Tricks of the Trade

"Alright, that's enough of this farce."

The man held Gunbai in his left hand and a large Kusarigama in his right; his face was indifferent, and his words were detached.

In fact, Naraku had already arrived at the palace gates when Asuma and Kazuma were confronting each other, and had been watching the battle for quite some time.

After Asuma and Chiriku fled, Naraku finally arrived at the Daimyo's side.

Naraku staying in Konoha for a long time and hadn't made a move in a while. It was rare to encounter such a thing, so he was somewhat inclined to watch the show.

With Asuma, Chiriku, and the others preparing to surrender, the show was over. Naraku was forced to reveal himself, bringing this coup to a close.

Naraku heard Kazuma's thoughts and words very clearly.

I never expected that among the Guardian Shinobi Twelve of the Land of Fire, there would be such a wise person whose thoughts are exactly the same as Naraku's. What Kazuma wants to do is exactly what Naraku will do in the future.

However, since Kazuma was on the side of the Daimyo, while Naraku was the Fourth Hokage of Konoha, their positions were somewhat different.

However, this did not prevent Naraku from appreciating this radical rebel leader among the Twelve Guardian Ninja. Moreover, from Kazuma's words, Naraku also confirmed that this Natsuno-no-Magistrate and Prime Minister Retsu were indeed the instigators of the assassination of the late lord.

Naraku had mixed feelings, but he greatly admired Kazuma's actions in restoring order.

Although Naraku himself wouldn't get involved in such matters, one has to admire those who dare to take action.

The late lord's eldest son, Haruo, always advocated for centralized power and weakening Konoha. However, this daimyo of the Natsuno clan did not receive the traditional education of a daimyo successor and completely disregarded these principles.

This isn't just a matter of stance; it's obvious which of these two heirs Konoha will support. Therefore, Naraku cannot allow Kazuma's operation to succeed.

"Lord Hokage!"

"Naruto!"

"Lord Hokage, you've finally arrived!"

Asuma, Chiriku, and the excited Prime Minister Retsu reacted differently upon seeing Naraku's retreating figure.

Asuma is somewhat complicated, but Chiriku is irrelevant.

Prime Minister Lie breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing Uchiha Nara.

The Hokage is generally the strongest ninja in Konoha, and I have a good understanding of Uchiha Nara's reputation.

Retsu was also present during the trip to the Capital City that year, and witnessed the incredible Ninjutsu of Uchiha Nara and Namikaze Minato. Moreover, these famous Konoha ninjas are legendary figures in the Shinobi World.

The ability to instantly Jonin fifty Jonin, single-handedly pacify a country, and take the head of an enemy chieftain amidst a vast army—even if it's not as miraculous as the legends suggest, he is certainly no ordinary person.

Naraku did not answer the person behind him, but quietly looked at Kazuma.

Kazuma looked at Uchiha Nara with some apprehension in his eyes. The scene of Uchiha Nara's trip to the Capital City six years ago, requesting the title of Daimyo, was still vivid in his mind.

At the time, Uchiha Naraku was very respectful to his predecessor. Now, several years later, Uchiha Naraku exudes a strong aura of authority. Although the Daimyo of the Xia Dynasty was a usurper, this Hokage seems to completely disregard the Daimyo and doesn't even bother to greet him.

"Hokage, please leave now. We will not stop you."

"Lie and Xia Chang plotted to murder the late ruler and should be executed. Our actions are a loyal act of purging the court of corrupt officials and rectifying the court's affairs. We urge the Hokage not to interfere in the affairs of the Land of Fire's court."

After much deliberation, Kazuma realized he wasn't confident he could retain the Hokage, so he cleared his throat and decided to persuade the Hokage to resign.

Kazuma was also present during Naraku's trip to the Capital City and witnessed Uchiha Nara's power.

Since then, Kazuma has discovered his shortcomings and has been practicing Ninjutsu diligently for six years, raising his Ninjutsu level to a whole new level.

"Kazuma, you can just do whatever you want? As the Guardian Ninja of the Daimyo, how dare you act so recklessly?"

Lay down your weapons immediately, surrender and you will be spared. Otherwise, you will bear the consequences!

Naraku had no intention of wasting words with Kazuma and went straight to issuing an ultimatum. At the same time, he raised his weapons in both hands, preparing to launch an attack.

Kazuma witnessed the Hokage's intention to get involved in the affairs of the Land of Fire's court, his expression gradually became ferocious.

"Since you dare to overstep your authority and interfere in court affairs, then Konoha has no reason to exist! I'll kill you today, and wipe out Konoha tomorrow!"

Kazuma a roar, Kazuma unleashed a burst of blue Chakra light from his staff, then held it horizontally, pointed one end at Naraku, and hurled it with all his might!

Call out!

The staff in the Kazuma's hand conceals an iron chain that can be transformed into a multi-section whip, becoming a short-to-medium range weapon. When thrown, the staff makes a loud whooshing sound as it cuts through the air, demonstrating its immense power.

Upon seeing Kazuma make his move, the surrounding rebel Guardian Ninja, as if receiving a signal, began throwing Kunai, Shuriken, and Explosive Tag. Many Guardian Ninja Hand Seals, their Chakra surging.

For a moment, the situation on the field was extremely precarious. Asuma and Chiriku, whose Chakra was almost depleted, as well as the Prime Minister Retsu, who was not proficient in Ninjutsu, all turned pale.

"Ha, a mere trifle."

Naraku sneered, his Chakra surging rapidly. A five- or six-meter-tall, Chakra- skeletal skeleton radiating dark light appeared out of thin air around him.

The half-human skeleton grew rapidly, and with the infusion of Naraku 'Chakra, it transformed into a shirtless half-body man over ten meters tall, radiating black light.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

The rebellious Guardian Ninja attacked with their ninja tools, stabbing at Susanoo with a clanging sound.

Several balls of fire and lightning bolts bombarded Susanoo, but they couldn't Susanoo scratch its skin.

"This is?"

"What's this?"

The rebellious Guardian Ninja were somewhat surprised and fearful of the unknown when they saw the half-body Susanoo. They looked at each other and asked questions.

Kazuma's staff, imbued with intense, sharp wind-attribute Chakra, barely managed to create some cracks in the flesh of the black-clad, shirtless man, but that was all; it could not go any further.

The shirtless man, over ten meters tall, was already taller than the Guardian Ninja standing on the rooftops and artificial hills. But that wasn't all; with Uchiha Nara's Chakra surging once more...

Roar!

The shirtless man roared, a flash of light appeared, and his size increased again.

In a few breaths, Susanoo grew to nearly fifty meters tall, donned a helmet and heavy armor, and became several times larger, forcing back the rebellious Guardian Ninja surrounding the Daimyo's living quarters.

"What is this?!"

Is this a god?

The Guardian Ninja reacted differently; upon seeing such a colossal creature, they all dodged and retreated, their faces filled with fear.

Asuma Chiriku, who were protected by Susanoo, were utterly shocked, their mouths agape and their jaws nearly falling to the ground.

Prime Minister Lie and the now-awakened Daimyo Xia Chang looked at the mysterious veil of black light protecting them, as well as the retreating Guardian Ninja, and at that moment, they were completely relieved.

"Lie Jun, Your Daimyo Daming, I'm afraid we'll have to damage your palace. Please forgive us!"

Naraku stood in the Susanoo, apologizing somewhat to the people behind him.