As is often the case, clans, and wealthy factions dominated the Flashbang and Chakra Pills, leaving the wandering warriors and lone shinobi to scramble for the leftover remnants, bickering amongst themselves for the chance to acquire such essential supplies.
The highlight of the auction, however, was the versatile Chakra Scrolls, including the larger, human-sized versions.
The scrolls were quickly sold out with an increment of 1 million; even the expansive Chakra Scrolls moved without issue. The primary concern within the auction house was how to transport these prized items back home, especially given the frequent betrayals and hidden malice that characterized both shinobi and warriors.
"HAHAHAHA! Let's get this party started!" boomed a white-haired man, sporting a wild grin as thick bones protruded from his body. "It's time to have some fun! Hehehe… Let the blood flow!"
"Who goes there?" the audience felt the thickening tension inside the auction house. The clans and high-ranking officials soon recognized the figure.
"That's... Kaguya Shirakumo! The bloodthirsty lunatic!"
"Watch out, everyone, let's take him down!"
"Everyone, stay focused on this maniac!"
"I won't let that happen," declared a young man dressed in blue, completing his hand signs as more accomplices appeared from the shadows.
"Hidden Mist Technique!"
Suddenly, a mysterious mist enveloped the auction house, but Shirakumo charged toward his opponents relentlessly, his finger bones hurling into the crowd, taking out some unfortunate souls.
"Ten-Finger Drilling Fingers!"
"What's the deal with your so-called help, Saizō? He looks too foolish to be a shinobi!" complained a tall monk nearby, earning nods of agreement. "Brother is right! He's undoubtedly eating those tools like nothing!
"Enough of this mockery!" Kirigakure Saizō snapped back. "Seikai and Isa, go hit the frontlines! Kosuke is outside with our troops against their enemy. Unno and Mochizuki will handle long-range attacks, while Jinpachi and Juzō assist outside. Now, fight for our cause!"
"For freedom!"
With his orders given, the rebels surged forward against the oppressive clans and officials.
"Fools! Why aren't you using the flashbangs?! Activate them— ARRRGHHH!!!"
Just moments after the daimyo's complaint, chaos broke out when a fighter launched a freshly purchased flashbang, generating groans of frustration from those around him.
"Even this light can incapacitate us?" Butsuma mused as he regained composure. "What a ridiculous situation!"
The blinding light, scattered by the mist's moisture, still managed to reach its targets through sound and other senses.
"Shirakumo! Go after that man on the stage! He's immensely powerful and responsible for that wretched device!" Despite still reeling from the flashbang, Saizō pointed accusingly at Yoichi, who appeared unfazed.
"Powerful, huh?! Let's see how tough you truly are!" Shirakumo gritted his teeth and charged toward the stage, his hatred directed at the young man.
On the floor, Butsuma and Tajima wanted to intervene but were hindered by the Miyoshi Brothers, while Machi and Miruko were shielded by Yoichi's students and children, still anxious for his safety.
"Shikotsumyaku..." Yoichi smiled. "Come!"
"Are you seriously trying to fight me up close? You must truly want to get yourself killed!" Yoichi's taunting gestures prompted Shirakumo to unleash the bones from his fingers, transforming his forearms into sharp, spiked armguards.
As Yoichi instinctively crouched to avoid the thick bones, he aimed a powerful leg sweep to take out Shirakumo's ankle.
"Idiot!" Shirakumo thought with a sly grin, as the sharp bone of his ankle aimed for Yoichi's shin. When it got closer than Yoichi expected, he quickly redirected his attack toward Shirakumo's leg joint with immense force.
"Dance of the Larch!"
After the impact sent Shirakumo tumbling, he sensed Yoichi's left fist coming and braced himself, using his head to defend as the bones jutted out like a hedgehog's spikes.
"You'll never beat me!" Shirakumo confidently assured himself—until he heard the sound of a thousand birds chirping nearby.
Abruptly, Yoichi halted his powerful left punch and unleashed a Lightning Release technique, Chidori, with his right hand, driving it straight into Shirakumo's stomach. The force sent Shirakumo flying several feet away.
"This guy's too tough!" Yoichi winced, rubbing his leg from the earlier collision with Shirakumo. "Shikotsumyaku is definitely the best Taijutsu Kekkai Genkai out there!"
Even though he had a significant disadvantage as a kid, his experience gave him an edge. His ability, [Absolute Control], allowed him to maintain control during the fight despite Shirakumo's prickly defense.
He couldn't tap into his Yin-Yang Release or Space-Time Release since his Chakra-Ki was insufficient as a frail child. Still, his innate abilities shone through with various effective uses.
"Heh! You're something else, kid! But it's your time to die!" Shirakumo spat blood, turning serious as he faced his opponent.
"Dance of the Camellia!"
