Bang! Bang! Bang!
This was the worst-case scenario. Chakra quantity didn't necessarily equate to true combat strength, but it remained a vital factor. Their enemies might not have brought two jōnin, but Shirō and his companions couldn't afford to gamble on that possibility.
Thus, their plan was built around the worst-case outcome.
In the days that followed, they fine-tuned their preparations for the upcoming confrontation, ensuring that when the enemy came, they would meet them at their strongest.
Shirō also busied himself preparing items for Shikamaru. He hoped to find some method of reducing Shikamaru's burden, but at the same time, he had to consider Orochimaru.
After all, he had no deep familiarity with the Sannin. It would be one thing for Shirō himself to summon Orochimaru, given his contract with Ryūchi Cave, but if Shikamaru were to do it without precaution, the sannin might just decide to devour him without hesitation.
But this wasn't something that could be rushed. Orochimaru was not the type of person—or summon—you could casually rely on. Shirō would need to make a trip to Ryūchi Cave to settle matters, and carefully weigh if there was any way to optimize things before entrusting such a risk to his comrade.
Unfortunately, Shirō was no genius like Minato or Orochimaru. His knowledge hadn't reached the level required to devise an immediate solution, and with time pressing, he reluctantly abandoned the idea, focusing instead on practical preparations.
At last, five days later, the minister's negotiations concluded. On that very morning, Shirō and his squad departed, ready for what awaited them.
---
Meanwhile, in a hidden location, three enemy shinobi pored over a map.
"They've set out. Are the preparations complete?" the leader inquired.
"Everything's in place. Once the fighting starts, we'll split those two brats apart before they can unleash that technique of theirs," one of the jōnin replied with confidence.
"Good. We've already taken heavy losses. Those two ninjutsu are far too troublesome."
Originally, the plan had been to crush Shirō's squad outright, but the strength they revealed during probing skirmishes made the enemy cautious. If they were caught in that devastating combination again, the outcome would only be death.
So instead, they'd resorted to harassment, gathering information at the cost of men. Painful losses, yes—but if the mission succeeded, it would all be worthwhile.
"Lord Xingchuan," one of them asked, "should we keep disguising ourselves as Sunagakure shinobi? If one of us survives to report back, it could mislead Konoha."
"Forget it. Impossible," Xingchuan snapped. "You might pass, but my fighting style is too distinct. Too many would recognize it, and I won't risk drawing attention to my village. We finish this clean—no survivors. Now move out."
"Yes, sir."
With that, they advanced toward the ambush point.
---
At the same time, Shirō's squad pushed forward, maintaining constant vigilance. Slowly but surely, they approached the enemy's trap.
But Xingchuan's plan began to unravel. Shirō's reconnaissance techniques—bolstered by his insect-like puppets and sharp perception—were too effective. Even before the trap was sprung, he sensed the danger.
Realizing the ambush was futile, Xingchuan gave a sharp signal. If they couldn't surprise them, they'd attack head-on.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"
Shirō countered immediately, his gale clashing against a wall of stone. He slipped aside just in time as an earth dragon head of hardened mud roared past him.
But the maneuver achieved its purpose: he was separated from Shikamaru.
Exactly as Xingchuan intended.
Even so, their plan wasn't broken. The moment Shirō drew the enemy's attention, Shikamaru fell back and flashed through hand seals.
"Summoning Technique!"
Bang!
White smoke burst forth, dispersing to reveal Orochimaru himself, alongside a massive blue-scaled snake radiating sinister chakra.
"Tch… Orochimaru's summons?! Here?!" one of the enemies muttered in shock.
In an instant, they recalled the rumors: a snake skilled in genjutsu… and the sannin's eerie, inhuman aura.
"Orochimaru-sama, I'll trouble you for this," Shirō said evenly.
"Hmph. Remember our bargain, boy. Don't think you can weasel out of it." Orochimaru's golden eyes slid toward Shirō, ignoring the others completely.
"Of course. Konoha has no shortage of prisoners," Shirō replied, keeping his tone steady.
The agreement was simple: Orochimaru would lend his strength, and in return, he would receive human test subjects. Shirō loathed the bargain, but survival outweighed morality—especially when the sacrifices were enemy captives, not his comrades.
Blue Snake hissed eagerly, slithering to engage four enemy chūnin without waiting for orders, while Tai Yi rushed to lock blades with another jōnin.
As for Shirō, he found himself face to face with the very jōnin who had once masqueraded as a Sunagakure shinobi. Of all the foes here, this one carried the most intel on him. Taking him down was crucial.
Chakra flared, and the battlefield split apart, each skirmish falling into place. For Shirō and his team, it was the start they'd hoped for.
Shirō's hands glowed faintly as he engaged his opponent, keeping up relentless pressure. He waited, patient, for the opening when his movements would peak—when he could unleash what he had prepared.
And when the moment came—
"Projection, start!"
Blue sparks traced along his arm as a weapon solidified in his grasp. He passed the jōnin with a sudden feint, pivoted, and swung his right arm.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three sharp cracks split the air. The enemy jōnin's eyes widened in disbelief before he collapsed, lifeless.
A gunshot.
What Shirō had projected wasn't a blade, but a rare Noble Phantasm—Thunderer.
---
『Thunderer』
Rank: C++
Type: Anti-Unit Noble Phantasm
Range: 1–100
Maximum Targets: 1
The Colt M1877 Double Action Revolver, nicknamed Thunderer—the iconic sidearm of Billy the Kid. But the Noble Phantasm was not merely the revolver itself. Rather, it was the legend of Billy's reverse triple-shot, the distilled essence of his skill with this weapon.
Unlike most Noble Phantasms, Thunderer was more technique than tool. Its true form was "the act of Billy the Kid shooting with this revolver," functioning closer to a specialized inherent skill than a mere weapon.
This made it insidiously efficient. The magic cost was absurdly low—no higher than an E-rank Noble Phantasm. Yet its destructive effect, when executed, was undeniable.
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