The four-man Star Ninja team, who had been hiding behind the boulder, collapsed to the ground, conscious but unable to move.
A purple Kikaichū floated above the four people's heads, constantly emitting faint purple smoke, which was a poisonous gas with a strong paralyzing effect. Caught off guard, all four people were hit and fell to the ground.
Shino, the insect controller, approached with Temari and Hōryūsai: "It's right here."
Temari glanced at the four of them and was somewhat speechless. "Why are there bald guys and kids again?"
Hōryūsai slowly said, "They are the Star Ninja."
Shino, hands in his pockets, looking nonchalant, asked, "Captain Temari, what's our next move?"
This operation is primarily led by the Sand Ninja. Temari thought for a moment and said, "Let's find a place to rest first. After Hongshi heals those mercenaries, let's see if we can get some information from them."
Three hours later
In a cave on the border of the Land of Bears, Hongshi used Medical Ninjutsu to treat the mercenaries for the injuries caused by Hōryūsai.
The three representatives, representing Konoha, Sand Ninja, and Nuclear Ninja, huddled together discussing countermeasures.
The usually taciturn Shino spoke first, " Temari, one of the principles of peaceful coexistence between countries is non-interference in internal affairs. It would be inappropriate for us to rashly enter another country's border without receiving a request from Hoshigakure."
Temari knew that doing so was inappropriate, but the situation in Sunagakure was dire; they were short of money and manpower, and the danger had to be nipped in the bud. "I know," she said, "But two Sand Ninja patrol teams have already gone missing in this area. We must find out why. It's obvious they know something. Besides, hired ninjas aren't strictly speaking part of Hoshigakure. Even if we kill them, it won't cause us much of a problem."
Hongshi, who was healing them, exclaimed, "What? We're going to kill them too? What's the point of healing them then?!"
Shino nodded. "I'm afraid other countries might use this as an excuse to make trouble."
Temari chuckled, "Wouldn't that let us know which country is causing trouble?"
"Hmm... that makes sense."
At this moment, thanks to Hongshi's healing, all four mercenary ninjas recovered and awoke.
Who are you?!
Just as the group was about to jump up and run away, Shino reacted quickly, throwing out several poisonous insects that instantly flew into the mouths of the four.
"What is this?! Ugh!"
"Why is there still a foul smell!"
"Ah! Ah! Ah! Bugs! Oh my god! How scary!"
Upon seeing the insect, Hongshi's hair stood on end... no, he had no hair at all. He suddenly stood up, raised his arms, and ran out of the cave.
Temari: "(°ー°) Is he serious?"
Hōryūsai opened his eyes. "Did something just run out just now?"
Shino looked at the hired ninjas. "These are Deadly Poison Insects. With just a thought, you will all die from their poison."
Hired ninjas are people who live on the edge, so they can't be easily intimidated. They dodged and tried to launch another attack on the group.
"Puff!"
As Shino opened his right hand, all four of them shuddered, fell to their knees, their faces turned deep purple, and black blood flowed from their mouths and noses.
The Deadly Poison Insects are not a mutation, but a group that survived after adapting to the Venomous Chakra Deadly Poison Release Technique from Kendon. They have extremely strong toxicity resistance and also carry a certain amount of venom themselves, which they release under Shino's command.
Temari frowned. "Hey, Shino, Hongshi just healed them, why did you kill them again? That's not a good idea."
Shino ignored Temari and said calmly, "I've only released a small dose of venom. If you resist again, you'll die instantly."
The hired ninja felt excruciating pain throughout his body, his whole body convulsing. He had no strength left to speak, and could only nod quickly.
Shino withdrew his right hand, Deadly Poison Insects inside the four people stopped secreting venom and instead secreted antibodies to neutralize it, causing the purple aura on their faces to fade.
Shino looked at Temari, then slowly walked to the side. "I'll leave the interrogation to you."
Temari gave a thumbs-up. "You're really something! So, what are your names?"
The mercenary ninja captain, pale-faced, dared not utter a word: "My name is Hatoyama Raifu, and we are members of the Vulture Mercenary Ninja Organization."
