Chapter 148: Chapter 148: The Stiffening Blade, Nikkari Ao'e!
"Nearly 400 in one go, it must be due to Ameyuri using Nikkari Ao'e."
"As for the other one, not sure what the situation is."
Based on previous experience, Soma knew that the first display of the Ninjato typically brings higher reputation to oneself, and the effects shown would also have an impact.
For example, the time Orochimaru was defeated.
It was because of Orochimaru's strength, because of Orochimaru's reputation, that such an effect occurred.
"I wonder who Ameyuri's opponent is."
"But they shouldn't be too strong."
"Among the younger generation of Hidden Sand Village, it seems there really isn't anyone who can match her."
"The only one, Sasori of the red sand, even defected."
"I remember, Pakura seems to have a disciple around Ameyuri's age."
"Maki is Pakura's disciple."
"Ameyuri happens to be Juzo-senpai's disciple."
Soma's guess was correct.
The opponent Juzo prepared for Ameyuri was indeed Pakura's disciple, Maki.
After Juzo and Pakura clashed again, Juzo noticed Maki, who was not far from Pakura, and observed the differences between Maki and other ninjas of the same age.
Perhaps not a genius.
But definitely stronger than many others of the same age.
Using a special cloth as a means.
At a young age, Maki had already gained some reputation.
Her strength surpassed that of her peers.
Sge also had Pakura as her sensei.
"She happens to be a suitable opponent for Ameyuri."
Ameyuri looked at the Hidden Sand ninja ahead and felt a slight tremor in her body.
But it wasn't fear; it was excitement.
"Attack!"
A Water Release jutsu was unleashed.
The Hidden Sand ninja countered with Wind Release.
The two ninjutsu clashed in mid-air.
Water splashed everywhere, but the wind force dissipated.
Ameyuri had already dashed to the opponent's front, her figure slightly lowered.
"Sword Drawing Technique!"
A flash of sword light.
Splut!
A wound appeared on the Hidden Sand ninja's body, causing pain.
But the next moment, the Hidden Sand ninja suddenly felt his body freeze.
"What?"
Unable to move, he couldn't react.
Thus, the second round remained Ameyuri's.
With a twist of her wrist, blade in tow, she swiftly turned back.
Splut!
Another strike hit home.
This time, the Hidden Sand ninja realized.
"It's this sword."
"The wound inflicted by this sword has paralyzed me. It's not that I can't move, damn it. Is this Ninjato poisoned? What kind of poison could have this effect?"
Suddenly, the Hidden Sand ninja thought of a possibility.
"Could it be that this is also a Zanpakuto?"
The Hidden Sand ninja found it highly likely.
When it came to poisons, the Hidden Sand Village was undoubtedly the strongest.
With a considerable number of Puppet masters, poison was the primary research direction of the Hidden Sand Village.
Because it was a crucial tool for Puppet masters.
However, the current situation was beyond what any poison could achieve.
Even the most potent poisons would require time to take effect from such a small wound.
It wouldn't instantly paralyze upon contact.
Yet, the Hidden Sand ninja couldn't wrap his head around it.
The first strike created the condition.
The second strike adjusted the position.
The third strike was the fatal blow.
Ameyuri's Nikkari Ao'e pierced through the throat of the Hidden Sand ninja.
Blood sprayed violently as Ameyuri stepped back.
At this moment, the Hidden Sand ninja regained mobility.
But could only clutch his throat, unwilling to fall.
Juzo, seeing this, finally averted his gaze.
Ameyuri looked at the fallen Hidden Sand ninja, filled with excitement.
"This is the Zanpakuto crafted by Uehara Senpai!"
"This is Nikkari Ao'e!"
"In actual use, its effect surpasses my training."
"As long as I can hit and wound the opponent, the initiative is completely in my hands."
"To kill the enemy, only three strikes are needed!"
Ameyuri had found the right way to use Nikkari Ao'e.
Soon, she looked towards the next Hidden Sand ninja.
"Water Release!"
Utilizing Water Release to pull closer, then charging towards the opponent.
One sword fell.
Two swords fell.
Three swords fell.
Bang!
The second Hidden Sand ninja fell into Ameyuri's hands.
Ameyuri's performance quickly drew the attention of those around.
Whether from the Hidden Mist Village or the Hidden Sand Village.
"Is that Ameyuri?"
"Juzo-sama's disciple!"
"So powerful!"
"To cleanly kill two Hidden Sand ninjas like that, those two Hidden Sand ninjas were not weak, both reaching Chunin level, truly strong."
