"Do not let them escape! Hunt them down!"
In the middle of the night, countless shadows of humanoid figures rushed with swiftness, chasing something beyond the horizon near the forest as the bloody-stained visages beamed in chilling smiles like predator-smelling fear in prey's mind.
"This can't go on for a long time, Brother Seikai. Our chakra would be gone the moment the assigned reinforcements arrived! Fucking Red Eyes Chinoike Clan!"
"Calm down, Isa! We have no options..." Looking at his little brother, Seikai frowned in deep thought — trying to find a miraculous escape. "Shit, they are here!"
After sensing the opponents, Both Isa and Seikai readied with battered attires and war clubs, consciously looking at their enemies in darkness.
"Why did both of you stop? Tired? HAHAHA! Embrace your fate, monks!"
"Hehehe, what's wrong? Baldies? I applaud you earlier for your bravery yet here you are, running like cowards!"
"Hahaha, they don't want to see their Buddha yet!"
Six pairs of Ketsuryūgan emerged from the darkness, their bright red eyes and sinister smiles glowing in the moonlight, creating an eerie image of night hunters stained with blood on their weapons.
As they watched the frenzied movements, Seikai and Isa shared a meaningful glance. They gritted their teeth, a fire of determination sparking in their eyes. It was a battle of survival.
"Ketsuryūgan: Blood Volley!"
"Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique!"
As blood poured down on the monks amidst the overwhelming genjutsu, they disregarded the illusions and began forming their seals, even as the terrifying senbons of blood drew near.
"Earth Release: Rock Shelter!"
"Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique!" x2
Encased within a protective dome, the monks remained unharmed while the leader shouted, "Keep up the attack! Two of them are nearly out of chakra!" His cry fueled their assault, each strike further damaging the barricade.
"Hahaha! Where's your—" The leader's eyes widened as he checked inside but saw no monks. "Everyone, watch out—"
"Earth Release: Double Suicide Decapitation!"
"AHHH!" "Argh! Leader, help me—"
But it was too late. Seikai and Isa emerged from the ground, swiftly eliminating the two team members. The monks, skilled in Earth Release, had expertly sensed the vibrations beneath the surface and struck just at the right moment, catching their foes off guard.
"How?! How did they escape my genjutsu?!" Another member shouted in frustration as he hurled numerous shurikens, only for them to be effortlessly blocked by the monks.
"Haaahh..." Seikai grinned widely, despite the weariness evident on his face. "I got these through the Genesis Auction House... There's something satisfying about taking down your clan members without having to deal with your repulsive eyes!"
Seikai and Isa provided contact lenses specifically designed to combat illusions, made possible by Genesis Auction House — a branch of Genesis Bank, one of the influential and enigmatic organizations during the Warring States Period.
"Damn it! Genesis Bank!!!" One of the other members thought bitterly, clenching his fist in frustration.
"Ketsuryūgan: Bloody Piercing Chains!"
"Then you will pay with your lives!" In a flash, the leader manipulated the blood of his fallen comrades, directing it mercilessly at the monks, who were taken by surprise and quickly fell back as other members of the Chinoike Clan launched long-range attacks.
That's what war is like. As a leader, all he could do was ensure the monks went down alongside his fallen fighters!
"Idiot brother!" Each strike was incredibly painful, and with their exhausted Chakra, the two found themselves at the mercy of the Buddha's hands. "Hahaha, isn't it amusing to be dying like this, Isa?"
With a bright smile, Seikai encouraged his brother as the weary figures of the monk were visible to their relentless foes, who were eager for a savage victory.
"Hidden Mist Technique!"
Suddenly, the night turned foggy as a mist enveloped everyone lingering in the forest, leaving the victorious Chinoike Clan shocked and on alert.
"Who's there? Don't interfere with the Chinoike Clan's business, or you'll find yourself in trouble too!" the leader warned his clan as they became surrounded by the thick fog, but his threats went unanswered.
Meanwhile, Seikai and Isa sensed that someone nearby might genuinely mean well despite the tense atmosphere.
"Water Clone Technique!"
"Water Release: Cold Sky Water Attack!"
With remarkable agility, the intruder formed hand signs as the clone unleashed streams of water toward the Chinoike leader, clearly with a strategic intent.
"ARRRGHHH!" "Aaahhh!"
In a split second, two of the four remaining Chinoike members could be heard from within the thick fog, their cries of agony echoing in the dim atmosphere. Despite possessing the Ketsuryūgan, they were unable to break through the misty barrier, as if facing an insurmountable wall.
