Clash

Not being a man who forgot the old just because of the new. Shiki also made a point to keep all of his girls who were already in relationships with him happy.

Making sure he spent at least a full day or two with each of them, just for the sole purpose of enjoyed their presence and allowing them to enjoy having his full attention, even if just for while because he knew they all loved it.

On the side of Mugetsu, were things kept moving perfectly, even without Shiki's presence, something which would've delighted him if he had been keeping track of Mugetsu's movements which he was not.

But, with the organization's expanding influence and operations, clashes with other organizations were inevitable and, for the very first time and just when Shiki was away, a member of his Mugetsu had crossed paths with a genin team from Konoha on a mission.

Since a while back Mugetsu was always interested in helping small countries with their troubles. They would use both soft and herd means to bring their Daimyos and officials to their side and claim these smaller countries so as to grow its territory.

To Mugetsu, resources were limitless and with their virtually endless automaton army, they had no difficulty in holding huge amounts of territory. Ground to expand upon, was the only thing Mugetsu couldn't have enough of.

With Shiki's peerless fuinjutsu and large scale barriers along with automata armies and teleportation gates, Mugetsu was the least afraid of a defensive war. Even multiple isolated territories could be held and fighting a war on multiple fronts would be easy.

As such, there was virtually no demerit in gathering more territory but it still had a lot of benefits to bring to the table. While they had endless resources, Mugetsu needed space for production facilities that could turn these resources into power.

Not to mention that more territories meant more teleportation points which meant more mobility and a greater capacity to start attacks at multiple different locations.

While Shiki was enjoying his holidays, Chino was heading on such small country, in full Mugetsu uniform with a cloak, a mask reminiscent to that of the Reaper's and a Chakra Armor.

There were a few Bandits causing trouble, some of them had shinobi training and so, it was difficult for the small country and its soldiers to resist them.

This situation, provided the perfect opportunity for Mugetsu to lull over the small country to their side but the officials were divided and the Daimyo had yet to make a decision in regards to the matter.

One faction, hired Mugetsu, who sent Chino to deal with the matter, while the other faction put forth a request to Konoha that dispatched Team 3, Hyuga Neji, Tenten and Rock Lee to deal with the bandits.

In the Daimyo's castle, the two representatives of the factions that divided the court were now introducing the the hep they had hired.

"My liege, this is the help sent by Mugetsu. Chiryu-sama!" An official introduced.

Chiryu, or Blood Dragon, was Chino's codename in the organization and the one she used on missions since every official member of Mugetsu was incognito.

"Hmph!" Another official snorted.

"It seems Mugetsu is truly not sincere in only sending a single soldier!" He shouted.

"Konoha sent a squad of three capable warriors to help us!" The official announced.

Chino then spoke with a disguised voice.

"Konoha sent three genin, the lowest rank of shinobi. While I am a jonin, the highest rank, that, is Mugetsu's sincerity." She chillingly declared, shutting up the blustering official.

Meanwhile, the Konoha trio remained quite but Neji was closely examining the so called Chiryu-sama that came from Mugetsu.

The conversation was not progressing at all after Chino had spoken so the Daimyo intervened.

"I shall ask for the assistance of both parties, the payment will be made and as for my decision in regards to our Land's course of action my officials, It shall be done only after this bandit problem is resolved." The Daimyo decreed.

"As you will it Daimyo-sama!" Everyone answered before they were dismissed.

Both Chino and the Konoha trio left the castle afterwards so as to do their job and at this time, Neji had pulled his teammates closer and whispered to them.

"Did you see that Chiryu mask?" He asked.

"What about it?" Lee asked back.

Tenten on the other hand seemed to realize something as her expression showed shock.

"Doesn't it look like . . ." Neji continued but Tenten finished his words.

"The Reaper's mask . . ."

"Exactly." Neji supported.

"isn't that the nukenin that left the village after killing a group of Ambu?" Lee said with surprise.

"That's right." Tenten said.

"Should we question Chiryu?" She suggested.

"Hmm . . . Although unlikely, it might be a coincidence. Let's us ask politely first, if she depending on her answer, we either investigate her stealthily if she is suspicious, leave her alone if she is not." Neji declared.

"What if she straight up admits to a connection?" Lee asked.

"Then we take her down!" Tenten replied.

""Agreed!"" Neji and Lee both supported.

Having settled on their course of action, Team 3 intercepted Chino out of the capital city as she calmly went to the bandits hideout.

