The Black Market

Just then, a figure rushed out—it was the ninja Uesugi I from before—and shouted, "Wait! That's a head worth a million!" But it was too late; Sōma had already been reduced to ashes. Seeing this, the ninja immediately knelt on the ground, crying out in anguish, "My million...!"

Uzumaki Hane's lips curled slightly as she looked at Uesugi I and said, "So you're still alive?"

Uesugi I, still grieving the loss of a million yen, immediately retorted, "You're dead, but I'm not." As soon as the words left his mouth, Uesugi I suddenly realized that this person had created the lava before him, and that Sōma, whose strength was comparable to his own, had also died at his hands.

Uesugi I immediately gave a wry smile and said, "I have something to do, so I'll be leaving now." He stood up and prepared to leave.

Uzumaki Hane said, "Wait a minute."

Uesugi I asked with a forced smile, "What can I do for you?"

Uzumaki Hane asked, "I'm a little curious about the bounty you mentioned earlier?"

Uesugi I immediately retorted, "I don't have any bounty on me."

Uzumaki Hane shook her head and said, "I need you to take me to the black market."

"So that's what it is," Uesugi I replied immediately, "No problem. The underground black market is very close by. I'll take you there right away."

Soon, the ninja led Uzumaki Hane to a secluded house. The two entered, and Uesugi I led Uzumaki Hane to the left wall. With a gentle touch, the door opened, and a strong smell of blood immediately wafted out, causing Uzumaki Hane to frown. Although Uzumaki Hane had killed many people since coming to this world, she had never smelled such a strong smell of blood.

Upon entering, there were more than a dozen ninjas, each exuding a strong stench of blood, none of them appearing to be benevolent. One in particular, in particular, emanated a bloody aura far exceeding the combined smell of all the others, suggesting he was a butcher with hands stained with blood. Seemingly sensing Uzumaki Hane's gaze, the ninja turned towards Uzumaki Hane Uzumaki Hane, causing him to Uzumaki Hane.

The ninja seemed to have no intention of making a move here. He gave Uzumaki Hane a bloodthirsty smile and turned to leave.

Seeing the ninja leave, Uzumaki Hane ignored him and curiously looked around at everything, which was all very new to Uzumaki Hane.

After a while, Uesugii finished his business, and Uzumaki Hane had also seen enough, so the two left the underground gold exchange. Just after Uzumaki Hane and the other left the underground gold exchange, a ninja appeared, a murderous glint in his eyes, and followed them.

After walking with Uesugii for a while, Uzumaki Hane Yu realized they were being followed. It wasn't that Uzumaki Hane had exceptionally strong senses, but rather that the other party made no attempt to conceal their presence. Uzumaki Hane stopped and shouted, "Who goes there? Show yourself!" He Kunai from his hand.

Clang! A ninja emerged from behind a tree trunk, holding Kunai in his hand, and blocked Uzumaki Hane's Kunai. Uzumaki Hane recognized this ninja; he was the one who had tried to kill him at the underground Uzumaki Hane exchange earlier. He hadn't expected the ninja to follow him.

Uesugii looked at the person in front of him with a serious expression and said, "Be careful. This person is called Kizōmori. He is notorious for hunting down newcomers who come to the black market. Most importantly, he is very strong. He is an elite Jonin who has killed Jonin many times. It seems that he is targeting you this time."

Kizōmori looked at Uzumaki Hane with a bloodthirsty glint in his eyes and said, "Not bad, brat, I am Kizōmori. It's been a long time since I've seen such delicious prey."

Uzumaki Hane's expression remained unchanged as she said, "Really? How do you know you're not the prey?"

Uesugii began to flee. He didn't know just how strong Uzumaki Hane was. However, he was very clear that he was no match for Kizōmori, Uesugii was incredibly powerful.

Ignoring the fleeing Uesugi I, Kizōmori stared at Uzumaki Hane with bloodthirsty eyes and said coldly, "Looks like you're looking for death. Don't worry, such delicious prey should be enjoyed properly. I won't let you die too easily." With a flash, he appeared in front of Uzumaki Hane, his right hand gripping Kunai and viciously slashing at Uzumaki Hane's neck.

Uzumaki Hane took a step back with her right foot, narrowly avoiding the attack, and then kicked Kizōmori hard in the stomach.

With a bang, Kizōmori quickly raised his left hand to block Uzumaki Hane's kick, but felt a powerful force strike him, causing him to stagger back several steps. Kizōmori was somewhat surprised and said, "Such great strength! Are you a ninja skilled in Taijutsu? That's more interesting. But if you think you can contend with me like this, you're sorely mistaken."

Before he could finish speaking, Uzumaki Hane instantly appeared beside him and kicked him in the stomach.

Bang! Kizōmori staggered back several steps, roaring, "Damn brat..." His killing intent surged.

Uzumaki Hane shouted, "Canine Red Lotus!" His right hand swiftly transformed into lava, forming a dog shape, and charged towards Kizōmori.

Kizōmori quickly Hand Seals and shouted, "Water Release: Water Formation Wall!" A water wall rapidly formed in front of him, and the dog-shaped lava directly crashed into the water curtain. Bang! The water wall cracked like glass before shattering, and the dog-shaped lava was extinguished by the water flow.

Seeing this, Kizōmori shouted again, "Water Release: Exploding Water Colliding Wave!" He spewed out a huge stream of water, creating a lake. Kizōmori smiled sinisterly, "Let's see how you use Lava Release this time!" He then formed hand Hand Seals and shouted, "Water Release: Water Dragon Jutsu!" The water on the ground began to surge, forming a huge water dragon. The water dragon opened its mouth and bit down at Uzumaki Hane.

Uzumaki Hane's eyes narrowed, and his right hand quickly transformed into lava as he punched the dragon's head.

Bang! The Rock Fist blasted a large hole in the dragon's head, and the water turned into raindrops that evaporated instantly upon hitting Uzumaki Hane.

However, the water flowed around the dragon's body, and soon the dragon's head was fully restored, and it continued to rush towards the Uzumaki Hane.

Uzumaki Hane shouted, "Great Eruption!" His hands turned into lava, forming a giant Rock Fist, which charged towards the water dragon.

The Rock Fist rained down relentlessly, while the water dragon, in comparison, was like a tiny mudfish, instantly blasted apart into countless water droplets, which were then evaporated.

Seeing his most powerful Ninjutsu easily broken by the enemy, Kizōmori felt a strong sense of crisis and turned to run away.

But how could Uzumaki Hane let him escape? His feet quickly turned into lava, bursting forth with terrifying speed as he rushed towards Kizōmori, instantly appearing behind him. Kizōmori sensed the movement behind him and tried to speed up, but bang! An arm flowing with scalding lava pierced through his chest, but no blood spurted out, because the Rock Fist burned his internal organs to ashes the moment it passed through his body.

Kizōmori turned his head and looked at Uzumaki Hane's indifferent expression, as if he had just done something very ordinary. His eyes were full of resentment. He was about to die. How could he die here? He remembered the desperate look in the eyes of those ninjas when he hunted them before. He thought that he must be the same now. Everything in front of him began to blur. His strength was rapidly draining away. Finally, he died.

Uzumaki Hane pulled out his arm, letting the corpse fall to the ground. He turned to leave, but found a person standing in front of him, a person wearing a black trench coat with several red clouds embroidered on it.