A Man's Name Is Like a Tree's Shadow

Hoshigakure.

In full view of everyone.

Pfft!

The sound of Kunai piercing flesh was absent.

But it didn't pierce the heart of the Yotaka.

At the last moment, Yotaka used his last bit of strength to turn to the side, Kunai plunged deep into his lower back. The old man's body shuddered violently, blood gushed from his mouth, and his eyes instantly went blank.

But Hokuto's first strike missed its vital point, yet he didn't hesitate to pull out his Kunai and stab again!

"Hokuto, you traitor!" Several Chunin roared as they charged forward.

However, the other three Chunin beside Hokuto suddenly Chunin, their Kunai and Short Sword not aimed at Hokuto, but at their comrades who rushed up to them!

A scream rang out.

Trust crumbles in an instant. The already fragile defenses are utterly torn apart from within.

"We surrender! Lord Akahoshi, we are willing to pledge our loyalty to you!" Hokuto, leading the three traitorous Chunin, scrambled towards Akahoshi, his face filled with obsequiousness and fear. "The star is in the tower! We'll take you there!"

Akahoshi watched this dramatic scene with an extremely pleased smile on his face.

"Very good." He nodded approvingly, then turned his gaze to Natsuhiboshi and the remaining twenty-odd Star Ninja who, though wavering, had not yet taken the final step. His eyes instantly turned icy. "Then—the remaining stubborn ones have no reason to exist."

He slowly raised his hand.

"Kill them all."

Kakuzu was already impatient. After all this talk, it's finally time to make a move.

He Hand Seals with such speed that only afterimages remained.

Fire Style: Searing Migraine!

Wind Style: Pressure Damage!

The wind fanned the flames, and the fire, fueled by the wind, instantly formed a raging fire tornado, like a roaring crimson python, sweeping towards the Star Ninja crowded in front of the tower! Before the flames even arrived, the terrifying heat had already distorted the air and scorched the ground.

"Defense!" Natsuhiboshi screamed hoarsely, desperately channeling her remaining Chakra, and a pale purple Mysterious Peacock Method Barrier unfolded in front of her.

The other Star Ninja who were still able to move also used defensive Ninjutsu, such as Water Style or Earth Wall.

However, the gap in strength was too great.

Kakuzu's complex Ninjutsu was far beyond the capabilities of these exhausted Star Ninja.

Boom!!!

The fiery tornado crashed into the barrier.

The standoff lasted less than two seconds.

With a crisp "crack," the barrier created by Natsuhiboshi's Mysterious Peacock Method shattered like glass. She spat out a mouthful of blood, and the shockwave from the explosion sent her flying. She crashed heavily into the tower's gate, then slid to the ground, unable to get up again.

With the barrier shattered, the defensive Ninjutsu behind it proved utterly ineffective.

Flames engulfed the five ninjas in the front row. A series of shrill screams rang out and then stopped abruptly; they were burned to a crisp in just two seconds.

The heat wave, carrying with it the stench of burnt flesh, hit us in the face.

"Water Style! Water Style now!" someone shouted in terror.

Several ninjas skilled in Water Style hurriedly Hand Seals.

Water Style · Water Formation Wall!

However, the hastily erected Water Wall was like child's play in the face of the raging fire and wind, instantly evaporating into a cloud of white mist. The scalding steam burned several ninjas, and screams rang out again.

"Aaaaaah!" The young ninja, who had a weaker mental fortitude, completely broke down, dropped his weapon, and turned to run into the tower.

Akahoshi grinned maliciously. "Trying to run?"

The Chakra beside him transformed into a giant wolf, which pounced with lightning speed and bit the young ninja on the back of the neck.

With a snap, the neck bone broke.

The giant wolf tossed its head, and the corpse flew out like a tattered sack, crashing into the tower wall before sliding softly to the ground.

Massacre.

A one-sided massacre.

Kakuzu and Hiruko were like two highly efficient killing machines; one used wide-range Ninjutsu to mercilessly wipe out the enemy, while the other used bizarre abilities and Taijutsu to precisely target and kill.

