Blood Slaughter

"Sure enough, although Shadow Clones divided the original body's chakra evenly, they were still somewhat inferior in reaction speed and movement. Unless sheer numbers caused a qualitative change, they could only serve as support. Still, for a B-rank ninjutsu that wasn't too difficult, it was indeed quite good."

"Tch, what a shame. Tobirama hadn't invented Impure World Reincarnation yet, or I could have taken that too last time. Who knew whether I'd ever get another chance like this?"

In his groggy state, Kakuzu sensed someone speaking nearby. As his awareness returned, he slowly woke up. He found himself lying on a wooden bed, while Yan Hong sat in a chair not far away with one leg crossed over the other, intently reading a scroll in his hands. Seeing him awake, Yan Hong leisurely rolled up the scroll and tucked it into his clothes.

"Yo, awake? Then get ready to start paying off your debt."

Kakuzu rubbed his slightly muddled head. After taking a deep breath, he said, "I don't have that much money."

"Then earn it if you don't have it." Yan Hong spread his hands and patiently persuaded him. "You should have died, but I chose to give you a chance. Trading money for your life is a pretty good deal, isn't it? It doesn't matter if you have no money. Our Flame Hidden Village can lend you some. You can live in our village and find a way to use that money to make more. Once you've paid it all back, you'll be free."

Kakuzu pondered for a moment. "You want me to manage the finances? But why choose me?"

"Fate, I guess." Yan Hong shrugged. "Of course, you don't have the right to refuse either, unless you don't want to live."

This time, Kakuzu did not think for long. He knew he had no other choice, but he still said firmly, "I need to see my family first. Otherwise, I'd rather die."

"That won't be a problem." Yan Hong nodded. "Then welcome to the Flame Hidden Village. But I still have things to finish right now. I'll write you a letter. Take it to the Daimyo Palace in the Land of Flame. Once they read it, they'll arrange things for you. I'll also have them bring your family over."

Kakuzu asked in confusion, "The Daimyo Palace? Shouldn't I be going to the Flame Hidden Village?"

"It makes no difference. Most of the Flame Hidden Village's funding comes from the Daimyo Palace."

"Fine." At this point, Kakuzu could only follow the arrangement. He had somehow joined the Flame Hidden Village after one trip, but at least he had learned that his family was still alive.

"Alright, that's enough for now. I'll give you the letter later. Go back whenever you feel ready." Yan Hong stood and stretched lazily. "I was planning to think up a countermeasure, but you interrupted me. Still, I'll let it slide since you helped me test a new ninjutsu. Well, we'll deal with whatever comes."

Kakuzu nodded. Just as he was about to say something, footsteps sounded outside the door, followed by a knock.

Yan Hong opened the door and saw a burly, muscular man standing outside. Upon seeing Yan Hong, the man bowed respectfully. "My lord, the envoy from Kirigakure has arrived. Lord Qingming invites you to the council hall to discuss matters together."

"So soon? Looks like Kirigakure values you people quite highly." Yan Hong made a teasing remark. When the man gave no response, he said blandly, "Then let's go."

After signaling Kakuzu to wait here, Yan Hong followed the man to the familiar council hall.

Two people were already seated inside the council hall. When Yan Hong entered, both turned their gazes toward him.

One was Qingming, the leader of the Hidden Crafts Village whom he had met before. The other, seated beside Qingming, was a middle-aged man who appeared refined and easygoing.

The man wore a fitted light-gray robe. His long black hair fell neatly behind his back, and his eyes rested in a natural squint. At first glance, he looked as gentle as jade and as elegant as a nobleman.

Yet the instant Yan Hong saw him, he frowned, and his vigilance rose to its peak!

"Lord Yan Hong is here! Please, have a seat." Qingming warmly invited Yan Hong to sit, concern showing on his face. "Yesterday, I heard there was some disturbance on your side. Did you encounter some trouble?"

What a smiling fox. Yan Hong muttered inwardly, but he replied politely, "There was a minor conflict within my own team. Thank you for your concern."

"It's good that nothing happened." Qingming nodded without pressing further, then turned to the middle-aged man beside him. "This is..."

"Uchiha Yan Hong, I've long heard of your great name." Before Qingming could introduce him, the middle-aged man stood and gave a graceful bow. "I am Shuiwu of Kirigakure. I have come on Kirigakure's behalf to discuss the matter of bringing the Hidden Crafts Village under our control."

Yan Hong was rather curious. "You know me?"

"Of course. I've heard of every expert in the Shinobi World, let alone the Uchiha Clan's third-in-command." Shuiwu looked Yan Hong over. "Indeed, you are quite different from the rumors."

