DAIMYO: Chapter 87/88

Chapter 87: The Tragedy of Kumogakure, the Failure of Konoha

Under the cover of night, murderous intent surged.

Countless Konoha shinobi moved swiftly through the forest, locking onto the scattered Lightning Release flashes with precision.

"Fire Release: Flame Bullet."

"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough."

Boom.

Wind fanned the flames, and the blazing Flame Bullet, driven by the gust, instantly expanded into a sea of fire.

A streak of lightning charged wildly, only to be engulfed by the flames in an instant.

The electricity exploded, and the figure vanished into a burst of light.

"It's a clone."

"Next one. Three o'clock, pursue."

Similar scenes played out across the forest.

Konoha's shinobi were well-trained with clear divisions of roles.

Sensory Ninja locked onto targets.

Nara clan members coordinated and determined authenticity.

The main force unleashed their most powerful Ninjutsu without holding back.

The operation was highly efficient.

Hiashi stood on a tall tree branch, his Byakugan scanning the battlefield.

In his vision, the chakra light points representing the Lightning Clones were being extinguished one by one.

His gaze pierced through the dense forest.

Far ahead, four clusters of chakra, more concentrated than the clones, were being surrounded by dozens of Konoha chakra light signatures.

"They've been found."

…Deep within the forest.

"We've been discovered."

A Kumo shinobi had just pierced a Konoha Genin's chest with a lightning-infused kunai.

Before he could even catch his breath, several kunai laced with explosive tags had already sealed off every escape route.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Violent explosions erupted, sending smoke and debris high into the air.

When the smoke cleared, the Kumo shinobi was kneeling on the ground, covered in blood and severely injured.

At that moment, a pitch-black shadow extended from beneath everyone's feet, coiling around his body.

"Shadow Imitation Technique, successful."

A calm voice came from behind as a Nara clan member formed hand seals.

"Damn it."

The Kumo shinobi, bound by the shadow, stiffened, letting out a low growl like a trapped beast.

He knew very well the consequences of being captured alive.

The Yamanaka clan's secret techniques would rip every secret from his mind.

Thinking of that, he gritted his teeth.

The remaining chakra in his body surged violently toward his head in a chaotic flow.

"No good. He's going to destroy his brain." The Yamanaka clan member's face changed drastically as he cried out.

Too late.

The Kumo shinobi's body trembled. A muffled thud sounded from within his skull. Blood oozed from his seven orifices, and he slumped to the ground.

Death before disclosure.

On the other side, Doro's situation was just as grim.

He faced an entire Konoha squad alone, which included a Hyūga branch family shinobi.

"Gentle Fist."

The Hyūga shinobi's figure flashed as he struck at Doro's chakra points with his palms.

Chakra flow within Doro's body instantly stagnated.

He roared, forcefully unleashing the last of his Lightning Release chakra and breaking through the chakra blockade.

He counterattacked with a lightning-infused hand blade, slashing fiercely at his opponent.

"Rotation."

The Hyūga shinobi spun rapidly in place, forming a blue chakra sphere that completely enveloped him, blocking the desperate strike.

The hand blade clashed against the Rotation, emitting a sharp screech but failing to advance even an inch.

In that instant of delay, a fatal killing intent attacked from behind.

"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet."

A mud dragon surged from the ground, its massive mouth open to swallow Doro whole.

"Lightning Release: Lightning Armor."

At the critical moment, Doro poured all his remaining chakra into his Lightning Armor, forming a protective layer of lightning around him.

It wasn't the perfected Lightning Chakra Mode of the Raikage, but a weakened version developed by Kumo elites.

Still, it was his final lifeline.

Boom.

The mud dragon clashed with the lightning armor, exploding with tremendous force.

Doro burst through the explosion, drenched in blood, only to find a storm of Ninjutsu raining down upon him.

Fireballs, wind blades, water bullets. It was a brilliant display of lethal force.

There was no fear on Doro's face. He roared and charged into the hail of techniques.

"For Kumogakure."

The next second, his body was shredded by wind, incinerated by fire, and crushed by earth.

