Chapter 128: Body Flicker - Shadow Kill Formation
The Land of Snow.
Several snowmobiles advanced rapidly across the snow-covered plains.
On the largest snowmobile, the Grass Ninja leader, Kazahana Koyuki, Asama Sandayū, and Menma were all seated inside.
"Sir, thank you so much for saving our lives!"
The Grass Ninja leader, with a respectful expression, bowed and scraped to Menma: "With your help, Sir, we will surely be able to leave the Land of Snow safely."
Watching the Grass Ninja he had hired at great expense act so hypocritically, Asama Sandayū was filled with speechlessness.
"Where did all that arrogance towards me from just now go? Why so submissive when facing this sir?"
Can only say, truly worthy of being Grass Ninja, known as "fence-sitters"?
"However, to make this arrogant fellow so polite, even somewhat servile, I'm afraid this Ame-no-Minakanushi's strength is extraordinary."
Just as a bold idea popped into Sandayū's head,
"Leave the Land of Snow?"
Menma suddenly chuckled lightly, slowly saying: "I never said I would protect you while you leave the Land of Snow."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone present froze.
"Sir, could it be..."
The Grass Ninja leader snapped back, saying in disbelief: "Could it be... you wish to help them reclaim the position of ruler?"
Although Kusagakure and the Land of Grass were often derided as fence-sitters, and their claim of being the sixth great ninja village had an air of self-aggrandizement,
As a small country surviving in the cracks between great nations,
Their ability to gather intelligence to preserve themselves during Shinobi World Wars was naturally not poor.
And as a Jōnin of Kusagakure, the Grass Ninja leader naturally knew much detailed intelligence.
Among it, was information about the mysterious organization "Crimson Moon" that was once active in the ninja world.
This man calling himself "Ame-no-Minakanushi" was one of its members.
And his strength was exceptionally formidable, at least capable of confronting the "Kage" of the Five Great Ninja Villages head-on.
If Ame-no-Minakanushi was willing to help Asama Sandayū and the others, then perhaps...
Only then did Sandayū recall that this gentleman had indeed said when he appeared,
Rather than fleeing so wretchedly, why not try his method?
It was just that the scene at the time was too horrifying, causing him to react slowly.
"Sir, do you really intend to help us reclaim the position of ruler?"
Facing his doubt, Menma didn't respond, instead turning his head to look at Kazahana Koyuki.
"I can certainly help Princess Koyuki reclaim the position of ruler of the Land of Snow, but..."
Menma said casually, his tone meaningful: "Any wish requires a price. And that depends on Princess Koyuki's willingness."
Looking at the three-eyed cat-face mask, Koyuki subconsciously hid behind Sandayū.
However, upon hearing she could reclaim her position as ruler, her expression couldn't help but be moved.
But, the next second,
Kazahana Koyuki's spirit and energy seemed to be drained away.
"Impossible. You simply don't know Kazahana Dotō's power."
Kazahana Koyuki suddenly said dejectedly: "He controls all the Snow Ninja in the Land of Snow. With just the few of us, there's no hope of taking back the position of ruler from him."
She also wanted to take revenge on Kazahana Dotō, to avenge her father.
But Kazahana Dotō killing her father back then had left too deep a psychological scar on her.
If there were no surprises, she might never be able to walk out of that shadow in her entire life.
Just then.
"Hmph! You know nothing of true power!"
Uchiha Izumi beside them suddenly snorted coldly, her tone filled with disdain: "If the Snow Ninja are all of that caliber from just now, there's no need for Lord Master to act personally. I alone can kill all of them."
Even wearing chakra armor, the upper limit of the Snow Ninja's power was laid bare.
With the power of the Mangekyō Sharingan, one could easily kill all Snow Ninja led by Kazahana Dotō.
"Don't worry."
As her voice fell, Menma appeared beside Kazahana Koyuki, gently stroking her hair.
Immediately, his tone gentle: "You only need to inquire a little, and you should be able to find out about my strength."
He didn't mind Sandayū's doubts.
After all, for an ordinary person without power, wanting to judge a ninja's strength was indeed asking a bit much of him.
Anyway, when the time comes,
They will naturally understand.
Sandayū beside him secretly shot a look at the Grass Ninja leader, attempting to confirm the truth of Menma's words.
Seeing him nod with a grave expression, Sandayū finally relaxed a little.
Ame-no-Minakanushi's proposal indeed greatly moved him.
Before this, he only wanted to protect Princess Koyuki, let her leave the Land of Snow, and live a peaceful life outside.
But when circumstances allowed, no subject didn't want to become a dragon-assisting minister.
Koyuki felt the slightly warm hand on her head.
"You... why are you helping me?"
Kazahana Koyuki looked up with a somewhat vacant gaze at the three-eyed cat-face mask: "And what do you want?"
Once these words were spoken, the fear in her heart actually dissipated considerably.
She knew very well that without powerful external intervention, wanting to retake the Land of Snow was undoubtedly a fool's dream.
But she also knew very well, there's no such thing as a free lunch.
"I hope the Land of Snow can establish a close, binding relationship with Crimson Moon. In the future, Crimson Moon will protect the Land of Snow, and the Land of Snow will also become our starting point for changing the ninja world."
Menma finished speaking seriously, and the expressions of the few people present couldn't help but become dazed.
"Hiss!"
Hearing this bold plan, the Grass Ninja leader couldn't help but suck in a cold breath.
But sensing everyone's gazes, he subconsciously covered his mouth, his body shivering.
Oh no, he knows so much intelligence, will he be silenced?!
"What are you so afraid of? I won't kill you."
Facing the Grass Ninja leader's fear, Menma glanced at him and chuckled lightly: "However, for our mutual safety, necessary precautions are still needed."
"...What?"
