"Don't even think about escaping!"
Hiruko appeared in front of Yakushi Nonou in an instant, cutting off her retreat.
He had waited an entire day in the Land of Waterfalls. There was no way he would allow Nonou to return safely to the Land of Fire. If she escaped, it would introduce far too many variables—variables he could not afford.
Nonou's gaze swept over the four people encircling her. Surrender never crossed her mind.
Instead, she chose the weakest point in the encirclement.
Nezumi.
Her body blurred as she moved. Chakra surged into her palm, forming a razor-sharp chakra scalpel.
Nezumi barely had time to react. Even as he struggled desperately, the scalpel pierced straight through his chest. His eyes widened in disbelief before the light faded from them, his body collapsing lifelessly to the ground.
After killing Nezumi, Nonou did not linger for even a moment. She hurled a handful of shuriken toward the remaining three, forcing them to retreat.
Seizing the opening, she fled at full speed.
"What useless trash."
Reion glanced at Nezumi's corpse with open disdain. There was no grief in her eyes—only contempt.
That man had always stared at her with lewd, disgusting looks. She had long since grown tired of him.
"Hurry up and chase her," Minamura Yoru said calmly, his expression unchanged. "If she gets away, the mission fails."
Black-market bounty hunters had no concept of comradeship.
Only missions and money mattered.
"Relax," Reion said with a grin as she took the lead. "I enjoy a good game of cat and mouse."
Before they could fully close the distance, new figures appeared.
"Over there! Don't let her escape!"
Takigakure jōnin Mori Ryōsuke and his squad had arrived.
Relentlessly pursued by Hiruko and his companions, Nonou now found herself hunted by Takigakure ninja as well. Killing Nezumi had not improved her situation—it had made it far worse.
Hiruko caught up to her and spoke in a low voice.
"See? I told you that you should have come with me. We'd both be safer if we worked together."
Because Hiruko made no effort to conceal his identity, Mori Ryōsuke immediately recognized him as a Leaf ninja.
And from his words, it was obvious that Nonou was one as well.
"Damn you," Mori Ryōsuke roared. "What exactly are you Leaf Village ninja plotting?"
He refused to believe this was coincidence.
Could Konoha be targeting the Seven-Tails?
Rage surged through him. Without hesitation, he attacked Nonou.
Water Release: Water Needle Senbon!
Countless needles formed from high-pressure water shot toward her.
Already injured, Nonou struggled to defend herself. Even after blocking several, many pierced her body, blood spraying as she staggered.
She was left completely open.
Before Mori Ryōsuke could land the finishing blow, Hiruko intervened, forcing him back.
Nonou was his tool—his leverage against Hirakawa Seisui.
She could not die here.
This only confirmed Mori Ryōsuke's suspicions.
"So you are accomplices!" he shouted. "The Leaf Village will give Takigakure an explanation for today!"
The Takigakure ninja attacked as one.
Minamura Yoru slammed his palms together.
Earth Release: Earth Wall!
A massive wall erupted from the ground, blocking their assault.
"Move!" Hiruko barked, reaching for Nonou.
But she spat senbon needles from her mouth, forcing him to dodge.
Then she ran.
With a roar, Mori Ryōsuke shattered the earth wall.
"None of you are leaving!"
Nonou fled at the front.
Hiruko and his companions followed.
Takigakure ninja pursued relentlessly.
Nonou glanced back, her mind racing.
If she wanted to escape, she had to force her pursuers to fight each other.
She threw shuriken toward Hiruko's group.
They dodged—but slowed.
That was enough.
Mori Ryōsuke seized the opening and caught up.
Hiruko's face darkened.
"Then we'll kill the Takigakure ninja first!"
Battle erupted.
Seeing her plan succeed, Nonou finally exhaled in relief.
Then—
A kunai shot out from the shadows.
It struck her leg.
She collapsed with a cry.
"Who's there?!"
No one answered.
The hidden attacker's purpose was clear—delay her.
Mori Ryōsuke and Hiruko both noticed.
A Takigakure ninja rushed in to finish her.
"Die!"
A flash of white light.
The ninja's head flew.
Nonou stared in shock.
"Seisui-nii!"
Hirakawa Seisui stood beside her, blade dripping with blood.
Both Mori Ryōsuke and Hiruko stiffened.
"The Leaf Hero… Hirakawa Seisui."
Combat halted.
Seisui treated Nonou's wounds as she explained everything.
[Treatment successful. Reward obtained.]
A massive chakra presence suddenly surged.
The Seven-Tails descended.
Mori Ryōsuke's face twisted in despair.
"The Seven-Tails has gone berserk…!"
Seisui understood instantly.
Danzo.
The Seven-Tails was meant to kill him.
"Nonou, leave," Seisui said calmly. "This fight is beyond you."
"A mere Seven-Tails won't stop me."
Shadow Clone Jutsu!
One clone blocked Hiruko.
The real Seisui faced the Seven-Tails.
"Hiruko," the clone said coldly, "you conspired with bounty hunters to harm a Leaf ninja. I have the authority to arrest—or execute—you."
Hiruko roared.
"You're only a chūnin!"
And he attacked.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)