"Could she be a genius like Hoshigaki Kisame and Momochi Zabuza?"
"Only geniuses can achieve this level."
"That's great."
Maki noticed Ameyuri's performance.
"Pakura-sensei, I'll go deal with that Mist ninja."
"Alright, be careful."
Pakura glanced and said, "That Mist ninja's Ninjato is somewhat special, so watch out."
"Yes, sensei."
In the next moment, Maki abandoned her current opponent and charged towards Ameyuri.
A large scroll was held in Maki's hands, serving as a weapon.
On it was not paper, but cloth.
A special kind of cloth that was extremely resilient.
In a sense, it could be considered a ninja tool.
Under Maki's control, the cloth on the scroll extended rapidly, blocking Ameyuri who was about to attack a third person. At the same time, it entangled towards Ameyuri.
Seeing this, Ameyuri could only retreat.
"Hidden Sand Village, Maki!"
Maki announced her name.
"Hidden Mist Village, Ameyuri!"
Maki furrowed her brows slightly.
"I haven't heard of your name, but from now on, I'll be your opponent."
Ameyuri smiled.
"Now you've heard of me, but whether you can really be my opponent, I wonder."
On one side was Water Release and a Ninjato.
On the other side was a scroll and Wind Release.
Both fighters' techniques were evenly matched.
They were similar in age as well.
Initially, the situation indeed seemed so.
However, as time passed, Ameyuri gradually gained the upper hand.
In terms of talent, Maki's talent was significantly inferior.
Ameyuri's true talent even surpassed that of Kurosuki Raiga.
Maki at most reached the level of Kurosuki Raiga, and most likely hadn't even reached that level.
Therefore, even now, though Ameyuri hadn't yet mastered Lightning Release and hadn't found the path most suitable for herself, her talent in combat was already sufficient against Maki.
Initially, it was just because Ameyuri hadn't fully adapted.
Transitioning from a medical ninja to a combat ninja, Ameyuri had limited combat experience.
But as the fight progressed, talent compensated for the lack of experience.
Moreover, the ability of Nikkari Ao'e was undoubtedly more dominant than the cloth scroll.
Just now, Maki observed the situation of those two Hidden Sand ninjas very clearly.
Once hit, they completely lost their ability to resist.
Their bodies seemed immobilized.
Coupled with Pakura's earlier warning, Maki didn't dare let Ameyuri get close.
Once apprehensive, any action would be awkward and ineffective.
It was like Konoha ninjas facing Hoshigaki Kisame's Kiriichimonji.
"Water Release, Hiding in Mist Jutsu!"
Ameyuri found an opportunity to form seals.
A cloud of water mist appeared, enveloping both figures.
Maki quickly wrapped herself in cloth for defense.
At the same time, she moved away from the Water Mist.
Footsteps echoed.
Maki's pupils contracted.
Because Maki saw that there were actually three Ameyuris charging towards her.
"Water Clone Jutsu?"
"Which one is the real clone?"
Generally speaking, immature ninjas using Clone Jutsu often have flaws, and Maki, who excels in sensing, is very sensitive to chakra.
But now, Maki found that she couldn't distinguish between Ameyuri's clones and the original.
One in the front.
Two on the sides.
Maki tightened the cloth in her hand, reinforcing her defense on both sides, focusing her main attacks on the front Ameyuri.
They clashed.
Bang!
Suddenly, upon impact, the front Ameyuri shattered directly, turning into a puddle of water.
Maki quickly shifted her gaze to the sides.
However, at that moment, another Ameyuri burst out from the Water Mist.
This time, Maki sensed it.
This Ameyuri was the real one.
The previous three were all Water Clones.
Maki understood why she couldn't sense the difference in the three Ameyuri clones just now.
Because they were all Water Clones, there was no distinction.
Maki noticed that the two side Water Clones were not attacking but instead were forcefully grabbing Maki's cloth and pulling it outward.
Meanwhile, Ameyuri's original body raised Nikkari Ao'e and thrust forward with all her strength.
Slish!
In the next moment, Maki's cloth tore open under the tearing of Ameyuri's Water Clone, completely breaking apart.
Maki's pupils contracted.
Ameyuri's original body appeared in front of Maki.
Splurt!
A sword struck down.
Maki understood why the two Hidden Sand ninjas earlier couldn't react.
Because they couldn't move at all.
"So this is the ability of this Ninjato?"
The second strike, Ameyuri's sword, aimed directly at Maki's heart.
No need for further adjustment.
It could be said that once this strike hit, Maki would undoubtedly die.
