Number Four and Kaoru

Number Four and Kaoru

In the rain, a fierce battle erupted.

The attackers either wore masks or covered their faces with scarves, all concealing their true identities. Their ninjutsu lacked any coherent style—Water Release, Wind Release, bladed tools, they used everything. There was no coordination between them whatsoever; they worked together purely on instinct.

Like Hyuga Yuto, they had seen Takeda Shigen's bounty notice at the exchange and had been drawn here by the enormous sum to work as assassins.

The Land of Rain was locked in civil war year-round, with major factions dividing the land and lacking unity. The death of a jonin would not cause the slightest stir. It was the kind of chaotic place assassins loved most.

The assassins struck with lethal force from the outset, intent on killing Takeda Shigen. Though the Land of Rain was plagued by constant unrest, the newly risen "Akatsuki" was said to be quite united. If they failed to finish him quickly and Takeda Shigen's reinforcements arrived, the assassins would be in serious trouble.

But Takeda Shigen was strong. He excelled in Water Release, and his ninja taijutsu was above standard as well. He wielded two chakra daggers, their blades flashing white as they swung with exceptional sharpness. Any kunai that touched them would immediately be cut in half.

The chakra daggers sliced through the rain, producing a strange hum. Takeda Shigen moved with astonishing speed, using the Water Body Flicker Technique to appear behind an assassin. He swung viciously, his dagger entering through the enemy's nape and cleaving through half his body as easily as cutting butter.

Bang!

Takeda Shigen had taken down one opponent, but exposed his back in the process. One assassin seized the chance, covering his arm in hardened rock before slamming it into Takeda Shigen's spine. Akatsuki's Number Four flew through the air and crashed into the wall of a steel building by the street, denting even the alloy.

Hyuga Yuto raised an eyebrow.

"About as strong as a special jonin from the Hidden Leaf Village... The two chakra weapons are the biggest concern. Still, it looks like Takeda Shigen won't last much longer..."

He watched the battlefield. Under the assassins' relentless siege, Takeda Shigen accumulated more and more wounds. Though two more assassins had died, anyone with eyes could tell that Akatsuki's Number Four would not be able to hold out for long.

No choice. Time to rob the robbers. Hyuga Yuto needed that money.

He concentrated chakra in his eyes and activated his Byakugan. That gray-black, translucent field of vision descended once more.

"Hmm?" Hyuga Yuto suddenly frowned and halted.

Through the Byakugan, he saw the figure hidden underground.

Creak!

A harsh grinding sound rang out. An assassin blocked Takeda Shigen's chakra blade with something like a spiderweb. It looked flimsy, but it was incredibly tough. After withstanding the first impact of the chakra weapon, it immediately proliferated and tightly bound the dagger, leaving it completely unable to move.

"Ha! A head worth thirty million ryo!" the assassin laughed, gripping his kunai in reverse as he slashed for Takeda Shigen's neck.

But just as he was about to seize that precious head in one final push, a sharp pain suddenly shot through his feet.

Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!

Tiny wind blades struck from below, completely shredding the assassin's leg muscles and severely damaging his bones.

Splat!

Takeda Shigen seized the opportunity and shoved his chakra blade forward, effortlessly cutting the assassin's throat.

A woman burst from the ground and stood back-to-back with Takeda Shigen.

"Kaoru! What are you doing here?" Takeda Shigen, having been saved, sounded somewhat anxious. "You..."

"You talk too much, Captain. Men are more charming when they're quiet."

"Hmph..." Takeda Shigen muttered something under his breath and said no more.

The slaughter began anew in the rain.

The coordination between Takeda Shigen and Asano Kaoru was astonishing. Hyuga Yuto saw it clearly: the two did not need to communicate, nor did they even need to exchange glances, to execute a flawless combined attack.

The hastily assembled assassins could not stand against a pair willing to entrust their backs to one another.

After losing another three men, the exchange's assassins finally lost their resolve and fled using all kinds of escape techniques.

Having driven back their powerful enemies, Takeda Shigen panted heavily. He wiped sweat and blood from his face, then turned around.

"Kaoru, this time, it was thanks to you... But your injuries still haven't..."

"It's nothing." The woman named Asano Kaoru wore a cold expression, though her words were rather sharp. "Captain, if you really want to die, you can jump into the river yourself. At least then you'll leave behind an intact corpse."

"Kaoru, you... I didn't want to fight fifteen against one either, but I had to make sure all the civilians had left before I could retreat."

"If you had run from the start, the assassins would have followed you."

"And what if they slaughtered the people marching to force me to show myself?"

"Heh..." Asano Kaoru shook her head, her tone indifferent. "Your life is worth far more than those civilians'. They die, you live. That is how it should be."

"Kaoru." Takeda Shigen began lecturing her earnestly. "Akatsuki was founded for great love. The conflicts between people come from insufficient communication. Just as our leader said, we must become a bridge for the world—"

Their conversation was interrupted by a set of footsteps.

They turned and rose to their feet almost simultaneously. A powerful enemy had appeared. Beads of sweat the size of beans fell from their faces, yet they still assumed fighting stances.

A person wearing tinted goggles and a thick black robe stepped out of the shadows.

Veins bulged fiercely around his eyes.

Without saying a word, Hyuga Yuto silently walked toward them.

He saw the situation clearly. Both opponents possessed the strength of special jonin and worked together exceptionally well. Though they appeared to be chatting idly where they stood, they had never lowered their guard. Like trapped beasts, they would be difficult to handle.

Thus, Hyuga Yuto activated his Byakugan from the very beginning and advanced head-on to pressure them, intending to gain a slight psychological advantage first.

Asano Kaoru brought her hands together and silently circulated her chakra, preparing to use ninjutsu once again.

However, Takeda Shigen spoke before her.

"The Byakugan... You're a ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village."

Hyuga Yuto nodded calmly.

Seeing that the other party was willing to talk, Takeda Shigen continued.

"I don't know why you came to the Land of Rain, nor do I know whether you showed yourself to kill me. But as a subordinate, I must convey our leader's will."

"The leader I serve told me that he wishes to find a ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village."

Yahiko? Looking for a Hidden Leaf ninja? Hyuga Yuto was surprised.

"Our leader said he wants to ask a Hidden Leaf ninja to do something for him... To put everyone at ease, you may choose the time and place."

Takeda Shigen shrugged.

"Our leader said that in a crisis, these words might save a life. Of course, that depends on whether you have any interest in our leader."

"So? An unfamiliar Hyuga with the Byakugan—will it be war, or peace?"

(End of Chapter)