I founded the "Bragging Cult" in Naruto.

Chapter 234 Even while employed, one should prepare for the next job.

"Are you the pursuit force?"

In the forest, a man with a mouthful of sharp teeth looked at the person wearing the mask of a rogue ninja from Kirigakure who was pursuing him not far away, and then looked at several semi-hidden figures. His voice trembled slightly.

The masked man slowly removed his mask, revealing another mask.

Upon seeing the unfamiliar masks, Usugaki realized what was happening and said in a deep voice, "You're from Konoha's Anbu?!"

"Swoosh~"

A beige figure flashed by, and Tatsuma landed beside Minato, looking at Usakata who had been successfully lured out, and said, "Usakata, a Jonin from Kirigakure?"

Upon seeing the beige trench coat, Usugi immediately recognized the leader and said, "I have never killed a Konoha ninja, nor have I ever done anything to harm the Land of Fire."

We came here simply because we could no longer survive in the Land of Water. As you all know, Kirigakure has been in decline in recent years.

Before he could finish speaking, Chenma interrupted, "Yesterday morning, you broke into an underground casino during the day and murdered the casino owner and his wife, their two children, and the seven junket operators who were with them."

"A total of eleven people were killed, resulting in fourteen deaths, and approximately 700,000 taels of Fire Country currency were stolen. Is this what you mean by never having done anything to harm the Fire Country?"

"What good can casino owners possibly have? They're all scum who ruin people's lives!"

Usugi stared at Tatsuma and said, just when he thought Tatsuma would say something to refute him, he saw Tatsuma nod and say, "Thank you very much for your contribution to the creation of civilized society."

These underground gambling dens, along with their operators and maintainers, are truly scum and should be eradicated as soon as possible. In this respect, I personally admire your actions; you've done a fantastic job in combating gambling.

Tatsuma's sudden gratitude and praise startled Usugaki, who had prepared his defense. Usugaki opened his mouth, unsure what to say, but Tatsuma didn't wait for him to come up with a new explanation before continuing:

"But trash is also trash from our Land of Fire. They are criminals who run illegal underground gambling dens, but you have no right to punish them. What you did is murder and robbery."

Bo Shi pursed her lips and said, "Less than 48 hours have passed. You've investigated very thoroughly. Also, were you mistaken just now? I killed eleven people, how could it have resulted in fourteen deaths?"

"Because you were too nervous, you left three people alive. Garbage, if not cleaned up properly in one go, will split and generate even more garbage. You're welcome."

Even through the mask, Usugi could still "see" the corner of the Konoha ANBU's mouth turn up in a smile. He realized and said, "So you didn't just find me today?"

"If you hadn't broken the law within the Land of Fire, I wouldn't be able to stand on the moral high ground and accuse you today."

After Tatsuma finished speaking, Usugi could no longer suppress his anger. So, he had been hiding in the Land of Fire for so long not because he was lucky enough to escape detection, but because he had been under surveillance all along?

Are they treating him like a fool in Konoha?! This is outrageous!

Usugi understood; he hadn't escaped from these Konoha ANBU through non-combat means. He quickly formed hand seals, and his ninjutsu was activated almost instantly.

"Water Release: Rain Slash!"

Instantly, the surrounding moisture became abundant, the air became humid and heavy, and the ground became slightly muddy. Minato, standing next to Tatsuma, frowned beneath his mask. He had no water-style chakra, and the chakra of his other escaping techniques had become viscous at this moment.

The Rain Cutting Technique is a technique that can cut through chakra and ninjutsu except for Water Release. This technique, along with the Hidden Mist Technique, is the signature ninjutsu of the Hidden Mist Village. Of course, there are not many who have mastered the Rain Cutting Technique, but it has become famous because of its many miraculous feats.

After all, most of the ninjas in Kirigakure are skilled in Water Release, and in areas where only Water Release can be used, the strength of Kirigakure ninjas is practically doubled.

Unless they encounter a ninja who is more skilled in water-style techniques.

"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"

Tatsuma formed a hand seal, the shape of which was so incomprehensible that even some people couldn't understand it. Just as Tatsuma's hands came together, the water vapor in the air suddenly condensed, forming water droplets.

Then, as if it were multiplying and dividing, it rapidly expanded, and in an instant, the water submerged the bodies of several people. Trapped in the water, Bo Shi frowned and kicked his legs, about to leap out of the water.

"Water Release! Shun Shui!"

Suddenly, several whip-like streams of water appeared around Usashiki, lashing at his limbs and torso, while simultaneously wrapping around him, trying to pull him back into the water.

At the same time, Tatsuma did not leave the water like Minato, but ran directly underwater. Although his legs did not touch the ground, but were only in the water, he felt as if he could stand firmly on the ground.

The water flowing around Chenma seemed to offer him no resistance whatsoever; his speed in the water appeared to be exactly the same as, or even faster than, that on flat ground.

Seeing Tatsuma rapidly approaching him in the water, Usugi panicked and forcefully broke free from the water's embrace, standing upside down with one hand supporting himself on the surface of the water.

"Water Release: Water Prison Technique!"

The previously disordered water flow began to swirl, and Tatsuma was drawn into it. Just as he was sealed in the water prison, a kunai emerged from the water and shot towards Usaki Menmon.

