"Sure enough, trying to kill you here was an impossible task. I overestimated myself!"
As Mingye's words fell, a violent storm suddenly erupted, just like the weather that often appeared over the sea. Byakuren searched intently for Isobu, only to discover that a massive white python had wrapped itself around it. Isobu also seemed to be in an odd state. Just as he prepared to attack again, Mingye gave Byakuren no chance, raising his middle and index fingers before him.
"Sage Art: Howling Wind!"
A powerful wind surged forth alongside Mingye's shouted technique, rapidly forming a wave of air that crushed toward Byakuren. The battle had come suddenly and ended just as swiftly. Byakuren flickered away from the air wave, but when he looked back at Mingye, Mingye was already standing beside Isobu. His middle and index fingers brushed across his forehead as though bidding himself farewell. The next second, he turned into mist and vanished from Byakuren's sight.
As Byakuren pondered this, Hozuki Gengetsu sat atop a giant clam shell with one leg crossed over the other, speaking in a carefree tone to remind him, "Old man, our plans didn't work out! Shouldn't we start preparing for that demon Mingye's retaliation?"
Byakuren was still thinking about why Mingye was seeking the tailed beasts. It seemed that Saiken and Isobu were merely the first stage of his plan. What did Mingye—or rather, Konoha—intend to do? These were matters Byakuren could not understand. Hearing Hozuki Gengetsu's words, he shook his head slightly and replied, "I didn't expect that fellow to be considering how to kill the two of us as well. What an ambitious man. He truly deserves the title of demon. There is no need to guard against him. Since he has already obtained Isobu and Saiken, he will certainly