Naruto: Hyuga Warlord

"It's actually you two."

Yechame Hamako sneered coldly with eyes full of murderous intent, staring intently at the red-haired Sand ninja couple who had just emerged from the puppets, clearly ready to fight to the death.

"As descendants of Elder Chiyo of the Sand lineage, personally undertaking such an extremely dangerous mission... It seems Sunagakure still resorts to the same old crude methods to eliminate dissenters!"

"What? Can't the Kazekage tolerate you anymore?"

"If that's the case, why not just surrender to our Konoha forces? You could enjoy honor, wealth, and a leisurely life from now on. Wouldn't that be wonderful!"

Hamako's attempt at persuasion was clumsy at best, though he tried to sound sincere. Of course, that effect was ruined by the deadly glare in his eyes.

However, these two Sand ninjas weren't fools by any means. And though the encircling Cleanup Squad had yet to launch an immediate attack, their small movements never ceased. Their hands forming hand seals were practically dancing! This situation was so obviously devoid of genuine negotiation intentions that not even ghosts would believe it!

"Is that so?"

The male red-haired Sand ninja sneered directly in response, "Since you understand this method of purging dissidents so well, I'm sure you must have done similar things countless times before!"

"Tsk tsk, so stubborn," Yechame Hamako said somewhat regretfully while massaging his temples, looking genuinely distressed. "Honestly, I hate to see such an outstanding ninja bloodline wiped out completely. So are you really not going to reconsider?"

Right as Yechame finished speaking and the red-haired Sand ninja was about to counterattack verbally, under the dark shadows of woods and shrubs, a super thin black line shot forth like an arrow from behind them. Weaving through gaps without touching the puppets, it instantly merged into both Sand ninjas' shadows!

[Shadow Imitation Technique!]

Behind the two Sand ninjas, a pineapple-haired Nara ninja laughed triumphantly!

The expressions of the two Sand ninjas immediately froze!

"Kill them!"

Without hesitation, Yechame Hamako immediately issued the execution order!

These two Sand ninjas were too important — unless they were taken out right here and now, there was a high possibility they'd be released after negotiations concluded post-battle. If that happened, those Konoha ninjas killed at the watchposts would truly die unavenged!

Moreover, even if captured, they might get taken away by the village Anbu and treated like honored guests. Compared to that, using their heads right now as tribute to honor the fallen Konoha warriors would feel far more satisfying!

[Shadow Strangulation Jutsu!]

Right after Yechame gave the command, the Nara ninja who successfully controlled the Sand duo promptly activated the secret technique. Black shadows surged upward from below, seizing their necks!

"Shshshsh!"

A rain of throwing weapons instantly engulfed the two Sand ninjas!

The attack came so fast that even Hyuga Soushu didn't have time to jump in and steal the kill.

"I missed out big time..."

Hyuga inwardly sighed.

But just as everyone thought these two Suna ninja would be crushed into pulp beneath a hail of ninja tools, the puppet blocking their path suddenly flashed red once more.

[Gray Secret Jutsu: Sandstorm Disintegration!]

With a thunderous blast, the puppet exploded, sending the entire barrage of ninja tools flying in all directions!

The intense chakra explosion directly disrupted the Nara ninja's Shadow Possession Jutsu. Though the two Suna ninja were also seriously injured, at least they survived.

[Human Bullet Tank!]

The Akimichi roared furiously. His body ballooned outward, limbs tucked tight, as he rolled forward like a living cannonball hurtling toward the two Suna ninja!

[Secret Technique: Parasitic Demon Insects!]

[Konoha-style swordsmanship!]

Seeing the two Suna ninja break free, the Konoha cleanup squad instantly grew serious and attacked in unison.

Hyuga Soushu placed a hand on Uchiha Mahiru's shoulder, stopping her from charging in headfirst, then stepped forward with the torch pole, physically blocking Mahiru from moving ahead.

