Chapter 116: Manten's Death!

With Soma receiving the mission, a scene unfolded before the four of them.

On a mountain stood hideous creature. Fat and short in stature. Bald, with Only three hairs standing upright at the center of its head.

It has a small short braid at the back of the head and a huge mouth that was sharp and long with jagged teeth.

In the scene, this monster viciously killed a fox that could walk upright like a human, not only eating its flesh but also stripping off its fur to use as a scarf.

Then, it grabbed several human girls.

It drained the blood from these human girls alive, drinking it while applying it on its bald head, seemingly trying to treat its baldness in this manner.

It also combined other herbs to make medicine.

Facing the humans' attack, it opened its big mouth.

A burst of lightning roared out.

Instantly, the humans in front were all killed by a single blow.

The scene disappeared.

"Soma, is this the client for this mission?"

Ao hesitated for a moment.

The style of Manten is completely different from the clients Ao has encountered in the mission before.

Whether it's Bluebell or Zenin Mai, they are not bad people.

One is trapped in a dark family and just wants to save her sister.

The other just wants her brother to see her win the swimming championship to make up for regrets.

But this time, Manten in the scene is an extremely brutal monster.

Even though Ao, as a ninja, has killed many people.

But the existence of a monster like Manten, who massacres girls, also makes Ao uncomfortable.

And what would be the task of such a monster?

"No."

Soma shook his head.

"He is not the client; he is the target of our mission this time. Killing him will complete the mission."

"Kill the target."

Third Mizukage looked up.

"The target is on that mountain ahead, right? From the scene just now, it's evident that the monster not only has a body far beyond humans, immense strength, and incredible speed, but it can also use Lightning Release attacks."

"That power is probably stronger than Raiga's Lightning Release."

Ao also looked towards the mountain ahead.

"Byakugan!"

The next moment, Ao saw the situation at the mountaintop.

Ao's vision penetrated through the trees, rocks, flowers, insects...

Suddenly, Ao's expression turned ugly.

"Ao-senpai, what's the situation?"

"That monster is grabbing a few people and eating them..."

Ao had seen many killings.

But witnessing scenes of cannibalism like this was a first for Ao.

Immediately, Ao felt a strong sense of discomfort.

"Besides that monster, there's another person, but this person doesn't seem to be captured by the monster. It seems more like they are together, and the monster shows a lot of respect for this person."

Soma knew who Ao was referring to.

Manten, a half-demon.

Like Inuyasha, he also has an elder brother.

Named Hiten.

However, unlike Sesshomaru, Hiten is also a half-demon.

But Hiten inherited the appearance of his human father, while Manten inherited the appearance of his thunder beast mother.

Therefore, Hiten looks human.

Manten looks like a monster.

Among these brothers, the distribution of talents is quite unfair.

Hiten inherited better looks and better talents.

Manten has an ugly appearance and inferior talents.

It could be said that all the advantages went to Hiten, while all the disadvantages went to Manten.

But this is from the perspective of human aesthetics.

If viewed from the perspective of thunder beasts' aesthetics, then Manten cannot be considered ugly.

Furthermore, Manten can fly, while Hiten cannot and needs to rely on props. This is also an advantage for Manten.

"That human has a similar aura to that monster."

At this moment, Hiten on the mountain seemed to sense something.

He involuntarily looked down the mountain.

Ao was suddenly startled and quickly canceled the Byakugan.

"That human seems to have noticed me."

At the mountaintop.

Manten noticed Hiten's gaze, looked up with blood around his mouth, and seemed a bit confused.

"Brother, what's wrong?"

"Nothing."

Hiten shook his head.

"Maybe it's just my imagination."

As he spoke, he fetched a piece of cloth from the side and wiped the dirty part of Manten's mouth clean.

"Brother, thank you."

Down the mountain.

Third Mizukage looked at Ao and asked.

"Ao, with your Byakugan, can you tell the approximate strength of that monster and the human?"

Ao shook their head.

"Reporting to Mizukage-sama, I cannot discern it. The energy emanating from them is not Chakra, but I can sense that both of their strengths are definitely not weak."

Soma said, "Mizukage-sama, based on what was shown in the previous scene, this monster is likely to descend from the mountain to plunder humans, but the human is not present in the scene."

"This means they might split up."

"With our lack of understanding of their strengths, I think it would be better for us to wait for an opportunity when the monster is alone."

