Purple Gold Mountain
The flat ground, usually used to store purple gold ore, was now filled with people.
However, calling them human might not be entirely accurate. All the purple-clad Purple Gold Clan had grown numerous fish scales on their bodies and numerous sharp teeth in their mouths.
The mine entrance was locked from the outside, and angry shouts and curses came from behind the door, effectively trapping hundreds of miners inside.
"Wow! This feeling of power! Boss, this medicine works really well!"
"I feel like I have nothing to fear anymore!"
Shikin Shinma, the leader of the Purple Gold Clan, stood on the high platform with several core members and the men in black, looking down at his subordinates who had undergone Sage Transformation, and was very satisfied.
Among the men in black, Mizuki removed his cloak, revealing a pale face covered in snake-like scales, eyes that had turned into vertical pupils characteristic of snakes, and two sharp fangs in his mouth, making him resemble a white snake.
The other six remained hidden in their cloaks, their faces obscured, standing like statues behind Mizuki, silent, yet the aura emanating from them chilled Shikin Shinma.
Listening to the screams from the mine, Mizuki felt as if he were hearing the most beautiful music. "Chief Shinma, I have fulfilled my promise. These miners are now mine."
When Mizuki arrived at Purple Gold Mountain, he promised to give Shikin Shinma and his subordinates three times the power, at the cost of three hundred miners.
As missing-nin, Shikin Shinma was a man who lived by the sword. Having occupied the most valuable gold mine in the Land of Rivers, he naturally wouldn't agree to launch an attack on Mizuki.
Mizuki simply killed Shikin Shinma's three most capable subordinates, and the black-clad man behind him devoured their flesh and blood, shocking everyone present.
Under these circumstances, Shikin Shinma realized that it was now at the mercy of others and had lost its right to choose.
Shikin Shinma felt six pairs of eyes staring at him from beneath the cloak, as if they would attack if he said the wrong thing. He swallowed hard and said, "Lord... Lord Mizuki, whatever you say goes."
The main reason Mizuki spared Shikin Shinma's life was because he was the leader here, allowing Shuimu to better carry out his plans without anyone knowing.
A terrifying smile spread across Mizuki's ferocious face, "Heh heh, I love doing business with smart people. Apart from the dozen or so who just escaped, all your subordinates have received my secret technique, Beast Seal Transformation, and gained powerful energy. As long as their appetites are satisfied, they won't go berserk."
Shikin Shinma was startled. Mizuki gave all his subordinates a green potion. After taking it, each person's body underwent a different kind of beast transformation, with various animals appearing. However, he suddenly noticed a common feature: the beast transformations all manifested as carnivorous animal forms.
"Appetite? What does that mean?"
Mizuki chuckled, his voice as hoarse as Orochimaru's. "Heh, Chief Shinma, power doesn't come from nowhere. Your hundred-plus subordinates need to eat fresh flesh and blood every day to satisfy their bloodlust and maintain their sanity. Otherwise, they'll become no different from wild beasts and will attack anyone except those who have also Sage Transformation, including you."
"Damn it! Lightning Release: Lightning Blade!"
One of the elders, Zijin, was already strongly opposed to Mizuki's actions. The dozen or so people who escaped were his subordinates, and he stayed behind to find an opportunity to kill Mizuki.
Elder Zijin's real name is Takuden. He has dark skin and is missing-nin from Kumogakure. Before his defection, he was a genuine Jonin. Although he is over fifty years old, his strength has not declined much.
Takuden swiftly drew his katana from his waist, lightning crackling across the blade, and used Body Flicker Technique to appear before Mizuki: "Don't compare me to those three brats!"
Among the Purple Gold Clan, Takuden ranks second only to Shikin Shinma due to his age, and is known for his lightning sword technique that combines Lightning Release with swordsmanship.
"Cloud Flow - Crescent Moon Slash!"
Lei Jian swiftly swung out a large crescent moon, slashing towards Mizuki's neck.
However, just as the lightning blade struck Mizuki, one of the six people behind Mizuki moved. A brown, four-fingered claw with extremely long nails extended from under his cloak, blocking the strike.
"Die! Lightning Release: Lightning Sword!"
