We have reached the Goal of 60 Patreon Members 💕 as promised 5 Bonus Chapters will be uploaded🫡. Thanks a lot guys!!!! Lets hit 100 Patreon Members💕
Chapter 35: Bloodlines, Bugs, and Betrayal
When the next pair of names flashed onto the screen, they immediately drew everyone's attention.
"The next match: Yugito Nii of Kumogakure versus Jinryū of the Land of Craftsmen!"
The Craftsman ninja's first match had already left everyone bewildered. Now, with another Craftsman ninja stepping up, everyone eagerly anticipated what kind of astonishing weapon he'd reveal.
After Jinryū took the stage, he smiled at Yugito opposite him. He tightened a knob on his waist, and immediately, a lion-headed suit of armor unfolded, encasing his entire body.
"What is that?!"
Whispers spread through the stands as everyone stared curiously at Jinryū on the field.
"Begin!"
Following the Kumo Jonin's command, Yugito immediately hurled a shuriken at Jinryū.
Clang!
A crisp sound. Facing Yugito's attack, Jinryū didn't dodge at all, simply taking the blow on his armored chest.
Failing to land a single strike, Yugito flipped backward several meters. Her hands flew through seals, and then…
"Lightning Release: Shockwave!"
A mass of fierce lightning suddenly erupted, surging toward Jinryū like a wild horse, engulfing him.
Bzzzzt… Zzzap…
Seeing Yugito land a direct hit, the Kumo ninja in the audience sneered. Lightning Release: Shockwave possessed formidable electric shock capabilities, and with Yugito's skill, hers was even more potent.
"Is that… all?"
Jinryū of the Craftsman's Land looked at the lightning crackling around his body and sneered. "If that's all you've got, I'm disappointed."
As he spoke, a white sphere suddenly glowed within the lion's mouth on his chest. Like a vortex, it sucked all the lightning from his body into the maw.
"That armor can absorb ninjutsu?!" Kakashi narrowed his eyes, his voice sharp.
First, the Craftsman's swords absorbed ninjutsu. Now this Jinryū's armor possessed the same ability.
"Ninjutsu is useless against him," Liumu commented lazily from where he sat, hands behind his head. "It's up to whether this young lady from Kumo plans to get serious."
Liumu didn't doubt Yugito's strength for a second. If a Craftsman ninja could defeat a Jinchūriki of the Two-Tails with a single piece of equipment, then Jinchūriki might as well just let Madara absorb them. Keeping them around would be a waste of snacks.
Just as Liumu expected, Yugito immediately transformed. Two blue, flaming cat claws extended from her hands, revealing sharp, gleaming tips.
Ninjutsu ineffective? Yugito closed the distance, using taijutsu to fight Jinryū.
Jinryū's armor was metallic, incredibly hard. But each collision with Yugito's claws produced a sickening metallic screech. Yugito's taijutsu was clearly superior, her speed blistering. Burdened by his heavy armor, Jinryū couldn't keep up.
"Those claws…" Yuhi Makoto watched Yugito on the field, muttering suspiciously. "They seem… somewhat similar to the Two-Tails."
Yugito hadn't transformed into her tailed beast. Even using Matatabi's abilities now, she did so within her human form, not triggering the massive chakra flare of a full transformation.
Hearing this, Liumu glanced at Yuhi Makoto, then smiled and turned his attention back to the arena.
CRACK!
A sharp sound of metal fracturing echoed.
Hearing this, Yugito accelerated further. As her claws raked continuously across Jinryū's armor, cracks began to spider-web across its surface.
"Jinryū!"
At that moment, the Craftsman ninja below the stage suddenly shouted. Everyone looked over to see Jinryū in the arena immediately raise his hand in surrender.
"They're afraid Yugito will destroy that armor," Kakashi observed, watching Jinryū leave the ring.
...
Half of the third stage's matches were over. Liumu and Kakashi had both fought.
Only Mizukage grew more nervous as she waited. Finally, when her name appeared on the screen, she immediately checked her opponent.
Mizukage of Konoha versus Yūhi Kō of Konoha.
"A civil war," Liumu muttered.
"It's over." Mizukage looked at her opponent, despair instantly washing over her face.
"The match hasn't even started. Why is it over?" Liumu encouraged her. "You're both shinobi. Don't be intimidated by her clan."
Mizukage frowned, explaining, "I'm not scared of her clan. It's because… I know Kō."
It turned out Yūhi Kō was Mizukage's senior. Shortly after graduating, her exceptional talent had caught Danzō's eye. She was absorbed into Root, becoming one of its members.
Back at the Academy, Mizukage had often heard teachers praise Kō's name. She never imagined facing such a person as an opponent now.
On the arena, Mizukage faced Yūhi Kō, who wore a black cloth covering most of her face, feeling uneasy.
The Yūhi clan was an older Konoha clan. Its members fed chakra to specially bred insects, allowing them to parasitize their own bodies. Most of their ninjutsu revolved around these insects.
As a sensor-type, Mizukage was not skilled in direct combat. Against a genius like Kō, her chances of winning were slim.
"Senior Kō. I ask for your guidance."
Mizukage bowed. A faint halo immediately emanated from her body. Everyone watched as a thin layer of earthen-colored light armor seemed to grow over her skin, covering her completely.
Seeing this, Yūhi Kō extended both hands. Instantly, countless black flying insects spewed from her sleeves, swarming toward Mizukage.
Mizukage knew competing in ninjutsu was hopeless. Her only chance was close-quarters combat. So before the insect swarm reached her, she charged straight at Kō, using her hardened fists to launch a rapid barrage.
Thump!
Under Mizukage's assault, Kō failed to dodge in time, taking a direct hit. But after a crisp sound, Mizukage saw the "Kō" she'd struck dissolve into a mass of black insects clinging to her arm.
"An Insect Clone!"
Before she could process this, Mizukage turned, immediately sensing Kō's true location.
"There!"
She looked toward a corner of the arena, just in time to see Kō materialize among the insect swarm she'd released earlier.
Hiss…
But at that moment, Mizukage's expression changed drastically. Looking down at her arm, now searing with bone-deep pain, she realized it had turned completely black.
"The insects are venomous!"
Yūhi Kō's parasites hadn't just breached Mizukage's light armor; they'd injected a potent toxin.
As her vision began to blur, everyone watched as Mizukage suddenly cried out, drew a kunai from her pack, and stabbed it hard into her own left arm.
Thwump.
Blood sprayed, soaking her entire sleeve.
(End of Chapter)
✨If you're enjoying this story, consider supporting me on Patreon —
Patreon.com/TofuChan
💕Patreon members get early access to chapters, bonus content, and voting power on future ideas.💕
Every bit of support helps me write more and faster. Thank you so much for reading! 🥰
✨✨ I'll release an extra chapter for every 5 reviews! ✨✨🥳🥳 For every 100 power stones! 🥳🥳
Lets hit the goal of 100 Patreon Members now for 5 Extra Chapters 💕
We are at 60 members right now.