Kapitel 119: Chapter 119
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On the retreat, Rasa grew increasingly infuriated. The situation had been nothing but favorable: first, Kyomu causing chaos in the rear, followed by Minato emerging with his terrifying Flying Thunder God Technique.
But Rasa refused to acknowledge defeat to Minato's Flying Thunder God Technique. He only recognized Kyomu as the troublemaker. Instability in the rear rendered the front line's advantage moot.
...
Achoo~
On their retreat, Kyomu suddenly sneezed.
"Someone must be cursing me." Kyomu glanced back at his companions, eyeing Kakashi who was deep in thought, "Was it you?"
"Idiot, don't disturb me!"
Kakashi glared back at Kyomu. He was pondering over the 'Concealing Blade Technique' and was unhappy about being interrupted by baseless accusations.
"You're not thinking about the Concealing Blade Technique, are you?"
Kyomu gave Kakashi a peculiar look. Seeing Kakashi no longer engaging with him, he suddenly had a bad premonition.
Could Kakashi actually figure something out from his ramblings?
If, by any chance, Kakashi really came up with something... What then?
Kyomu fell silent, and he and Kakashi continued on their way, each preoccupied with their thoughts.
Meanwhile, a large force of Sand ninja was hot on their heels, clearly having received news of Rasa's army's retreat. They were hastening to catch up, aiming for a pincer attack with the front-line troops.
They really think highly of me!
Aware of this, Kyomu couldn't help but smirk. The Third Raikage once received such treatment, becoming a superhero surrounded by thousands. Now, it seemed Kyomu had prematurely received the same treatment.
However, the Third Raikage was targeted by the Rock ninja and died defending the Cloud ninja on their retreat.
Kyomu's situation was different; he intended to lead his team and carve their way through the middle.
Having used his passive skill's boost nine days ago, the interval had reached not just 216 hours.
With a 32x increase in attack power, unless facing Madara, Hashirama, or engaging in a desperate struggle with a Tailed Beast, no one in the current ninja world could withstand it head-on!
"The Sand ninja pursuing us don't seem in a hurry." Ren reported, "They're just hanging back, about seven kilometers away, neither advancing nor retreating."
"They're wary of my previous move." Kyomu said with a disdainful smile, "They've analyzed well, but we need not worry. Just keep moving forward.
When we encounter the Sand's front-line troops, it will be time for us to move mountains and bridge waters."
Ren nodded, passing some dry rations to Kyomu, "Captain, you should replenish your energy."
Kyomu didn't refuse, eagerly accepting the food.
The pursuing Sand ninja maintained their distance, also cunningly denying Kyomu and his team any chance to rest, aiming to deplete their physical and mental strength.
Since being pursued by the Sand's rear army, Kyomu and his team hadn't had a wink of sleep for two days.
While their current state meant this level of fatigue wasn't too severe, prolonged exhaustion was inevitable.
"I'll keep an eye on the pursuing Sand ninja. You all rest."
Kyomu halted the team, leaving them with a message before heading to the rear alone, standing tall and straight, like a guardian deity.
Ren and the others didn't say a word, not even Kakashi or Obito attempted to persuade him. They quickly consumed their rations, drank several gulps of water, and all 71 of them fell asleep at once.
With Kyomu watching their back, they slept as soundly as if they were in their own homes.
This was trust, and Kyomu did not betray his team's faith in him.
"Elder Chiyo, Kyomu and his group have stopped to rest."
"Harass them, make sure they can't rest." Chiyo personally led the team this time, intending to cooperate with Rasa and ensure Kyomu was killed within the Land of Wind.
"But..."
"But what!"
"Kyomu is vigilantly watching..."
Chiyo was almost amused by this. Since when had the ninja of one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, the Hidden Sand Village, been scared of one person?
...Well, there were exceptions, but who were they?
Hashirama, Madara, and even later, Sakumo, were glaring examples.
Besides these few, fearing a young upstart was a disgrace to the Sand ninja, deserving of being nailed to the pillar of shame!
Intending to further scold, Chiyo nevertheless calmed down, "As long as Kyomu doesn't rest and continues to deteriorate, we don't need to engage them directly. Continue to maintain a safe distance of seven kilometers."