Yan Hong neither confirmed nor denied it. He slowly walked over and sat down before saying calmly, "Let's stop with the pleasantries. Since our goals are the same, how do you propose we settle this?"

Shuiwu was taken aback, then said helplessly, "Lord Yan Hong is certainly direct. Although the Flame Hidden Village is not among the Five Great Nations, your village's strength is obvious to the entire Shinobi World. Kirigakure absolutely does not wish to become your enemy."

After saying that, Shuiwu glanced at Qingming, who was watching the show from the side. "I wonder what Village Chief Qingming thinks?"

"Me?" Qingming froze for a moment. Why aren't you two fighting already? On the surface, however, he shook his head and said, "Mist Hidden Village and Flame Hidden Village are evenly matched. It is truly difficult to choose between you. You can discuss it yourselves. No matter the outcome, though, I only hope you will treat the Hidden Crafts Village's ninja well."

"Naturally." Shuiwu nodded and looked back at Yan Hong. "It seems the matter has been thrown back to us. To be honest, Kirigakure values the Hidden Crafts Village greatly. Would your village be willing to withdraw from the competition? As compensation, we can exchange other resources."

Yan Hong shook his head. "Sorry, but the Flame Hidden Village is determined to acquire the Hidden Crafts Village as well."

"I see. That makes things difficult." Shuiwu narrowed his eyes, his face full of sorrow. Then, as if he had suddenly thought of something, he said, "How about this? To avoid affecting the relationship between our villages, the two of us can have a fight. If I lose, Kirigakure will withdraw from this matter."

"Oh?" Yan Hong raised his eyes. "Can you fully represent Kirigakure?"

Shuiwu smiled faintly. "I do have that authority. However, if I happen to win, the Hidden Crafts Village can still go to you."

"Huh?"

"What?"

Yan Hong and Qingming both froze, thinking they had misheard. He wanted nothing if he lost, and nothing if he won either. Then what had he come here for? Just for amusement?

Yan Hong asked doubtfully, "Then what do you want?"

"I want... your blood!"

Shuiwu slowly opened his perpetually narrowed eyes, revealing a pair of completely blood-red pupils!

"If I win, I want every drop of blood in your body!"

Rumble—

Outside the window, countless lightning serpents slithered through the dark clouds. The rain gradually intensified, and bean-sized drops pounded against the roof in a barrage of noisy impacts.

Yet inside the council hall, the previously peaceful atmosphere had fallen into utter silence.

Yan Hong's gaze tightened. "You said you want my blood?"

Shuiwu closed his eyes again, seemingly returning to the elegant gentleman he had been before. Yet his words carried a hint of bloodiness. "That's right. No matter what, a battle between us is unavoidable, so why not raise the stakes? Right now, whether you win or lose, the Hidden Crafts Village will be yours. Could it be that Lord Yan Hong lacks the resolve to sacrifice himself for his village?"

"I'm curious. Is my blood really so attractive to you that you're willing to give up the Hidden Crafts Village?"

"Heh." Shuiwu chuckled softly and answered without hiding anything. "My Kekkei Genkai is rather special. The blood of powerful people can greatly increase my strength. The stronger the person, the more significant the improvement their blood gives me. And I can sense that your blood is exceptionally delicious. Don't worry, though. My ninjutsu can let you survive without blood. You'll merely become a living corpse!"

"I see." Yan Hong nodded. "Then come on."

Delight flashed through Qingming's eyes. "In that case, shall I arrange a place for the two of you to fight?"

"A place to fight? Isn't this place just fine?"

Whoosh—

The moment the words fell, Shuiwu vanished from his seat. Like a ghost without a shadow, he shot forward more than ten meters in an instant. In the blink of an eye, he was already before Yan Hong, his five fingers clawed as they reached for Yan Hong's throat!

At the same time, Yan Hong's Mangekyō Sharingan flashed rapidly. He could barely make out a figure tearing through the air and dust, moving at an inconceivable speed!

At the critical moment, Yan Hong drove force up from the ground and thrust out his palm, meeting the incoming claw head-on!

Boom—

Two overwhelmingly powerful surges of chakra exploded within the council hall!

The chair beneath Yan Hong shattered instantly, while the floor tiles beneath his feet burst into spiderweb cracks. The flying dust was blasted apart in both directions by the force of the impact, swallowing Qingming, who had been watching from the side, in an instant!

Yan Hong did not move, but Shuiwu was sent flying back by the palm strike. While still in midair, he slammed his hands together before his chest!

Blood Release: Blood Meteor!

Swoosh—

A piercing shriek tore through the entire hall, like the wail of a demon from hell. A blood arrow shot through the air. Even though Yan Hong had been prepared, the terrifying speed still startled him!

