The Thunderspear was too fast.
Before Nishiki could even react, the crackling spear of lightning pierced straight through his chest, sending him flying backward.
His body slammed against the wall, pinned in place by the lingering electricity coursing through him.
Zzt—Zzt—Zzt—
The sound of crackling thunder filled the air as bolts of electricity sizzled against his flesh.
The sharp scent of burning meat mixed with the faint trace of smoke rising from his wound.
Nishiki's face twisted in agony, his mouth opening wide as a guttural, inhuman scream tore from his throat.
Hideman, frozen in horror, staggered back.
His knees nearly buckled, and he would have collapsed if not for Daichi, who rushed to support him.
Even then, his face was pale, drenched in cold sweat.
For a moment, silence reigned.
Then, the Thunderspear flickered out, and Nishiki's lifeless body crumpled to the ground.
His corpse lay still, his eyes frozen open in shock.
The once-mighty leader of the Sabakuto Town ninja forces was no more.
"Amitabha."
Rushui closed his eyes, mourning the loss of an old acquaintance.
But deep inside, he was shaken—not just by Mufasa's merciless efficiency, but by the sheer ease with which his man had taken down Nishiki.
Mufasa turned to Sasuke, nodding approvingly.
"Not bad, kid. You've really improved."
Sasuke gave a modest nod, gripping his sword tightly. "I still have a long way to go."
Since arriving in Sand Village, Sasuke had devoted himself to training, fine-tuning his techniques with Orochimaru's guidance and refining his synergy with Raiken.
The Thunderbird and Thunderspear techniques were born from that process—merging the precision of Chidori with the adaptability of his blade.
Unlike before, he no longer had to charge in recklessly, lightning sparking from his hand.
Now, his sword itself became a conduit for destruction, a refined tool of precision.
Mufasa smirked to himself. Gaara fights like a Gatling gun, Sasuke's wielding a lightning gun with a lightning spear as his bullets, and Kankuro's drones are basically dropping bombs from the sky.
Somewhere along the line, he'd completely ruined the traditional ninja aesthetic.
He could already imagine it: the next time Sand Village faced an enemy, their opponent would pull out kunai, only to be met with the barrel of a long-range sniper rifle.
"Times have changed, kid."
With Nishiki's brutal execution, the battlefield had shifted. The daimyō stood stunned, his expression betraying his growing unease.
Daichi, now drenched in sweat, struggled to maintain his composure.
The daimyō's samurai, once confident in their numbers, stood frozen, their hands unsteady on the hilts of their blades
At last, Rushui stepped forward, clasping his hands together in a gesture of peace.
"Amitabha, Lord Mufasa. May I ask the purpose of your visit?"
Mufasa scoffed. "Oh, now you want to talk? Amazing what a little demonstration can do."
Rushui took a deep breath, silently reciting a prayer to steady his nerves.
"Lord Kazekage, if you have grievances, speak them now. Lord Hideman is a just ruler—he will surely address them fairly."
Mufasa arched a brow. "You're saying that like you didn't already know."
Rushui remained silent.
Mufasa crossed his arms. "Let's not play dumb. Nishiki and his allies have been conspiring with corrupt merchants to exploit the the Hidden Sand Village. That much is clear."
Rushui sighed. "That matter is not unknown to us, and I assure you, Lord Hideman will see that justice is served. Nishiki's crimes will not go unpunished, and we will offer compensation to Sand Village for the wrongs committed."
Daichi quickly nodded, forcing a smile. "Y-Yes, yes! Even though he was the daimyō's brother-in-law, we will ensure the law is upheld."
Mufasa shrugged. "That's nice and all, but there's a small problem."
Daichi swallowed hard. "A-And what would that be?"
Mufasa tilted his head. "Well, he's dead now. If you really want to punish him, you'll have to go to the underworld and handle it yourself."
Daichi's forced smile vanished.
Mufasa's eyes locked onto him.
"Since you're so passionate about justice, why don't you go down and help him?"
Daichi blanched, stumbling back behind Rushui.
The monk furrowed his brow, his expression now solemn.
"Lord Kazekage, disposing of Nishiki without consultation was reckless. Such matters should be handled through the proper channels."