Third Mizukage hesitated for a moment.

"But what about the time..."

Soma, Ao, and Daida all had no issues with time.

But the Third Mizukage was different.

As the Mizukage, especially during wartime, Third Mizukage had an endless list of tasks to attend to.

Moreover, some matters must be dealt with promptly. If not addressed in a timely manner, they could lead to serious consequences.

"Mizukage-sama, perhaps we can lure them out," Ao suggested. "When I used the Byakugan to observe the human before, it seemed like he noticed. If I use it again, he will surely come to investigate. I can lead him away."

Third Mizukage frowned slightly.

"For you, Ao, this is too dangerous."

Instinctively, Third Mizukage glanced at Daida.

Among the four, Third Mizukage felt that if someone needed to lure the human away, Daida was the most suitable choice.

Third Mizukage's concern wasn't personal relationships but their importance to the Hidden Mist Village.

Soma naturally understood that there could be no mishaps. As the Mizukage, any trouble would have a significant impact on the Hidden Mist Village.

This can be seen from the situation in the Hidden Sand Village.

When Third Kazekage disappeared, the situation in the Hidden Sand Village instantly became chaotic, and the overall strength of the entire village declined significantly, and it has not recovered until now.

Ao, on the other hand, is the only one in the Hidden Mist Village who possesses the Byakugan.

He might even be the only Byakugan user in the future of the Hidden Mist Village.

Only Daida is a regular elite ninja.

Daida immediately understood Third Mizukage's intention.

"Ao-senpai, let me do it. I'll take responsibility for luring away that human."

Daida didn't hesitate. Even though he knew it was very dangerous.

But when he chose to become an ANBU ninja before, Daida never cared about his own life. Now, as one of the Squad Captains of the Forge Department's guard team, Daida is willing to sacrifice himself.

That's Daida's determination.

Daida also knows that this is the best choice for the current situation.

Third Mizukage patted Daida's shoulder.

"Daida, I'm counting on you."

"If you can't return this time, I'll ensure your family receives the proper treatment. Hidden Mist Village will remember your name."

Daida nodded heavily.

"Mizukage-sama, I promise to complete the mission."

Soma took out some Explosive Tags from his pocket.

"Squad Captain Daida, these are for you."

"Thank you, Minister-sama."

The four of them began to move.

Instead of heading directly up the mountain, they first searched for water sources in the surroundings.

Daida was also a Water Release ninja, and in places with plenty of water, he could demonstrate greater strength. If there was enough water, even facing stronger opponents, he could still have some means of survival.

"There's a lake here! and it has lot of water."

"If you dive into the lake, unless the opponent has corresponding means, Squad Captain Daida, if you hide at the bottom of the lake, it won't be easy for them to harm you."

"If the opponent has formidable attacking capabilities, you can blast this side open," Soma said. "That way, the lake water here will surge out, disrupting their judgment. Whether you use Water Mist Jutsu or Water Clone Jutsu, there's room for maneuvering."

Daida nodded. Then he looked at Soma and the other two.

"Mizukage-sama, Ao-senpai, Chief, I'm ready. Let's begin our operation," he said.

Soma and Third Mizukage left first. Ao, on the other hand, looked towards the mountaintop and activated the Byakugan once more. Hiten seemed to sense it again, furrowing his brow as if feeling someone watching him from afar.

"Daida," just at that moment, Daida took out an Explosive Tag and threw it towards the lakeside not far away.

"Boom!"

Hiten not only sensed someone secretly watching him but also heard the explosion. He immediately confirmed that invaders had come up the mountain and promptly stood up.

"Brother?"

"Manten, stay here. I'll go check and be back soon."

Manten nodded.

"Alright."

On his own territory, Manten didn't think there would be any danger. Moreover, Manten was confident in Hiten's strength and didn't believe anyone could harm his brother.

"The human is coming this way, Daida. Be careful on your own. I'll go join Mizukage-sama and Soma."

"Okay."

Hiten arrived very quickly. When Daida didn't see him, he thought Hiten didn't have Chakra, so he couldn't sense his strength. But when he saw Hiten clearly, Daida suddenly felt a strong sense of danger.

"I'm definitely not a match for him. I Will die if I fight him directly!"

Daida didn't dare to hesitate.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Jutsu!"

Before Hiten approached, Daida had already completed the hand seals. A water dragon, with its head held high, rushed towards Hiten.

