Naruto: I have an attribute panel

Chapter 458 A Person's Name and the Shadow of a Tree

Star Ninja Village.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone.

puff!

The sound of pain penetrating flesh.

But it didn't pierce the heart of the night star.

At the last moment, Ye Xing used his last bit of strength to turn to the side, and the kunai plunged deep into his lower back. The old man's body shuddered violently, blood gushed from his mouth, and his eyes instantly went blank.

However, Beidou's first strike missed its vital point, and without hesitation, he drew his kunai and stabbed down again!

"Hokuto, you traitor!" Several Chunin roared as they charged forward.

However, the other three Chunin beside Hokuto suddenly attacked, their kunai and daggers not aimed at Hokuto, but at their comrades who rushed up to them!

A scream rang out.

Trust crumbles in an instant. The already fragile defenses are utterly torn apart from within.

"We surrender! Lord Red Star, we are willing to pledge our loyalty to you!" Hokuto, leading the three traitorous Chunin, scrambled towards Red Star, their faces filled with obsequiousness and fear. "The star is in the tower! We'll take you there!"

Hongxing watched this dramatic scene with an extremely pleased smile on his face.

"Very good." He nodded approvingly, then turned his gaze to Xia Rixing and the remaining twenty-odd Star Ninjas who, though wavering, had not yet taken the final step. His eyes instantly turned cold. "Then—the remaining stubborn ones have no reason to exist."

He slowly raised his hand.

"Kill them all."

Kakuzu was already impatient. After all this talk, it's finally time to make a move.

He formed hand seals with such speed that only afterimages remained.

Fire Release: Head Carving!

Wind Release: Pressure Damage!

The wind fanned the flames, and the fire, fueled by the wind, instantly formed a raging tornado of fire, like a roaring crimson python, sweeping towards the Star Ninjas crowded in front of the tower! Even before the flames arrived, the terrifying heat distorted the air and scorched the ground.

"Defense!" Xia Rixing screamed hoarsely, desperately channeling her remaining chakra, and a pale purple peacock-themed barrier unfolded in front of her.

The other Star Ninjas who were still able to move also used defensive ninjutsu, such as water jutsu or earth walls.

However, the gap in strength was too great.

Kakuzu's complex ninjutsu was far beyond the capabilities of these exhausted Star Ninja.

boom!!!

The fiery tornado crashed into the barrier.

The standoff lasted for less than two seconds.

With a crisp "crack," the barrier forged by Xia Rixing's Peacock Magic shattered like glass. She spat out a mouthful of blood, her entire body thrown back by the shockwave of the explosion, crashing heavily against the tower's gate before sliding to the ground, unable to get up again.

With the barrier shattered, the defensive ninjutsu behind it became even more vulnerable.

Flames engulfed the five ninjas in the front row. A series of agonizing screams rang out and then abruptly stopped; they were burned to a crisp in just two seconds.

The heat wave, carrying with it the stench of burnt flesh, hit us in the face.

"Water Release! Use Water Release now!" someone shouted in terror.

Several ninjas skilled in water-style techniques hurriedly formed hand seals.

Water Escape·Water Formation Wall!

However, the hastily erected water wall was like child's play in the face of the raging fire and wind, instantly evaporating into a cloud of white mist. The scalding steam burned several ninjas, and screams of agony rang out once more.

"Aaaaaah—!" The young ninja, who had a weaker mental fortitude, completely broke down, dropped his weapon, and turned to run into the tower.

Red Star grinned maliciously: "Trying to run?"

The chakra beside him transformed into a giant wolf, which pounced with lightning speed and bit the young ninja on the back of the neck.

With a snap, the neck bone broke.

The giant wolf tossed its head, and the corpse flew out like a tattered sack, crashing into the tower wall before sliding softly to the ground.

massacre.

A one-sided massacre.

Kakuzu and Hiruko were like two highly efficient killing machines; one used wide-range ninjutsu to mercilessly sweep away enemies, while the other used bizarre abilities and taijutsu to precisely kill targets.

Red Star, on the other hand, controls the Chakra Beast, hunting down every single one that tries to escape or resist.