"You bastard! I'm going to kill you!!!" The leader bellowed in fury, deflecting the incoming jets of water, his face contorted with rage until a stream grazed his cheek.
"Is that all you've got?! What a sorry excuse for a fighter! Coward! If I get out of this—" he mocked, deliberately taunting his unseen opponent, but his words were cut short when a kunai swiftly slashed across his neck.
Gripping his neck as blood poured out, the leader noticed a 14-year-old boy wiping off a bloody kunai. He wanted to say something, but as words tumbled from his lips, he soon fell silent and collapsed, lifeless.
By utilizing his Transformation Jutsu to turn into a water jet, along with the support of his clone's Water Release Jutsu, he showcased an impressive skill. The young man revealed a clever and cunning intellect.
As the cloud drifted away, the moonlight illuminated the scene, and the fog lifted, revealing the young man's silhouette. The monks stared at their ally's impassive expression as he swiftly dispatched the last terrified member of the Chinoike clan.
"Miyoshi Brothers? Seikai? Isa? I've been sent here to provide reinforcements for Sanada Yukimura." As he faced the monk brothers, his tone turned icy, observing as the monks nodded and stumbled to the ground.
"Hahaha! Thank you, my good friend! May I ask your name?" Seikai, the elder brother, laughed and placed his strong arm around the young man's shoulder in a gesture of camaraderie.
"Thanks, and I'm sorry about my brother's behavior..." Isa said, bowing slightly as he assisted his injured sibling, and they both walked away from the gruesome scene.
'The older brother can be a bit shameless, while the younger one seems as sincere as a monk. Yet, they make good allies for our campaign...'
Remembering his employer's words, the man shook his head and responded, "I'm Kirigakure Saizō, hailing from the distant water lands, far from this turmoil."
The Miyoshi Brothers were momentarily taken aback until Seikai's hearty laughter filled the air: "HAHAHA! Great to meet you, Brother Saizō! You're one of the finest shinobi I've come across around here..."
Disregarding Seikai's loudness, Saizō and the two brothers made their way out of the forest without any issues.
->->->->->->->->->->
"Yooohooo! 2 years of insane development! Raking money was nothing, reputation all that mattered!"
After two years, the three-year-old Yoichi was feeling good about his steadily developing body, as each new technological advancement during the Warring States Period made progress much easier.
It felt like the world was catching on to his intentional patterns, making a notable mark in the whispers of Shinobi.
The Genesis Bank operated differently from previous lending systems. Its goal was to eliminate large, unwise borrowers while allowing the clans to utilize their strengths to build trust with the bank, securing essential resources for their future development.
About the Auction House, it was established earlier by Yoichi's clever inventions. Selling the contact lenses and chakra tools that had been gathered over the past thousand years was never a challenge for him or his clan.
However, some foolish clans attempted to secretly steal or even kill for these valuable items. The mysterious deaths and public executions of those caught only served to enhance their infamy, making them both respected and reviled among the elite clans.
Well, Yoichi hasn't released all of his innovative technologies yet. It's a smart business move to create a desire for efficient, convenient devices that can be easily obtained with a quick swipe of cash.
"Hey, Sensei! Here's your daily newspaper!"
Ryoma handed over the newspaper while Sumiko and Natsumi sat nearby, enjoying their tea and the newfound tranquility that came with growing up—something they appreciated more and more, just like their teacher.
"Kirigakure Saizō…" Yoichi said, stroking his chin as he looked at the black-and-white image on the front page. "Isn't he the one who mastered the Hidden Mist Technique? I've always been curious about how he met his end in the series; his name has become a lasting tribute to his legacy."
"Sarutobi Sasuke... Miyoshi Brothers... Anayama Kosuke..." Then, Yoichi frowned at the particular news as if he vaguely recalled each of their names. "Isn't this the Sanada Yukimura's Ten Braves? If I remember correctly, Sarutobi Sasuke and Kirigakure Saizō names appeared in the info dump of Naruto Manga... Nonetheless, I can't wait to see them!"
'It appears that the Warring States Period isn't boring at all... Let me grow up to 12 and I'll see their bones out!'
"Yoichi?! Where are you?!" a familiar gentle voice rang outside as Yoichi quickly hid the newspaper.
"Mom! I'm here with my friends!"
'Hehehe... Although I am not their true son, I don't bite the hands that fed me when I was in a feeble state.'