Inada Takuma led his few remaining subordinates, frantically fleeing back down the mountain along the path they had come.
His gaze involuntarily flickered behind him repeatedly, terrified that those life-taking Chakra Arrows would come whistling through the air once more.
This method of ultra-long-range combat was completely unreasonable.
Fortunately, he had pulled out in time at the last moment and didn't continue to gamble.
The reason he had survived in the bounty hunting business for so many years was due to his caution and his ability to flee.
Those who refused to accept reality had long since died out.
If I can make it back alive this time, I'm definitely going to wash my hands of this and never do this crap again.
Just then, a deep and cold voice rang out.
"Which country's Ninja are you?"
Their bodies froze instantly; before this voice appeared, none of them had sensed anyone nearby at all.
They looked toward the source of the sound.
On the road ahead, a flurry of leaves began to swirl and dance without warning, making a soft rustling sound.
Then, they slowly coalesced into a man with a ponytail and a scar at the corner of his mouth.
Shirakumo Hayama tilted his head slightly, his sharp gaze fixed on Inada Takuma and his group.
"If you do not answer, it will be regarded as a hostile act against the Land of Fire."
They looked at each other, and Inada Takuma decisively ordered, "Attack! He's all alone."
The six of them attacked one after another, while Inada Takuma stayed a step behind.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Spears."
"Earth Release: Rock Gun Jutsu."
"Wind Release: Gale Palm."
"..."
An overwhelming barrage of Ninjutsu, mixed with Shuriken and Explosive Tags, all flew toward Shirakumo Hayama.
Inada Takuma didn't make a move; he stared intently at Shirakumo Hayama, waiting for the opening after Shirakumo Hayama acted.
Once Shirakumo Hayama responded, he could use the advantage of moving second to ensure Shirakumo Hayama wouldn't have time to react again.
A two-stage attack—this was the tacit understanding their team had always shared, and it had never failed them.
After such a combo, even Konoha's Shirakumo Hayama wouldn't find it easy.
He had recognized him the moment they met.
Konoha's Elite Jōnin, Shirakumo Hayama.
In the talent-filled Konoha, even a figure like Shirakumo Hayama...
...seemed lackluster compared to geniuses like the Sannin and the White Fang.
But he happened to be someone who knew of him.
Seeing the overwhelming offensive, Shirakumo Hayama didn't panic at all.
He crouched slightly, his right hand gripping the hilt of the sword slung behind him, and calmly drew the blade.
"Konoha Jonin, Shirakumo Hayama. Don't even think about leaving in one piece."
He leaped into the air, brandishing his sword.
"Vacuum Blade."
Several flashes of sword light swept across, and all the Ninjutsu and Shuriken in the air were cut down.
Immediately following that, several more flashes of sword light swept through.
Blood splattered from the six subordinates as well as Inada Takuma, and they all fell to the ground wailing.
To leave them alive, Shirakumo Hayama hadn't dealt a fatal blow.
He slowly sheathed his sword: "Six Chunin and one Jonin, and I have to find a way to keep them alive. It's really hard to control the force."
He formed hand signs to create a Shadow Clone, preparing to work together to tie them up and send them back to the Village.
Suddenly!
Inada Takuma, who had been wailing on the ground, sprang up like a reanimated corpse, his hands rapidly forming signs.
"Earth Release: Earth Pillar Burst."
Bang! Bang! Bang!
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