The Grass Ninja leader opened his mouth dazedly. Before he could react,
An almost imperceptible sound of tearing wind was heard.
"Mmph! Gulp~"
The Grass Ninja leader suddenly felt something fall into his mouth. He subconsciously closed it.
After swallowing, the Grass Ninja leader finally came back to his senses.
Then an extremely strong sense of fear suddenly rose in his heart.
"Wait, wait! You..."
The Grass Ninja leader subconsciously retreated a few steps, asking with a terrified face: "Did you... did you just make me eat something?"
He was sure he had just swallowed a small thing.
And, it was thrown out by this man before him.
"If you're sensible, then it's just a small seed."
Menma said, neither happy nor sad: "If you're not sensible, then..."
The instant his voice fell,
"Ah!!"
The Grass Ninja leader suddenly cried out in pain, falling directly to his knees.
Under the horrified gazes of the few people, strange protrusions actually appeared on his exposed skin.
One could see some green things writhing continuously under his skin.
Finally, they even broke through the skin, revealing fresh green sprouts.
It looked like...
A seed absorbing nutrients, taking root and sprouting within his body, then filling his entire being.
Until finally, it burst out!
"No! Sir, Sir!"
The Grass Ninja leader, face full of terror, begged for mercy: "I... I understand! I won't tell anyone! Please believe me!!"
The thing inside his body was continuously absorbing his chakra, then using it to grow within him.
However, after begging for mercy, that bizarre, painful sensation gradually dissipated.
Looking down at the Grass Ninja leader kneeling before him, constantly gasping for breath,
Menma's tone shifted, saying with a hint of amusement: "Relax. Although the seed has pierced your heart, as long as you're obedient, there won't be any abnormalities."
"It might even strengthen your physical constitution."
As soon as these words were spoken, Asama Sandayū also came back to his senses.
His gaze towards Menma also became exceptionally fearful.
"How can there be such a terrifying ninjutsu?!"
This was simply more painful, more terrifying than being killed directly!!
He gripped the dagger at his cuff, staring intently at Menma, just about to say something.
"You said just now, you would help me reclaim the position of ruler, correct?"
Kazahana Koyuki looked up at Menma, her eyes flickering: "I accept. But I hope you don't forget your promise."
Now someone was willing to help her take revenge.
No matter what price she had to pay the other party, this was the only life-saving straw in her hand.
"Princess Koyuki, I will personally send you to the throne."
Menma stroked her hair, his tone gentle: "In the future, you will also be glad for today's choice."
A person is, originally, a raw stone.
As for whether it will be brilliant, it still needs to be carved and polished.
Every choice, every sacrifice, is a form of carving.
Sandayū also knelt on one knee before Kazahana Koyuki: "Princess, you still have many subjects who support you. We will offer our lives to protect you!"
Kazahana Koyuki merely glanced at Sandayū, then looked back at Menma.
In her slightly narrowed eyes, a trace of goodwill and amusement flashed.
"Then, I shall look forward to that moment's arrival."
...
Meanwhile, Snow City, outside the castle.
"Hiss!?"
Looking at the massive castle gate that had been blasted away as if it were trash, Asama Sandayū couldn't help but suck in a cold breath.
Immediately, he turned to look at Menma, who wore the Ame-no-Minakanushi mask, a bitter smile appearing on his face.
"It seems... I ultimately underestimated the power of a ninja."
The castle's main gate was built from special materials.
He had originally wanted to advise Ame-no-Minakanushi to plan for the long term.
But unexpectedly, Ame-no-Minakanushi, with just one light punch, had effortlessly smashed it to pieces.
This power... was truly terrifying.
Kazahana Koyuki beside him, though also somewhat shocked, still did her best to maintain a calm facade.
"See, Sandayū? I knew it. No problem."
Kuni-no-tokotachi (a title she uses for Menma) had told her.
She would soon become the ruler of the Land of Snow, so she must maintain the composure of a monarch at all times and places.
This way, she could earn everyone's trust and recognition.
Yes, must be composed, must be calm.
"..."
Looking at the adoring Princess Koyuki, a black line couldn't help but appear on Asama Sandayū's forehead.
Princess Koyuki... is on the verge of becoming a follower of Ame-no-Minakanushi.
At this time, the Snow Ninja within the castle also came to their senses.
"This..."
Looking at the shattered castle gate, looks of shock appeared on their faces in unison.
However, it was only a moment of panic before they calmed down.
Chilling cold air shot out from their chakra armor, and the figures rushed towards Menma and his group at extremely high speed.
Seeing the menacing Snow Ninja, Menma showed no intention of dodging.
"Tsukuyomi no Mikoto, Amaterasu no Mikoto."
The instant his soft words fell,
Two figures shot out from behind him.
Although there only appeared to be two of them, their aura was by no means weaker than the dozens of Snow Ninja.
"Fire Style: Great Dragon Fire Technique!"
Uchiha Izumi's hands rapidly formed seals, three fire dragons spewing from her mouth, roaring as they assailed the group of Snow Ninja.
"Hmph, just Fire Release ninjutsu."
The Snow Ninja, seeing this, were not at all afraid, instead showing disdainful smiles.
The armor shields on their bodies could absorb enemy chakra and convert it for their own use.
This kind of Fire Release ninjutsu with dispersed power... would be easily...
However, just as the Snow Ninja's minds relaxed,
The "Amaterasu no Mikoto" originally holding a short sword transformed into wisps of afterimages.
The next moment,
Swish swish swish!!
All around the Snow Ninja, black afterimages appeared out of thin air.
"You..."
Looking at the pale mask before them, and the ruthless coldness in those scarlet pupils,
All the Snow Ninja felt an extremely terrifying aura of death.
"Body Flicker - Shadow Kill Formation!"
(End of Chapter)
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