Not even ashes remained. He vanished into the roar of Ninjutsu.

"Doro."

In the distance, the remaining two Kumo shinobi watched everything unfold, their teeth clenched with hatred.

They knew their turn was next.

"Bastards."

One of the burly Kumo shinobi roared and slammed his palms together.

"Let's die together."

Chakra surged violently from within him. Arcs of lightning danced across his skin.

He was about to self-destruct.

"No good. He's going to blow himself up."

"Everyone retreat."

"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall."

The surrounding Konoha shinobi began falling back rapidly.

"Trying to leave? Too late."

The other Kumo shinobi caught on. A ruthless light flashed in his eyes.

"Lightning Release: Ground Flash."

He instantly formed hand seals, and blinding electric light spread outward from his body.

But his target wasn't Konoha. It was his own comrade.

He intended to use his jutsu to detonate and amplify his comrade's self-destruction.

To turn their last breath into the brightest flash of lightning.

"Madman."

A nearby Konoha Jōnin's pupils contracted.

Boom.

A massive explosion shook the entire mountain forest.

A dazzling sphere of white lightning exploded, engulfing everything within a ten-meter radius.

When the light faded, only a scorched, smoking crater remained.

Three charred bodies of Konoha Genin lay around it.

The others, though wounded, had managed to escape the blast thanks to coordinated defense.

As for the Kumo shinobi who used Ground Flash, he had been caught in the explosion's shockwave.

Half his body was charred, one arm missing. He lay on the ground, barely clinging to life.

He was the last of the four to survive.

His gaze was dim, yet still fixed on the deep crater ahead.

Two Kumo Jōnin had gambled their lives on mutual destruction and barely inflicted any damage.

Is this the strength of the strongest shinobi village in the world?

Just then, Hiashi appeared silently at his side.

His face was dark as he stared down at the last Kumo shinobi.

He moved.

His goal was clear. Capture him alive.

He was the last one.

But the Kumo shinobi seemed to sense his intent.

With great effort, he lifted his head. Staring at Hiashi, who was already within reach, a strange smile formed on his face.

"For... Kumogakure."

He used his final ounce of strength to mumble.

Then, he gathered the last remnants of his Lightning Release chakra into his body, compressing it wildly.

The moment Hiashi reached for him, the Kumo shinobi's body erupted with brilliant electric light.

Sizzle.

There was no earth-shaking blast. Just the sharp, piercing sound of high-voltage discharge.

The Kumo shinobi's body began to carbonize in the intense electric light.

Then, he turned to black ash, scattered by the wind.

Hiashi's outstretched hand grasped only air. His face grew even darker.

All four Kumo Jōnin had died before his eyes, leaving no trace behind.

Not a single one was captured alive.

Not even a corpse remained.

"Hiashi-sama..." A Sensory Ninja approached and reported, "We've lost too much time. The target has likely..."

Hiashi slowly withdrew his hand, fists clenched tight.

A vein throbbed at his temple as his Byakugan activated to the limit, scanning through layers of forest.

But all he saw was darkness.

The target had completely vanished from his field of vision.

"Damn it." Hiashi growled, suppressing his fury. "Leave two teams behind to clean the battlefield. The rest, continue pursuit."

"Yes."

As the Konoha shinobi moved quickly to carry out the order, Hiashi knew in his heart.

After such a delay, even if they continued chasing, the chance of finding the target was slim.

All they could do now was try their best and leave the rest to fate.

Sure enough, within the hour...

All the pursuit teams returned, empty-handed.

Kumogakure's plan had worked.

Four elite Jōnin had paved the way for the retreat of their main force.

Not only had Konoha failed to capture anyone alive, they had completely lost the trail.

Hiashi took a deep breath, suppressing the anger boiling within.

"Report the situation to the village."

"Emphasize that the enemy was determined to die and had serious intentions."

"Request the village to raise the alert level to the highest."

He paused, then clenched his teeth and said, "The mission... failed."

The last few words were squeezed out through clenched teeth.

