As dawn's first light seeped through the dense Enraoi forest, the group moved in unison, bounding across branches and weaving through shadows. The closer they drew to Moukoku, the more aware they became of the looming threat. Moukoku wouldn't be left defenseless, and they knew the moment of discovery was inevitable.
Their instincts proved right when, abruptly, a figure dropped from above, landing on the path in a fluid crouch. Rising slowly, his silhouette came into view, revealing a man with a thick scar stretching diagonally across his face, lending a twisted edge to his expression. The cold, unyielding gaze of the Toroumi jonin pierced through the canopy's dim light.
"Scar," Buddha murmured, recognizing the infamous shinobi from Toroumi Village, known for his brutal techniques and fierce loyalty to the Moukoku. His very presence meant they were closing in on their destination.
Kakashi stepped forward, sizing up the man. "I'll take him," he said, the usual calm in his voice. His Sharingan flickered, already gauging Scar's chakra levels. But Buddha shook his head.
"You'll need more than just one of you to handle him," Buddha warned, his eyes narrowed as he assessed Scar's aura. This was no ordinary opponent, and Buddha knew just how dangerous Toroumi's elite could be.
"Jiraiya-sensei," Kakashi said with a nod, and Jiraiya took his place beside him.
"I'm ready," Jiraiya replied, his voice firm as he cracked his knuckles. "Scar might be a big shot back in Toroumi, but he's in for a rude awakening."
The rest of the team continued their mission, disappearing into the forest with only a glance backward to show their support.
As the others left, Scar's lips twisted into a grin. "So, I get two Konoha legends? An unexpected bonus," he sneered, his hand moving to his weapon pouch. "I've heard of your reputations, but that's all it is. Reputation."
Scar lunged forward, aiming directly at Kakashi, his movements a blur. Kakashi evaded with precision, his Sharingan tracking every shift, every twitch. In response, Jiraiya wove through hand seals.
"Fire Style: Toad Oil Flame Bullet!" Jiraiya shouted, unleashing a powerful blaze that ignited with a wave of his hand. The flames roared toward Scar, forcing him back as he dodged to the side.
But Kakashi was already there, intercepting his escape route. "Lightning Blade!" Kakashi thrust his hand forward, a blinding crackle of blue energy engulfing his arm as he aimed for Scar's midsection.
Scar reacted with remarkable speed, flipping backward to avoid Kakashi's blade, though not without taking a grazing hit to his shoulder. He winced but smirked, clearly impressed. "Impressive. But let's see how you handle this."
He began a series of rapid hand seals, and an ominous green aura pulsed around him. "Toroumi Forbidden Technique: Venomous Fang!" Scar's body emitted a dark green smoke that hissed and crackled, as if carrying a corrosive energy. The air around him grew thick and heavy, and Kakashi and Jiraiya immediately felt the burning sensation in their throats.
Jiraiya quickly summoned a toad, "Summoning: Gamaken!" The massive, armored toad appeared in a puff of smoke, taking his place in front of Jiraiya and Kakashi as a shield.
Scar attacked again, swinging a fist toward Gamaken that left a corrosive trail in the air, the poison searing the bark off nearby trees. But Gamaken skillfully parried with his shield, buying Jiraiya time to counter.
"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!" Jiraiya shouted, and the ground around Scar suddenly softened, morphing into a sticky, sucking mire. Scar's feet began to sink, the mire pulling him down as he struggled to escape.
Kakashi took advantage of the moment. "Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!" He performed the jutsu with precision, sending a massive dragon-shaped torrent crashing toward Scar.
The Water Dragon struck with full force, the impact shaking the ground, but just as they thought he'd been subdued, Scar's chakra flared in a violent surge. The venomous green aura thickened, and a second, more menacing layer of chakra spiraled around him, causing the swampy ground to crack and split.
Scar's body began to change, muscles rippling and stretching, bones cracking as he shifted into a monstrous form. His skin darkened to a bruised purple, and dark, blade-like bones erupted from his elbows, extending into jagged points that gleamed with the venomous green aura. His eyes turned a vivid, bloodthirsty red, and his mouth twisted into a grin that no longer seemed human.
Jiraiya's eyes widened. "So, he's got a transformation of his own," he muttered, a hint of worry creeping into his voice.
Kakashi's Sharingan scanned Scar's new form, noticing the dangerous spikes pulsing with chakra. "That venom isn't just for show. We need to be careful."
Scar roared, the sound tearing through the trees, and in one swift movement, he lunged forward, his new, spiked limbs slicing through the air toward Jiraiya and Kakashi, faster than before.
The fight was far from over—and it had only just reached its most dangerous phase.