Hiten saw Daida below and frowned.

"Human?"

Then he looked at the water dragon.

"What is this?"

"Shikigami??"

"No, it doesn't look like it."

Hiten snorted coldly.

"I don't know what method you're using, but coming here to provoke me, you've chosen the wrong person. I will use the cruelest method to kill you."

A long spear was taken out by Hiten. Two wheels rapidly spun under Hiten's feet. Hiten held the long spear, pointing it towards the direction of the water dragon and a bolt of lightning suddenly struck out.

"Boom!"

Daida's water dragon shattered in mid-air.

"Water Release: Hiding in Mist Jutsu!"

A large amount of water mist appeared around Daida, covering the entire nearby area.

"Water mist?"

"Now you're thinking of hiding?"

"I thought someone daring to provoke actively would be formidable."

"You've disappointed me too much."

"Thinking a mere water mist can conceal the dirty aura on you?"

Hiten didn't hesitate and directly rushed into the water mist.

However, before this, Daida had already submerged into the depths of the lake.

After Hiten realized this, he followed suit and dove into the water.

A Water Clone of Daida lured Hiten to the edge of the lake.

Then, it triggered over a dozen explosive tags buried there in advance.

"Boom!"

Accompanied by a huge explosion.

Hiten's pupils contracted, quickly retreating.

However, a significant impact still landed on Hiten's body.

Simultaneously, the lake shore crumbled.

A large amount of lake water surged out.

Hiten saw Daida following the water downstream and was furious to the extreme.

"Damn humans!"

Hiten's figure soared into the sky.

The previous attack didn't cause substantial harm to Hiten, but it left him somewhat embarrassed.

This made Hiten feel ashamed.

As a mighty half-demon, he suffered such a setback at the hands of a human.

It was truly humiliating.

"No escape!"

On the other side, upon hearing the explosions of over a dozen explosive tags, Manten sensed something was wrong. He quickly dropped the human arm he was gnawing on and rushed out to check the situation.

And at that moment.

"Water Release: Water Whip!"

Soma formed seals.

Immediately, a Water Whip lashed out towards Manten.

Manten, caught off guard by the ambush, didn't react in time and was ensnared by Soma's Water Whip.

Before he could struggle, Third Mizukage's Ninjutsu came into play.

"Water Release: Water Prison Jutsu!"

Instantly, Manten found himself trapped within a water sphere.

A violent burst of lightning erupted from Manten's body.

In an instant, Third Mizukage's Water Prison Jutsu was shattered.

Manten broke free from the prison and Soma's pupils contracted.

"A demon is this powerful?"

It's worth noting that Zabuza's Water Prison Jutsu could firmly trap Kakashi.

Third Mizukage's Water Prison Jutsu surpassed even Zabuza's. Yet Manten managed to break free so easily?

"Is this the power of a demon?"

However, the preparations made by Soma and the others were not just limited to this.

"Water Release: Water Formation Pillar Jutsu!"

"Water Release: Water Formation Pillar Jutsu!"

Soma and Ao simultaneously unleashed this highly powerful Ninjutsu. Even someone like Manten, with a half-demon physique, couldn't escape unscathed.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

It was as if two giant iron hammers were crashing down directly.

Manten had just escaped from the Water Prison Jutsu when he encountered this heavy blow. Even the ground beneath his feet sank considerably.

Ao stared intently at Manten.

"Still not seriously injured after that? Your resilience must be quite something."

Soma was equally surprised. Despite the fact that a demon's body is much tougher than a human's, the Water Formation Pillar Jutsu is not a simple Ninjutsu. Yet Manten managed to withstand it.

Even an ordinary Kage-level ninja would struggle to withstand two Water Formation Pillar Jutsu attacks at once.

Instead, he would choose to dodge.

"But it's not over yet!"

Soma never expected a lethal attack from Water Release. What he hoped for was a Ninjato.

Third Mizukage's attack arrived.

A large amount of chakra was all poured into the Skeleton Emperor.

Third Mizukage wielded his axe and swung it fiercely towards Manten's direction.

"Clang!"

It struck Manten's body, producing a sound similar to metal colliding as it fell directly on Manten's head.

That sound was the collision between Manten's skull and the axe blade.

Manten raised his head, eyes filled with malice.

"You humans!"

"Don't touch my head."

"You're all going to die!"

