Naruto: Kurotsuchi Mayuri

What is that?

Seeing the enormous green giant, Shinnō and his ninja subordinates widened their eyes in shock.

"Is that also ninjutsu?"

Feeling the cold, oppressive chakra that filled the air and the overwhelming spiritual pressure emanating from the giant, the ninjas surrounding Kagetsu and his group became flustered and hesitant.

This is unbelievable!

Kakuzu's eye twitched when he saw the Uchiha kid activate Susanoo once again.

"Why does that Uchiha brat always like to go all out during battles?"

Back when Kakuzu first fought him, the kid's display of power was a sign of respect for Kakuzu's strength. But now? Against a group of ninjas armed with nothing more than specialized equipment? What was the reason for going all out here?

Kakuzu quickly found his answer.

The sky was filled with strange flying devices, each carrying mechanisms that unleashed a relentless barrage of kunai launchers and explosive tags.

Mixed in with the kunai and tags were various Wind Release techniques, further enhancing the scale of the assault.

The dense rain of projectiles, resembling a downpour of glittering needles, made even Kakuzu's expression darken. Such an attack wasn't just powerful; it was overwhelming. This level of firepower could easily overrun a small ninja village.

Even the hidden villages of the Five Great Nations would suffer significant losses if caught off guard by such a sudden, massive offensive.

However, what came faster than the kunai rain was an unending wave of vibrant green arrows.

The green giant's chest plate opened to reveal a circular hollow, from which countless emerald arrows shot out. The arrows adjusted their trajectory with the giant's movements, expanding the area of their assault with terrifying precision.

Explosive tags tied to kunai collided with the green arrows in midair, veering off course and detonating into fiery explosions that lit up the sky.

The continuous explosions painted the heavens in blazing hues, creating a breathtaking spectacle of fire. Meanwhile, shattered pieces of the flying devices, accompanied by falling silhouettes and agonized screams, rained down from the sky amidst the chaos.

In just a few breaths, the fan-shaped sky in front of Kagetsu and his group turned into a blazing sea of fire.

Shinnō's expression darkened instantly. Without hesitation, he ordered the nearby ninjas to attack and hold off Kagetsu's group, while he swiftly retreated.

"He's running. Want me to chase him?" Kakuzu asked, glancing at Kagetsu while watching his target vanish quickly.

Several burning fireballs fell from the sky. Just before they hit the ground, a massive green arm swept them aside. The force of the giant arm's movement stirred up strong winds, making Kakuzu's black cloak flutter loudly below.

"This should be his secret base. Let's go together," Kagetsu replied calmly. He didn't seem concerned about Shinnō's escape, as he had already locked onto the target's location. Unless something unexpected happened, Shinnō wouldn't get far.

"Is that so?"

As soon as Kakuzu finished speaking, he charged forward. His arms spread behind him like wings as he sprinted at high speed. 

Despite being alone, compared to the dozens—if not hundreds—of ninjas rushing toward him, Kakuzu exuded the overwhelming presence of an unstoppable force.

After clearing the sky and sweeping away the falling debris, the green giant dissipated into thin air. Shisui's Mangekyō Sharingan in his eyes reverted back to the standard three-tomoe Sharingan.

A thin trail of blood trickled down from the corner of Shisui's eye, and his bloodshot eyes were filled with fatigue. However, the curse mark on his shoulder suddenly became more active, releasing a unique chakra that flowed throughout his body. 

The excruciating pain from using Susano'o and the strain on his body were quickly soothed by a cooling sensation, significantly improving Shisui's condition.

A kunai struck Kakuzu, producing a metallic clang. In the brief moment when the attacker froze in fear, Kakuzu's punch landed squarely, sending the ninja flying with no resistance.

Contrary to common belief, a ninja's body isn't as fragile as it seems—especially those skilled in taijutsu. When ninjas are quickly defeated, appearing weak in both offense and defense, it's often because they were utterly outmatched.

For example, a certain Jiraiya can still move energetically despite enduring Tsunade's monstrous strength. Even if Tsunade holds back, it's not a level of force an ordinary person could withstand.

Kakuzu, now with the Steel Release kekkei genkai, was incredibly satisfied with his body's toughness. 

Most taijutsu attacks couldn't even scratch him anymore. With Earth Release techniques for reinforcement, his defense could reach even greater heights.

What thrilled Kakuzu even more was how the properties and resilience of his Earth Grudge Fear technique were enhanced by his Steel Release and Lava Release bloodline limits. 

Having familiarized himself with this newfound power, Kakuzu had already begun crafting an entirely new combat system.

A group of ninjas leaped into the air, their weapons aimed at Kakuzu as they surrounded him. Their strikes seemed unavoidable, but in an instant, their bodies were pierced by countless black spikes, suspended in midair like skewers.

As the black spikes slowly retracted, the corpses, riddled with holes, fell to the ground. Standing amidst the carnage was Kakuzu, his body bristling with black spikes like a porcupine.

The spikes retreated into Kakuzu's body as he tore off his tattered black robe, tying it around his waist. At the joints of his arms, fresh sprouts of Earth Grudge Fear threads burst through his flesh, writhing like vines. The threads wove together in midair, forming two double-edged axes on either side.

Enhanced by the Steel Release and Lava Release Kekkei Genkai, the axes wrapped around his hands hardened to a metallic sheen. Their edges glowed red-hot, radiating the searing heat of molten iron.

Kakuzu's modified body, transformed by Earth Grudge Fear, gave him an arsenal of deadly and adaptable abilities. Under his control, the threads, imbued with the toughness and hardness of Steel Release, became versatile weapons of destruction.

"Damn it!"

Shinnō moved swiftly, the scenery on either side blurring as he rushed forward. In the distance, across a vast expanse of water, the outline of a massive structure began to emerge through the sea mist, its silhouette resembling the tip of an iceberg.

Sensing no pursuers behind him, Shinnō exhaled in relief but quickened his pace toward the colossal building looming faintly in the fog.

As he sprinted across the water's surface, his footfalls light and quick, he suddenly noticed a massive shadow beneath the waves. It was rapidly expanding, as if some enormous creature was about to break through to the surface.

Shinnō's instincts screamed danger. Without hesitation, he stomped hard on the water, launching himself high into the air and away from the shadow below.

Boom!

A huge splash erupted as a colossal figure burst out of the sea, sending waves crashing in all directions. The surrounding waters trembled violently.

The creature resembled a snake, with a long, sinuous body covered in dark brown scales segmented like armor. Its head bore a terrifying maw filled with razor-sharp teeth, resembling the beak of an octopus. It had no visible eyes, but it clearly possessed a unique sense for locating its prey.

The monstrous head, which alone measured over ten meters in length, locked onto Shinnō's position. Its jagged mouth opened wide, spinning like gears, and unfurled like a blooming flower as it lunged down toward him.

Boom!

The surface of the water exploded once more, sending violent waves in every direction. The sea churned as if it were boiling.

****

Support me on my ko-fi account and read upto 15 early chapters,

https://ko-fi.com/pirateking24/tiers