"The Hero Skills' cooldowns are done."

Hyuga Soushu lightly licked his lips, preparing to step in for the kill.

The main reason he hadn't acted immediately was that these two exceptionally skilled Suna ninja had already broken free from the Nara Clan's secret technique—they might still have some final trump card up their sleeves. No need to recklessly throw himself into the first wave of attacks.

"Peng peng peng!"

Just as the Konoha ninja launched their synchronized assault, the two red-haired Suna ninja who had freed themselves unleashed their ultimate techniques!

A series of scroll-unsealing smokes rose, and twenty puppets instantly appeared out of nowhere!

Although the Konoha ninjas' jutsu and taijutsu quickly shattered nearly half the puppets, the attack had been effectively blocked!

For the two Suna ninja preparing a final counterattack, that amount of time was more than enough!

[Gray Secret Jutsu: Ten Machine Operation!]

Working together, the two ninja activated ten intact puppets that had survived the initial assault, launching an immediate counterattack!

[Operation: Tenfold Blade Vortex!]

Under the control of the two Suna ninja, the ten uniquely-shaped puppets simultaneously spat razor-thin wires from their mouths, their bodies spinning rapidly around the puppeteers and swinging the wires like countless sharp blades slicing through the air, turning all nearby Konoha ninja attempting close combat—including the Akimichi using Human Bullet Tank—into bloody mist and flesh chunks!

[Fire Release: Inferno Blast!]

[Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!]

Though momentarily set back, the Konoha ninja reacted just as swiftly.

Their well-prepared combination ninjutsu was cast in perfect synchronization, melting the steel-wire curtain meant to expand its range into molten iron!

[Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!]

[Earth Release: Clay Falls from the Sky!]

As Yechame Hamako continued casting spells, the area occupied by the two Suna ninja was first transformed into muddy swamps trapping both them and numerous puppets, then suddenly showered from above with massive quantities of clay, sticking the Suna ninja and their puppets entirely in place!

[Fire Release...]

The Konoha cleanup squad swiftly formed hand seals again, preparing to incinerate the two Suna ninja trapped in clay...

"Detonate!"

The Male Red-haired Sand ninja's tone carried a hint of madness.

But at his command, ten puppets simultaneously glowed red and exploded!

[Water Release: Wall of Water Formation!]

This time, however, the Sunagakure ninja's puppet self-destruction achieved nothing. The timely use of the water technique, although unable to completely block the splintering fragments, fully isolated the explosive reaction itself!

This was also what made Konoha the number one ninja village in the Ninja World.

Konoha ninja didn't rely too much on any single type of chakra nature, nor did they put all their faith in raw combat strength. Their key trait was balance. That's exactly why organized teams of Leaf ninja could always pull off the right countermeasure no matter what situation they encountered!

"I'll bring her head back for you, so you can play with it like a ball."

Hyuga Soushu said sideways.

"Forget it, I was just joking. You should also be careful yourself."

Uchiha Mahiru felt her heart fluttering with sweetness, though she still reluctantly threw in a gentle reminder.

"By the way, this sword should cut heads pretty smoothly."

Still hesitant but honest, Mahiru Uchiha pulled out a tanto and handed it to Hyuga Soushu.

"I will fulfill your wish."

Though not skilled in swordsmanship, Soushu still took the blade from Mahiru using a backhanded grip, his fingers lightly grazing the back of her hand as he did so.

"How nice."

As Hyuga Soushu vanished into thin air, Mahiru Uchiha's gaze sparkled like hearts, her heart fluttering wildly inside.

However, the bystanders only felt icy chills creeping up their spines upon hearing their conversation, soon shuddering involuntarily.

"Nowadays the young ones in the village are getting really twisted."

Even Yechame Hamako, a man who had seen it all, found himself slightly uncomfortable.

He couldn't understand. He was greatly shocked. Yet, he knew better than to say much about it.

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