(Hikari's POV)
Byakura grabbed my arm before I could smash through Yagura's ugly turtlelike face. "Release me or die." My voice was calm, devoid of any emotion to mask the pure rage I felt. From where I stood, I could clearly see the massive, armored beast that killed my mother sitting only a few yards from the island.
"Stop. You and I both know you can't beat him without your full arsenal, and you've already fought two battles today. You don't have the chakra to kill him, meaning Konoha is exposed, and you'd fail your mission. Don't be stupid, we need to get out of here." Sighing to myself I knew he was right and yet I still wanted nothing more than to murder that overgrown Squirtle.
"Fine. You gotta plan to get out of here?" My eyes never left the three tailed monstrosity in the water. I hated him, and one day, I will put him down. The Juyubiwa, Rika, Sakuya, and Kiganjo had all gathered around us. They all looked like shit, most were covered in cuts, burns and bruises from their opponents and their chakra wasn't even above half. "You all look like shit." My only response was a multitude of raised eyebrows and tilted heads as I looked down to see my own clothes torn and ripped pretty badly.
"Appearances aren't of any concern, Yagura won't wait to fire again, in fact he's most likely waiting for the rest of his fleet to arrive and flank us, luckily for us we can still escape. I made sure to place three repurposed pirate ships that have enough room to house everyone comfortably. The boats require a lot of chakra and attracts quite a bit of attention which is why we need a distraction while we're evacuating it everyone. The safest way is the underground path, but it takes too long to get there, and we'd be trapped by them." Still upset at missing my shot, Byakura was right, land would be way too dangerous especially for the few non-shinobi who were just there to help keep the base running. Yagura would see them scrambling and start targeting them, under the ruse he believed it was our forces. Our own ships were also in that direction.
"Bolin, lead the villages and get them to those boats in 25 min or less. The rest of you get to the ships and prepare for departure. Now go" My orders were followed immediately, only Byakura remained. Summoning the toad from earlier a loud burst of smoke appeared. The toad sensitive to the Biju chakra in the air already knew what to do and Jiraiya was summoned once again, thankfully fully clothed. Jiraiya was in no means a stranger to Jinchuriki and immediately could tell what was happening.
"Yagura's attacking huh? This is getting more complicated by the second. Do you want me to step in?" Knowing Jiraiya would be one of the only shinobi in the world who could stall a Biju without his usual toolkit, I was ready to relinquish command temporarily. My own pride and desire were outweighed by the mission and the lives of my men.
"Please… assist us." My head was lowered in shame. I should've predicted this would happen. This island was too close to Daimyo's harbor, he wouldn't just let us near it without consequence.
"Very well, this is strike one, two more and the mission is off." He pulled out a scroll and unsealed a mask. "Is what I would say if you didn't have this." He tossed the porcelain mask towards me. It had a white base with a red moon in the center. The eyes were surrounded by red as well markings as well, and the top had long ears with red markings as well, it resembled a rabbit.
"Is this the Inaba mask of the Uzumaki Temple?" I couldn't believe it. Kushina had only mentioned the temple and how it held the 13 Divine Treasures of the Uzumaki Clan, but stated the danger of using them was too high and hundreds of people could die. Each treasure was connected to a special jutsu or effect, but they were also semi-sentient, they could take over the wielder and force them to do literally anything.
"According to your master it'll help you with your Senjutsu or something. Since your Sage Art: Limitless Infinity isn't that well known you could use it to prolong the mission without catching a strike." I looked at the mask and sighed. On one hand it would help me personally in the mission, on the other hand it might not yield the best results if I couldn't use it effectively. "Hurry up, we don't gotta lot of time you need to decide." Jiraiya was right and I knew the choice here would greatly impact my test, the mission and the future of Konoha.
"Can you still back me up?" Jiraiya let a small smirk grace his previous stoic one and gave me a slight nod. Together the two of us could stall long enough to get our people to safety. "Put your own mask on quick!" Jiraiya rushed to put his own mask on right before Byakura appeared. He looked a little better than he had after our fight and seemed to be determined about something. "How's the evacuation?"
"Slow, the injured and the dead are slowing us down, your shinobi insisted on collecting the fallen I'm not leaving them behind though. We need to do something about him though he's manipulating the water around the island to make it too rough to traverse." Shit it was now or never.
Putting on the rabbit mask, I felt a surge of natural chakra flow into my body before everything went white.
Waking up I found myself in the most tranquil and beautiful forest I could have possibly imagined. Walking around I felt no danger as animals of all shapes and sizes seemed to blend around both me and the forest seamlessly. Had I fucking died again?
Hello.
Startled, I reached for my blade only to find it wasn't with me. "Who said that?" I began scanning the area. Maybe I was captured, and they were using this place to lower my guard. "Show yourself." Suddenly from a bush in front of me a small white rabbit appeared. It was pristine white and had the most magnificent sapphire eyes. "Inaba?"
Wow you've heard of me!? This is so exciting I've never been recognized this quickly before. Well, it'd make sense in your case as we were best friends.
"Huh, what do you me-"
Don't worry about it silly, you always forget me when you die. Though your soul is a lot different this time, the last world you were in must've really affected you. I'm surprised that you picked a female form this time I thought you were over the whole gender role.
"Wait this is the first time I've been rein-"
Oh no! You probably forgot all your other past lives! I heard it could happen if the soul fully matures but well your soul was always fractured, I never thought it would get fixed like this. Hmm. I'll ask the bookkeeper.
"Damnit stop interu-"
And to see you now hold the blessing of the Panther and the First Mother is already super impressive. I see you finally stopped antagonizing every damn deity you even remotely sense is near you.
"Yep, sounds like me alright."
