Counterattack from Despair

Inside the cave, it was deathly silent, like a tomb.

Taiichi's figure had already disappeared.

The strong smell of burning and blood mingled together, creating a nauseating and bizarre odor.

The once-distorted altar is now reduced to half a charred base. The bas-reliefs of demons dancing wildly on the walls have been blurred by the intense heat, and the flowing lava has long since cooled and solidified, like black tears flowing from the earth.

A full half hour later.

Deep within the cave, in a shadowy crevice cleverly concealed by collapsed rocks, the space ripples silently, like the surface of water tossed with a pebble.

Obito Uchiha, wearing an orange-red Spiral Mask, and Zetsu, with a pitcher plant-shaped head, slowly revealed themselves as if growing out of nothingness.

Obito's scarlet right eye coldly scanned the ravaged battlefield from behind the hole in his mask. Zetsu's half-white face showed exaggerated astonishment, while his half-black face was ashen and gloomy.

"Oh dear, oh dear—" White Zetsu broke the silence first with his characteristic gloating tone, "It's truly—a terrible sight! Were we too late? No, it should be said that the 'White Reaper' was too quick and too clean!"

Black Zetsu's hoarse voice rang out, tinged with solemnity and disbelief. "It wasn't too late, we've been here all along. We intended to wait until they were both exhausted, then pick off the rest. Unexpectedly—"

His gaze swept over the scattered remains of the "undead warriors," burned to mere charred skeletons, finally settling on the deepest scorch mark on the altar base—the spot where the last fused giant had been utterly incinerated.

"This Taichi Matsushita —his progress in power has exceeded our previous expectations. He was able to so easily defeat and seal the Evil God's avatar head-on!"

Obito remained silent, his brows furrowed beneath his mask.

They could see the entire battle clearly from their hiding place in the alternate dimension.

The arrival of that Evil God was powerful, but what truly made them wary was Taichi Matsushita.

"Senjutsu— " Obito uttered in a low voice, his tone muffled through his mask, "And he uses it with such mastery. His Flying Thunder God —is no less impressive than Minato Namikaze's."

He recalled Taiyi's skillful combination of abilities during the First Shinobi World War and couldn't help but rub his temples. "And those golden chains— the Uzumaki Clan's Adamantine Sealing Chains —could actually bind divine thoughts in his hands!" This overturned his understanding of Sealing Jutsu.

"Yeah, yeah!" White Zetsu shook his head. "That giant summoned by Blood Crow sacrificing himself had such a terrifying aura! I thought I was going to see a good show, but... tsk tsk, it was burned to ashes!"

"That brat, has he gotten stronger again? He didn't seem this strong back in Konoha!"

"It's not a feeling, it's a fact." Black Zetsu's voice was more serious than ever before. "His growth rate is simply inhuman. With each new intelligence update, his strength seems to have jumped to a whole new level."

Obito's eyes grew even more sinister. They had arrived earlier than Taiichi and their Scout of the Jashin Cult was more detailed. Although the immortal warriors were still incomplete, their effects were quite remarkable.

Especially for fragile ninjas, it's the perfect supplement.

Pity----

"Blood Crow —that cult leader, he took him away." Obito said coldly, his gaze fixed on the direction Taiichi had left in.

"Yeah, still alive, but practically dead. Probably just used to complete a task," White Zetsu interjected. "Should we try to snatch it back? Or—get our hands on that scroll that sealed the Evil God's avatar? That thing is definitely more valuable!"

Obito remained silent for a moment, his Sharingan swirling slightly as if he were rapidly weighing the pros and cons. In the end, he slowly shook his head.

"It's too risky to act now. Taichi Matsushita just went through a major battle and seems quite exhausted, but his condition is still unclear. It's not worth it for a cripple and an uncertain scroll."

He paused, a hint of determination in his voice. "But after he completes his mission in the Daimyo's Mansion, there—perhaps there's still a chance."

Black Zetsu immediately understood Obito's intention. "You mean— Second Young Master? That idiot who colluded with the Jashin Cult?"

"Hmph." Obito let out a cold, ambiguous snort. "Let's go, we'll see."

