Even Kurein was shocked, his face full of disbelief.
"My god, could it be that this time Junmaru really helped the right person?"
Out on the sea, the summoned kaijū (sea monster) thrashed wildly. The mist that had cleared over the waves suddenly gathered again, becoming dense and impenetrable.
Shigeo had already returned to the ship, placing Akahana (Red Jade) down gently.
"Thank you!" Akahana looked at him with deep gratitude, the more she looked at the boy, the more touched she felt.
"It's nothing! Be careful, I'll go check things out…"
But the sea right beside the ship was now impossible to see through. The kaijū kept surging forward, snarling ferociously as they came in waves.
Their purpose was clear. They did not attack the merchant ship itself—because of the valuable cargo on board. The pirates who summoned them needed that cargo to trade for money. So they only attacked the crew and the shinobi.
"Ahhh!" A sailor was caught off guard, dragged into the water by a kaijū, vanishing instantly.
"Everyone, get below deck!" Shigeo shouted loudly.
In the sky above, Tensei watched everything unfold. His brows furrowed tightly, his mind spinning with calculations—trying to figure out the best way to eliminate that annoying brat.
Meanwhile, his own teammates couldn't hold on anymore. Two of them had already been devoured by kaijū, but Tensei didn't care at all.
"Help me!" Tenma, the shinobi captain, cried out in desperation.
Shigeo dashed forward, sprinting straight toward the sound. He grabbed Tenma with one hand, then spun around and unleashed a Katon (Fire Release) blast.
The searing heat forced back more than a dozen kaijū. Using that opening, Shigeo successfully saved Tenma from being eaten alive.
Though injured, Tenma was able to return to the ship. He gasped for breath, his face pale, then turned his furious gaze toward Tensei floating in the sky.
He grit his teeth so hard that he couldn't even form words.
He truly began to suspect—had the Hoshigakure raised a traitorous wolf? Tensei was watching his own comrades get slaughtered without lifting a finger.
"Tensei, what are you doing?" Tenma roared, his voice trembling. "We're a squad!"
Tensei sneered. "My leg was injured, don't you care about that? But don't worry, I'll avenge all of you!"
Suddenly, his chakra exploded outward, his body glowing with power. He dove down toward the sea.
"Today, I'll show you my strength as the future Hoshikage of Hoshigakure—Kujaku Myōhō (Peacock Secret Technique)!"
A massive surge of chakra burst across the waves. The agonized cries of kaijū echoed one after another.
Shigeo's eyes widened. So this was the Peacock Secret Technique of Hoshigakure—its destructive power truly was overwhelming.
But Tenma and Akahana frowned even deeper. Neither of them felt relieved.
Akahana whispered to Tenma, "He clearly could've ended this in one blow… why wait until now? And why did he say 'avenge all of you' when we're still alive?"
Those questions suddenly made everything clear.
Why did he float in the sky, watching his comrades die without moving? Why did his angry words carry a strange meaning? Why insist on coming along for this mission at sea?
The truth became apparent.
He wanted to kill the other four members of his own squad.
Back in Hoshigakure, Tensei had always clashed with many shinobi—especially Tenma and Ritsu. He hadn't dared act inside the village, because Hanabi and Hotaru, two others capable of using the Peacock Technique, could've stopped him.
So instead, he forced himself onto this mission, planning to wipe them all out at sea.
Shigeo heard this and turned toward his two companions. He realized that Tensei not only drew hatred in the village, but also bore grudges deep enough to scheme this far—to kill his comrades in such a ruthless way.
Tenma's eyes went cold, locking on Tensei above. "It's true that absorbing star chakra for years can change a person's nature. But if someone turns into a conniving monster who murders his comrades… then I'd rather our village never produce such people!"
Even now, Tenma didn't want to believe it. But the truth was glaring right in front of him.
"Hahahaha! Hoshigakure should be led by someone like me as Hoshikage! Why wouldn't you even let me be captain? Why him? Today I'll show you my true power!"
He spun around suddenly, unleashing another attack—but this time, aimed directly at the Sea Conch (the ship).
The pirates hidden in the mist were stunned.
"What's this? That guy's helping us? Could it be he wants to join us?"
"With his power, we should recruit him!"
Even though they had lost some kaijū, Tensei's betrayal tipped the balance. The situation had reversed, now turning in the pirates' favor.
Tensei's Peacock Technique shot toward the Sea Conch. The sailors were already inside the cabin, but they could see everything through the windows.
"He's attacking us!"
"Is he insane?"
The massive chakra wave surged downward. If it struck the Sea Conch, the ship would be split apart instantly.
The pirates yelled from the mist, "Don't damage the ship! We need the cargo to sell!"
"It's over… all over…" The captain collapsed to the floor, his face pale with terror.
Boom! The explosion shook the Sea Conch violently.
The mist, the pirates, the crew, the captain, the last two surviving Hoshigakure shinobi—all despaired, believing it was the end.
But when the blinding light faded, everyone was stunned.
Because that six-year-old boy had caught the chakra blast with his bare hands. Not only that, but he was completely unharmed, holding it in a countering stance. The Sea Conch remained untouched.
Kurein rushed out of the cabin in shock, followed by the sailors. Even Tenma and Akahana glared furiously at Tensei in the sky.
"You brat… so you could block my Peacock Technique. But what about now? Can you block this one?" Tensei roared, beginning a new set of hand seals, preparing an even greater attack.
Shigeo shot forward, leaping into the sky, shifting the battlefield away from the ship.
(End of Chapter)
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