The Star Ninjas fell like wheat.

Despair, like a cold, venomous snake, coils around the heart of every survivor.

In just three minutes.

Fewer than ten Star Ninjas remained standing. They leaned against the tightly closed doors of the tower, with nowhere left to retreat, their eyes filled with despair.

Xia Rixing struggled to get up, but could only vomit more blood. She looked at the corpses of her comrades scattered on the ground, at the Third Generation Star Shadow who had been held hostage by a traitor and whose fate was unknown, and at the three enemies in front of her who were like demons. Tears mixed with blood blurred her vision.

"Let's end this." Kakuzu spoke coldly, his hands forming a hand seal once more. This time, lightning gathered in his palms.

Hiruko also raised his hand, aiming it at the last few people.

Red Star was filled with pride, as if he could already see himself holding the star in his hand and his power surging.

However----

Kakuzu's hand, which was forming a hand seal, suddenly stopped.

His green pupils contracted sharply, and he abruptly turned his head to look in the direction of Death Valley. For the first time, a look of solemnity appeared on his face—no, it was one of surprise and uncertainty.

Almost simultaneously, Hiruko also sensed something, and his brows furrowed tightly.

"What's wrong?" Hongxing noticed their unusual behavior and asked with displeasure. They were just about to completely eliminate these obstacles.

The horn ignored him and quickly closed its eyes, as if trying to sense something.

A moment later, he suddenly opened his eyes and whispered rapidly to Hiruko, "Go!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Beiruhu nodded.

The next moment, to Red Star's astonishment, Kakuzu's black robe billowed, and four jet-black Earth Grudge Mask monsters split off, fell to the ground, and quickly expanded into four monsters wearing white masks and made of black tentacles.

At the same time, a large clump of Earthly Vengeful Tentacles flew out from his sleeve, twisting and writhing, and actually transformed into another "Kakuzu," standing in place.

Hiruko performed the same action, creating a shadow clone to replace himself.

After doing all this, Kakuzu's true form and Hiruko's true form exchanged a glance and simultaneously used the Body Flicker Technique without hesitation!

puff!puff!

The two figures turned into wisps of smoke and vanished instantly, leaving only afterimages that slowly dissipated.

All of this happened too fast. From the moment Kakuzu sensed something was wrong to the moment the two left behind clones and their main bodies fled, it took only three seconds in total.

Hongxing was completely dumbfounded.

"Hey! Kakuzu! Hiruko! What are you two up to?!"

He roared at the Earth Grudge Clone and Hiruko Shadow Clone left behind by Kakuzu.

Kakuzu's Earth Grudge Fear clone spoke in a completely emotionless, mechanical voice: "An extremely strong chakra reaction is approaching at high speed. There are five of them, one of which is extremely dangerous. It has been identified as Matsushita Taichi of Konoha. The mission risk has increased dramatically. Recommendation: Evacuate immediately."

After speaking, the four Earth Grudge Masked Monsters and the clone all turned towards the canyon, assuming a defensive posture. Hiruko's shadow clone also silently assumed a fighting stance.

Hong Xing was struck dumb, his face turning deathly pale instantly.

Panasonic Taichi?

That white death god?

How did he get here? And so quickly?

Judging from how Kakuzu and Hiruko handled the situation, this guy was clearly not someone he could deal with on his own.

Fear, like ice water poured over his head, instantly extinguished his previous fervor and smugness.

He looked at the less than ten remaining Star Ninjas who were almost powerless to resist, then at the clones left behind by Kakuzu and Hiruko that were clearly just stalling for time, and finally looked towards the direction of the canyon. Although he couldn't see them yet, the increasingly approaching and terrifying sense of oppression was already overwhelming him as if it were a tangible thing!

run?

Is it too late to run now?

No—the stars are inside the tower! Within reach! For them, he betrayed the village, his hands stained with the blood of his comrades, and he spent all his savings hiring Kakuzu and the others—now give up?

In Red Star's eyes, fear and greed intertwined madly. In the end, the obsession and madness deeply rooted in his bones and twisted by the stars overwhelmed reason.

