Chaoter 125

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Gensou looked at the suddenly pale En no Gyoja and shook his head slightly.

This old man had been trying to deceive him from the start, talking about how the Tsuchigumo Clan was nearly extinct, with him being the only one left who knew the forbidden technique.

Someone else might have believed him or been delayed enough for Hotaru and Tonbee to escape successfully.

Gensou would not make such mistakes. The absence of Sasuke by his side was proof enough.

"Who are you, really?"

Realizing that all his schemes had been seen through, En no Gyoja no longer acted weak. His old eyes, though still cloudy, now shone with a sharpness that belied his age.

He straightened up, his presence hinting at the formidable power he once wielded to destroy an entire town in a single blow.

The existence of Hotaru was a closely guarded secret, known only to himself, Tonbee, and the Tsuchigumo Clan's branch in the Hidden Mountain Village.

En no Gyoja worried that someone within his ranks had betrayed them.

Facing this resurgence of strength from the elder, Gensou remained calm.

"I told you, I'm just a scholar."

"Why don't people in the current ninja world believe what others say anymore?"

Gensou felt the world had become too cynical.

"If you refuse to speak, I will not let your plot succeed even at the cost of my life!" En no Gyoja declared, seemingly ignoring Gensou's words and adopting a stance of resolute determination.

Although he no longer possessed the "Fury" forbidden technique, En no Gyoja was still adept with the Tsuchigumo Clan's binding techniques.

Just as he prepared to act, Gensou looked at him.

In an instant, En no Gyoja froze, unable to move.

"Now, it's up to Sasuke."

Sasuke wasn't as unpredictable as Naruto. Gensou could wait here quietly.

"Tonbee, where are we going?"

Having been suddenly whisked away by Tonbee, Hotaru felt the wind whipping past her face and the scenery rushing by. It took her a while to realize what was happening. She squinted, confused, and asked.

Tonbee, running at full speed, replied, "Hotaru-sama, we're heading to the Hidden Mountain Village."

"Another enemy attack..." Hotaru's voice was tinged with melancholy. She had experienced this situation several times since childhood, each time ending peacefully.

But this time felt different.

"Where's Grandpa? Didn't he come with us?" Hotaru's face changed as she realized something was wrong.

Tonbee's expression darkened briefly before he reassured her, "Don't worry, Hotaru-sama. En no Gyoja will join us after dealing with the enemy."

"But... this time Grandpa doesn't have the forbidden technique!" Hotaru's anxiety spiked, knowing the "Fury" forbidden technique was now with her.

"Tonbee, we have to go back! I need to help Grandpa!"

Tonbee refused, "I'm sorry, Hotaru-sama. It is En no Gyoja's order to take you away."

He quickened his pace despite his exhaustion. As En no Gyoja's descendant, Hotaru had inherited the "Fury" forbidden technique but had not yet learned how to use it. Returning now would be useless and would only end the Tsuchigumo Clan's last hope.

"We're here!"

Tonbee saw the cave entrance ahead, ready to signal Hotaru to enter.

Suddenly, the sound of crackling electricity filled the air.

Tonbee's vision blurred as he saw a young stranger standing in front of the cave entrance.

"Found you."

Sasuke glanced at Hotaru and Tonbee, his hand on his hip, speaking coldly, "Will you come with me willingly, or should I make you?"

"Hotaru-sama, please stand aside."

Tonbee set Hotaru down, drew his shuriken, and charged at Sasuke with determination, shouting, "For the glory of the Tsuchigumo Clan, I must defeat you!"

One minute later.

"Tonbee!"

Hotaru's tearful voice echoed as Sasuke, holding the unconscious Tonbee, walked over, grabbed the helpless Hotaru, and swiftly returned to Gensou.

"Gensou-sama"

Sasuke soon rejoined Gensou, placing the two captives on the ground.

"Grandpa!"

Hotaru rushed to the motionless En no Gyoja, shaking him and calling out, but he did not respond.

"Don't worry, your grandfather is just under a genjutsu."

Hearing this, Hotaru felt a shift in her vision. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself next to the masked man who had spoken.

The man continued, "We are only here to study the forbidden technique. We won't harm you."

"Really?" Hotaru asked, hope shining in her eyes.

Gensou nodded, "As long as you cooperate, everything will be fine."

Understanding her situation, Hotaru nodded quickly.

For some reason, she believed the masked man. Maybe it was because she didn't see the usual greed and malice in him that she had seen in past intruders.

With the situation under control, Gensou avoided unnecessary complications by keeping En no Gyoja and Tonbee under genjutsu. He led Hotaru to a clearing.

Amidst Hotaru's mix of nervousness, worry, and embarrassment, Gensou slightly pulled down her top to reveal part of her back.

Despite her youth, Hotaru, with her brown hair and green eyes, was undoubtedly a beautiful girl.

However, at that moment, her back was marred by ugly blue veins bulging like worms.

At the center, where flesh should be, was a black bead embedded deep within her skin, surrounded by those veins. It looked like an unsightly blemish on an otherwise beautiful painting.

This was the container needed to release the "Fury" forbidden technique.

It was said that the longer "Fury" stored energy, the more destructive it became, once obliterating an entire town in an instant.

A technique of such immense power could not be fueled by a Tsuchigumo ninja's chakra alone.

The key was the black bead on Hotaru's back.

When activated, the bead would absorb natural energy from the surroundings. Once it reached a certain level or was released by the user, the energy would explode, annihilating everything nearby.

Though it could only be used once, its ability to safely harness natural energy made it worth Gensou's trip.

Gensou placed his hand on the black bead embedded in Hotaru's back.

(End of Chapter)