Akahoshi, on the other hand, controls the Chakra Beast, hunting down every single one that tries to escape or resist.

The Star Ninja fell like wheat.

Despair, like a cold, venomous snake, coiled around the heart of every survivor.

In just three minutes.

Fewer than ten Star Ninja remained standing. They leaned against the tightly closed doors of the tower, with nowhere left to retreat, their eyes filled with despair.

Natsuhiboshi struggled to get up, but could only vomit more blood. She looked at the corpses of her comrades scattered on the ground, at the Third Hoshikage who had been held hostage by a traitor and whose fate was unknown, and at the three enemies in front of her who were like demons. Tears mixed with blood blurred her vision.

"Let's end this." Kakuzu spoke coldly, his hands Hand Seals once more. This time, lightning gathered in his palms.

Hiruko also raised his hand, aiming it at the last few people.

Akahoshi was filled with pride, as if he could already see himself holding the star in his hand, his power surging.

However----

Kakuzu's hand Hand Seals suddenly stopped.

His green pupils contracted sharply, and he abruptly turned his head to look in the direction of Death Canyon. For the first time, a look of solemnity appeared on his face—no, it was one of surprise and uncertainty.

Almost simultaneously, Hiruko also sensed something, and his brows furrowed tightly.

"What's wrong?" Akahoshi noticed their unusual behavior and asked with displeasure. They were just about to completely eliminate these obstacles.

The Kakuzu ignored him and quickly closed its eyes, seemingly trying to sense something.

A moment later, he suddenly opened his eyes and Hiruko, "Go!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Hiruko nodded.

The next moment, to Akahoshi's astonishment, Kakuzu's black robe billowed, and four jet-black Earth Grudge Fear Mask monsters split off, fell to the ground, and quickly expanded into four monsters wearing white masks and made of black tentacles.

At the same time, a large cluster of Earth Grudge Fear flew out from his sleeve, twisting and writhing, and transformed into another "Kakuzu," standing in place.

Hiruko the same action, creating a Shadow Clone to replace himself.

After doing all this, Kakuzu's true form and Hiruko's true form exchanged a glance and simultaneously used the Body Flicker Technique without hesitation!

Pfft! Pfft!

The two figures turned into wisps of smoke and vanished instantly, leaving only afterimages that slowly dissipated.

All of this happened too fast. From the Kakuzu sensed something was wrong to the moment the two left behind clones and their main bodies fled, it took only three seconds in total.

Akahoshi was completely dumbfounded.

"Hey! Kakuzu! Hiruko! What are you two up to?!"

He roared at the Earth Grudge Fear Clone and Hiruko Shadow Clone left behind by Kakuzu.

Kakuzu's Earth Grudge Fear clone spoke in a completely emotionless, mechanical voice. "An extremely strong Chakra reaction is approaching at high speed. There are five of them, one of which is extremely dangerous. It has been identified as Taichi Matsushita of Konoha. The mission risk has increased dramatically. Recommendation: Evacuate immediately."

After speaking, the four Earth Grudge Fear Masked Monsters and the clone all turned towards the canyon, assuming a defensive posture. Hiruko Shadow Clone also silently assumed a fighting stance.

Akahoshi was struck dumb, his face turning deathly pale instantly.

Taichi Matsushita?

That White Reaper?

How did he get here? And so quickly?

Judging from how Kakuzu and Hiruko the situation, this guy was clearly beyond his ability to deal with on his own.

Fear, like ice water poured over his head, instantly extinguished his previous fervor and smugness.

He looked at the less than ten remaining Star Ninja who were almost powerless to resist, then at the clones left behind by Kakuzu and Hiruko clearly just stalling for time, and finally looked towards the direction of the canyon. Although he couldn't see them yet, the increasingly approaching and terrifying sense of oppression was already overwhelming him as if it were a tangible thing!

Run?

Is it too late to run now?

No—the star is inside the tower! Within reach! For it, he betrayed the village, his hands stained with the blood of his comrades, and he spent all his savings hiring Kakuzu and his men—and now he's giving up?

In Akahoshi's eyes, fear and greed intertwined madly. In the end, the obsession and madness deeply rooted in his bones and twisted by the stars overwhelmed reason.