As soon as they finished speaking, their figures disappeared into the shadows like ink spreading in water, as if they had never existed.

Deep within the magnificent mansion, the Second Young Master's study was in complete disarray. Fragments of precious porcelain lay scattered on the floor, and exquisite calligraphy and paintings were torn to shreds.

He was like a trapped beast, his eyes bloodshot, his chest heaving violently, his remaining rationality torn between immense fear and desperate madness.

"Useless! All of you are useless!"

The Second Young Master kicked over the low mahogany table in front of him and roared at his trusted Samurai who was kneeling on the ground, trembling.

"That madman Blood Crow! What happened to his supposedly Undead Legion? He couldn't even stop a brat from Konoha. Now he's finished, and I'm next!"

The trusted Samurai lowered his head even further, his voice trembling. "Your Highness, please calm down—the news we just received only said that the team that went out to capture the offerings was Taichi Matsushita." Perhaps he can't even find that place.

"Maybe? You're telling me maybe?" Upon hearing the explanation, the Second Young Master smashed a teacup at him, roaring angrily, "You think the 'White Reaper' won't be able to extract the information he wants?"

The Second Young Master's face was ashen; he had witnessed firsthand the madness of the Jashin Cult and the terror of those undead warriors.

But he had no idea whether such power could stop Taichi Matsushita.

Fear, like a cold, venomous snake, instantly coiled around his heart, tightening its grip ever more.

Daimyo's Mansion can invite Konoha once, they can invite it a second time!

Even if Taichi Matsushita returns empty-handed this time, what about next time?

If Taichi Matsushita survivors of the Jashin Cult, his crimes of colluding with the cult, harming the people, and attempting to overthrow the cult would be completely exposed!

At that time, he will face the cruelest trial and eternal shame; even committing seppuku will be a luxury!

No! He can't just sit here and wait to die! He still has one last card to play!

The Second Young Master suddenly raised his head, his eyes flashing with a terrifying glint of malice—a final greed for power and a mad thirst for destruction.

"Gather all of us! And—release those twenty samples from the cellar! Feed them Mad Blood!"

The trusted Samurai jerked his head up, his eyes filled with horror. "Your Highness! You—you mean those—those monsters? And you want to feed them Mad Blood? That will make them completely lose their minds, unable to distinguish friend from foe! And—and there are only twenty of them, the Daimyo's Mansion is heavily guarded—"

"Shut up!" the Second Young Master interrupted him sharply, as if he were possessed. "Heavy guard? Now is the best opportunity. That scoundrel hasn't returned yet. The old man is dying, and my good brother..." He was surrounded by only some useless Samurai and a few good-looking but useless wandering ninjas!

Twenty undead fed with "Mad Blood" are enough to tear them apart! As long as we control the old man and my elder brother before they can react—no, kill them. Once they're dead, I'll be the sole heir!

No matter how strong Konoha is, can they interfere in the internal affairs of my Land of Hot Water? Go now!

Under the hysterical pressure of the Second Young Master, the coup was launched hastily and in a frenzy.

As dusk began to paint the sky Capital of Hot Water, a piercing alarm and deafening shouts of battle suddenly erupted from within the Daimyo's Mansion!

The Second Young Master, clad in magnificent armor and wielding a treasured sword symbolizing his status, personally led a rebel army of over three hundred men, composed of assassins, private soldiers, and mercenaries, rushing towards the core area of the Daimyo's Mansion like a flood bursting its banks.

Leading the way for them were twenty figures exuding a strong aura of bloodlust and madness!

These "samples" are not human; they are slightly smaller than the test subjects in the cave, but their skin is also grayish-white, and their eyes are even more vacant, having even lost the last glimmer of obedience.

They were forcibly given a specially made "Mad Blood" potion by the Jashin Cult. At this moment, their muscles were bulging, their veins were writhing under their skin like earthworms, their mouths were drooling, and they were emitting low growls like wild beasts, leaving only the most primitive and violent killing instincts!

"Stop them! Protect the Daimyo and His Highness!" The Samurai commander, loyal to the Eldest Young Master, his eyes bloodshot, led his elite Samurai guards in formation to meet them.

