Chapter 49: Instant Kill, Aoi Rokusho!

In the ninja world, there are five major countries, and countless smaller ones. Although nominally equal, these smaller countries wouldn't dare to offend ninjas from the great nations.

Upon learning that Tetsuya and his team were from Konoha Village, the noble quickly invited them in. When he heard that ninja from Rain Shinobi Village had come to assassinate him, he was almost scared to death.

"Mister ninjas, please help me! I can pay whatever it takes!"

Faced with a life-and-death crisis, the so-called noble was more panicked than a commoner.

Tetsuya and Kosuke were stationed next door to the noble to prevent Aoi Rokusho's sneak attack.

With nothing else to do, Tetsuya placed the Budu Yusoul on his lap and began practicing sword meditation, a technique taught by Kosuke Hozuki to understand kendo. It sounded mysterious but was essentially using meditation to empty the mind and improve the spiritual realm.

Although Tetsuya hadn't seen significant improvement in his kendo skills, the practice left him feeling calm and focused. He made it a nightly routine.

Just as Tetsuya entered a meditative state, he sensed movement on the roof.

"Such poor stealth skills. How is he even a Jōnin?" Tetsuya thought, opening his eyes and disappearing from the room.

On the roof, Aoi Rokusho and three Rain Shinobi were advancing when they suddenly saw someone appear before them. The man held a long sword and blocked their path.

"Sorry, this area is off-limits," Tetsuya declared, raising his sword. With a single hand sign, he unleashed a fiery attack. "Fire Style: Fire Dragon Technique!"

The dark night was illuminated by the blazing dragon. Aoi and his team didn't expect such an immediate assault and had no time to dodge.

Aoi quickly drew a sword hilt and infused it with chakra, summoning a golden lightsaber to split the fire dragon. He felt a moment of triumph, but then the split dragon reformed into two smaller dragons, rushing towards the other two Rain Shinobi.

"Ah!" One was incinerated instantly, while the other barely escaped using the Body Replacement Technique, but his right arm was severely burned.

"Damn it!" Aoi growled, glaring at Tetsuya.

"Tsk, finally got a kill with Fire Style," Tetsuya mused. He finally understood why Fire Style was often considered less lethal despite its wide attack range. Its speed was simply too slow.

Realizing the assassination had been compromised, Aoi knew they had to eliminate Tetsuya to complete their mission. He threw his umbrella into the air, releasing countless senbon aimed at Tetsuya.

Aoi hoped the nighttime attack would obscure the trajectory of the senbon, but Tetsuya's Sharingan captured every movement.

With Budu Yusoul in hand, Tetsuya moved like lightning, blocking all the senbon. Though a simple Wind Style jutsu could have neutralized the attack, using the sword was much more stylish.

Electricity crackled along the blade as Tetsuya lunged forward, reaching the uninjured ninja in an instant and striking down. The ninja tried to block with a kunai, but it was no match for Budu Yusoul, shattering on impact. The ninja was cut in half.

Aoi swung the Thunder God's sword, aiming to double-team Tetsuya. But Tetsuya was too quick, spinning around and delivering a powerful kick that sent Aoi crashing through the roof.

"Yo, one more to go," Tetsuya said, noticing the injured ninja. He finished him off with a few swift punches and kicks.

Aoi, seizing the opportunity, attempted to flee. Survival was now his only goal. But Tetsuya didn't let him get far. He threw Budu Yusoul, controlling it with a thread of chakra, nailing Aoi to the ground. The Thunder God's sword fell from Aoi's grasp as he died.

Retrieving the body, Tetsuya sealed it in a scroll. The Third Hokage had wanted information from Aoi's corpse, leaving the details to Tetsuya's expertise.

Kosuke, who had been guarding the noble, saw Tetsuya return and knew the mission outside was complete. The noble, overwhelmed with gratitude, offered a generous reward, which Tetsuya and Kosuke accepted.

After wrapping up, they returned to Konoha, delivering the sealed body to the Third Hokage and recounting the mission's events. As a reward, Hiruzen handed Tetsuya the Thunder God's sword.

Looking at the sword, Tetsuya felt a mix of emotions. "This thing... it's a bit underwhelming."

But he knew that with practice and determination, even the most challenging tools could become invaluable in his hands.