However, Konoha and Hidden Sand, having fallen for it once, won't easily believe the surface information from the Land of Demons again.
After all, getting fooled once was already the limit.
As for whether Hidden Cloud and Hidden Rock will fall for it, that's another story.
"Hakushi-kun."
At this moment, Ayane suddenly turned her head and spoke.
Hakushi nodded, noticing that numerous shadows were moving around them, more than twenty people, each having a chakra reaction, undoubtedly ninjas.
"Earth Style: Earth Stone Spike!"
With a shout that echoed through the forest, numerous sharp stone pillars rose from the ground, thrusting towards the three of them.
"Woah!"
A sudden strike from the stone pillars startled Akago awake from his sleep. He couldn't dodge in time, stumbling backward, his young face filled with confusion, not knowing what was happening.
Hakushi and Ayane dodged first, not paying attention to Akago's situation.
In a sleeping state, Akago's vigilance was indeed lacking.
But maintaining sleep was necessary to gather more strength.
On the surrounding trees, figures were already standing, wearing matching uniforms and red Tengu masks, looking like samurai, yet also like ninjas.
"These are really two big fish, so, we'll take in the bounty worth billions for our brothers!"
As the leader gave the order, the shadows rushed down, charging towards the three of them.
Without hesitation, Akago also reacted, realizing these people were the bad guys attacking him and his parents, and they must be eliminated!
Though his thinking was always a beat slow, once he figured things out, Akago moved at his fastest speed, disappearing from his spot in an instant.
"Gone!? How is that possible!"
The attacking enemies widened their eyes, seeing no trace of his movement.
Suddenly, a scream rang out.
Blood splattered.
Akago leapt into the air, mercilessly raising his bandaged spear with one hand, striking an enemy's face directly, crashing them to the ground with a booming impact, bones and flesh smashed unrecognizably.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Bomb Jutsu!"
A gigantic water dragon engulfed Akago, sweeping him into the dragon-shaped current, crushing him into pieces.
Squelch!
The spear pierced through a chest, causing the ninjutsu-caster to fall unwillingly.
"What's with this little brat? Is he unscathed?"
Watching Akago pass unharmed through the water dragon, the surrounding ninjas were horrified.
Yet, Akago's spear would not stop its killing spree due to their fear.
In no time, bodies were around Akago, ninjas dead in strange ways, on trees, grass, and the ground, stained with blood, resembling a scene of wild beasts feasting.
The ninja leader with the Tengu mask eyes flashed, choosing to flee backward immediately.
"Heave-ho—"
Akago stomped, spreading his hands lightly, quickly giving chase.
Then came the sound of steel wires being pulled, numerous kunai darted down. Akago was tripped but still relied on his exceptional agility to effortlessly evade the kunai assassination.
Bang!
He collided with something solid, and a pair of arms attacked from behind, lifting his body, tightly locking his neck with both hands, increasing the pressure, intending to strangle him to death.
"Brat! Ninjutsu seems useless on you, so just suffocate and die!"
The ninja leader holding Akago's neck from behind spoke in a chilling tone.
Akago tilted his head. Under the shocked gaze of the ninja leader, he gripped his spear, pointing the tip at himself.
Unhesitatingly, he stabbed towards his own body.
The ninja leader's body froze, eyes reflecting disbelief, feeling his heart pierced by the spear, falling down, losing breath.
Akago slowly withdrew the spear. Astonishingly, not a drop of blood stained the bandage on the painted eyeball, as if something had licked it clean.
Akago stood up from the ninja leader's corpse, dusting off his body. The hole in his chest had completely healed. He scampered back along the original path.
Hakushi and Ayane were checking the ninja corpses on the ground, glancing at the Tengu masks on their faces.
Hakushi said, "It's the Tengu Group. Seems they came for our bounty."
The Tengu Group was a large mercenary group in the Underground Black Market, quite famous and favored by some black market merchants.
"Such overconfidence."
Ayane snorted.
Hakushi shook his head helplessly, saying, "The more famous and influential a person is, the easier it is to attract enemies, with endless assassinations following. It's better to let the Nokizaru Group handle this; they are experts in this field."
Ayane nodded, agreeing there was no need to waste time on a mercenary group.
Hakushi saw Akago scampering back and said nothing, setting off again.