Chương 64: Behind the scenes
Nightfall descended, and rain began to pour once more. Amidst the chaotic retreat, the shinobi forces were scattered and disoriented. Aizen seized this opportunity to blend into the crowd, disappearing from sight.
Meanwhile, Senju Nawaki found himself alongside his teacher, Orochimaru.
"Nawaki, you've made progress recently!" Orochimaru remarked, observing his student with a satisfied smile. It had been some time since their last encounter.
Nawaki, having just dispatched a few Suna shinobi, was now making his way towards a distant valley. The Suna forces had set up traps there to impede Konoha's retreat, but the area had been cleared by the reinforcements. Orochimaru believed there was little danger remaining, so he allowed Nawaki to proceed.
Boom! Boom!
Just as Nawaki entered the valley, a series of explosions rocked the area. The mountains on either side crumbled, sealing the valley entrance.
Orochimaru froze for a moment before shouting in alarm, "Nawaki!!"
Within the valley...
"Cough cough!"
Senju Nawaki emerged from the debris, coughing violently, blood trickling from his lips.
"What the-? Orochimaru-sensei and the others passed through this valley moments ago without incident. Why am I the unlucky one?" Nawaki pondered, brushing himself off.
He attributed it to bad luck, unable to fathom that the trap had been specifically designed for him.
But that was precisely the case.
As Nawaki searched for an exit, a figure lurking in the shadows made its move. Using a specialized breathing technique, the assailant stealthily approached Nawaki from behind.
A pale blue light enveloped the figure's hand, which then plunged into Nawaki's back.
Thud!
With his keen senses and reflexes, Nawaki managed to twist his body at the last moment, avoiding a fatal blow. However, the attack still left a deep gash on his right shoulder, further weakening the already injured shinobi.
"Who are you?" Nawaki demanded, glaring at his attacker.
"Hehehe, as expected of the Senju clan's prodigy. Even gravely wounded, you evade my killing strike with your abilities. Such talent is truly enviable," the assailant chuckled, ignoring Nawaki's question.
The figure emerged from the shadows, revealing a young man with dark hair and eyes, clad in a black robe. His face was contorted with a mix of jealousy, awe, resentment... and an overwhelming possessiveness.
"You're after my Senju blood, aren't you?" Nawaki deduced from the man's words and the intensity in his gaze.
"Indeed," the man confirmed without hesitation.
"Hmph, those who covet the Senju bloodline... Let's see if you have what it takes!" Nawaki retorted, a cold fury rising within him.
"Hehe, you're wounded and exhausted. How can you fight me now?" The black-robed man sneered, his confidence growing.
"Really? Let's see who dies first!" Senju Nawaki retorted, his eyes hardened with determination.
"Eight Inner Gates: Gate of Healing, open! Gate of Life, open!"
Realizing the severity of the situation and suspecting the trap was meant for him, Nawaki unleashed his full power, prepared to fight to the death.
Green chakra enveloped Nawaki's body, his eyes burning crimson. The aura he exuded was so intense that even seasoned jonin would cower.
"This is?! Damn it, how can he possess such power?!" The black-robed man cursed, his expression contorted with shock.
While his chakra level rivaled that of an elite jonin, he was not a combat specialist. In terms of actual fighting ability, he was only slightly stronger than the average jonin. Facing Nawaki with the Fifth Gate open, he knew he couldn't win and instinctively wanted to retreat.
But Nawaki, fueled by the Fifth Gate, wasn't about to let him escape. In a blur of green, he appeared before the black-robed man, raining down blows with incredible speed.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
The black-robed man was helpless against Nawaki's onslaught, reduced to a punching bag.
Whoosh!
After a while, Nawaki's Gate of Life energy waned, and he slumped to the ground, gasping for air. He glanced at the black-robed man, who lay motionless on the ground, and a flicker of surprise crossed his eyes. "This guy's body is surprisingly durable. After such a powerful blows, he only has bruises and cuts, no signs of rupturing."
Nawaki, with the Fifth Gate active and his Earth Style-enhanced iron fists, could easily kill a jonin with a single punch. Yet, this black-robed man, with elite jonin chakra but mediocre fighting skills, had only superficial injuries. His resilience was truly perplexing.
"No matter how resilient you are, after that onslaught, you're finished..." Senju Nawaki muttered, his breath ragged.
"Am I, now?" A chillingly familiar voice echoed through the valley, causing Nawaki's blood to run cold.
Before his disbelieving eyes, the black-robed man's injuries began to mend, the wounds closing and fading until his body was completely healed.
"How... how is this possible?" Nawaki stammered, his voice laced with disbelief.
"Nothing is impossible. Unlike you, who was born with everything, this is the result of my own research!" The black-robed man rose to his feet, a cold smile playing on his lips as he approached Nawaki, his palm glowing with a pale blue light.
"Damn it!" Nawaki could only manage a frustrated growl, his body too exhausted to even lift a finger. He could only watch helplessly as the glowing hand drew closer.
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