The lightning on the katana burst forth, enveloping Mizuki and the man in black. The powerful lightning strike incinerated their clothes. However, just when he thought he had succeeded, a tail covered in brown scales shot out from the lightning and pierced his chest.
"Bang!"
Takuden transformed into a wooden stake, using Substitution Technique to dodge the attack the instant it was struck, while his real body appeared in the plaza at the bottom.
"Damn it! What kind of monster is that?!"
As the lightning subsided, it was revealed that Mizuki and the man in black's clothes had been burned away by the lightning, revealing their original appearance.
Mizuki was covered in white scales and had a snake tail trailing behind him, making him extremely ugly.
The person beside him was the same; he was nothing more than a Chuanshan, his body covered in sharp, dark brown scales, and his claws could block Takuden strike, demonstrating his incredible toughness.
Mizuki smiled and said, "Thank you, Chuanshan- kun."
Due to the influence of the Beast Seal, Chuanshan's mind was not very clear, and he was like a puppet. "No need... to be polite... Master Mizuki... this guy... looks delicious!"
Mizuki turned to look at the trembling elders of the Purple Gold Clan: "Clan Chief Shinma, it seems Elder Takuden doesn't like us very much."
Seeing the three unresponsive individuals, Takuden was furious. "You idiots! Mizuki is using you!"
Mizuki smiled coldly, said nothing, and formed a special hand seal, the effect of which was unknown.
Shikin Shinma suddenly saw something. " Takuden! Watch out!"
"Um?"
Takuden faced Mizuki, with the Purple Gold Clan members who had already begun to transform into Beast Seal Transformation behind him. Upon hearing Shikin Shinma's words, he suddenly felt surrounded by a thick killing intent, and a sense of crisis surged into his heart. "Not good!"
"Roar!"
The Purple Gold Clan members behind him were marveling at the power they had gained just a second ago, but the next second they lost consciousness and attacked Takuden.
Takuden knew these people were his own clansmen, and for a moment he couldn't bring himself to attack, only dodging and protecting himself. "Clan Chief Shinma, what are you waiting for? Immobility, the Purple Gold Clan will be wiped out!"
Shikin Shinma and the others had been watching Mizuki closely, and they saw it clearly. Mizuki's seal seemed to be able to control the clansmen who had already Beast Seal Transformation: "You bastard! You actually lied to us!"
Mizuki chuckled, "That's right. Shirō, Hyōtsū, go ahead."
These men were once Jonin, but years of defection had made them much more cautious, always prioritizing their own safety. Upon learning they had been tricked, they immediately drew their swords, but the men in black behind Mizuki also tore their clothes and stepped forward to meet them.
It was then discovered that the six men in black were also orcs; in addition to the Chuanshan that had already appeared, there were also lions, leopards, black wolves, grizzly bears, and crocodiles.
Instead of engaging in combat, the lion and leopard, each carrying a vial of blood-red potion, charged into the mine.
The remaining Black Wolf, Grizzly Bear, and Crocodile automatically went to meet Shikin Shinma and his two companions, Chuanshan remained by Mizuki's side.
" Earth Release · Earth Style Wall!"
Takuden dodged an attack, pressing his hands to the ground. Four Earth Style Wall rose up beside him, separating him from his beast-like clansmen. Having time to Hand Seals, he leaped high into the air, his hands rapidly Hand Seals: "We must deal with Mizuki first! Lightning Release: Lightning Pillar!"
A blinding white beam of light appeared behind Takuden, engulfing the entire plaza.
"Hiss! Roar!"
All the clansmen were in excruciating pain in their eyes and roared in anger. Even Mizuki and the others instinctively shielded their eyes with their hands, temporarily releasing the Purple Gold Clan from their control.
With a soft thud, Mizuki felt a sharp pain in his chest. He didn't know where a Shuriken had come from, but it had pierced his chest.
"Hmph, Shuriken of this magnitude?"
" Nuclear Ninja Style, Ninth Form, Fourth: Waist Slash!"
Mizuki saw the blinding white light in front of him being blocked, and an unfamiliar female voice sounded in front of him.
"Oh no! Chuanshan!"