“No.
The insects are right to be wary.” Akira smiled as he spoke words that instantly chilled everyone present.
“After all, I’m going inside to kill someone~” The atmosphere froze.
“Uh…
Akira, don’t make such frightening jokes.
Hahaha…” Ino Yamanaka forced out a stiff laugh.
“K-Kill someone?
What the hell are you talking about?” Kiba Inuzuka asked with a strange expression.
“Everyone, stay alert!
He’s serious!” Shikamaru Nara shuddered and immediately rose to his feet, staring at Akira with intense vigilance.
“What’s going on?” Choji Akimichi stopped eating his chips and looked utterly confused.
“Um…” Hinata Hyuga stood frozen in place, unsure of what to do.
“…” Shino Aburame remained silent.
Even more kikaichū poured from his body as he prepared for battle.
“That’s right~ I’ve already explained why I’m here.
So, what are you going to do now?” Akira continued smiling.
“Don’t get too arrogant, brat!” Kiba’s hostility surged.
Akamaru leaped out from inside his jacket and barked fiercely at Akira.
“Woof!
Woof!” “You’re not going to attack?” Akira spread his empty hands, presenting himself as though inviting them to strike.
“Akira, what happened to you?” Ino looked at him with genuine concern.
“Well~ I’ve grown tired of this ridiculous performance, so I’m done playing with you.” Akira waved dismissively and walked toward the entrance without looking back.
“Stop!” By now, everyone could sense his hostile intentions.
They immediately moved to stop him.
But then— The air seemed to solidify.
Every sound vanished in an instant.
Their minds went completely blank, as though time itself had stopped.
Conqueror’s Haki— A power capable of crushing enemies through sheer force of will without the user ever needing to raise a hand!
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Everyone collapsed to the ground at once.
It felt as though an enormous mountain had fallen upon their backs, pinning them down so heavily that they could not move a single muscle!
“Huh?!
What happened to all of you…?” Only Ino remained standing, completely unaware of what had just occurred.
“This is special treatment just for you, Ino~” Akira gave her a meaningful glance.
“Mm…” Ino was immediately overwhelmed by conflicting emotions.
On one hand, she genuinely liked Akira.
On the other, she could not simply abandon her companions lying helplessly on the ground.
She had no idea what she should do.
…
“What?
The rebels possess enough combat strength to kill shinobi?” “I don’t know the exact details.
They killed Gatō, a friendly merchant of the Land of Waves, and Gatō had also employed several shinobi.” The daimyo of the Land of Waves spoke casually.
“But why didn’t you include any of that information in the mission request, Lord Daimyo?” Kurenai Yuhi questioned.
“My apologies.
I don’t understand much about shinobi affairs.
However, I distinctly remember issuing Konoha an S-rank mission, didn’t I?” The daimyo had clearly concealed the intelligence deliberately.
His intention was to make Konoha and the rebel “king” fight until both sides suffered severe losses.
That way, Konoha would lack the strength to exploit the opportunity and seize control of the Land of Waves.
Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai exchanged glances.
Although they suspected that the daimyo had withheld important information, Konoha had dispatched four elite jonin and twelve of its finest genin.
The mission’s success was still completely assured.
There was no doubt about that.
“The rebels are located in Daka Village.
Hurry and eliminate those criminals,” the daimyo ordered.
“Very well.
Then we’ll—” Just as the two jonin prepared to rise and leave, Kurenai’s sharp senses detected an unusual disturbance.
“Someone has broken in!” Kurenai immediately warned the others.
“What’s going on?
Didn’t I order Shikamaru and the others to guard the entrance?” Asuma asked with a frown.
“It is a pleasure to meet you.
I am the new king of the Land of Waves.” Akira entered the meeting room alone and stared directly at the daimyo seated in the place of honor.
“So you are the daimyo of the old era?” ⚡ Support the Story & Unlock More Chapters!