Actually, Haruto Saito could have just run away!
Using the Flying Thunder God Technique!
But if he ran, what would happen to Minato Namikaze and Kaga? These two little ones would definitely be killed instantly against quasi-Kage opponents! So, Haruto Saito couldn't run—he had to face them! Since he was the target and no one else was, the assassins wouldn't waste their efforts on others.
As long as he confronted them, Minato and Kaga would have the chance to escape!
Four quasi-Kage-level ninjas had joined forces for this assassination!
Naturally, it was for the bounty!
At present, besides Kirigakure's fifty million ryo bounty on Haruto Saito's head, there were two additional bounties—one for twenty million ryo and another for ten million ryo. That meant Haruto Saito's total bounty had reached eighty million ryo!
As for who placed the other two bounties, Konoha had investigated but found nothing!
However, Haruto Saito had a guess!
One of them was definitely from Amegakure—Hanzō was stirring up trouble. As for the other? Hard to say! Haruto Saito even suspected it might be from within Konoha itself—perhaps the Hyuga Clan!
The four quasi-Kage assassins attacked Haruto Saito in a coordinated formation!
Haruto Saito faced them one against four!
After a brief three-round exchange, Haruto Saito found himself in great danger. Although his opponents weren't taijutsu specialists or samurai and their sword skills were inferior to his, there were four of them! In close combat, he was at a disadvantage!
Haruto Saito withdrew his blade and retreated rapidly!
Hand signs!
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
A Great Breakthrough at thirty-two times its normal power! Although it was only a C-rank ninjutsu, at this amplified level, it surpassed ordinary A-rank Wind Release area-of-effect techniques!
All four quasi-Kage-level opponents were within its attack range!
Haruto Saito didn't bother to see how they defended themselves—he leaped sideways and performed more hand signs!
"Wind Release: Vacuum Bullet!"
Again, a Wind Release technique! Again, powered up by consuming six cards to reach thirty-two times its usual strength!
A total of nine massive wind bullets, each over five meters in diameter, blasted forward. Every single one carried the power of a B-rank jutsu! Another area-of-effect attack!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions rang out one after another!
Haruto Saito knew this wouldn't be enough to achieve a decisive victory. Each of his opponents could match him in a one-on-one ninjutsu clash, let alone four of them together! But he had no choice!
His goal was to stall for time!
Among the five elemental releases, Wind Release had the widest attack range. As long as his attacks covered enough ground, his opponents would have no choice but to respond with ninjutsu of their own, preventing them from getting close!
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Haruto Saito launched another Great Breakthrough!
That should do it!
Minato Namikaze and Kaga had already bolted into the distance!
Haruto Saito leaped and dodged, retreating while forming more hand signs!
This time, it was his ultimate move!
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"
An eightfold-enhanced Great Waterfall!
A massive surge of water descended from the sky, forming a terrifying flood! It crashed toward the four quasi-Kage-level assassins. The sight was overwhelming—the amount of water Haruto Saito had "summoned" was beyond imagination, blotting out the sky!
"Damn it!"
"Defend!"
"Dodge!"
For a moment, the four quasi-Kage assassins were caught off guard! They had never seen such a powerful Great Waterfall before… Its strength was on par with the most advanced S-rank Water Release forbidden techniques!
"Secret Technique: Earth Sacrifice!"
"Secret Technique: Water Instant Step!"
"Water Release: Skyward Surge!"
"Wind Release: Spiral Devour!"
Each of the four assassins used their own techniques! But there was no coordination among them—one used a secret technique for defense, trying to withstand the flood, another teleported away, and the remaining two countered with ninjutsu!
Clearly, they were just a hastily assembled team for this assassination mission!
Individually, they could compare to mid-tier members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. But if they faced four of the Mist Swordsmen, they would be dead for sure—because they lacked teamwork!
Boom! Boom! Rumble!!!
The monstrous flood obliterated the street, spreading in all directions indiscriminately!
At this moment, Haruto Saito's heart ached!
Damn it!
This entire area belonged to him! After this battle, he'd have to rebuild everything from scratch!
After the flood receded…
None of the four quasi-Kage-level assassins were dead!
But three were injured!
Only the one who used the teleportation technique remained unscathed, while the one who tried to withstand the attack suffered the most—he was sent flying over a hundred meters by the flood…
Haruto Saito hadn't aimed to kill them outright. He hadn't even tried to seriously injure them!
His goal was to separate them!
And he had succeeded!
Under the impact of the eightfold Great Waterfall, the four assassins were completely scattered!
Strike while the iron is hot!
Haruto Saito didn't hesitate—he hurled three Flying Thunder God kunai!
Straight toward the assassin who had been swept away!
This assassin had a reputation score of twenty-one thousand points—an S-rank black market assassin! His name was "Gray Rock," and his skillset specialized in Earth Release! In a waterlogged environment, his Earth Release abilities would be significantly weakened!
The kunai covered a hundred meters in an instant!
Haruto Saito teleported right in front of Gray Rock!
Gray Rock had just emerged from the water, looking disheveled and struggling to find his footing—Haruto Saito was already upon him!
He had switched blades—now wielding the Heavy Mountain Blade!
Blade flashes like lightning!
Gray Rock barely managed to react!
Boom!!!
Haruto Saito sent him flying with a single slash! He hurled another Flying Thunder God kunai!
Chased after him!
Another strike!
While Gray Rock was still airborne, Haruto Saito seemed to teleport beside him, his blade slashing fiercely!
"Earth Release: Rock Armor Technique!"
Gray Rock's entire body turned to stone—an extremely powerful Earth Release defensive technique!
Haruto Saito sent him flying again!
His current strength was monstrous—he had the combined abilities of a taijutsu ninja and a samurai, with a body that had been enhanced to extreme levels. His raw physical power was terrifying, and his sword strikes, further amplified by the Heavy Mountain Blade and his warrior skills, made him a force to be reckoned with!
In a one-on-one battle, even against an elite taijutsu user at the Kage level, Haruto Saito could hold his own in close combat!
Gray Rock had been sent flying twice in succession!
He was helpless—already heavily injured before, and now being battered like this, he had no chance to unleash his true abilities!
The sharp whistle of another Flying Thunder God kunai pierced the air!
Haruto Saito teleported once more!
This time, he didn't strike immediately—instead, he performed hand signs!
His body trembled, and two blood-red shadows shot out—Blood Clones!
Both Blood Clones drew their swords alongside Haruto Saito! Since they could replicate weapons, all three blades were real and lethal!
He gave Gray Rock a choice!
Fight to the death, or surrender?
Gray Rock chose to fight!
At the last moment, he rapidly completed hand signs, summoning a burst of grayish-blue light before him… a desperate counterattack! Haruto Saito didn't bother to find out what technique it was—he vanished instantly!
Using the Flying Thunder God Technique!
The next moment, the two Blood Clones' blades struck Gray Rock—then…
Boom! Boom! Rumble!!!
The Blood Clones exploded!
Two fireballs merged, rising dozens of meters high!
Amidst the flames, a golden light flickered—cards danced in the air…
It was over!
Haruto Saito reappeared on the water's surface, gazing at the remaining three assassins, who were unable to catch up!
"You guys really have a death wish…" Haruto Saito muttered calmly.
The three assassins felt like they were losing their minds!
Because they had just realized a terrifying truth!
Haruto Saito… had mastered the Flying Thunder God Technique!