Chapter 31: Such Wonderful Golden Light! Kazuya, Untouchable!
Of course...
Jiraiya would never truly embody the image of someone cold and serious. No matter what situation he found himself in, he always managed to do something to break the mood!
"If the world hadn't given us Jiraiya, chaos and absurdity would rule forever!"
Respect, respect!
In the end, it was Moonlight Hayate who, unable to bear the sight any longer, rushed over and pulled Jiraiya out of the muck.
At that moment, Orochimaru's entire group of shinobi also fell into a strange silence.
Is this the Legendary Sannin? The one who's supposed to be on par with Lord Orochimaru?
Ridiculous!
Even Orochimaru's face was etched with dark lines. He had intended to use a Water Style technique to wash away any potential Flying Thunder God marks Kazuya might've left behind, only to trap Jiraiya instead inadvertently.
"Jiraiya..."
"You haven't changed at all since ten years ago," Orochimaru said, his tone laced with biting sarcasm.
Pulled free from the swamp, Jiraiya's expression grew awkward. His grand entrance had turned into an utter embarrassment.
How awkward!
"Ahem..." Jiraiya cleared his throat, trying to steer the conversation away from his blunder. "Orochimaru, stop this madness! Come back to the village with me. It's not too late to turn things around!"
Orochimaru's response was cold and sharp. "Jiraiya, you're as naive as ever. Your world is too small…"
"This world... anything that has formed will eventually perish. Only the formless holds eternal life!"
Jiraiya fought to suppress his growing anger. "Orochimaru, you've strayed too far. Even if I have to break both your legs…"
"I will bring you back to the village!"
BOOM!
A surge of powerful chakra erupted from both of them, their eyes flashing with deadly resolve.
"Wild Lion's Mane Technique!"
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
In an instant, Jiraiya's white hair clashed against Orochimaru's serpents in mid-air, creating a sickening crunch that echoed through the battlefield.
The Legendary Sannin...
Orochimaru and Jiraiya—finally, their fateful clash had begun!
"Move in!" Kazuya said in a low voice. "Stay clear of Jiraiya's fight. If any of the traitors resist, kill them on the spot!"
"Yes, Captain!"
"Yes, sir!"
The ANBU ninjas responded in icy tones, ready for battle.
Hah!
They might be unable to take down Orochimaru, but these rogue ninjas? No problem!
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
The ANBU soldiers leaped into action without hesitation, instantly closing the gap to engage the enemy.
Shinobi were no fools.
If a mission wasn't life or death, battles were approached with a strategic mindset.
If the enemy was weaker? Fight.
If the enemy was your equal? Test the waters.
If they were stronger?
Sorry, but you'd better believe we're going all out!
Kazuya gently stopped Kurenai as she prepared for battle, placing a hand on her shoulder and leaving a Flying Thunder God mark there.
"Captain?"
"Be careful. Protect yourself."
"Thank you… You too!" Kurenai took a deep breath, readied her kunai, and charged toward a Chūnin.
Good!
Kazuya nodded in satisfaction.
She was learning.
Finally, the time spent under his wing was paying off.
Boom!
Clang!
Bang!
On the battlefield, Konoha's ANBU clashed fiercely with Orochimaru's followers.
Kunai clashed violently.
The sounds of explosive ninjutsu echoed without end.
More than thirty shinobi on both sides were throwing themselves into the battle, each blow meant to kill.
On one side, Konoha's ANBU, on the other, Orochimaru's traitorous followers. With their opposing loyalties, this was a fight to the death.
The battle was wild and vicious, the air heavy with killing intent and the stench of blood swirling through the swamp.
Although outnumbered, Konoha's ANBU were seasoned veterans of war. They could handle fighting one against two, or even one against three.
But Orochimaru's followers didn't back down either. None of them retreated, bolstered by their numbers and the fact that Lord Orochimaru was fighting alongside them.
If they could wipe out these ANBU, freedom awaited them!
"Wind Style: Cutting Whirlwind Technique!"
"Wind Style: Vacuum Sphere!"
"Earth Style: Mud Wall!"
"Water Style: Water Shockwave!"
"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
Boom!
Boom!
The battlefield was a chaotic mess, with explosions of fire, steam, and water filling the air.
Ninjutsu clashed endlessly, and from the very start, the battle was heated.
Meanwhile, Kazuya had distanced himself from the main conflict. He stood in a perfectly positioned spot, keeping a close eye on Jiraiya and Orochimaru's fight.
Standing completely still...
Yet, not a single shinobi dared to enter his thirty-meter radius.
This led to an eerie phenomenon on the battlefield.
Chaos was everywhere—except within the thirty meters surrounding Kazuya, which was eerily quiet, not even a stray shuriken landing near him.
After all, everyone was aware of one thing.
Moments ago, Kazuya had faced Orochimaru and held his own.
Who would be foolish enough to pick a fight with him now?
If you're a Jōnin fighting another Jōnin, that's bravery.
But if you go solo against a Kage-level ninja?
That's just pure suicide.
[You have picked up 100 points of chakra]
[You have picked up 100 points of chakra]
[You have picked up 30 points in Wind Release talent]
[You have picked up 50 points in Fire Release talent]
[You have picked up 20 points in Lightning Release talent]
…
[You have picked up 100 points in Water Release: Water Wall technique experience]
[You have picked up 100 points in Wind Release: Wind Cutter technique experience]
[You have picked up 200 points in the Place of Nowhere technique experience]
[You have picked up 100 points in Genjutsu talent]
[You have picked up 100 points in Genjutsu talent]
[You have picked up Genjutsu: Threefold Sakura technique]
[You have picked up 1000 points in the Threefold Sakura technique experience]
[Your Threefold Sakura technique has leveled up, current level: lv2 (0/1000)]
…
Golden light poured down like a shimmering rainstorm, filling the air with brilliance.
What a stunning sight.
Kazuya marveled at the spectacle. This was the true joy of effortless victory!
Fight!
Fight with everything you've got!
If anyone dares pull a fake-out like the Third Hokage, I'll personally send you to meet the Reaper!
In just a few minutes, Kazuya had amassed 4000 points of chakra.
That was more than what he could collect in two days in the village!
Amazing!
Indeed, nothing compared to the spoils of war.
"Hmm?"
"Genjutsu talent?"
"And a new technique, Threefold Sakura?"
Kazuya's attention shifted.
He glanced over at Kurenai's side of the battlefield.
Sure enough, it was her golden light!
She had just used Genjutsu to subdue a Chūnin, finishing him off in one swift strike.
Her execution was precise and ruthless, a stark contrast to the soft demeanor she showed around Kazuya.
"Not bad at all," Kazuya nodded approvingly. "Genjutsu is such a versatile and effective tool."
In the original story, even the godlike Itachi was a Genjutsu specialist, capable of instantly subduing high-level opponents like Orochimaru.
Itachi's Genjutsu was so potent that even legendary figures fell before him with ease.
And then there was Shisui Uchiha with his feared Kotoamatsukami, the most powerful mind-control Genjutsu in existence.
The Uchiha clan was a problem…
But Kazuya remained unfazed. He knew he was only a step away from unlocking some of the most advanced abilities.
That step? The Uchiha clan's fateful massacre.
And that day was coming very soon.