"Boom!!!"
A sudden, explosive roar tore through the air. The bluestone ground beneath their feet shattered like brittle glass. From deep underground, a primal force, ancient and beast-like, broke its chains and surged upward.
Thick, nearly tangible strands of violet-black chakra shot into the sky and spread outward. The chakra radiated pure hatred, thick enough to blot out the sun. In an instant, it smashed through Kumo's carefully constructed defenses. The shockwave surged with choking dust, tearing through the village like a living beast. Buildings groaned and collapsed. Rubble rained down like hail. Screams of terror mixed with the sound of destruction, and in mere moments, a peaceful village was plunged into hell.
Ryo tilted his head slightly, letting the wind, thick with dust and sand, sweep across his sharp features. In the distance, the violet-black beam marking a tailed-beast's rampage pierced the sky. His eyes showed no panic, only cold analysis.
"Oh? The Eight-Tails is loose," he said, his voice low but strangely clear through the chaos. "Kumo's sealing technique really is something... about as durable as wet paper." His tone was flat, sarcasm cutting like a blade. He didn't take his eyes off the chaos and continued, "What's more impressive is you, Orochimaru. Just a few days, and you managed to send that beast over the edge? What did you use?"
From the shadows nearby, Orochimaru calmly sealed several vials of strange liquid into a scroll. His pale face flickered in and out of the dusty light.
"Heh, just a little catalyst," he replied with eerie satisfaction. "A formula tailored to specific mental waves. Designed to amplify those souls full of hatred and despair." As he stored the scroll, his voice blended regret and delight. "On a tailed-beast, a mass of negative energy, the effect is overwhelming. Sadly, it only works once. After this, the other villages will begin developing countermeasures. A shame for the art."
Ryo's expression didn't change. "Once was enough." He picked up an empty bottle from the table. A few drops of violet liquid clung to its sides. He opened it and took a sniff. It was odorless and colorless, like purified air—calm and terrifying. This unremarkable substance had triggered the entire disaster. Scientists really were pure creatures of logic, cold and ruthless.
He tossed the bottle among the shattered stones at his feet and looked toward the heart of the chaos. "You want to watch, or are we leaving?" He knew the rampage wouldn't last long. That Raikage named "A" would arrive soon. Total destruction of Kumo? Unlikely. The core goal was complete. A blade had been driven into the heart of the village, with dirt thrown on Iwa. The rest was Orochimaru's work. Ryo hadn't been idle either, having taken a stroll through Thundercloud Gorge and collected a few "local souvenirs" for Kushina to try.
Orochimaru had just put the scroll away when he turned, that signature cold, eerie smile spreading across his face. "Ryo-kun, interested in watching an encore performance?"
Ryo's lips twitched faintly. "Of course. Wouldn't want to miss it. Free ticket to a beast match? Can't say no to that." He noticed Orochimaru's wide sleeve seemed unusually heavy. Most likely he'd pocketed a horn fragment from the Eight-Tails.
"Roar!!!"
The sound tore through the dusty sky, filled with destructive intent. As the smoke cleared slightly, a massive, crimson chakra monster stood at the center of the village, rampaging without restraint. Its shape flickered between forms—sometimes serpentine, sometimes octopus-like. Beneath the cloak of chakra, skeleton and muscle flashed faintly. Chaos incarnate. The Jinchūriki, Fukai, had already been consumed by hatred. Hachibi's violent will had taken full control. The only thought now was destruction.
Its massive limbs swept out like meteors, trailing violent gales. "Boom! Crash!" Solid hotel walls were shredded like paper. Another swing carved deep scars in the ground. Market stalls were flattened. Screams, debris, and terror formed a desperate chorus. Villagers and merchants fled in panic like ants beneath a storm.
"Earth Release: Multiple Earth Wall!"
A hoarse roar rang out. Tsuchidai, Kumo's acting commander, led a group of dust-covered Jōnin straight into the chaos. Slamming his palms onto the ground, Tsuchidai pushed chakra out with force. Massive earthen walls erupted, rising like cliffs and layering upon one another. A temporary defense appeared in the Eight-Tails' path.
"Hold it here! Seal squad, now! Reinforce the seal!" Tsuchidai's voice cracked from strain. Sweat and dust dripped down his face as his bloodshot eyes locked onto the rampaging chakra beast slamming against the walls. Each impact shattered cracks through the defenses. "Where is the Raikage?! Why isn't he here yet?! Someone, check!"
"Report! Carrier pigeons and fast-response shinobi have been dispatched. The Raikage should be en route!" a Jōnin shouted, veins bulging with effort as he maintained the jutsu. "But this thing… its hide is too thick! Regular ninjutsu doesn't even leave a scratch!"
