C11 Who Gave You the Guts?
Chu Koichi appeared to have found some leverage. With a cold sneer directed at Yang Ming, he taunted, "I can't touch you, and you can't touch me. But you'd better kneel and apologize right now, and I might just let this slide. You should realize that I'm a ninja, currently just a Junior Ninja. But it won't be long before I advance to a Journeyman Ninja. You, on the other hand, have nothing but a slightly better Body Technique. Sure, you're strong now, and I might not be able to beat you. But sooner or later, the tables will turn. And your friends here? I could kill them all later, and you'd be powerless to stop me!"
"Hmm?" Yang Ming's eyes flashed with a chilling light.
He didn't question the sincerity of Chu Koichi's threat. Given his character and capabilities, he was fully capable of carrying it out, and in the ruthless Ninja World, where it's survival of the fittest, there would be no consequences for such actions.
In the Five Great Countries, things might be different, but in a small place like the Grass Country, ninjas could kill with impunity!
He may not have had strong attachments to these people, but he couldn't ignore the debt he owed for their role in his upbringing. Without them, he would have starved long ago. That debt of gratitude, he felt compelled to honor.
"Are you threatening me?" Yang Ming's voice was calm, but his intent was clear.
At that moment, his resolve to kill had solidified.
"A threat? What could you possibly do about it, even if it were?" Chu Koichi scoffed with contempt.
"Director, take everyone and leave. I don't want any distractions," Yang Ming instructed Gong Lizi.
"Alright!" Gong Lizi nodded and promptly ushered everyone out.
Chu Koichi made no move to stop them, merely watching as they departed.
"Distractions? Kid, you're young, but you're not lacking in confidence. Do you really think you stand a chance against me?" Chu Koichi mocked.
Once everyone had cleared out, only Yang Ming and Chu Koichi remained, along with the unconscious bodies scattered on the ground.
Upon hearing Yang Ming's final words, Chu Koichi scoffed dismissively.
"You'll soon find out whether you're a match for me or not!"
Yang Ming responded coolly, as Chakra coursed through him and his Strange Strength gathered, poised to strike.
He was prepared to kill.
"Stop right there!"
Just then, a green figure burst onto the scene, intervening between the two combatants.
It was none other than Mizushiro Tsubasa.
"Mr. Gekka, are you alright?" he asked, concern etched on his face.
Seeing Yang Ming unharmed, Mizushiro Tsubasa exhaled in relief, as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
"I'm perfectly fine. A mere Junior Ninja couldn't possibly harm me," Yang Ming replied with a dismissive shake of his head.
"Indeed, with your power and Chakra, a Junior Ninja is no match for you," Mizushiro Tsubasa agreed, nodding. His gaze then turned icy, and he unleashed his killing intent without restraint. It surged around him like a tempest as he fixed his eyes on Chu Koichi and bellowed,
"Chu Koichi, who gave you the audacity to wreak havoc in our village and dare to lay a hand on Mr. Gekka? Are you seeking death?"
"Ah! Lord Mizushiro Tsubasa, you... I... I didn't..." Chu Koichi stammered, completely taken aback. The sudden appearance of Mizushiro Tsubasa and his deference towards Yang Ming left him utterly astonished. Sweating profusely and overcome with panic, he struggled to speak coherently.
"Lord Mizushiro Tsubasa, I was unaware that he was one of your people. I beg your pardon!"
"He's not my man; I don't have that privilege. He is the prodigy personally selected by Lord Maosheng," Mizushiro Tsubasa declared coldly, regarding Chu Koichi with disdain, as if he were nothing more than refuse.