Kagami and the others all wore astonished expressions as they listened to Hibari.
Then, Hitenn spoke, asking, "S-rank Collaboration Kinjutsu? Deputy Commander, you created such a ninjutsu?"
"You're not bluffing, are you? Able to flatten an area of five hundred meters? Or even a thousand meters?" Kagami also questioned, sounding a bit skeptical.
A five-hundred-meter radius—this range isn't particularly large, nor is it small. Many ninjutsu do have a range that can cover this area. However, normally, a large area of effect doesn't necessarily mean high destructive power.
Techniques like Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld can cover a five-hundred-meter range, but their lethality is limited, and they certainly can't obliterate everything.
This is why Kagami and the others were suspicious. Such ninjutsu are rare, after all.
If Hashirama were saying this, it would be highly credible. In his prime, with one Wood Release: Wood Golem, let alone five hundred meters, he could flatten the entire Land of Water's capital. Or perhaps a powerful jinchūriki unleashing a Tailed Beast Bomb could do it. Or later, Deidara, if he didn't care about his own life and performed his suicide bombing, could flatten ten kilometers.
Seeing their expressions, all of them showing disbelief, Hibari somewhat pretentiously shook his head, then said, "Oh, you truly lack faith in me. I'm telling you, I genuinely possess a ninjutsu capable of completely annihilating everything within a five-hundred-meter radius. I proposed the complete theory for this ninjutsu three or four years ago, and Hiruzen undertook its practical development, ultimately succeeding. This Collaboration ninjutsu is now recorded in our Senju clan's ninjutsu scrolls. Currently, only three people know this ninjutsu: the first is Hiruzen, the second is the Hokage, and the third... is me, Hibari. The reason you don't know this information is because Hokage-sama immediately designated this technique as a Kinjutsu the day it was completed. No information about it is to be leaked, nor is it to be spread."
At this point, Hibari paused, then continued, "If we weren't truly out of options today, I wouldn't want to use such a ninjutsu, nor would I reveal this information to you. In any case, I've said my piece. For the rest, just keep your eyes wide open and watch when the time comes!"
Hearing Hibari speak so earnestly, the others gradually dispelled their doubts, eagerly awaiting Hibari's action to witness it themselves.
"Since that's the case, let's plan out the specifics of how we should act," Kagami nodded and said.
They then began discussing the matter, quickly reaching a conclusion, as they didn't have much time to waste.
"Ten Guardian Ninja are working in shifts, which means five people per group. Therefore, I need you to create some commotion at the Daimyō's Manor to attract the attention of these Guardian Ninja. At the same time, you mustn't pose too great a threat to them, otherwise, they might call for reinforcements, making it ten people. So, you need to control that balance well. Any problems?" Hibari asked softly.
Kagami and Sakumo exchanged glances, then both nodded. Kagami said, "No problem. Sakumo and I will handle this."
Although Hitenn was powerful, his eyes were too distinctive. One wrong move and his identity would be exposed, which would lead to immense trouble, perhaps even requiring more killing to silence witnesses.
"Alright, Hitenn will be responsible for finding the most suitable evacuation route. Once we succeed, don't make any stops. We need to evacuate the Land of Water capital at the fastest speed, find a desolate mountain, and lie low, waiting for the situation and current events to become clear, to see if this war can be sparked," Hibari stated again.
Hitenn knew this was the most suitable task for him, so he responded without hesitation, "Leave it to me, Deputy Commander!"
Next, Hibari looked at the other Anbu members, then said, "Second squad, you're responsible for starting fires in the city and creating a disturbance. The Land of Water's capital must fall into chaos; this will give us a greater chance to evacuate. Third squad, you're responsible for lurking around the Daimyō's Manor. If there are any unexpected reinforcements, you're to intercept them. Fourth squad, you're to rendezvous with us outside the city. Any problems?"
"Yes, Commander!" The other Anbu squad members quickly replied after receiving their orders.
Hibari nodded at this, his expression slightly grim as he continued, "I hope this mission goes smoothly and we can all leave together. But things rarely go perfectly. This mission involves the fate of three nations, so not a single piece of information must be leaked. Our Anbu rule is 'no bodies left behind'... I won't say more; everyone, prepare yourselves mentally!"
Upon hearing Hibari's words, the others didn't respond verbally but all nodded.
Then Hibari glanced out the window again, smiling as he said, "It's still early. Let's have a big dinner tonight, then without further ado, we'll begin operations today!"
After arranging all these matters, Hibari and his team brazenly found the most luxurious restaurant in the entire capital that night. A dozen or so people went in and noisily ate and drank to their hearts' content, devouring over three million ryō of Hibari's money.
Stepping out of the restaurant, Hibari tucked away his slightly deflated wallet and said with some emotion, "Being a leader isn't easy. You gluttons ate over three million ryō in one meal. That's at least the reward for two S-rank missions! Are you even human?"