Mufasa rolled his eyes. "Oh please, spare me the lecture."
Rushui's voice was firm. "For the Land of Wind to remain strong, there must be order. Every man has his role. To act outside of one's station is to invite chaos."
Mufasa smirked. "That's rich, coming from a man who stood by while corruption ran rampant."
Rushui's expression darkened. "Patience and wisdom are virtues. Even in the face of injustice, one must act with restraint."
Mufasa sighed. "You know what? I think you've spent too much time meditating. Let me ask you something, old monk."
Rushui frowned. "What is it?"
Mufasa's smirk widened. "What if I don't want to wait? What if I prefer chaos?"
Rushui inhaled deeply, attempting to suppress his rising irritation.
"Then I shall guide you towards the path of enlightenment. If Lord Kazekage desires, I can teach you the ways of peace."
Mufasa let out a low chuckle. "You must be really good at putting out fires, huh?"
Rushui pressed his palms together. "I have spent my life mastering my emotions. My heart is as still as a tranquil lake."
Mufasa nodded, feigning thoughtfulness. "Huh. So tell me—if a guy like you dies, do you think he goes to paradise?"
Rushui lifted his chin. "If one's heart is pure, they will find peace in the afterlife."
A wicked grin spread across Mufasa's face. "Then allow me to send you there."
Rushui's eyes widened.
He immediately began gathering chakra, bracing himself for an attack.
Mufasa's gaze flickered with electricity.
Electromagnetic Style: Broadcast Hypnosis.
Their eyes met, and in an instant, Rushui found himself somewhere else.
Before him, three beautifully dressed women danced in a mesmerizing rhythm.
Music played softly in the background, their movements perfectly in sync.
Rushui scoffed inwardly. Hmph, mere illusions. Do you take me for a fool?
Within the illusion, Rushui sat cross-legged, unwavering. He began to chant under his breath, centering his mind.
Then, the music changed.
"When the moon rises…
Light up the red lanterns…"
Rushui's chanting faltered.
His eyes widened.
The dance was different now.
Hypnotic.
Entrancing.
Rushui closed his eyes, trying to block out the alluring dance before him.
No matter how mesmerizing the movements or how provocative the singing, he refused to fall under its spell.
At first, he resisted.
But the melody repeated, looping over and over, sinking into his mind like a venomous whisper. His resistance wavered.
Then, it crumbled.
Especially when she curled her finger, beckoning him.
Rushui felt his spiritual resolve shatter.
His chakra, usually steady and controlled, surged wildly, as though poisoned.
It was beyond his control now.
A voice burst from his throat, unbidden.
"Let's do something fun, just a little,
Is this a dream or an illusion?
A world without lies or burdens,
Come, to the pure land of bliss,
Sing and dance, follow your heart."
The eerie chant sent shivers down the spines of those watching.
All eyes turned to Rushui.
Then, slowly, his body moved.
At first, it was just a slight sway.
Then, he began to dance—a strange, unnatural movement that seemed completely out of character for a man of his stature.
The words spilling from his lips felt cursed.
The sight was terrifying.
Hideman's face went pale. "He's possessed!"
Without a second thought, he yanked up his robes and bolted.
What the hell is this?!
An esteemed monk like Rushui, dancing like a madman, singing those twisted lyrics—it was like he was possessed by a vengeful spirit.
Mufasa watched with amusement, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Don't put on a holy act, old man. The heavens always have a way of balancing things out. No one is spared in the 'Pure Land of Bliss.'
He turned his gaze toward Daichi.
Daichi, face drained of color, trembled. "Kill him. Now!"
"Kill!" someone echoed.
"Fire the arrows!"
The city's defenders obeyed without hesitation.
Whoosh!
A rain of arrows filled the sky, thousands loosed at once, all streaking toward Mufasa.
Mufasa's smirk widened. "Oh? You really think that'll help?"
He raised a single hand.
"Magnetic Release: Absolute Control."
Every arrow froze midair, hovering like a deadly iron wall before him.
Mufasa flicked his finger.
The arrows spun, turning in place, their gleaming tips now aimed back at the defenders.
The soldiers' eyes widened in horror.
They didn't even have time to scream.
"Go."
The arrows shot forward, returning to their senders with twice the force.
The soldiers collapsed one after another, their bodies pierced by their own weapons.
The town echoed with cries of pain and terror.
Daichi's composure broke. "Stop him! Block the gates! Don't let him inside!"
Then, without another word, he turned and ran.
The remaining defenders hesitated.
Watching their leader flee, they quickly followed, scrambling after him in a desperate bid to escape.
Those left behind—too slow or too foolish to run—shook in place, realizing they were about to die.
"My lord, the beef is ready for roasting," a Sand Ninja reported casually.
Unlike the city's panicked defenders, the Sand Shinobi remained calm.
They were disciplined, they didn't steal food, and they certainly weren't afraid of a few desperate warriors.
Mufasa glanced at them and chuckled.
"Sasuke, let's eat first."
The battle could wait. Hideman—the daimyo they came for—wasn't going anywhere.
After their meal, Mufasa led the Sand Ninja Army toward the city gates.
The guards at the entrance, having witnessed everything, didn't even try to resist.
They simply hid.
Mufasa sighed, stepped forward, and casually pushed the massive gate with one hand.
Creeeeak—
The doors, reinforced with iron and meant to withstand siege weapons, groaned under his touch before abruptly snapping off their hinges.
The towering gates flew backward like discarded paper, crashing into the defenders waiting behind them.
"Run!"
"Get out of here!"
Panic spread like wildfire. The moment they saw the gates collapse, the soldiers turned and fled, but they didn't make it far.
The iron doors, still carrying immense force, slammed into the ground like a hammer striking an anvil, flattening everything in their path.
Mufasa stepped inside Sabakuto Town, the first to enter.
Immediately, samurai and rogue ninja rushed to intercept.
They didn't last long.
The first and second divisions of the Sand Ninja Army moved efficiently, cutting them down with practiced precision. It was no contest.
"Hostiles detected up ahead," one ninja reported. "A group of katana-wielding samurai."
A Sand Shinobi loaded his launcher. "Fire the explosive tags."
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A cluster of detonating tags rained down upon the samurai ranks, blanketing the battlefield in flame and smoke.
When the dust cleared, all that remained were broken bodies.
"Unknown ninjas ahead. Attributes and intentions unclear."
Mufasa scoffed. "If they're not talking, they're enemies. Handle it."
At his command, ninjutsu of every element burst forth. Fire, wind, lightning, and earth jutsu rained destruction upon the enemy's hiding spots.
No matter their resistance, someone in the Sand Army had an answer for them.
"Suspicious building up ahead."
"Earth Release: Earth Pillar Explosion. Blow it up."
A wave of chakra surged through the ground. The earth cracked, sending pillars of rock spearing toward the structure. Then—
BOOM!
The explosion obliterated it in seconds.
"Water Release, Lightning Release—clean up whoever's left."
In the span of minutes, the forward path was clear.
Mufasa watched his forces advance in a coordinated, alternating formation. A genuine smile touched his lips.
Finally, the Hidden Sand Village was more than just a handful of elite fighters. Now, they were an army.
The city of Sabakuto stretched before them, vast and intricate.
The towering castle in the center loomed over everything, built upon the highest hill.
Merchant districts, craft halls, and corridors filled the space below it, sprawling in every direction.
And somewhere in that castle, true to his name, Hideman was hiding.
The remaining defenders still clung to the urban landscape, using the buildings for cover, desperately trying to slow the invasion.
Explosions and screams filled the air. Buildings crumbled one by one, leaving only rubble in the Hidden Sand Ninja Army's wake.
Mufasa exhaled, enjoying the destruction, then lifted his gaze toward the castle's highest tower.
"Everyone, halt."
The Sand Shinobi stopped in perfect unison.
Mufasa floated into the air, arms outstretched.
His chakra pulsed through the town like a heartbeat.
"People of Sabakuto Town!" His voice echoed across the battlefield.
"Feel the power of Mufasa!"
With a snap of his fingers, the air vibrated.
Electromagnetic Release: Maximum Magnetic Output.
The entire town's metal trembled.
Katana, armor, kunai, shuriken—everything iron or steel began to rise. Those standing too close to their weapons found themselves lifted off the ground.
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