Oops, time is almost up. Of course, I hereby allow you to use the mask, and, in your inventory, you'll see the summoning scrolls for bunnies like me. Feel free to summon us whenever. I'll visit you again probably after the God's Banquet, I'd love to cosponsor you! Now get going buddy!
When I returned to Sanshima I began looking around. Nothing had changed in the time that we had arrived, and my objective was the same. I'd have to get answers another time. Channeling chakra into the mask I felt it reactivate before entering Sage Mode. "Peasants." Both the oaf and swordsmen turned to me. "You two will focus on attacking from a distance while I deal the most damage. After my subjects are out of range you two will join them as I eradicate our enemy. Do not disappoint me." The two grimaced before nodding and I took off. "Sage Art: Limitless Infinity." Using the distortion in space I flew over to the ten tails and hovered above it. The beast now firmly in its place below me, dared to look up at me with anger in its eye. The eight pillars of water began spiraling before shooting towards me intent on spearing my gut. I let the tendrils get close to me before they completely stopped, unable to reach me.
"Foolish, beast. Sage Art: Limitless: Slice" Pointing my palm at the beast I created multiple lines of infinity that began to slash through the turtle's causing cracks to spread and appear everywhere on its back. The three tails began writhing as small spurts of blood leaked from the cracks. To my mild interest the cracks began to steam and close, interesting regeneration is a new skill.
The beast had not forgotten my earlier transgression though, and I was suddenly attacked by two massive water arms. Still unaware of my jutsu abilities, I smirked creating more infinity lines to slash through them. Then suddenly a massive burst of steam shot forth mixing in the air. Using the infinity around me I expanded it so my breathing pockets wouldn't be overwhelmed with burning hot water vapor. The steam did its intended purpose and hid the turtle, who had completely submerged under the dark waters. Hmph. Did it think it could escape me with such a pathetic showing. "Sage Art: Maximum Output: Blue"
A blue orb appeared in my hands before I sent it towards the ocean. It stopped shortly before touching the water and activated sucking in a massive amount of water and anything else unlucky enough to get caught in its vacuum. This included the three tails who I could now see desperately swimming away from the orb. Its shell cracked as it resisted before a massive section was seemingly ripped off and absorbed into blue. It's tainted chakra disrupting my technique and ending it. Interesting Biju chakra can overload infinity, explains why my slashes did so little damage. The three tails decided to take the offensive and with a speed it shouldn't possessed it charged at me. Narrowly yet gracefully avoiding its attack I appeared above its exposed back bringing my fist up. "Black Flash." My fist, drove itself into the monsters exposed back. I learned by combining Blut Arterie, Limitless, and Gigaton Fist I could create a devastating strike that would cause a flash of black lightning to spread from the distortion in space. It was a very taxing technique, and it wasn't a guarantee to activate but when it did, the damage was undeniable.
I watched my glorious black flash spread throughout the turtle's body before it plummeted back into the waters. How boring. At least it got to know the grace of my touch in the end. Suddenly a massive explosion of chakra appeared in the sky and thunderclouds began to form. Hmph rain was so beneath me. I turned to return to my troops when a massive blast of lightning shot towards me, as I had instructed one of the peasants from earlier to use their petals from a barrier around me. Flying a little further out I saw what had the gall to try and strike me and came face to face with my new challenger. Out of the water was a three headed serpent that was controlling the surrounding storm. Well, well, this would be interesting. Flying above its head I stared down at the beast before sending a Slice at each head. Surprisingly the slash didn't completely sever heads instead causing a gash that began healing as soon as the attack landed. "Prove yourself to be more entertainment than your master."
My senses told me the oaf and the commoner were keeping the three tails from healing and interfering. "Now then for you." I turned back to the beast and deactivated my Infinity. "Let's test out some other techniques, shall we." "Shunko: Storm Valkyrie" Water quickly wrapped around my arms, chest, feet and tearing away the fabric waist creating armor made out of water, wind followed shooting out from my calves, soles, forearms, and back providing a sort of thrust that lifted me into air, last was the lightning that solidified itself from the water gauntlets and boots. A lightning tiara framed my face and hair as well. "Let's us see who the true Storm Master is."
The hydra opened its right heads mouth before shooting a volley ice at me. Taking the rain in the air I created a barrier of water that blocked the attack before creating a bow of wind, water, and lightning and shooting a Storm Arrow. My shot as expected my shot was true and it went straight through the head of the serpent who tried to shoot ice at me. Pathetic. The other two heads rushed me as well, they were fast. The middle head stopped just before reaching and shooting a torrent of blue flames at me. Too slow. I dodged the flames flying up just to be in between the jaws of what I assumed to be the lightning bearer. Turning my bow into a staff, I stopped the beast from clamping its jaws shut. The serpent interpreted that however and began charging a blast of lightning at point blank range. Smirking, I calmly flew out of the beast's mouth while simultaneously controlling the lightning it was gathering.
"Die for me." I said as the buildup of lightning caused the head to implode. Turning to the final head I created multiple Storm Spears and sent them into its skull. How utterly disappointing. Turning to go finish off Yagura I noticed something odd. The beast chakra was multiplying, how strange. Deciding to turn back again, I bore witness to an unusual sight. The creature regenerated how it split the necks of the dead heads into two and grew three more heads. It also grew wings, how odd. Summoning more Storm Spears, I sent them to the monster hoping to eradicate it. Unfortunately, it did nothing as the beast just ate them, before converting them into chakra beams and sending them out to me.
