Even carrying a simple message within the Land of Fire had become dangerous—ambushes everywhere. The life of a messenger was getting a little too exciting.
The long-haired Guardian Ninja grew impatient when Roshi remained silent. Forming a single hand seal, he inhaled deeply and exhaled a torrent of fire.
A scorching breath swept through the forest. A furious fire dragon roared to life, its gaping maw glowing crimson as it lunged forward, bathing the trees in molten light and heat.
Roshi didn't retreat. He advanced. Two quick steps forward, his hands flashed through a string of seals.
Water Release: Water Severing Wave!
A thin, razor-sharp stream of water burst from his mouth. It was almost silent—but terrifyingly fast. The stream carved a cold silver arc through the air, slicing clean through the fire dragon's skull. The two elements collided—hiss!—and the blazing dragon split in half, exploding into a rain of burning embers.
The long-haired ninja's mocking smile hadn't even faded when a glint of cold light flashed before his eyes. The next instant, a chill ran across his neck, and his world spun violently.
By the time his head hit the ground—eyes wide in disbelief—his body collapsed after it, blood soaking into the dirt.
"Yanshi!"
The masked Guardian Ninja shouted in rage, but rather than panic, his movements became sharper, faster. He surged forward, his blade whistling through the air, closing the gap just as Roshi completed his jutsu.
A short blade flashed, aiming for Roshi's throat.
Roshi's left hand darted into his pouch. Clang! His kunai met the blade mid-swing, sparks scattering through the dark forest. The masked ninja's raw strength pressed down like a vice, forcing Roshi back half a step.
But while his left hand held the blade at bay, Roshi's right hand had already drawn back to his waist, chakra compressing, condensing—waiting.
The masked ninja twisted his wrist, redirecting his weapon in a swift slash toward Roshi's exposed chest. He was certain his opponent's left arm was completely tied up—
Then he saw Roshi's eyes. Calm. Unshaken.
The next instant, Roshi's right fist shot forward.
There was no grand technique, no flash of chakra—only the raw force of air tearing apart before his punch.
The masked ninja's pupils shrank in horror. He tried to pull back—too late.
Bang!
The impact sounded like a drumbeat against flesh and bone. Red and white sprayed across the forest floor.
The ninja's headless body stumbled two steps before collapsing face-first into the earth, his blade clattering beside him.
Roshi exhaled softly and shook the blood from his fist. His gaze lingered on the two fallen enemies—calm.
The message was clear now. If the Guardian Ninja were willing to intercept and kill a Konoha ninja, their intentions had already gone beyond rebellion.
If Roshi returned to Konoha for reinforcements, by the time help arrived, Masamune might have already staged his coup. The legitimate Daimyo would be dead, and Konoha's intervention would appear not as rescue but as invasion.
Such an act would unite the other Daimyo in fear. They'd fund their own villages, rally their forces, and another great war could ignite.
And if Konoha simply accepted the usurper… then everything they had built—all the stability hard-won since the last war—would crumble into chaos.
No.
The situation demanded immediate action.
Roshi turned and vanished into the darkness, racing toward the Fire Capital. He would protect the current Daimyo—or, if he had already fallen, eliminate the usurper before he could seize power.
Just as he leapt across a ridge near the Fire Temple, an immense, violent chakra erupted into the night sky. Its pressure rolled over the forest like a living storm—powerful, hateful, wild.
Roshi slowed for a heartbeat, his brows tightening. Then, without hesitation, he accelerated toward the Daimyo's palace.
"What?! The sealing barrier has been breached?!"
Chiriku rose from his seat, his normally tranquil expression twisted with shock.
"Yes, Lord Chiriku!" the messenger stammered. "An evil chakra has broken through the seal—the casualties are… heavy!"
"I'll return immediately." Chiriku didn't waste another word. He turned on his heel and strode out.
At that same moment, Asuma arrived, his face grim. He hadn't slept all night—the growing division among the Guardian Ninja, especially Kazuma's rhetoric, gnawed at his mind.