Swords clashed instantly!

However, the battle was almost entirely a one-sided massacre!

The Samurai were well-trained and skilled with swords. Their long swords made dull "thud" sounds as they slashed at the undead, easily cutting through flesh and even severing bones.

But what's frightening is that these wounds are visibly wriggling and healing!

"Ah!" A Samurai had just severed the arm of an undead man when the man slammed his head into his face, shattering his nose. Then, the remaining hand gripped his throat tightly, the sound of bones cracking sending chills down one's spine.

"Monsters! These are monsters!"

Fear instantly spread through the Samurai ranks. They were not afraid of death, but faced with an enemy that was indestructible, impenetrable, and incapable of feeling pain, their courage crumbled rapidly in the face of physical terror.

Every swing of the Undead's claws or weapons carries a ferocious power. The fine armor of the Samurai is like paper before them; Samurai struck are either killed or maimed!

Led by twenty berserk undead, three hundred rebels, like red-hot knives cutting into solidified butter, swiftly tore through the Samurai guard's lines and charged toward the inner court with unstoppable momentum! They left behind a trail of mutilated corpses and glaring blood.

With the desperate protection of a few trusted Samurai and two pale-faced wandering ninjas, the Eldest Young Master helped the Old Daimyo, who was almost unable to walk and whose face was as pale as paper, retreat in a sorry state to the last and most fortified stronghold of the Daimyo's Mansion, the Ichishokaku.

The heavy iron gate slammed down behind them, temporarily shutting out the shouts of battle outside.

But the violent pounding sounds coming from the gate, like battering rams, and the piercing groans of twisting metal, all indicated that this last barrier wouldn't hold for much longer.

"Father—hold on!"

The Eldest Young Master settled his elderly father on a soft couch in the center of the attic, then drew his sword and stood guard at the top of the stairs, his face pale but resolute. He was surrounded by less than ten wounded Samurai and two wandering ninjas whose Chakra was almost depleted.

An atmosphere of despair permeated the narrow space.

The Old Daimyo coughed violently, his cloudy old eyes staring at the crumbling gate, then at his eldest son standing in front of him with a knife. His lips trembled, and finally, he let out a long sigh filled with sorrow and regret.

Outside the castle tower, the afterglow of the setting sun dyed the sky a poignant blood red.

The Second Young Master stood amidst the rebel army, watching the iron gate, which was constantly deforming and groaning under the onslaught of the raging undead, a twisted and gleeful smile on his face.

Soon! Soon he will be able to step over the bones of his father and brother and ascend to that coveted position!

Just as the iron gate was about to be completely smashed open, and the people inside the attic were plunged into the deepest despair.

A streak of azure light, like lightning tearing through the blood-red twilight, shot down from the distant horizon at a speed beyond the limits of human vision!

Almost the instant the light appeared, it hovered above the castle tower!

The light subsided, revealing Taiichi's figure. He held the Blood Crow Cult Leader, who was lying on the verge of death like a dead dog, in one hand. His cold, icy light swept across the bloody battlefield below and the monsters frantically pounding on the gate.

Without uttering a single word, or even a trace of extraneous emotion, Taiichi's Chakra Wings simply fluttered gently.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Several extremely refined, almost transparent Wind Blade shot out silently! Their speed was so fast that the naked eye could not even catch their trajectory; only a few tiny, twisting ripples were visible in the air.

Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff!

In an instant, the Wind Blade cleared a patch of open space in front of the castle tower.

The ruthless methods and domineering aura forced the Second Young Master and his men to retreat step by step, and even the irrational Undead were intimidated by this aura.

The commotion naturally attracted the attention of the Eldest Young Master inside the castle tower. When they learned that Taiichi had arrived and successfully blocked the enemy, they were overjoyed.

The heavy iron gates of the castle tower slowly opened with a teeth-grinding groan.

The Eldest Young Master stepped forward first, supporting the Old Daimyo was so weak he could barely stand.

Behind him followed the few remaining, battered Samurai and ninjas, their faces a mixture of relief at surviving the ordeal and shock at the horrific scene outside the door.

