[Mission Progress: A-Rank – 20% Complete]
[Reward: Concept Armament – Phantom Cloak]
[An upgraded version of the Anti-Magic Cloak. Enhances resistance to chakra-based attacks (Ninjutsu and Genjutsu) and slightly increases vitality and stamina.]
The reward this time was decent, not extravagant, but practical. Compared to the original Anti-Magic Cloak, this upgraded version not only offered better resistance to chakra attacks but also boosted life force and physical stamina, two of Kirito's weakest areas.
As for the chakra resistance, while it likely provided some defense against ninjutsu and genjutsu, the description only mentioned a "slight" increase.
Although Kirito was unscathed, that didn't mean the battle had been easy. After all, he had just faced off against two of Root's elite, Danzo's most trusted agents.
In a direct confrontation, he wouldn't have lasted even a single round. The only reason he managed to push them to that extent was due to their unfamiliarity with his tactics and the element of surprise.
On the surface, it seemed like Kirito hadn't expended much energy. The enemy never even got within a hundred meters of him, and he walked away without a scratch. But if they had managed to close the distance, with his current stats, he wouldn't just be injured, he'd be dead.
Whether it was Fu's mental-type secret arts or Torune's poisonous nano-insects, a single misstep could've spelled instant death.
Of course, Kirito wasn't about to belittle himself either. He understood his role clearly: assassin. He wasn't meant for face-to-face brawling. It might sound less glamorous, but it was reality. In head-on combat, he might not even be better than his peers. Against someone like Neji or an Eight Gates–activated Lee, the best he could hope for was a fifty-fifty outcome.
Every enemy Kirito had faced thus far had been at least Chūnin level, often even Jōnin. If he couldn't use every means available to him to survive those odds, he might as well quit now.
In the Forest of Death…
"Sasuke-kun, a little parting gift from me. Sooner or later, you'll come crawling to my side… hehehehe…"
That chilling laughter came from a man who appeared to be an ordinary Grass ninja, when in fact, he was none other than the infamous Konoha S-Rank traitor, Orochimaru!
Before the grand "Konoha Crush Plan" unfolded, he'd indulged in a bit of personal amusement, placing his brand upon his chosen prey.
"The ANBU should be noticing this chakra spike soon…" Orochimaru chuckled to himself. "But to give dear old Sensei a proper surprise, I'll refrain from going on a killing spree, for now."
With a slow hand seal, the soil before him began to churn and rise, molding into a humanoid form.
"I also found an unexpectedly interesting specimen. Hmm… might as well bring them back."
Leaving a clone behind, Orochimaru vanished before the ANBU could arrive.
Elsewhere in the Forest of Death…
A trio of Grass ninja stumbled forward, their uniforms caked with dirt, faces sullen and disheveled.
"Damn it! Curse those Konoha bastards!" the leader growled, punching a tree in frustration.
"We had traps set… ambush ready… but they were just too strong," another muttered.
"I told you… I said their chakra levels were way above ours… way too strong…" the red-haired girl in the group whispered, almost inaudibly.
"Shut up, Karin!" the leader yelled at her. "We lost because of you! You're a ninja who can't even fight!"
"I…" Karin's eyes welled up with tears at the scolding. As a sensory-type and a medic-nin, she was doing her best. In the shinobi world, possessing talent in both sensory perception and medical ninjutsu was incredibly rare. She'd even warned them before the battle began, yet not only had they ignored her, now they were blaming her.
But she didn't have time to cry.
Suddenly, Karin stood up, eyes sharp, scanning their surroundings. "Something's coming!"
"Enemy?!"
The other two immediately panicked. Having just been routed by Konoha ninja, their morale was at rock bottom.
A beat of silence.
Then, rustle! From beneath the ground, a giant serpent slithered out. Its gaping jaws parted to reveal a human silhouette crawling out of its throat.
"What the hell is that?!" The grotesque sight nearly made the Grass ninja retch.
"Wait… is that… Renzen-senpai?" one of them stammered. The face that emerged was eerily familiar, a senior ninja from their own village.
"No! That's not Renzen-senpai!" Karin screamed. "The chakra… the presence, it's completely different! It's powerful… cold… terrifying!"
"What're you talking about, Karin?! It's clearly, "
The ninja never finished his sentence.
Crack! His vision tilted violently as his head was wrenched sideways, clean off his shoulders.
"AAAAHHHHHHHHH!"
The remaining two screamed in terror. The figure before them, wearing their comrade's face, had torn a man's head off with his bare hands. Blood sprayed across his ghoulish face, expression unmoving.
"Impressive sensory ability," the imposter hissed, licking blood from his fingers with an unnaturally long, crimson tongue. "You sensed me even while I was underground… And red hair too, hmm… Hehehe… Looks like I've found another promising test subject…"
His snake-like eyes locked hungrily onto Karin.
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