Chapter 88: Battered
A sky high and clouds light, sun bright and breeze gentle.
Within the Land of Lightning, a caravan was on its way toward its destination, Kumogakure.
After a good night's rest, Karin was brimming with energy today, lively and enthusiastic.
The Land of Lightning's natural scenery, with its abundant towering peaks, was exceptionally beautiful and majestic.
All along the way, Karin looked this way and that, quite intrigued by the Land of Lightning.
Beside Karin, Senshi was leisurely flipping through a set of commission requests.
These commissions in his hands were fairly challenging, but his skilled clones could handle them, so there was no need for him to go in person.
Throughout the caravan's journey, there were Kumo shinobi periodically scouting the area. Senshi knew it well.
Such a large-scale caravan visiting the Kumogakure—if the village had zero reaction, that truly wouldn't be normal.
As the caravan advanced toward the Kumogakure, the village side had already mustered enough elite forces to take action.
"Ah! Ah! Ah!"
Again and again, the sound of slicing wind resounded, as one after another of lean, forceful figures materialized around them.
The moment the caravan entered the vicinity of the Kumogakure, it was swiftly encircled by many powerful dark-skinned shinobi.
Seeing this, President Lorenz—head of the caravan—was thoroughly startled and afraid.
This time, he was transporting goods of very high value. If any mishap happened, the losses would be unimaginable!
Even so, President Lorenz was not so panicked as to have no idea what to do.
Because the ninja he had hired this time included a living legend.
That individual was none other than the black market legend, Senshi!
President Lorenz jogged all the way over to Senshi's carriage and spoke with great courtesy:
"Senshi-san, our caravan is being surrounded by ninja from the Kumogakure for reasons unknown."
By now, Senshi's name echoed throughout the ninja world—particularly in places like the Ame and Kusa, where he was at the height of fame.
As soon as he accepted a commission, it almost never encountered any real trouble. Other ninja who got wind of it would simply give up on interfering.
Senshi's lips curved slightly.
The Kumo's troopers dared to hinder the caravan under his protection?
"President Lorenz, don't worry. I'll check it out."
He wanted to see what exactly these Kumo shinobi intended by stopping the caravan.
Karin was likewise astonished. Usually, while Senshi was working, basically no ninja would risk standing in his way.
One look, though, and there was indeed a mass of black-uniformed shinobi everywhere—Karin was both indignant and a bit eager.
They're actually hostile to Senshi mid-mission? she thought. Such boldness!
At the same time, Karin's excitement stirred; she wanted to test out her new "Susanoo plus Killer Queen" combination that she had been itching to try out in real battle. Maybe this was her chance to show her stuff.
Meanwhile, the rest of the caravan's guards—faced with such a perilous situation—remained quite calm. Most of them were used to working in the black market and knew Senshi's true caliber well.
When outsiders watched, they only saw the spectacle; insiders, however, recognized the depth:
It was well known Senshi had already completed over 400 S-rank commissions with a 100% success rate.
With such a legendary man here, they had no need to worry. The ones who should worry were these Kumo shinobi with dubious motives.
Soon enough, Senshi led Karin to the caravan's forefront to assess the situation. At that same moment, the A-B combo arrived under the escort of Darui, Samui, and others.
At the instant they drew closer, their eyes were drawn to the black robe patterned with red clouds that Senshi wore.
A-B exchanged a glance, each thinking the same:
That was the same outfit Orochimaru had worn recently.
Hence, Senshi and Orochimaru belonged to the same group. If they captured Senshi, maybe they could force out Orochimaru's whereabouts!
Of course, there might be a slight problem in that if they genuinely could subdue Senshi was another matter.
While the Kumo nin were sizing Senshi up, Senshi also gazed at them with slight curiosity.
He'd thought maybe just some random small fry would block the caravan, not expecting both the Fourth Raikage and Killer Bee would come in person.
But before either side spoke, Karin bounced forward with bravado, placing fists on her hips and mimicking Senshi's typical style:
"You've got some nerve! Do you know who's protecting this caravan? You dare hinder its passage! This is plainly not giving Senshi any face! If you all won't leave with dignity, Senshi can make sure you do!"
Emulating a kind of intimidation, Karin put on a fierce attitude.