He whirled around, his eyes bloodshot as he glared at the last few Star Ninja, the dying Natsumi Hoshino, and the Third Hoshikage, letting out a beast-like roar: "It's all your fault! You forced me into this! Even if I die—I'll get the stars first!"

The chakra lions, wolves, and bears formed by the Peacock Technique beside him roared silently and pounced on the last survivor!

At the edge of the sky, a streak of light was tearing through the air, hurtling down towards this infernal sea of ​​fire!

Outside of Hoshinin Village.

Kakuzu and Hiruko were fleeing at top speed.

"Kakuzu-senpai, is it really okay not to take Kurenai with us? He's one of our missions on this trip, after all."

Hiruko couldn't help but look back in the direction of Hoshigakure. Kurenai's fate made him feel a sense of shared sorrow, after all, he was also a newcomer who had only recently joined.

Kakuzu glanced sideways at Hiruko with his emerald green eyes, as if he could see through what Hiruko was thinking, and for once, he had the leisure to explain.

"First of all, Red Star is only a probationary member, and we have no obligation to be responsible for his life or death."

Secondly, as a rogue ninja of Konoha, don't you know Matsushita Taichi? Without anyone to slow him down, do you think we can escape? I don't want to fight a battle without money; that simply doesn't align with my principles.

Finally, the most important thing about our trip is getting to the Land of Demons. We've already wasted too much time here, and if we stay any longer, the chief will be angry.

Hiruko had no reply and just kept going. Kakuzu was right, but what really moved Hiruko was the second point: if they didn't leave anyone behind to stop Matsushita Taichi's advance, they might not be able to escape. In the end, his own life was more important.

Just as the two were sprinting, a familiar vibration came from their hands.

It's true what they say, speak of the devil and he appears.

We were just talking about the leader, and now the leader has come looking for us.

While fleeing, the two established a three-way communication network with Payne, who was at the Rain Country base, through their respective rings.

In the realm of consciousness, Pain cut to the chase: "Where are you now? The Land of Demons has already begun its attack, why haven't you arrived yet?"

The two sighed inwardly. It was exactly what they feared. They had just said they might be reprimanded by the leader, but it had come true so quickly.

Kakuzu briefly reported their situation to Pain, emphasizing that most of their previous attempts to recruit new members were going to fail, and that Konoha's Matsushita Taichi had unexpectedly intervened.

Upon hearing Taiyi's name, Payne fell silent. How come he always runs into this guy?

"Do you know why he came? Is he here specifically to target us?"

"We don't know. We just met him, and we're still in danger. We have no idea what his purpose is."

Kakuzu waited in silence for a long time before receiving a reply from Pain. Just as he was wondering if the ring was broken, Pain's voice came again, but no matter how Kakuzu listened, he felt that it contained so much helplessness.

"Don't worry about Red Star; he's dispensable anyway. You all need to hurry to the Land of Ghosts. Xuan (Jue) and San (Blood Raven) need manpower to cooperate. This mission cannot fail."

"Yes."

"clear."

As the call ended, Kakuzu and Hiruko exchanged a glance, then changed direction and headed towards the Land of Demons.

Once the Star Village entered Taiichi's chakra perception range, everything that happened there was no longer a secret.

The violent fluctuations of chakra, the stench of blood, the crackling of flames, the dying howls and desperate cries—all this information flooded into Taiyi's senses like a tidal wave.

He "saw" the carnage in front of the forbidden tower, the chakra beasts slaughtering indiscriminately, and the two familiar figures dressed in black robes with red clouds.

In particular, the ninja with green eyes was Kakuzu, the one who threw a shuriken at Hashirama Senju from a few hundred meters away and then boasted that he had fought Hashirama Senju.

The other figure had a strange aura, but Taiyi was unable to immediately identify its specific identity.

He remained outwardly calm, maintaining his flight speed, and spoke in a composed tone to the person behind him who was being pulled by chains and was anxiously waiting—

"The situation is worse than expected," said the fiery firefly. "A fierce battle is taking place in the village, and the casualties are heavy."

