This was the second boss card Haruto Saito had ever used. He had only obtained two in total—the first one had been used on Kyōgoku Hyūga. In reality, Haruto hadn't been the one to decide that; the boss card's selection was random when determining the boss.
It was precisely because of this randomness that Haruto hadn't used his second boss card lightly.
For example, back at the Shiraishi Ore Camp, if Haruto had used the boss card, it was hard to say who would have been randomly chosen. If it had ended up transforming a mere Genin or a low-ranked samurai into a boss, it would have been a huge waste!
But now, Haruto had encountered the perfect moment to use the boss card!
There was only one enemy, and this enemy's strength was just right for Haruto! Transforming him into a boss wouldn't be a loss at all! Additionally, obtaining some Samurai Technique Cards from him would help Haruto enhance his current abilities. Only by combining Samurai Techniques with the Black Warrior Armor could he unleash the most powerful effects.
"Ding! The host has used a boss card. Battlefield assessment completed. Enemy target assessment completed. Random selection completed. Target locking in progress..."
The voice of the Card Emperor Spirit echoed in Haruto's mind. A golden energy giant appeared behind him, drawing its horned bow. A green energy arrow rapidly took shape.
Twang!
The bowstring released, and the green energy arrow shot forward instantly, striking Takashiro Genzo directly. The arrow then transformed into a stream of light and drilled into the ground beneath Takashiro Genzo's feet, forming a glowing green circle.
"Ding! Target locked. Reminder to the host: The boss transformation duration is 24 hours. If exceeded, the boss card effect will be nullified."
...
All these strange visions and sounds were only visible to Haruto.
Takashiro Genzo, who had been moving, suddenly stopped and turned sharply to look at Haruto upon hearing his voice. Haruto stood at the edge of the forest, appearing purely as a Black Warrior. Takashiro Genzo couldn't discern Haruto's age—he only thought he seemed a bit short.
"Lord Black Warrior, what do you mean by this?" Takashiro Genzo still spoke politely.
If Haruto hadn't been able to perceive his malice, he might have treated him more kindly.
"It means that I think you should die!" Haruto spoke in a deliberately hoarse voice. "You will surely go and report what you've seen, won't you?"
"I swear upon the god of samurai, I will never report anything!"
"Heh! Do you really think I'd believe you?"
Haruto slowly drew the Heavy Mountain Blade from his waist, staring intently at Takashiro Genzo, ready to strike at any moment.
"Lady Tsunade, you cannot go back on your word!" Takashiro Genzo suddenly turned his head and shouted at Tsunade while raising his sword, assuming a combat stance.
"She said she'd let you go, but I never did!" Haruto snapped.
Tsunade opened her mouth but said nothing. She glanced at Haruto and did not argue. Clearly, she tacitly approved of his actions. In truth, she had never intended to let Takashiro Genzo go. She wasn't foolish—she knew for certain that he would report back.
However, Tsunade was still a bit concerned. Could Haruto really handle this?
If he lost and got taken hostage, that would be a huge problem!
Tsunade didn't know that Haruto had already killed Inoi. That night, when Haruto assassinated Inoi, both Tsunade and Jiraiya had already rushed down the mountain, intending to storm the camp and rescue Haruto.
As a result, in Tsunade's mind, Haruto was merely a Special Jōnin. That was her last assessment of his strength. A Special Jōnin wearing Black Warrior Armor—how much stronger could that make him?
"You... you people are shameless!" Takashiro Genzo gripped his sword tightly and roared in anger.
"Are those your final words?" Haruto said hoarsely. "How about this—I'll give you a chance. If you can withstand five moves from me, I'll let you go. I guarantee no one will harm you."
"Fine! You said it!" Takashiro Genzo gritted his teeth, looking as though he was ready to fight to the death.
Tsunade gave Haruto a surprised glance and immediately signaled to Jiraiya to be ready. She was still worried that Haruto might mess up.
"Here I come!" Haruto warned before vanishing instantly!
Black Warrior Flash!
Like a ghost, Haruto appeared behind Takashiro Genzo, slashing fiercely with the Heavy Mountain Blade!
Takashiro Genzo's reaction was extremely fast. Sensing the danger, he swiftly turned and swung his katana, meeting Haruto's blade head-on. With a boom, Takashiro Genzo managed to block the strike, but his body was forced backward, his feet dragging across the ground, leaving two deep grooves.
This guy was much stronger than Inoi!
Though Takashiro Genzo's overall strength was comparable to an elite Jōnin and not quite at the pinnacle, he was still a samurai. His abilities were focused entirely on close combat. If it came down to pure melee combat, even a top-tier Jōnin might not necessarily be his match.
However, Haruto was also stronger than he had been when he killed Inoi. Especially after using two Rain Falcon ability cards, his observational skills and agility had both been greatly enhanced.
Whoosh!
Haruto once again appeared at Takashiro Genzo's side, slashing diagonally!
Already aware of Haruto's strength, Takashiro Genzo crossed his twin blades to block the attack. Once again, he was forced backward!
Whoosh! The third time, Haruto appeared above him, bringing his blade down in a powerful vertical slash!
Takashiro Genzo had no chance to counterattack and could only rely on his instincts to defend. Black Warrior Flash was essentially an instant-space movement technique, and it was already impressive that he could keep up.
Boom!
Using his twin blades to block Haruto's descending strike, the ground beneath Takashiro Genzo shattered. His knees buckled, nearly causing him to collapse.
Haruto flashed behind him again, delivering another strike!
The fourth strike—same power, same speed!
Takashiro Genzo twisted his waist, raising one blade horizontally while striking sideways with the other. He defended successfully once more, but the terrifying impact sent him staggering backward again.
"Hahaha! One move left! The Black Warrior is nothing special!" Takashiro Genzo laughed, having successfully blocked four strikes. Haruto had only one chance left!
"Heh!" Haruto sneered, appearing behind Takashiro Genzo once more. This time, he gripped his blade with both hands, channeling 50% of his chakra into it to amplify his strength. The terrifying slash resembled a thunderous bolt, shaking the air violently.
Takashiro Genzo had grown accustomed to Haruto's speed and strength, reacting instinctively. However, Haruto's all-out attack caught him completely off guard.
Boom! Slash!
Both of Takashiro Genzo's blades were sent flying as Haruto's Heavy Mountain Blade sliced through his body, spraying blood into the air!
A golden light erupted, and more than twenty cards shot into the sky.
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for killing a boss target. Reward: 5,000 reputation points and one treasure card."