"Surrender and live—flee, and you die!"
With Samehada's support, Umino Yoru immediately unleashed a swarm of shadow clones, each manipulating multiple puppets to encircle the remaining Mist ninja along the riverbank.
Some stubborn Mist shinobi tried scaling the cliffs to escape, only to be blasted back by infrasonic shockwaves, dropping like stones into the water. Under the puppets' relentless barrage, they were swiftly turned into pincushions.
Every shadow clone wielded the Red Secret Technique: Twin Puppet Performance, controlling two Suna-standard elite puppets. In the mist, their combat prowess rivaled that of actual jōnin. Fueled by Samehada's massive chakra transfer, Yoru had summoned over thirty clones—far more than these logistics-focused Mist ninja could handle. Soon, the battlefield was cleared.
A few Mist shinobi attempted to disguise themselves as captured civilians—even as women—but Yoru's Sonic Radar Technique left them no place to hide.
By the time the Konoha Hundred caught up, the fight was already over. They took charge of securing the massive fleet while Yoru himself headed for the sunken ship.
The vessel had been skewered by a Spiral Hydro-Spear, its bow submerged while the stern jutted upward, blocking the river. Yoru wasn't there to salvage it—he was after the treasure inside.
This is a fortune beyond measure.
Even with wartime devaluation, the gold, silver, and jewelry aboard were worth billions of ryo. Merging with Samehada, he transformed into a shark, diving to loot everything with a massive storage scroll.
By the time he finished, the Konoha Hundred had fully commandeered the fleet.
"Captain, we've hit the jackpot!"
Shukudō's eyes curved into crescents, drool nearly dripping from his grinning mouth. The Mist ninja had stripped southern River Country bare—dozens of ships packed to the brim with loot.
"Call Ganseki over. Salvage that wreck and see if it's repairable."
"On it!" Shukudō scurried off. Each of these ships was worth millions—too valuable to waste.
Leaving cleanup to his team, Yoru mounted his white hawk and headed for River Country's capital. With the sea route open and a fleet secured, it was time to evacuate.
His goal? Extract the daimyo and his officials—especially the daimyo himself.
This wasn't just an S-rank mission. The political implications dwarfed even their behind-enemy-lines operation.
The daimyo's blood ties to Fire Country's ruler meant delivering him could secure Fire Country's continued influence over River Country—and likely extra war funding for Konoha.
No clan would dare oppose that.
"Captain, the daimyo's convoy has departed," reported Inuzuka Ryō, fresh from organizing the evacuation. "But some nobles refuse to leave. Your orders?"
Yoru's eyes glinted coldly, though his voice stayed calm. "Let them stay. Their choice."
Not long after Ryō left with the daimyo's entourage, a band of rogue Mist ninja "coincidentally" ransacked the remaining nobles—digging up buried treasure and looting every hidden vault.
As Yoru exited the capital, laden with sealed scrolls, he paused mid-step.
"Kurotowa and Sabaku Gaku… Why are they back?"
His Sonic Radar detected a Sand team boldly approaching—no, charging toward him.
Soon, they arrived.
"Yoru-san," a Sand ninja called out politely. "I'm Shakuran Hōjō of the Shakuran clan. Might we… discuss a deal?"
His tone was deferential. A man here to bargain.
Kurotowa and Sabaku Gaku tactically withdrew, leaving them privacy.
"We're enemies, Hōjō. What's there to discuss?" Yoru feigned disinterest.
"I've heard you made a trade with Ruri Gyoku. Surely another wouldn't hurt?"
Hōjō was prepared. He knew Yoru wouldn't refuse—otherwise, they'd already be fighting.
"Oh? Word spreads fast." Yoru's eyes gleamed. Perfect. The intel I let Gakyū deliver is working.
"I do mind… but everything has a price." He smirked, playing the greedy mercenary. "What's the job? Eliminating a rival?"
Hōjō stiffened. "Wait—Ruri Gyoku traded wind-style techniques with you. Was that… to remove political obstacles?"
"What did you think we traded?" Yoru arched a brow.
He'd been surprised too—Satetsu Ran never reattached his arm, keeping it mechanical. Now, he could spin the narrative.
"Gakyū," he hinted.
Hōjō's mind raced. Did Ruri Gyoku really trade jutsu to weaken the Kazekage candidate Rasa's faction?
But Ruri Gyoku wasn't the type…
Seeing his doubt, Yoru dropped the hammer:
"I didn't deal with Ruri Gyoku. It was Satetsu Ran."
"Ah!" Hōjō's confusion vanished.
Of course. Ruri Gyoku wouldn't—but Satetsu Ran absolutely would.