Ordering someone to kneel? That was impossible!
In reality, Haruto Saito just wanted to announce to everyone that he had killed Momochi Akagen!
Upon hearing Haruto's declaration, the five remaining members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist all looked shocked, unable to believe it was true. Even Tsunade and her team seemed skeptical, unsure if Haruto, who never followed conventional rules, was bluffing in an attempt to scare these powerful opponents away.
A streaking shadow approached rapidly!
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!" Haruto unleashed a B-rank fire jutsu, but its power was equivalent to an A-rank due to his enhanced abilities—quadruple the usual force!
A massive fire dragon surged forward!
"Water Release: Surging Water Attack!"
One of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen countered with an A-rank water jutsu, clashing head-on with Haruto's attack!
Flames and waves collided, exploding into a thick mist that rapidly spread in all directions.
At that moment, Tsunade and her team instinctively withdrew, and so did the Mist Swordsmen! Both sides acted in tacit agreement, largely due to Haruto's words—had Momochi Akagen truly been killed?
Even Tsunade and her comrades found it hard to believe. But they had to pretend to believe it, using this moment to end the battle—because their chakra reserves were nearly depleted!
As for the Mist Swordsmen, they hesitated as well. They wanted to wait and see if Momochi Akagen would return. If he was truly dead, then they were in deep trouble!
A five-on-four battle no longer gave them an advantage. If they continued fighting, it would lead to mutual destruction!
Haruto regrouped with Tsunade and the others, putting some distance between them and the enemy.
Fires flickered in the surroundings, illuminating the night with an eerie glow. Mist swirled in the air, evaporating under the heat.
The five Mist Swordsmen huddled together, exchanging low murmurs.
"What are you waiting for? Run already!" Haruto stood atop a mound of earth left by the battle and casually tossed an object toward them. "See for yourselves, I'm not lying. Momochi Akagen died a miserable death! Hahaha!"
One of the Mist Swordsmen caught the object—a token with Momochi Akagen's emblem!
Their expressions froze in disbelief.
"The captain…"
"He must have been tricked! That guy deliberately lured him away…"
"He had a large number of explosive seal scrolls…"
"Damn it!"
Hearing their whispers, Tsunade and her team's expressions shifted, but due to the standoff, she refrained from questioning Haruto directly.
"Do you still want to fight? Are you that eager to die?" Haruto taunted, pulling out a handful of explosive tags and waving them threateningly.
The five remaining Mist Swordsmen remained silent, glancing at one another before fixing their gazes on Haruto.
Fighting now seemed pointless!
Both sides had suffered great losses. The Mist Swordsmen no longer held an advantage—in fact, they might even be at a disadvantage due to Haruto's unpredictable tactics!
For them, this mysterious assassin wasn't necessarily the strongest, but he possessed dangerous tools!
Who knew how many more explosive seals he had hidden?
More than that, the real threat was Tsunade and her team. Without them, the Mist Swordsmen would have fought Haruto to the death. But with them present, the risks were too high!
"May I ask your name?" one of them finally inquired cautiously.
"Konohagakure Anbu, codename Akatome," Haruto answered flatly.
Tsunade cast him a sidelong glance. Declaring one's allegiance in battle was common, especially for shinobi seeking to make a name for themselves. As an Anbu, Haruto couldn't reveal his real identity, but stating his codename was acceptable—it was meant for such situations.
"Akatome… This grudge will be repaid!"
"We'll be waiting!"
"Retreat!"
The five Mist Swordsmen swiftly withdrew, vanishing into the darkness, moving at high speed!
They had given up the fight!
The battle had ended!
Haruto chose this method to end the conflict primarily because he was exhausted—not just physically, but mentally as well. However, that was only a secondary reason.
The main reason was his concern that Tsunade and the others wouldn't last!
While he could replenish his chakra using special means, Tsunade and the others could not. Tsunade naturally had an immense chakra pool, but Jiraiya and Orochimaru were already reaching their limits!
If they continued fighting…
Haruto's side would lose any advantage. Without a swift resolution, the situation could spiral out of control!
Furthermore, Haruto hated chaotic brawls. He wasn't good at team coordination—he preferred one-on-one fights, taking unorthodox approaches! But under these circumstances, isolating enemies for single combat was nearly impossible!
With the Mist Swordsmen gone…
Suddenly, the usually cold and composed Orochimaru staggered, clutching his chest before coughing up a mouthful of blood!
"Orochimaru!" Tsunade immediately rushed to his side, her hands glowing as she placed them on his back. His face had turned an unnatural shade of blue and black.
It was the backlash of forbidden jutsu!
Compared to Jiraiya's external wounds—his body covered in blood, clothes tattered—Orochimaru's body appeared mostly intact. His injuries were internal—serious internal damage!
Late into the night.
Somewhere deep within the Forest of Toxic Execution, hidden within a secluded cave…
A small fire burned at the entrance, and Haruto was still busy gathering more firewood to stockpile.
Inside the cave, Tsunade continued treating Orochimaru, her hands glowing with healing energy as she stabilized his condition.
Jiraiya, pale and exhausted, leaned against the cave wall. His clothes remained in tatters, caked with dried blood, but his wounds had already been healed by Tsunade. Most of his injuries were burns and blade wounds.
For now, Jiraiya was simply drained—physically and mentally!
Haruto added more wood to the fire before walking over and sitting beside Jiraiya.
"Jiraiya-sama, how are you feeling?" Haruto asked.
"I'll be fine," Jiraiya replied, though his brows furrowed in worry as he glanced toward Orochimaru.
He wasn't sure if Orochimaru's injuries could be fully healed quickly. If they couldn't, their mission would have to be halted. Without Orochimaru, they would have to return to Konoha to recover.
"How did you kill Momochi Akagen?" Jiraiya finally asked, turning to Haruto.
Tsunade's ears perked up at the question. She opened her eyes and glanced toward Haruto as well.
"Blew him up, of course," Haruto said nonchalantly. "I wasted a lot of explosive tags to get rid of him! It was heartbreaking!"
"So…"
"So what?"
"So, what exactly is the Uzumaki treasure? Was it left behind by the Uzumaki Clan?"
"Yes! The Uzumaki Clan's treasure!" Haruto nodded. "From what I discovered, the Mist's primary goal in this operation was to locate the Uzumaki treasure!"
"Did you find it?" Jiraiya pressed further.