Among the attackers were those who used techniques similar to your Peacock Magic, and two extremely powerful outsiders, all dressed in matching black robes with red cloud patterns.

Upon hearing this, Yinghuo Xing was struck dumb, her face instantly turning deathly pale. A black robe with red clouds? Wasn't that the attire of the terrifying organization "Akatsuki," which had been secretly circulating in the ninja world in recent years?

"Lord Taiichi! Please hurry! The village—the village can't hold on any longer!"

Firefly's voice was filled with sobs and despair. Even from this distance, he could imagine the horrific scene from Taiichi's brief description.

"I'm already moving at top speed." Taiichi's tone remained calm, even somewhat distant. "And, Lord Firefly Star, I need to remind you. With your strength, even if you catch up, you'll only be going to your death."

He paused, his voice carrying a businesslike calm, "Furthermore, Konoha and Hoshigakure are not allied villages. My mission here is to investigate the disappearance of Konoha ninjas. Rashly intervening in the internal affairs of other countries and the internal conflicts of ninja villages is not in line with Konoha's diplomatic principles and may also trigger unnecessary international disputes."

These words were like ice water, extinguishing the last glimmer of hope in Firefly's heart.

He understood what Taiichi meant: Konoha's "White Reaper" would not shed blood for Hoshigakure without compensation.

Despair clung to his heart like cold vines.

He could sense that Taiyi was indeed accelerating, at least twice as fast as him.

Even if they arrived, with their own abilities, even if they risked their lives, they would be like a mantis trying to stop a chariot against an enemy capable of creating such a situation.

Are we just supposed to watch helplessly as Hoshigakure is destroyed, and as the Third Hoshikage and Natsumi Hoshi die at the hands of traitors and the Akatsuki?

No! There is still hope! The only hope lies in this powerful person ahead!

Firefly suddenly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot, yet burning with a desperate determination.

He no longer cared about dignity or the village's independence, shouting almost in a hoarse voice, "Lord Tai! Please save Hoshigakure! This—this is not internal interference! This—this is a formal request for assistance from Hoshigakure to Konohagakure!"

The S-rank mission's objective is to assist Star Ninja Village in quelling an internal rebellion and expelling or annihilating invading enemies!

He was panting heavily, speaking rapidly, as if afraid that if he spoke too slowly Taiichi would refuse: "Mission reward! Hoshigakure is willing to give all its savings! And—and! As long as Konoha is willing to lend a helping hand and help us through this calamity, Hoshigakure is willing to follow Konoha's lead! Within reasonable limits, we will obey Konoha's orders! We only ask—we only ask that you take action!"

As she uttered these words, Firefly seemed to have used up all her strength, her eyes fixed on Tai's back, awaiting his judgment.

Taiyi remained silent for a moment, the wind whistling in his ears as he flew.

The nine-tailed fox on his shoulder pouted and let out a soft whimper, as if to say "trouble".

The three little ones behind him also held their breath nervously. Even though they were as innocent as the little ones, they could feel the heavy atmosphere and the desperate plea from Firefly.

Finally, Taiyi sighed softly, his voice seeming to soften a bit, carrying a sense of "reluctance": "An S-class mission—and the diplomatic promises made afterward?"

"Very well, the Akatsuki is a dangerous organization that threatens the safety of the ninja world, and the disappearances of my Konoha ninjas are likely related to them. For both public and private reasons, we cannot stand idly by."

He tilted his head slightly, his peripheral vision catching a glimpse of Yinghuoxing's face, a mixture of expectation and despair.

"Alright. Konoha will accept this mission."

Firefly was stunned at first, then a surge of immense joy and gratitude welled up in her heart, almost bringing tears to her eyes.

He knew that this promise came at a huge cost, but at this moment, nothing was more important than the survival of the village.

Taiichi, however, stared straight ahead with sharp eyes. Even without Firefly's promise, having encountered the Akatsuki organization, especially Kakuzu, he had no reason to let them go.

Now, it's just adding a layer of "legitimacy" to the upcoming battle.