With Mugetsu's capabilities, Chino already knew where the bandits hid, way before coming to the country for her mission, as such, she had utterly no need to track the bandits at all. Her plan was to wait until all of the bandits gathered at their hideout and take them all out in one fell swoop.

Before that though, the tille flies they had just intercepted her, had to be dealt with . . .

"The folk from Konoha!" Chino said as a greeting.

"Want something from me?" She asked.

"Just a few questions if that's alright." Neji replied.

"What if it isn't?" Chino asked, this time releasing some killing intent.

The three genin immediately entered battle positions.

"Nice reactions!" Chino praised.

"But I was just joking." She giggled.

"You can ask anything." She continued, making the trio relax just a bit while still keeping their guards up.

"I don't guarantee I'll answer though!" Chino said before giggling again, somewhat irritating Tenten but the other two seemed fine with her answer and Neji began to ask his questions.

"Do you know the Reaper?" He inquired.

"Of course! He's quite famous after all." Chino answered in a bright tone.

'Hehehe! I wonder what would their reaction be if they knew who the Reaper actually is.' She deviously thought as she gave her answer.

"Your mask." Neji pointed to Chino's mask.

"What about it?" Chino countered.

"It looks just like his." Neji pointed out.

"That's nothing strange!" Chino exclaimed.

"He did made it for me, after all." She explained with pride.

Hearing this, all three Konoha genin once again got ready to fight.

"Why the hostility?" Chino asked.

"You are associated with a nukenin from our village!" Tenten condemned.

"And proud of it too!" Chino taunted.

"In the entirety of Konoha, the people I respect and admire can be counted on one's hand." Chino said.

"Let us see how you three compare to them, shall we?" She challenged.

"Oh? Enlighten us on who those individuals are." Lee inquired.

"Lady Tsunade, her assistant Shizune and one other but . . . most of all, Uzumaki Shiki" Chino declared.

"Shiki-san?" Neji asked.

"Yes, I don't think I'll ever be half as good as him." CHino replied with admiration.

"Who do you think is stronger, Shiki-san . . . or the Reaper?" Lee curiously probed.

"I would guess their pretty well matched." Chino declared.

"But enough talk! Show me what you've all got!" She challenged.

"""As you wish!""" The trio shouted as they started their attack.

Tenten jumped back and unleashed a barrage of shuriken as cover for Lee and Neji to draw closer but alas, they had severely underestimated who their opponent was.

Chino easily and gracefully dodged all the projectiles and confidently played around with the two genin in close combat, dodging all of their blows without even bothering to fight back and without even needing to block.

Spotting an opening, Tenten threw out a flying weapon while Lee and Neji pincer attacked Chino from the sides but the small girl just flipped back, dodging the taijutsu blows and threw a kunai to intercept Tenten's attack.

"You're already better than most genin but still far too weak to handle the likes of me." Chino domineeringly said.

The Konoha trio was not happy with the words but the knew they were seriously outmatched.

"Now, it's my turn!" Chino shouted as she activated her Ketsuryugan.

'Ketsuryugan: Bloodsurge'

One of the new Ketsuryugan jutsu she and Shiki had developed, it temporarily strengthened all of the user's physical abilities and reaction speed.

Chino use Body Flicker to instantly close the distance between her and Tenten and, before her opponent could even defend herself, she was hit with a powerful palm.

'Ketsuryugan: Blood Freeze'

This jutsu could paralyze anyone touched by the user for a period of time, based on their strength and the amount of chakra used the freeze them.

'Ketsuryugan: Blood Dragon Song'

This one was made by Shiki and it produced blood dragons that were like living beings. The could even perform a few of his and Chino's Ketsuryugan jutsu.

Once again using the 'Ketsuryugan: Blood Freeze', this time through the dragons created by the 'Ketsuryugan: Blood Dragon Song'.

Chino paralyzed the other two genin who had no way of fighting back and went on her way whistling as if she had done nothing at all. Leaving the poor young ninja wallowing in their humiliating defeat.

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P.a.t.r.e.o.n is officially up!

The link is: https://www.p.a.t.r.e.o.n.com/lusoba without the extra dots of course.

You'll get to read up to FOUR week ahead, a full month, but I'll still post here.

There's also my other novel Archon of DanMachi, do check it out!

I would greatly appreciate any support since this is going to be my breadwinner.