Kapitel 27: **Chapter 27: Curse Mark**
Kimimaro took action.
The sneak attack with the binding spell worked very well against a ninja like Jūgo.
Seeing Jūgo fall to the ground, Suigetsu breathed a sigh of relief.
Having a leader is great—someone to save you in critical moments.
Of course, Jūgo's punch wouldn't have killed him, but the pain was still real.
He certainly didn't have a masochistic tendency.
"Boss, this guy's strength is ridiculously powerful. Where exactly is this power coming from?"
Suigetsu was curious.
Among his peers, it was rare to see someone this strong.
Kimimaro shook his head slightly. This kind of thing couldn't be explained in just a few words.
For now, they had to deal with Jūgo.
"Boss, can your technique hold him?"
Watching Jūgo struggle, Suigetsu felt a bit worried.
"Not for long."
He had practiced this technique quite well, but a low-level binding spell couldn't lock down someone as strong as Jūgo for long.
"What?"
Suigetsu was startled. The next moment, the black markings on Jūgo's body changed.
The black markings, which had originally only covered the left side of his body, now spread across his entire form.
Jūgo's appearance had completely transformed.
The human look vanished, replaced by gray, monstrous skin.
His arms became stronger and broader, and six cylindrical objects grew from his back.
With a powerful struggle, he broke free from the binding spell and stood up.
"Bastard! I'll kill you all!"
Jūgo roared, and the six cylinders on his back emitted blue streams of energy.
"It's over, boss. He's turned into a complete monster," Suigetsu said in shock.
Kimimaro, unhurried, opened his right hand, and a bone sword flew out from his palm into his grasp.
"Four-Way Slash!"
The bone sword swung out, and white sword light appeared.
Kimimaro slashed four times, forming a square of sword light.
The sword light aimed precisely at Jūgo's limbs.
Thud, thud, thud, thud!
The bone sword cut across Jūgo's skin, producing a sound like striking stone.
"So hard."
Kimimaro frowned slightly. A simple test had revealed how astonishing Jūgo's defense was under the fully activated Curse Mark.
"I'll kill you!"
Jūgo continued muttering, his gray iron fists smashing out.
However, the iron fists had transformed, from simple fists to axe-shaped weapons. At the same time, an additional cylinder appeared at his elbow.
As the axe-fist struck out, the cylinder emitted a blue stream of energy!
Boom!
The energy flow accelerated!
The speed and power of the punch increased dramatically!
Axe Smash!
The sword light rose again!
Spinning Shield!
Crack!
The iron axe-fist slammed into the shield of sword light, producing a crisp sound, shattering the sword light.
At the same time, the iron axe-fist's assault was blocked.
The two of them retreated several steps, regaining their balance.
Kimimaro narrowed his eyes. He could feel how powerful Jūgo's strength was.
Though Jūgo's fighting style was brutish, his raw power was overwhelming.
Even a typical jōnin didn't possess such strength.
Moreover, Jūgo had never formally trained; his strength came purely from his unique Curse Mark and sage-like body.
Unfortunately, he couldn't control this power on his own. Otherwise, he would be even stronger.
This was a natural advantage.
Frustrated by his failed attacks, Jūgo grew increasingly enraged.
He muttered about killing them, drool spilling from his mouth.
Describing Jūgo as a monster at this point wouldn't be an exaggeration.
"The power of the Curse Mark is indeed impressive. If fully controlled, the strength it offers is explosive," Kimimaro remarked.
The Curse Mark was like a simplified version of Sage Mode, a fallback Orochimaru had developed after failing to master true Sage Mode.
It was still being refined.
Jūgo would be key to perfecting the Curse Mark.
The incomplete mark Orochimaru left on Anko years ago only caused her pain and didn't grant her the abilities seen in other bearers.
That was because Jūgo's cells hadn't been part of the research at that time.
In Kimimaro's view, even Sasuke's Heaven Curse Mark wasn't fully perfected.
There was still a significant gap between it and true Sage Mode.
What's more, Orochimaru's will was embedded in the mark, making it a hidden threat.
"Looks like I have a new research topic," Kimimaro thought, his interest in Jūgo growing.
Earthquake Flame!
Jūgo smashed the ground with his fist, causing the earth to crack!
The entire cave began to shake.
"Boss! We can't let this continue, the cave is going to collapse! This guy's a lunatic," Suigetsu shouted.
He could tell that Kimimaro was testing Jūgo, not going all out.
But if things went on like this, Jūgo's berserk tactics would bury them all alive.
Without another word, Kimimaro launched an attack.
With a light step, his bone sword thrust toward Jūgo!
This sword carried an unstoppable momentum!
Kimimaro moved at extreme speed.
Like a bullet, he shot toward Jūgo!
Demonic Sword Strike!
The bone sword's white light shone brilliantly.
Suigetsu's eyes widened.
"No way! The boss is finally serious! What speed!"
Bone Sword Pierce!
Before Jūgo could react, the sword had already pierced his right hand.
"Argh!"
The terrifying force pinned Jūgo's right hand to the wall, drawing a scream from him.
Kimimaro released the bone sword and stepped back.
But even injured, Jūgo didn't stop his attack.
Steel Arm Bind!
Jūgo's left arm instantly elongated, growing larger, as he grabbed Kimimaro in his palm.
He squeezed tightly, trying to crush Kimimaro into pulp!
But this was the kind of attack Kimimaro feared least.
Dance of the Larch!
Sharp bone spikes emerged from Kimimaro's body, turning him into a white porcupine!
Though Jūgo's left arm had become incredibly tough under the natural energy, it was still pierced by the bone spikes!
"Argh!"
With another scream, Jūgo's left hand became a bloody mess!
Blood dripped from Kimimaro's body onto the ground.
In pain, Jūgo could only release his grip.
Kimimaro took the opportunity to jump away, landing to the side.
At the same time, he formed a sword hand with his right fingers, bent his legs, and leapt up, placing his sword hand on Jūgo's enraged forehead!
"Calm!"
The power of the Silence Seal activated!
Jūgo felt a cool sensation flood his mind.
His murderous intent and violent energy faded away under this force.
The power of the Curse Mark receded like a tide.
The monstrous traits disappeared from Jūgo's body, and he returned to his former self—a simple, honest boy.
However, both of his hands were now covered in injuries and blood.
Kimimaro withdrew the bone sword. Jūgo, weakened, collapsed but was caught by Kimimaro.
"Who… who are you?"
Jūgo looked at the handsome boy in front of him in surprise. This was the first person who had ever stopped his killing.
(End of Chapter)
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