"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!" A searing fireball erupted from the nearby forest, its trajectory a blazing line that snapped tree
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A searing fireball erupted from the nearby forest, its trajectory a blazing line that snapped trees in two as it hurtled towards Kai and Kimimaro.
"Dance of the Seedling Fern!"
Kimimaro moved with blinding speed, his seemingly slender frame a blur. In an instant, he positioned himself before Kai, his hands clapping together.
Muscles rippled beneath his skin, and bone spurs erupted, rapidly weaving a dense, white bone wall.
BOOM!
The fireball impacted the bone wall with a deafening roar. The immense force of the explosion sent a shockwave rippling outwards, engulfing the surrounding area in a fiery maelstrom.
Kimimaro's expression hardened. He tensed, a bone spur extending as he prepared to counterattack, but Kai's hand stopped him.
"That was a stray attack. Someone's fighting over there," Kai said, his gaze fixed on the origin of the fireball. His Mangekyō Sharingan allowed him to see two familiar faces… no, three.
"Boss, should we intervene or bypass?" Kimimaro's tense muscles relaxed.
The Kaguya clan were renowned for their ability to instantly shift between combat readiness and calm observation—a rare and invaluable skill for any ninja.
In a life-or-death struggle, those with superior combat instincts generally prevailed, and Kimimaro possessed that talent in abundance.
He was not only a skilled fighter but also a strategic thinker. This is why Orochimaru had chosen him as a vessel and leader of the Sound Four, capable of subduing a rampaging Jūgo.
"No need. Let's watch the show," Kai said, clapping Kimimaro on the shoulder. "You're still young. You don't need to protect me, and your boss isn't a fool."
However, seeing Kimimaro's stubborn refusal to back down, Kai sighed. "Fine, suit yourself."
"But don't die on me. I need you for an experiment—to become the strongest taijutsu user in the shinobi world."
"Strongest taijutsu user? Stronger than you, Boss?" Kimimaro was taken aback. He had witnessed Kai's overwhelming power firsthand.
With a flick of his wrist, he could subdue even tailed beasts, let alone Jonin or Kage-level opponents. Kai's words ignited a new kind of urgency in Kimimaro, something beyond his usual stoicism.
"Of course not. But it seems you want to surpass me, perhaps to avenge your clan?" Kai chuckled, as Kimimaro frantically shook his head.
Kai didn't dwell on the subject, clapping Kimimaro's shoulder before hurrying towards the battle. Kimimaro followed, a flicker of hope in his eyes.
Becoming the strongest taijutsu user wouldn't normally interest him, but coming from Kai, it held a different significance.
Everything Kai did was unexpected!
"Konan, get back! Don't use any jutsu!"
As they neared the battle, they heard Konan's urgent cry.
Sheets of paper, like fluttering butterflies, transformed into a swarm of locusts under Konan's control, hurtling towards seven or eight Akatsuki members in black cloaks.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The paper formed an impenetrable shield, deflecting a barrage of shuriken. The Akatsuki members, led by Hatosuke, stopped abruptly.
"Konan, what are you doing? These are suspicious Konoha ninjas. Capturing them for questioning wouldn't be a problem," Hatosuke said, his expression shifting.
"Or do you think you're inferior to Uchiha Kai, unable to defeat these so-called Genin?"
Konan and the other Akatsuki members were taken aback by Hatosuke's outburst. They hadn't expected this.
Kai rubbed his nose in exasperation. In the original story, Konan had many admirers, and Konan had rejected Hatosuke's advances.
But now, Kai was caught in the crossfire.
Being handsome was a crime!
"Hatosuke, what are you saying? This is a battlefield. Don't let your emotions affect the mission," Konan said sharply.
"Misjudgment could cost lives."
The other members agreed, but Konan's words twisted in Hatosuke's ears. He sneered.
"I knew you only cared about that Konoha renegade."
"I'll show you how I defeat these Konoha Genin!"
He drew a kunai. Hatosuke was furious. These Konoha ninjas had not concealed their identity and hadn't attacked until Hatosuke did.
If they didn't even have a chance to talk before fighting, it could escalate into a war between nations, violating Akatsuki's principles. They would become Amegakure's enemies.
"Underestimating Konoha Genin is a fatal mistake!" Kai and Kimimaro landed beside Konan.
Everyone's eyes narrowed. They'd heard of the Blood-Red Asura's reputation, but this was their first encounter.
Seeing this seemingly ordinary youth, also clad in a black Akatsuki cloak, they felt a wave of relief that they hadn't acted as rashly as Hatosuke.
Konan was shocked, but saw Hatosuke's face turning livid. He probably wished he could disappear. Kai's words, though harsh, were true.
Hatosuke had been boastful, but confronting Kai was a life-threatening proposition.
Konan opened her mouth to speak, but a Konoha ninja spoke first.
"Heh, as expected of Uchiha Kai. Your infiltration skills are unmatched. But calling us old bones 'Genin' is a bit much."
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