Bab 184: Why?
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Materializing like a beam of purple lightning in the rocky landscape, Koushin arrived at the northern border of the Land of Lightning, where the Second Division was preparing to face an underground swarm of White Zetsu. The arctic wind bit at his skin, but Koushin was already used to the changing climates from his frequent travels. The battlefield was still, a calm before the storm, as if the earth itself was holding its breath in anticipation of the coming conflict.
As he landed next to Kitsuchi, he found the Earth-style master focused intensely, molding vast amounts of chakra for what Koushin anticipated to be a colossal jutsu.
"Wait!" Koushin interjected, landing nimbly beside him. His voice was light but held an edge of authority that demanded attention.
Kitsuchi turned, surprise flickering across his face. "Captain, I was preparing to force the Zetsu to the surface so we can engage them."
Koushin looked at him incredulously, one brow arching high on his forehead. "Why?"
Taken aback by Koushin's question, Kitsuchi blinked, confusion etched on his face. "How else do you suggest we fight them?"
Koushin sighed, shaking his head as if he was dealing with a particularly challenging puzzle. "Kitsuchi, if you have enough power to eject them from their burrow, surely you have enough strength to crush them while they are still underneath, no?"
Kitsuchi opened his mouth to argue, but Koushin was already moving, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Just watch."
He brought his palms together, fingers intertwined, eyes closed, as if lost in a silent prayer. The air around them hummed with gathering energy, creating a palpable tension. After a tense five seconds, he placed his palms on the ground, his voice resonating with the solemnity of the moment.
"Doton: Seismic Wave!"
As Koushin spoke the incantation, the earth around them began to shake violently. The ground vibrated underneath their feet, sending shockwaves rippling across the vast battlefield. The ripples grew stronger with each passing second, the earth itself trembling as if in fear of the power Koushin was unleashing.
Just when the tremors were becoming unbearable, they suddenly ceased. After thirty long seconds of earth-shattering vibrations, silence once again draped over the battlefield, more profound and ominous than before. The absence of sound was deafening as everyone held their breath, waiting to see the result of Koushin's seismic jutsu.
The sensor ninja who had been tracking the White Zetsu's movements came forward, his face as pale as a ghost. His hands shook visibly, knees buckling under the weight of the revelation he was about to deliver.
He fell to his knees, his voice barely above a whisper, "A-all twenty thousand of t-them...died."
A collective gasp echoed across the battlefield as his words registered. The palpable relief was quickly replaced by awe and reverence, their gazes shifting to Koushin who stood nonchalantly, dusting off his hands as if he had just completed a mundane task.
"Well, that was a shake-up they didn't expect, huh?" Koushin commented casually, breaking the heavy silence that had settled upon the field. He turned to Kitsuchi, a wry smile gracing his lips. "Do you see what I meant now, Kitsuchi?"
"There is no honor in war, there is no fair in battle." Koushin continued, his usually playful eyes taking on a steely glint that bore into Kitsuchi. The edges of his lips turned downward in a grim semblance of a smile. "Kill them in the most efficient way. If not, you are risking the lives of your men."
Kitsuchi flinched, taken aback by the sheer gravity of Koushin's words. The battlefield was suddenly filled with a tangible silence as the reality of the situation descended upon them. Kitsuchi was a man known for his firm resolve, for his steadfastness, but even he could not ignore the wisdom and grim truth in Koushin's words. There was no honor in their line of work. The shinobi world was a place of life and death, of constant battle. The luxury of honor was often left by the wayside in the pursuit of survival.
Taking a deep breath, Kitsuchi nodded. "I understand, Captain," he said, his voice steady despite the tension coursing through his veins.
Koushin nodded in response, a faint sigh escaping his lips. "Good." He was silent for a moment before he continued, his gaze drifting toward the horizon. "Now I will go to other fields. Resurrected enemies will arrive at this place, seal them as quickly as you can."
He turned his gaze back to Kitsuchi, his tone sharpening. "If Kinkaku and Ginkaku of the Cloud arrive on this battlefield, let me know without any delay. They probably won't but just in case."
The mention of the two infamous brothers sent a chill down Kitsuchi's spine. The siblings, known for their unparalleled ferocity and the terror they had wrought in their time, were a formidable threat.
Before Kitsuchi could respond, Koushin had already moved, his figure blurring before disappearing entirely. The only sign of his departure was a fleeting beam of purple lightning that streaked across the sky, its luminous trail a stark contrast against the ominous gloom of the battlefield.
As Koushin tore across the sky, his presence rippling through the very fabric of the atmosphere, a voice resounded in his mind - soft, yet firm. Hinata's voice.
"Koushin, a scout sent an SOS. He was following Orochimaru's lead." The urgency in her voice was unmistakable.
"Location?" Koushin responded, his mind voice steady as he maintained his high-speed flight.
"Five kilometers to your southwest." Hinata replied promptly, the geographical information seeping into his consciousness. He didn't need to ask for specifics; Hinata was far too efficient for that.
"Got it. I am moving there. Let me know if there's anything else," Koushin said before diverting his trajectory, moving swiftly towards the provided coordinates.
The forest came into view all too soon. From the skies, Koushin could spot an injured man, sprawled on the ground. His eyes held a listless sheen, a clear sign of a genjutsu. Koushin landed gracefully, his focus drawn to the injured shinobi.
"Orochimaru, I would have never thought it would be you who'd seek me out," Koushin said to the seemingly empty space, his voice carrying an amused undertone, belying the serious situation. "I thought I made it clear last time. If I see a single Edo Tensei in the battlefield, you'll be as good as dead."
As if summoned by his words, Orochimaru emerged from the shadowed undergrowth, the characteristic smirk adorning his features. There was a subtle twitch of nervousness beneath his seemingly confident facade that didn't go unnoticed by Koushin.
"Koushin, I have paramount news to share with you," Orochimaru said, making an attempt to sound cordial but failing under Koushin's discerning gaze.
"Before that," Koushin started, extending a hand. A sharp arc of lightning bolted from his fingers, spearing the injured shinobi with merciless precision. Screams of pure agony pierced the quiet of the forest as the man was reduced to a pile of ashes.
Orochimaru stared, momentarily taken aback by Koushin's swift and decisive action. A crooked grin slowly made its way onto his face, a gleam of surprise lurking in his eyes. "Why did you kill one of your men?" he asked, genuinely baffled. "I put him under genjutsu to reach you. I needed to talk to you."
Koushin merely smirked, the faint amusement in his eyes belying the coldness of his actions. "I am the one who designed the Nakama Seal," he explained, his voice steady. "When under genjutsu, it doesn't work. Your puppet was clearly a traitor working for you."
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