Chapter 102: Ryoma's Rescue, and Chaos Erupts!
On the battlefield, water dragons clashed and waves surged.
Seeing the newcomer, Yagura's pupils contracted slightly.
That attire, combined with that level of insect manipulation jutsu—
He instantly recognized him as none other than Konoha's ANBU deputy commander, Root's second-in-command:
Ryoma Aburame!
Normally, a Root operative possessed no name, no emotions, no past, and no future.
But like Kakashi in the future, a ninja with distinct characteristics and formidable combat prowess—even as a Root member attempting to conceal their identity—would be deeply feared by enemies and earn a reputation.
And Ryoma Aburame was precisely that kind of existence.
At that moment, he approached with indifference, pulled a hand from his pocket, and gently waved it.
A cloud of parasitic insects blotting out the sun descended before Tsukasa, encircling and protecting him.
This was the Secret Technique: Insect Wall!
The black cloud of parasites spun and rose, forming a defensive barrier.
This scene stunned both combatants, their movements halting in unison.
Tsukasa, now gazing with questioning eyes at the powerful Root operative approaching with commanding presence, recognized Ryoma Aburame and his insects.
But this man's protective stance left Tsukasa perplexed.
When he'd first seen him, Tsukasa had assumed he was sent by Danzō to assassinate him—to prevent Orochimaru from accepting an Uchiha as his disciple.
But now, what was going on?
After protecting Tsukasa, Ryoma raised his head slightly, his gaze fixed indifferently on Yagura from behind his sunglasses. He spoke coldly:
"You are Yagura Karatachi, leader of the Kirigakure Jōnin Squad—an elite jōnin."
"Correct?"
Yagura was also bewildered, unable to comprehend what had happened to this world.
Despite his confusion, Yagura still rose straight from the water.
He gripped his hooked staff with both hands and pointed it coldly at Ryoma, his brow furrowing slightly.
"Root would actually protect an Uchiha?"
"How unusual!"
Ryoma remained silent for a moment. When he'd received the order from Danzō Shimura, he too had felt something inexplicably strange about it, but it was a mission regardless. He shook his head and replied coldly:
"Things in this world are just that bizarre."
"If you want to know why—"
"It's because the brat you're trying to attack..."
"He's a disciple of Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin of Konoha and heir apparent to the position of Fourth Hokage!"
"Now, he's under Root's protection."
Hearing this, Yagura was stunned. He looked up at Tsukasa in astonishment, almost wondering if he'd misheard.
An Uchiha could become Orochimaru's disciple? And be under Root's protection?
This was absurd—absurd to the core!
And why this particular brat?
At this thought, Yagura's eyes flashed with killing intent.
Tsukasa knew of their plan, and now he was connected to Root.
If he reported this to Root leader Danzō Shimura, there was no guarantee that the "Shinobi of Darkness" wouldn't interfere with the unstable Kirigakure.
Though Konoha was currently engaged in war with Sunagakure in the Land of Rain to the northwest, Sunagakure alone couldn't force Konoha to commit its full strength.
Yagura took a deep breath, tightened his grip on the hooked staff, and his gaze grew cold.
"Want to fight?"
Ryoma scoffed at this, then spoke calmly and coldly:
"You and your people must have escaped through the secret passage in Kabukichō."
"Discovery was only a matter of time."
"Now, there's a group of pursuers behind you. Every moment you stay here increases the danger."
"So—"
Ryoma pulled his hands from his pockets, raised them, spread his fingers, and glared at Yagura:
"Do you want to become our enemy here?"
"Or get out of here!"
"Our?"
Tsukasa couldn't help but raise his eyebrows at this.
The next moment, a series of dense shadows suddenly appeared and landed before Tsukasa.
A group of over a dozen operatives, all wearing intricately patterned masks and Konoha ANBU combat uniforms with ninja swords at their waists, looked indifferently at Yagura preparing to attack.
For a moment, the atmosphere stagnated.
The imposing presence of over a dozen Root ninja lined up made Yagura frown.
With so many operatives, and an elite jōnin like Ryoma—
Even with environmental advantage and the combined strength of himself and Mangetsu, victory was certain, but once battle began, the momentum would be completely uncontrollable.
Moreover, just before Ryoma arrived, he'd felt a subtle palpitation.
It felt as if continuing the battle would lead to encountering something dangerous.
The source of that danger was the brat protected by Root on the battlefield.
Ryoma narrowed his eyes slightly, saying thoughtfully:
"After all this talk, you still haven't left."
"Is it because this brat possesses information you're afraid of?"
Upon hearing this, Yagura's expression suddenly changed.
A smile of amusement crossed Ryoma's face.
"Interesting."
"Then give it a try. See if you can kill this brat under my protection."
As soon as he finished speaking, the parasitic insects blotting out the sky began to stir. From Ryoma's open palms, more insects began to swarm.
Black clouds condensed and fell, transforming into copies of Ryoma.
Secret Technique: Insect Clone.
Suddenly, three more "Ryoma Aburames" appeared on the battlefield.
The four Ryomas wielded twelve Secret Technique: Insect Spheres and surrounded them.
The dense swarm of parasitic insects fluttered their wings, creating a continuous buzzing sound.
Then the insects blotting out the sky mobilized, gathering together and gradually forming the beginnings of a tornado.
Seeing this, Yagura understood his opponent's plan.
Ryoma wanted to escalate the battle, cause a commotion, and attract the attention of nearby ninja.
This nascent tornado was the Aburame clan's Secret Technique: Insect Tornado. Its power was immense, and its noise terrifying.
He exhaled heavily, his mind made up.
He immediately gave a cold command:
"Mangetsu, Mei, let's go!"
However, while the three Kirigakure ninja were a team, they weren't in a strict hierarchy.
Yagura wanted to leave, but Mangetsu Hōzuki—consumed by his grudge—didn't.
And Mei, who had been carefully watching Mangetsu's movements, wouldn't let him kill Tsukasa.
Quickly, using the water from Yagura's jutsu falling from the rooftop, Mangetsu followed the current and quietly slipped through the insect wall cast by Ryoma.
This moment was captured by both Mei and the vigilant Tsukasa.
The next moment, almost simultaneously, three thunderous shouts rang out!
"Hiramekarei: Liberation!"
"Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique!"
"Fire Release: Chakra Mode—Activate!"
Instantly, a blade of light erupted from the ground, extending over eight meters in length, slicing down toward Tsukasa's head!
Mei suddenly blocked Tsukasa's path, forming hand seals, and from her throat erupted a vast river of Lava Release steaming with high-temperature acidic mist, corroding toward Mangetsu!
Tsukasa, meanwhile, didn't hesitate!
He instantly pressed his palm against his heart!
Igniting the heart of his immortal body!
Instantly, flames erupted!
Seeing this, Yagura, watching from the sidelines, felt his scalp tingle.
He didn't bother calling for a retreat. Without thinking twice, he stomped down hard on the water, sending a torrent surging!
A ten-meter water dragon burst forth from beneath his feet, carrying him toward the center of the battlefield!
Naturally, Ryoma wouldn't let him go. His four clones leaped up, transforming into a cloud of parasitic insects that blotted out the sky, swarming toward Yagura!
In just a moment, the battlefield descended into complete chaos!
End of Chapter 102
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