Usushi could only turn his head to dodge, because if he made a big movement, the newly formed water prison would break. When he dodged the kunai, his cheek was inevitably scratched.

However, Bo Shi didn't take it to heart. He had the leader of this secret service group under control, so he should be able to negotiate some terms, right?

Suddenly, Usugi realized that the Konoha ANBU member who had been trapped in the water prison had disappeared. At the same time, a chill rose from his back. He pushed off with one hand, rolled on the water, and dodged Tatsuma's backhand kunai thrust.

"Your reaction speed is pretty good."

Tatsuma casually praised him, while Usugi looked at Tatsuma with a serious expression. He didn't understand how Tatsuma had escaped just now. Was it a shadow clone that attacked him from the water from the beginning? Or was it some kind of technique that he didn't know about?

Squatting halfway above the water, Usushi didn't retaliate verbally, but instantly began forming hand seals.

"Hidden Mist Technique!"

Thick fog quickly spread across the battlefield, blocking people's vision to within one or two steps. With each breath, one could feel the stinging sensation from the excessive moisture in their respiratory tract.

Chenma also half-squatted on the water's surface, his five fingers gently supporting the water's surface. Instantly, he read all the information about the entire body of water.

"Minato, to your right rear."

Tatsuma spoke softly. Upon hearing Tatsuma's reminder, Minato did not hesitate for a moment. While dodging to the side, he gathered a chakra ball in his left hand and struck towards the right rear where he had originally stood.

"Bang!"

Minato's palm collided with Usakata's stomach. Usakata fled in pain but was not seriously injured. Minato murmured, "Even a ninjutsu without elemental affinity can be countered? What a miraculous technique."

"At least within this body of water, only water-based techniques can be effective against enemies."

Tatsuma explained, then did a prone forward roll to dodge Usugi's attack, and continued, "You, like Earwig and Wild Vulture, should retreat."

Minato nodded. He didn't know Water Release, and even his Rasengan, Sensory Technique, and other ninjutsu were severely countered. Against a Jonin like Usakata, he really couldn't do much.

Instead of using Flying Thunder God Technique to leave, he chose to use Body Flicker. Usugi had just faced Tatsuma's Flying Thunder God Technique. Although he didn't understand what kind of technique it was, judging from his quick reaction to dodge, he was also a ninja with quick thinking and agility.

Using it even once more might allow the persimmon to see through it, so it's best not to reveal it if possible.

With Tatsuma's reminder, Minato dodged Usugaki's two more attacks and successfully left the water area. Outside the water, the earthen walls on all four sides held back Tatsuma's Great Waterfall Technique, turning it into a swimming pool.

Although the earwig and the wild vulture do not participate in the battle, it doesn't mean they only know how to dispose of corpses; their on-the-spot teamwork is second to none.

After reuniting with the two, Minato looked back at the water and asked, "Should we use Wind Release to dispel the fog?"

Earwig shook his head, his hands gesturing like a cat in a farmer's pocket, and said calmly, "The squad leader doesn't seem to have any intention of attacking yet. Let's wait a bit longer. He's just an ordinary Jonin."

Three years ago, he witnessed the squad leader easily kill a Jonin using his signature move. Given the squad leader's age, the past three years have been a period of rapid development for him. Now, dealing with ordinary Jonin would be even easier for him.

Aside from those veteran Jonin who already have a reputation, and ninjas with secret techniques or bloodline limits, there are very few people who can threaten their class leader.

The squad leaders and even platoon leaders in the Anbu all said that if it weren't for the restrictions of his Anbu identity, this genius squad leader would probably be the youngest Jonin in Konoha, or even the entire ninja world.

Therefore, when Earwig and Wild Eagle heard that the Hokage planned to replace Xiao with Tatsuma as their new class leader, they had no objections whatsoever, because Tatsuma was worthy of the position.

Through the eyes of the insects lurking in the water, the earwig knew that his squad leader wasn't overly focused on mission efficiency and seemed to be changing his combat habits.

The body movements are simpler, and the body is always in a posture of offense and defense, perhaps in preparation for becoming familiar with that technique.

Tatsuma, shrouded in mist, indeed shared this thought. His purpose in accepting missions was to hone his skills. If he pursued efficiency too much, the resulting fighting style might not truly suit him; it would only be suitable for him as an ANBU member.

However, Tatsuma cannot remain an ANBU member forever, so he needs to prepare in advance.

Usugi also realized that Tatsuma was a sensory ninja. Although he did not dispel the fog, he did not hide his figure too much, because no matter how he hid, as long as he came into contact with water, he would be sensed by Tatsuma.

The place where he landed, and even the humid air surrounding him, made him a searchlight that summoned Bradman at night, which was especially noticeable to Tatsuma.

Finally, after his physical and mental reaction speeds slowed down due to excessive physical exhaustion and prolonged intense concentration, Tatsuma decided to wrap things up.

He threw a kunai inscribed with the complete Flying Thunder God Technique at the shikigami, while simultaneously a Rasengan appeared in his hand, infused with water-style chakra to prevent it from being destroyed by the Rain Cutting Technique.

It's not the technique used to deal with Hanzo, but rather the second application of the Water Release: Rasengan.

"Spiral! The art of light water dialysis!"

(End of this chapter)