"You developed an immunity as well, interesting." Collecting more water, wind, and lightning I created a hammer. Let's see you deal with this. Summoning my wings from my hips, I flew at the beast. The wings made controlling myself in the air a lot easier, the beast were shooting laser beams, and they were trying to drive me into a corner. With grace befitting my beauty I effortlessly dodged through them before slamming my hammer into the sides of one of the heads knocking it out in a single blow. The other heads stopped their attacks staring at me in awe. "Who's next?" Three of the five heads charged at me while the other two began shooting energy balls at me. Using my hammer to knock the blast away I flew up completely avoiding the first head and then did a spinning flip to dodge the second. The third head was charging right at me I was faster and just like it's copy it too was knocked out by my hammer. I rushed the other two heads as they started releasing a volley of energy balls at me and destroyed them all before spinning and knocking them both out. The two heads from before both turned to me their eyes furious falling down, I summoned a second hammer and then enlarged both of them before slamming them together with the hydra's head in between, knocking them out. Deactivating Storm Valkyrie, I reactivated my Infinity before touching one of the beast heads. "Be grateful I decided to bless you with my touch. Now, die and know you were an entertaining beast. Limitless: Slash unlike Slice which just sent a cut in space, Slash was something that could cut through anything as long as I was touching them. It cut through space on a much more efficient level than Slices which is why there were six floating heads in the ocean. Rising into the air again I began to head towards the Three Tails when again the chakra of the beast stirred.
Hmph, how annoying. Turning back for the second time, I saw twelve heads staring at me furiously. The heads all charged me. They were all faster than before and while I wasn't worried as I still had infinity I was bored of this creature and wanted to end it. Flashing to one I punched in the face only for my hand to hit the hardest I've ever felt. While the beast was still rocked it was still quite impressive that its adaptation ability overcame my strength so quickly. Three other heads began to close in on me, so I hit them with multiple Slices, each one cutting up the beast's heads and driving them back, but it wasn't as effective as before. Hmmm, they were adapting quite quickly to my attacks. That just wouldn't do. Sixteen laser beams were fired at me from below, looking I saw four of the heads shooting four beams each and controlling them as I began dodging them. This was annoying. Summoning a Blue, I shot it towards them and watched as it pulled their heads together in a devastating slam.
I didn't even get a chance to think however when a spear of ice flew by me and grazed my cheek. Turning to the last four heads who were all charging their attack I shot a Limitless: Reversal Art: Red, the red orb flew up before blasting the heads back. Damn it adapted to Infinity itself. Since it is made of natural energy anything that could use natural energy could match its unique frequency and get pass it, thankfully Minato had graciously helped me discover said weakness with a gut punch that left me puking for almost an hour. Getting higher into the air I realized that taking out the heads wouldn't suffice, the whole thing needed to be eradicated. "Phase, Twilight, Eyes of Wisdom." A Maximum Output Blue materialized on my left brimming with power and ready to be activated. "Phase, Paramita, Pillars of Light." A Maximum Output Red formed on my right surging with energy. Normal jutsu were bolstered by hand signs, an archaic and inefficient process. Sage Arts, were more complex, more regal, and more efficient. They could gain power through a chant, that a sage developed alongside the technique. Each word coming to them is from nature itself. "Nine Ropes, Polarized Lights, Crow and Shomyo, The Gap Between With and Without." The two orbs began to combine into a massive purple sphere. The sphere was charged with volatile and conflicting energies seamlessly mixing together. "You've reached heights only a few could dream of. Be proud of this achievement and die knowing this was an inevitable consequence of challenging me. Purple." The orb shot down before slamming into its back and growing, engulfing the beast, and then vaporizing it. When the light of the technique was gone, all remnants of the beast had completely vanished and this time it wouldn't be reforming. Reaching out with my divine sense I saw all of my subjects had escaped. Flying back to the location of the three tails I saw a severely injured Yagura panting and fighting Byakura & a masked Jiraiya, both were bruised and had several cuts on them, pulling up my face mask and hood I landed next to them intent on ending this charade.
"What's taking so long oaf, commoner?" I was more than annoyed that the young Kage refused to die.
!
"MOVE!" A thin blood whip carved through the space we were in. Turning I saw a long haired woman with blood red eyes and black claw-like nails, she was covered in blood and her blade seemed to be made of it. She wore a black shihakusho and a white haori with the word 'Executioner #1'. For the first time, ever while in Sage Mode I felt a slight yet genuine worry, whomever this woman was she was dangerous. Her very presence just felt off, tainted, and her blade exemplified that trait. At first it looked like a blade completely covered in blood, so much so it was dripping still, however upon closer inspection that blade was made of blood, and the streams that leaked off of it was the blade bleeding, summoning more blood. The most disturbing part was that neither the blood nor the blade had any natural energy, and yet it went through my Infinity.
Staring her down I took stock of our situation. Alone I could end this, but the oaf and commoner would be caught in my attack. I also didn't know if I could beat the Executioner without revealing Shunko since Infinity wouldn't be as effective as usual. I needed to regroup, besides the strain of infinity was starting to become intense as I could feel the thin line of blood flowing down my nostrils.
"We need to leave." Byakura turned looking at me incredulously. "I'm surprisingly at my limit and the mask will deactivate within the next two minutes. Let's go, don't make me repeat myself commoner." Byakura nodded and I took him and the oaf by the arms and lifted them high into the air, before jetting towards our ships.
As we flew over Sanshima, I saw half of it was completely missing. "He got off a Bijudama and we couldn't stop it. Fairly sure no one was caught in it though." Hmm, interesting I thought it would have vaporized the whole island. Black Flash must've done more damage than originally predicted. At my speed it didn't take long before reaching our ships. My officers and the commoner's people were calmly waiting for their queen as I landed. Sighing in discontent, I removed the mask.
"Hey guys." I gave them a small wave before feeling a lot more blood trickle down my nose, ears, and tear ducts. "Huh?" I didn't even hear my sister's scream as I faded into black.
