In the mountains.
The bandit chief, Hori Masashi, sprinted away at full speed.
His recent wild, carefree days, the women he had enjoyed, and the wealth he had amassed flashed before his eyes as he gasped for breath.
The more he remembered, the more afraid he became.
Run.
He had to get away now.
"Giant Clam! Keep making mist!"
Hori Masashi returned to the bandits' hideout and shouted at a giant clam lying on the ground.
The clam opened its mouth slightly, releasing another thick cloud of mist imbued with the power of illusion.
The summoning beast, Giant Clam.
Once the summoning beast of the Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hozuki, it had vanished after Gengetsu and Mu had fought to the death, loving and hating each other in equal measure.
Years later, through a series of coincidences, the powerful beast had fallen into Hori Masashi's hands and become the foundation of his fortune.
Hori Masashi was no more than a shinobi from a small village. He had some talent, and his fighting ability was about on par with an ordinary Chunin from Kirigakure.
Even with Giant Clam, he couldn't unleash the terrifying destructive power Gengetsu Hozuki had. He could only make use of the ability the beast already possessed—
"Demonic Illusion: Mirage Steam."
It created a vast illusion shrouded in mist.
Hori Masashi looked back but couldn't see Lin Qing through the fog.
Still, he didn't dare let his guard down.
That was Lin Qing!
The sight of him cutting down the Three-Tails with a single slash was branded into Hori Masashi's memory. He'd never forget it for the rest of his life. He didn't believe this mist created by a summoning beast could hold that lord.
He ran back to his room, dragged a box out from beneath the bed,