Rules and Runes

Lu Zeming planted his foot on the Pig-Faced Mask's chest and sneered. "You lured me here on purpose. Did you think I couldn't tell? I came because I wanted to see how much fighting strength Konoha could still muster to kill me!"

Surprise flickered through the Pig-Faced Mask's eyes, then hardened into ruthless resolve.

"Die!" The Pig-Faced Mask pulled out an Explosive Tag, intending to take Lu Zeming down with him. Lu Zeming gave him no chance. A flash of his sword severed the Pig-Faced Mask's head and the right hand clutching the tag.

Lu Zeming clasped his hands behind his back and looked around. "Shall we begin?"

The next instant, four distinct Chakra signatures surged. Four walls of violet flame shot skyward and joined together, forming a vast purple cage around Lu Zeming.

"The Four Violet Flames Formation. Takes me back!"

Just then, the ground ahead of Lu Zeming twisted and warped, and three figures appeared inside the formation.

The three wore nearly identical outfits. Only their masks differed: one rabbit, one cat, and one snake.

They did not rush to attack. Instead, they took positions in a triangle, moving in such perfect unison they seemed like one person.

Lu Zeming narrowed his eyes. He could sense how strong they were. Even if they fell short of Orochimaru, they were not far behind.

"That old bastard Danzo really spared no expense!"

Rabbit Mask moved first. He formed Hand Seals at incredible speed, and a sealing barrier made of Runes rapidly spread overhead.

The light those Runes emitted seemed to alter certain rules within the formation.

"No flying here!"

Lu Zeming showed no sign of panic. He stared at the Runes, his face alight with excitement.

"Runes that change the rules? Damn! I don't even know one ten-thousandth of what