"Blowgun" was a common tool for assassinations. The blowgun resembled a bamboo flute; just blowing could launch hidden darts far away.
Though "blowgun" lethality wasn't strong, to prevent it from becoming an acupressure massage tool, the darts were almost always poisoned, causing significant trouble even with a slight graze.
And just now, over a dozen blowgun darts flew toward Tenmei from all sides simultaneously. While a single dart's poison might not be fatal, so many hitting together could still deliver a one-way ticket.
Of course, as the pile of darts slipped from Yuki's hand, the first wave of attacks from those playing blowgun in the dead of night failed.
But this was natural. After all, during his previous travels, Yuki had encountered countless such petty tricksters… Most were now sprouting roots in the soil.
"..."
Discovering their first ambush failed, five "bandits" in black tight-fitting clothes emerged from behind nearby trees.
The four in front uniformly wielded weapons called "Tekkō-kagi" (hand claws). Their eyes, visible through masks, held cold, sharp frost, as if devoid of mercy or kindness.
"Tekkō-kagi" were claw-like equipment worn on fingers or the back of the hand, offering decent close-range lethality and defensive capabilities—a good weapon when used skillfully.
These guys… aren't disorganized, undisciplined thugs or bandits. The moment he saw them, Yuki discerned their identity.
Usually, thugs or bandits would state demands before acting—either money or captives. But these guys attacked silently, aiming to kill. Their demeanor and unified attire also differed greatly from ordinary bandits.
As expected… targeting Mr. Tenmei. Teacher Kurenai and the others at the nearby campsite must also be engaged now.
Activate "Byakugan," scan surroundings.
Immediately, Yuki activated his "Byakugan." His terrifying 360-degree vision surveyed the overall situation.
Besides these five visible ones, five more hid nearby—a ten-member assassination squad? The person closest to Mr. Tenmei is…
"Attack!"
Before Yuki could finish observing, the black-clad person at the back of the five—not wearing "Tekkō-kagi"—shouted with a low voice. Then four shadows lunged toward them like ghosts!
The instant they moved, Yuki sensed these guys' professionalism. Their trajectories formed arcs attacking from all directions, making it hard to predict the final target.
Moreover, those pairs of fearsome iron claws were painted black, preventing any reflection even under moonlight. Combined with their black outfits and the dark environment, their movements were nearly invisible!
"Crouch down, hands over your head. Don't move no matter what happens."
Detecting dangerous auras, Yuki promptly pressed Tenmei to the ground, then vanished after giving instructions.
Although the enemy were experienced professionals, this level was merely barely adequate for practice for current Yuki.
First!
Yuki's figure instantly passed a black-clad person at high speed! The iron claws in that person's hands slashed a black arc! After the arc, those claws, along with his neck, were twisted apart with a crack!
Second! Third!
After dealing with one, Yuki—pausing briefly yet remaining agile—swiftly caught up with two others! As if strolling casually, he moved freely through the deadly net formed by their iron claws, then precisely found their chests and foreheads while dodging, ruthlessly striking with two Gentle Fist palms to knock them from the air!
But as Yuki eliminated three enemies in the blink of an eye, the remaining one completely ignored his three companions' fate, his "Tekkō-kagi" still carrying force as he stabbed toward the crouching figure!
"Gentle Fist Technique: Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm!"
Now some distance from Tenmei, Yuki couldn't return instantly. But midair, he twisted his body, sending two shockwaves with acupoint-striking force simultaneously from left and right toward Tenmei's sides!
Thud! Boom!
Next second, one vacuum palm struck the back of the last assassin preparing to plunge "Tekkō-kagi" into the target's neck, making him spurt blood midair and crash to the ground. The other vacuum palm… directly struck the seemingly calm lake surface not far away!
Yes—earlier, Tenmei and Yuki had been sitting before this small lake chatting. After the Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm's attack, the lake water erupted!
Moments later, two black-clad figures floated up from the previously calm lake bottom. But judging by their face-down floating posture, these two had probably died on the spot…
"You're the captain, right? Why not call out your three remaining subordinates? Hiding will still lead to death—no need to die so pitifully."
Glancing at the two black-clad figures in the lake—knocked unconscious by the impact, then drowning—Yuki, who had returned to Tenmei's side, looked toward the black-clad person hiding farthest back, his tone full of mockery.
Though the "Byakugan" lacked many flashy follow-up abilities (Tenseigan: ?), its terrifying omnidirectional detection ability was truly outrageous in protection missions.
From the start, Yuki knew the four visible assassins were merely decoys; the real attackers were the two slowly approaching underwater.
So for an ordinary ninja, Tenmei would have been dead just now. But Yuki's "Byakugan" changed everything, turning all covert sneak attacks into laughable juggling.
The Hyūga clan's Byakugan… truly troublesome.
Feeling provoked by this twelve-year-old, the leader of the "bandit squad" frowned, then gestured "prepare to attack" to the three remaininghidden) members.
Swoosh! Then, this seemingly capable captain drew a rather short but extremely sharp ninjato from his waist, assuming a combat stance.
Clearly, if other "Tekkō-kagi"-wielding assassins were lackeys, this ninjato-wielder was elite—because… he had money for better weapons.
This genin's strength far exceeds our expectations. But it's fine. I'll engage him directly while the remaining three "Akabane Corps" eliminate the target. No need for excessive entanglement.
"Come! Let's fight—"
"Shh, wait. Listen—isn't there some sound over there?"
Just as the captain prepared to charge and tie up Yuki, the latter made a "shh" gesture, then smilingly pointed at several nearby trees.
What? Those are my subordinates' ambush spots! Could it be…
Bang! Before the captain realized what happened, several dusty, disheveled figures suddenly flew from those trees! Piling before him like non-burnable garbage!
This… Does he have other allies? What's happening?
Seeing these three subordinates intended for the target's assassination, even after undergoing extensive emotional training, the captain's eyes showed immense shock.
Though not clearly visible in the dark night, from the three stacked like a pyramid, unmoving, it wasn't hard to see they were either unconscious or dead—certainly unable to continue the mission!
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