Killer Bee, hearing Karin's words, promptly struck a couple of rap gestures and spoke:
"Yo yo! You claim it sounds so scary—
But I ain't feelin' fear, lil' lady!
Whose kid spouts big talk, who is this scary Senshi?
Yoooo!"
Karin:
Following Senshi across the lands, she'd seen many scenes—but this was her first time encountering one like this.
She couldn't make heads or tails of why the black man in sunglasses spoke this way. It wasn't as though she couldn't understand him at all, but it was so odd. Could each country's customs differ this greatly?
Should she also speak in his weird style so he could understand?
Alternatively, she might as well have Killer Queen blow him up…
Senshi, seeing Karin summon Killer Queen, hurried to lift Karin away.
No way he'd let her start a fight so fast—that was the Fourth Raikage, after all, one of the top five potential big-paying clients!
Given local customs and wanting to make a good impression, Senshi tried to meet Bee halfway:
He used the same rap style Bee did:
"Yo yo! It's me, Senshi, you gotta hush—
Don't go scarin' my Karin too much!
Best not to tangle, your rap is sure to lose—
I can flow better, that's how I choose!"
Bee: (⊙⊙)?
Karin: (⊙⊙)?
The words left both Bee, Karin, and many onlookers wearing perplexed looks.
For an instant, Bee seemed ready to carry on with a rap battle. But the Fourth Raikage reminded him of their real purpose:
"Bee! Enough. We have important business first!"
So Bee halted.
Turning to Senshi, the Fourth Raikage wore a grim face:
Senshi merely responded, half-laughing:
"Why, isn't this the Fourth Raikage, Brother A?
Why gather a squad to block my caravan?
Looking for me to handle some big job? I can do it, price negotiable!"
The Raikage, however, wasn't in the mood to joke:
He'd concluded that Senshi and Orochimaru belonged to the same organization. All he wanted now was Orochimaru's location:
"Where is Orochimaru? Speak!"
Senshi was inwardly astonished. Indeed, he had business with Orochimaru, but the Raikage's manner was quite rude.
Still, mindful that the Raikage could be a lucrative potential client, Senshi held back irritation and asked politely:
"Orochimaru? Sure, I know him. But what's that to do with me?"
The Raikage believed otherwise. Since they wore matching uniforms, they had to be related, so Senshi must know Orochimaru's whereabouts:
"Cut the nonsense! Tell me Orochimaru's location, or else we won't be polite!"
Senshi blinked. They didn't seem polite already. If not for the possibility of future deals, he might have already used a certain "pure-love thunder."
Shaking his head:
"We might have a misunderstanding. Yes, I know Orochimaru, but he doesn't have anything to do with me."
Of course, the Raikage wouldn't buy that and, after asking Senshi a few more times, ran out of patience:
He waved an arm:
"Take this suspicious ninja down—he's from the same group as Orochimaru!"
At his command, numerous elite Kumo shinobi lunged from all directions.
Karin's big eyes sparkled with delight—finally she could test out her new technique:
She swiftly activated her Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan:
"Susanoo!"
A pink Susanoo manifested, enveloping Karin.
The skeleton frame rapidly gained blood and flesh, forming strong limbs.
"Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Karin controlled the pink mecha, casually kicking out.
The Kumo nin diving at Senshi were each knocked flying away like rag dolls.
Even though these were no ordinary nin, they couldn't resist Karin's Susanoo. They flew faster than they'd come.
Seeing this, the A-B combo was shocked. Indeed they knew the Uchiha's Susanoo from history, but the girl's hair was bright red—clearly not Uchiha. Where had she acquired such a perfect mastery of the Sharingan?
Meanwhile, Karin was downright thrilled. Inside Susanoo, hands at her waist, she mocked:
"With that level of skill, you dare interfere in Senshi's mission? You've got a lot of nerve!"
Plainly, Karin was already showboating.
Admittedly, even the great Madara had only awakened his Eternal Mangekyo after heavy losses. Karin, though still little, had extremely high "build potential."
As the battered Cloud-nin were scattered—some still preparing to regroup—Darui, Samui, Omoi, and other higher-level elites readied themselves to intervene. Karin's strength was not trivial, so they had to get serious.
