Chapter 268: Crystal Style!
At the research facility.
Sarutobi Asuma opened his eyes. As his right palm left Hidan's forehead, a green orb of light appeared.
Tsunade and Senju Tobirama looked towards the orb and saw a mass of blood within it, faintly revealing a shadow.
"Is that the Evil God?" Tsunade asked curiously.
"Not exactly," Sarutobi Asuma shook his head and explained with a smile, "This is a mark."
"Or you could say it's just a mark within our Ninja World."
Tsunade was startled. "Just a mark in the Ninja World?"
"The Evil God isn't from the Ninja World?"
Sarutobi Asuma thought for a moment, unsure. "I can't be certain for now."
"But I can't sense its presence anywhere else in the Ninja World."
"Its true body is definitely not in the Ninja World, at least not in the space we inhabit."
His Sage Tree was everywhere, its roots even penetrating the depths of the ocean.
Coupled with this sealed power of the Evil God, if it were in the Ninja World, he would have undoubtedly sensed it.
Clearly, it wasn't on this plane of existence.
At this moment, Senju Tobirama said, "The curse seal script on him has disappeared."
Tsunade placed her hand on Hidan and carefully sensed him. "It's indeed completely gone."
"Moreover, his life force is rapidly draining. He'll be dead before long."
He had lost the Evil God's power!
Senju Tobirama looked at the orb in Sarutobi Asuma's hand and asked, "How was this guy connected to the Evil God?"
"Jashinism worships slaughter. Does the Evil God gain something from it?"
Sarutobi Asuma replied, "I initially thought it was some kind of power from defeated enemies being sacrificed to the Evil God, but that's not it."
"It's the power of faith, or rather, the power of the mind."
"The evil, insane, and bloodthirsty spiritual power."
"This is also the connection between the followers and the Evil God, which is why I couldn't trace it back through the curse seal script before."
Both Senju Tobirama and Tsunade frowned slightly upon hearing this.
They had never encountered such bizarre power.
Sarutobi Asuma said, "There's still Jashinism in the Land of Hot Water. Although I've sealed this mark, the Evil God will surely hold a grudge and could project its power here."
"The fundamental power of this Evil God is incredibly potent. It shouldn't be inferior to the Ten-Tails!"
Senju Tobirama stated without hesitation, "Then let the Fourth Hokage send people to completely eradicate Jashinism!"
Such an evil power must not be allowed to cause trouble for Konoha.
Furthermore, if Konoha aimed to unify the entire Ninja World, it couldn't permit such a force to disrupt their efforts.
For the sake of the village, Senju Tobirama had always been decisive.
Sarutobi Asuma nodded, and with the seal, he left the research facility. He went to the Hokage's office and clearly explained the situation to Namikaze Minato.
Namikaze Minato didn't hesitate and immediately issued an order for the Anbu to be dispatched to the Land of Hot Water to eliminate Jashinism.
Meanwhile.
In the southern part of the Land of Fire.
Mist Ninja, led by "Ao," stared grimly at the seven figures blocking their path.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!
"Damn it, playing with the souls of the dead! That damned Orochimaru!" a Mist Ninja roared in anger.
"Although I don't want to fight our own people, there's no other way for the sake of the village," Ao said, waving his hand and charging forward with his men.
A great battle ensued.
Orochimaru watched with a smile from behind, with the expressionless Kakuzu beside him.
Hidan was dead, and Sasori of the Red Sand was also dead. These two were a perfect match.
However, while the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist were indeed formidable, they couldn't stop the more numerous Mist Ninja.
Soon, two squads bypassed the main battlefield and headed straight for Orochimaru and Kakuzu.
"Your turn!"
Orochimaru laughed.
Kakuzu didn't speak, but his back bulged, and two masked monsters shot out.
Immediately after, terrifying Wind Style and Fire Style ninjutsu began to sweep across the area.
They not only blocked the charging Mist Ninja but also engulfed those fighting further away, and screams immediately erupted.
Suddenly, Orochimaru turned his head north, stuck out his tongue, and his smile became even more perverse.
Inside the forest.
Naruto and the others suddenly stopped. Yūhi Kurenai, Sarutobi Shinya, and Yamato leaped to the treetops and saw billowing smoke ahead.
"It's the Akatsuki Organization and Mist Ninja!"
"And Orochimaru!"
Yūhi Kurenai said.
"Orochimaru has the Reanimation Jutsu, everyone needs to be extremely careful."
Sarutobi Shinya said.
The three immediately descended from the treetops and ordered Naruto and the others to prepare for battle.
The group quickened their pace, but before they could reach the site of the battle, they stopped again.
Because two people appeared before them.
"The Third Kazekage, and..."
"The Fourth Kazekage!"
Yūhi Kurenai, Sarutobi Shinya, and Yamato couldn't help but frown.
