129 Chapter 129

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Flames have the power to incinerate all. Yet, there exists a kind of flame retardant that even the mightiest flames, like the B-rank Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation Technique, cannot overcome.

This flame retardant is the Cloud Ninja's Lightning Release Armor, blocking external flames while the fire and fighting spirit within burn as fiercely under the cover of blue armor.

Without needing to summon Susanoo, the Cloud Ninjas' Lightning Release Armor is a standard for the toughness.

Once donned, there's no need to consider much else—aside from Wind Release techniques that counter Lightning Release, charging forward is all that matters.

Flames, break open!

The two-kilometer-wide Great Fire Annihilation was breached by Dodai, creating a human-shaped gap. The Cloud Ninjas following him charged through this opening with increasing speed, undeterred by the flames.

However, ninjas like Dodai, who can master the Lightning Release Armor to such an extent, are few. His fearless, barbarian-like charge brings an unmatched boost in morale.

The Cloud Ninjas are frenzied! Surrounded by Lightning Release Chakra, they just need to follow Dodai and the other elite ninjas' lead.

Death? For a Cloud Ninja to die charging forward is not disgraceful but the highest honor!

"Have they... lost their minds?"

In the Leaf camp, someone murmured, "With such a powerful and deadly combined technique from Captain Kyomu and the others, aren't they afraid?"

"This is the Cloud Ninja for you."

"Indeed, that's the Cloud Ninja for you. They've always been like this, a bunch of muscular brutes!"

"Prepare the combined technique again!" Jiraiya continued to shout, "Dodai is mine to handle. The frontal suppression is up to you, Kyomu!"

Kyomu silently acknowledged, taken aback by the brutish battlefield display of the Cloud Ninjas.

Together with Kakashi and Obito, plus the wind support from the rest of the team, the power of their Great Fire Annihilation Technique had surpassed even that of Madara.

But what did Dodai and the Cloud Ninjas behind him do?

"Truly passionate, the Cloud Ninjas are indeed a group of true men," Kyomu finally spoke, "But passion comes at a cost. Again!"

Earth Release is ineffective, countered by Lightning Release.

Water Release, too, is ineffective, being complementary to Lightning Release.

Lightning Release could be used, but against Cloud Ninjas proficient in Lightning Release, its lethality is far less than that of Wind and Fire Release.

"Prepare Wind Release," Kyomu instructed, signaling behind him, "Let's suppress their morale and remind them that underestimating us comes with a price!"

The next second, Kyomu, Kakashi, and Obito moved in unison.

Rat-Ox-Tiger-Rabbit-Dragon-Snake-Horse.

Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!

The fierce flames no longer spread across the sky but formed a dragon-shaped wave of fire, not broader but more concentrated, powerful, and hotter.

Behind them, the movements of the team members were nearly synchronized.

Wind Release: Great Breakthrough! The wind propelled the dragon-shaped wave of fire across the ground, instantly increasing its size and doubling its power.

Sweeping across, aside from Dodai and several elite Cloud Ninjas, the lesser Cloud Ninjas suffered immediate casualties in the hundreds, with the numbers still climbing.

The meat grinder of war had begun!

Yet, the Cloud Ninjas' relentless charge yielded impressive results. Close combat ensued, with the Cloud Ninjas' individual strengths beginning to show.

But Kyomu and his team, like steadfast artillery, continued to hold the frontline. The Cloud Ninjas rushing forward were met by other Leaf ninjas.

"Take down those people!"

Dodai, while engaging Jiraiya, pointed towards Kyomu's location, "They are our biggest threat!"

Being known as ninja artillery indeed means unmatched lethality on the battlefield but also becoming the prime target for enemies.

The Cloud Ninjas didn't need Dodai's command to know their primary targets.

And naturally, the Leaf side was not foolish. Thinking of targeting our ninja artillery? You'll have to get past us first!

Kyomu and his team, undistracted, prepared for another large-scale combined jutsu.

Fire Release: Great Fireball! Kyomu, Kakashi, and Obito, once again, simultaneously launched the same Fire Release technique.

This was the benefit of training together. Beyond signature moves, there were so many techniques they could perform in unison against enemies.

With the aid of the Dragon Veins Chakra, the chakra within the trio was formidable. For three B-rank Fire Release techniques, the chakra consumption was minimal, at most one-tenth.

Truly living up to the name of ninja artillery.

Boom, boom, boom! Like a 40mm cannon sweeping the land, the explosions and flames illuminated the battlefield spectacularly.