Before he finished speaking, Manten's mouth widened, aiming towards where Soma and Ao were.

Powerful lightning gathered within.

However, at this moment, Manten's expression suddenly changed.

Because the ability of the Skeleton Emperor had taken effect.

The power of decay, in the instant the Skeleton Emperor descended, decay spread along the wound.

Even though Manten was a monster.

Even though Manten's lifespan was much longer than that of a human.

But, he couldn't withstand the power of aging either.

In such close proximity, Manten's half-demon body couldn't resist the power of the Skeleton Emperor.

It could be seen that Manten's skin, at a visible speed, began to wrinkle.

Numerous age spots appeared on it.

Eyes, nose, mouth, ears...

The three hairs on top of his head fell directly, and the hair on the back of his head also fell out.

Manten felt that he couldn't control his own body.

It was as if something was depriving him of his strength.

A sense of fear surged within him.

"What's going on?"

"Big brother! Save me."

"Big brother, I'm scared."

Under the influence of the Skeleton Emperor's ability, Manten's head had already entered an elderly state, while his body still appeared young. However, with the passage of time, the power of decay would continue to spread.

"Water Release: Water Whip!"

A Water Whip entangled Manten.

Already in a panic and unable to control his body due to the fear of the physical changes, Manten found it even more difficult to move.

"Water Release: Water Fang Blade Jutsu!"

In Soma's hand, water condensed into the shape of a blade and aimed towards Manten's decaying head.

"Splurt!"

A wound appeared, and blood gushed out.

Manten's aging speed suddenly increased.

His entire head began to wither.

Hiten could no longer tolerate Daida's evasion, which irritated him greatly.

Moreover, Hiten could faintly sense that Daida was doing this deliberately, having prepared in advance. Daida never intended to defeat him but aimed to buy time.

Instinctively looking back, Hiten's heart skipped a beat.

"Could it be that there are others?"

"Are they targeting Manten?"

In an instant, Hiten panicked and quickly turned to head towards the mountain's peak.

Seeing this, Daida hurriedly emerged from hiding.

"Water Release: Water Fang Bullet Jutsu!"

A barrage of Water Fang Bullets shot towards Hiten.

Hiten frowned, worried about Manten, and ignored the attack.

However, Daida's assault grew fiercer, as if he was willing to sacrifice his life to restrain Hiten, completely disregarding his own safety.

Hiten's expression turned cold.

Now, Hiten was even more certain that Manten was being targeted.

"Courting death!"

Hiten raised the Lightning Blade high. In the next moment, lightning flashed, and as he ascended into the air, it burst out, enveloping the entire surrounding area. This time, Hiten held nothing back.

Daida could clearly feel the immense oppressive force of the demon energy emanating from Hiten. The full-scale lightning strike left Daida with no chance to evade. A bolt of lightning struck Daida directly.

"Boom!"

Daida's body stiffened, convulsed briefly, and then collapsed, unable to move. A wisp of black smoke rose from Daida's body. Hiten, moving at his fastest speed, headed back to the mountain's peak.

"Not good, that human is returning," Ao warned, using his Byakugan to spot Hiten rushing back.

Soma glanced at the Skeleton Emperor on top of Manten's head. The efficiency of the aging process left Soma somewhat disappointed.

Soma wasn't sure if it was due to the Third Mizukage's insufficient talent and skill to fully utilize the Skeleton Emperor's power, or if Manten's half-demon longevity provided too much resistance to the power of decay. Otherwise, Manten should have been dead by now.

From a distance, Hiten could already see Manten under attack. "Big brother!"

Manten also seemed to sense Hiten's presence. "Save me!"

Hiten's eyes widened with fury. In an instant, his anger surged to the extreme, wishing he could kill Soma and the others immediately.

Soma's eyes flickered. Just dealing with Manten had already been so difficult for the three of them, and that was with the advantage of a sneak attack. Hiten was even stronger than Manten. If Hiten managed to join the fight, the three of them would surely be defeated.

"Water Release: Water Fang Blade Jutsu!"

Soma attacked with full force, putting all his Chakra into this strike, aiming at Manten's neck which had already been corroded by the power of decay.

"Crack!"

Accompanied by a crisp sound, Manten's head was completely severed from his body. His eyes widened in disbelief, and his body convulsed involuntarily as blood spurted out.

Right at that moment, a voice echoed in Soma's mind.

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