14

Kenichi gritted his teeth as Ginkaku's fist slammed into his chest, sending him flying backward with a sickening crunch. His ribs shattered, and blood spurted from his mouth, but even as his vision blurred from the impact, a manic grin spread across his lips.

"Flying Thunder God Slash!"

Tobirama, seizing the moment, flickered behind Ginkaku with Flying Thunder God and drove his blade deep into the golden-haired shinobi's chest. Ginkaku coughed out blood, his eyes widening in shock.

"Brother!"

Kinkaku roared as his Nine Tails Chakra exploded in rage, engulfing his body in a shroud of crimson energy. His form twisted and grew, taking on the terrifying appearance of a half-tailed beast. The raw malice of the Nine Tails Chakra pulsed through the battlefield like a suffocating wave.

Despite the pain in his own chest, Kenichi chuckled. "Oh? Getting serious now?"

Tobirama frowned, his energy waning. "This isn't good. We need to finish this quickly!"

Kinkaku's monstrous form lunged forward, its massive claw tearing through the air, aiming straight for Tobirama.

"Water Style: Great Waterfall Jutsu!"

Tobirama unleashed a torrent of water, colliding against Kinkaku's rampage. The force of the jutsu slowed Kinkaku down, but his sheer power allowed him to press forward.

Kenichi, feeling his shattered bones slowly shifting back into place thanks to his Evil God's Immortal Body, wiped the blood from his mouth and took a deep breath.

"Wong Tai Sin, get ready."

Huang Bai, perched on a nearby tree, nodded. "Heh, I knew you'd need me eventually."

Kinkaku was moments away from breaking through the wall of water. Just as he was about to burst through—

"Brother! Help me!"

The cry rang out through the battlefield. But it didn't come from Kinkaku—it came from Ginkaku.

Kinkaku hesitated. His instincts screamed that something was wrong.

That was all Kenichi needed.

Tobirama, catching on, activated Flying Thunder God one last time, teleporting Kenichi right beside Kinkaku.

Kenichi grinned. "Gotcha."

"Chakra Sealing Technique!"

Kenichi's palm slammed against Kinkaku's chest, his seal activating instantly. The Nine Tails Chakra around Kinkaku flickered wildly, as if resisting, but the Sealing Technique wrapped around his body like chains, suppressing his chakra flow.

Kinkaku roared, trying to break free. "NO! I REFUSE!"

His chakra surged, threatening to shatter the seal—until Kenichi swiftly formed another set of hand seals.

"Eight Sign Seal!"

The Eight Sign Seal tightened like a vice, suppressing the remainder of Nine Tails' power within Kinkaku.

Kenichi staggered back, panting. "Damn, that took a lot out of me."

Without the Nine Tails Chakra, Kinkaku collapsed beside his unconscious brother. The surrounding Kumo nin paled, their morale crumbling.

"Retreat! Take Lord Kinkaku and Ginkaku!"

Kenichi glared at the retreating shinobi. "You think I'm letting you go that easily? Leave something behind."

The Kumo nin hesitated before dropping the Six Paths Noble Phantasms—the Seven-Star Sword, the Banana Fan, the Red Gourd, and the Golden Rope—before scooping up Kinkaku and Ginkaku and vanishing into the distance.

Kenichi walked over and sealed the artifacts into a scroll. "Jackpot."

Tobirama finally relaxed, dropping to one knee. He was barely able to keep himself upright. He turned to Kenichi, eyeing him warily. "Izuna... how did you survive?"

Kenichi smirked. "Didn't expect that, huh? There are things even the great Tobirama Senju doesn't understand."

Tobirama narrowed his eyes. "And your wounds... how are you still standing?"

Kenichi merely chuckled, dusting off his bloodstained robe. "Some things are better left a mystery."

Tobirama frowned but didn't press further. Kenichi tossed him a bag of military rations pills.

"You should focus on surviving, old man. Say hi to your 'brother' for me when you get back to the village."

Before Tobirama could respond, Kenichi turned and vanished into the trees.

Huang Bai appeared on Kenichi's shoulder as they retreated.

End of the Chapter.

Free Trial ends tonight