Tsukimiura Changes Hands

The two collided, and for a moment, steam and heat waves intertwined within the room, erupting with a deafening roar.

"What kind of joke is this? A seal-less ninjutsu!"

The scarred ninja's eyes widened, his face etched with disbelief.

At the distance they had just been standing, it should have been impossible for Dongfang Mao to react in time.

Yet, at the critical moment, the man had completed the ninjutsu instantly without even needing to weave a single hand seal.

What shocked him even more was that Dongfang Mao's fireball was like a blazing sun, and the water dragon that should have countered the Fire Style began to dissipate the moment it made contact, ultimately being completely swallowed by the scorching flames.

"What kind of Fire Style is this? What a monster!"

The scarred ninja gritted his teeth and cursed, instantly breaking his own hand seals and turning to flee without hesitation, not even sparing a glance for his companion.

"Hmph! Trying to run?" Dongfang Mao let out a cold snort and pressed his palms together once more.

"Earth Style: Multiple Earth Flow Walls!"

Without any warning, four thick walls of earth erupted from the ground, instantly surrounding the scarred ninja who had only managed to run a few steps, leaving him with nothing but a narrow patch of sky above.

At the same time, several scorching fireballs whistled down from above, completely sealing off his path of retreat.

"Damn this seal-less ninjutsu!"

Driven to total despair, the scarred ninja could no longer hold back a frantic roar; he simply could not fathom how such a cheat-like thing as seal-less ninjutsu could exist in this world.

"BOOM!"

The fireballs detonated within the earthen well, and a blinding light accompanied by a violent shockwave swept outward. Even with the robust physiques of the New Martial Army, they could not help but stumble back several paces.

When the smoke and dust cleared, the scarred ninja was seen slumped in a pile of rubble, his body charred black and emitting a nauseating scent of cooked flesh, his breathing faint and ragged.

"Bind their hands with iron chains, gag them, and drag them away."

Dongfang Mao gestured toward the dying scarred ninja and the red-haired Mist ninja who was still curled on the ground, writhing in agony after being kicked.

Although ninjas were powerful and far beyond the reach of ordinary people, they were actually quite easy to neutralize. Aside from rare exceptions like the likes of Madara or Hashirama, or those specialized in taijutsu, one only needed to bind their hands to prevent them from weaving seals, and they would essentially be unable to stir up any more trouble.

Soon, the New Martial Army hauled the two Mist ninjas away. At the same time, several soldiers pulled back the curtains and dragged out the magistrate who had been hiding behind them.

The obese magistrate was trembling all over, his sparse hair plastered messily against his scalp, his luxurious official robes stained with dust. He looked utterly wretched, shouting incessantly.

"Don't kill me! Don't kill me!"

It appeared this man was indeed the magistrate, but Dongfang Mao still had the surviving dancing girls identify him.

After all, the magistrate was of vital importance; there could be no mistakes.

Once the trembling dancing girls finished their identification, Dongfang Mao waved his hand in satisfaction, signaling the soldiers to take him away.

He then stood with his hands behind his back, surveying the chaotic magistrate's office, a look of inevitable victory curling the corners of his lips.

From this moment on, Tsukimiura had essentially changed hands, and he would be the one in control!

Just as he was smugly inspecting his future residence, the sound of hurried footsteps suddenly echoed from outside the hall.

A personal guard stepped forward and knelt on one knee to report.

"Grand Commander, Commanders Yasuke and Kyuzo request an audience."

"Both of them are here?" Dongfang Mao frowned slightly, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart as he said in a low voice, "Bring them in at once!"

Before long, Yasuke and Kyuzo led a squad of guards into the hall.

The two were covered in dust, their armor still stained with wet blood. They knelt on one knee and cupped their fists in salute.

"Reporting to the Grand Commander, we have fulfilled our mission!"

Dongfang Mao nodded slightly, but his gaze searched behind them, and he suddenly asked, "Where is Zenpachi?"

Yasuke's body stiffened at the mention, and he lifted his head with visible difficulty.

"Grand Commander... the Watanabe Clan, which Commander Zenpachi was attacking, had a hidden ninja. By the time we arrived... Zenpachi had already..."

Before he could finish, the atmosphere in the hall froze instantly.

Dongfang Mao slowly closed his eyes, a wave of indescribable bitterness rising in his chest.

But after licking blood off the edge of a blade for so many years, parting through death had become the norm, and Dongfang Mao had long since grown accustomed to it.

"What about that ninja?"

Yasuke immediately replied, "That ninja was not particularly strong and had limited chakra. Zenpachi and his men fought to the death, and by the time we arrived, the opponent was exhausted. He has been captured."

Dongfang Mao took a deep breath and reopened his eyes, a bone-chilling coldness erupting from within them.

"Leave no one alive in the Watanabe Clan. As for that ninja, execute him by a thousand cuts, and hang his head above the city gate."

The night was already past its midpoint, and the intermittent sounds of shouting and slaughter throughout the city had gradually faded into silence.

Tsunade paced back and forth in her room, her slender brows tightly locked, her eyes filled with agitation and unease.

She had originally intended to stay out of the messy affairs of Tsukimiura, but after returning to her room, she suddenly realized that Subaru's village was only ten miles away, and the flames of war could very likely spread there.

At that thought, her heart grew increasingly restless.

"No, I cannot wait any longer; I must go to the village and see for myself immediately!"

Tsunade slammed her hand onto the tabletop, and the entire wooden desk shattered instantly, sending splinters flying in every direction.

"But Lady Tsunade, the streets outside are covered in blood, and your condition..."

Shizune held Tonton, her voice heavy with worry.

"It's fine." Tsunade decisively pulled a dark silk scarf from her ninja pouch.

"I will cover my eyes with this, and you will guide me, Shizune."

Just as she was about to tie the scarf, the door was suddenly knocked upon.

"Who is it!"

Tsunade's movements paused, and she whipped her head toward the door, calling out with vigilance as a dangerous glint flashed in her eyes.

"Lady Tsunade, it is I, Inumaru!"

One of Subaru's men?

Hearing this, Tsunade felt a surge of relief and quickly stepped forward to pull the door open.

However, when she saw the scene outside, her figure froze abruptly.

Inumaru stood before the door with a squad of soldiers, each of them clad in heavy armor and wielding long blades.

Although they had clearly cleaned themselves up, traces of the fierce battle remained, and they still exuded a thick, pungent scent of blood.

"What is the meaning of this..."

Tsunade stood rooted to the spot, unable to grasp the situation before her.

Inumaru maintained a respectful posture and spoke in a deep voice.

"By order of the Grand Governor, we are here to escort Lady Tsunade to the residence for safety."

"Grand Governor?"

Tsunade's pupils contracted sharply.

"Are you saying... Subaru?"

She suddenly drew a sharp breath, finally realizing that the upheaval in the city tonight was likely inseparable from Subaru.

A nameless rage instantly surged in her heart, and she almost laughed in anger.

All this time, she had truly believed Subaru was focused on building their future home, yet she never imagined he had been secretly orchestrating such a grand spectacle behind her back!