Battle, Chapter Ten

The snow-covered forest was vast.

The Land of Fire is a country with a vast forest area, and the Senju Clan of Konoha spares no effort in planting trees in the barren mountains and wilderness in order to hone their Ninjutsu.

Therefore, they have nothing to fear, even if someone sets the mountain on fire. The Senju Clan's experts are top-notch at planting trees, and they can replant as many trees as are burned.

In this vast snow-covered forest, the sounds of fighting never ceased.

The ninjas of Konoha and the army of Impure World Reincarnation clashed head-on, like two opposing torrents crashing together.

Kakashi brandished his Thunder God Sword, swiftly traversing the snow-covered ground as he clashed with Bubi, the former Eight-Tails Jinchuriki. Both Kakashi and Bubi wielded long swords crackling with lightning, and each clash of blades was accompanied by a piercing hissing sound of thunder.

This was a contest between Lightning Release Techniques and swordsmanship. At such close range, the swords flashed and the tide of battle turned frequently, making the situation extremely close.

One was the deadly sword personally taught by Konoha's White Fang, and the other was the seasoned swordsmanship passed down for many years in Kumogakure. The two fought fiercely, neither daring to retreat even a step. At this moment, if either of them retreated, it would be tantamount to giving up the opportunity to attack. Simply being on the defensive was not the best approach.

Thus, the two fought fiercely, their two bright bolts of lightning intertwining.

"The Dance of the Larch"

Twenty-centimeter-long, snow-white bone knives protruded from his palms, elbows, shoulders, back, ribs, and knees.

Kimimaro moved among the Impure World Reincarnation, his every move carrying an unusual, murderous rhythm. The bloody beauty of his movements was breathtaking. He transformed into a pure killing machine, tearing the reanimated beings around him to shreds, which were then sealed away one by one by the Sealing Team members following behind him.

Until he ran into Killer B, the former Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, who was mixed in with the Impure World Reincarnation army.

As the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, Killer B's abilities are beyond doubt. Moreover, he is a very orthodox Cloud Ninja, skilled in swordsmanship and Lightning Release enhancement techniques. He can use seven swords simultaneously. When charging, Killer B is like a rolling wheel of swords, leaving nothing but destruction in his wake.

Their chance encounter with Kimimaro sparked a fierce battle.

For a time, the battle was fierce and evenly matched.

The clash between two people and two killing machines, the ear-piercing sound of swords clashing echoing endlessly.

Having ingested the Eel Energy Pills, Sakumo, and he became entangled with the Second Tsuchikage.

As one of the few veterans in the group, he recognized the monster covered in bandages almost instantly.

The Second Tsuchikage possessed the Kekkei Tōta and was known as the 'No Man' monster.

He was well aware of the power of Dust Release, so he adopted guerrilla tactics, relying on Earth Style: Earth-Style Movement Technique and Lightning Release: Body Flicker Technique to entangle the Second Tsuchikage's footsteps, avoiding a direct confrontation with the Second Tsuchikage, and keeping him unable to advance an inch in this snow forest.

Fortunately, these Impure World Reincarnation beings lacked minds; their orders were simply to destroy any humans who stood in their way.

Therefore, the Second Tsuchikage also stopped and engaged in a fierce battle with Sakumo.

"Of all the times, we had to run into this monster. Now we're doomed to lose. Koharu Biyori, ugh, this is going to be expensive. I'm going to get a scolding from my wife again."

Sakumo sighed inwardly, feeling deeply melancholy.

The silvery-white blade flashed like a dream, silently slashing towards the lower back of the Second Tsuchikage.

However, just as the blade sliced through the Second Tsuchikage's waist, the Second Tsuchikage turned around, revealing in his hands a pure white, cylindrical ball of Chakra.

Dust Release: Original World Stripping Technique!

The white light suddenly expanded, beginning to engulf everything tangible it touched.

"Ice Release: Ice-Breaking White Tiger"

A seven- or eight-meter-long, robust, and pure white tiger galloped across the snow, its white expanse so dazzling it hurt the eyes.

However, this majestic Frost White Tiger did not achieve enough results before it met its demise.

"Roar!!"

The crimson Chakra claws extended rapidly, carrying a fierce gust of wind, and grabbed the Frost White Tiger, tearing it to shreds. Then, two monsters wearing Tailed Beast Cloaks and in a state of Partial Tailed Beast Transformation pounced on them.

"Ice Release, Lance".

"Ice Release: Twin Horn Spears"

"Ice Release: Frosty White Dragon"

Yuki Kuyue's expression remained calm, her cold and aloof demeanor like an iceberg that had never melted. Even when the Gold and Silver Brothers Tailed Beast Transformation together, they could not move her.

However, it is indeed somewhat troublesome.

Gold and Silver Brothers, two shining lights of Kumogakure, also possess four of the five ninja tools left behind by the Sage of Six Paths. Unfortunately, they lack the wisdom to wield them. Apart from the Basho Fan, which is quite powerful when used, the other three ninja tools are too complicated to use, and the two of them simply cannot master them.

Therefore, at the start of the battle, the two beams of light from Kumogakure were seized by Kuyue and relentlessly attacked, eventually being frozen and suppressed.

If it weren't for the Nine-Tails Chakra erupting, the outcome would have been clear much earlier.

"Two leeches," Kuyue muttered under her breath.

Both of them actually possess the Nine-Tails Chakra. The Tailed Beast Chakra has a bug-like ability that combines attack, defense, and healing, making it really difficult to kill them, not to mention that these two are both reincarnated beings who are impossible to kill.

These two must be quickly suppressed with overwhelming force, and then a seal must be applied.

However, it's easier said than done; figuring out how to suppress these two monsters still requires some thought.

"This is a terrifying Genjutsu."

Kisame's palms, which were tightly gripping Samehada, were sweating profusely, causing Samehada to writhe uncomfortably.

The surrounding scenery was bizarre and grotesque. The wind and snow had disappeared, the trees had disappeared, the Impure World Reincarnation army had disappeared, and even the Konoha Ninjas I had seen before had disappeared. The last thing I remembered was a pair of eerie, crimson eyes. Then the world changed, and there was no distinction between sky and earth. There was only a world pieced together by red light spots of varying intensities.

This is Genjutsu, without a doubt.

However, what chilled Kisame the most was that even knowing he was under Genjutsu, he was powerless to break free.

Samehada's Chakra fed back to him, but it couldn't shake the scene before him in the slightest. However, with Samehada protecting him with its own consciousness and sensitive perception, it seemed that the other party couldn't do anything to him for the time being. No, no, the sense of time in the Genjutsu space is not accurate at all. Heaven knows how much time has actually passed.

Cold sweat soaked his back, Kisame grinned menacingly. It had been a long time since he'd had such a thrilling experience.

"Laugh? The Seven Ninja Swordsmen are indeed extraordinary."

Itachi narrowed his eyes, staring at Kisame standing in the snow, wielding the Samehada, and did not rush forward.

Samehada's spiritual power astonished him. When he tried to get closer, Samehada moved on its own and killed his Shadow Clones. When he used the Great Fireball Technique, Samehada swallowed him whole.

"This knife is really troublesome!"

It's just a hassle, though. (To be continued)