Escalating Tensions

Shinbu Kosuke's legs trembled, and his eyes lost focus.

Regret, guilt, and the fear of death filled his heart.

"I'm sorry. I dragged you into this. I'll hold them off. You two find a way to escape!"

Shinomiya Takuto cut him off coldly. "Escape? None of you are getting away. Kill them all!"

Water Release: Water Flow Whip!

Fire Release: Fire Sky Bullet!

Wind Release: Piercing Sky Blade!

Ninjutsu rained down on Lu Zeming and the other two from every direction.

Shinbu Kosuke raised an Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall to block them, but his strength was limited. Under the barrage, it lasted less than two seconds before breaking. A whip formed from water struck him and sent him flying.

Mui fared no better. Even after using the Substitution Technique and Body Flicker Technique in quick succession, he failed to dodge. The Piercing Sky Blade cut into his shoulder, and blood poured from the wound.

Shinbu Kosuke tried to get up and unleash his finishing move, but his enemies gave him no chance to form the hand signs.

Two Shinomiya ninja closed in and pummeled Shinbu Kosuke with taijutsu, treating him like a punching bag.

Mui was trapped tight inside a Water Prison, like a fish in a tank with no way out.

"Let's see how tough you talk now!"

Shinomiya Takuto was about to gloat when he suddenly realized something.

"Wait. Where's that brat?"

Lu Zeming's voice came from behind him.

"I really don't get it. Why do you all have to shout out your ninjutsu before using it? It's so cringey!"

Every hair on Shinomiya Takuto's body stood on end. He had no intention of answering Lu Zeming's question. He tried to use the Body Flicker Technique to put some distance between them.

Lu Zeming was faster. He seized Takuto's wrist, yanked him back, then twisted his arm and threw him.

Shinomiya Takuto slammed into the ground with a thunderous crash and the crack of breaking bones. The earth split beneath him, and blood spilled from his nose and mouth.

The sight left everyone stunned.

No one had expected the arrogant Shinomiya Takuto to end up like this in the blink of an eye.

"Hey! Spacing out on a battlefield is dangerous!"

Before Lu Zeming had finished speaking, he appeared behind the ninja maintaining the Water Prison Technique. His blade flashed. The man's upper body slid off at the waist, and blood gushed out.

Mui broke free and fell to the ground, gasping for air.

"Damn you!"

Three Shinomiya ninja rushed Lu Zeming. He met them with his blade. After just three exchanges, two were dead, and the last staggered back clutching a severed arm.

In that short span, only five Shinomiya members remained.

Anyone could see that Lu Zeming was far stronger than the rest. The survivors had no will to keep fighting.

"He's a monster! Split up and run!"

The five threw Flash Bombs and fled in different directions.

Lu Zeming had no intention of letting them go. He gave chase almost immediately.

Mui and Shinbu Kosuke, both badly wounded, were left staring blankly after him.

"How strong do you think he is?"

"Jonin level, at least!"

"A seven-year-old Jonin? Good grief!"

A little over ten minutes later, Lu Zeming returned looking somewhat dusty, dragging a string of corpses behind him.

"Man, an Explosive Tag nearly got me. Everyone has a duty to protect the environment. Mui, you know Fire Release, so I'll leave these bodies to you!"

Mui gave a wry smile. Without another word, he used ninjutsu to burn the corpses.

Lu Zeming walked over to Shinomiya Takuto, who still lay on the ground, unable to move an inch.

"You can't kill me! My father is Shinomiya Eita. If you kill me, he'll tear you to pieces! Take me back, and I'll let this whole thing go!"

The brat's stupidity made Lu Zeming laugh.

"At this point, do you really think you're getting out of here alive?"

His blade fell, and Takuto's head came off. Disbelief was still written across his face.

Lu Zeming tossed the head in front of Shinbu Kosuke.

"Here. What you wanted."

Shinbu Kosuke felt both ashamed and moved. His lips worked for a long moment before he finally managed two words.