I hated being on bed rest. Every single muscle of mine was practically minced meat, and my body felt like it was on fire. Infinity was a powerful technique, but it wasn't perfect by any stretch of imagination. It provided me with a nearly impenetrable defense and an unstoppable offense, the cost however was more than equivalent. The infinite space around myself caused an intense pressure on body, the longer I used the technique the more intense it was. It was like the equivalent of being under x10 the earth's gravity. That wasn't even the worse part, the intensity would only grow with each use of one of my techniques. By the time I ended the fight I was at x28 the earth's gravity. Normally I would've been healing myself at the same time, but the precise and necessary control needed for the armor made it too difficult to heal myself and control the technique at the same time.
This landed me in the position that I was currently in, stuck in a shitty hospital bed, while trying to speed up my own healing. I would be unable to properly move for about eight hours, my muscles crying out at the slightest movement. I deserved it though, the risks I took were my punishment for my actions. That being said, I couldn't continue to dwell on it further. We had a war to win.
My plan was partially successful, Ichishima, Nishima, the remains of Sanshima, and surprisingly Yonshima were all taken. Mei had decided to lead an assault on Yonshima, and practically took it herself. Outwardly, I gave off the appearance that I was overjoyed with the results. On the inside however I was conflicted, Mei killed off potential allies that we could've used to overthrow her.
Our next step was clear, an assault on the mainland. The Daimyo was already putting pressure on Yagura to send troops to Aoiniwa Harbor, his richest port, which had to be defended in his eyes. Jiraiya had resumed his search finding Sekijiro's wife and children before the Sanshima incident, with them now being on a boat back to Konoha. Sekijiro's students and the Yuki clan princess were still yet to be discovered, but he did have a lead. Hopefully, that lead would check out because I wanted to end this as quickly as possible.
Mei was unaware but I was setting up the stage for a final confrontation, which would put me in the best position for a complete victory. Byakura and his group had been declared "dead" but in reality, I sent them to a small remote hideout Jiraiya had set up for them on an island off the coast of Goshima. The fifth island was the most secluded island and the most dangerous as it was basically a bigger version of the Forest of Death. They were capable and could use the training. Byakura was our best choice to replace Mei and if he continued his training, he could do so, though with a high degree of difficulty. Kiganjo, Rika, and Sakuya were all training with him as well.
Lightly shaking my head. I turned my attention towards the paperwork on my desk. I needed to plan out our next moves confidently. Mei wanted to take Aoiniwa Harbor immediately, but I disagreed. An all-out assault would be too dangerous with the heightened security. I wanted to go for Tensei Prison to bolster "our" forces. Mei probably wouldn't budge on this one, so I was going to have to make it a covert operation. Pressing a seal on my inner left wrist, sent the summons to those who I wanted on the mission. Bear, Akaru, Bolin, Leone, Enjimaru, and Mako all appeared in front of me.
"Your mission, is simple, infiltrate the Tensei Prison and cause a prison break. Here's a list of targets. Assassinate the ones in red and save the ones in green. Mako you're in charge. You head out tonight. Meet up with Jiraiya on the Huang-Dao Port. This mission will require absolute perfection. Get in and get out. Shunko is forbidden, don't even think of using it. Go prepare.
(Mako's POV)
Kumo had never been known for its beautiful architecture and the prison was no exception, it was a tall white six sided building, looking to be made of some sort of chakra repellant limestone. Each point of the building was connected to the main building with a bridge over raging waters. None of the towers were connected to land like the main building, each one going into to water itself. When reviewing the plans when we met up with Jiraiya, we discovered that Yagura had sent an elite squad of shinobi each member as strong as a member of our most elite ANBU Squadron. Someone had to stay behind to handle them, and Jiraiya volunteered, having known he was the only one who could survive alone. Jiraiya decided to replace himself on the mission with his apprentice and two other shinobi.
"Let's review the plan. Bear, you're in Tower 1. Your objective is taking down Kujong and freeing any of the Kento Clan in that tower. Akaru you're in Tower 2, your objective is to search for any noteworthy Shinobi that could bolster our cause. Daichi Sarutobi, you're in Tower 3, intel suggests that Sekijiro's students are in that building as well as the one known as Kirigakure's most dangerous criminals, free them. Bo-Bo you're in Tower 4, that's where the Yuki are, free as many as you can. Enjimaru you're in Tower 5, this tower holds the weapons and the gear of our enemies, take anything you deem useful but also take down Shuichiro Kaguya. Tengen Hatake, we'll need you in the sixth tower, rumor has it they use that building for scientific experiments on prisoners, destroy it. Leone, you're with me, our target is the Warden. Does everyone understand their assignment?" They all nodded before putting on their masks. "You have 2 hours maximum. Let's begin."
Tengen's POV
Cutting down yet another scientist I sneered in disgust. I had been to Orochimaru's labs and seen some fucked up shit, but this was just disgusting. Body parts were scattered and dissected all around the room with blood and other fluids. It also smelled like death, the scent of rotting corpses and weird concoctions were disgusting. Continuing my descent to the lower levels I kept running into more scientist that were easily felled by my blade. I had placed several paper tags on each floor, each ready to detonate with a simple hand seal. Going down further I saw several scientist running towards too large doors. Focusing on my superb hearing, I didn't detect a threat, so I rushed towards them, swiftly ending their lives by slashing their throats with my blades.
"HURRY! RELEASE IT!" I raised my eyebrow, at that. I could easily hear through steel rooms, and I could detect silencing barriers due to the absence of sounds, but this was something new entirely. Whatever was behind those doors wasn't making a single sound. Not even a heartbeat. When the door opened the sight was horrifying. Multiple humans were somehow reshaped into multicolored disfigured mutations, ranging from large obese bodies with thin arms to lanky worm like bodies with blades for legs.
