Capítulo 83: Chapter 83 : Battle In Forest
The scorching flames surged toward their faces. Shimura Kazuharu and another Jonin, Shimura Masao, finally regained their eyesight and witnessed the scene with grave expressions.
The distinct Fire Style ninjutsu and the three tomoe sharingan – undoubtedly Uchiha's signature. Today, he must be captured and reported to Danzo-sama.
"Water Style : Great Waterfall Jutsu!"
"Water Style : Water Jet Blast!"
The two Jonin simultaneously formed hand seals, pouring out their chakra vigorously. An immense torrent of water materialized out of thin air, confronting the sea of fire with fierce determination.
Due to continuous practice, Orochimaru's Fire Style jutsu was on par with that of an average Uchiha clan member. After all, his talent for Fire Style was greatly enhanced by devouring the power of the Uchiha bloodline.
The intensity of Phoenix Extinguisher Jutsu was remarkable. Additionally, given the dense forest setting, the Fire Style ninjutsu had an advantage.
"Pfft—!!"
A violent smoke billowed, temporarily obscuring their vision.
"We cannot let him escape!"
The two Jonin inwardly scolded themselves for their momentary confusion. If Orochimaru had seized the chance to flee, he might have succeeded. Yet, upon opening their eyes to see the advancing wall of flames, their survival instincts had forced them to subconsciously employ their strongest Water Style jutsu.
"He's still there! Seize him!"
Dan Kato, who possessed formidable mental prowess, assumed command. The Chunin present rushed into the smoke before those who had yet to act.
However, at that very moment, a "puchi" sound pierced the air, and a kunai found its mark in the back of a Shimura Chunin. The ninja's eyes widened in agony before succumbing to death.
Before the others could react, the assailant swiftly grabbed the scroll on the fallen Chunin's back. Eyes glazed over with a blood-red hue, he sprinted into the smoke, heedless of what lay behind.
"Damn it! Everyone, what are you waiting for!"
The leading ninja was dumbfounded for a split second before fury overwhelmed him. Slashing his way through the smoke, he was soon joined by the others. Betrayal or manipulation, these comrades-turned-foes had to be dealt with swiftly; their loyalties had shifted.
"I suspect he's cast an illusion... but when?"
Dan Kato retained his composure, analyzing the situation coldly. "It's hard to say... perhaps during the black market encounter?!"
The black market clash came to mind for all. Yet, nothing unusual had been apparent at the time.
Gasps of amazement rippled through the group. If that were the case, this mysterious "Uchiha" member illusion was truly horrifying.
Manipulating a person as though a puppet required surpassing their strength and employing various cues or secret techniques when the target was subdued.
It was chilling that Orochimaru had silently controlled a person for so long, simply with a glance.
The smoke lifted, revealing Orochimaru crouched on the ground, one hand pressing a scroll and the other gripping the skull of the fallen Shimura ninja. Shimura Chunin's eyes were bloodshot and vacant, his mouth's movements conveying a cryptic message.
Even more disturbingly, his lower body had vanished – the work of the Kaguya clan's Taijutsu. Organs mingled with blood pooled on the ground, yet he remained oblivious, utterly numb.
"...Curses!!"
A mix of anger and sorrow twisted the features of the Shimura ninja. Cold-blooded "tools" they might be, but even they felt a pang witnessing the Chunin's pitiful state. They were simultaneously resentful and unnerved, even experiencing a trace of fear.
"Sneaky brat! You attacked us even during the black market brawl!"
Kato's words dripped with indifference, as if his actions were entirely justified.
The scroll in Orochimaru's grasp, a result of their exchange, contained transaction details. The atmosphere grew tense as they struggled to process this turn of events.
"Sneaky?"
Orochimaru slung the scroll back onto his person, his masked face betraying a hint of mockery beneath the stern exterior. "Comparing your grandiose façade, I'm practically a paragon of virtue!"
As if caught off guard, Orochimaru rose leisurely, his crimson Sharingan steadily locking onto the four individuals who encircled him.
Shimura Kazuharu and Shimura Masao exchanged glances, their voices uniting in a shout, "Attack!" They unsheathed their kunais, brandishing them with a glinting resolve.
