The clear, glittering ice crystals encased him completely like a coffin.
Then Gekkō Raito used the Body Flicker Technique. His figure vanished into thin air, and when he reappeared, he was already standing in front of Tsunade.
The Black Blade Zangetsu in his hand was already unsheathed, gleaming with a biting, cold light.
Without any flourish, he slashed straight at the face of the ambusher, Kabuto Yakushi.
But the ice crystals covering the man shattered at that very instant. After all, only the surface of his body had been frozen. As long as his chakra was still flowing, Ice Release of this level could not trap an expert for long.
In that instant between life and death, Kabuto twisted his body with all his might, trying to dodge Gekkō Raito's slash, but Gekkō Raito was clearly faster.
Riiip!
A bloodied arm traced a tragically beautiful arc through the air before slowly falling to the ground, rolling several times before coming to a stop.
Bright red blood instantly splattered across the surrounding grass.
Kabuto Yakushi collapsed to the ground, clutching the wound at his severed shoulder and howling in pain. His face was as white as paper as he stared in utter terror at the expressionless youth before him.
Gekkō Raito frowned, looking down at Kabuto.
Tsunade also came to her senses at that moment, staring blankly at the Kirigakure ninja who had suddenly appeared and saved her.
This ninja who launched the sneak attack could only be one of Orochimaru's subordinates!
Gekkō Raito turned to Orochimaru, his tone icy. "Kill Tsunade? That doesn't seem to serve your interests. Why?"
Orochimaru licked his lips and gave a sinister smile. "Well, naturally, I can't tell you that. Why don't you guess, if you're so capable?"
Gekkō Raito frowned, his mind quickly connecting