"Disgusting. Wind Style: Wind Scar Split." Swiping my blade in front of me I sent multiple thin blades of wind towards the disfigured experiments. The blades ripped through them tearing them apart with ease. The scientists, however, weren't concerned with their work, instead, falling to their knees, bowing their heads, and praying? "Huh, I might be the God of Flashiness but begging for-"
"SHUT UP BEFORE YOU OFFEND LORD S-"The man yelling at me, didn't finish as he was suddenly ripped apart his organs, bones and blood appearing to be ripped apart.
"Did I say you could invoke my name?" The man in front of me, sent chills down my spine. He was tall, about half a foot taller than me, with short, wild, and spikey red hair. His eyes were red while the sclera was an obsidian black enhancing his menacing features. He was shirtless with well-defined muscles and menacing tattoos. Two black lines went from his waist to right below his pecs, he had a trail of roses that turned into skeletons from his neck to his shoulders his arms, he had black rings around the biceps, wrists and right above his elbows. His nails were sharp like claws and he had four canines, all of which were sharp giving him a beastly visage.
"Bow, boy. Maybe I'll forgive your insolence." His voice sent an icy fear into my spine, the haunting nature of the voice more than enough convey his murderous intent.
"Sound Style: Thunder Burst" Moving past the speed of sound I appeared behind the man before swinging my blade at his neck, intent on separating his head from his body. Right before the blade made an impact with the man's neck, he lifted two fingers and stopped my blade. The impact was like hitting a brick wall. He looked apathetic spinning around and attempting to behead me with a nasty kick. Luckily, I was able to Shunshin away at just the right time.
"Hmph, insect." He pointed his fingers at me. A weird ringing started to sound out. With barely any time, I moved to my left when the space I had previously occupied seemed to split apart as if it were slashed. That was like the Shihoin Princess' attack. "Hmph." He pointed his fingers in my direction again.
"Earth Release: Mud Wall" A massive wall of earth rose blocking the incoming attack however this one sounded different. My wall of earth did nothing, a massive hole appearing through it and the three walls behind me. Luckily, I had ducked low enough only my back received small injury. Jumping up to my feet, I coated my blade in sonic vibrations before charging at the demonic man. This time moving much faster due to the passive effects of Thunder Burst. If the man was surprised, he didn't show it pissing me off. He looked at me like a damn ant. Like they did back then. Taking my right blade I went for a downward strike; he comfortably sidestepped the attack, I didn't care. Increasing my speed again, I took the chain in between my blades and spun it in my hand. He dodged that as well, but I just decided to increase my speed more, this time switching to my right hand. The demonic man leapt back slightly but wasn't prepared when I slid the tip of my left blade between my fingers and used the chain to extend my range slicing him across the torso. It wasn't a deep wound but that's not what I was going for.
Leaping back, I formed a hand seal. "Die. Sound Style: Infectious Tempo: Heartbeat Crutz." The man looked uninterested at first, seemingly disappointed. Then suddenly he clutched his heart before beginning to cough up blood. Not wanting to let up the momentum I rushed towards him intent on separating his head. I didn't even get close, as he lifted his hand, and my body was blown back. The sensation was weird, the force of the blow was like a wall smashing into me, but it was enhanced with slashing attacks that sliced at my skin. Surrounding my body in chakra I changed the frequency to the opposite of his jutsu's. While it didn't completely negate his jutsu it weakened it turning its body dissecting cuts into non-fatal but painful slashes. Getting up I watched as he ripped his heart out and then dropped it on the ground before picking up a different scientist. I watched in horror as he plunged his hand into the scientist's chest and ripped out her heart before placing it in himself.
"Hmph, not bad. I wasn't expecting this quality of organ in this era, possibly enhanced." Swallowing the nervousness in my throat, I tried to steel my reserve. This wasn't a normal man. This was a monster. Not even getting a chance to blink I felt his hand cover my face. "You were slightly below mediocre. A shame." Suddenly my face was littered with slashes, and I fell to the ground. Fuck, fuck, fuck, it FUCKING HURT! I had coated myself in the anti-frequency chakra and mitigated most of the damage, but I could still feel distinct cuts on my face. Worst of all my eyes were gone. I knew Tsunade could replace them but still the loss of my eyes would be an annoyance for the moment.
"HEY YOU BASTARD!" I wish I could see the look on his face, as I got up. "You idiot! I fight better without my fucking eyes!" I hissed at him. This fucker was dead. Thanking my father for his brutal training methods back when we first started developing my style, I rushed to him. My speed had hit its maximum at this point. Being at Mach 5 I was much faster than when we started, and I began to slash at my adversary. I could hear him dodging but it didn't matter. He couldn't counter and he couldn't play defense forever I just needed and opening. Hearing my chance, I delivered two quick slashes to his chest before stabbing him in the stomach, then kicking him off the blade.
"Hmph, interesting brat. My turn." He raised his hands at me, sending more slashes at me. I could hear them too clearly now, dodging them with more ease than before. Smirking, I began running around the room while dodging waiting for my opening. I could hear his own smirk as he began attacking me with his other attack. It wasn't slash but more like thrown lance rotating at high speeds. Slightly faster than the slashes, I had to be more careful. Forming a set of hand seals, I charged up my chakra; it would be a long shot but if it worked then I'd win. Stopping once I sensed he did I clasped my hand together and aimed the tips of my fingers right at him.
"Hatake Secret Technique: Swift Fang: Byakko" White light traveled from my elbows to the tips of my finger before I released a burning ray of white light, that tore through the side of my opponent before he had a chance to release his technique. Half of his left side was torn off, but he just stood there smirking.
"Interesting technique." His tattoos glowed green before his body began to completely regenerate. "I haven't had to use anything other than Metal since I fought Tobirama, not to mention forcing me to use Wood as well is surprising as well. I'm interested in development, I never imagined a modern shinobi to have your control of chakra, the change in frequency, amplitude, and sound makes you a splendid opponent. I hope you live through this I'd honor you with a rematch. You're strong.
