsunade paused, then turned sharply toward the door, her voice wary and a dangerous glint flashing in her eyes.
"Lady Tsunade, it's me, Inumaru!"
One of Subaru's men?
At the sound of his voice, Tsunade brightened and hurried to open the door.
But when she saw what was outside, she abruptly stopped in her tracks.
Inumaru stood at the door with a squad of soldiers. Every one of them wore heavy armor and carried a long blade.
They had clearly cleaned themselves up, but the signs of battle were unmistakable, and a heavy smell of blood still hung about them.
"What's going on...?"
Tsunade stood frozen, unable to make sense of what she was seeing.
Inumaru remained deferential and said in a low voice:
"By order of the Grand Governor, we've come to escort Lady Tsunade to the residence where she'll be staying."
"The Grand Governor?"
Tsunade's pupils contracted sharply.
"You mean... Mao?"
She drew in a sharp breath. At last, she realized that tonight's upheaval in the city had likely had everything to do with Mao.
A sudden flare of anger surged through her, and she almost laughed in disbelief.
All this time, she had thought Mao was focused on building their future home. She never imagined he had been secretly putting on such a grand show behind her back!
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