The unsettling savagery and tension began creeping into their minds. Without a doubt, the Chinoike Elites were furious yet an ancient sensation sank — the human instinct of flight or fight.
In other words, fear.
After all, the man was absolutely clean and spotless even through all of their attacks, grinning as if amused predator against the prey's futile struggle.
But before their mentality began to change things over in a death spiral, Yashiro threw a smoke bomb. After that, he sternly looked at his clan members' panicked expressions and stated:
"All of you, focus on the mission! This is our last stand! Right here, right now! Remember, this is for the sake of our clan. Don't try to leave me with this one! You... Yes, you kid! Tell them to evacuate and leave that place immediately. We will handle the rest."
Upon hearing his words, they began gritting their teeth and unwillingly nodded at each other. Left with no other options, the early dumbfoundedness was swiftly changed into indomitable resolve.
This is a life-and-death situation for them.
'I'm impressed with their determination... Oh well, not stating my purpose really made this encounter feel like a dead end for the Chinoike Clan.'
These hard-headed bulls weren't a big deal in his eyes yet Yoichi felt it was partly his fault for their undoubtedly exaggerated actions. Sure, the exile plan wasn't that smooth sailing and was a hard pill to swallow for them but these guys retaliated first.
"I'll go first, follow me up!"
On the other hand, Yashiro noticed the smoke was fading and rushed to launch an attack. The onslaught window was becoming thinner and thinner as all of them complied with their leader's commanding and valiant aura.
In his outstanding agility, Yashiro took the frontline and directly attacked Yoichi with his blood katana, exchanging blow after blow in sheer seriousness.
Ketsuryūgan: Carmine Shurikens!
Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!
While preoccupied with a duel, Yoichi dodged some of the lethal projectiles hurled at him.
Sure, the cuts and lacerations were unavoidable due to Yashiro's aggressive approach, and with the help of his clan members.
However, the tides of battle didn't shift towards them. In reality, it was quite the opposite.
"What an anomaly! Even with sufficient pressure, it didn't even faze this absolute beast?!" Yashiro cursed in his breath, disengaging to recover some stamina and assessing the situation swiftly.
He didn't know how Yoichi had done it but some of his clan members were severely injured in just one brutal aggression alone.
As for the rest, they were extremely exhausted with numerous ninjutsu and dojutsu being thrown at their monstrous opponent.
Left with 12 Jounin-Level, 18 Chunin-Level, and 31 Genin-Level — the Chinoike Clan was at its lowest and dire times.
"Hoooohhh... I suggest you should stop this. I was commissioned to exile your clan out of the Land of Lightning, not to massacre all of you here!"
Yoichi didn't lie and stated truthfully, even throwing the mission scroll at the Chinoike Clan Leader.
"So...all of this damn thing was for nothing?! HAHAHAHAHA... HAHAHAHA, what a joke!"
With maniacal laughter, Yashiro inwardly blamed himself as he instantly processed the written words.
Fuck, fuck, fuck!
If I hadn't foolishly struck this abomination earlier, my clan members would certainly be alive at this point and wouldn't waste their lives here in the forest.
I'm such a pathetic and impulsive clan leader.
I apologize, I'm very sorry...
As his guilt ate him, Yashiro's knees gave up as the tears spilled in his red eyes. Others couldn't believe Yoichi's statements and harshly replied while some Jounin-Level read the scroll, facepalming and cursing in the air with absolute disbelief.
"Hey, I admit that I am somewhat at fault for this but all of you jump to the conclusion so deal with it." At this point, Yoichi shook his head and didn't rub the salt into a large wound even further.
This is the cost of the mission and being a target bounty against a wealthy first wife wasn't a good thing. Fortunately, the battle wasn't quite a bit overblown as the Chinoike Clan lost some potential growth but it's not destructive overall.
"Go with your clan in the Valley of Hell near the Land of Hot Water. I will carefully oversee the journey and relocation of your clan there." Yoichi declared. "... In case of any emergency, I will provide some resources from the Genesis Bank. This is only the thing I could hand over, a helping hand for a new beginning."
"Yes..." Still mind-fucked, Yashiro muttered.
After that, Yoichi nodded and took off.
Thrown away to the Valley of Hell with Genesis Bank's magnanimity was the favorable result for them. If ever they started once more, maybe the lightning daimyo's first wife would snap and kill them all in the second attempt of revolution.
With the things nearly completed, Yoichi jumped through the forest like a rabbit and found some good inn to rest up for the day. Next on his list was Sanada Yukimura's whereabouts and plans.
"Speaking of schemes, I wonder what happened to Black Zetsu... He's not showing up at all!"
...
"Oi, is he really here? What if you are wrong?"
In the misty forest, a man in white is seemingly lost in the woods and talking to somebody else. The atmosphere was damp and eerie yet the man appeared to be unfazed by the complete darkness.
"I'm definitely sure he's there, right in the cabins with his retainers. I scouted the grounds earlier today so don't be cautious with me, Shin."
A raspy voice resounded as a black substance from the ground slowly emerged. As soon as the mysterious entity arrived, Shin remembered one very serious mental note from his friend — Seimei.
'Do not completely trust him, Shin. Just like us, he has some ulterior motives that we are not aware of. Saving the world by implementing and planting a huge ass tree? Who the hell would believe that?
Think clearly, you fucking buffoon! This is not the same world as our era and that man is still here!'
Although Shin wasn't bright sometimes, he completely understood the assignment.
Nobody wanted to lose once more than twice against that man, who is totally still breathing and living well for over 2,000 years in this world.
This is another chance to make the god bleed and Shin doesn't want to waste his very opportunity.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's see how that Kirigakure Saizō guy will be our potential ally and finish this quickly." At that point, Shin rushed ahead impatiently while Black Zetsu merely smiled, following up on his ally's trail without problems.