Naruto's eyes widened. "Isn't that... Gaara's father, the Fourth Kazekage? Didn't he..."
"He died, but Orochimaru resurrected him with a forbidden jutsu."
Nara Shikamaru stared at the two in front of them.
"I'll handle these two with Kurenai, the Jonin. Yamato, you take Shikamaru and the others to continue forward!"
Sarutobi Shinya said.
"Understood, senior!"
Yamato nodded, then shouted to Naruto and the others, "Everyone, follow me!"
"Yes!"
Immediately, Shikamaru and the others followed Yamato, taking a detour.
Naruto quickly shouted, "Hey!"
"Aren't those the two Kazekage?"
"Uncle Shinya and Aunt Kurenai, are they really okay?"
Uchiha Sasuke snorted and followed the team. "You underestimate the two Jonin!"
"Besides, forbidden jutsu like this won't have the same power as the original!"
Haruno Sakura also quickly followed and shouted, "Naruto, stop babbling and hurry up!"
"Okay, okay!"
"Uncle Shinya, Aunt Kurenai, you must be careful!"
Naruto shouted as he followed the team.
Yūhi Kurenai looked at him and smiled gently. "Sometimes, even when he can't see the situation clearly, he really makes one's heart race!"
Sarutobi Shinya also smiled. "I can only say that Kushina taught him well!"
Yūhi Kurenai nodded in agreement, then looked at the two Kazekage who hadn't intercepted Naruto and the others. She asked, "Big brother Shinya, how do you think we should deal with them?"
"Besides sealing, genjutsu would be the most effective!"
"Asuma mentioned that genjutsu can be used to seize control, or to break Orochimaru's control!"
Sarutobi Shinya said.
After the last great war, he had discussed methods to deal with the Reanimation Jutsu with his younger brother, Sarutobi Asuma.
Sarutobi Asuma's method of directly extracting souls was clearly not something ordinary ninjas could use, so besides Fūinjutsu, another solution was needed.
Especially given the current situation.
If a major war were to break out in the future, they would likely encounter people resurrected with the Reanimation Jutsu again.
"Understood!"
"I'll give it a try!"
Yūhi Kurenai nodded, and her pupils changed instantly.
Dream Eye activated!
Their gazes met, and the Dream Realm instantly sprung to life.
The Third Kazekage and Fourth Kazekage, who were about to make a move, froze in place.
Meanwhile.
Orochimaru, who had been watching as a spectator, suddenly changed his expression: "The Third and Fourth are out of control!"
"Those eyes..."
"It seems the intel was completely accurate, it's a dōjutsu, a new Kekkei Genkai!"
"A Genjutsu-based Kekkei Genkai, this is likely on par with the Sharingan."
Orochimaru was both shocked and quite excited.
Although he had no intention of seizing it, as he currently couldn't afford to provoke Sarutobi Asuma.
...
Looking at the immobilized Third Kazekage and Fourth Kazekage, Yūhi Kurenai said, "They've been controlled by genjutsu, but Orochimaru isn't within the illusion."
Sarutobi Shinya chuckled upon hearing this: "Then we've avoided a major battle."
He glanced at the area where the previous battle had taken place and said, "Since that's the case, let's go and hold Orochimaru off first."
"To prevent them from bothering Naruto and the others."
Yūhi Kurenai nodded: "Alright!"
The two immediately set off, heading straight for the other battlefield.
At the same time.
Naruto and the others, who had bypassed the battlefield and headed directly for the lake where the Three-Tails was located, encountered enemies once again.
"1, 2, 3... a total of 6 people!"
"One of them appeared during last year's Chunin Exams, his name is Kabuto!"
Yamanaka Ino accurately reported the number of enemies appearing on both sides and even recognized the chakra of one of them.
"Stop!"
Yamato suddenly gave the order.
Swish, swish, swish!
Figures stopped in staggered positions, warily observing their surroundings.
Those who had appeared on both sides then emerged.
"Kabuto, you scoundrel, are you trying to capture Sasuke again?"
Naruto glared at Kabuto and shouted.
Sasuke, who had activated his two-tomoe Sharingan, also stared at Kabuto: "That guy, Orochimaru, I'll let him know the power of the Uchiha!"
Kabuto looked at Uchiha Sasuke, pushed up his glasses, and chuckled softly: "Oh? In that case, I believe Lord Orochimaru will be very much looking forward to it."
"However, why don't you come with us now? That way, you can witness the power of Lord Orochimaru, and perhaps you'll change your mind!"
Uchiha Sasuke's gaze sharpened.
Haruno Sakura next to him scoffed, "We have Teacher Asuma's guidance, what is that Orochimaru guy?"
"Exactly, exactly!"
Naruto shouted loudly.