Kagami picked his teeth with a toothpick, saying, "Everyone knows you're the biggest manager of the Mitsumine Group. Three million ryō shouldn't be too large a sum for you, right? Who told you to buy a hat for over a million ryō? Tonight, our brothers are risking their lives for the mission; it's perfectly normal to have a good meal before we set out."
"You're right. If we're going to risk our lives, we shouldn't shortchange anyone. Those three million ryō weren't wasted; they were well spent... And it's highly beneficial for the mission. Speaking of which, this should count as mission expenses, shouldn't it, Kagami? Hibari said, winking at Kagami.
Kagami also smiled wickedly, saying, "Exactly, it's all necessary for the mission. I'll record it in the ledger so we can claim reimbursement from the village when we get back!"
Hitenn, with a black cloth covering his eyes, listened to Hibari and Kagami's conversation and hesitantly said, "Deputy Commander, isn't what you're doing a bit..."
However, Hibari had no intention of listening to this stiff-necked lecture. He clapped his hands directly and said, "Alright, alright, dismissed. Everyone to your positions, proceed according to the plan!"
As Hibari's words fell, all the Anbu squad members began to move. They dispersed in twos and threes from the area, quickly blending into the crowd and disappearing, and so did Hibari.
That night, on the roof of a certain building in the Land of Water's Daimyō's Manor, Hibari was now dressed in clothing that gave no clue to its origin, and a mask concealed his face.
The Daimyō's Manor was like a giant city within a city, so guarding it tightly with just ten Guardian Ninja was impossible. Therefore, they were mostly hidden in the more critical areas of the manor. The rest of the areas were left to trained ordinary guards to patrol.
These individuals might effectively deter some lawbreakers, but to powerful shinobi like Hibari and his team, they were of little significance.
Hiding on the rooftop, Hibari watched a patrol of guards move away. He formed the hand sign for the Summoning Jutsu and lightly pressed it on the rooftop, activating the technique.
The next second, Hiyoko, clad in pajamas, appeared here looking utterly bewildered. Then, his body rapidly transformed, and in a blink, he became identical to Hibari, truly incredible.
"Damn it, you called me up to this rooftop in the middle of the night. You're definitely up to no good again!" Hiyoko glared at Hibari, cursing softly.
"You bastard, I'm out here risking my life on a top-secret mission, and you're enjoying a happy life in the village, going to bed early and waking up early! Who's the clone here?!" Hibari said, displeased, upon hearing Hiyoko.
"Aren't we one and the same? If I enjoyed myself, it's like you enjoyed yourself too..." Hiyoko said shamelessly.
However, Hibari couldn't be bothered to argue with him. Time was of the essence, so he quickly began explaining the plan.
"Soon, Kagami and Sakumo will create some commotion in the manor. At that time, we'll infiltrate the Daimyō's sleeping quarters. Then, I'll create two more shadow clones to assist you. You'll unleash the S-rank Collaboration Kinjutsu there that can completely obliterate that private chamber... No problem?" Hibari explained simply and clearly.
Hiyoko looked bewildered and said, "You're going to nuke the Land of Water's Daimyō's Manor? How many people will die?"
"What Daimyō's Manor? It's just a private sleeping chamber, roughly five hundred meters... It'll involve at most twenty people. As shinobi, this is our fate; how can our hands not be stained with blood? Given the scale of this mission, twenty people is already very few!" Hibari quickly retorted.
"That's true, we can't be too soft-hearted..." Hiyoko nodded, then paused slightly, looking surprised. "Wait a minute, how many meters did you just say it would cover?"
"Five hundred meters..." Hibari said, looking a bit awkward.
"Five hundred meters? Hibari, you haven't forgotten our assessment of this technique, have you? The safe casting range for this technique is a maximum of three hundred meters. Any coverage beyond three hundred meters, and the caster will be caught in it, and whether they survive is anyone's guess!" Hiyoko said angrily.
The 'Mini-Hydrogen Bomb Jutsu' that Hibari's group possessed had a minimum effective range of about two hundred meters and could completely annihilate an area up to three kilometers at its strongest. However, the maximum safe casting distance was three hundred meters. So, if the area of effect exceeded three hundred meters, it would definitely be a 'mutual annihilation' ninjutsu, and survival would depend on sheer luck.
"Why else do you think I called you? Don't worry, I'll revive you as quickly as possible," Hibari said, patting Hiyoko's shoulder.
"Are you sick in the head? This jutsu isn't complicated; couldn't you have just found another shadow clone to do it? Do you specifically want me to die?" Hiyoko said, extremely displeased.
"That's true, but this mission is no small matter. All the Anbu members from our three squads have their lives riding on this. What if a shadow clone runs into trouble? You're the one I trust more!" Hibari said very seriously.
Hearing Hibari's words, Hiyoko fell silent, then said, "I must be crazy to trust you. You're the boss; you call the shots!"
"Hahaha, that's more like it!" Hibari replied with a smile.
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