" The Vulture Organization? Never heard of it. What is your purpose in coming to the Land of Bears?"
Hatoyama Raifu's eyes darted around. " The Hoshikage of Hoshigakure has asked us to find a person named Natsuhiboshi in this area."
Temari sneered, "Do you think I'm a three-year-old?! Shino, poison him!"
Upon seeing Shino was resting to the side, slowly raise her right hand, Hatoyama Raifu quickly said, "I... I'll talk! I'll talk! Hoshikage's request is real, but we also accepted a bounty on the black market at the same time."
"A black market bounty? What does it say?"
"No, that's right. After accepting the Star Ninja's request, our boss also took on a black market bounty. The bounty is for killing Sand Ninja. We get 50,000 ryo for each Genin killed, 150,000 ryo for Chunin, and 300,000 ryo for Jonin."
Shino turned grave. "It seems someone is targeting Sunagakure."
Temari thought for a moment, "With such a high bounty, it's definitely not something a mere Hoshigakure could afford. This means the two Sand Ninja squads that were killed must have died for the same reason. It seems very necessary to investigate further!"
Shino said calmly, "It seems they don't know much either."
Temari nodded. "To avoid any unforeseen complications, Shino, poison him!"
"No, no, no!" Hatoyama exclaimed in surprise, "Although we are just ordinary members, we can take you to see our boss. He definitely knows who the employer is!"
Temari said, "Alright, but you need to understand that your lives are now in Shino's hands. Shino, can you make them pass out?"
"Can."
"Knock knock knock."
Shino circled around behind the four men, grabbed a wooden stick, and struck each of them repeatedly.
Temari: "... How come I didn't think of that?"
Shino said, "This is a serious problem. Should we inform the Lord Kazekage first?"
Temari realized the seriousness of the situation. "We don't have time to inform Gaara. Let's find out what happened before they realize what's going on."
While Shino and Temari were discussing, Hōryūsai sensed something. "By the way, these Star Ninja seem to still be conscious. If you speak so loudly, won't they hear you?"
Temari looked at Shino: " Shino, (°ー°) are they still awake?"
Shino was silent for a moment, then said, "That's right."
Temari: "Why didn't you say so sooner!"
"... I forgot."
Hōryūsai stood up and slowly walked to the four Star Ninja who were in a paralyzed state. "I sensed a different kind of Chakra aura on the Star Ninja, and they all seem to be ill."
Temari had also heard a little about the current situation of the Star Ninja: "I heard that they use a star in the sky as the foundation for their training, but very few people can succeed. However, once they succeed, they will unleash tremendous power."
Hōryūsai looked at Sanrensei, whose complexion was the worst, and slowly unbuttoned his clothes. He saw purple patches on Sanlianxing's thin chest. "What's this?"
Shino and Temari also came over. "What's going on?"
Hōryūsai placed his hand on the patch and remained silent for a moment. "This is... overactive Chakra. I see, his body couldn't withstand the power of this Chakra."
After saying Hōryūsai released a suction force from his hand, and the purple patches began to flow, gathering on his right arm and disappearing in a short while.
After the purple patches disappeared, the Sanrensei's unstable breathing began to calm down, and the cold sweat on his forehead stopped.
Hōryūsai sensed the Chakra: "This Chakra has no attribute; it's just highly activated. I speculate that under extreme activation, this Chakra has gained a strong ability to change its form. Hmm, a rather practical Ninjutsu."
Temari said, "I've heard it's a technique called the Mysterious Peacock Method, but I've never seen it before."
Shino: "Why don't we let them answer it themselves?"
Hōryūsai laughed, " The Mysterious Peacock Method? I believe Chinchiku would be very interested in this incomplete technique. Hoshigakure, it seems your visit was well worth it!"
Temari asked, "And who is Chinchiku! Thirteen Nuclear Guardian Pillars?"
Hōryūsai nodded. "That's right, he's the most skilled in all kinds of Ninjutsu among our thirteen brothers, and he really enjoys researching special techniques. Alright, let's cook first. Hongshi is back carrying a wild boar."