I could hear the flames being summoned in his hand and watched raise his arm, pointing a flame lance in my direction. Hmph fine I got something for you, you bitch. Activating a seal, I was teleported outside to a rune on the mainland. I watched as the building I was in went up in flames due to a mixture of my bombs and his fire. Falling on my back I began to wheeze relentlessly. Thunder Burst allowed me to gradually boost my speed but the faster I got the more backlash my body would face. Shit Jiraiya's gonna kill me when he sees me like this.
Bolin's POV
"Shit! Shit! Shit! Fuck is wrong with you! Leave me alone! GAWD DAMN! GAWD DAMN!" Kari-nee's stamina training definitely came in handy. I had the easiest portion of the job, free the students and get them to safety even free Kiri's most dangerous criminal and ask if he could help out. What no one told me was that said criminal would be some money hungry psycho who chucks prison bars at your head if you didn't bring him any money.
"AAAAAAAAAAHHH yeah! Turn me up kid! Show me something!" My opponent was some asshole known as Kurochi Tokimitsu; he was a large man with bulky muscular build. He wore a short sleeve black shirt that was way too tight and had torn up white prison pants. He had bright amber pupils contrasting the black sclera of his eyes, and black hair that that went to the middle of his neck with multiple strands splitting apart and going up to and even slightly passed his eyes. He was shooting at me with a fast and devastatingly strong line of black chakra shooting out of the tips of his middle and pointer fingers. Whatever fucking jutsu that was, it was powerful and had piercing power unlike anything I'd ever seen. It and it could also cut. I had barely dodged it when he first launched the shot of the attack and while it was completely linear by moving the direction of his hands, he could move the beam and it would eviscerate anything that would touch it.
The blood lance suddenly retracted back into his hand, and they were left steaming. My turn. "Earth Release: Earth Flow Spears." I was so good at this jutsu I only needed to slam one hand on the ground. Multiple large spears of stone shot up from the air intent on skewering the man.
"Shiiiiiii. Say less then." The man summoned a large three section staff and proceeded to break each of the spears. What the fuck. "Can you fight? Show me them hands bitch." After my spears were destroyed the asshole charged me. I barely had time to block his initial punch before, we began trading blows and kicks. He was fast and strong, and his hits sent shockwaves throughout my body. Even blocking caused me pain, almost like my soul was burning.
"Fuck this! Earth Release: Seismic Forge." Earth natured chakra flowed into my bones and muscles. The man grinned before launching a fist at my face which I blocked with my forearm. While the pain from his attack still went through, I watched his eyes widen as the chakra from my attack injected itself into his arm. Seismic vibrations then proceeded to rack his own arm. He didn't recoil from the pain, but I could tell he was hurt. "Fuck you! Let's go bitch!" The man's grin grew wider, and we began trading blows again. The seismic strikes were doing their job, but I was still outclassed.
I needed space. When he punched at me again, I ducked underneath and attempted to sweep him, but he leapt over it with ease. "CURB STOMP" He slammed both feet into the ground which I barely dodged by rolling out the way and behind him. Flipping up to my feet, I got up and punched the back of his head. He saw through though and ducked while kicking me in the chest and into a wall. I barely had time to recover before his fist found itself lodged in the space next to my head barely having moved it out the way. I launched my fist at his gut, but he blocked it with his knee, I wasn't done however and used my right to strike his face, but he caught that as well with his other arm. Still pissed I was losing I headbutt him immediately the impact sending him back and staggering.
"Oh, shit you got heart lil nin-" I didn't let him finish instead choosing to jump up and double kick him in the chest sending him flying back. Kneeling I flipped through hand signs, dodge this. Slamming my hands on the ground I watched as he recovered midair before jetting towards me.
"Dodge this bitch! Lava Release: Red Queen's Song!" The ground in front of me instantly turned to magma and five rushing trails of lava began to tear through the ground in an attempt to incinerate this asshole.
"Oh, you one of them special ninjas! My turn bitch. Majin Release: 1 #$%(%*." What the fuck did he just say six black circles with intricates seals began floating around him before blasting the same black chakra beam, he'd used earlier. I sent more lava tendrils at him intent on skewering him and blocking his jutsu. It didn't matter though as unlike me; he could move while using his jutsu. Dodging the lava by jumping on the ceiling and walls, he shot a gatling of beams at me at staggering their speed so I would struggle adjusting the speed and power of my tendrils. Right as I blocked the last one, he was in front of me again. Only I was prepared this time swinging my arm causing the lava next to me to rise in between us.
A direct hit was too much to ask for, as he somehow jumped off of solid fucking air. We were about to clash again but the ground suddenly shook, due to a massive explosion coming from another building. "This was dope and all for a warmup, so I'll let you go. Whoever is fighting over there in the big house are way stronger than you. As a reward though, here." He pulled out a scroll and tossed it to me. In High Infernum it is 1 #$%(%* in your language it's Zoltraak, learn it or not I don't care just don't embarrass me if you use it, it's a signature of mine. With that he walked off. My body was tense as I watched him walk away until he was completely out of my view. Once he had done so, I fell to one knee and began heaving. That asshole was too strong.
(Enjimaru's POV)
Across the hall from me and in front of the top secret armory holding the best gear here stood a tall lanky man with long snow white hair and piercing grey eyes. He was shirtless, only wearing tattered pants and a belt with the Kirigakure metal plated belt. "Kaguya-san. Please move and I will make your death swift." He grinned savagely, no words needing to be spoken. "Fine. Let us begin." Quickly raising my hand, I sent a torrent of flames at him, the blast ripping through the hallway burning everything with ease, Fire Release: Infernium Aperandis.
