"So you're mercenaries like us? Fine. But you tried to kill my man on my turf, and to your misfortune, here I decide who lives and who dies," Yoshio declared authoritatively, his voice carrying hundreds of meters, resonating off sheer cliffs.
Team Three members frantically discussed plans telepathically all the while, as Eighth ground his teeth, blaming his poor command.
"Since you were just on a mission, your offense isn't huge, but if I don't punish you, everyone will think Matsuda Yoshio's too soft and can be walked over," he said with a sigh, shaking his head. He then looked at Eighth and continued.
"Three of you will have to die, or my Green Palm stays obscure while the pathetic Nakayama Family gains even more glory."
Hearing the verdict, Eighth was stunned. In that moment, he realized he wasn't commander material—he had no idea what to do in such a dire situation. He couldn't even consider sacrificing three brothers, but beating such a monstrous enemy was impossible.
"S-sir, perhaps you'll reconsider? You're a very wise man, and I'm sure you, more than anyone, know the value of peace over war," Eighth said restrainedly, meeting the man's predatory eyes.
"You speak well, and under other circumstances I'd agree, but not this time. There's something far more valuable than money..." Yoshio said, shaking his head. He didn't mind chatting, knowing it would end when he wished, and their hearts would beat only as long as he allowed. The intoxicating sense of absolute power gave him unforgettable pleasure.
"A lot of money, lord. Five hundred thousand ryō for each, that's two and a half million more than you'll get if you kill us. – Said the Eighth, not giving up on trying to persuade this man."
"Two and a half million? Don't make me laugh. You're not worth that much. – Replied Yoshio, beginning to doubt a little."
"Yoshio-san, they're lying to escape! I've heard about this damned Nakayama Family, and there's not a single Jonin among them! Where would two and a half million come from?! They're trying to deceive you, and every last one of them deserves death! – Shouted Hide, whose wounds had already been initially treated by an Iryonin."
"Indeed, it looks like a simple lie… There's no point in talking anymore. If it's hard for you to choose three, I'll do it myself. You,." He pointed at the Twenty-Fifth. – You're free along with the commander. The rest… Better not run, and I'll make it quick. – Yoshio said in a bored tone.
Hearing his beloved brothers, the Twelfth, the Sixteenth, and the Twenty-Sixth, sentenced to execution like cattle, the Eighth experienced primal horror, and felt as if something snapped sharply in his head. His eyes suddenly ached wildly, and blood uncontrollably flowed from them.
"L-lord, I beg you, let them go, I'm ready to stay here. – Said the Eighth, bowing his head."
"A man of honor? Commendable. However, I've given my word, and you have ten seconds. – Yoshio replied authoritatively."
"If you do this, you'll become a blood enemy of the Nakayama Family. They'll avenge us, and there won't be a place in this world where you can hide. – The Eighth said calmly, getting used to the three-tomoe Sharingan."
"Threatening me? You know what, I've changed my mind. Only one of you will leave alive, or rather, they'll carry him with severed limbs right to the door of your insolent organization. Your leader should knock the arrogance out of his subordinates and finally learn his place. – Yoshio replied with a furious smile."
At that moment, the Eighth activated that very formation of last resort, which, among other things, imposed the strongest illusion over an area of several hundred meters.
"Friend, if my children have offended you in any way, please show me respect and forgive them. In return, you'll become a friend of the Nakayama Family, and I won't skimp on the reward. – A three-meter figure in ancient samurai armor said calmly."
"WHO ARE YOU?! – Yoshio yelled in fear. He didn't sense this being's presence at all, but he was one hundred percent sure it wasn't genjutsu."
"You don't need my name. Let the children go, and I'll reward you. Otherwise, I'll crush you. – The three-meter-tall man said calmly."
"NO ONE! No one dares to act so arrogantly on my territory! – Yoshio roared furiously, jumping back twenty meters and instantly sending a dozen water bullets at the enemy. However, they merely passed through the majestic silhouette, leaving not a single trace."
Yoshio couldn't stop and continued attacking the enemy with all available techniques, unleashing a watery apocalypse in the gorge. In his eyes, the enemy's dangerous figure dodged deadly techniques every time, appearing in another place in a fraction of a second. He was so terrified of this monster that he tried to drown his fear in a furious assault, expecting every second that the enemy would tire of the game and kill the unlucky Jonin in one move.
However, the charge in all five talismans of Team Three members lasted only for a one-minute projection of Kenshin's image and a distraction of Yoshio's attention. Attacking him at that moment was useless, as sensing mortal danger, a shinobi of that level would dispel the illusion in a second.
As soon as the formation of last resort activated, the Eighth instantly ordered his brothers to hand over all the bombs except one and flee in different routes toward the Land of Fire.
"B-but what about you?!" - The Twenty-Sixth asked in shock. As Hitomi's son, he had inherited her pacifism and desire for peace.
"Yes! There's enough time for all of us to escape!" - The Twenty-Fifth declared.
"There isn't. This man's a monster! Follow the order, now!" - The Eighth barked at them.
"Big bro…" - The Twelfth said with tears in his eyes, looking at his older brother.
"EXECUTE!" - The Eighth barked at them, and they couldn't disobey, handing him all the bombs from their backpacks except one with tears in their eyes, glancing at their older brother one last time before dashing off in different directions at maximum speed.