Shiratori Rin trailed far behind Senba Suzume 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 Senba Suzume and his companions, nor was he worried about losing track of them.
If Shiratori Rin were to lose them, would so many crows also lose them?
Shiratori Rin 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?"
Shiratori Rin questioned the System in his mind.
Why was there no notification sound again?
"Dear, I'm afraid the notification sound might affect your emotions and make you act out of character…"
Shiratori Rin: "Am I someone who can't control himself?"
"If you suddenly activate Inumaki Toge's Cursed Technique, dear, can you really hold back your laughter?"
Shiratori Rin smiled and admitted, "Just imagining the scene of activating Inumaki's Cursed Technique makes me unable to hold back my laughter."
"…"
"So, dear, how about this?"
"When you need to know if you've activated a Cursed Technique, just click on your personal information…"
Shiratori Rin interrupted, "Can't you just tell me directly?"
"…Of course, I'd be happy to serve you, dear~"
"I can't see your willingness at all!"
Shiratori Rin exclaimed in shock.
He could, however, see the unwillingness.
"Ding!"
"Mimicable Cursed Technique: Nishimiya Momo – Tsukumogami Manipulation Technique (Activated)"
"Ding!"
"Mimicable Cursed Technique: Kurobana – Mercury Manipulation (Activated)"
"Ding!"
"Mimicable Cursed Technique: Uraume – Icefall Cursed Technique (Activated)"
The moment he saw Icefall Cursed Technique, Shiratori Rin knew he had struck gold!
This was essentially a simplified version of Ice Release!
However, Xi… Nishimiya Momo?
If Shiratori Rin remembered correctly, her Cursed Technique was flying on a broomstick, wasn't it?
"Dear, the professional explanation is imbuing the broom with life for flight and piercing attacks."
Shiratori Rin: "Isn't that still flying on a broomstick? Did I say something wrong?"
"…Wrong, wrong, wrong, it's my fault…"
Shiratori Rin: "Shut up."
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?"
Shiratori Rin 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!
…
Senba Suzume, Sakikawa, and Kuroai 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.
Senba Suzume 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.
Kuroai and Sakikawa followed closely, silently advancing forward.
The prolonged, monotonous journey caused Senba Suzume's thoughts to wander.
He couldn't help but think of Shiratori Rin.
Before leaving Amegakure, he had said such heartless words to Shiratori Rin, but those words were actually false.
He had long considered Shiratori Rin his own younger brother.
If he could return alive this time, he would sincerely apologize to Shiratori Rin.
Kuroai frowned deeply, his face appearing somewhat pale under the washing rain.
"Something's wrong…"
Kuroai stopped, and both Senba Suzume and Sakikawa caught the gravity in Kuroai's voice.
Kuroai's perception ability was the strongest among the three.
"How…"
Senba Suzume's words were cut short.
Whoosh—
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!"
Senba Suzume roared.
Like a clap of thunder, it burst in Kuroai and Sakikawa's ears.
Without a moment's hesitation, the three reacted instantly.
Senba Suzume 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.
An ambush!
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 Senba Suzume and his companions, who had just dodged the projectiles and regained their footing.
Kuroai suddenly stepped forward, pressing his hands firmly against the ground: "Earth Release: Rock Fist Jutsu!"
The ground rumbled, raising two giant rock fists to meet the wind blades and Vacuum Spheres.
Boom—
Crack—
The rock fists shattered in less than two seconds against the violent Wind Release, fragments of rock mixing with wind blades and scattering everywhere.
Kuroai grunted, thrown back by the explosion's shockwave, fortunately caught by Sakikawa, a trace of blood overflowing from the corner of his mouth.
Sakikawa quickly formed hand signs: "Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
A wall of water rose, deflecting the remaining Vacuum Spheres.
Senba Suzume's eyes were cold, the sword light reflected in them.
He clashed with the shadowy figure before him, and in a blink, they exchanged dozens of blows.
When Senba Suzume saw his eyes, his heart sank instantly.
It was a Puppet!
Rip—
A hooked weapon grazed Senba Suzume's ribs, tearing through his clothes and skin, bringing a burning sting and an instant numbing sensation.
Poison!
By the time Senba Suzume realized this, it was too late.
Kuroai, seeing Senba Suzume 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!"
"Retreat!"
Senba Suzume endured the numbness in his ribs, his sword light flaring, temporarily forcing back the Puppet.
The three fought and retreated, with the Sunagakure Ninja secretly controlling the Puppets in hot pursuit.
"Cough… You two go first… I'll cover the rear…"
Senba Suzume pushed Sakikawa and Kuroai.
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 Kuroai and Sakikawa to escape.
No one had expected Sunagakure to be willing to send out such a powerful Puppet Master!
"No!"
Sakikawa and Kuroai dragged Senba Suzume, retreating with difficulty.
"Mm…"
A muffled groan.
Senba Suzume and his two companions fell to the ground simultaneously.
A Puppet lurking underground had severed their Achilles tendons.
----------------------------------
I've already uploaded over 40 new chapters on Patreon!
If you're enjoying the story and want to read ahead, feel free to check it out.
Your support truly means a lot to me!
patreon.com/Kazenova223
Thank you so much for being here!
And if you're having fun with the story, don't forget to drop a Power Stone for me!