"What exactly does Lord Wuwei mean by this?"
Even with his chakra sealed, Hirakawa Qingshui remained completely calm.
His expression did not waver in the slightest, as if the one trapped within the binding technique was not him at all.
His voice was steady.
Unhurried.
Almost indifferent.
Wuwei looked at him and sneered.
"Hmph. So this is Konoha's so-called hero? Hirakawa Qingshui… nothing more than a fool."
A trace of contempt appeared on his face.
"You still don't understand? This entire incident—everything you've seen—was orchestrated to deal with you."
Under normal circumstances, Wuwei would never dare speak this way.
But now…
Qingshui's chakra had been sealed by Fire Release: Heavenly Prison.
To Wuwei, that meant only one thing—
Victory.
A tiger without fangs was no longer a threat.
At least…
That's what he believed.
The Truth Behind the Calm
What Wuwei didn't know was—
Qingshui was not only a master of medical ninjutsu.
He was also a master of sealing techniques.
And not just any sealing techniques—
He had learned directly from the legacy of the Uzumaki clan.
Across the entire ninja world, very few could rival his proficiency in this field.
The Heavenly Prison technique?
To others, it might be an unbreakable seal.
To Qingshui—
It was merely an inconvenience.
If he wished, he could break it instantly.
Effortlessly.
So why didn't he?
Because this…
Was bait.
Wuwei alone wasn't worth his attention.
The true mastermind—
Was still hiding.
Nono's Reaction
"Brother Qingshui?!"
Nono's voice rang out in alarm as she prepared to attack Wuwei.
But before she could move—
Qingshui raised a hand slightly.
Outwardly, it seemed like a simple gesture.
But at the same time—
A voice echoed directly within Nono's mind.
"Don't worry. I'm fine."
"Protect Kurenai, Rin, and Shizune."
It was the Mind Transmission Technique.
Nono froze for a brief moment.
Her anger wavered.
Then—
She took a step back.
"…Understood."
Turning around, she positioned herself in front of the three girls.
"Stay behind me."
Kurenai, Rin, and Shizune were visibly shaken.
"Is Sensei alright?"
"Why is Lord Wuwei attacking him?"
Nono shook her head.
"You don't need to worry. Brother Qingshui will handle everything."
Though her voice was firm—
Her eyes betrayed a flicker of concern.
The Real Enemies Appear
At that moment—
Several figures emerged from the shadows.
The elders of Kusagakure.
They stepped forward one by one, no longer bothering to hide.
Just like Wuwei—
They believed the outcome had already been decided.
"Heh… Hirakawa Qingshui," one of them sneered. "You ruined our plans before. Did you ever think this day would come?"
Their faces were filled with smug satisfaction.
Finally—
They believed they had the upper hand.
They wanted to see fear.
Regret.
Desperation.
But—
They saw none of it.
Qingshui remained calm.
Completely calm.
His gaze swept across them—
And within it…
Was unmistakable disdain.
Words That Cut Deeper Than Blades
"What's wrong?" Qingshui said lightly.
"Even now… you only dare show yourselves after my chakra is sealed?"
His tone was calm.
But his words—
Cut deeply.
These weren't directed at Wuwei alone.
Qingshui was certain—
None of these people were the true mastermind.
They were merely tools.
Cowards.
Opportunists.
And the truth—
Was unbearable.
Because it was correct.
Without Orochimaru backing them…
They would never have dared act against Qingshui.
Fury erupted instantly.
"You—!"
"How dare you—!"
The elders began shouting, their composure shattering.
But their anger only made them look more pathetic.
More desperate.
More afraid.
A Desperate Order
One of the elders suddenly pointed at Nono and the others.
"Wuwei! Kill them!"
"I want to see what this 'hero' can do when his companions die!"
His intentions were clear.
If Qingshui cared—
He would beg.
But—
He had miscalculated.
Completely.
The Instant Counterattack
Just as Wuwei prepared to move—
A flash of white light cut through the air.
Too fast to follow.
Qingshui had already moved.
His sword—
Drawn.
Swung.
Completed.
In a single motion.
Slash!
Blood sprayed into the air.
Wuwei's arm—
Was severed.
"What—?!"
Wuwei staggered backward, his eyes wide with shock.
Even the elders froze.
"How is this possible?!"
"His chakra is sealed!"
They couldn't understand.
Without chakra—
A ninja should lose almost all combat capability.
And yet—
Qingshui was still this strong?!
Reality Sets In
They had made a fatal mistake.
A disastrous miscalculation.
Qingshui's strength—
Did not rely solely on chakra.
His physical ability.
His swordsmanship.
His combat experience—
All of it remained.
"Impossible!"
"Kill him! All of you—attack together!"
The elders panicked.
Hand seals were formed.
Kunai were drawn.
They rushed forward.
A One-Sided Slaughter
"Brother Qingshui!"
Nono's voice rang out again.
But Qingshui didn't turn.
"Focus on your task."
That was all he said.
Then—
He moved.
The Hatake Sword Technique—
Unleashed.
Blinding speed.
Precise strikes.
Each movement was efficient.
Lethal.
Within moments—
The battlefield turned silent.
Bodies fell.
Some wounded.
Some—
Beheaded.
The elders of Kusagakure—
Were no match.
These were men who had long grown complacent in power.
Politicians.
Not warriors.
Against Qingshui—
They were nothing.
Shock and Fear
Kurenai, Rin, and Shizune stood frozen.
Their minds couldn't process what they were seeing.
"This… this is…"
"A monster…"
Even without chakra—
He dominated the battlefield.
Wuwei's Counterattack
At that moment—
Wuwei stepped forward again.
His face twisted in pain and fury.
He condensed chakra into a blazing crimson blade.
"Fire Release: Heavenly Prison Fire Sword!"
The attack shot forward like a meteor.
Boom!
Qingshui was forced to retreat.
For the first time—
He gave ground.
Desperation of the Elders
"Kill him!"
"Kill him now!"
The surviving elders screamed hysterically.
Fear had completely taken over.
Even with his chakra sealed—
Qingshui was still this terrifying.
What if—
He broke free?
The thought alone was enough to drive them into madness.
The Final Push
Wuwei continued his assault from a distance.
He no longer dared approach.
Another Fire Sword.
Then another.
Each strike was aimed to kill.
But—
Qingshui moved again.
Closing the distance.
Step by step.
Relentless.
Wuwei's breathing grew heavier.
Panic crept into his eyes.
Then—
Qingshui was right in front of him.
Calling the True Mastermind
An elder screamed in terror.
"Orochimaru!"
"How long are you going to watch?!"
The battlefield fell silent for a brief moment.
And in that silence—
Something shifted.
A presence.
Cold.
Sinister.
Watching from the shadows all along.
The real enemy—
Was finally about to step forward.
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