Ruthless, Far Too Ruthless!

The next day, at noon.

As usual, Miya searched Asakusa Town for traces of Tashiro Masato. But judging by his unhurried manner, he looked less like he was on a mission and more like he was on vacation.

The Sugihiro brothers, Chōhei and Chōsen, on the other hand, easily found traces of Tashiro Masato in Asakusa Town.

"Big brother, should we make our move?"

Outside the hot spring inn, Sugihiro Chōsen kept watch on Tashiro Masato inside, killing intent constantly spilling from his eyes.

"Mm, get ready to move."

Now that they had found where Tashiro Masato was staying, Sugihiro Chōhei intended to make his move.

As a ninja, and a missing-nin at that, Tashiro Masato was far more vigilant than an ordinary ninja.

To stay alive, he had no choice but to be vigilant, even though living that way all the time was exhausting.

Tashiro Masato, who specialized in gathering intelligence, possessed outstanding perception and analytical skills.

Just as the Sugihiro brothers were about to make their move, the vigilant Tashiro Masato was suddenly gripped by fear and unease.

Danger...

Without betraying any outward reaction, Tashiro Masato began sensing for the source of the danger. At the same time, he put on a cloak and openly left the inn, intending to leave Asakusa Town.

Tashiro Masato: he was just that cautious.

The unease in his heart made him believe Asakusa Town was no longer safe.

Seeing Tashiro Masato leave, Sugihiro Chōhei and Sugihiro Chōsen immediately followed him in secret, looking for a suitable chance to strike.

As he walked down the street, Tashiro Masato constantly sensed his surroundings, trying to locate the danger that was making him uneasy.

Are they Konoha pursuers, or other ninja?

Tashiro Masato kept guessing.

On the same street, Miya had just come out of a barbecue restaurant, a faint smile still on his face.

By chance, Miya and Tashiro Masato came face-to-face at that moment, making Tashiro Masato's heart leap into his throat.

When he saw the Konoha Ninja Forehead Protector on Miya's forehead, he reacted like a startled bird, every muscle in his body tensing instantly.

Konoha pursuers.

Upon seeing Miya, Tashiro Masato immediately concluded that Konoha's pursuers had found him.

Miya gave him a fleeting glance, but unable to see the face beneath Tashiro Masato's cloak, he didn't recognize him immediately and walked past him with small steps.

Suddenly, a Kunai appeared in Tashiro Masato's hand, and he stabbed it toward Miya's head.

He struck without mercy, aiming to kill in a single blow.

He intended to use this to force out the Konoha Ninja he believed were hiding in the shadows. Taking Miya out would also relieve some of the pressure on him in the coming fight.

But Tashiro Masato had severely underestimated both Miya's strength and his reactions.

Although Miya hadn't noticed anything wrong with Tashiro Masato or sensed any danger before he struck, he still caught the movement the instant Tashiro Masato made it.

Bang.

Miya raised his left hand and caught Tashiro Masato's wrist in a firm grip. Seeing the Kunai so close to him, Miya also guessed who Tashiro Masato was.

His supposedly surefire strike had failed, and Miya had caught his wrist instead. Greatly alarmed, Tashiro Masato reacted at once, pulling hard while sweeping out with his leg.

"Tashiro Masato."

As he called out Tashiro Masato's name, Miya saw him sweep his leg and gave the wrist he was holding a powerful yank.

Tashiro Masato's strength was no match for Miya's. Unsurprisingly, Miya hauled him off the ground and slammed him down hard.

Bang.

A shoulder throw.

At the same time, Miya, still holding Tashiro Masato, gave his arm a vicious twist.

"Argh..."

Ignoring Tashiro Masato's screams, Miya had no intention of stopping. He rapidly punched each of Tashiro Masato's other three limbs.

"Argh! Argh! Argh..."

With all four limbs broken, Tashiro Masato had completely lost the ability to move, let alone resist.

His piercing screams drew the attention of the surrounding residents. When they saw Tashiro Masato's right arm, twisted like a pretzel, and his three other broken limbs, they all sucked in a sharp breath.

Ruthless. Far too ruthless.

The jagged ends of his bones were exposed. Tashiro Masato's arm was ruined.

In an instant, the people around them scattered like a flock of birds, fleeing from Miya and Tashiro Masato. The nearby shops also shut their doors at once.

They were terrified of being a step too slow, with no desire whatsoever to stay and watch.

They had seen the ninja Forehead Protector on Miya's forehead and Tashiro Masato wearing a cloak in broad daylight. Combined with Miya's brutality, it made them afraid to linger.

"Masato-senpai, the old Third told me to capture you and bring you back."

Miya smiled, showing his teeth, and looked very friendly, but what he had done was extremely cruel.

"Heh..."

Tashiro Masato gave a miserable, bitter smile, his eyes vacant. There was no turning things around now, and he knew he couldn't escape.

Just then, sounds of something cutting through the air rapidly approached.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...

Miya grabbed Tashiro Masato and jumped. He saw the Sugihiro brothers on the rooftop and confirmed their identities.

Sand puppet masters.

The eight-legged puppets positioned in front of Sugihiro Chōhei and Sugihiro Chōsen were simply too obvious.

"Konoha brat, he's our target. If you don't want to die, hand him over and get lost."

Watching Miya evade the sneak attack, Sugihiro Chōhei issued a stern warning, his voice and expression fierce.

The brothers hadn't underestimated Miya because of his age. They had seen exactly how cleanly, ruthlessly, and decisively he had dealt with Tashiro Masato.

Besides, Miya was clearly a Genin. Though he was here alone now, they didn't believe he had no instructor backing him up.

If Miya knew that Tashiro Masato and the Sugihiro brothers were thinking the same thing, he would certainly have said:

"You're overthinking it. I'm on my own."

Looking up at Sugihiro Chōhei, who had spoken, Miya remained perfectly calm. Not yet realizing they were missing-nin, he said:

"Sand puppet masters, he's a missing-nin from Konoha. Does Sunagakure intend to shelter him?"

Seeing Miya's attitude, Sugihiro Chōhei and Sugihiro Chōsen knew it probably wouldn't be easy to get Tashiro Masato from him. A fight was unavoidable.

"Make it quick."

To avoid any mishaps, Sugihiro Chōhei, still worried that someone was backing Miya up, let out a low shout. At the same time, the brothers moved their fingers.

Immediately, the puppets in front of them flew at Miya, one after the other.

Miya wasted no more words. He paid the two puppets flying toward him no mind at all, looking at the controlled puppets as though they were two big toys.