The Eldest Young Master immediately spotted Taiichi hovering in the air, exuding a dignified aura, and the figure in his hand whose fate was unknown.

He hurriedly stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said in a voice filled with barely suppressed excitement and gratitude, "Your Excellency Taiichi! You—"

You've arrived just in time! If it weren't for your Kamui, we would all be in dire straits today—"

He glanced at the mess on the ground and the monster remains shattered by the Wind Blade, his lingering fear evident in his eyes.

Taiichi slowly descended and gently placed the Blood Crow Cult Master, which resembled a tattered sack, on the ground.

"I have fulfilled my mission." Taiichi's voice remained calm. "The leader of the Jashin Cult, Blood Crow, is here. His lair has been destroyed, and his remaining followers have been wiped out. This fiend is the culprit behind the recent massacre of disappearances in the Land of Hot Water."

The light from everyone instantly focused on Blood Crow.

It's tragic, truly tragic.

But now is not the time to talk about these things.

Anger flared in the Eldest Young Master's eyes. He waved for two Samurai to step forward. "Keep a close watch on him! Use the strongest shackles!"

Just then, a hysterical scream rang out from within the Ninja Formation: "No! Impossible! How could it be so fast!"

The Second Young Master's face was ashen, his body trembling violently. He looked at the Blood Crow on the ground as if he had seen a vengeful ghost seeking his life.

The Eldest Young Master whirled around, his gaze piercing his younger brother like lightning, his voice icy and chilling. "So it really was you! Colluding with cults, harming the people, wreaking havoc on the nation, and now you dare to murder your father and brother! Second brother, what do you have to say for yourself?!"

Under the piercing gazes of his elder brother and father, the Second Young Master completely broke down, roaring, "So what if it's me! This position should have been mine. You—you all deserve to die! Undead Legion! Kill them all!"

He frantically issued orders to the remaining, still restless undead.

Taiichi stepped forward, blocking the way for the Eldest Young Master and his entourage, and nodded slightly to the Eldest Young Master: "Now that this man has confessed, the rebellion should be quelled. Please wait a moment, Your Highness."

Before he finished speaking, he had already vanished.

The next moment, a blue light flashed among the undead!

Dealing with these half-finished creatures who had lost their minds and were fighting solely on instinct and regeneration, he no longer needed to probe their weaknesses. He concentrated his Wind Style Chakra into his Short Sword, and with each flash and each strike, he precisely sliced across the necks of those grayish-white monsters.

Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!

The sound of heads rolling off was incessant. The headless bodies convulsed and fell, and the regenerating granulation tissue writhed futilely at the severed neck for a moment before losing all vitality.

Taiichi's figure was like Death God weaving through a rain of blood. Wherever he passed, the raging undead fell like harvested wheat stalks. In just a few breaths, all the monsters still active in the field had turned into a pile of decapitated remains.

The remaining rebels witnessed this terrifying scene, as if a demon had descended upon the world, and their last shred of will to resist completely crumbled. They threw down their weapons and knelt down to surrender.

The Second Young Master was pinned to the ground by two Samurai loyal to the Eldest Young Master, his magnificent armor covered in mud, as he let out a desperate wail.

A massive rebellion crumbled instantly in the face of Taichi Matsushita's absolute power.

The blood-red sunset over Capital of Hot Water seemed to have lost some of its ferocity as the rebellion subsided.

The Eldest Young Master looked at his subdued younger brother and the kneeling rebels, and breathed a long sigh of relief. He was about to thank Taiichi and discuss the next steps.

Suddenly, one of the Samurai guarding the Blood Crow Cult Leader cried out in alarm, "My lord! Something terrible has happened!"

The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw the Samurai lying on the ground, his neck twisted at an odd angle, clearly dead.

The Blood Crow Cult Leader, who had been lying on the ground, had vanished without a trace!

Taiichi's eyes instantly sharpened like knives, and his powerful perception spread outwards like a tidal wave. His brows furrowed deeply.

"The aura of Space-Time Ninjutsu —someone took advantage of the chaos to rescue him." Taiichi's voice deepened, tinged with seriousness. "This is— Obito Uchiha."