"Damn it. Hold the line, no matter what!" Tsuchidai gritted his teeth. He had never felt more powerless. Facing a tailed-beast, shinobi felt like cannon fodder. Their attacks might as well have vanished into the void. Even elite jutsu could only delay its wrath for seconds.
Ryo and Orochimaru stood atop a building that hadn't yet collapsed, observing the battlefield. Flames and red chakra flickered in their eyes. Orochimaru stood silently, arms folded, his pale figure bathed in shadow.
"What exactly did you put in that vial," Ryo finally asked, "that could turn a tailed-beast into such a pure engine of destruction?" He recalled the liquid clearly. Nothing about it made logical sense.
Orochimaru chuckled dryly, his throat letting out a rasp like a snake's hiss. "Heh… it's simple. Tailed-beasts hate those who cage them. Jinchūriki hate the curse placed on them. I just amplified that hatred a little. Then nudged the sealing technique along." He spread his hands, casual and elegant. "All it takes is a spark."
Ryo's eyes narrowed. In the end, he muttered only two words. "Psychological bomb." In his mind, he'd flagged Orochimaru as a high-risk contaminant. But he had to admit, the bastard was effective.
At that moment, the Eight-Tails' form shifted again. Its crimson chakra condensed and hardened. In an instant, the outline snapped into shape. Scaled black skin. A massive skull. A single giant, blood-red eye filled with pure destruction. The most terrifying part was the vast buildup of energy in its mouth. A chilling silence took hold. The air around it vanished. Light warped inward.
A dark, ominous sphere formed, growing rapidly.
The Tailed-Beast Bomb.
"Looks like," Ryo said flatly, his voice colder than before, "we should move back." He had no desire to be coated in fallout. Sure, Flying Thunder God could get him out, but cleanup was a pain.
They didn't wait. The two vanished instantly, flickering like smoke into the shadows. After a few quick jumps, they landed on a distant, abandoned watchtower. From here, the crushing pressure of the bomb could still be felt, crawling down their spines.
"Roar!!!"
It was complete. The Eight-Tails launched the bomb, hurling the mountain-crushing sphere toward the center of the village. A shriek echoed in its wake. Every Kumo shinobi who saw it felt their blood run cold.
It was over. This strike would wipe out half the village.
Then, in that final second—
"Ah!!!"
A flash of lightning shattered the world. Like a divine spear ripping through space, it struck.
"Boom!!!!!!!"
Even louder than the Tailed-Beast Bomb, the sound was like a god hammering the sky. A thunderclap that flattened everything.
The lightning beam struck the bomb directly and smashed the Eight-Tails' jaw in the same breath. The deadly sphere of energy wobbled like a bubble, shrank, then vanished in the blinding light. The Eight-Tails' massive head snapped upward. Its body was flung back like a ragdoll struck by an invisible giant.
"Rumble… rumble rumble..."
The enormous beast gouged a deep trench across the village, destroying everything in its path.
The lightning faded.
A towering figure now stood at the heart of the battlefield. Muscles bulged beneath a dark combat uniform. White hair bristled like blades. His face was carved from stone. Blue lightning crackled around him like living serpents.
The Sandaime Raikage had arrived.
"Raikage-sama!!!" "He's here!!!"
From the brink of despair, Kumo erupted in cheers. Relief washed over them like a flood.
The Raikage stood immovable, scanning the battlefield and the wounded Eight-Tails with calm eyes. His voice cut through the noise.
"Tsuchidai. Begin rescue operations. Evacuate civilians. Find the cause of this. This is my responsibility."
Far on the watchtower…
"…Terrifying speed and taijutsu," Orochimaru murmured, eyes narrowing. His arms tensed. His unnaturally modified body froze for a second. Only Ryo noticed.
"It's time to go," Ryo said calmly. The main event was over. Staying would be foolish. "If we linger, ANBU will track our trail from the impact. Getting caught would mean being hunted by an enraged Raikage and all of Kumo. Not worth the mess." He didn't mind a fight, but he hated pointless complications. Especially now.
Orochimaru's smile faded. His expression turned cold. Ryo's judgment was accurate. The Raikage's strength had exceeded expectations. If they were discovered, the plot would collapse. Worse, Danzō would pin the blame on them for unauthorized actions. Even a mad scientist like Orochimaru knew when to pull out.
Ryo's hand was already on Orochimaru's shoulder.
Flying Thunder God Technique.
Like ink vanishing in water, the two disappeared the instant they stepped off the tower.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)