CHAPTER 116
Half a month later.
"Leaf Great Whirlwind!"
Guy shouted as flames erupted from his feet, his kick sweeping toward Ebisu and Genma.
The two reacted simultaneously, crossing the replica twin swords: Hiramekarei in front of them.
"Clang!"
A crisp metallic sound rang out.
The Fire Release Chakra attached to Guy's kick was partially absorbed and weakened by the blades. Seizing the opportunity, Ebisu and Genma let out low shouts as they mixed the absorbed Chakra with their own before channeling it through the swords.
"Hmph!"
The two pushed forward at the same time.
Two pale-blue Chakra shockwaves burst from the blades and shot directly toward Guy.
Guy crossed his arms before his chest as the phantom of the Golden Bell Shield flashed briefly around him.
"Bang!"
The Chakra impact struck his forearms with a dull thud.
Using the force, Guy slid backward several meters before stopping firmly.
The spar came to a temporary halt.
"No... no more fighting..."
"You pervert, don't you ever get tired?!"
Ebisu panted heavily while planting the replica twin swords: Hiramekarei into the ground.
Sweat dripped from his temples, but despite his complaints, the satisfaction in his eyes whenever he looked at the blades was impossible to hide.
The replica twin swords: Hiramekarei truly possessed remarkable effects.
Not only could they amplify the power of Ninjutsu, but they could also absorb and temporarily store a portion of an opponent's Chakra during battle.
That Chakra could later be released through the swords to form a Chakra shockwave attack.
Although the storage limit was relatively small and each release required time to recharge, with the resulting power still limited, it greatly enhanced their endurance in battle and provided additional tactical options.
The only problem was the durability.
At first, Guy had sparred with them using his alloy nunchaku.
After only a few rounds, however, the blades were already covered with dents and white marks.
The two were heartbroken.
After that, they absolutely refused to let Guy use the nunchaku again.
They only agreed to spar using Taijutsu and Ninjutsu.
Guy didn't mind.
It was a good opportunity to test the new technique he had mastered.
Over the past half month, he had already learned Fire Walk.
He could now steadily attach Fire Release Chakra to his limbs or weapons and use it offensively.
The remaining challenge was simply improving proficiency.
He had also taken time to use the high-level sealing scroll together with the Water Sealing Method.
A large quantity of seawater had been sealed along the coast of the Land of Waves, completing his strategic reserve.
At present, the Land of Waves was completely under Konoha's control.
The sea remained calm, and there were no enemy disturbances.
Life had become relatively relaxed.
Aside from daily patrol duties, most of their time was spent familiarizing themselves with newly acquired techniques and equipment.
Just then, Hyuga Yukian approached.
He still wore standard combat attire.
A thin white eyepatch covered his right eye.
His remaining left eye, however, carried a trace of complexity.
"A new mission has arrived. Follow me."
His voice was not loud, but it immediately caused the three who had just finished sparring to tense up.
There was still another mission?
The three exchanged glances before quickly tidying themselves and following behind him.
Soon, they arrived outside Homura Mitokado's command tent.
Hyuga Yukian gestured for them to enter while remaining outside himself.
He clearly had no intention of going in.
Inside the tent, Homura Mitokado stood before a large map.
Hearing them enter, he turned around.
Adjusting his glasses, his gaze swept across Guy, Ebisu, and Genma.
Without any unnecessary greetings, he went directly to the point.
"New mission. Escort the prisoner Hozuki Mangetsu to the Land of Rice Fields and report to Orochimaru."
"Who?!"
The three cried out simultaneously.
Ebisu and Genma were shocked by the target of the escort mission.
Hozuki Mangetsu?
The same Hozuki Clan genius who had caused them endless trouble during the bay battle and had ultimately been captured by their team?
They were supposed to escort him all the way to the Land of Rice Fields?
For what reason?
Guy, meanwhile, was shocked for an entirely different reason.
Orochimaru?!
The corner of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.
If anyone asked who Guy least wanted to meet in Konoha right now, the answer would undoubtedly be Orochimaru.
Ever since the battle at Mount Kikyo, the cold and scrutinizing gaze Orochimaru had directed at him, as though examining a specimen worthy of dissection, still sent chills down his spine whenever he remembered it.
And now?
This mission specifically required them to report directly to Orochimaru.
Recalling the meaningful look Orochimaru had given him before leaving, Guy felt uncomfortable all over.
Unfortunately, he couldn't say anything.
At present, Orochimaru was still publicly one of Konoha's Legendary Sannin.
He was the hero who had repelled Sunagakure at Mount Kikyo.
A highly respected elite shinobi.
To speak ill of him?
To claim that Orochimaru might be interested in his body?
That was absurd.
Even if anyone believed such words, it was entirely possible that some fanatic admirer would tie Guy up and personally deliver him to Orochimaru before sunset as an apology.
Homura Mitokado glanced at the unusually stiff Guy, finding his reaction somewhat strange.
He clearly didn't understand why Guy was reacting so strongly to the mission.
Shaking his head, he continued.
"The Land of Waves has been completely secured, and the situation is stable."
"The Hidden Mist Village is currently stretched thin on other battlefields. For the time being, they neither possess the capability nor the intention to launch a counteroffensive here."
"Our stationed forces have therefore become excessive."
"They must be redeployed to support other fronts and carry out new missions."
"Your Team 9's task is to escort the important prisoner Hozuki Mangetsu to the border region of the Land of Rice Fields."
"You will rendezvous with Orochimaru's unit there and complete the handover."