The night wind howled, carrying with it the scent of blood and scorched earth.

The forest returned to its deadly silence.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 88: Teasing Again

Raikage A and his group didn't stop.

Nine figures moved swiftly through the forest at astonishing speed.

As they ran, they left behind no traceable marks.

Though the sounds of battle behind them had long faded, the echoes still lingered in their ears.

A ran at the front, fully suppressing all chakra fluctuations.

But Killer B could clearly feel that his older brother was furious.

He himself was angry as well.

But neither of them could stop. More importantly, they couldn't let their anger cloud their judgment.

He quickly adjusted to his optimal state, carrying Mabui as he followed closely behind A.

Mabui bit her lip tightly, not letting a sound escape.

She dared not think of anything. All she could do was turn this sacrifice into unwavering determination to complete the mission.

"Where's the destination, and how much longer?" A finally spoke, his voice low and restrained.

A Kumo shinobi glanced at the map and replied, "We're moving along the centerline between Konoha Village and the Fire Capital."

"Once we pass this area, we'll reach the western part of the Land of Fire."

"At our current speed, we should reach the destination in about a day."

A remained silent, his feet never stopping.

They had landed on the eastern coast of the Land of Fire, then crossed its entire breadth, deliberately creating the illusion of a surprise attack on the Fire Capital.

This was the strategy they had agreed upon before departure, making Konoha believe they were targeting the Daimyo.

Never would Konoha suspect that their true goal was to go into hiding in the western region of the Land of Fire.

"Accelerate. We arrive in half a day."

"Yes."

The nine of them didn't hesitate, immediately quickening their pace...

...

Unlike the grim urgency of A's group, the Fire Capital was brimming with charm.

Deep within the Crimson Moon Pavilion of the Daimyo Manor, steam from the hot springs gently filled the air.

The entire bath was carved from massive stone, drawing steaming hot spring water from the mountains. A faint mist blurred visibility.

Amid the fog, Ragyō's figure appeared and vanished.

Thin, water-soaked gauze clung loosely to her body, barely concealing her most intimate parts.

Her long, wet black hair trailed down her smooth back. Water droplets rolled over her exquisite curves, falling into the pool and forming ripples.

Arashi leaned against the pool wall, eyes closed, enjoying the warmth of the hot spring.

Ragyō knelt behind him. Her soft hands gently kneaded his shoulders.

"My Lord, is the pressure to your liking?"

Her breath brushed against Arashi's ear, warm and teasing.

"Mm." Arashi didn't open his eyes, letting out a low sound of satisfaction.

Hearing his response, Ragyō's eyes curved with delight.

Her movements became even more attentive, each stroke of her fingertips easing Arashi's muscles.

A moment later, she swam to his front, her fair arms gently wrapping around his neck.

She lifted a peeled grape to his lips.

Arashi accepted it, then casually took her fingertip into his mouth and sucked gently.

Ragyō trembled instantly, her cheeks flushed red. Her eyes grew moist, a haze of spring emotion swirling within them.

"My Lord… you're teasing me again…"

Her voice was barely above a whisper, seductive and bone-melting.

Only then did Arashi open his eyes, gazing at her stunningly beautiful face, a slight smile playing at his lips.

"How am I teasing you?"

"You..." Ragyō bit her lip lightly.

This man always managed to stir her heart with the most indifferent tone.

He made her fall deeper every time, willingly turning as soft as willow.

Just as the atmosphere reached its peak, a voice interrupted from beyond the screen.

The tone was steady and respectful. It was the Shadow Guard.

"My Lord, urgent report from Konoha."

The sudden voice pierced the air, shattering the ambiguous moment.

Irritation flashed through Ragyō's eyes, but she quickly suppressed it. She quietly withdrew from Arashi's arms, preparing to leave.

Arashi, however, grabbed her hand and pulled her back into his embrace.

Without lifting his head, he spoke calmly, "Read it."

"Yes."

From behind the screen, the Shadow Guard continued his report.

"Konoha border report. A Kumo squad of approximately ten to fifteen individuals breached the eastern border last night and infiltrated deep into the Land of Fire."

