Five minutes ago—
Terumi Mei, Zabuza, and Kanhara Hayato formed a triangular formation, guarding Oda Ieyasu in the center.
Both Terumi Mei and Zabuza wore grim expressions.
They were in Kyoto—stronghold of Japan's most powerful conglomerates and entrenched bureaucratic forces. With their vast financial resources and long-standing influence, who knew how many elite warriors they had secretly trained and nurtured?
Despite being the weakest among them, Kanhara Hayato looked relaxed. He offered a casual smile and said,
"Don't worry. With Logan's speed, even if Kyoto is massive, he'll lock onto the target in less than twenty minutes."
He lit a cigarette and added,
"As long as the target appears within his field of vision, the rescue is as good as done. Until then, the enemy will need time to track us down. It's not like the three of us can't hold out for ten minutes, right?"
Terumi Mei and Zabuza exchanged glances and nodded slightly. Their tense posture eased just a little.
However, there was one man who didn't share their calm: Oda Ieyasu.
He was no longer seated here as the daimyo of the Land of Water.
Right now, he was just a father, waiting for his son to be rescued.
What is a father?
A man who, when he sees his child sitting alone in the corner, wonders if he feels lonely.
Someone who quietly watches over his child, willing to exchange anything for his safety—even his own life.
Kanhara Hayato, often affectionately called "Dad" by many, glanced at Ieyasu. The situation was different. There was nothing he could say that would truly comfort the man. He scratched his head, pulled out a cigarette, and offered it.
"Want one?"
Oda Ieyasu had never smoked and only drank on rare occasions. He'd always paid great attention to his health. But today… today was different. He reached out and took the cigarette, placing it between his lips.
Hayato lit a match and leaned in.
A sudden gust of wind blew, extinguishing the flame.
Then came the voice—
> "Brother Daimyo, I hate to ruin your last cigarette before you die... but unfortunately—"
Boom!
A heavy crate was kicked away. Hidan walked out with his signature Bloody March Scythe slung over his shoulder. His chin was tilted up arrogantly, a mocking grin on his face.
> "We're in a hurry."
Terumi Mei rose from her crouch and walked forward, scanning the surroundings calmly.
Hidan.
Confirmed.
Accompanying him were dozens of ninjas and samurai. She frowned as her gaze fell on Oda Hideyoshi, cradled in the arms of a samurai. The boy was unconscious, his face pale—clear evidence of abuse and torture.
Kanhara Hayato peeked out from behind Zabuza and shouted to the enemy:
> "Open your dog eyes and look clearly! This is the Daimyo of the Land of Water, Oda Ieyasu! You dare draw your swords against your own lord? Are you not afraid of the Nine Clan Elimination Technique?!"
"Snort."
An elderly samurai stepped forward with disdain.
> "The so-called Mizukage Terumi Mei colluded with the rebel Logan to assassinate the daimyo and create a double. She's attempting to usurp power. By the order of Lady Saito—the daimyo's wife—we are to eliminate the traitors!"
But before the samurai could finish, Kakuzu shoved him aside.
His voice was deep and cold, echoing in the narrow alley like a death knell:
> "Stop wasting time."
Kakuzu was a century-old monster. With age came caution.
Tactically, Kakuzu always prepared for the worst-case scenario.
Back when Logan killed the Two-Tails Jinchūriki on a remote island, it had taken him less than an hour. And that was while stationed at the Water Country's border.
In his calculations, they had five minutes.
Five minutes to kill Oda Ieyasu and evacuate before Logan could return.
As for Terumi Mei and Zabuza…
Kakuzu calmly removed his Akatsuki cloak.
> "If you know what's good for you—get out of the way. Otherwise…"
> "Let's die together!"
Kanhara Hayato spat on the ground and scowled.
Two Akatsuki members.
He had been briefed by Logan about Kakuzu—an immortal killer from the time of the First Hokage.
The other's identity was still unclear, but anyone who could partner with a monster like Kakuzu couldn't be underestimated.
Add to that the hundreds of ninja and samurai surrounding them?
He leaned closer to Terumi Mei and muttered,
"Should we retreat?"
Before Mei could respond, Zabuza cut in:
> "Retreat? We're ninja, not some ornaments dangling from Logan's belt."
> "If Logan is here, we fight. If Logan isn't, we retreat? Then we might as well stay home and plant sweet potatoes!"
He wasn't wrong.
Terumi Mei, as Mizukage, had held office for more than six months. She understood politics far more deeply than Zabuza.
Logan's plan—to reform from the bottom up—needed time to awaken the masses.
But with a cooperative daimyo like Oda Ieyasu, the reforms could come from both above and below, exponentially increasing their impact.
Besides, Zabuza had nailed it:
They were ninja.
From the moment they left their village, they were ready to sacrifice their lives for it.
Terumi Mei narrowed her eyes, then took off her Mizukage cloak. She flung it high into the air, momentarily blocking the vision of both sides.
> "Summoning Technique!"
> "Summoning Technique!"
Two massive creatures were summoned simultaneously.
From Terumi Mei's side, a colossal beast landed with a deafening crash, flattening several houses.
From Hidan's side, the aura wasn't as heavy, but it was far more disturbing.
Two dark shadows danced behind him.
One group consisted of blood-sucking mosquitoes, each no larger than a thumb, their needle-like mouthparts gleaming.
The other was a swarm of vampire bats, each the size of a palm, their teeth sharp like blades.
And that wasn't all.
If they were fighting near water, Hidan could summon leeches and piranhas too.
The wealthy consortiums backing Hidan had gathered a menagerie of bloodthirsty summoning beasts just for him.
This was the embodiment of "being rich."
Hidan and Kakuzu weren't just Akatsuki rogues.
They were the Golden Bosses—armed to the teeth by elite think tanks.
These think tanks broke down all known intelligence about Logan, built countermeasures, and even improved their battle strategies.
While sacred creatures like Manda or Gamabunta were hard to find, it didn't matter.
To most, mosquitoes and bats were weak.
But in Hidan's hands?
They became weapons of death.
And there was more.
The consortium had promised Kakuzu the hearts of every ninja and samurai present.
Those who died unwillingly? Their families received three times the compensation.
Those who sacrificed themselves? Their families received ten times.
That's the power of money.
Logan might be a reality-breaking cheat code.
But Hidan and Kakuzu?
They were capital incarnate.
Compared to them, Terumi Mei and Zabuza—who had climbed up the hard way—seemed like honest, humble warriors.
> "Get started!" Kakuzu ordered.
Two masks appeared on his shoulders. His hands moved quickly in a complex set of seals.
> "Compound Ninja Technique: Flame Wind Wave!"
Twin jets of flames and wind erupted from the masks. The two elements merged into a monstrous firestorm.
Terumi Mei responded instantly.
> "Water Style: Grand Waterfall Technique!"
A massive torrent of water surged forward. When the two techniques collided, it created an enormous cloud of steam.
BZZZZZZZZZZZ!
A sharp buzzing sound echoed, fast and furious.
It was followed by Hidan's gleeful laughter.
Just before the steam completely blocked their sight, Hayato caught a glimpse of the pendant hanging from Hidan's neck.
His face paled.
> "Be careful! Don't let them get your blood! That bastard is—"
> "A cultist!"
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