Kabuto frowned, unable to retort for a moment, but then he smiled: "While I have to admit his power, it might not be suitable for you, Sasuke!"
"How can insects like you, hiding in the darkness, be compared to Teacher Asuma!"
Uchiha Sasuke snorted coldly, slightly raising his right hand, and then wisps of electricity bloomed.
The next moment, he exploded forward.
"So fast!"
Kabuto's pupils constricted. At the last moment, he dodged.
However, his left arm was still cut open, bleeding profusely, and a terrible numbness spread through it.
"This guy... Kakashi's ninjutsu!"
Kabuto fell to the ground, the wound on his left arm sizzling and then rapidly healing.
Yin Healing Wound Destruction!
Haruno Sakura's gaze sharpened as she saw this, and she exclaimed: "Be careful, this guy is a medical ninja, and he's likely very powerful. He might even possess techniques like Chakra Scalpel that can directly cut muscle and fascia through the skin!"
Guren then leaped down from a tree, appearing in front of Kabuto, and said lazily: "This mission isn't about this brat, so let's not waste any more words!"
Kabuto got up and laughed: "I just didn't expect that after such a short time, everything has completely changed."
"However, we've already stalled for some time, so let's get to it!"
Yamato called out lightly, "Attack!"
Before his voice even fell, he had finished his ninjutsu. He extended his right hand, directly woodifying it, and streaks of wood rapidly sprouted, whistling towards the enemy.
Uchiha Sasuke once again unleashed Chidori, charging straight for Guren and Kabuto.
Naruto and Haruno Sakura quickly rushed forward as well.
On the other side, Nara Shikamaru formed hand seals, and his shadow extended towards a large man.
Yamanaka Ino simultaneously formed hand seals and unleashed a genjutsu targeting the same large man.
Meanwhile, Akimichi Choji's body expanded by a circumference, charging forward with thudding steps to cover the other two.
Hinata, Aburame Shino, and Inuzuka Kiba, this trio, also found their respective opponents.
While speaking earlier, Yamato had already assigned everyone.
The great battle immediately erupted.
Not far away, Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki watched the battle unfold in stealth with Yugito Nii.
Seeing Guren use a Crystal Style ninjutsu never seen before, he couldn't help but exclaim, "A ninja with a Kekkei Genkai!"
Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki nodded. "Although its weaknesses are obvious, its potential is also quite good!"
"Weaknesses?"
Watching Guren fight three opponents at once, preventing Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, and Haruno Sakura from getting close, Yugito Nii couldn't help but ask, "You've already seen his weakness."
Ōtsutsuki Kamishiki smiled but said nothing.
Yugito Nii frowned, watching the battle and contemplating.
"Damn it!"
"This guy's ninjutsu is so annoying!" Naruto yelled, "Spread out, I'm going to use that jutsu!"
Haruno Sakura immediately reprimanded him, "Idiot, there are too many people, your jutsu's scale is too big!"
"Alright!" Naruto was left speechless by the scolding.
Uchiha Sasuke calmly said, "Naruto, Sakura, you two draw her attention, and you can get close to attack!"
As he spoke, strands of electricity flickered around him, and his speed instantly surged.
Guren frowned and increased the number of Crystal Dragons to three.
Uchiha Sasuke moved at high speed, occasionally throwing shuriken or kunai to disrupt Guren.
Haruno Sakura, wearing her gauntlets, roared and smashed a fist into the head of a Crystal Dragon.
Boom!
The terrifying force directly caused the entire Crystal Dragon to explode.
"Naruto!" Haruno Sakura flashed forward and yelled as she threw another punch.
"Yosh!" Naruto rejoiced, forming hand seals. A large number of Shadow Clones appeared and swarmed forward.
"Hmph, you underestimate me!" Guren snorted, completing her hand seals. A large amount of red crystals spread outwards, blocking Uchiha Sasuke's harassment. Although Sakura's punch was powerful, she could only shatter one crystal before another immediately replenished it.
Naruto's many Shadow Clones surged forward, and numerous Rasengan shattered the crystals. However, as they broke through, one Rasengan struck Guren, and she exploded with a boom.
"Choji, be careful!" Yamato shouted.
At this moment, Choji's fist was covered in mud, rendering Nara Shikamaru's shadow technique ineffective.
This was because their enemy, that large man, had transformed into a large pool of mud.
And at this moment of stalemate, Guren suddenly appeared beside them and unleashed a dense volley of crystal shuriken.
Thwack, thwack, thwack!
Nara Shikamaru pulled Akimichi Choji back, and wooden planks formed a shield, blocking all the crystal shuriken.
Meanwhile, Yamanaka Ino's genjutsu was also deciphered by Kabuto.
Naruto and Shikamaru's respective teams immediately retreated.
On the other side, amidst rolling smoke, Hinata and the others were still fighting their opponents.
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