In a dimly lit toilet in one of the towns within the Land of Hot Water, Gildarts and Renji arrived silently.
Renji glanced around and muttered, "This is the black market base. All sorts of illegal activities happen here—human trafficking, organ smuggling, you na it. That's why so many people have been disappearing from this land."
Gildarts nodded grimly. "These rats really chose the gutter to hide."
Renji gave a dry chuckle. "Fitting, considering we're literally in one."
Without another word, Gildarts focused chakra into his hand. The air around it began to swirl. Then, activating his Crush Magic, he released the energy forward. Thin white lines streaked through the air, slicing through the wall in front of them. The stone split apart into neatly cut square blocks that thudded onto the ground, revealing a hidden underground passage.
Renji stepped forward without hesitation. The noise from the wall's destruction echoed down the tunnel, drawing attention. In seconds, black market guards ca rushing toward them from below.
Renji calmly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword at his waist. In a blur, he vanished using Shunpo. His blade glead as it danced between the incoming n.
A mont later, Renji stood behind them. The guards collapsed in unison, clean slashes across their throats, blood pooling at their feet. Not one remained standing.
Renji continued moving forward without looking back, his expression unreadable. Gildarts followed at a steady pace, stepping over the fallen bodies with calm detachnt.
As they erged from the hidden passage, a wide underground chamber unfolded before them—bustling with activity. Traders exchanged items in hushed voices, while custors browsed through shady stalls. In one corner, several humans were confined in iron cages, their hollow eyes betraying their fate as future slaves.
The sudden appearance of Renji and Gildarts—without the guards—caught everyone's attention. Whispers turned to gasps. So of the buyers and rchants panicked, attempting to flee. But then they paused, confused. The intruders were just two boys, no even adults.
Renji's eyes scanned the chaos coldly. "Onii-san," he said flatly, "why don't we just slaughter them all? The ones buying from the black market are just as guilty. Without them, this filth wouldn't thrive. We can't let them walk away."
Gildarts raised a hand, his tone composed but firm. "Renji, we can't judge them all the sa way. Killing them indiscriminately would be wrong—morally, ethically, and tactically."
He took a step forward, gaze sharp. "We're here on a mission from the Daimyo of the Land of Hot Water. Our objective is to dismantle this black market base. That ans the traders, the stall owners, the ones running this operation, and their guards. The civilians—we let them go."
Renji nodded, accepting Gildarts' reasoning.
Gildarts, being the older of the two—around fourteen years old—stepped forward and raised his voice so it echoed throughout the underground chamber.
"We are here for one reason only: to destroy this black market base. If you're here just to buy, you're free to leave. The rest of you—the traders, the sellers, the slavers—you'll remain here... and die."
His eyes swept across the room, his voice cold and unwavering. "You have five minutes. After that, anyone still here will be treated as part of the black market. We won't hold back."
A tense silence followed. Then, so of the more timid buyers, clearly wanting no part in what was to co, began to shuffle toward the exit. True to their word, Gildarts and Renji didn't stop them.
But before the five minutes could pass, a sudden noise broke through the tension—footsteps, heavy and nurous.
From a side corridor, over a hundred black market guards erged, ard and armored, led by a large, pot-bellied man.
He ca to a halt, glaring at the two boys with a sneer. "Who the hell are you supposed to be? Here to play heroes?"
His tone dripped with contempt as he looked them up and down. "I've seen your type before—loud, arrogant, thinking you can change the world. None of them left here alive. And neither will you."
Gildarts chuckled, shaking his head. "We're not here to play heroes. We're just here to destroy this base. We'll kill all of you... and walk away alive. After all, that's our mission."
The pot-bellied man scowled. "Big talk." He raised a hand and barked, "Go! Catch these two! I'll sell them myself. Pretty little monsters like this will fetch a fortune in the black market."
At his command, the guards surged forward in a wave of blades and shouts.
Renji didn't hesitate. His sword was already drawn, a crimson blur in motion. He moved like lightning, weaving between the attackers with inhuman speed. The blade flashed, carving through armor, bone, and flesh. He showed no rcy—his strikes were precise and lethal.
From ti to ti, he chanted under his breath:
"Hado #4: Byakurai."
A bolt of white lightning shot from his fingertips, piercing straight through a guard's head.
"Hado #11: Tsuzuri Raiden."
Arcs of electricity crackled across his blade, enhancing each slash. Wherever the sword touched, it left enemies twitching and stunned—easy targets for a final blow.
anwhile, Gildarts waded into the enemy formation with terrifying force. He lifted his hand, focused his chakra, and released a pulse of Crush Magic. A dozen guards in front of him were instantly shredded, their bodies cubed and collapsing to the ground in a grotesque pile.
Blood soaked the stone floor.
Those who ca too close t his fists instead. Gildarts didn't hold back—he shattered skulls with a single punch, caved in chests, or crushed throats with brutal, surgical efficiency. His movents were heavy but calculated—each strike was a death sentence.
The pot-bellied leader watched, stunned, as his elite force was torn apart.
It wasn't a fight. It was an execution.
In under ten minutes, the entire chamber was filled with the bodies of over a hundred guards. Blood pooled underfoot. Limbs and weapons lay scattered across the stone.
Renji stood silent, wiping the blood from his blade. Gildarts exhaled slowly, lowering his bloodied fists.
The slaughter was complete.
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