Naruto Shadow Emperor - Chapter 47

“Inari—come help me with the laundry!”

“Got it—coming!”

As the conversation between mother and son carried on outside, the sunlight danced across the room. Yukigetsu opened his eyes, then slowly closed them again before sitting up and stretching. Finally, he got out of bed, dressed, and washed up.

After a night of rest, he felt completely rejuvenated. His energy levels were off the charts, and even his cells seemed more active than usual.

“You’re Tazuna’s daughter, right?” A cold voice came from downstairs. “Sorry, but we’re taking you with us.”

Yukigetsu, now ready for the day, cracked his neck and clenched his fists. He thought to himself, “It’s great that someone is here to give me a warm-up this early. These guys are really considerate.”

“Mom!”

Inari cowered behind the door, trembling with fear.

“Who’s the kid?” The scar-faced warrior turned around, puzzled.

“Don’t come any closer, run away!” Tsunami shouted fiercely.

The warrior in the hat remarked casually, “Should we take him too?”

The scar-faced warrior shrugged, drawing his sword. “No need, one hostage is enough. Let’s just kill him.”

“Stop!” Tsunami screamed, “If you touch him, I’ll kill myself! You want a hostage, right?”

The warrior in the hat sneered, looking down at Inari, who was sitting on the floor in terror. “Hmph, kid, you should thank your mom.”

The scar-faced warrior swung his sword, then reluctantly sheathed it. “I really wanted to cut something…”

“Mom, I’m sorry… I’m so weak, I can’t protect you…” Inari sobbed, “I don’t want to die… I’m scared…”

Yukigetsu’s words echoed in his mind: “I just don’t want to find myself unable to protect those I care about, like your useless father.”

With tears blurring his vision, Inari realized Yukigetsu’s meaning. He was indeed too weak…

But… Mom… I want to protect you with my own hands…

Even if it costs my life!

Inari stood up, shaking, and clenched his fists.

I can… I can be brave too, Dad!

The scar-faced warrior eyed Tsunami’s face as they walked, grinning wickedly. “Such nice skin… I really want to slice it!”

“Let’s move,” the hat-wearing warrior said, shaking his head.

“Stop!”

Inari’s shout came from behind them.

They turned in surprise, and Tsunami’s face filled with panic. “Inari! Why did you come out? Run!”

“It’s that kid again,” the scar-faced warrior muttered.

“Let… let my mom go!” Inari charged forward with his eyes closed. “Haahhhh!”

The warrior in the hat sighed, “I can’t believe this kid… do it.”

“Gladly!” The scar-faced warrior drew his sword with a grin.

Tsunami was drenched in sweat. “Inari!”

Swish!
The blade sliced through the air, but the warrior’s eyes widened in shock as his sword met empty air.

They looked up to see a boy in a windbreaker holding Inari by the collar, his expression exasperated. “Courage is commendable, but don’t throw your life away!”

Inari turned around, beaming, “Big brother!”

Yukigetsu set him down gently, smiling, “Sorry for not saving you right away. While logically, your actions were foolish, I have to say… you did well!”

Inari stared at him, wide-eyed. He never expected this boy, who seemed to disdain courage, to say such a thing.

Yukigetsu shook his head and ruffled the boy’s hair. “If anyone tried to harm my mother, I’d tear them to pieces. But next time, use your brain. Even if you’re not strong enough, think hard and find ways to leverage other strengths. Even the weak can find room to maneuver if they’re smart enough.”

Inari’s eyes lit up, Yukigetsu’s words opening a new world to him. He nodded vigorously. “Yes!”

“I thought it was someone important…” The scar-faced warrior sneered. “Just Tazuna’s useless ninja.”

Yukigetsu scratched his nose, “Just two minor characters, and they act so arrogant…”

Inari looked up, worried. “Can you do it, big brother?”

Yukigetsu chuckled, stomping his right foot and charging forward in a blur.

“Hmph, what an idiot, rushing straight at us.”

The two warriors drew their swords in a flash, executing a cross slash.

Yukigetsu formed a hand sign, shifting half a step forward, narrowly dodging the blades. In the next instant, his fists slammed into their chests.

Boom!
With a muffled thud, the two warriors were sent flying like fresh cannonballs into the forest.

Inari and Tsunami watched in awe. So… so strong!

Micro body flicker technique really was practical, catching opponents off guard and striking decisively, all while consuming minimal chakra.

Standing firmly, Yukigetsu pinched his brow. “If there’s an attack here, the bridge must be in trouble too… Inari, if anything happens again, use your brain. I’m off!”

Before he finished speaking, Yukigetsu dashed off, leaving Inari and Tsunami stunned by his powerful punch.

…

“What… what’s happened here?”

Tazuna looked at the scattered bodies on the bridge, cold sweat dripping down his face. He quickly ran forward and lifted a worker who was coughing up blood, urgently asking, “What happened? What’s going on?”

“It was… a monster…” the worker whispered weakly before collapsing, lifeless.

At that moment, the mist thickened, spreading everywhere, a faint killing intent seeping through…

“The enemy is coming!”

Kakashi’s voice was sharp and severe. “He really isn’t dead… and how did he get here so fast!”

Sakura tensed, drawing her kunai, a cold sweat running down her cheek. Why is today, of all days, with Yukigetsu not here, and even Sasuke and Naruto still training?

“Kakashi-sensei!”

Sakura urgently asked, “Isn’t this… the Hidden Mist technique?”

“Long time no see, Kakashi.”

The sinister voice echoed, “Still hanging out with those useless brats…”

Kakashi’s expression remained unchanged. “If Yukigetsu were here, you wouldn’t have the face to say that.”

“Hmph, that kid!”

Zabuza grunted, remembering the punch that had severely injured him. He couldn’t deny the boy’s killing intent and intelligence were something to fear…

“He’s here!”

Kakashi’s eyes changed, and he tensed, ready to strike. Then, a smile crept onto his face as he relaxed. “He’s here too, just in time.”

Sakura and Tazuna’s eyes widened in fear as Zabuza and his massive sword appeared out of the mist, the blade tearing through the air with deadly intent.

The mist, the sweat, the terror… time seemed to freeze in that instant…

Boom!
In the next moment, Zabuza’s body exploded into water droplets.

Sakura and Tazuna stared in shock at the boy standing before them, his windbreaker fluttering gently, hair tousled, holding a punching stance. As he lifted his head, a smile spread across his face, his voice carrying through the scene.

“This battle… can’t go on without me!”

Become a Patron to read chapters ahead of public release and support me 😉

Read up to 40 chapters ahead on p atreon.