The Sand ninja sighed in relief, glad they didn't have to confront Kyomu's terrifying strike at this time. They were indeed skeptical that after four days and nights without sleep, Kyomu could maintain a strong state.
Moreover, with the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, the One-Tail Jinchūriki Bunpuku, and Chiyo herself in the frontline troops, could they not withstand Kyomu's formidable strike?
Once Kyomu fell, no matter how strong his team members were, their end was inevitable.
A day passed quietly without any Sand ninja coming to harass them. They merely kept a vigilant watch on Kyomu, denying him any chance to rest.
Truthfully, this standoff was a form of torture for Kyomu, who could do nothing but endure.
"A bunch of cowards," Kyomu muttered under his breath.
But glancing back at his team members, who had woken up, Kyomu decided to confront them head-on, having held back his frustration for an entire day.
"Hey, Sand ninja!" he shouted loudly, "Are you hiding in your shells like turtles? You must have around four thousand men, yet even if you moved a kilometer closer, I'd still respect the name of the Hidden Sand Village.
But if you cowards don't come out of your shells, you might as well stop calling yourselves one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages!
And if you don't follow us closely, I, Aragami Kyomu, might just slip away right under your noses again. If you're too scared or can't keep up, don't say I didn't warn you!"
After shouting his piece, Kyomu felt a great relief, waved forward, and said, "Let's go. By dawn tomorrow, we'll likely encounter the Sand's frontline troops."
The team nodded and silently followed him, while Chiyo, furious at the back, led her Sand ninja troops to keep up closely.
"Kyomu, be arrogant while you can. By dawn tomorrow, it will be your end!" Chiyo said coldly. "And I'm sure that you can't use that forbidden technique again!
Even if you do, I don't believe it can withstand a Tailed Beast Bomb!"
With a wave of her hand, she commanded, "Continue to maintain a seven-kilometer distance, chase!"
---
Indeed.
By early the next day, Ren, using his Byakugan, spotted the Sand's retreating frontline troops.
With a change in expression, he urgently reported to Kyomu, "Captain, I've spotted someone among the Sand's retreating frontline troops!"
"The One-Tail Jinchūriki?"
"Judging by the vast chakra within his body, it's undoubtedly the One-Tail Jinchūriki. I'm worried the reason the Sand's pursuers have kept their distance is..."
"They want to use the Tailed Beast." Kyomu interrupted calmly. "Indeed, Tailed Beasts are war machines capable of altering landscapes, but they're not so powerful as to be unbeatable."
In the mid-period of the Naruto world, Tailed Beasts were indeed seemingly insurmountable forces, but as time progressed, they became almost like pets.
Not to mention Madara effortlessly capturing eight Tailed Beasts, or the Akatsuki, whose members, working in pairs, could subdue any Tailed Beast besides the Nine-Tails.
Tailed Beasts, in essence, were just that.
Without the boost from his passive skill, Kyomu might not have been so bold, but didn't he have it?
Moreover, after charging for an additional day, his attack power had increased by 36 times. He really didn't see the One-Tail Shukaku as a threat.
"No need to worry, keep moving forward." Kyomu commanded.
Ren and the others didn't speak, following silently behind Kyomu, their steps involuntarily heavier.
Kakashi and Obito, on the other hand, walked side by side with Kyomu, maintaining the same pace.
Guy also caught up, though he was unfortunately stuck behind due to his position.
"Afraid?" Kyomu asked.
"With you, Obito, and Guy here, I'm not afraid," Kakashi said in an even tone, devoid of any fluctuations. "You really didn't need to ask."
"I feel the same," Obito replied excitedly. "I've imagined us fighting side by side for a long time, but I never thought our first time would be so exhilarating."
"This is the essence of youth," Guy added passionately. "Youth is not just about striving but also about standing together and protecting each other!"
"Ha, with you guys by my side, I feel like I could split the rising sun in two!"
Kyomu held Yoei high, basked in the morning sun turning him golden, along with Kakashi, Obito, and Guy.
"I think I could too," Kakashi responded. "I've almost grasped the essence of the Concealing Blade Technique, but I wonder if you'll give me a chance."
Kyomu paused, then shook his head, "The opportunity will come next time; this time is mine. After all, who else but the big brother can have the biggest plate?"