He whirled around, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at the last few Star Ninja, the dying Natsuhiboshi, and the Third Hoshikage, letting out a beast-like roar, "It's all your fault! You forced me into this! Even if I die—I'll get the stars first!"

The Chakra Lion, wolves, and bears formed by the Mysterious Peacock Method beside him roared silently and pounced on the last survivor!

At the edge of the sky, a streak of light pierced the heavens, hurtling towards this infernal sea of fire!

Outside Hoshigakure.

Kakuzu and Hiruko fleeing at top speed.

"Kakuzu- Senior, is it really okay not to take Akahoshi with us? He's one of our missions on this trip, after all."

Hiruko couldn't help but look back in the direction of Hoshigakure. Akahoshi's fate made him feel a sense of shared sorrow, after all, he was also a newcomer who had only recently joined.

Kakuzu Hiruko with his emerald green eyes, as if he could see through what Hiruko was thinking, and finally had the leisure to explain.

"First of all, Akahoshi is only a probationary member, and we have no obligation to be responsible for his life or death."

Secondly, as Rogue Ninja of Konoha, don't you know Taichi Matsushita? No one can slow him down. Do you think we can escape? I don't want to fight a battle without money; that's not in line with my principles.

Finally, the most important part of our trip is getting to the Land of Demons. We've already wasted too much time here, and if we're any later, the chief will be angry."

Hiruko was speechless and just kept going. Kakuzu right, but what really moved Hiruko was the second point: if they didn't leave anyone behind to stop Taichi Matsushita's advance, they might not be able to escape. In the end, his own life was more important.

Just as the two of them started running at full speed, a familiar vibration came from their hands.

It's true what they say, speak of the devil and he appears.

We were just talking about the leader, and now the leader has come looking for us.

While fleeing, the two established a three-way communication network with Pain, who was based in the Land of Rain, through their respective rings.

In the realm of consciousness, Pain First Gate to the chase. "Where are you now? The Land of Demons has already begun its attack, why haven't you arrived yet?"

The two sighed inwardly. It was exactly what they feared. They had just been saying they might be reprimanded by the leader, and it had come true so quickly.

Kakuzu briefly reported their situation to Pain, emphasizing that most of their previous attempts to recruit new members were going to fail, and that Konoha's Taichi Matsushita had unexpectedly intervened.

Upon hearing Taiichi's name, Pain fell silent. How come he always seemed to run into this guy?

Do you know why he came? Did he come specifically to target us?

"We don't know. We just encountered him, and we're still in danger. We have no idea what his purpose is."

Kakuzu waited in silence for a long time before receiving a reply from Pain. Just as Kakuzu was wondering if the ring was broken, Pain's voice came again, but no matter how Kakuzu listened, he felt that it contained so much helplessness.

"Don't worry about Akahoshi; he's dispensable anyway. You all need to hurry to the Land of Demons. Xuan (Jue) and San (Blood Crow) need manpower to coordinate. This mission cannot afford to fail."

"Yes."

"Clear."

As the call ended, Kakuzu and Hiruko a glance, then changed direction and headed towards the Land of Demons.

Once the Hoshigakure entered Taiichi's Chakra Perception range, everything that happened there was no longer a secret.

The violent Chakra fluctuations, the stench of blood, the crackling of flames, the dying howls and desperate cries—all this information flooded into Taiichi's senses like a tidal wave.

He "saw" the carnage in front of the forbidden tower, the Chakra beasts slaughtering indiscriminately, and the two familiar figures dressed in Black-bottomed Red Cloud Robe.

In particular, the ninja with green eyes was Kakuzu, the one who threw Shuriken at Senju Hashirama from a few hundred meters away and boasted that he had fought Senju Hashirama.

The other figure exuded an eerie aura, but Taiichi was unable to immediately identify its identity.

He remained outwardly calm, maintaining his flight speed, and spoke in a composed tone to the person behind him, who was being pulled by chains and was anxiously waiting.

"The situation is worse than expected," said the fiery Hotarubi. "A fierce battle is taking place in the village, and the casualties are heavy."

