Chapter 433: Sir, This Way
Meanwhile, in the Land of Lightning, where the daimyos were hiding.
This location was tucked away in a valley, with no villages around. The houses were low, buried under the cover of large trees.
From the heights of the valley looking down, it was difficult to spot any buildings or signs of human habitation.
The Fourth Raikage, in order to prevent Konoha from attacking the daimyos and threatening them, specifically chose such a secluded place to hide them.
He also dispatched several squads of jonin to guard against any unexpected events.
But now, Kimimaro, Haku, and Toneri had arrived at the valley.
Leading them was Kimimaro, who, though young at around thirteen or fourteen, had a cold and unapproachable demeanor.
Haku, with a gentle and delicate appearance, dressed in pink robes, exuded an aura of soft tenderness from a distance.
Toneri, the youngest, wore a simple white garment, but what stood out most were his dazzling blue eyes—obviously Tenseigan. After receiving the gift of power, Haneda had sacrificed some of his ocular energy to help Toneri awaken the Tenseigan.
However, due to Toneri's weak foundation, his Tenseigan could not be deactivated or revert to the form of the Byakugan.
Walking at the forefront, Kimimaro asked softly, "Toneri, how many enemies are ahead?"
The Tenseigan, as the ultimate evolution of the Byakugan, retained its scouting abilities. Toneri scanned the area ahead and replied, "Twelve jonin, thirty-six elite chunin, their chakra is weak."
"Understood." Although Kimimaro was only an elite jonin, he pressed forward without hesitation.
Killing or capturing the daimyos was a task assigned to him by Haneda.
Anything entrusted by Haneda would be completed by Kimimaro with all his strength.
However, he would not treat his friends as mercilessly as he treated himself.
Kimimaro turned and said, "Toneri, please protect Haku later."
"Okay. I'll step in if necessary," Toneri agreed.
The trio continued forward. As they neared the buildings where the daimyos were hiding, a shuriken flew toward Kimimaro. He dodged it, caught it mid-air, and threw it back.
Thud—
The enemy hidden in the trees was hit square in the forehead and fell to the ground.
Realizing they had been discovered, Kimimaro's hand sprouted a bone spike half a meter long.
From above the trees, snake-like lightning surged toward Kimimaro.
While focusing on the attack from above, the ground beneath him rose.
In a critical situation, Kimimaro remained calm, leaping off the raised earth, ignoring the lightning as he charged toward the ninja who had cast the lightning jutsu.
The lightning wrapped around Kimimaro, but spikes of bone emerged from his chest and back, resembling a porcupine as he endured the lightning attack.
Despite the piercing electricity flowing through his body, Kimimaro's expression remained unchanged. He silently bore the pain as if it were nothing.
When the cloud ninja in the trees believed they had succeeded, Kimimaro's bone sword was already upon them, cutting them down without hesitation.
Meanwhile, Haku and Toneri also faced ambushes from hidden ninjas.
Haku, more adept at defense, surrounded himself with countless icy mirrors, forming a labyrinth.
Each mirror reflected Haku's image, and he darted through the maze, waiting for the right moment to strike.
The Mist ninja instantly recognized the technique.
During the Bloody Mist era, Mist often cleansed clans with kekkei genkai, and Haku's family had been among those targeted.
Having served as a jonin for many years, the Mist ninja had experience dealing with this jutsu.
He cast the Hidden Mist Jutsu to obscure Haku's vision, ensuring neither of them could locate the other.
Trained in the art of silent killing within the mist, the Mist ninja was confident in his ability to take down a young ninja.
The sounds of erratic footsteps echoed within the mirrors and mist, blades clashing intermittently.
Several elite squads of Mist ninjas joined the fray, engaging in battle inside.
But after a quarter of an hour, the mist dispersed.
Haku stood alone while the others lay defeated on the ground.
"Please rest peacefully now," Haku whispered, casting a glance at Kimimaro, whose battle continued.
He faced the most opponents—both Cloud and Mist ninjas, including many with kekkei genkai.
Further back, Toneri's battle had ended the quickest.
He simply and brutally used a green sphere of light to drain the enemy's chakra and followed up with simple yet effective genjutsu to toy with them.
In truth, with the Tenseigan's power, Toneri could destroy the entire area with a simple "farewell gift"—just a single Truth-Seeking Orb.
"It's over," Toneri said, looking toward Haku and then further ahead to Kimimaro.
He conjured a Mind Ball, placing it in the enemies' chests.
The Mind Ball could control others' thoughts and actions or reveal their inner desires.
By controlling an Iwa ninja on the spot, the Iwa ninja immediately pointed toward the buildings, grinning obsequiously:
"Sir, this way!"
Haku cast a peculiar glance at the Iwa ninja, then at Toneri.
"You didn't plant something weird in him, did you?" Haku asked.
Toneri smiled, revealing his small fangs. "No, I just amplified his fear of death and his tendency to bully the weak."
Kimimaro reminded, "Haneda suggested you use the Tenseigan sparingly during this period. Your body isn't strong enough to handle its full power."
Toneri nodded, following the traitorous guide into the complex.
Inside a two-story house, the daimyos were playing hanafuda.
One daimyo, who was about to lose, set down his cards, complaining, "The noise outside is distracting me from focusing on the game."
"Just play your hand," another daimyo, who was winning, smirked.
"Ah, I lost, I lost. Next round," the losing daimyo said, revealing his hand as a servant brought over chips.
None of them glanced at the valuable chips, indifferent to money.
To the daimyos, money was just a number. As long as they sat there, they'd have an endless supply.
This indifference to gambling stemmed from their disinterest in wealth.
In the loft, their life was leisurely. Outside, they were protected by the anti-Konoha alliance ninjas, and inside, young and beautiful attendants catered to them. Compared to the chaotic ninja world, this place was paradise.
Suddenly, with a loud "boom," Kimimaro kicked open the door, entering with a large sword over a meter long.
"Konoha unilaterally declares that you have committed severe war crimes. We are here to bring you to justice."
Upon hearing the word "Konoha," the daimyos panicked.
They knew how Konoha had dealt with the Fire Country daimyo—executing him in front of all his ministers, accusing him of treason.
Their crimes as war profiteers were far graver than treason.