Yotsuki Clan

Splash—

The barrier's boundary rippled like flowing water, and Yan Hong and Mu slowly emerged from within it.

"Lord Yan Hong, how did it go?"

"We've more or less reached an agreement. Now it depends on how we get them out." Yan Hong considered it, then turned to the squad captain beside him. "Where are the other two parties holding control of the barrier? How many people do they have?"

Without hesitation, the captain replied, "They're usually stationed at the other two entrances to Hell Valley. Each only has a four-man squad. The Lightning Country daimyo's personal guards are to the east. They're average in strength, nothing to worry about. But the Yotsuki Clan to the south may have sent an elite squad to improve relations with Daimyo Palace. Their captain, Olui, is extremely strong. At the very least, he's stronger than I am..."

Yan Hong glanced at the captain. His name was Uchiha Kaze, and Yan Hong had a rough grasp of his strength. By the ninja ranks of later generations, he would surpass most jonin. That meant Olui was at least at the level of an elite jonin.

"I'll handle Olui. Kaze, take your squad and deal with the people from Daimyo Palace. Make sure you seize the barrier control in their hands."

"Understood."

"Then let's move!"

South of Hell Valley.

Inside a natural cave nestled between the mountains, four burly men sat scattered about. All wore sleeveless short shirts that exposed their thick, dark arms. The man at the head of the group was especially tall and imposing, carrying an extraordinary presence.

"Big Brother, when can we go back? I'm sick to death of this damned place!" one of the burly men complained impatiently. "Nothing but rocks everywhere. There isn't even anything to eat. This isn't a place for people to live."

"Enough. You call yourself a ninja, yet you can't even endure this kind of environment?" Olui shook his head. "Bear with it a while longer. It'll be over soon. The boss is about to unite all the ninja in Lightning Country. Once that happens, we can go home. We can leave the matters here to Daimyo Palace."

"To be honest, Daimyo Palace hasn't exactly been honorable about this matter. If it were us..."

"Shut up!" Olui snapped. "Some matters aren't ours to discuss freely!"

"Tch, what's so great about it? They do such things, yet they won't even let others talk about them."

"You bastard!"

"Alright, alright." Seeing the two were about to argue, the third brother immediately stepped in to smooth things over. "Second Brother, say less too. Come on, let's go scout the situation outside."

"What's there to scout? There isn't even a bird within a hundred miles."

"Enough, just come with me!" The third brother hurriedly dragged the unwilling second brother toward the cave entrance. He did not forget to turn back and say to Olui, "Big Brother, we're going to scout ahead."

As they walked through the wilderness, the second brother continued to chatter. "I'm telling you, Daimyo Palace is nothing but scum. This time it's the Blood Pool Clan. Next time, it might be our turn. I say we should just have the boss take down Daimyo Palace and occupy the country ourselves..."

"Second Brother, are you crazy?" the third brother said urgently. "If those words reach the higher-ups, even the boss won't be able to protect you!"

The second brother muttered, "Tch, what's so great about that? Can't ninja found a country?"

"I think your idea is quite insightful."

"Haha, right? I just—!!!" The second brother's pupils suddenly widened, and every hair on his body stood on end. The abrupt whisper sounded like the final words of the dead from hell. As he whipped his head around, he met a pair of scarlet Sharingan!

Sharingan. Genjutsu!

On the other side, the third brother also came to his senses. Just as he was about to leap away and widen the distance, pain struck the back of his neck. His vision went black, and he lost consciousness.

Inside the cave, the fourth brother said with a smile, "Big Brother, don't be angry. You know what Second Brother's like."

"Disaster comes from the mouth. If he doesn't change that reckless tongue of his, he'll cause trouble sooner or later." Olui felt a headache just thinking about it.

"We should talk to him later. He really does need to change that temperament." The fourth brother nodded in agreement. As he turned his head, he suddenly saw the second brother standing at the cave entrance. Confused, he asked, "Second Brother? Why are you back so soon? Where's Third Brother?"

Tap, tap, tap...

The second brother kept his head lowered and said nothing as he walked step by step toward the two men inside the cave.

Olui frowned and slowly moved in front of the fourth brother, warning, "Something's wrong. Fourth Brother, be careful."

Bang—

The silent second brother suddenly burst into motion, charging at the two men like lightning. With a katana in hand, he brought it down toward Olui's head with enough force to split a mountain!

Olui's pupils contracted, but he did not panic. He shifted slightly to the right, narrowly evading the fierce downward slash. His right hand shot out, fingers hooked like claws, and seized the second brother's wrist. With a savage twist and a soft crack, he disarmed the katana from the second brother's hand!

"It's genjutsu! Enemy attack!"

Olui immediately saw through the trick, but before he could finish speaking, the second brother suddenly spun around and spread his arms, locking Olui in a death grip!

Fire Style: Great Dragon Flame Technique!

Wind Style: Gale Break!

Boom—

Fire borrowed the wind's momentum, while wind magnified the fire's might. Sky-devouring flames poured into the cave mouth, followed by an explosive boom like thunder!

Flames raged within the cave. The entire mountain hollow began to crack and collapse, while the rising dust and sand blotted out the sky, forming a circular storm that spread outward!

Outside the cave, Yan Hong and Mu stood still. Looking at the scene before them, Mu said with some concern, "Lord Yan Hong, didn't we overdo it? If we kill him, we won't be able to open the barrier either."

To be honest, Yan Hong was somewhat uneasy too. "Probably not. If he really is stronger than Kaze, this should be enough to take away his ability to fight, but not kill him."

"Hmm... Then I'll go take a look."

Mu was about to step forward to investigate when alarm bells suddenly rang in Yan Hong's heart. He grabbed Mu by the shoulder and yanked him back!

Boom—

At that very moment, the rubble ahead exploded apart. Yan Hong only saw a flash of lightning before a figure appeared at his right!

Lightning crackled around Olui's body. His right foot slid forward as he widened his stance, and his right fist surged from back to front in a crushing straight punch aimed at Yan Hong!

A terrifying force erupted beside him. Yan Hong's Sharingan spun rapidly, but his body could not keep up with his sight. He only had time to raise his arms before him!

Boom—

The punch slammed into him. Yan Hong felt as if he had been struck head-on by a speeding carriage. His blocking arms were instantly driven back against his chest, and his feet could no longer hold their ground. Like a kite with its string cut, he shot backward!

Yan Hong slid all the way back, his feet carving two deep grooves into the ground, and only barely stopped after crashing into a stone wall!

Bang—

The entire rock wall shuddered violently, spiderweb cracks spreading across its surface!

Rustle, rustle—

Countless fragments of rock dust fell like snowflakes, settling over Yan Hong's body!

"Cough, cough, cough."

Yan Hong had taken the punch head-on. Though he was not seriously injured, an unhealthy flush still appeared on his face. When he looked up, a burly figure covered in flickering lightning stood proudly before him!

Olui withdrew his fist and glanced at the two brothers who had died miserably behind him. His voice held boundless, undisguised fury!

"Whoever you are! None of you will leave here alive today!"