Yotsuki Clan

Splash—

The barrier's boundary rippled like flowing water, and then Enkō and Mu slowly stepped out of it.

"Lord Enkō, how did it go?"

"We've more or less reached an agreement. Now it depends on how we bring them out." Enkō thought for a moment, then turned to the squad captain beside him. "Where are the other two parties controlling 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. Both only have four-man squads. The Lightning Country daimyo's personal guard is to the east; their strength is average, so they're nothing to worry about. But the Yotsuki Clan to the south may have sent an elite squad to build relations with the Daimyo Palace. Their captain, Olui, is extremely formidable. At the very least, he's stronger than I am..."

Enkō glanced at the captain. His name was Uchiha Kaze, and Enkō had a rough idea of his strength. By the ninja ranks of later generations, Kaze would be stronger than most Jonin. That 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 the Daimyo Palace. Make sure you seize the barrier control rights in their hands."

"Understood."

"Then move out!"

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 powerfully built, with an imposing presence.

"Big Brother, when can we go back? I'm sick to death of this damned place!" one of the burly men complained impatiently. "There are rocks everywhere, and not even a bite to eat. This isn't a place for humans."

"That's enough. You call yourself a ninja, yet you can't even endure an environment like this." Olui shook his head. "Bear with it a little longer. It'll be soon. The boss is about to unify all the ninjas in the Lightning Country. Once that happens, we can go back, and the Daimyo Palace can handle matters here."

"To be honest, the Daimyo Palace was being rather underhanded in this matter. If it were us..."

"Shut up!" Olui barked. "There are some matters we have no right to discuss carelessly!"

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

"You bastard!"

"Alright, alright." Seeing the two about to start arguing, the third brother immediately stepped in to smooth things over. "Second Brother, say a little less too. Come on, let's check the situation outside."

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

"Enough, come with me!" The third brother hurriedly dragged the reluctant second brother toward the cave entrance, not forgetting to turn back and say to Olui, "Big Brother, we're going out to scout."

As they walked through the wilderness, the second brother continued to ramble. "I'm telling you, the Daimyo Palace is nothing good. This time it's the Chinoike Clan; next time, it might be our turn. I say we should just have the boss take down the Daimyo Palace and occupy the country ourselves..."

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

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

"I think your idea is quite insightful."

"Haha, right? I told you, I—!!!" The second brother's pupils suddenly constricted, and every hair on his body stood on end. The abrupt whisper sounded like the words of the dead from hell. As he sharply turned his head, all he saw was a pair of scarlet Sharingan!

Sharingan. Genjutsu!

At the same time, the third brother suddenly realized what was happening. Just as he was about to leap away, pain struck the back of his neck. His vision went black, and he lost consciousness.

Inside the cave, the fourth brother laughed. "Big Brother, don't be angry. You know what Second Brother is like."

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

"We'll have a word with him later. That temperament of his really needs fixing." The fourth brother nodded in agreement, then suddenly spotted the second brother standing at the cave entrance. Confused, he asked, "Second Brother? You're 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, saying warily, "Something's wrong. Third—watch out."

Bang—

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

Olui's pupils shrank, but he did not panic. He shifted slightly to the right, barely evading the vicious downward slash. His right hand shot out, fingers hooked like claws, and clamped around the second brother's wrist. With a fierce burst of strength and a crisp crack, he disarmed him of his katana!

"It's genjutsu! Watch for an enemy attack!"

Olui immediately saw through the trick, but before he could finish speaking, the second brother suddenly turned and spread his arms, tightly locking Olui in an embrace!

Fire Release: Great Dragon Flame Technique!

Wind Release: Gale Break!

Boom—

The wind fed the flames, and the flames strengthened the wind. Sky-swallowing fire poured into the cave entrance, followed by an explosive boom like thunder!

Flames raged within the cave. The entire cavern began to crumble and collapse, while dust and sand rose to blot out the sky, forming a circular storm that spread outward!

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

To be honest, Enkō was feeling uncertain too. "Probably not. If he really is stronger than Kaze, this should be enough to make him lose his ability to fight, but not enough to kill him."

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

Mu started toward the ruins, but alarm bells suddenly rang in Enkō's mind. He grabbed Mu by the shoulder and yanked him back!

Boom—

At that very moment, the ruins before them exploded apart. Enkō saw a flash of lightning, and a figure had already appeared at his right!

Lightning crackled around Olui's body. His right foot slid forward as he widened his stance, and his right fist shot from behind him in a cannon-like punch toward Enkō!

A terrifying force erupted at his side. Enkō's Sharingan spun rapidly, but his body could not keep up with his vision. He only had time to raise his arm in front of himself!

Boom—

The punch slammed into him. Enkō felt as if he had been struck head-on by a speeding carriage. His blocking arm was instantly crushed back against his chest, and his feet could no longer hold the ground as he shot backward like a kite with its string cut!

Enkō slid across the ground, his feet gouging two trenches into the earth, only barely stopping after crashing into a stone wall!

Bang—

The entire rock wall shook violently, spiderweb-like cracks spreading across it!

Rattle, rattle—

Countless particles of rock dust fell like snowflakes, drifting onto Enkō's body!

"Cough, cough, cough."

Enkō had taken the punch head-on. Though he was not seriously injured, an unhealthy flush still surfaced 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 his two brutally slain brothers behind him. His voice carried boundless, undisguised fury!

"No matter who you are! None of you will leave here alive today!"