Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Why Should I Hand Over What I Rightfully Took?

Chapter 79: Chapter 79: Why Should I Hand Over What I Rightfully Took?  Takuya stepped forward to meet the attack head-on. This time, he didn't rely on his special skills. Instead, he fought using pure taijutsu and kenjutsu. The two figures collided like phantoms, their blades clashing with a metallic screech. The force of the impact reverberated up Yoshida Shoichi's arm, causing his pupils to contract. This kid's speed and strength...! Both were far beyond his own. If not for his extensive combat experience, that strike could have severed his hand. The battle erupted in full force. As Takuya and Yoshida Shoichi clashed, Nawaki and Minato worked together to take on the other enemies. Surprisingly, it was Nawaki and Minato, who seemed at a disadvantage, that began to turn the tide. One by one, the enemies fell. Minato's incredible reflexes and burst speed left Nawaki envious. Though Nawaki was strong in taijutsu and had much more chakra than Minato, when it came to swiftly killing enemies, Minato was far superior. Minato could unleash a sudden burst of speed during combat, catching his opponent off guard and driving a kunai into their throat or heart. Nawaki, on the other hand, found it much more difficult. "You're a decent sparring partner," Takuya remarked as they fought. "Better than those other jonin from the Rain Village I've faced." Yoshida Shoichi's taijutsu was impressive. Though his technique was somewhat erratic, his strength was genuine-unlike those so-called jonin who Takuya had dispatched in just a few strikes. "Brat, don't underestimate me!" To hear a ten-year-old boy casually tell him that his strength was merely "decent" enraged Yoshida Shoichi. Clang! Takuya blocked Yoshida's blade and chuckled. "What's the matter? Angry now? Well then, I suppose it's time for you to die." Before Yoshida could react, Takuya's strength surged. The sudden increase in power sent him reeling back. What shocked him even more was that Takuya's speed had increased once again. A flash of red appeared in Takuya's eyes as the three-tomoe Sharingan activated, their hypnotic crimson glow locking onto Yoshida. With his Sharingan activated, Yoshida's movements appeared sluggish to Takuya, as if he were watching a strange, slow-motion scene. Takuya's blade slid along Yoshida's arm, numbing it, before piercing through his ribcage and into his heart. "You're... Yagami Takuya..." Blood trickled from Yoshida Shoichi's mouth as he stared in disbelief at the blade that had impaled him. His mind flashed to a recent name that had become well-known in the ninja world-Yagami Takuya. Silver hair, about ten years old, three-tomoe Sharingan. "That's me," Takuya replied as he withdrew his blade. Watching Yoshida collapse to the ground, gasping for breath as life drained from his eyes, Takuya sighed. "Your strength and courage are commendable. I'll see that you're buried properly." "But as for this shipment, it's never going to reach the Rain Country." Ugh- Yoshida Shoichi coughed up blood, his vision fading, until life left his body entirely. Surveying the battlefield, littered with corpses and debris, Takuya clicked his tongue in admiration. "When are we heading back?" Nawaki asked as he munched on a piece of roast beef, regretting that he hadn't cut off more meat when he had the chance. "What's the rush?" Takuya tossed a few more sticks onto the fire, his tone unhurried. "Commander's orders were to completely cut off this supply route. We're sticking around for a bit longer." There was no strict time limit for this mission. Whether or not the mission was complete was up to the squad's judgment. If they returned to camp only to have more supplies make it through, it would be their failure. Takuya would rather spend more time securing the area than risk getting blamed for something that wasn't his fault. Besides, why would they leave the sunny and peaceful Land of Fire to go back to the miserable weather in the Rain Country? That place was a nightmare compared to the comfort of the Land of Fire. Back in the Rain Country, in a rather shabby camp, Hanzo frowned as he reviewed the inventory list. Supplies were running out faster than he had anticipated. The Rain Village wouldn't last much longer at this rate. The losses in both personnel and resources were far beyond what Hanzo had expected. He was beginning to taste the bitter consequences of declaring war on Konoha, the Rock Village, and the Sand Village all at once. When it came to resources, the Rain Village simply couldn't compete with the Five Great Shinobi Countries. While Konoha, the Sand Village, and the Rock Village were just beginning to feel the strain, the Rain Village was already on the brink of collapse. "Lord Hanzo!" A battered figure stumbled into the room. Hanzo's already grim expression darkened further. "What is it?" "Lord Hanzo, the convoy sent to the Land of Fire... has been wiped out." *********** Note: If you're interested, you can read up to chapter 130+ at patreon.com/Emiko1. Don't forget to give a power stone for many bonus chapters!