Chapter 420: Countering the Mechanics
The mist completely dispersed.
Above the sea surface, vision opened wide, permeated with killing intent heavier than the fog.
Uchiha Shisui controlled the crimson Susanoo, still steadily blocking that pale synthetic beast's crazed biting. The monster's claws and fangs scraped against the energy armor with piercing shrieks, unable to penetrate even slightly.
In this stalemate moment.
"Kirin."
A cold voice devoid of any emotion sounded from beside Shisui.
Immediately after, deep within the rain clouds, lightning gathered and took shape at visible speed!
"RUMBLE—!!!"
Earth-shaking thunder transformed into substance. A blue unicorn formed entirely of violent lightning emerged from the cloud layer, diving fiercely toward the synthetic beast below!
Before the lightning arrived, the sea surface was already illuminated deathly white, fine electric currents running wildly through the seawater!
"ROAR—!!!"
The synthetic beast released an earsplitting painful roar. Kirin penetrated its massive body without obstruction! Blinding blue-white plasma exploded at every joint, every stitched piece of flesh on its surface. The acrid smell of burning instantly permeated the area.
"Vanish with the thunder."
The synthetic beast's struggle abruptly stopped. Its massive body convulsed violently several times before crashing onto the undulating sea, splashing towering water. White smoke appeared, rapidly enveloping it. The summoning contract was forcibly cancelled as the monster dissipated into smoke.
"Don't get in the way."
Uchiha Satsuki, wearing a fox mask similar in style to Menma's, glanced at Shisui beside her. Her voice was ice-cold.
Shisui's expression beneath the mask paused slightly, eyes looking at Satsuki with complexity—that familiar Mangekyo evolved to become even more profound and powerful. He wouldn't mistake it.
After the initial probing attacks, the battlefield situation had become clear.
The opposing sides, no longer concealing.
Menma's side:
Leader "Menma," two masked Uchiha Mangekyo wielders—Uchiha Satsuki, Uchiha Shisui.
Kakuzu who'd just deployed powerful Wind Release and retracted the masked monster into his body scanned the field with green eyes, evaluating opponents' value.
Momochi Zabuza looked thoughtful, staring at the genuine Executioner's Blade in Juzo Biwa's hands opposite him, gaze burning.
Konan's side, also Akatsuki's side:
Konan hovered in midair, paper wings lightly fluttering, expression grave. Executioner's Blade wielder Juzo Biwa, Lightning Blades: Kiba wielder Raiga Kurosuki.
A young man shouldering a massive three-bladed scythe with gray hair and a nervously excited smile on his face—Hidan.
And a white-haired youth standing slightly behind in silence. Most of his face was wrapped in bandages, especially his mouth sealed tight.
Five versus five.
The sea breeze's scent swept past, rainstorm still mercilessly lashing everyone.
"This really is..."
Momochi Zabuza first broke the silence. "Didn't expect executing this kind of 'major scene' mission would encounter such famous seniors."
His gaze swept across Juzo Biwa's face, finally fixing on that broad-bladed sword.
"Looks like... I finally have a chance to legitimately 'inherit' the ninja blade."
Hearing this, Juzo grinned, revealing a mouthful of sharp teeth.
"That outfit... I see, the 'Demon' brat from Hidden Mist. Single-handedly killed all his graduating classmates... As expected, you defected too."
His tone carried a trace of mockery.
"So, shall we activate Hidden Mist ANBU's 'standard procedure' for facing village traitors? If captured alive by the enemy, immediately beg comrades to kill you to prevent information leaks?"
Zabuza snorted coldly. "Hmph, spare me." His voice revealed disdain and hatred. "That rotting country threw that 'tradition' in the sewers long ago. I'm standing here today..."
He raised his eyes, gaze passing over Juzo, searching for a specific figure.
"Because the leader told me—the mastermind behind Hidden Mist Village's scene back then... is somewhere here, some bastard wearing a mask."
"Orochimaru... didn't come?"
Hiruko standing behind Akatsuki's formation scanned [Ember]'s lineup, unable to find that figure he particularly despised yet longed to surpass, revealing a trace of disappointment.
But quickly, his gaze burned as it locked onto those two masked figures in the opposing formation—Uchiha Shisui and Uchiha Satsuki.
That's... the Mangekyo Sharingan?
If I obtain that... I can become the ultimate ninja, surpassing Orochimaru, surpassing everyone... the perfect ninja!
On the other side, Kakuzu was calmly evaluating every target opposite. His mind rapidly calculated.
Not bad...
He gave this indifferent assessment internally.
Targets with bounty records, formidable strength... Looks like after completing the mission today, I can do some side business, earn some extra cash to fill the organization's coffers.
"Though we're enemies..."
Hidan shouldered his triple-bladed scythe, face wearing a smile as if wanting to proselytize. He stepped forward, opening his mouth—
"But are you interested in learning about the Jashin faith—"
His words hadn't finished!
"Hum—!"
The Mangekyo Sharingan beneath Uchiha Shisui's mask suddenly erupted with crimson light! Ocular power surged and expanded without warning!
"—Retreat!"
Konan's expression changed drastically. Her paper wings beat violently as she shot skyward instantly!
"Close your eyes! Don't look at his eyes!"
Hiruko shouted a warning while simultaneously jerking sideways and lowering his head. Juzo Biwa and Raiga Kurosuki were also veteran battle-hardened ninja, instinctively leaping aside, forcibly twisting their line of sight!
However—
"Eh...?"
Hidan's excited expression froze on his face. He'd just been concentrating fully on trying to "preach," gaze happening to meet Shisui's Mangekyo directly!
In that instant, his entire body went rigid in place. The Mangekyo Sharingan's genjutsu had already dragged him completely into consciousness's abyss.
"Wind Release: Pressure Damage!"
From behind Kakuzu, the masked monster opened wide—"WHOOSH—!!!"
Sharp as blades, violent Wind Release current swept precisely across the rigid Hidan!
"Splurt! Splurt!"
Blood light erupted!
Hidan's right arm gripping the scythe and his left leg supporting his body were simultaneously severed at the root by wind blades in the same instant! Severed limbs accompanied by blood flew and fell into the surging seawater.
"Wh-what?!"
Intense pain violently yanked Hidan back from genjutsu! He looked down at his missing limbs. His face showed not fear but erupted with earsplitting roars mixed with agony and fury.
"Despicable coward—!! You dare ambush this great lord?! It hurts so much ahhh—!!!"
If this were an ordinary ninja suffering such severe injuries, even if not dying on the spot, they'd rapidly lose life from excessive blood loss.
But though Hidan lost mobility, collapsing in blood and seawater, his voice remained full of vigor, even growing increasingly enraged, as if those wounds weren't fatal injuries but merely annoying superficial wounds.
"Water Release: Water Prison Jutsu!"
Momochi Zabuza's shadow clone appeared beside Hidan, hands rapidly forming seals! A massive water sphere condensed from chakra instantly enveloped the immobile Hidan completely, imprisoning him within!
"What the hell?! You bastards—you already knew this great lord has an immortal body?! Hey—! Let me out! I can't break free from this thing!!"
Hidan struggled futilely in the water prison, cursing. His voice became muffled and comical through the water.
Is this guy... an idiot?
Kakuzu's mouth beneath the mask couldn't help twitching. He coldly complained internally.
Falling for tricks so easily on the battlefield, then shouting his greatest trump card "immortal body" for the whole world to know... This kind of teammate was simply a greater threat than the enemy.
In a flash, Akatsuki had lost one combatant at the opening.
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