Character Binding Technique: Control

"An attack from above? Pursuers from Iwagakure?"

Kabuto felt a jolt of alarm.

Yet, his body moved with incredible agility, performing a backflip and side-step to dodge the kunai with ease.

At the same time, he swung his sharp Chakra Scalpel, coated in chakra, aiming directly at the dark figure descending from the cliff face to strike him.

But just as Kabuto's Chakra Scalpel was halfway through its arc, he suddenly realized his entire body could no longer move!

It was as if he had been frozen in place, unable to budge even an inch.

What is going on?

What happened to my body?

Why can't I move? Who pinned me down?

In a panic, Kabuto hurriedly cast a sidelong glance toward Orochimaru.

Only then did he discover that the one who had cast the technique to freeze him was the strange man wearing a spiral mask in the distance!

Just then, the figure who had leaped from the cliff landed steadily on the ground.

Wielding a kunai, the figure lunged toward Kabuto once more.

The next moment.

"Ninja Art: Character Binding Technique: Control!"

Natsume, standing in the distance, nonchalantly activated his ninjutsu again, swiftly writing the character for 'control' in the air.

Naturally, it was the 'control' from 'manipulation.'

In the blink of an eye, the dark figure in the distance was also suddenly frozen by the character.

The person stood rigid on the spot, exactly like Kabuto.

Watching Natsume effortlessly restrain both individuals with a mere wave of his hand, Orochimaru felt a spark of curiosity toward such a miraculous ninjutsu.

"What kind of ninjutsu is this?"

"A type of control-based ninjutsu. It can easily restrain enemies weaker than oneself, or provide a slight restriction against those stronger."

Orochimaru's eyes lit up.

"To think such a miraculous secret technique exists! It seems even more refined than the Mind Disturbance Jutsu of the Yamanaka clan in Konoha!"

"It's not much of a secret technique; it's only good for bullying the weak."

"Powerful chakra and superior physical constitution can easily break the control of the Character Binding Technique."

"Besides, for a guy like you who has one trick after another and can shed your skin to escape, it wouldn't be of much use."

Natsume replied nonchalantly.

This type of auxiliary ninjutsu was never meant to deal with the strong.

Only the blade in one's hand and one's own raw strength were the true capital for defeating the powerful.

However, he had to admit, at times like these, the Character Binding Technique was quite convenient.

It wasn't a waste to have exchanged for this ninjutsu after all.

Orochimaru pursed his lips, though he wasn't overly wary.

After all, aside from mysterious soul-based ninjutsu, there was almost no ninjutsu in this world that could kill him.

He was more curious about where this brat Natsume had learned such strange and peculiar ninjutsu.

He had read through almost every ninjutsu and forbidden technique in Konoha, yet he had never seen anything like this.

Orochimaru: "Where did you learn this kind of ninjutsu?"

Natsume: "In a dream."

Orochimaru: (￣ー￣)

A moment later.

Natsume tapped his toes and leaped effortlessly in front of Kabuto and Nonō.

"I told you to calm down, so why wouldn't you listen?"

With a sigh, Natsume released the restraints around the heads of the two, restoring their ability to speak.

"Thr-Three-Tomoe Sharingan!"

"Are you from the Uchiha Clan?"

"What exactly do you want?"

Staring at the Three-Tomoe Sharingan beneath the mysterious figure's mask, Kabuto braced himself and demanded an answer.

Too strong!

The mere sliver of aura this guy leaked made his scalp tingle and his legs tremble.

Why would such a powerhouse target him of all people?

At the same time, on the other side, a crisp female voice suddenly rang out.

"You are from the Uchiha?!! You..."

Kabuto was startled, looking toward the assassin who was also immobilized opposite him.

"This voice, it's so familiar! You..."

Just then, the soft moonlight gradually shone through, illuminating the figure of the director who had been standing in the shadows.

