Hattori Ryuuno and the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist continued moving. Their direction was not aimed at Gutian Village, meaning they hadn't found Haruto Saito and were merely passing through his sensory range by coincidence...
However, Haruto had no doubt—Hattori Ryuuno had come to the Land of Whirlpools to kill him!
Whether they had received some intelligence that led them to scout the northern part of the Land of Whirlpools was uncertain.
"Just the eight of them... heh..." A cold glint flickered in Haruto's eyes, but he was grinning. A bold idea had just come to him!
Whoosh!
A sudden burst of white smoke erupted beside Haruto as Kakuzu appeared from within.
"Perfect timing!" Haruto sprang to his feet and immediately asked, "Is it done?"
"Yes," Kakuzu nodded.
"How many did you kill?"
"No one. The process was complicated, but I first—"
"Stop. If it's complicated, skip it. Just tell me, how much did it cost?" Haruto interrupted.
"Thirty-six million ryo," Kakuzu replied.
"Good. Not too expensive." Haruto nodded. He knew Kakuzu had definitely used underhanded means—threats, coercion, bribes—but he didn't have the patience to hear the details right now.
He had something far more important to deal with!
Kakuzu had returned just in time. If he hadn't, Haruto would have had to go looking for him.
"I just sensed an extremely powerful enemy nearby..." Haruto glanced at Kakuzu and laid out his bold plan. "So, I think we should take them out! Any objections?"
"No objections," Kakuzu responded indifferently.
He knew full well that following Haruto meant constant battles. Haruto had enemies everywhere, and as someone who was getting paid, Kakuzu had a job to do.
He was a man who would risk his life for money. That was his principle.
"Who are the enemies?" Kakuzu asked.
"The Seven Swordsmen of the Mist!" Haruto's voice deepened.
Kakuzu's pupils shrank. Damn! He might have agreed too quickly!
The name of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist was known by all. Kakuzu knew exactly how formidable they were. Individually, none of them could match him in a one-on-one fight, but all seven together…
Kakuzu glanced at Haruto and calculated their odds.
"If you and I join forces, we may not necessarily secure victory over the Seven Swordsmen. But with the fifteen others you brought, our chances aren't low..." Kakuzu estimated.
"Exactly!" Haruto agreed. "But there's one more person!"
"Who?"
"The Water Shadow's advisor—Hattori Ryuuno!"
Kakuzu's face stiffened. His eyes widened as he stared at Haruto.
Damn! You really are looking for death!
Kakuzu had heard plenty about Haruto's reckless stunts. That was why he had enemies everywhere. But he hadn't expected Haruto to be this insane! This was like charging headfirst into a brick wall!
"I think you should reconsider..." Kakuzu suggested.
"Hattori Ryuuno is mine!" Haruto said firmly, locking eyes with Kakuzu. "You, Chulong, and the others will handle the Seven Swordsmen. I don't need you to win—just buy me two hours… I will kill Hattori Ryuuno!"
"Are you confident?"
"No."
"..."
"But it's worth a try! I'm mainly uncertain about his defensive abilities. But even if I fail, I can escape. At the very least, I will lure him away so he won't be a threat to you."
"You only have one life."
"Do you really think someone who can use Flying Thunder God will die at Hattori Ryuuno's hands?"
Kakuzu fell silent. After a moment of contemplation, he said, "Fine, you lead the operation. I have no objections."
Haruto's plan made Kakuzu reevaluate just how daring he was. Normal shinobi wouldn't even consider attacking Hattori Ryuuno—he was simply too powerful. But since Haruto had claimed Hattori Ryuuno as his own opponent, Kakuzu had no reason to refuse.
As long as he didn't have to fight Hattori Ryuuno directly, Kakuzu was confident. Win or lose, he wouldn't die. And if they actually won…
It would shake the entire shinobi world! For over a decade, no high-ranking figure from the Five Great Shinobi Villages had died in battle. If one did, it was usually at the hands of an acknowledged powerhouse. But to die at Haruto's hands? Even Kakuzu felt secondhand embarrassment for Hattori Ryuuno.
Haruto quickly gathered the Root ninja scattered across the valley. There were fifteen in total—one quasi-Kage, Chulong, along with seven elite Jonin and seven high-ranking Jonin with over five thousand reputation points.
He lowered his voice and began explaining the situation and their battle plan.
******
Over sixty kilometers east of the valley, deep in a coastal forest…
Eight figures raced through the landscape at high speed!
Leading the charge, clad in a black cloak, was Hattori Ryuuno. His gaze was cold and emotionless. Just yesterday, he had received intelligence about a possible sighting of Haruto Saito in northern Whirlpool Country. The report was inconclusive, but that didn't matter.
As long as there was a lead, it was enough!
And so, he came.
Bringing the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist with him!
Hattori Ryuuno's goal was to capture Haruto alive and bring him back to Kirigakure. If capturing him wasn't possible, then he would kill him. He was determined to wash away his past disgrace. Over a year ago, Kirigakure's operations in the Land of Whirlpools had ended in disaster. As the commanding officer, Hattori Ryuuno had borne the brunt of the blame. The pressure in Kirigakure had been immense.
If not for the Third Mizukage personally protecting him, he would have been demoted long ago.
This mission had to succeed.
Whether he killed Haruto or brought him back to Kirigakure, it would be a massive victory for his village and a devastating blow to Konoha. Only then could he fully reclaim his lost prestige.
The eight ninja advanced swiftly.
Ten minutes later…
Hattori Ryuuno abruptly raised his hand, signaling the group to halt. His body came to an immediate stop! The Seven Swordsmen behind him, moving in perfect unison, stopped just as suddenly!
All of them scanned the surroundings warily.
"Lord Ryuuno, what is it?" one of them asked.
Hattori Ryuuno didn't answer. He had just felt a sudden sense of unease—a warrior's instinct. The stronger a shinobi, the keener their sixth sense. And Hattori Ryuuno was no exception.
He carefully expanded his senses but detected nothing unusual.
"It's nothing. Keep moving," he said, gesturing for them to continue.
The group took off once more.
A hundred meters behind them, in the spot where they had paused moments ago, a lone figure materialized atop a tree.
"Are you looking for me?" Haruto Saito asked casually.
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