"Border patrol encountered them and engaged. Four were martyred."

"Currently, Hyūga Hiashi is leading a pursuit squad."

Upon hearing this, Arashi's brows furrowed slightly. "Inform Tanaka. Let him handle this."

"Yes."

"And inform the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

Arashi paused for a moment, then added, "To fall while defending the border is an honor."

"Give them a grand funeral."

"Also, commission four plaques, inscribed with 'Hero's Home,' and have them personally delivered to the families by the Ministry."

This was not just a condolence gesture. It was a move to solidify his image as a ruler who cherished his people.

The Shadow Guard's gaze flickered, then he bowed even lower. "Yes."

Arashi waved his hand. "You may leave."

"Yes."

The presence behind the screen faded silently.

Ragyō leaned against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat. "My Lord, was there trouble at the border?"

"Just a few rats sneaking into the granary. Nothing to worry about."

This kind of small-scale infiltration was common during times of conflict.

In his eyes, it wasn't even worth mentioning.

If Konoha couldn't handle this, it would've been destroyed long ago.

After the Shadow Guard left, Arashi lowered his head and gently lifted Ragyō's chin.

A playful glint appeared in his eyes. "Don't let it distract you."

He leaned down and pressed a light kiss to her lips.

"Our time together is far more precious."

...

Konoha Village, Hokage Building

The atmosphere was tense.

Minato held the freshly delivered battle report in hand, his expression grim.

The mission had failed.

Even with Hiashi personally leading a team of elite trackers, they had lost the target.

No, not just lost. They were completely outmaneuvered.

The few short lines in the report painted a clear and devastating picture.

The enemy had used the lives of four Jōnin to forcibly break through Konoha's tight encirclement.

Then, they escaped calmly.

"Using four elite Jōnin just to buy a few minutes for retreat?" Koharu's face no longer showed the same disdain as before.

"These lunatics… what exactly are they planning?"

Homura remained silent, brows furrowed, deep in thought.

This wasn't simple infiltration, nor was it provocation.

It was a calculated suicide mission.

Four elite Jōnin, an irreplaceable force for any village, were treated as disposable.

Discarded without hesitation.

Kumogakure's ambition was massive.

There was definitely a larger plot at work.

Minato made a snap decision. "We must report this to the Daimyo Manor immediately."

"Report it?" Homura's eyes widened. "Minato, this is something we should handle internally."

"There's no need to trouble the Daimyo over every little thing."

To him, the Daimyo only needed to remain in the capital.

Military matters were the domain of shinobi.

Too much involvement from the Daimyo reflected poorly on Konoha's competence.

"Elder Homura." Minato stood up suddenly. "Now is not the time to worry about appearances."

"Did you see the enemy's route?"

"The Fire Capital could very well be their target."

That thought sent a chill through his heart.

Homura was visibly shaken. "You're saying the Daimyo-sama is in danger?"

Koharu's expression also turned grave. "Has Kumogakure gone insane? That's a direct violation of the shinobi code. They'll be branded as enemies by the entire world."

"Aren't they being pursued already?"

"This..."

"Besides this possibility, I can't think of any other reason," Minato said with conviction. "Not only must we report it, we must also dispatch shinobi to the capital."

"But..."

"No buts." Minato's voice turned stern. "As Hokage, I am responsible for the safety of every corner of the Land of Fire, including the Daimyo-sama."

"He must know there's a group of desperate infiltrators headed straight for him."

Minato's reasoning left both advisors speechless.

Only now did they grasp the true severity of the situation.

This wasn't just a matter of military failure.

This could be a direct threat to the stability of the Land of Fire.

Though the Daimyo had elite guards, that didn't mean Konoha could stay passive.

They needed to respond, and make a strong statement while doing it.

At last, Homura nodded solemnly. "You are Hokage. It's your call."

Soon, a top-level urgent message, its wording heavy and precise, outlining the battle and the enemy's resolve, was sent directly to the Fire Capital.

(To be continued.)