Crash—

Yan Hong instantly ducked low. The blood arrow grazed his back and shot into the wall behind him, shattering the stone wall in an instant and letting a torrent of icy rain pour inside!

Thud—

Yan Hong reacted by stomping on the ground and lunging forward like a tiger. The long blade in his hand left its sheath, carving a dazzling white arc through the air!

"What incredible speed!"

A flash of admiration appeared in Shuiwu's eyes. A blood sphere silently condensed in his right hand. Just as the three-foot blade light reached him, the small blood sphere abruptly exploded!

Boom—

The immense chakra contained within the blood sphere instantly blasted them both backward, and the resulting shockwave hurled everything around them outward!

Yan Hong raised his blade before him, but his back slammed against a stone wall. With a muffled crash, he smashed through it and was thrown onto the ground outside!

Crash—

Cold rain fell over him. Yan Hong planted his blade against the ground and slowly rose to his feet. Looking at Shuiwu, who had also stepped into the rain, his eyes were filled with gravity!

Shuiwu, the future Third Mizukage, the most mysterious Mizukage. There was very little information about him, and he was also the true founder of the Blood Mist Village!

Yan Hong wiped the rain from his face and stood proudly in the downpour with his sword in one hand. "You really are strong."

A bloodthirsty smile appeared on Shuiwu's face. "You're not bad yourself. I didn't expect you to dodge Blood Explosion from that close."

"Hah." Yan Hong took a deep breath as red light abruptly flashed in his Mangekyō Sharingan. "Then let's continue!"

Eye Technique: Kagami no...?

Just as the Mangekyō's eye technique was about to activate, Shuiwu vanished directly from his sight!

The prerequisite for Kagami no Mitama to seize a ninjutsu was that the opponent needed to be within his field of vision. Once he lost his target, the eye technique became completely useless!

"I've studied the Uchiha Clan. Your eyes are the Mangekyō Sharingan, right? I don't know what ability they possess, but as long as you can't see me, they can't do anything!"

A sudden voice rang out from behind him. Yan Hong whirled around and saw a massive blood scythe sweeping toward him. It was so fast that it carved a trail of white mist through the air!

Clang—

Yan Hong raised his blade to block. The blood scythe struck the sword, snapping the finely crafted blade in an instant. The red scythe, exuding a heavy scent of blood, continued onward, its icy gleam brushing across Yan Hong's cheek and leaving behind a shallow cut!

Whoosh—

Yan Hong leaped back several steps. A trace of blood seeped from the wound on his face, only to be washed clean by the rain in moments. Yet a dark-red stain had appeared in the puddle beneath his feet.

Not far away, Shuiwu's face showed intoxication. "What a captivating scent. The blood of the strong truly is intoxicating. Once I drink your blood, I'll become the strongest existence in the Water Country in one stroke!"

Big brother, sorry. Looks like I'll have to use the Mangekyō's power. Yan Hong silently muttered, then rapidly formed hand seals!

Fire Release: Majestic Destroyer Flame!

Boom—

A sea of fire surged forth. Crimson flames burned away wind and rain like an overwhelming tide, crashing toward Shuiwu with unstoppable force!

Blood Release: Blood Wings!

Whoosh—

A pair of enormous wings formed from blood unfurled behind Shuiwu. With one flap, he soared into the sky, vaulting over the incoming flames and looking down upon the roiling sea of fire below.

Shuiwu gave a mocking smile. "What enormous chakra, but what use is it if it can't hit me?"

Boom—

The moment he spoke, a dragon's roar suddenly erupted through the curtain of rain!

A circular hole suddenly burst open in the sea of flames beneath Shuiwu. A black chakra spear tore through the air with terrifying force. Rainwater was caught around the spear, spiraling around it and transforming into a roaring dragon!

Shuiwu's eyes widened in shock. He had no idea what this thing was. He wanted to dodge, but had no strength to spare, and could only watch as Yan Hong's spear came at him. In his haste, the blood wings behind him folded together before his body!

Boom—

After a muffled impact, rainwater scattered in all directions. The blood wings exploded in midair, and Shuiwu became a shooting star, hurtling straight into a nearby house. He smashed through two walls in succession before crashing into the street outside!

"Cough, cough."

Shuiwu spat out a mouthful of blood. His once-neat long hair now hung messily over his face. Looking at the black Susanoo before him, his slightly opened eyes shone with a crazed red light. "What a monster! That was almost dangerous. The Uchiha Clan actually has something like... urgh?"

As if someone had seized his throat, Shuiwu looked down at his hands in surprise. "What's going on?"

Not far away, blood streamed from Yan Hong's left eye!

Eye Technique: Kagami no Mitama!