Similarly, the Cloud Ninjas who breached the Leaf's lines began to use Lightning Release techniques en masse. Sparks flew, and the Leaf's numbers dwindled severely.

Due to Lightning Release's effect, Earth Release techniques were either unusable or easily shattered, greatly weakening the Leaf's defense.

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.

As Kyomu and his team's combined technique subsided, a torrent of shuriken, kunai, and explosive tags tied to kunai rained down from the sky.

This was a massive assault by the Cloud Ninjas.

Puff, puff, puff.

Leaf ninjas fell beside Kyomu and his team, who had no time to attend to them. The frontlines are cruel and full of surprises; it's hard to predict what attack might end your life.

"Kakashi, Obito, continue leading the team. I'll go ahead and block them."

Kyomu made a quick decision, leaping into the air with a tap of his toes.

Puff.

A cloud of smoke appeared beneath his feet as a giant snake head emerged, catching him naturally.

"Lord Kyomu," the serpent spoke softly, "I've been waiting for you for a long time."

"It's been less than two months."

"That's still a long time." The serpent swung its tail, clearing a path through the Cloud Ninjas, "I wish to see you every day, Lord Kyomu."

"Ha ha, Aoda!" Kyomu was spirited, "Then let's fight together this time and crush them!"

The serpent's massive body slithered across the battlefield. Its movements, though not particularly large, caused significant damage to the Cloud Ninjas due to its size.

Though mostly lower-ranked ninjas fell, these were the future of the Cloud. Their loss was felt.

But Kyomu didn't care; his main goal was to mow down the ranks until the elite Cloud Ninjas couldn't stand it any longer, easing the pressure on his allies.

Reaching for his ninja tool pouch, Kyomu took out a sealing scroll. With a flick of his hand, a giant windmill shuriken appeared.

Throwing it skyward, he simultaneously formed seals.

Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!

Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.

In an instant, a dark cloud formed above Kyomu, comprised entirely of windmill shuriken, overshadowing the Cloud Ninjas' barrage of thrown weapons.

"He's the Leaf's Slayer, Aragami Kyomu!"

"It's him, no doubt!"

"Don't be afraid, he's only human, he can die, charge!"

"But in such a short time... the number of our comrades fallen by his hand is already in the triple digits."

"We must avenge them, charge!"

Facing the overwhelming barrage of demonic shuriken, the Cloud Ninjas showed no fear, continuing their relentless charge towards Kyomu.

"I love your stubbornness, Cloud Ninjas!" Kyomu shouted, clearly enjoying the battle, "Come on! Fight! Let's see just how fearless you really are!"

Clang.

Yoei emerges from its sheath.

Swish, swish, swish.

Ordinary consecutive sword swings launched wind blades, each as powerful as a C-rank Wind Release: Vacuum Scythe.

Puff, puff, puff.

Lightning Release met its nemesis. Kyomu struck down one after another, occasionally landing a 'critical hit', clearing swathes of enemies with luck.

Rumble, rumble.

The serpent continued forward, carrying Kyomu straight towards the Cloud Ninjas' formation. From afar, the combination of Kyomu and the serpent nearly pierced through the Sand's front lines.

"Kyomu, your opponent is me!"

A cold female voice rang out ahead. Looking down, Kyomu saw a woman with short golden hair and pale skin.

Such a complexion stood out among the darker-skinned Cloud Ninjas, making her instantly recognizable to Kyomu.

"Samui, is it?" Kyomu sneered coldly, "Finally, someone of weight has arrived."

Beckoning to Samui, "Come, show me what you've got."

Zap.

Samui vanished in an instant, leaving behind two scorched footprints where she stood.

In the next moment, Samui, wielding a short sword, appeared at Kyomu's left side.

Clang.

Yoei blocked a strike, and Kyomu kicked towards Samui's chest.

Boom.

Samui reacted swiftly, blocking with one hand. But her expression changed as she was forced to backflip several times before landing, sliding backward with her short sword in the ground before coming to a halt.

"Such strength!" Samui looked up, "Kyomu, I underestimated you."

Whoosh.

Kyomu didn't reply, leaping from the serpent's head, sword raised above his head, and smashing down towards Samui.

The serpent, knowing its time fighting alongside Kyomu had ended, coiled its massive body and retreated, stirring chaos among the Cloud Ninjas' ranks.

Boom! The sword hadn't yet touched the ground, but the wind blade it generated cracked the earth open.

