The chase through the forest had lasted nearly an hour.
Sora attached wind element to both feet, making each step quite swift, his figure rapidly weaving through the dense woods.
However, the pursuers behind him were by no means ordinary.
Even the weakest among them were Special Jonin, possessing speed and stamina far surpassing that of ordinary Chunin, while the two Jonin and the Elite Jonin Black Crow were even more astonishingly fast.
Especially Black Crow, who was not only extremely fast but could also accurately form hand seals even during high-speed movement.
"Lightning Release, Lightning Fang."
A sharp fang of lightning shot through the air, grazing past Sora's side and striking a giant tree ahead, instantly charring and shattering it.
Sora barely dodged sideways, his speed inevitably affected a little.
The distance between them sometimes increased, sometimes closed again due to this kind of long-range harassment, always maintained at a dangerous and delicate balance.
'Troublesome guy...'
Sora cursed inwardly, but did not dare to pause for even a moment.
He could sense that Black Crow's chakra consumption was far greater than his, but the opponent's chakra reserves were clearly quite substantial too, showing no signs of fatigue in the short term.
The other five Kumo-nin, with tacit understanding, spread out slightly, faintly forming a small encirclement net, attempting to predict Sora's route and intercept him.
Time passed minute by minute, second by second. Sora chose some remote small paths, speeding southward.
The surrounding trees gradually thinned, and the air began to fill with the salty scent of sea breeze.
The coastline of the Land of Lightning was near.
'Almost there.' Sora's spirits lifted.
Regarding the sea, he had already secretly tested it.
The seawater of this world was no different from ordinary rivers or lakes to him, clearly lacking any Seastone factor, allowing Devil Fruit abilities to be used normally.
This was undoubtedly a huge advantage.
Finally, the view opened up abruptly.
The dense forest ended abruptly, replaced by a steep cliff and the boundless blue sea below.
Waves crashed against the cliff wall, making a rumbling roar.
Sora did not hesitate in the slightest, putting force into his feet and leaping down from the cliff.
His body plummeted rapidly, sea wind blowing against his face.
Mid-air, he quickly adjusted his posture, wrapping air currents around his feet to slow his descent, then precisely attaching chakra to the soles of his feet.
Plop.
Sora landed steadily on the sea surface, standing on the water plane through chakra control.
Glancing back at Black Crow and the others who had rushed to the cliff edge right behind him, Sora turned and sped off in the direction of the Land of Fire.
Running on the sea surface, the resistance was much greater than on land, but for Sora, the impact wasn't too significant.
Wind element assisted in propulsion, keeping his speed still at a very high level.
"Chase. We absolutely cannot let him escape back to the Land of Fire."
Black Crow roared, leaping off the cliff first.
The other five Kumo-nin also followed without hesitation, landing on the sea surface one after another, splashing water.
The sea chase began again.
...
On the blue sea surface, six figures pulled long white trails, cutting through the waves, advancing forward at astonishing speed.
However, without the cover of trees, the pursuit became more direct and intense.
"Lightning Release, Earth Running."
A Kumo Jonin slapped both hands onto the sea surface.
Crackle.
Dazzling lightning instantly conducted along the seawater, rapidly spreading toward Sora.
Sora, already prepared, leapt up violently, simultaneously erupting wind pressure from his feet to propel his body forward, gliding a distance and narrowly avoiding the electrified sea area.
But this evasion once again allowed the pursuers behind to close the distance somewhat.
"This guy... what kind of monster stamina is this. Chasing for so long, his speed hasn't slowed down at all."
A Special Jonin couldn't help but curse softly, his breath already somewhat hurried.
Another Jonin also said with a grave expression.
"And his chakra. It doesn't feel particularly vast in quantity, but his control precision is extremely high, and consumption is minimal. When did Konoha produce such a troublesome brat."
Black Crow's eyes were cold, equally shocked inside.
Prolonged extreme pursuit, even he felt his chakra and stamina depleting rapidly, yet that Konoha Anbu wearing the Green Snake mask ahead was still full of energy, as if he didn't know what fatigue was.
This terrifying physical strength and endurance was simply not human.
"Shut up. Conserve stamina. He won't last much longer."
Black Crow coldly shouted, suppressing the doubt in his heart and accelerating again.
The two sides chased on the sea surface for a long time more, already far from the coastline of the Land of Lightning.
But Black Crow finally, relying on his Elite Jonin's solid strength, closed the distance to within range for a fatal attack.
"Lightning Release, Lightning Binding Net."
Black Crow quickly formed hand seals. A large net woven from dazzling lightning appeared out of thin air, descending toward Sora's head. Its range was immense, almost blocking all his dodging space.
Sora's pupils contracted. Unable to avoid it completely in time, he immediately took a deep breath.
"Fire Release, Great Fireball Technique."
A blazing fireball mixed with bluish gold suddenly spewed out, colliding with the edge of the lightning net. Although it didn't completely shatter the lightning, it delayed the net's descent for an instant.
Sora then quickly dodged the falling lightning net, but this delay was enough. The other five Kumo-nin had already arrived, instantly spreading out and surrounding him on the sea surface.
Six people formed a perfect encirclement, completely blocking all his escape routes.
Black Crow slowly walked forward, catching his breath, his gaze as if looking at a turtle in a jar, and said coldly.
"Run. Why aren't you running anymore. Konoha's Green Snake, you really can run."
A Kumo Jonin wiped sweat from his forehead, panting as he added.
"Bastard. Nearly exhausted me. Did this kid get his stamina from a tailed beast."
Another Special Jonin stared intently at Sora, gripping his kunai tightly and taunting.
"Your captain already sold you out, why are you still desperately trying to run back."
Standing at the center of the encirclement, Sora ignored the Kumo-nin's words, calmly sweeping his gaze around.
One Elite Jonin, two Jonin, three Special Jonin.
A lineup that could be called luxurious.
But they were now far from the coastline of the Land of Lightning, surrounded by the vast sea. Besides Sora and the six Kumo-nin, there was no one else.
Having confirmed the environment, and confirmed there were no additional ambushes or observers.
The last trace of concern in Sora's heart disappeared.
He slowly raised his head, his gaze beneath the Green Snake mask becoming extremely calm.
Black Crow keenly sensed the change in his eyes, an inexplicable sense of unease rising in his heart. After quickly checking the surroundings, he sharply said.
"Stop the chatter. Capture him."
The five Kumo-nin moved simultaneously, like pouncing leopards, attacking Sora from different directions.
And at this very moment, the enormous power that had lain dormant within Sora for so long erupted without the slightest reservation.
Roar.
A dragon's roar, something no human could possibly produce, a roar that shook the soul, resounded across the sea and sky.
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