A third Chunin initiated hand seals, while Dan Kato stood behind, exerting his mental power in an attempt to subdue Orochimaru.
"Remember my moniker – Dragon. I'm here solely to collect my dues today, teaching you simpletons a lesson in protocol!"
With unhurried grace, Orochimaru pressed his palms onto the ground. Intricate runes materialized, swiftly enveloping the area in a thick smoke.
A muffled boom echoed as both Jonin's strikes were violently repelled by an enormous form concealed within the smoke. The Chunin was flung backward, his jutsu disrupted mid-cast.
Dan Kato, situated further away, managed to evade in time, only to be met with a pair of blood-red eyes glaring at him from the haze.
"What manner of beast is this? Its strength is astounding!"
For the first time, Dan Kato, overwhelmed by the situation, relinquished his stoic composure and revealed a flicker of panic.
A Jonin he might be, Orochimaru was still susceptible when outnumbered four to one.
Surprisingly, the black market brawl might have hidden spectators, and remaining covert was paramount.
The smoke dissipated, revealing a fearsome, imposing figure akin to a diminutive mountain. Even Jonin struggled beneath its overwhelming pressure.
Enormous body, potent limbs, and a russet hue flecked with fine scales – a ninja beast previously unseen within Konoha.
Two fresh gouges marred its elongated tail, but even they mended swiftly.
"Secret Technique: Chameleon Acid Bomb!"
Orochimaru, not one to dawdle, drew upon his reservoir of jubilant chakra. His own chakra entwined with the technique's, birthing a colossal cloud of corrosive mist. It billowed forth in a fan-like spray, targeting the quartet.
"Watch out!"
Wherever the acid mist touched, foliage withered and insects burst into ash. A deadly onslaught it was.
Both Jonin reacted promptly, forming seals and pressing their palms to the earth. "Earth Style: Bedrock Barrier!"
An earthen wall rose, a fortified bulwark against the acid onslaught. This collaborative Earth Style jutsu, polished to a sheen, even gleamed like metal. Yet, it suffered under the relentless assault, corroded by the acid fog.
"He's escaping! Halt him at once!"
Foreseeing this, Dan Kato's proclamation was met with urgency. Shiromari and Orochimaru retreated together, the seismic impact rendering Shimura's ninja pale.
"He must not elude us! Danzo-sama's leverage can't fall into his hands!"
Before the acid mist dissipated, the trio of Shimura clan pressed forward, their bodies decaying and oozing.
"Secret Technique: Soul Slumber!"
Dan Kato, his gaze locked onto Orochimaru astride the chameleon's head, activated his jutsu, his intent as sly as a serpent's.
Dan Kato's vitality dimmed, his form immobilized. Yet, from afar, a concentrated mental force surged and struck Orochimaru.
"Still persisting? Repugnant imbecile!"
Orochimaru abruptly turned, his scarlet gaze releasing a deadly, hypnotic power.
The instant their forces met, Dan Kato regained his faculties, yet his form convulsed as if grievously wounded, and blood sprayed forth.
"Cough cough! So this is the potency of the three tomoe sharingan?!"
Kato Dan's countenance darkened, and for reasons unknown, he remained silent.
"Tch! Had I not been constrained from exposure, I would have left you a vegetative husk in minutes with my mental power!"
Orochimaru's sneer held an undercurrent of amusement as he secured the scroll, his satisfaction palpable.
For Orochimaru, forcibly controlling a Chunin over such distance and duration neared his limits. Yet, that had provided him with valuable transaction details. Quite the coup!
Seated upon the ground, the trio of Shimura shinobi's knees found purchase. Their expressions mixed bewilderment with concern, a substantial blow suffered. What explanation would they offer upon returning?
Subsequently, Kato Dan rose, his gaze fixed upon Orochimaru's departure, a path emerging through the forest.
"Still too weak. Even Hatake Sakumo might not match..."
His fists clenched, an insatiable hunger for power kindling within.
In a smooth motion, he conjured a path, leaving him yearning for a strength beyond his current grasp.
**********
Support me on my patreon and read upto 30 early chapters.
https://www.patreon.com/Unique_Writer
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder