Haruki trailed far behind Suzaku and his two companions. The distance between him and them had already exceeded the normal ninja’s sensory range.
He wasn’t worried about being discovered by Suzaku and his companions, nor was he worried about losing track of them.
Even if Haruki were to lose them, would so many crows also lose them?
Haruki was checking his personal information.
After returning to the wooden house, he had activated two Cursed Spirits: Jogo and Kenjaku.
By activating two Cursed Spirits, he should have also activated quite a few Cursed Techniques.
’Didn’t I tell you to turn on the notification sound last time?’ Haruki questioned the system in his mind.
Why was there no notification sound again?
[Host, I’m afraid the notification sound might affect your emotions and make you act out of character...]
’Am I someone who can’t control himself?’
[If you suddenly activate Toge’s Cursed Technique, can you really hold back your laughter?]
Haruki smiled and admitted, ’Just imagining the scene of activating Inumaki’s Cursed Technique makes me unable to hold back my laughter.’
[So, host, how about this?]
[When you need to know if you’ve activated a Cursed Technique, just click on your personal information...]
Haruki interrupted, ’Can’t you just tell me directly?’
[...Of course, I’d be happy to serve you, host.]
[Copyable Cursed Technique: Momo Nishimiya – Tool Manipulation (Activated)]
[Copyable Cursed Technique: Kurobana – Mercury Manipulation (Activated)]
[Copyable Cursed Technique: Uraume – Ice Formation (Activated)]
The moment he saw Ice Formation, Haruki knew he had struck gold. This was essentially a simplified version of Ice Release!
If Haruki remembered correctly, her Cursed Technique was flying on a broomstick, wasn’t it?
[Host, the professional explanation is imbuing the broom with life for flight and piercing attacks.]
’Isn’t that still flying on a broomstick? Did I say something wrong?’
Being able to fly was actually not bad, after all, in the Ninja World, besides those related to the Six Paths, no one could fly. But this flight required riding a broom as a prerequisite, so he would have to find a broom.
Flying on a broom would really affect his image.
Forget it, as long as he could fly.
"Who is this Kurobana? Why such an unlucky name?" Haruki couldn’t recall this character for a moment.
[Kurobana appeared in the Culling Game, his Cursed Technique is Mercury Manipulation, his body can liquefy and deform, manipulating liquid metal like mercury for attack and defense.]
Then this ability was quite interesting.
Suzaku, Sakikawa, and Kurogaya galloped through the muddy terrain in a ’pin’ formation for most of the night.
They had set out from Amegakure, aiming straight for the border between the Land of Rain and the Land of Fire.
Suzaku ran at the forefront, rain streaming down his sharp jawline. Even though his body was exhausted, he didn’t lower his guard.
His right hand remained on the hilt of his sword at his waist, ready for battle at any moment.
Kurogaya and Sakikawa followed closely, silently advancing forward.
The prolonged, monotonous journey caused Suzaku’s thoughts to wander. He couldn’t help but think of Haruki.
Before leaving Amegakure, he had said such heartless words to Haruki, but those words were actually false. He had long considered Haruki his own younger brother.
If he could return alive this time, he would sincerely apologize to Haruki.
Kurogaya frowned deeply, his face appearing somewhat pale under the washing rain.
"Something’s wrong..."
Kurogaya stopped, and both Suzaku and Sakikawa caught the gravity in Kurogaya’s voice.
Kurogaya’s sensory ability was the strongest among the three.
Suzaku’s words were cut short.
A sharp whistling sound tore through the rain curtain.
Dense kunai and shuriken, like rain, poured down from the bushes on both sides, blocking all possible escape routes.
"Scatter!" Suzaku roared.
Like a clap of thunder, it burst in Kurogaya and Sakikawa’s ears.
Without a moment’s hesitation, the three reacted instantly.
Suzaku suddenly rolled to the left, his long sword unsheathing from his waist, countless silver lights flashing, as the long sword violently clashed with the kunai and shuriken.
Sparks flew in the rain, and metallic clangs rang out continuously.
A shuriken grazed Sakikawa’s cheek, leaving a burning red bloodstain.
The attack didn’t stop.
Among the bushes, shadowy figures continuously appeared.
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere!
Violent hurricanes rose from the ground, instantly altering the trajectory of the rain.
At the same time, several highly compressed air bullets whistled towards Suzaku and his companions, who had just dodged the projectiles and regained their footing.
Kurogaya suddenly stepped forward, pressing his hands firmly against the ground.
Earth Release: Fist Rock Technique!
The ground rumbled, raising two giant rock fists to meet the wind blades and Vacuum Spheres.
The rock fists shattered in less than two seconds against the violent Wind Release, fragments of rock mixing with wind blades and scattering everywhere.
Kurogaya grunted, thrown back by the explosion’s shockwave, fortunately caught by Sakikawa, a trace of blood overflowing from the corner of his lips.
Sakikawa quickly formed hand signs.
Water Release: Water Formation Wall!
A wall of water rose, deflecting the remaining Vacuum Spheres.
Suzaku’s eyes were cold, the sword’s shine reflected in them. He clashed with the shadowy figure before him, and in a blink, they exchanged dozens of blows.
When Suzaku saw his opponent’s eyes, his heart sank instantly.
A hooked weapon grazed Suzaku’s ribs, tearing through his clothes and skin, bringing a burning sting and an instant numbing sensation.
By the time Suzaku realized this, it was too late.
Kurogaya, seeing Suzaku injured, was anxious and inadvertently exposed a weakness, allowing a puppet to cut a deep gash on his shoulder, bleeding profusely.
"We can’t stay here."
Sakikawa spat out a mouthful of blood, his voice hoarse, "These are all puppets. Our Chakra will be depleted."
Suzaku endured the numbness in his ribs, his sword flaring, temporarily forcing back the puppet.
The three fought and retreated, with the Sunagakure ninjas secretly controlling the puppets in hot pursuit.
"Cough... You two go first... I’ll cover the rear..." Suzaku pushed Sakikawa and Kurogaya.
The poison had already spread through his body. His vision blurred. He couldn’t hold on any longer.
It would be better to stay behind and buy time for Kurogaya and Sakikawa to escape.
No one had expected Sunagakure to be willing to send out such a powerful Puppet Master.
Sakikawa and Kurogaya dragged Suzaku, retreating with difficulty.
Suzaku and his two companions fell to the ground simultaneously.
A puppet lurking underground had severed their Achilles tendons.