Chapter 64

Chapter 64

"Genjutsu, huh? Interesting. As expected of an Uchiha ninja," the Kirigakure jonin remarked, quickly forming hand seals.

"Genjutsu—Release!"

His chakra surged, clashing internally, and the thick mist reappeared before his eyes. He silently withdrew his gaze. He had underestimated Haneda before. In a one-on-one fight, one must never meet an Uchiha's eyes directly.

"Water Style—Water Gun Jutsu!" The Kirigakure jonin mimicked a handgun with his fingers and fired at Haneda.

*Biu! Biu! Biu!* Multiple water droplets, like bullets, shot toward Haneda, who quickly formed hand seals of his own.

"Fire Style—Great Fireball Jutsu!"

The intense heat of the fireball evaporated the water droplets, and the surrounding mist thickened slightly. In that brief moment, the Kirigakure jonin used the mist to quickly move with the Body Flicker Technique.

*Clang!*

Short sword met long sword in a fierce clash, forcing both back a step. The Kirigakure jonin was secretly startled. This Uchiha kid's taijutsu wasn't inferior to his own. After all, he had survived the Blood Mist Village!

Seizing the brief moment their swords collided, the Kirigakure jonin quickly devised a plan in his mind.

*Clang! Clang! Clang!*

Blades flashed repeatedly, colliding with sparks flying. Just as Haneda swung his sword, the Kirigakure jonin feigned a block. But in that instant, he dropped his long sword, using the Hydrification Technique to pass through Haneda's blade.

In a flash, his right hand formed a water sphere, trapping Haneda completely.

"Got you, kid!"

"Did you think I'd keep playing this game of bumper cars with you?"

The Kirigakure jonin maintained the Water Prison Jutsu. As long as he held it long enough, it would drown Haneda.

But a cold voice suddenly whispered in his ear.

"Why do you think everything you're seeing is real?"

Haneda's body transformed into countless crows that flew out of the water prison. The dark shapes gathered in front of the Kirigakure jonin, with a short sword resting against his throat.

The jonin grabbed the sword stuck in the ground and slashed at Haneda, but Haneda turned into crows and flew away again.

Refusing to give up, the Kirigakure jonin unleashed the Great Waterfall Jutsu, sending a massive wave to strike all the crows. But a flash of lightning pierced his chest from behind.

The jonin turned to see Haneda's cold, three-tomoe Sharingan gazing at him.

"When did I fall under the genjutsu?"

"Since the moment I activated my Sharingan," Haneda replied, withdrawing his Chidori Sharp Spear, and said indifferently, "Now it's your turn to answer my question."

"Who told you we were training here?"

"A Kirigakure ninja would never betray his employer," the jonin sneered and immediately detonated the explosive tags strapped to his waist.

*Boom!*

Blood splattered across Haneda's face, carrying with it a lingering warmth. Even if the jonin wouldn't say it, Haneda already knew who was responsible.

Sakamoto!

This place was recommended by Sakamoto's steward.

Haneda glanced back at the battlefield. Apart from Asuma and the others, all the other fights had already ended.

He turned to Shuo Mao and said, "I'm going to kill someone."

"Sakamoto of the Yamano family?" Sakumo asked.

"Yeah." Haneda nodded.

"If you kill him, what will the village and the daimyo have to say?" Sakumo questioned.

"Sakamoto betrayed us. Killing him is justified. As for the daimyo, we'll just find a new representative for him."

With that, Haneda headed toward Tomihama, while Sakumo thoughtfully watched Asuma and the others finish their fight.

…

At Sakamoto's mansion.

This was the bloodiest battleground in all of Tomihama. Compared to the ninja fights, this place was much more brutal.

Under the intricately carved beams and painted pillars, warriors clashed with their swords, leaving behind countless bloody bodies and severed limbs. Many fell to the armored warriors' raised katanas.

Sakamoto, dressed in a well-fitted suit with a bright red tie, stood at the entrance of the main hall, fully exposed to the crowd. Yet no one could get close to him.

The sound of fighting never ceased. Sakamoto sipped the tea a servant had brought, then asked, "Has the steward sent word yet?"

"He should be on his way."

Sakamoto placed the cup down and watched the one-sided slaughter, feeling inexplicably uneasy. Despite the apparent clear victory, with the rebels being pushed back by his hired samurai, the unease only grew stronger.

Just then, a figure moved swiftly across the rooftops, finally standing atop the main hall.

Sakamoto looked up and saw Haneda, the Genin.

"What are you doing here? Think carefully. I am a business partner of the daimyo, bringing billions of ryo into the Land of Fire every year."

"Moreover, I am your employer. Are you really going to kill your employer and tarnish Konoha's reputation?"

Haneda stood still, waiting for Sakamoto to finish his words. Once Sakamoto grew silent, his palms sweaty and his legs trembling involuntarily, Haneda spoke.

"Shouldn't all good stories end with the bad guys dying?"

"This is your parting gift."

With that, the sound of a thousand chirping birds filled the air above the main hall.

Sakamoto tried to flee, but before he could, hundreds of Chidori Senbon pierced his body. He collapsed powerlessly onto the stone-paved path.

"Ahh!!!" Yamano Kazuo, who had just stepped outside to check on the situation, screamed in terror at the sight of his father lying in a pool of blood.

"There's still one loose end… Might as well finish him off. You've been annoying me for a long time."

The Chidori's crackle rang out again, and a lightning spear pierced straight through Kazuo's heart.

Thus, the entire Yamano family perished here.

Haneda looked at the stunned samurai and the rebels who had just rushed in and spoke calmly.

"You have two choices."

"One, take over Sakamoto's position, manage the trade between the Land of Waves and the Land of Fire, and offer tribute to the Uchiha clan of Konoha every year."

"Two, die here alongside him."

…

That afternoon, at the port connecting the Land of Waves to the Land of Fire, a large ship set sail.

Asuma excitedly looked at the crates of gold and stacks of money.

"Haneda! We're rich this time!!" Asuma exclaimed.

"It's just some money. Do you really need it?" Haneda asked in return.

That question left Asuma speechless.

Both of them came from powerful backgrounds and weren't short on money. But thinking about how the rebels had insisted on giving them so much as thanks, Asuma couldn't help but get excited as he counted the bills over and over.

…

At the Land of Waves daimyo's residence.

"Sakamoto is dead, and the Uchiha are asking to take over part of the business. Daimyo, what are your thoughts?"

"Just give them some pocket change. With the foundation Sakamoto left behind, we'll earn it all back soon enough."

"And what about those rebels?"

"Rebels? Weren't they just bandits and thieves?"

After saying this, the officials below all exchanged knowing smiles.

The daimyo continued, "Make sure all our previous operations in the Land of Water are covered up. Leave no loose ends."

"And send the donations here to the daimyo's residence."

…

Across the sea, in the Land of Water, at Madara's underground base.

White Zetsu emerged from the ground.

"Madara-sama, Uchiha Haneda finished the battle with just genjutsu."

Madara opened his three-tomoe Sharingan, and with a single glance at White Zetsu, absorbed all the information.

"Interesting."

"From the moment he gestured for them to come, the genjutsu had already begun?"

"It seems an ordinary jonin is no longer his match."

***

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