Dust swirled as Samui had already dodged, closing in on Kyomu for another strike.

Her short sword traced an arc, charged with sharp electric arcs, aiming straight for Kyomu's neck.

Clang.

Yoei blocked in front, without Kyomu making any other move, he suddenly spit a fireball to one side.

Fire Release: Flame Bullet!

Samui was forced back again, her eyes widening in shock. This man can use jutsu without seals?!

Indeed, he can.

Kyomu offered no explanation, pushing off the ground and pursuing the retreating Samui.

Crack.

The ground cracked under his feet as Kyomu appeared instantly in front of Samui.

Thrust!

Zap.

Samui's body sparkled with lightning, as Lightning Release Chakra boosted her speed and explosive power.

She narrowly dodged, but was met with Kyomu's colder smile.

His wrist twisted, changing the thrust to a sweep. Simultaneously, a wind blade formed, extending Yoei's blade dramatically.

Clang, crack.

Samui's short sword broke, the wind blade slicing through her barely-there Lightning Release Armor, cutting open her clothes and leaving a deep gash across her chest.

Feeling no pity, Samui's strength was far inferior to that of Lady Tsunade!

Puff.

Blood sprayed as Samui dropped her sword, retreating explosively.

At the same time, Samui formed seals.

Lightning Release: Scatter Fist Maelstrom!

Samui, with a lightning ball in each hand, the electric currents between them attracting and radiating, eventually formed a circular lightning domain centered on Samui, spreading outwards.

"How is that possible!"

Yoei effortlessly broke through the surrounding lightning, with Kyomu, unharmed, reappearing in front of Samui.

A simple thrust.

Breaking through the barely-there Lightning Release Armor, cutting through the clothes, Yoei's sharp blade continued forward.

Puff.

Blood splattered as the blade penetrated deep into Samui's chest, stopping less than two centimeters from her heart.

Swoosh.

Kyomu quickly dodged as a blade, gleaming with cold light, grazed his cheek, flying past. As he leaned forward, the sensation of the blade cutting into flesh vanished.

"Killer B."

"It seems you know me." Killer B, with eight octopus tentacles swirling behind him, one wrapping around Samui's waist, had already dragged her to safety.

"He's mine," Killer B glanced back, instructing the narrowly saved Samui, who nodded, covering her chest as she retreated quickly.

She was no match for Kyomu, not lasting ten moves in his hands.

Slip.

Killer B's octopus tentacles retracted, his body immediately covered in a layer of crimson Tailed Beast Chakra, with a layer of blue Lightning Release Armor cloaking closer to his body.

Bang! A sonic boom echoed as Kyomu's vision blurred, his right hand holding the sword across his chest, left hand supporting the blade, adopting a defensive stance just in time.

Boom! Kyomu's body was thrown back, shooting out over a hundred meters before barely stopping.

"Such strength!" Kyomu was astonished.

"As your name suggests, ultra-fast neural reactions and solid physical strength and fundamentals," Killer B assessed internally, "You're certainly in the elite ninja category, but you're not strong enough to face me!"

Bang!

Another explosion as Killer B vanished from his spot, his right arm cocked at a 45° angle, ready to unleash one of the Cloud Ninja's ultimate taijutsu techniques.

Lightning Plough Hot Blade!

As Kyomu landed, he locked eyes with the approaching Killer B, his arm, glowing with Tailed Beast Chakra and lightning, nearing Kyomu's neck.

Zap.

Kyomu's body was covered in electric arcs, enhancing his reaction speed and mobility. In a critical moment, he raised Yoei to protect his neck, directing the blade towards Killer B's inner elbow.

"Killer B, there's something strange about his sword!"

In the mental space, the Eight-Tails Gyuki cautioned, allowing Killer B to retract his move. But as they crossed paths, Killer B's inner elbow was drenched in blood.

In the exchange, Killer B's right hand was nearly severed by Yoei's blade.

Swish.

Kyomu flicked the blade, a smile curving at the corner of his mouth.

What of the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki? When struck, you too bleed, you too can die!

The Lightning Release Chakra within his body boiled, flowing along the pathways of the Eight Gates, sequentially opening six of the body's limit gates.

Lightning Release: Eight Gates, The Gate of View Opens!

Zap.

Brilliant lightning surged upwards, Kyomu's black hair standing on end as he was enveloped in electric arcs.

It was as if he had achieved a state of Super Saiyan!

(End of Chapter)