"Someone?"
The Third Hoshikage was startled, and the surrounding Anbu also became vigilant, but most of their attention was still on Natsuhi.
After all, it was very likely that she was trying to trick them because she didn't want to hand over the meteorite.
"Everyone, be alert for external enemies!" The Third Hoshikage did not doubt Natsuhi, but immediately gave the order.
Immediately, all the Anbu began to observe their surroundings.
"Oh my, your perception is quite strong, isn't it?" At this moment, Takuno, wearing a mask, appeared on a large tree, sitting there lazily, looking at them, especially the meteorite in Natsuhi's hand.
"I was planning to wait until you gave the meteorite to this old man before making my move, but it seems the plan has fallen through."
"Who are you? Are you also here to steal the meteorite?!" Natsuhi asked vigilantly.
"Me? You can call me a ninja who likes to collect strange things." At this point, Takuno started to lament again, saying, "I was stopped by someone in the Land of Rain before, you guys aren't going to stop me too, are you?"
He stared at Natsuhi, maintaining a persona completely different from his usual self.
"There's no way I'm giving you the meteorite!" Natsuhi said.
"Why? Isn't that meteorite harmful? Training with it will definitely leave consequences, just like your husband; his body probably won't last another year or two." Takuno asked curiously.
Immediately, Natsuhi's eyes widened, and she involuntarily looked at her husband.
He was also stunned for a moment after hearing Takuno's words. He could feel that there was something wrong with his body, but he didn't expect that he would only have one or two years left to live.
Seeing Natsuhi's gaze, he said, "Natsuhi, didn't we already know about this? And isn't it because we don't want our descendants to continue our tragedy that we stole the meteorite?"
Natsuhi said nothing, only a hint of sorrow appeared in her eyes.
They didn't doubt Takuno's words, because such were the side effects of the meteorite.
The Third Hoshikage also sighed from the side. Natsuhi and the others had discovered it, so how could he not have discovered this flaw?
"So, since you've already decided not to use it, can you give it to me?" Takuno asked again.
"You also know the danger of the meteorite, why do you still want this thing?" Natsuhi had calmed down by now and asked.
"Didn't I say? I'm a ninja who collects strange things. Although it can't be used, something that can help people increase Chakra is definitely a rare treasure." Takuno said.
After listening, Natsuhi calmly said, "Sorry, I cannot give you the meteorite."
"Oh my, it seems peaceful negotiation has failed then." Takuno said, and a Kunai appeared in his hand.
Natsuhi's eyes also narrowed, and without hesitation, she formed hand seals. Several tail-like materialized Chakra suddenly surged from her back.
Kujaku Myōhō!
Takuno felt the materialized Chakra and was somewhat amazed.
Chakra materialization is not something that can be easily achieved; it only forms when the quantity is large enough, such as Naruto's rampaging Tailed Beast Chakra in the original work.
Currently, Natsuhi certainly doesn't have that much Chakra, but she can materialize Chakra, which shows the meteorite's doing.
Amidst his amazement, Takuno did not pause, forming a few hand seals.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Jutsu!"
Then, from the dew on the surrounding trees, a giant dragon made of water condensed and rushed towards Natsuhi and her companions.
"Kujaku Myōhō: Bear Demon!"
Natsuhi felt the power of the water dragon, and a serious expression appeared in her eyes. The materialized Chakra behind her quickly shifted, forming a gigantic bear that pounced towards the water dragon.
"Bang!!"
Water mist scattered across the ground, and at the same time, the giant bear also paused, seeming to be evenly matched.
But the Bear Demon did not disappear; under Natsuhi's control, it pounced towards Takuno again, as if wanting to tear him apart.
"That's quite impressive." Takuno exclaimed. Since his Chakra volume increased, the power of his Ninjutsu had greatly improved, and being shattered like this also proved the power of Kujaku Myōhō.
Looking at the pouncing Chakra giant bear, a sphere of Chakra condensed in his hand.
"Rasengan!"
In just an instant, the Rasengan collided with the Chakra giant bear.
Immediately, a strong white light erupted from the point of impact, and this light caused almost everyone to squint their eyes involuntarily.
"Is it resolved?" The surrounding Anbu couldn't help but think.
"As expected of Lady Natsuhi!"
They all marveled, the Kujaku Myōhō she used was the most powerful in their village!
But Natsuhi seemed not to hear the Anbu's praise; she had an uneasy feeling in her heart, that the opponent was definitely not a ninja who could be dealt with so easily.
A purple glow appeared in her eyes, which was Chakra condensed in her pupils with the help of the meteorite, allowing her to see Chakra traces.
Then she froze completely, because there were Chakra fluctuations beneath everyone's feet!
"Run!" Having completely disregarded everything else, Natsuhi shouted.
"Hmm? It seems I've been discovered? But it's too late."
Suddenly, from beneath the ground, several figures burst forth. They had the same attire and appearance as Takuno, holding a Kunai, which they placed on the necks of everyone present except Natsuhi and her husband.
Seeing this scene, Natsuhi gritted her teeth, glaring angrily at Takuno, and said, "Did you plan this all along?!"
"Of course, if you hadn't discovered me, this would have been the script from the beginning." Takuno patted the dust off his clothes. The opponent's Kujaku Myōhō was indeed powerful; sacrificing flexibility for attack power was indeed high enough.
Hearing Takuno's words, Natsuhi was at a loss for words for a moment.
"So, now, can you give me the meteorite?" Takuno sat atop a tree branch, looking at Natsuhi, and asked again.
Natsuhi looked at the surrounding Anbu and the Third Hoshikage, exchanged glances with her husband, and then sighed.
There was no other way. The Hoshigakure already had very few people due to the side effects of the meteorite; if these Anbu died again, then the village would truly only have a few stragglers left.
Their village simply could not withstand such a loss, and just as Takuno said, the meteorite had already been decided to be sealed away, giving it to the other party would completely put an end to the Hoshigakure's aspirations.
As for why she didn't give it to Takuno at first?
Nonsense, who just gives away treasures? Even if they can't use it themselves, they wouldn't give it to a stranger, would they?
All these factors made Natsuhi have no choice but to nod in agreement.
"I agree."