Ebisu couldn't help asking, "Lord Homura Mitokado, what about Captain Hyuga? Isn't he coming with us?"
Homura Mitokado looked toward the tent entrance where Hyuga Yukian stood before replying calmly.
"Hyuga Yukian will remain in the Land of Waves."
"The Byakugan's reconnaissance and early-warning abilities are extremely important for securing the region and monitoring surrounding waters."
"He cannot leave at this time."
His gaze returned to the three.
"This escort mission will be carried out by the three of you alone."
"Although the route passes through relatively safe areas of the Land of Fire, you must remain vigilant."
"Hozuki Mangetsu belongs to an important clan of the Hidden Mist and possesses considerable strength."
"Even as a prisoner, he must not be underestimated."
"You are to ensure that he reaches the Land of Rice Fields safely and is personally handed over to Orochimaru."
"Understood?"
"Yes! Understood!"
The three answered in unison.
"Go retrieve the detailed mission scroll and travel permits."
"Hozuki Mangetsu is currently being held by the Interrogation Unit. He will be transferred into your custody before departure."
Homura Mitokado added one final instruction.
"Prepare thoroughly."
"Yes!"
The three bowed and exited the tent.
Hyuga Yukian remained outside.
His remaining left eye landed on them.
He simply nodded and said nothing.
Then he led them toward the mission office.
A few minutes later, the three received a mission scroll bearing the official seal of the command headquarters.
Inside were the rendezvous location, verification codes, identification details regarding Orochimaru's unit, and travel documents authorizing movement throughout the Land of Fire.
Holding the documents, the three experienced mixed emotions.
Ebisu and Genma felt mostly curiosity, mixed with a measure of nervousness.
Escorting that troublesome Hozuki brat across half the Land of Fire was certainly no easy assignment.
Guy, however, stared directly at the words "Land of Rice Fields" and "Orochimaru."
The tension in his chest tightened once more.
There truly was no escape.
"I just hope Orochimaru hasn't become completely deranged yet..."
The three headed toward the prisoner detention facility.
There, they found Hozuki Mangetsu being held alone inside a specially constructed cell.
As they approached, the first thing they noticed was the metal collar secured around his neck.
Upon seeing Ebisu and Genma, Hozuki Mangetsu immediately stood up from the corner.
His shark-like teeth ground together loudly as his fierce eyes glared through the specially reinforced bars.
"It's you two losers!"
He bared his teeth and shouted provocatively.
"What? Have you come to laugh at me? Or did you not get beaten badly enough last time?"
Before he could continue, however, the Konoha Chunin guarding the cell stepped forward expressionlessly.
His finger lightly pressed a device attached to his waist.
"Zzzzt!"
Blue light instantly erupted from the collar around Hozuki Mangetsu's neck.
Countless electrical arcs spread through his body.
"Ughhh!!"
Hozuki Mangetsu released a painful cry.
His body convulsed violently and uncontrollably before collapsing onto one knee.
Thin wisps of smoke even rose from his body.
Guy and the others were momentarily speechless.
The Chunin guard calmly put away the controller before explaining.
"This is the Lightning Release Restraint Collar, Experimental Model, jointly developed by the Research Department and the Sealing Team."
"It was specifically designed to counter the Hozuki Clan's Hydrification Technique and Chakra characteristics."
"A miniature Lightning Release sealing formula is engraved inside."
"Once activated, the electrical current instantly interferes with Chakra circulation and paralyzes the nervous system."
He glanced at the pale and panting Hozuki Mangetsu inside the cell.
"If he causes trouble on the road, just use the controller."
"As long as you don't kill him, shock him as much as you like."
As he spoke, he handed the palm-sized controller to Ebisu.
Ebisu accepted it and weighed it thoughtfully in his hand.
He exchanged a glance with Genma.
Both immediately revealed identical mischievous smiles.
Holding the controller, Ebisu waved it in front of Hozuki Mangetsu.
His eyes narrowed behind his glasses.
"Did you hear that? Behave yourself on the road, otherwise... zzzzt."
He even imitated the sound of electricity.
Although Genma remained silent, the senbon in his mouth tilted toward Hozuki Mangetsu.
His expression clearly conveyed the message.
You'd better behave.
Hozuki Mangetsu stared at the controller that had just caused him unimaginable pain.
Then he looked at their eager expressions.
The corners of his mouth twitched several times.
His anger and humiliation were forcibly suppressed.
Finally, he merely snorted and turned his head away.
He understood the situation.
Even someone as arrogant as him knew that provoking these two now would only result in suffering.
Seeing that Hozuki Mangetsu had finally quieted down, the Chunin guard opened the cell.
He handed the transfer documents to Guy.
After carefully verifying them, Guy signed.
At that moment, Team 9 officially took custody of Hozuki Mangetsu.
Genma stepped forward and used special restraining chains capable of suppressing Chakra flow to bind Mangetsu's hands behind his back.
Meanwhile, Ebisu proudly held the controller like some imperial decree.
He positioned himself directly behind Mangetsu, occasionally glancing at the collar around his neck.
Guy walked at the front carrying the mission documents.
For the moment, the discomfort he felt about meeting Orochimaru was pushed aside by the immediate task at hand.
"I hope the Hozuki Clan's special physiology is enough to satisfy Orochimaru's strange interests..."
Guy shook his head and stopped dwelling on it.
Escorting Hozuki Mangetsu between them, the three left the detention center.
However, the moment they stepped outside, all three froze.
In the distance, a familiar figure stood quietly waiting for them.
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