Kaimon Asuka, an A-Rank rogue ninja from Kirigakure, was known throughout the ninja world by his notorious alias—Shadow Ghost.
At that moment, Veigar instantly recognized Kaimon Asuka. The reason? He had encountered him during his very first mission outside the village.
Although Veigar hadn't seen Kaimon in person back then, he had specifically sought out intelligence on him upon returning to the village.
What piqued Veigar's interest was the secret technique Asuka possessed, one that could evade chakra detection.
The moment Veigar confirmed Kaimon's identity, he immediately warned his allies:
"Be careful, that's Kaimon Asuka, an A-Rank rogue ninja from the Mist."
Rather than appearing alarmed, Kaimon Asuka wore a calm, almost amused expression.
"Kid, you know me?"
In the tension-choked atmosphere of the private room, Tenkaku hadn't expected a second A-Rank rogue ninja to be present.
But with the situation already at a boiling point, there was no turning back. And anyone labeled A-Rank by their village certainly wasn't weak...
"Kill—!"
With a roar, Tenkaku lunged at Yuma Doto, his fist swinging forward.
He feared that Veigar or Shōgetsu might respond to Kaimon's comment, giving Yuma a window to escape.
"Rasengan."
"Sharingan: Nai Rakuken no Jutsu."
As Tenkaku struck, Veigar and Shōgetsu acted in perfect synchrony.
Their target? Kaimon Asuka.
They had no intention of giving Asuka a chance to aid Yuma.
Under the genjutsu of Shōgetsu's Sharingan, Asuka was momentarily frozen. But then, Shōgetsu's face twisted with realization.
Boom!
Bang!
Under the combined assault of Veigar's Rasengan and Shōgetsu's illusion, Kaimon dissolved into a puddle of water.
Meanwhile, under Tenkaku's crushing blow, Yuma Doto vanished in a puff of smoke.
"Water Clone."
"Shadow Clone."
Veigar and Tenkaku identified the jutsu instantly and cursed inwardly.
From the shadowy corners of the room, Kaimon and Yuma emerged simultaneously, then smashed through the windows, escaping into the night.
Crash!
Crash!
Without hesitation, Tenkaku, Veigar, and Shōgetsu gave chase.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
"Fire Release: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"
Before even hitting the ground, Kaimon and Yuma twisted mid-air and unleashed their signature jutsu toward the window.
Caught mid-leap and unable to evade, Veigar activated:
"Rasengan: Revolving Heaven!"
BOOM...!
The collision of jutsu ignited a violent explosion. Fire and water engulfed the scene, and Kaimon and Yuma grinned at the carnage they'd caused.
But in the very next second, their smiles disappeared.
Veigar surged through the inferno, cloaked in the spiraling force of Rasengan: Revolving Heaven, hurtling straight toward the freshly landed Kaimon Asuka.
Right behind him, Tenkaku came crashing in with a third Rock Fist, while Shōgetsu's glowing red Sharingan locked onto the enemy.
"Yuma Doto, surrender!"
Tenkaku's voice thundered. At the sight of Shōgetsu's eyes behind the mask, cold sweat broke out across Yuma's face.
In the moment their gazes met, Yuma was trapped in Shōgetsu's genjutsu.
Bang!
Tenkaku seized the opportunity and landed a brutal punch to Yuma's head, dropping him to the ground in a heap.
On the other side, Kaimon leapt back just in time to evade Veigar's strike, but his eyes caught the image of Yuma, crippled and motionless.
RUMBLE...
Veigar crashed to the ground, leaving a crater in his wake. Kaimon cursed.
"Damn you, Yuma Doto...!"
Years on the run had taught Kaimon Asuka how to survive. Besides his power and secret techniques, he lived by one rule: never get cornered.
He instantly made the decision to flee.
As long as he could slip into darkness and escape Veigar's line of sight, he was confident he could vanish.
But Veigar wasn't about to let that happen.
He had heard too many tales about the cost of letting enemies escape. You let a snake live, and it bites you later.
As Kaimon turned to run, Veigar struck.
"Teleportation Jutsu!"
With a flicker, Veigar closed the distance.
"Wind Release: Ittō-ryū: lai Slash!"
Blade raised high, Veigar unleashed a devastating strike.
CLANG—!
But Kaimon was no amateur. Sensing the killing intent behind him, he spun and parried with a kunai, deflecting Veigar's full-force slash.
"Konoha's ANBU... Let me go."
Kaimon growled, teeth clenched, straining against Veigar's blade with his kunai. He towered over the shorter ninja, but Veigar didn't budge.
Ignoring the plea, Veigar launched a flurry of attacks, horizontal sweeps, vertical cuts, precise thrusts.
This was the full extent of Veigar's blade mastery.
Kaimon backpedaled, deflecting strike after strike, his kunai clashing against Veigar's ninjatō again and again.
Clang, clang, clang...
The sound of steel rang endlessly.
Kaimon's expression darkened. He was running out of time.
Once Tenkaku and Shōgetsu joined the fray, he knew escape would be near impossible.
Then, just as he felt hope slipping, Veigar made a mistake.
His rhythm broke. His stance opened wide. His blade slowed.
Kaimon's eyes gleamed.
"This is it!"
With a swift kick, he struck Veigar's chest.
THUD!
Veigar tumbled backward, rolling along the ground.
Kaimon prepared to bolt, but then he felt a scorching heat from behind.
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