Shuichiro moved quickly dodging the flames with a surprising grace before closing the distance using three long bone like claws to attempt and cut through me. Fire Release: Great Blazing Furnace. I released a flash of flames that exploded from my body torching everything around me in a 10 foot radius. Shuichiro's reflexes were sharp, and he created a bone armor around his vital areas before jumping out of the flames. Once they died down, he was back on the offensive, charging at me once again.
Drawing my blade I met him in the middle. Fire Breathing Form 6: Vermillion River Flowers this form was reminiscent of the water breathing technique, rushing forth with my flame blade I launched into a flurry of slashes, the difference only being that my strikes were stronger and focused more on power than fluid. Shuichiro's armor did a decent job blocking my blade, but the heat was weakening it as well. Fire Breathing Form 7: Blazing Universe leaping above Shuichiro I brought my blade down over their head. The flames from my blade rushed down like a waterfall of flames encasing Shuichiro and severely burning him. When the technique died down, I leapt back, sensing that Shuichiro was still living.
Fire Release: Sun Disc. Raising my hand, I molded the flames around creating sharp discs of flames. Waving my hands around I sent the discs at him each one cutting through the air intent on separating limb from body. Shuichiro grinned, dodging a majority of the discs but two were able to hit him and his bone armor. The first went straight through his left arm as he attempted to deflect it. His eyes widened in shock, as he attempted to dodge the second one, which cut into his side. His grin immediately turned to a snarl, and he fell to all four before bone spikes jutted out of his spine. He released a silent scream before smaller bone spikes started to shoot from his spine.
The bone projectiles launched at me at incredible speed. Looking at them I felt trying to dodge would be pointless. Lightning Release: Electromagnetic Murder: Defensive Form. Lightning spread from my feet stopping about two feet in front of me, the lightning concentrated and rose forming a defensive shield that blocked the spikes immediately.
Shuichiro growled, and rushed towards me seeing his long range attacks have no effect. His right arm became a giant bone claw, and his left became a bone spear. Drawing my own blade we began to clash. His moves were wild and unpredictable, while my own were controlled and precise but neither of us could get in a good hit. Even worse was the fact that my flames weren't strong enough to melt through the bone anymore. Activating my Majingan I saw it. His bone armor had both thickened and begun absorbing the fire natured chakra I was using. Annoying bastard.
Dodging underneath another claw strike, I lashed out with my blade, Shuichiro pulled back but I was ready this time, channeling wind natured chakra that traveled up the blade and extended from tip closing the distance and cutting thinly but smoothly into his torso armor. Shuichiro was clearly damaged by the attack however he didn't let it faze him as a bone spike shot from his torso. Leaping back, I barely dodged the spike with it slightly grazing my chest.
Shuichiro began coughing up blood, my invisible wind blade having cut through his lungs, kidney, liver and intestines, however a green glow from his body indicated medical ninjutsu. Bastard. Taking a few steps, I intended on re-engaging when I felt something incredibly off within my body. Poison. That simple graze fucking poisoned me. "You know, Shuichiro, you are one annoying bastard." He only grinned at me, his bones turning a bright orange. He's heating up his bones. How annoying. "Would you like to see some real ninjutsu?" Shunko: Scorch Release: Dragon Cloak wind and fire natured chakra combined becoming an inferno of purplish flames. Scorch Release: Violet Shunpo channeling flames to my sole, I shot forward releasing the flames with each step as a way to boost my enhanced speed. Fire Breathing Form 1: Unknowing Fire time seemed to slow down as I dragged my flame in a horizontal line in order to bisect my opponent, who was scrambling backwards.
Shuichiro's torso did indeed separate from his body but not as I intended. His skin made a sickening ripping sound as his torso split from his hips and elongated creating a space for my blade to cut through and missing him entirely. Once the blade was clear he reattached himself and began healing himself. What the fuck. My Majingan was working overtime analyzing how in the hell he did. His intestines and organs had shifted throughout his body, avoiding spilling out onto the ground. Leaping back, I sheathed my blade and ran through several hand signs. Scorch Release: Hell's Paradise, a sea of flames rushed from my body filling the room in a blaze of purplish and gold flames. Shuichiro wasn't fast enough to dodge so he encased himself in a bone armor. Wrong move asshole. Shutting down my Shunko I rushed over to the bone cocoon, before striking it. The fist did nothing to damage the cocoon, however that was never the intention. Lightning Release: Spear of the Storming Sky, a line of thick concentrated lightning shot from my fist and through the bone, and a massive hole appeared, both through the bone and Shuichiro.
Cutting off the active usage of my chakra I fell to one knee panting. I was tired and my body was screaming at me the toll on my body from my jutsus usage. Looking towards Shuichiro I noticed the entire body began to crumble almost as if it were bone itself. A clone!? I tried to extend my senses as far as I could hoping to catch a trace of my opponent, but I got nothing. The cocoon also began to crumble until it fell, and a large crystal stone fell on the floor. Standing up I went to exam the stone when I felt an ominous chakra. I didn't need my Majingan turning around I went straight into my mission objective taking out a scroll and sealing everything of value.
Hikari-sama would be so pleased, hopefully this would put me one step closer to the Juyubiwa.
(Daichi's POV)
Breaking the doors off of the last cell holding Sekijiro's students was easy. Infiltrating the tower, was easy as was taking down the guards and rescuing Sekijiro's students. Kumoki one of my summons, a Bonobo about my height, had a small portion of his troupe with him as they led them to our exit boat. Going deeper into the tower I found my last objective. The cell of Kirigakure's worst criminal was foreboding, and the chakra behind the thick steel doors was more intense than any I'd ever faced before. "Summoning Jutsu." Ensaru, Raisaru, Kageken and Hyosaru my newest summon arrived by my side.
