Chapter 296: A Swarm of Enlightened
Attracted by the battle's commotion, massive numbers of surrounding shinobi swarmed here, already suppressing the "resurrected" through sheer numbers.
Mizuki's gaze swept through the crowd. Seeing some already cooperating viciously, about to control and hack the just-"resurrected" shinobi to death, he quickly shouted loudly again:
"Everyone, don't rush to kill them! They truly are deceased comrades resurrected."
"Their sanity has problems—possibly affected by the Box of Ultimate Bliss's technique."
"Quickly summon the Sealing Team to seal them first. After finding the problem's source, we'll figure out how to save them."
After Mizuki spoke thus, those shinobi originally intending to kill relaxed their attacks.
After all, from these people's dialogue, they'd indeed confirmed these were genuinely resurrected dead—just somehow transformed into their current state for unknown reasons.
However, within the shinobi world, every technique had solutions. Perhaps resolving this problem could transform the Box of Ultimate Bliss into the village's trump card.
But before the newly trained Sealing Team arrived, the situation rapidly deteriorated.
As though influenced by Third's transformation, other "resurrected" also shrieked, beginning their transformations.
Their flesh melted and peeled like wax, revealing pitch-black hard shells or wings beneath. Joints reversed. Bone spikes protruded. In the blink of an eye, they transformed into a group of terrifying demons with varying forms.
These demons each looked different—some resembled beasts, some birds. Some massive, others flat. None resembled shinobi world creatures.
"Wh-what's happening?"
"Why are they transforming into monsters?"
Terrified questions exploded through the crowd. But actually, no one needed answering—the answer lay bloodily before them.
What they'd personally welcomed back weren't loved ones, but messengers from hell!
After seeing these "resurrected" transform into monsters, everyone immediately knew these people couldn't possibly be saved.
The last thread of fantasy completely shattered. Cold reality like winter blizzards instantly froze everyone's hearts.
Mizuki made a snap decision, loudly ordering:
"Plan change—kill all these 'resurrected'!"
But this order came too late. After transforming, the "Enlightened" possessed qualitatively enhanced speed and strength.
Their figures transformed into deadly black lightning, rampaging through crowds. Ordinary ninjutsu and attacks couldn't even capture their trajectories.
The originally somewhat deadlocked situation instantly collapsed.
"Ahhh..."
Accompanied by successive screams, massive numbers of shinobi were torn into pieces by the "Enlightened." Bodies were casually tossed into the Box of Ultimate Bliss.
That box resembled a living thing, greedily devouring flesh and blood. Surface patterns flickered with eerie dark light—like satisfaction after feasting.
"Wood Release: Advent of a World of Trees!"
A Wood Release ninja hastily activated Wood Release forest.
Amid earth's trembling, towering trees erupted from the ground. Lush branches and leaves attempted constructing a living barrier, protecting surrounding comrades within the forest.
Simultaneously, he manipulated tree vines coiling toward the "Enlightened."
But the moment his killing intent appeared, those targeted "Enlightened" immediately spread wings soaring skyward, avoiding Wood Release attacks. Their massive frames displayed incredible flexibility in the air.
Even those beastlike "Enlightened" unable to fly ran incredibly fast, instantly escaping Wood Release forest coverage—making this powerful technique attack completely miss.
"Kehehe..."
The group of "Enlightened" laughed eerily at high altitude, rapidly seeking new targets before diving quickly, grabbing people up, tearing them apart, and tossing them into the Box of Ultimate Bliss.
The hunt began!
They circled, locked on, dove—each movement efficient and cruel, like vultures toying with prey, planting terror deep in everyone's hearts.
More and more shinobi rushed over from surroundings. Seeing the "Enlightened" move rapidly, they hastily formed defensive formations, attempting to use control-type ninjutsu against them.
But the "Enlightened" possessed killing intent sensing abilities plus fast movement speed, easily avoiding all attacks.
Under these circumstances, all shinobi attacks missed. They could only passively take beatings, completely unable to inflict effective damage.
Another group of beastlike "Enlightened" prowled through Konoha Village.
They wandered streets and alleys aimlessly. Killing anyone encountered without mercy.
Neither shinobi nor ordinary villagers could possibly withstand their thunderous strikes.
At this critical moment, the always "reliable" Lord Mizuki again pointed out direction for everyone.
"We can't continue like this! Quickly use Wood Release forests to protect everyone!"
His voice cut through panic's fog like a blade, providing everyone a lifeline amid chaos.
Konoha Village's leaderless numerous shinobi immediately formed battle formations centered on Wood Release ninja.
Those Wood Release ninja capable of releasing "Advent of a World of Trees" separately ran throughout the village, activating techniques.
Earth roared. Giant trees burst from soil. Gnarled trunks grew rapidly, weaving into verdant fortresses serving as wartime shelters.
Thanks to recent successive attacks, villagers though frightened weren't panicked. They rushed from homes, running toward nearby tallest trees.
Watching crowds gathering together, those "Enlightened" seemed to find targets. Without needing mutual consultation, they separately attacked those Wood Release ninja.
Watching attacking demons, Wood Release ninja stimulated vines, weaving densely packed vine nets in midair, enveloping the "Enlightened."
"Kehehe..."
Demons laughed eerily, crashing into vine nets. Four limbs' sharp claws like knives tore through air, forcefully grabbing forward.
"Bring it on!"
Wood Release ninja hastily poured chakra into Wood Release, attempting to capture demons opportunistically.
Other Konoha shinobi also activated techniques, wanting to coordinate comrade attacks.
But somehow, when demons and vine nets collided, Wood Release ninja hearts suddenly inexplicably stabbed with pain. Chakra instantly cut off.
Without chakra supply, those supposedly indestructible vine nets instantly tore into fragments.
The "Enlightened" howled, charging through torn gaps, landing within Konoha Village shinobi formations like tigers entering flocks.
Their sharp limbs wildly clawed in all directions. Claws flashing, flesh and blood flew everywhere. Screams and savage laughter intertwined. The entire formation immediately collapsed—transforming this final shelter into a slaughterhouse of despair.
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