However, as Maki's sensei, Pakura had been watching the situation closely.
When she realized Maki was in danger, Pakura immediately took action.
Swish!
The sound of something cutting through the air rang out.
Ameyuri saw the incoming shuriken and had to abandon this attack to dodge Pakura's ninja tool.
But that didn't mean Maki was safe.
Ameyuri's second strike still fell.
It didn't hit a vital spot, but it still left Maki immobilized.
Seeing this, Pakura had to come to support.
"Scorch Release!"
However, while Pakura saved Maki, Juzo, who was battling Pakura, wouldn't miss this opportunity.
"Ice Release, Ice Spear!"
A spear shot straight towards Pakura's back.
Pakura needed to rescue Maki in front and defend against Juzo's attack from behind, causing her to be momentarily overwhelmed.
"Let's go!"
Pakura grabbed Maki's collar at the back of her neck, and with a swift movement, she carried Maki away.
"Sensei, you're injured."
"I'm sorry, it's all because of me."
"I've caused trouble for you, sensei."
Maki saw Pakura's wound and felt deeply guilty.
"I'm fine. This injury is nothing serious. I've had much worse before."
Pakura paused for a moment and asked, "Does that sword have some special ability?"
Maki nodded.
"Sensei, that sword is extraordinary. When I was injured by it, I felt like my entire body was immobilized, as if something was controlling me."
"Those two from before must have been the same, that's why they were killed so easily."
Pakura frowned.
"Can it immobilize people? This kind of ability, without surprise, should be another Zanpakuto."
"These Hidden Mist Village Ninjato are really troublesome!"
Pakura's experience was genuine.
Without Juzo's Blue Rose Sword, Pakura felt she could handle him easily.
But with Juzo wielding the Blue Rose Sword, he could actually contend with her.
"Another new Zanpakuto has appeared, wielded by Ameyuri Ringo. Our ninjas from Hidden Sand Village must be extra careful and cautious when facing her."
"If not necessary, avoid close combat."
"This ability is simply more terrifying than Kiriichimonji."
In one battle, Ameyuri became famous.
Juzo's disciple defeated Maki, the Sand hero's disciple wielding a Zanpakuto.
A new member of the Shinigami Squad emerged.
"This sword is named Nikkari Ao'e!"
As the number of Hidden Sand individuals dying at the hands of Ameyuri increased, gradually, the ability of Nikkari Ao'e was analyzed by the Hidden Sand, so there was no longer any need to keep it hidden. Ameyuri directly spoke out the name Nikkari Ao'e.
Even in another battlefield, the Konoha ninjas quickly obtained this information. Hidden Sand Village and Konoha were allies, sharing information.
For a moment, discussions were abound.
"Another Zanpakuto has appeared."
"Similar to Kiriichimonji, it affects wounds."
"It can temporarily immobilize the injured, rendering them motionless."
"Once hit, it's more troublesome than being hit by Kiriichimonji."
"Absolutely cannot allow close contact."
"Absolutely cannot be hit."
"Absolutely cannot allow any wounds."
"Such a terrifying ability."
"Once hit, you're at risk of continuous hits."
"In other words, you can't move at all, just helplessly watch yourself being killed."
"Ameyuri, in terms of overall strength, is probably stronger than Momochi Zabuza and second only to Hoshigaki Kisame."
"The younger generation of Hidden Mist Village is truly full of talent."
"Currently, among the younger generation, Hidden Mist Village is probably ranked first."
"Konoha, Hidden Cloud Village, Hidden Rock Village, Hidden Sand Village—all are not comparable."
"Even more so for smaller ninja villages."
"How strong will the future Hidden Mist Village become?"
"However, the most terrifying is that Blacksmith."
"With the existence of that Blacksmith, Hidden Mist Village can never be weak."
"The disappearance of the Third Mizukage also does not affect Hidden Mist Village."
This made some individuals from Hidden Sand Village quite envious.
"If only Hidden Sand Village had someone like that, then when the Third Kazekage disappeared, our Hidden Sand Village wouldn't have fallen into such a bad situation."
Some people gave Nikkari Ao'e a nickname.
"Nikkari Ao'e, the Stiffening Blade!"
Upon hearing this news, Zabuza fell into introspection.
He couldn't compete with Hoshigaki Kisame.
He was worried about being surpassed by Hozuki Mangetsu.
Zabuza worked hard to improve himself.
But in the end, Ameyuri emerged out of nowhere and directly secured the second position among the younger generation of Hidden Mist Village.
"I also want a Zanpakuto!"
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