When Kabuto saw the face of the attacker and realized it was his own director, the Wandering Shrine Maiden Nonō, he was struck with disbelief!

"Dir-Director!"

"How could this be? Why are you here?!"

Nonō was also shocked:

"Who exactly are you? Why do you recognize me?"

After all, not many people knew she was the director of the orphanage.

Moreover, the target was someone Root in Konoha had ordered her to assassinate!

The mission report claimed the target was merely a spy from Kumogakure; he shouldn't have known her!

"Director, it's me, Kabuto! You were the one who gave me that name!"

"How could you not remember me?"

"Why? Why would you try to kill me?"

Nonō stared at Kabuto, her face full of disbelief. "Kabuto? Kabuto doesn't look like this; you aren't him!"

Clearly, this Wandering Shrine Maiden still did not know she had been deceived by Root.

The photo of Kabuto that Root had sent her had long since been swapped for a different image.

That was why she could not recognize him.

"Alright! You two can explain your problems to each other slowly once you get back."

"We have more guests arriving."

Although this tragic drama was quite interesting, it was a pity that pursuers from Iwagakure were approaching rapidly.

Time was tight, so Natsume had to interrupt their reunion.

Natsume then looked at Orochimaru and gestured toward the two, issuing his orders.

"Orochimaru, I'll leave these two to you."

"Remember to bring them back safely."

"Hm... and don't get any ideas about these two."

"If they die, I will go and destroy every single test subject in your laboratory!"

"You are welcome to try..."

In an instant, the Three-Tomoe Sharingan visible beneath Natsume's mask transformed directly into the Mangekyo Sharingan.

A vast surge of mental energy whistled outward, pressing down upon Orochimaru as if it could freeze a person's very soul.

Orochimaru quickly averted his gaze and shivered, terrified of being caught in the genjutsu of the Mangekyo Sharingan.

This brat really knew how to strike at one's weak point!

Although this Kabuto has great plasticity and is worth cultivating, he still pales in comparison to so many of my other test subjects. In any case, it is not worth having a complete falling out with this fellow Natsume just for one Kabuto. As for this Nonō, she is even more dispensable.

However, this Wandering Shrine Maiden has quite a nice figure and appearance. Could it be that this brat Natsume has a thing for this type?

I've heard that precocious children are often severely lacking in maternal love?

That really might be the case!

Tsk, tsk, tsk!

Orochimaru mused to himself. Of course, it was just a joke. He would never dare to underestimate this ruthless, cold-blooded Natsume "brat."

"You really know how to order people around!"

"Rest assured, leave it to me. I will bring them back safely..."

Orochimaru curled his lips into a sinister laugh. His hands rapidly transformed into two snakes, directly coiling around both Kabuto and Nonō. The next moment, he leaped into the distance with them, quickly vanishing into the night.

A moment later, two Iwagakure ninjas caught up to this location. The leader was none other than Kitsuchi, who had been ordered to hunt down the spy.

"Hmm? Only one person?"

"I just sensed three or four auras here a moment ago. It looks like that spy has already escaped?"

"Wait, this person's attire..."

"Is he from the Akatsuki?!"

Kitsuchi and his companion landed, looking at Natsume standing alone in the distance, and could not help but mutter in confusion. According to Iwagakure records, only members of the Akatsuki organization dressed in such a manner. This rogue ninja organization known as the Akatsuki had begun to gradually become active a few years ago. Their shadows could be vaguely seen in quite a few assassination missions, but it seemed they had never yet confronted the Five Great Shinobi Villages head-on. Therefore, in the eyes of the major villages, their threat level was not particularly high. However, they had not expected to run into one of them tonight. And he was all alone! Could it be that he was the one who took away that spy?

Natsume stood in place, stretching his limbs while waiting for Kitsuchi to approach. Others might not know, but Natsume was very clear on the fact that this unassuming Kitsuchi actually possessed quite outstanding strength. He was just the right person to help him loosen up and test his current power.