"The Land of Fire needs a single leader, Asuma! The Daimyo and Hokage standing side by side—that's the root of our weakness!"
"Konoha's lost its edge! Only by uniting all power under one banner can our nation rise again!"
Asuma hadn't decided where he stood. He didn't even know if there was a side worth standing on.
Now, with chaos erupting, those thoughts had to wait.
Outside the Daimyo's chambers, Hokuto, blocked their way.
"Lord Daimyo," Chiriku said solemnly through the door, "the Fire Temple's seal has been broken. I beg your leave to return and contain the situation!"
Asuma added, "I'll go with him and provide backup. We'll return as soon as it's resolved."
Inside, the Daimyo hesitated. The timing was… too coincidental. Roshi had just left, the Guardian Ninja were restless, and both Chiriku and Asuma—whose loyalties were uncertain—were asking to depart.
Still, letting them leave might reduce uncertainty within the palace. He had Hokuto and the others for protection, and Konoha's reinforcements would arrive by dawn.
"It's fine," he finally said. "Chiriku, return and stabilize the temple. Asuma, go with him. Return quickly once the situation is contained."
"Yes!" Chiriku bowed deeply and left without hesitation.
Asuma hesitated for a breath, eyes lingering on the closed door, then followed. Maybe dealing with the crisis will clear my mind, he thought.
When their footsteps faded, the Daimyo exhaled and spoke softly, "Hokuto, stay vigilant until Konoha's reinforcements arrive."
"Understood."
Hokuto gripped his three-section staff, lightning crackling faintly along its length. His sharp gaze flicked through the dark corridors, signaling the three remaining guards—Nandi, Shidu, and Higashima—to tighten formation.
The palace fell silent once more. A tense, suffocating silence.
Inside, the Daimyo removed his outer robe and extinguished the candle. He had barely lain down when—
BOOM!
An explosion shattered the night.
"Enemy attack! Protect the Daimyo!" Hokuto roared.
"Lightning Release: Lightning Strike!"
Blue light flashed as battle erupted outside the chamber. Four attackers had ambushed them—Kazuma leading the assault.
The strike was ruthless—they knew the palace layout and their opponents' capabilities perfectly.
Nandi barely had time to react before a shadow twisted beneath his feet. A dagger lunged upward, piercing his heart. Another blade followed, slitting his throat in one smooth motion. Blood sprayed the walls as his body crumpled soundlessly.
"Lightning Release—!" Shidu began, but a staff impaled him mid-seal. He collapsed before finishing the word.
Only Hokuto and Higashima remained. Lightning flared around them, repelling the ambushers with crackling force.
Hokuto's staff whirled, arcs of electricity coiling around it as he defended both himself and his last comrade.
Higashima's dual kunai gleamed with lightning as he glared at the four figures surrounding them.
Kazuma stepped forward, his tone almost gentle. "Hokuto, Higashima… Lay down your arms. Tonight marks the rebirth of the Land of Fire."
"Rebirth?" Hokuto spat blood, pointing his staff at him. "You mean treason!"
Kazuma's eyes were distant, almost mournful. "You wouldn't understand. To rebuild the world, some things must be destroyed first."
"If the Daimyo cooperates, there's no need for bloodshed tonight." His gaze shifted toward the closed door.
Creaaak
The door opened.
The Land of Fire's Daimyo stood framed in the doorway, dressed in simple night robes. His eyes swept over the corpses of Nandi and Shidu, then settled coldly on Kazuma.
"Kazuma."
"Lord Daimyo." Kazuma bowed slightly. "Have you come to accept the truth?"
The Daimyo shook his head, voice steady despite the tremor in his hands. "It's you who doesn't understand—why the monarchs who once ruled this world yielded it to the Ninjas."
"Turn back now, and I can still pardon your crimes. Otherwise, your so-called rebirth will only end in ruin—for you, and for Masamune."
His voice hardened. "You'll drag this entire nation into the abyss."
------------------
AN: Check out my P@treon For +50 extra chapters.
Thank You For your Support!!
[email protected]/noviceauthor777