Crisis

The three of them weaved through the soldiers, quickly broke through the crowd, and in a flash, rushed up to the second floor, appearing in front of Taruho.

The soldiers in the corridor rushed towards the three of them.

Kusuna opened his mouth and blew out a gust of wind, causing the soldiers to stagger and fall. Shūri quickly Hand Seals and shot out more than a dozen water arrows, piercing through the soldiers' bodies. In the blink of an eye, more than a dozen soldiers fell, but the remaining soldiers showed no fear and charged towards the three.

"Earth Release: Hardening"

Fudō instantly enhanced his body, let out a loud shout, and charged towards the soldiers, sending them flying backward. Fudō broke through the soldiers' encirclement and arrived in front of Taruho, crashing directly into Taruho. Taruho didn't even have a chance to draw her weapon before being sent crashing into the palace.

Kusuna and Shūri dealt with the remaining soldiers behind them and followed. The three of them entered the palace and saw Shion escape into the secret passage.

Fudō Dong looked around and said, "Where is that ninja?" A malicious look appeared on his face as he stared at the Taruho on the ground.

Taruho struggled to crawl over, Shūri grinned wickedly and shot out four Kunai, pinning Taruho's limbs to the ground. Kusuna said, "We should go kill the priestess. As for the ninja's whereabouts, Shūri handle that."

Shūri said, "Big brother, leave it to me."

Approaching Taruho, he asked, "Where is that ninja?"

Of Taruho wouldn't betray Uzumaki Hane, and said, "I don't know."

Shūri squatted down directly in front of Taruho, extended his right hand, grabbed the Kunai stuck in Taruho's right hand, and with a pull, Taruho groaned in pain. Shūri said, "Where is that ninja? Will you talk?"

Despite the pain, Taruho said, "I don't know."

Shūri's expression changed, and he gripped the Taruho Kunai, beginning to stir it. Ashiho screamed in agony. Shūri revealed a cruel smile and said, "Will you talk or not?"

Shūri was interrogating Taruho, Fudō led Kusuna into the tunnel. After emerging from the tunnel, the two caught up with Shion. Shion's expression was calm; she was used to assassination attempts and even felt a sense of relief.

Kusuna looked at Shion in front of him, and several black tentacles emerged from his body, rushing towards Shion.

At that moment, Fudō stopped Kusuna and said, "Wait a minute, we can use the priestess to find that ninja." As he spoke of Uzumaki Hane, a strong killing intent flashed in Fudō's eyes.

Kusuna hesitated for a moment, then said, "No, Moryo's order is to kill the priestess immediately."

"Don't you want to avenge your companion? With the strength of the three of us, are you afraid we can't kill him?" Fudō Dong said coldly.

Shion immediately said, "I will not allow you to threaten Uzumaki Hane."

"Oh, that ninja's name is Uzumaki Hane," Fudō said. "But that's not up to you."

Shion said resolutely, "You'd better kill me, or I will seal the Moryo again."

At that moment, Shūri walked over, carrying the battered and bruised Taruho in his hand, and threw Taruho in front of Shion. He said to Kusuna, "Big brother, he just won't say a word."

Shion was startled and knelt down in front of Taruho, anxiously asking, "Taruho, what's wrong? Are you alright?"

With a forced voice, Taruho said, "I'm alright, Lady Shion. You run! Don't worry about me, I'll hold them off." He struggled to his feet and stood in front of Shion. The wound on his foot made Taruho unsteady, but he still managed to stand firmly in front of Shion.

With a look of utter contempt in his eyes, he punched Taruho directly in the stomach, causing Taruho to spit out a Taruho of blood. Fudō slightly turned his body, dodging the blood. He grabbed Taruho's clothes and threw him away. Taruho crashed heavily to the ground, his life hanging in the balance.

Shion cried out anxiously, "Taruho!" and rushed over. The three ignored her; in their eyes, Shion was just meat on a chopping block, ready to be killed at any moment.

Kusuna said, "Let's kill the priestess first, then get the ninja's whereabouts from the other person." After saying that, he walked towards Shion.

Fudō stopped Kusuna, saying, "No, what if they can't lure that ninja to the scene? Capture both of them, kill the ninja, and then kill the priestess."

Kusuna frowned and said, "You intend to disobey Lord Moryo's orders?"

"You want to Fudō Moryo to intimidate me? As long as we kill the priestess in the end, our mission will be complete."

Kusuna's eyes flashed with anger, and several black swords shot out from his body, binding Fudō. Then he said to Shūri, "Shūri, go and kill the priestess."

With Fudō of utter contempt in his eyes, he said, "You think you, a piece of trash, can stop me?"

Upon hearing this, Kusuna recalled how easily Fudō had defeated him that day, and a murderous glint flashed in his eyes. He said, "Then let me show you the favor Lord Moryo bestowed upon me." Countless sharp spikes emerged from the Fudō binding Fudo, shimmering with a dark light, clearly containing potent poison. However, Fudō's body was as solid as rock, and the spikes could not pierce Fudō skin at all.

Kusuna thought to himself, "How is that possible?"

With Fudō dismissive smile, he said, "That's all." With a loud shout, the tentacles on his body snapped off inch by inch, and Kusuna was forced back several steps.

Fudō, he flashed and instantly appeared above Kusuna's head, throwing a punch down. The whistling wind from the punch made Kusuna feel its immense power, Kusuna quickly dodged to the side.

Fudō, he slammed his fist into the ground, creating a large crater and scattering countless fragments of rock. Kusuna was secretly shocked. "His strength is much greater than before." He flashed and quickly retreated several meters.

Fudō looked at the destruction he had caused with satisfaction. His strength was at least three times greater than before, and he was confident he could kill Uzumaki Hane this time, washing away the shame of his recent defeats. Then, he looked at Kusuna, a smirk playing on his lips, and said, "You still want to stop me?"

Kusuna's expression turned serious as he looked at Shūri beside him and said, "Shūri, what are you doing? Why aren't you making a move?"

Shūri said, "But, brother, don't you want to avenge Shizuku and Setsuna?"

Kusuna firmly stated, "Moryo's orders are absolute. Even if we kill the priestess, we can still find that ninja." He then blocked Fudō's path once more.

Fudō face was filled with anger as he said, "You really want to stop me?"

Shūri said in a deep voice, "Yes, brother." He then rushed towards the shrine maiden.

On the other side, Shion was squatting in front of Taruho had already fainted. Looking at Taruho covered in wounds, Shion was at a loss. The image of Uzumaki Hane popped into her mind, and she prayed anxiously, "Uzumaki Hane, please come back soon."

In the blink of an eye, Shūri appeared before Shion, looking down at the kneeling Shion. He took out a Kunai with his right hand and said, "Die, priestess." He then ruthlessly plunged the Kunai into Shion's chest.

Shion's face was filled with despair. "Am I going to die? But if I die, who will seal the Moryo? I can't die yet, Uzumaki Hane, where are you?" Watching the Kunai getting closer and closer to her, Shion closed her eyes in despair.