"Transform now we have no time to waste. This guy is dangerous." Kageken, En, Rai, and Hyo merged, into a three section staff one white and blue, one red and black and the last grey and blue each connected by a black shadowy chain. "Adamantine Staff: Playful Cloud." Pushing the door open, I came face to face with the most intimidating man I'd ever seen. He wasn't massive standing at only about 5'10" but even so it felt as if I was being stared down by a man towering over me.
He looked as if he came from Kumogakure, he was an extremely muscular man with dark skin. He was shirtless and wore white pants with a black tribal outline running down the right leg. He had a large scar in the shape of an eight point star and flecks of gold skin scattered about his body. His hair was tied into multiple small braids, which I believed were called dread locs in Kumo. He wore gold bands on his forearms.
"I'm- "
"Shut up. You want me to listen you put a scar on this body." He charged at me swinging with a large fist. Grabbing the base of my top staff I smacked away his fist. My other hand went to grip the bottom of the middle staff as I spun smacking my opponent on the back of his head. A burst of flames was released from the staff in an explosion. His reaction though wasn't what I was expecting. This asshole basically ate my hit like it was nothing. "Not bad." I barely had time to block with my staff when he turned around hurling a kick at me. Despite my staff absorbing the impact I was sent flying back into the wall
Holy shit he hits hard. Pulling myself out the wall I barely had time to dodge his punch before swinging the staff and smacking him face. This time lightning charged in the staff. My opponent only grinned despite the electricity coursing through his body. Letting go of the staff I charged my fist with chakra before launching a quick series of punches to his body. The man still didn't move so I grabbed my staff and leapt back. "Can I at least know your fucking name."
"Yoichi." He stomped on the ground and spikes of rock rose from the ground. Grabbing the middle staff, I began to swing the other two ends destroying the spikes. Once all of them were blocked I rushed towards Yomi again intent on beating him down. Shadow Clone Jutsu, two clones appeared around me, and we each jumped Yomi. Unsurprisingly the man didn't even budge as we hit him with a combination of fire, lightning and our staffs. Leaping back again to catch my breath I realized something was off. No way could someone just take that sort of punishment without feeling any sort of pain.
"I've figured it out Sarutobi-kun." Smirking to myself, I let myself feel a tad bit of pride at the fact that I made the right call by adding Hyosaru to my troupe, she was extremely observant and patient unlike her brothers. "It some advance form of Earth, Wind and Lighting. I believe it is a Kekkei Tota. It allows him to harden his body and increase his strength drastically. I believe anything short of a Kekkei Genkai will not be effective. I suggest switching to a bladed mode as well." Nothing more needed to be said as my blade glowed before transforming. One half hammer, the other an axe, the hilt was as long as my forearm. At the end a chain was attached to a pure white chakram with six pointed blades.
Twirling the chain, I sent the chakram spinning at Yomi, to his surprise the blade didn't bounce off, instead just spinning like a saw trying to cut into his armor. Using lightning natured chakra to boost my speed I jetted behind him and slammed my hammer in the center of his back releasing a massive explosion of flames. This time forcing him to stumble.
"You brat." He spun around to try and backhand me, only to be stopped by a flash of chakra, that froze over half his body. Gotcha bitch. Raising my axe, I pumped lightning natured chakra into it before bringing it down across his chest. The lightning seared through the ice, but it was enough to leave a what I thought would be a sizable gash on his chest. Unfortunately for me, he only had a small cut. "Impressive brat." Leaping back, I watched as he flexed and broke the ice off of his body.
Fuck this. My summons were running low on chakra the fusion transformation was more taxing than the individual version. "He has to adjust his defense based on the attack. It might be the frequency of our chakra, but he has to adjust it to block us. It's why you were able to do any damage at all. He couldn't adjust fast enough."
"That's nice to know but you guys won't last much longer and switching natures that fast isn't something I could do. We'd need Dad or Asuma-nii."
"Send the other's home. I have an idea." Kageken was never one to really speak mid fight preferring to divert all his attention to our enemy but when he did speak, we all listened. Sending the other three home I watched as Kageken became a small ring, with strange white runes. When I put the ring on black markings began traveling up my body. "Enchanted Shadow Mode/Enchanted Shadow Mode."
Yomi didn't look impressed and charged at me. Without an ounce of fear, I returned his charge and the two of began duking it out, punches rapidly flowing. While we were doing that Kageken's chakra hadn created black tendrils that assisted in striking and blocking each with multi-frequency attacks. He was also holding my pain for me allowing me to even be in this exchange. Jumping back, I formed a ram seal, a massive smirk on my face.
"Divergent Fist." A time lagged technique, Divergent Fist allowed me to delay the impact of my chakra and physical strikes unbeknownst to my opponents. Yomi couldn't defend as his body was wracked by a multitude of blows. Taking this opportunity as he was stunned, I charged towards him. Kageken transferred a minute amount of Senjutsu chakra which I gathered in my fist. Then I activated Blut Arterie and Gigaton Fist. Mixing the three together I funneled them into a Divergent Fist, only this time it wasn't going to be delayed. I just need it to strike the precise space in between us. "Thanks, hime, BLACK FLASH!" I called out as my fist struck his gut. A flash of black lightning appeared ripping through his body and doing massive damage.
Yomi fell to one knee, coughing up heaps of blood before he began to laugh. "NOW THAT WAS A TRIP! I like you boy. So, I'll give your boss a listen." Sighing, I sent Kageken home before I felt all the pain I accumulated rush back to me, and I fell face first unable to move. Luckily Kumoki and his troupe came back and were able to carry me out. The sounds of Yomi's laughter following us. So much for stealth.
Author's Note
Review Please and sorry I'm so late lol my bad.