Chapter 23: Amazing! He Actually Wants to Kill Me!
The Volcanic Prison
Gulp!
Boiling water continuously bubbled and burst, sending white clouds of steam rising while spreading the acrid smell of sulfur throughout the enclosed space.
Amidst the profound darkness, only a barrier floating above the scalding lake glowed with shimmering white light.
Crack, crack!
Debris and dust rained down from the volcanic rock walls as the entire environment resembled a boiling kettle with its spout blocked, creating constant inward pressure.
The scorching air made breathing difficult, with temperatures reaching 50-60 degrees Celsius.
Even for Tsukasa, a trained shinobi, such conditions caused dizziness and disorientation.
A suppressed sense of crisis lurked in the darkness like a venomous serpent waiting to strike.
Tsukasa's vision blurred through the barrier's white light, and for a moment he thought he could see stars flickering wildly in the dark void above.
He seemed to glimpse figures from his past life waving to him from beyond.
At this thought, Tsukasa's spirits suddenly lifted.
He was awake—completely awake!
He gradually understood the full situation.
This was the volcanic formation created by Kumogakure's master tactician Dodai, with boiling springs directly beneath them.
This... this was the perfect burial ground!
When life gives you lemons, make lemonade—Tsukasa had initially thought his investment was wasted when the explosive tags failed to detonate, and he'd nearly managed a comeback victory against the Kumogakure special jonin.
Combined with Great Elder Setsuna's threats of eternal vengeance, the two Kumogakure shinobi had been practically terrified into immediate retreat.
But who could have imagined Dodai would deliver such a devastating finale!
Earth Release: Great Moving Earth Core to create the volcano, and Lava Release: Melting Apparition Technique to seal it shut.
Volcanic eruption combined with gushing hot springs!
Over a hundred degrees of heat and pressure, combined with crushing earth and stone—essentially a full-body boiling bath.
Wasn't this guaranteed death?
It was perfect combination jutsu!
Tsukasa's eyes nearly filled with tears of gratitude.
This gambit—I have to thank Boss Dodai for gifting me this magnificent volcano!
Damn, securing a guaranteed outcome is so difficult!
While Tsukasa's eyes glistened with emotional relief, the Kumogakure shinobi Moroi was already flushed red from the intense heat.
It was the shinobi world's version of shared suffering—you're burning, I'm burning.
Moroi glared at Tsukasa, who appeared to be crying from fear, without an ounce of sympathy in his heart.
He was consumed with hatred!
His eyes were bloodshot, the skin on his face twisted hideously, veins bulging on his forehead.
Because of this kid—because of him!
Dodai had immediately betrayed him, using Earth Release to throw him directly into the volcano along with his barrier!
Moroi had never felt such desperation.
The suppressed rage threatened to burst his chest as he glared at Tsukasa, his voice twisted with fury:
"Tsukasa!"
"This is all your fault! ALL YOUR FAULT!"
"If not for you, how could I have ended up in this situation?!"
Moroi clenched his fists, eyes wide with manic intensity:
"I'm going to kill you!"
"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"
The Perfect Setup
However, upon hearing this declaration, Tsukasa wasn't surprised—he was delighted!
He looked at the enraged Moroi and nearly applauded on the spot.
This guy actually wants to kill me!
It's like bungee jumping from the stratosphere and suddenly realizing you forgot your parachute—a perfect match!
Facing the other's gaze that seemed ready to devour him alive, Tsukasa suppressed his inner ecstasy and nodded calmly.
"Excellent spirit!"
He suddenly opened his eyes wide. To ensure Moroi's rage reached its peak, he even raised an eyebrow, adopting the expression of a disdainful, cold, and utterly arrogant genius.
Tsukasa sneered and spoke with calculated calm:
"Before these eyes, your struggle is meaningless!"
With that declaration, his Sharingan blazed to life!
Moroi's distorted expression was reflected in those crimson pupils as the single tomoe slowly rotated—like the most exquisite artwork in the world.
The sheer pretentiousness radiated an aura of overwhelming superiority that anyone witnessing it would want to rush over and beat him senseless!
Clearly, Moroi was defenseless against this level of arrogance—at least a decade ahead of current shinobi world standards.
His nostrils flared as veins popped out on his forehead.
The next moment, Moroi's foot shattered the scalding surface of the boiling lake, sending swirling clouds of white mist billowing as he charged forward with murderous intent.
However, Tsukasa dodged Moroi's swift punch with a simple sidestep and delivered a backhanded chop to his spine.
"Cloud-Style: Inner Slash!"
Learning and applying techniques in real-time.
Tsukasa leaped up and struck Moroi in the face, sending him flying, then spoke with cool composure:
"Give up! I've already seen through all your techniques!"
"AHHHHHHHHH!"
Moroi, consumed by fury, ignored his exhausted body. He formed hand seals and slammed them onto the boiling lake surface:
"Lightning Release: Thunder Binding!"
Tsukasa was startled—he hadn't expected his opponent to still have chakra for jutsu and immediately tried to dodge.
However, water conducts electricity perfectly—the environmental change had indirectly accelerated Moroi's technique.
A blinding flash of lightning streaked toward him, forming a massive "thunder" character at Tsukasa's feet.
Four chains of crackling electricity pierced through his body, locking him in place and preventing any movement.
Moroi gave a sinister smile, then made a critical error—
He dove into the scalding water.
Gurgle!
Beneath the surface, Moroi's mouth opened and closed in terror, his eyes wide with panic, limbs thrashing helplessly.
The boiling water quickly began cooking the exposed parts of his body.
Pop!
A large bubble rose to the surface.
Moroi—special jonin of Kumogakure, future leader of the Barrier Corps, a powerful shinobi capable of creating thirty-six regenerating barriers—fell silent forever.
With Moroi's death, the Thunder Binding seal gradually faded away.
Tsukasa stood stunned.
"No, wait—couldn't you have held on for two more seconds?"
"Come up and stab me! Damn it!"
He forced himself to use jutsu without sufficient chakra reserves, not even leaving enough energy to stay afloat.
Are all Kumogakure veterans this easily provoked?
The Final Moment
Tsukasa gasped for air, truly having no strength remaining.
He watched the barrier around him slowly fade away, gradually engulfing everything in darkness.
Tsukasa exhaled with relief.
Reflected in the scalding spring water, he observed his own face—once so handsome and charming, now pitch black with a mixture of dirt, blood, wounds, sealing ink, and sweat.
He looked like a coal miner fresh from the depths.
Tsukasa suddenly chuckled, sensing the critical pressure building beneath the water's surface.
A hot spring about to erupt catastrophically.
He could imagine the imminent explosion—gushing springs, crushing earth and stone flooding back.
"This is truly my end."
Tsukasa slumped into the water, laughed, and his expression showed pure relief.
He was genuinely exhausted.
However, at that precise moment—
In the darkness, a golden flame suddenly blazed to life!
It was like the light of creation itself!
A familiar voice roared in Tsukasa's ears:
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
End of Chapter 23
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