"Thank you."

Lu Zeming, meanwhile, thought, If Shinomiya Takuto doesn't die, how am I supposed to escalate the conflict between your families?

And if the conflict doesn't escalate, how am I supposed to profit from the chaos?

Putting the thought aside, Lu Zeming rubbed his hands together and headed for the pile of backpacks.

They were all spoils of war!

Explosive Tags +13; Shuriken +86; Kunai +31; Small Sealing Scrolls +3; Soldier Pills +24; Medical Kits +9; red flags +2; yellow flags +1; blue flags +3.

Lu Zeming picked up an Explosive Tag and noticed that many of its symbols matched the ones on the Sealing Scrolls.

I should find a chance to study these Runes properly. Maybe one day I can make some kind of grand formation myself.

He picked up a Soldier Pill and held it under his nose, sniffing carefully.

Spinach juice, soybeans, sesame seeds, plus a little Astragalus, Codonopsis, and honey. Seriously? That's it?

I thought these things were supposed to be impressive. What a scam. I could make something better with my feet.

Finally, Lu Zeming looked at the flags. Three Shinomiya teams had come after them, which meant three unlucky teams had already had their flags stolen.

It's barely started, and three teams have already been robbed? This year's candidates are pretty weak!

"Zeming, what are you muttering about? Kosuke and I are both badly hurt. We need to leave and find somewhere to recover!"

"You're hurt? Great! I can treat you. It's been so long since I've had patients, I almost forgot my old trade!"

"What are you talking about?"

"Nothing. Let's find a place, and this miracle doctor will treat you both!"

Two hours later.

"Zeming, why do I feel hotter and hotter after drinking your medicine?"

"Hot? Ahem. That's normal. Once you're hot enough to sweat, it means you're almost better!"

"Kosuke, why is your face turning red? Is that white smoke coming off your head?"

"I think I can see my great-grandmother!"

"You must really miss her. Mui, you're next!"

Lu Zeming turned toward Mui. Mui waved his hands frantically and shrank away.

"It's just a small wound. It'll heal on its own!"

"A good boy shouldn't avoid treatment. I'll put in a couple of needles to stop the bleeding."

Lu Zeming pinned Mui down and started inserting needles.

"No! Stay away! Ah! I thought you said you'd stop the bleeding. Why is there even more blood?"

"Ahem. That's what you get for moving around. You've only got yourself to blame. Be good and stay still. I'll try again!"

"M-my face... I don't think... I can move it!"

"Huh? That shouldn't happen. How did I manage to paralyze half your face? Hang on, let me try a few other spots!"

"Please... spare me..."

In the Shinomiya estate in Kusagakure, Shinomiya Eita's expression was darker than ever. A crystal ball sat before him.

The image in it was frozen on the moment Shinomiya Takuto was beheaded.

"The Shinbu! Damn the Shinbu! Are you trying to start a Civil War?"

A masked Konoha ninja sat across from Shinomiya Eita.

"Anyone who opposes the Shinomiya opposes Konoha. We can help you take care of these little problems right now."

Shinomiya Eita considered it for a moment, then shook his head. "They went too far, but they stayed within the rules. I'll arrange the Third Exam and have Ryuga kill that Shinbu bastard in front of everyone."

"What about the brat with the Shinbu?"

Shinomiya Eita stared at Lu Zeming's figure in the crystal ball, his teeth clenched.

"That little bastard of unknown origin won't even live long enough to reach the Third Exam!"

The Konoha ninja stretched, as though such trifles weren't worth his attention.

"Fine. Those are minor issues. When exactly is your Kusakage stepping down? He's been in power far too long."

At the mention of the Kusakage, Shinomiya Eita looked a little awkward.

"I've already joined forces with several other families to pressure him. An announcement will be made before the end of the year."

"Make sure you seize the opportunity. Our Hokage doesn't want Iwagakure extending its reach too far!"

"All right. I understand!"