Chương 120: Chapter 119: The Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu
Chapter 119: The Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu
"What intense lightning chakra!"
Kichirō observed Tonari swallowing a pill, unaware of its effects. However, at this moment, Tonari's lightning chakra became overwhelmingly dense.
"Ah!!!"
In the next instant, the pill's lightning chakra exploded within Tonari, sending a surge of short-term stimulation through his body that was nearly unbearable. He couldn't help but scream.
The uncontrollable lightning coursing through his body dispersed all the wind blades that came from all directions. Even Kichirō's wind wall was pierced and dissipated by the lightning.
A thick, scorched smell wafted from Tonari's body.
This time, the smell wasn't just metaphorical—actual burnt skin was evident. His skin had turned black in patches, cracking and on the verge of peeling.
However, beneath his charred skin, light-blue chakra flowed through his muscles and meridians, repairing his injuries while simultaneously causing destruction. This strange balance of damage and repair somehow sustained him.
"Finally... I'm starting to... get used to it."
Tonari exhaled deeply, releasing a puff of black mist from his mouth.
The stimulation... It felt exhilarating!
It was as if he had become one with the lightning, the lightning dancing for him.
With a stomp, his figure vanished in an instant, leaving a long scorch mark on the ground.
Kichirō's expression changed drastically as he saw Tonari's new speed.
Slash!
A second later, blood blossomed from Kichirō's shoulder. He had barely begun to turn, but his reaction was just a fraction of a second too slow—a fatal delay at their level.
The speed increase was terrifying.
Before, while Tonari's lightning-enhanced speed was already impressive, Kichirō could keep up with his wind chakra aiding his movements. In short bursts, Kichirō could even hold the advantage.
But now, everything had changed.
"Lightning Chakra Mode of the Hidden Cloud Village?"
Kichirō's heart sank further.
He channeled chakra throughout his body, forming a pale green wind chakra blade in his hand.
Narrowing his eyes, he locked onto Tonari. While his body couldn't keep up, his eyes could still follow.
Covered in blood, Kichirō internally shouted, "Got you!"
During the intense ten-second exchange, Kichirō had endured every non-fatal attack from Tonari, focusing solely on protecting his vitals. All this was to observe Tonari's attack patterns, blade direction, and habits.
At last, he found his chance!
Predicting Tonari's movement, Kichirō curved his left hand in an "S" shape, dodging Tonari's short blade and grabbing his wrist.
With his right hand, the wind chakra blade slashed toward Tonari's neck without hesitation.
Splatter!
Blood sprayed as Tonari's head was severed from his body.
Seeing Tonari's corpse fall, Kichirō's tense body relaxed, though blood loss left him dizzy.
"Finally dealt with this Konoha brat..."
But just as he breathed a sigh of relief, the blood splattered on the ground changed from crimson to pale blue droplets.
Simultaneously, the "Tonari" he attacked dissolved into a puddle of water.
A water clone!
A mocking voice came from behind. "You think I don't know ninjutsu?"
Thud!
A sharp blade, crackling with electricity, pierced through Kichirō's chest and struck his heart.
Powerful currents spread throughout his body, paralyzing him completely. Though he hadn't died instantly, he was immobilized, unable to move.
As air slowly left his lungs and his chakra circulation faded, Kichirō unwillingly closed his eyes.
After ensuring Kichirō's death, Tonari pulled out his blade and staggered backward.
Though he had outmaneuvered Kichirō with his speed, the battle wasn't as easy as it seemed. The powerful lightning stimulation that enhanced his speed also inflicted excruciating pain on his body.
If not for the chakra of the Two-Tails continuously repairing his injuries, the intense lightning chakra would have likely roasted him alive.
Sitting on the ground, Tonari panted heavily.
In terms of raw strength, Tonari hadn't yet reached the level of a jōnin. His taijutsu and kenjutsu barely touched the threshold, but he still lacked mastery in ninjutsu, shurikenjutsu, and especially genjutsu, where he could only defend and dispel, not cast.
This victory was only possible due to his reliance on the Two-Tails' chakra, combined with multiple power-enhancing techniques and Tsunade injuring Kichirō beforehand.
For most people, reaching chūnin through hard work was feasible. But for jōnin, talent often mattered as much as effort.
Regardless, the satisfaction of defeating a jōnin was irreplaceable.
Seeing the remaining chūnin surrounding him hesitantly, Tonari felt a surge of pride.
As the electric currents dissipated and the effects of the blue pill ended, the lightning chakra stored in his ring was entirely depleted.
But then, Tonari noticed a faint thread of electricity on his finger.
"Is this... lightning chakra?!"
It was his own lightning chakra, extracted from his body!
Looking at the electricity coursing through his finger, Tonari's exhaustion gave way to excitement.
"As Orochimaru said, as long as you survive chakra stimulation that surpasses your body's limits, the repaired cells will adapt to that chakra nature, and you might even generate that chakra type yourself.
However, this method isn't for ordinary people."
For Tonari, this meant pushing himself to the brink of death and beyond.
Through a year of relentless lightning chakra stimulation and the Two-Tails' healing, Tonari's cells finally adapted, producing his own lightning chakra.
Though the lightning on his hand was faint and weak, it was a significant breakthrough.
His excitement was short-lived, as the chūnin and genin surrounding him began closing in.
Moreover, Tsunade, though dominating her battle, was being delayed by her enemies. And the massive commotion was drawing more Sand ninja toward their location.
"There's no time to rest... This is just the beginning."
With a groan, Tonari stood, gripping his blade tightly.
The tense battle continued until a chilling voice echoed:
"White Secret Technique: The Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu!"
Aged but commanding, Chiyo's voice rang through the forest.
Ten puppets dressed in white robes leapt out of the shadows. Nine charged toward Tsunade, while one advanced on Tonari.
The clash intensified, and Tonari joined Tsunade against Chiyo's formidable puppetry.
With Chiyo's arrival, the tide of battle shifted.
Despite the desperate situation, reinforcements from Konoha appeared, including Dan Katō. The group prepared to retreat, but Chiyo's relentless pursuit tested their resolve.
Finally, Tonari summoned Manda, the giant serpent.
"You scrawny brat! If there's no offering this time, I'll swallow you whole!"
Tonari, standing atop Manda's head, coldly declared:
"That group over there is all yours."
With Manda unleashed, the forest shook as the fight reached a climactic turning point.
To Be Continued...
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