Among the attackers were those who used techniques similar to your Mysterious Peacock Method, and two extremely powerful outsiders, all dressed in matching Black-bottomed Red Cloud Robe.

Upon hearing this, Hotarubi was struck dumb, her face instantly turning deathly pale. Black-bottomed Red Cloud Robe? Wasn't that the attire of the terrifying organization "Akatsuki," which had been secretly circulating in the Ninja World in recent years?

"Lord Taiichi! Please hurry! The village—the village can't hold on any longer!"

Hotarubi's voice was filled with sobs and despair. Even from this distance, he could imagine the horrific scene from Taiichi's brief description.

"I'm already moving at top speed." Taiichi's tone remained calm, even somewhat detached. "And, Lord Hotarubi, I need to remind you. With your strength, even if you catch up, you'll only be going to your death."

He paused, his voice carrying a businesslike calm, "Furthermore, Konoha and Hoshigakure are not allied villages. My mission here is to investigate the disappearances of Konoha Ninja. Rushing into the internal affairs of another country or the internal conflicts of a ninja village would not be in accordance with Konoha's diplomatic principles and could potentially trigger unnecessary international disputes."

These words were like ice water, extinguishing the last glimmer of hope in Hotarubi's heart.

He understood what Taiichi meant: Konoha's "White Reaper" would not shed blood for Hoshigakure without compensation.

Despair clung to his heart like cold vines.

He could sense that Taiichi was indeed accelerating, at least twice as fast as him.

Even if they arrived, with their own abilities, even if they risked their lives, they would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot against an enemy capable of creating such a situation.

Are we just supposed to watch helplessly as Hoshigakure is destroyed, and as the Third Hoshikage and Natsuhiboshi Hoshi die at the hands of traitors and the Akatsuki?

No! There is still hope! The only hope lies in this powerful person ahead!

Hotarubi suddenly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot, yet burning with a desperate determination.

He no longer cared about dignity or the village's independence, shouting in an almost hoarse voice, "Taiichi! Please save Hoshigakure! This—this is not internal interference! This—this is a formal request for assistance from Hoshigakure to Konoha Hidden Village!"

S-rank Mission, the task is to assist the Hoshigakure in quelling an internal rebellion and expelling or annihilating invading enemies!

He was panting heavily, speaking rapidly, as if afraid that if he spoke Taiichi slowly Taiichi would refuse, "The mission reward! Hoshigakure is willing to give all its savings! And—and! As long as Konoha is willing to lend a helping hand to get through this calamity, Hoshigakure is willing to follow Konoha's lead! Within reasonable limits, we will obey Konoha's orders! We only ask—we only ask that you take action!"

Having uttered these words, Hotarubi seemed to have used up all her strength, her eyes fixed on Taiichi's back, awaiting his judgment.

Taiichi remained silent for a moment, the wind whistling in his ears as he flew.

The Nine-Tails on his shoulder pouted and let out a soft whimper, as if to say "troublesome."

The three little ones behind him also held their breath nervously. Even though Xiaobai was like them, he could feel the heavy atmosphere and the desperate plea from Hotarubi.

Finally, Taiichi sighed softly, his voice seeming to soften somewhat, carrying a hint of reluctance. "S-rank Mission —and the diplomatic promises afterward?"

"Very well, the Akatsuki is a dangerous organization that threatens the safety of the Ninja World, and the disappearances of Konoha Ninja are likely related to them. For both public and private reasons, we cannot stand idly by."

He tilted his head slightly, his peripheral vision catching a glimpse of Hotarubi's face, a mixture of expectation and despair.

"Alright. Konoha will accept this mission."

Hotarubi was stunned at first, then a surge of immense joy and gratitude welled up inside her, almost bringing tears to her eyes.

He knew that this promise came at a huge cost, but at this moment, nothing was more important than the survival of the village.

Taiichi, on the other hand, stared straight ahead with sharp eyes. Even without Hotarubi's promise, he had no reason to let the Akatsuki, especially Kakuzu, get away with it.

Now, it's just adding a layer of "legitimacy" to the upcoming battle.