novelhk Page 237
Page 237
Kakashi's calm and collected command, and his junior's deep kneeling, disregarding dignity and solely for his younger brother...
The ice that had been frozen in her heart for many years seemed to crack open with a tiny fissure.
"This old man will go too!"
Chapter 259 Old Acquaintances from the Land of Waves
The sandstorm outside Sunagakure was still fierce, but four figures sped across the yellow sand like lightning, their speed leaving only blurry afterimages behind them.
Kakashi took the lead, relying on his rich experience and keen perception.
They firmly locked onto the faint traces left by the Akatsuki organization ahead, traces that had been almost wiped away by the wind and sand.
Naruto and Sasuke followed closely behind, their eyes burning with the same flame—anxiety and fighting spirit.
Although Granny Chiyo was old, her steps were unusually steady and swift.
The puppeteer's physical skills were not to be underestimated; her cloudy eyes were fixed on what lay ahead.
It was churning with anger toward his traitorous grandson and worry toward Fengying.
time is life!
Every second that is wasted makes Gaara and Shukaku's situation more dangerous!
Meanwhile, deep within a massive, extremely secluded cave on the border of the Land of Wind, shrouded by a powerful barrier, the atmosphere was oppressively suffocating.
The colossal demonic statue stood like an ancient evil god.
The figures of Akatsuki members were projected onto their ten fingers using the "Illusionary Body Technique," appearing like ghosts.
Their hands formed the same hand seal, and the vast and cold chakra gathered into nine chakra dragons emitting a dark light—the Nine-Sealed Illusionary Dragons!
These chakra dragons viciously coiled around Gaara, who was bound in front of the golem and suspended in the air.
Gaara's body arched painfully from the intense chakra pulling, and fine blood seeped from all seven orifices.
But with his eyes tightly closed, his consciousness was engaged in an even more dangerous battle deep within his own mental world!
Within a space of consciousness composed of endless yellow sand.
Gaara's phantom soul was tightly embracing Shukaku's enormous body, which was being forcibly torn apart and devoured by an invisible force!
Shukaku's originally fat tanuki body had now been mostly sucked into a black vortex that emitted a terrifying suction force.
That was the embodiment of the Nine Seals of the Illusionary Dragon!
"Uhh—!!"
Gaara's soul let out a silent roar, his eyes filled with bloodshot veins.
He mobilized all his mental strength, trying to pull Shukaku out of that vortex.
The sand surged wildly around his soul, transforming into tough sand ropes that wrapped around Shukaku's remaining limbs, resisting the powerful suction.
"Kid...give up..."
Shukaku's voice had lost its usual arrogance and was filled with an unprecedented weakness and exhaustion.
Its beastly eyes gazed with a complex expression at the tiny yet incredibly stubborn human figure below.
"This sealing technique... is something left behind by the old man of the Six Paths... it's not something you can break free from with... your meager strength..."
Another part of its body was swallowed by the vortex, and its power was rapidly dissipating.
"But... even so!"
Gaara gritted his teeth, his soul trembling violently from the excessive force, the sand rope stretched to its limit.
"I can't... just stand by and watch you... be taken away!"
We spent three whole years together, day and night!
From initial wariness and probing to later mutual understanding...
Under the indirect "matchmaking" of Naruto and his two "rogues," they were no longer simply containers and prisoners.
Shukaku witnessed his struggles and transformations as he went from "Shura" to Kazekage.
He also got used to Shukaku's awkward concern and noisy complaints.
Shouhe was already a friend and partner he had acknowledged.
It is part of his strength, and even more so, proof that he is no longer lonely!
How could he give up?!
Shukaku's enormous beastly eyes trembled violently.
Three years ago, it succumbed to the unreasonable "tyranny" of Kurama, Minato, and Madara, and was forced to stay obediently inside Gaara's body.
It originally just wanted to drift through life, and even secretly mocked this Jinchūriki brat who carried a heavy destiny.
But I don't know when it started, looking at this demon who once only loved me...
Clumsily learning to love the village and its people, risking their lives time and time again to protect others...
Its heart, hardened and cold by the long years, seemed to have a crack quietly pried open by this clumsy yet steadfast light.
"Hmph... you stupid brat..."
Shukaku's voice lowered, carrying a hint of emotion that even it itself was unaware of.
This pure bond, which disregards even personal safety to protect "friends," has quietly revived something long dormant within it.
Inside the cave, the Akatsuki members were desperately trying to cast a sealing spell.
Suddenly, Payne's cold, emotionless voice rang out: "Deidara, how's the situation over there? Is it safe?"
Deidara pursed his lips and replied in his characteristic, slightly fanatical tone, "Don't worry, Chief! Hmm!"
"Brother Scorpion has already set up a barrier at the cave entrance; it will take some effort to get in."
"What's more, Orochimaru is quite 'thoughtful,' sending two 'colleagues' to help, saying it's to ensure the sealing goes smoothly, hmm!"
Payne's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible doubt.
Just then, a sinister voice, like the hiss of a venomous snake, broke in.
Orochimaru, who was also present through the Illusionary Body Technique, said: "Hehehe... Boss, there's no need to worry."
"They're just two 'dead people,' that's all their value is... Hehehe..."
The laughter was full of calculation and coldness.
Meanwhile, following the trail left by Deidara and his group, Naruto and the others caught up.
With a forest appearing ahead, the group knew they were almost at their destination.
boom! boom! boom! boom! boom!
Suddenly, five ninjutsu attacks, each with a different attribute but equally violent and ferocious, erupted violently from behind the sand dunes in front of Naruto and his group without warning!
A blazing fireball, lightning that tears the air apart, a raging waterspout, a vacuum wind blade that cuts through everything, and a torrent of earth and rocks as heavy as a mountain!
The five elemental ninjutsu were like five roaring dragons, instantly sealing off all their escape routes.
It crashed down with an aura of utter destruction!
"Enemy attack!" Kakashi's warning rang out almost simultaneously with the attack!
Almost instinctively, Naruto rapidly formed hand seals, unleashing a massive surge of chakra from his body!
"Tu Dun·Tu Liubi!"
Several massive earthen walls, far thicker and more solid than ordinary earthen walls, with even cute fox reliefs on their surfaces, rose from the ground.
Like a solid fortress, it instantly protected Kakashi, Chiyo, Sasuke, and himself!
Boom! Boom! Boom! Fireballs, water dragons, wind blades, and earth and rocks slammed into the earthen wall, stirring up clouds of dust and violent explosions!
The earthen wall shook violently, and rubble fell in a flurry, but it ultimately managed to stubbornly block most of the attack!
However, their attributes are incompatible!
A piercing sizzling sound rang out!
The raging lightning, like the sharpest drill bit, instantly tore through the solid earthen wall defense!
A dazzling blue current cascaded down like a waterfall, carrying destructive power, heading straight for the four people protected by the earthen wall!
Sasuke was already poised to strike!
The three tomoe of the Sharingan spun rapidly, discerning the trajectory of the lightning release!
A blinding blue arc of electricity erupted from his body in an instant!
"Chidori-ryu!"
An even more violent and condensed burst of Lightning Release chakra erupted from Sasuke's body.
Like countless dancing electric snakes, they precisely met the incoming lightning!
Two powerful lightning-attribute chakras clashed violently, unleashing a blinding white light and a deafening roar!
A violent current surged and annihilated through the air!
In the end, Sasuke's Chidori Stream successfully neutralized the incoming lightning release, and the remaining electricity dissipated into the surrounding sand, leaving it charred black.
The four narrowly escaped this deadly sneak attack!
The smoke slowly dispersed.
Naruto deactivated the Earth Release: Earth Wall, and the four of them locked their eyes on the direction from which the attack was coming.
On the sand dunes, two figures dressed in black robes with red cloud patterns slowly appeared.
A person was covered in stitches, with cold green eyes.
Another person carried a blood-stained crescent scythe, a manic, twisted smile on his face.
These are Kakuzu and Hidan, members of Akatsuki who caused great trouble for Team 7 in the Land of Waves!
However, their condition was extremely strange!
The whites of his eyes turned completely into a deep, dark black, and his skin had an unnatural, ashen color.