The four walked forward slowly, while the Sand's frontline troops stopped in their tracks. Rasa and the One-Tail Jinchūriki, Bunpuku, moved to the front, observing the distant figures bathed in sunlight from two kilometers away.
"The way the sunlight falls on them... it's truly terrible," Rasa commented coldly, turning to his side. "Bunpuku, Tailed Beast Bomb, full power!"
Bunpuku, disguised as a wandering monk, nodded, briefly communicating with Shukaku in his mind.
"Ha, it's finally my turn!" Shukaku laughed maniacally. "Watch closely, Bunpuku. This time, I'll show you my true power."
Bunpuku and Shukaku had a good relationship, transforming into the Tailed Beast form almost instantly without any delay.
Boom.
In moments, Shukaku appeared, resembling a small mountain and looking much like a raccoon. Without saying another word, he began to gather a Tailed Beast Bomb above his head.
And instead of launching it immediately, Shukaku was charging up, signaling his intention to fire a fully-powered Tailed Beast Bomb.
"Do you believe there's an attack that can slice through a Tailed Beast Bomb and cleave through thousands of troops?"
Kyomu stepped forward, suddenly turning to ask this out of the blue.
"Yes!" the trio responded in unison.
"Good," Kyomu nodded. "Watch closely, here it comes!"
Stepping forward again, Kyomu drew Yoei, raised it above his head with both hands, and after charging up, unleashed a simple downward slash towards Shukaku, located two kilometers away.
Simultaneously, Shukaku completed its charge, tilting its head forward and launching a massive Tailed Beast Bomb towards Kyomu and his team.
Even from seven kilometers behind, Chiyo and her troops could see the Tailed Beast Bomb racing across the horizon.
The cheers...
Suddenly stopped as if choked off.
A massive, mountain-like blade light ignited, then, with an overwhelming force, plummeted down, clashing with the Tailed Beast Bomb in an instant.
The next moment, a new sun seemed to rise in the sky, distorting the landscape as black and white rays obscured all colors, resembling an ink painting.
But then, the condensed light abruptly dispersed, introducing a second hue to the world.
It was the creamy white of Kyomu's blade light, stark and mesmerizing.
Lacking extreme speed or sun-surface heat, it possessed sheer force and unstoppable brutality.
The Tailed Beast Bomb paused mid-air, then shattered, its remnants releasing kinetic and destructive energy prematurely.
But under the mountainous force of the creamy white blade light, this resistance was akin to slicing through flesh, offering Kyomu no more than a slight additional sensation before vanishing.
Instantly, a ripple opened a hundred meters up in the sky, pushing aside clouds in all directions. Without exception, clouds split apart where the blade light passed, offering no resistance.
Rasa's smile froze on his face as the Sand's frontline troops descended into panic.
The blade light, continuing its descent after demolishing the Tailed Beast Bomb, headed straight for Shukaku.
Shukaku, its mouth agape, was reminded of an event forty years prior when its full-powered Tailed Beast Bomb was effortlessly crushed by a wooden figure.
"This is impossible!!!"
Shukaku's sandy body split in two. Though it wouldn't die from this, a new shadow was cast over its heart.
Bunpuku was unharmed, thanks to Shukaku's early protection as they had a strong bond. However, the Sand's frontline troops behind Shukaku weren't so fortunate.
The blade light eventually struck down.
Some managed to use Earth Release defense techniques in time, but to no avail. They couldn't even provide Kyomu with the slightest feedback, proving utterly ineffective.
Boom!
The ground trembled thrice as the blade light hit, cracking open the earth and sending sand and stones flying. A straight gorge formed instantly.
The Land of Wind, already scarce in water, was shown by Kyomu's single strike that digging deep enough would reveal underground water sources.
Muddy groundwater surged but didn't form a river before being flung into the air, mingling with soil to create a mud wall that hovered before crashing down.
Together with other airborne sand and stones, it formed a thick layer over the buried Sand ninja, sealing them tightly, reminiscent of an avalanche.
Observing the straight gorge ahead and the small mountains formed by sand on either side, everyone was left speechless.
They finally understood why the Valley of the End's river flowed from west to east...
A might of a person could indeed be considered god's power.
(End of Chapter)
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein