Ryo's eyes flashed with determination. He absolutely must not allow himself to be touched by that poisonous mist. Intelligence reports indicated that Hanzo's toxin scared even Orochimaru. Although he recovered rapidly, if poisoned his combat ability would undeniably suffer.
Ryo halted his forward momentum, pivoted strongly on his left foot, generating centrifugal force as the Kusanagi sliced diagonally from below. The blade vibrated at high speed, cutting the air with an ear‑piercing shriek.
The high‑speed vibrating sword‑energy spun rapidly in front of him, instantly forming an invisible, rapidly rotating "air wall". It was not a physical barrier, but rather forced dispersion of flying particles and energy via the high‑speed oscillation of blade.
Hissss!
The lethal mist, driven by fierce wind, slammed into the invisible barrier. Part of it was directly shattered and annihilated by the high‑speed vibrating sword‑energy; another part was violently diverted by the swirling airflow, brushing past the sides of his body and striking the twisted steel wreckage behind with a hissing corrosive sound. The hardened steel surface turned black and began to dissolve. Still, a very small amount of toxin particles slipped through the seams of the barrier.
Ryo felt a faint sting and numbness at his exposed wrist and neck. A warning bell sounded in his mind. Without hesitation, the life‑energy inherited from Shanks surged within him. His formidable regenerative power went into full operation. The sporadic pain and numbness quickly subsided, leaving only faint red marks on his skin.
That was close. That toxin is something else. he thought grimly. If not for his Observation Haki warning him and his super‑strong recovery, he may have already fallen victim.
"Oh?" Hanzo's voice cut through the storm. He also flickered with surprise at Ryo's near‑instant removal of the toxin's effect. So this red‑haired kid's toxin resistance is also that high? The intelligence only mentioned his terrifying recovery, not this effect.
"Your turtle shell is pretty tough," Hanzo said coldly. The test is over, now time to get serious. His hands formed seals again, this time more complex and profound.
Compound Ninjustsu: Earth Release: Underworld Swamp! plus Fire Release: Explosion Flame Array!
Hanzo slammed a palm against the metal collapsed platform beneath his feet. Earth chakra poured wildly. Cracks, creaks! The metal platform around Ryo softened and collapsed instantly. Murky mud surged upward like a living whirlpool, radiating immense suction, attempting to swallow Ryo, trap him inside. The speed and range were extreme.
At the same time, amid the muddy swamp beneath Ryo's feet, countless talismans marked with explosion symbols rapidly emerged like bamboo shoots after rain, swelling visibly. Orange‑red flames flickered crazily on the talismans. They were waiting for the moment Ryo fell into the swamp and became immobile, then would detonate. A double trap, an absolute kill combination.
Ryo reacted at the extremity of speed. Upon sensing the ground beneath shifting and the suction force, chakra from his feet erupted in an instant.
Earth Release: Light‑Weight Rock Technique!
A strange weightless sensation hit him, his body instantly became extraordinarily light. The huge suction had no effect on him. He planted his feet on a still‑stable metal fragment, then with the leverage of his body launched himself upward like a feather. At the precise moment before the swamp fully closed and the talisman exploded, he cleared the trap zone.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
Explosions thundered beneath Ryo. A massive fireball and shockwave rose, composed of molten mud, metal fragments propelled outward. The blast hit Ryo mid‑air.
Bang!
He felt his back hit as if struck by a sledgehammer but he endured the impact, executed a nimble roll in mid‑air to deflect the force, and landed on a twisted metal frame below.
"Flying? Earth Release?" Hanzo's eyes narrowed as he stared at Ryo's graceful descent. This ability was outside his intel. The red‑haired kid keeps pulling unexpected cards. Not just strength, speed, defense beyond expectation, also spatial ninjutsu, powerful sword‑tech, Earth Release secret technique… it's straight off the charts.
A novel pressure unlike ever before enveloped Hanzo's heart. He knew there could be no more holding back. He had to use his full strength and end this variable quickly.
"Kid, you've successfully pissed me off!" Hanzo's voice was low and hoarse, filled with suppressed rage. Without forming seals, he adopted a peculiar "gasshō" posture. A colossal, cold, destructive chakra gathered in his body like a volcano ready to erupt.
Water Release: Water Severing Wave!
Hanzo inhaled sharply.
A super‑high‑pressure water line, nearly white, shot forth from the palms of his hands! The speed exceeded thought. Thin as a hair, yet carrying the terrifying penetration power to cut through steel and pierce the strongest defense ninjutsu. Silent, flawless, the true assassin's art!
The deadly threat struck Ryo's heart in an instant. Observation Haki exploded its warnings! The water line's trajectory was crystal clear, yet the speed was too fast. Almost at the instant he perceived it, it was already in front of him! He had just landed, his old force gone, new force not yet born.
But he still twisted his body forcibly. He raised Kusanagi in front of him. The blade was infused with all his power.
Clang!!!
A piercing metallic clash echoed across the rooftop.
That condensed super‑high‑pressure water line met the blade. The sword trembled with strain, emitting a mournful cry. Dark‑red light flowed crazily across the blade surface. It resisted the terrifying cutting force! Still, the massive power passed through. Ryo felt his right‑hand web tear instantly, blood spraying. His whole right arm felt like it had been hit by a speeding train. The recoil threw him upwards, his feet losing ground.
Boom! Crunch!
He crashed heavily into a thick steel support column behind him! The metal groaned as a dent formed from the impact. His right arm was numbed beyond awareness. The Kusanagi flew from his hand, spinning, embedding itself in the distant ground, humming.
Injured! He took a full‑force blow from Hanzo's full all‑out strike.
"Hmph, it's over."
Hanzo's eyes sharpened with killing intent. He would not give Ryo even a second to recover. This brat had destroyed his palace and pushed him to this point. He formed seals even faster, aiming directly at the temporarily unarmed Ryo.
Water Release: Water Dragon Whip!
Swish, swish, swish.
Several high‑speed water lashes shot forward, twisting like giant serpents. They curved around debris with precision, sealing every possible escape route.
Ryo's pupils tightened. His Observation Haki flared, mapping every incoming strike. Dodging was impossible, and with his right arm damaged, he could not rely on the sword.
He planted his left hand on the ground, muscles tightening as he drove his body sharply to the side.
Woosh. Woosh.
Two water whips tore past, slicing his sleeve open and carving two deep lines along his arm, bone flashing white beneath the blood. The pain hit him, sharp and clean.
A third lash cut toward his back, faster and deadlier.
No clean escape.
Ryo's thoughts remained cold, not panicked. He refused to be cornered the same way twice. And at that razor‑thin moment between strike and death, something inside him finally moved.
Ping.
A pressure, long suppressed, broke open inside him. The barrier that had locked his fusion at 59.9 percent cracked under lethal tension and the shock of his injuries.
---
[Ding. Red Haired Shanks Template fusion critical point breached.]
[Shanks' Legacy Integration increased to: 60%]
[Shanks' Legacy unlocked to: 60 to 80 percent (Kage to Beyond Kage)]
[Power Level: Kage Tier, stabilizing and rising]
[New Legacy unlocked, fusion initiating]
----
A far more magnificent, more condensed, qualitatively transformed power, like a flood breaking its dam, surged through Ryo's limbs and bones. Every cell in his body greedily absorbed the new energy. The torn muscles and tendons deep within from taking the full Water Severing Wave began rapid repair and strengthening at a rate beyond previous. Even his numbed right arm began to burn with incoming power, strength returning rapidly! Pain still present, but a unprecedented surge of power and control filled his soul! The barrier was broken!
The final water whip was less than a breath away when Ryo's voice dropped into a controlled growl.
"Get lost."
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)