But at that moment, the Fourth Raikage took one giant step forward, cracking the stone beneath him. He intended to move personally.
Senshi saw this and calmly told Karin:
"That's enough, Karin. Leave the rest to me."
Though Karin's specs were off the charts, she was short on actual battle experience. Meanwhile, the Kumo side also recognized that, seeing the Raikage step up with confidence.
Many Cloud-nin felt reassured:
"Lord Raikage's stepping in—now it's that guy who's in trouble!"
Karin quipped back:
"Just watch—Senshi is stepping in. You're the ones who'll be in trouble!"
While Karin traded words, the Raikage's body flashed with intense lightning. He triggered the distinctive Kumo nin Taijutsu style—Lightning Release Armor—and blasted forward at Senshi, attempting to subdue him in one blow, then interrogate him for Orochimaru's whereabouts.
He never expected Senshi to be likewise clad in blue arcs of lightning, even more powerful, and even faster.
In the next instant, both men roared the same lightning-taijutsu:
"Lightning Crush–Lariat!"
"Lightning Crush–Lariat!"
They collided, generating a deafening thunderclap and shockwaves that shattered the ground. After the dust settled, Senshi was intact and unmoved, while the Raikage felt his head buzz.
Usually, that technique would fling the enemy around—this time, the Raikage himself got tossed about. Shaking his head to reorient himself, he stared at Senshi in puzzlement:
How did a non-Kumo ninja master their secret Lightning Release Taijutsu at a level surpassing his own?
Even though the Fourth Raikage was quite the brawler, it was obvious now that Senshi was out of his league.
Hence the Raikage immediately decided to call upon Bee. They'd fight side by side:
"Bee! Ready?"
Bee swiftly rapped:
"Yo, that's right, we got no time to chat—
Senshi's about to get flattened flat, yo!"
Senshi naturally heard him, but he cared little for a rap-off. In this fight, fists would speak louder.
Some Cloud-nin felt relieved. If the A-B combo joined forces, they should handle him!
Sure enough, after a quick exchange, they positioned themselves in front and behind Senshi—ideal for unleashing their collaboration skill, Double Lariat.
"Double Lariat!"
"Double Lariat!"
They lunged, unstoppable—yet all it did was crash against Senshi's intangible body with zero effect:
"Bang—"
Not a scratch!
Then Senshi seized each man by the throat:
"You wish to dance with me? I, Senshi, see you as…weak indeed."
Tossing them aside, he revealed the gap in strength.
The battered Raikage and Bee realized how terrifying Senshi's lightning mastery was.
Still unconvinced, Bee went full Tailed Beast Transformation—Eight-Tails—while the Raikage again charged at full power.
The other Cloud-nin exclaimed:
"Now that they're dead serious, that Senshi is finished!"
Darui and Samui, however, only felt worry. Their superiors were fighting for real—yet Senshi barely seemed to have started.
And indeed, Senshi decided to end it fast.
"200-Million Volts: Raijin!"
Drawing on the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's advanced potential, along with multiple buffs, Senshi's power soared to monstrous levels.
"Boom—Boom—Boom—Boom!"
A colossal lightning giant rose up into the sky, overshadowing even the massive Eight-Tails. One mighty punch, carrying an almost divine force, smashed into the Tailed Beast. Bee never got to finish charging his Tailed Beast Bomb—he was blasted away, crashing into the Raikage and sending them both flying.
One punch had downed the fully transformed Eight-Tails. The entire Kumo force gaped in shock.
Seeing Senshi not pursuing the advantage, the Raikage, battered, signaled a retreat:
"Fall back—retreat first!"
Because if Senshi pressed them, the whole village might have to mobilize to fend him off.
As they pulled away, Senshi called:
"Hey, don't just run off! I never said I can't help you find Orochimaru!"
He wasn't about to let such a potential client slip out of reach.
At that, the duo paused, all Kumo nin eyeing him warily. The Raikage asked in confusion:
"What do you mean?"
Senshi shrugged:
"I said—this is all a misunderstanding. While Orochimaru and I might be in the same organization, my affairs have nothing to do with him. Likewise, whatever he's done in your Kumo is unrelated to me."
Though the A-B duo found it unclear, they did glean one thing: regarding Orochimaru, they and Senshi could at least talk.
~~~
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