บท 93: Chapter 93: The Anomaly
Toriumi Jun unleashed her deathblow, directly slitting Kuriyama Shinzō's throat.
Ninja have many ways to kill. Some ordinary people believe ninja are powerful because of ninjutsu - the higher the ninjutsu level and potency, the stronger the ninja.
While this is one criterion, it is not absolute.
Regardless of rank, ninja are fundamentally human beings of flesh and blood. When vital areas are struck, even the mightiest will eventually perish.
"Impressive!"
The closest skirmish was between Minato and the Cloud chūnin. Upon seeing Toriumi successfully land a deathblow on Kuriyama, even Minato, who had thoroughly overwhelmed his opponent, could not help but react.
After all, with Kuriyama's death, their mission was accomplished.
However, as Minato glanced over, he saw Toriumi with her back to Kuriyama, looking his way - clearly intending to assist him.
But behind her stood Kuriyama, throat slit and gushing blood, the corners of his mouth twisted into a chillingly sinister smile.
Seemingly unable to speak with his severed throat, his ghastly expression conveyed his intent to Minato.
Toriumi, believing him certainly dead, was completely unguarded.
Kuriyama raised his blade. At that moment, clouds obscured the moonlight, casting the already gloomy forest into an even more ominous pall.
"Flying Thunder God Technique!"
Minato instantly abandoned his opponent, blitzing towards Toriumi.
Clang!
A flash of steel - Toriumi seemed to notice the disturbance behind her, but had no time to react.
"Gurgle."
At the critical moment, the charging Minato arrived. Though small, he packed considerable force, wrapping his arms around Toriumi's waist to pull her away.
But Kuriyama, a former special jōnin, struck too swiftly - Minato's left arm took the blow!
Shh!
Toriumi's feet scraped the ground as she regained her footing, hot blood splattering her pale cheeks.
But there was no time to dwell on that now. She looked at Minato, her usual stoic expression flickering with emotion in her black pupils. "Kid, are you alright?"
Drip.
Minato clutched his left arm, blood dripping from his fingertips to the ground.
"I'm fine, just took a hit to the arm."
Gritting through the pain, Minato gave Toriumi a strained smile. But she could see the gash left by Kuriyama's blade had cut deep enough to expose bone.
Yet the situation left no room for hesitation. Toriumi turned to see Kuriyama standing there, his rugged features drenched in the copious blood gushing from his slashed throat.
Toriumi's pupils contracted in shock. "Impossible...he's still alive?"
She had not checked on Kuriyama because, based on her experience, having one's throat slit and bleeding that profusely should have been fatal, if not rendering him incapable of a final counterattack.
Yet Kuriyama stood before her, seemingly unaffected despite his blood-soaked clothes.
What was going on?
Minato too could not comprehend it, his right hand gripping a kunai as he fixed his gaze on the previously defeated Cloud chūnin.
For the latter had noticed the shift in battle as well - seeing the kid who had forced him into such a wretched state now missing an arm filled him with twisted glee.
His expression made it clear he intended to kill Minato.
"I'll hold off that guy. Kuriyama must be eliminated at all costs," Minato told Toriumi.
She seemed to hesitate for a moment before questioning skeptically, "Kid, you lost an arm. You really think you can handle a chūnin?"
A ninja's limbs were integral to their abilities.
The legs represented mobility, the arms for forming seals - losing any severely compromised one's combat prowess.
"That doesn't sound like you, Toriumi-senpai," Minato replied with a smile.
In his impression, Anbu were grim, mission-focused ninja. Her words did not match her "Anbu Witch" persona.
Toriumi was momentarily taken aback before noticing the unwavering resolve in Minato's azure eyes.
"Some things are not for you to say, kid," she said, stepping forward without any intent to rebuke as she let out a light laugh. But her expression turned grave once more. "Just be careful, don't overdo it."
Minato nodded.
Swish!
In an instant, his speed exploded as he transformed into a golden blur charging the Cloud chūnin.
"Insolent brat!"
Minato's actions enraged the Cloud chūnin. A mere child, having lost an arm, dared to face him?
Yet he had experienced Minato's speed firsthand. He attempted to retreat while forming hand seals, intending to create distance before attacking with ninjutsu.
But Minato had already anticipated this, focused on the chūnin's hands the moment he moved.
Swish!
Unhesitatingly, Minato flung his kunai to disrupt the hand seals.
The chūnin never expected Minato's battle sense and predictive ability to be so formidable. By the time he realized, Minato had closed in again, another kunai in hand thrusting straight at him.
Though startled, the chūnin was not so easily cowed by Minato's one remaining arm as he parried with his own kunai.
Swish!
But just as they clashed, Minato abruptly halted and retreated.
The chūnin's brute force exceeded his own, and having lost an arm, victory was impossible. For now, he could only stall.
Meanwhile, Toriumi's lovely features hardened as she charged Kuriyama. Had Minato not shielded her, that earlier strike would have killed her instead.
Though still unable to comprehend the situation, she refused to believe there existed anyone truly unkillable in this world.
And the now voiceless Kuriyama just sneered coldly as he re-engaged the deadly Toriumi in battle!
(End of chapter)
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