In a flash, Shirakumo lunged at Yoichi, his bones protruding and launching a flurry of strikes. Each attack was brutal—targeting sensitive areas—but Yoichi evaded them with the agility of a cat playing with a mouse.
"How is this possible? He's keeping up with that maniac?!" Saizō watched from the sidelines, feeling overwhelmed with emotions.
The Kaguya Clan's Taijutsu was notorious for its strengths and weaknesses, yet this 6-year-old kid was holding his own against their leader with incredible agility.
"HA! Cowardly snake!" Sarutobi Sasuke jeered from the audience. "Pay attention here, fool!"
"Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"
"Water Release: Wild Water Wave!"
With nimble movements, the two engaged in battle once again, clashing like fire and water, each striving for victory.
->->->->->->
"I've had enough of this; let's wrap it up."
After a brief pause, both skilled fighters found themselves in a deadlock. Yoichi remained unhurt, thanks to his remarkable ability to dodge, while Shirakumo's battered state demonstrated his resilience, reminiscent of the legendary Senju Bloodline in battle.
"Are you backing down, kid? HAHA! I expected you to be stronger!" Shirakumo was eager to continue the fight and taunt Yoichi, but the latter merely looked at him, seemingly unimpressed.
"Look at the chaos you're creating! Ugh... Anyway, see you!" With a clap of his hands, Yoichi made Shirakumo disappear without a trace.
In truth, Yoichi had teleported him high into the sky.
Regardless of the Kaguya Clan's physical toughness, the laws of science held firm, and the immense gravity combined with rapid acceleration meant that Shirakumo's fall back to Earth would be fatal.
With Shirakumo out of the picture, Yoichi surveyed the devastating result of his plan. There was no grand establishment—only dust and debris left in the wake of the battle. Bodies lay scattered like discarded gifts, some barely recognizable due to the reckless ninjutsu that had been unleashed.
"Everyone, retreat!"
With the clans gaining the upper hand, Saizō ordered his soldiers to pull back, and they promptly obeyed.
"Elder brother, let's go!" Isa called out, glancing at his impulsive brother as he deflected several attacks aimed at Seikai. "Hurry!"
"Who says you can leave?"
In a flash, Yoichi seized Isa by the neck, lifting him effortlessly as the insurgents looked on nervously. Despite Shirakumo's formidable presence, the Phantom's reputation remained intact, as speculation swirled about whether he had been killed or somehow survived but was heavily injured after confronting the black cat.
"Put him down!!!" Seikai shouted fury etched on his face, his heavy footfalls and murderous intent filling the air as he advanced toward Yoichi.
Saizō's expression darkened, resembling a storm cloud, causing the clan shinobi to freeze in place. Sarutobi Sasuke, sitting nearby, let out a sigh of relief and remarked:
"It's all over, Saizō..."
"You all dare to invade our territory and create chaos," Yoichi said, casting a glance at Isa's distressed expression before turning to Seikai. "And think you can leave without facing any consequences? How naive!"
"Now, let me show you what your actions have led to." With a brutal grip, Yoichi tightened his hold on Isa, and in a shocking moment, he severed Isa's head from his body like a fountain gushing blood.
"YOICHI MURAKAMI!!! I WILL KILL YOU!!!"
The onlookers, including Seikai, with rage-filled eyes, bore witness to the Phantom's cruelty, as he raised his war club in defiance.
Seikai channeled all his strength into a powerful swing, determined to avenge his fallen brother, only to find Yoichi had vanished in a heartbeat.
"I'm sorry for your loss," Yoichi's voice drifted to Seikai as he appeared behind him, stabbing him repeatedly until blood burst forth from the monk's wounds.
Despite the brutal injuries, Seikai managed to remain agile, but Yoichi's relentless abilities proved overwhelming. Even with an indomitable spirit, Seikai found himself unable to stand against the onslaught, his back punctured like a pin cushion.
"Yoichi... I WILL WAIT FOR YOU AND KILL YOU!"
Eventually, Seikai collapsed, cursing Yoichi as the latter merely shrugged and remarked:
"Please, wait in line. If someone's going to kill me, it won't be your moment yet."
Observing Yoichi's smiling figure, the shinobi felt a chill run down their spines, especially Butsuma and Tajima, who were terrified to witness the familiar scene unfold once again before the crowd.
"That monster has grown even stronger..."
After watching his comrades fall, Saizō bolted without a second thought. Seikai's reckless actions were unstoppable, and Yoichi swiftly took advantage of the monks' glaring weaknesses.
"We can't provoke that thing! There's no fighting against his godlike speed!" Despite having once been allies with the Miyoshi Brothers, their limitations as a rebellious faction became painfully evident in battle. Saizō clenched his bloodied fist in frustration.
Fuck around and find out.
(A/N: Sorry for only 1 chap. We have an election going on here in the Philippines and my mother dragged me like a dirtbag... I will make up for it so don't worry. As always, thanks for reading the novel XDD!)