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Chapter 58
While Ling Yu and Tsunade were chatting idly, Kushina and Mikoto had already reached the mountaintop.
At this moment, the two girls were hiding inside a thick, lush bush, carefully observing the bandit stronghold in front of them.
"How's it looking, Mikoto? Can you see how many are on watch?"
After waiting for a while, Kushina suddenly turned to Mikoto—who had already activated her three-tomoe Sharingan—and asked quietly.
This was a technique they had learned from Tsunade: when facing a large number of enemies, always scout first. Only after confirming the enemy's strength should they proceed with the next step of the plan.
Because Mikoto possessed the Sharingan, she was responsible for reconnaissance on this mission, while Kushina covered her.
"Don't rush. There are two bandits on high alert up top, and two more on the ground level. None of them are ninja—they have no chakra."
Mikoto narrowed her eyes slightly, pointing toward two distant watch platforms and a small house on the ground as she replied.
"Alright then. Let's take out the two up top first, then deal with the ones below."
After determining the enemy numbers, Kushina immediately came up with a plan and spoke excitedly.
"Okay."
The two girls concealed their presence and quickly moved to their designated positions. At the same time, they drew kunai and aimed at the two bandits on the high platforms.
Whoosh whoosh—
The kunai flew silently. The two bandits were taken out without making a sound. Kushina and Mikoto swiftly leaped up and seized control of the watch platforms.
"Haa…"
Looking at the bandits now lying on the ground—kunai embedded in their necks, blood flowing freely, eyes still wide open in death—Mikoto took a deep, shaky breath. Her heart was extremely unsettled.
Actually, when she first heard about this mission, she had been afraid. After all, she had only just graduated from the academy and had never experienced real bloodshed.
But when she saw Kushina's confident expression and the expectant look in Ling Yu's eyes, she had forced down her fear.
At first, she thought killing would be simple. Yet when the moment came to act, her hand trembled. And when she saw the corpse she had personally created, an overwhelming wave of fear surged through her.
"What's wrong, Mikoto?"
Kushina also noticed her abnormality and asked worriedly.
Unlike Mikoto, Kushina had already lived through the extermination of her clan as a child. In the years since arriving in Konoha, she had long since overcome such fears—so corpses didn't affect her much.
"I-I'm fine… just not used to it yet. Give me a moment."
Mikoto shook her head, biting her lip as she struggled to suppress the discomfort rising inside her.
"Alright. You rest here for a bit. I'll finish the mission first and come back for you."
Worried about Mikoto's condition, Kushina helped her sit down in a safe spot.
Since Mikoto wasn't feeling well, there was no need to stick to a complicated plan anymore. Time to go in hard!
With that thought, excitement flashed in Kushina's eyes. She turned and leaped down from the platform.
"Hey! Bandits! This lady has come to collect your lives! Come out and die obediently!"
Kushina's loud shout instantly drew the attention of everyone in the stronghold. Dozens of bandits grabbed their weapons and charged out furiously.
"Who the hell are you?! How dare you barge into our stronghold?!"
"A little kid acting so arrogant!"
When they saw Kushina's figure, disdain filled every bandit's eyes.
"Hmph! Bunch of trash. Watch this lady wipe you all out today!"
Facing their contempt, Kushina snorted coldly and taunted them right back.
"How dare you insult us?! Looks like you don't know how to write the word 'death'!"
"Brothers, charge! Teach her a lesson—show her bandits aren't to be messed with!"
"Charge! Charge! Kill her!"
"Kill her! Kill her!"
Her mockery instantly ignited their rage. Dozens of bandits roared and rushed at her without another word.
Watching the dozens of bandits charging toward her—and seeing the target missing-nin mixed among them—Kushina gave a cruel smile and rapidly formed hand seals.
"Adamantine Sealing Chains!"
In the next second, dozens of golden chains extended from her back, whipping through the air toward the crowd at blinding speed.
"No—ninja! Run!"
"Ahhh!"
"Ahhh—!"
Except for the few Konoha missing-nin who dodged agilely, the ordinary bandits without any skill were sent flying by the chains—or pierced straight through.
In an instant, Kushina's chains swept through the entire stronghold like a meat grinder. The bandits were completely helpless.
"Hahaha! Is this all you've got? This lady can take you all down by herself!"
Seeing the battlefield completely dominated by her alone, the smile on Kushina's face grew even wider. She shouted arrogantly.
"Damn it! Don't get cocky!"
Hearing her words, the faces of the few Konoha missing-nin twisted with rage. No longer hiding, they unleashed their ninjutsu at Kushina.
"Water Style: Water Severing Wave!" "Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!" "Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!" "Earth Style: Earth Pillar Explosion!"
Several powerful ninjutsu attacks flew toward Kushina from all directions, aiming to kill her instantly.
"Hmph. Here, this lady is invincible!"
Facing the incoming barrage, Kushina didn't panic at all. She snorted coldly and formed hand seals again.
"Crystal Release: Jade Crystal Hexagonal Pillar!"
Six massive crystal pillars instantly rose around her, completely enclosing her and blocking the missing-nin's attacks.
"Crystal Release: Jade Crystal Mirror Technique!"
At the same moment she blocked their assault, Kushina formed another set of seals.
Four walls of crystal instantly erupted from the ground beneath her, extending rapidly toward the four missing-nin.
…
"Kushina…"
Listening to the sounds of Kushina's battle with the bandits inside the stronghold, Mikoto's heart was filled with self-blame. She felt like nothing more than dead weight.
"No… I can't keep being like this. Kushina is still fighting. I have to pull myself together quickly."
Suddenly standing up, Mikoto slapped her own cheeks, using the pain to force herself awake.
If Kushina could overcome it, then I believe I can too. Ling Yu… I won't let you down!
After taking several deep breaths, Mikoto finally conquered her fear of blood. She opened her eyes.
The red three-tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly. Soon, when the tomoe stopped moving, Mikoto's eyes had completely changed.
The original three tomoe had vanished. In their place were pitch-black symmetrical patterns blooming like cherry blossoms.
"This… this is…"
Feeling her vision become incredibly sharp, and new knowledge about the Mangekyō Sharingan flooding into her mind, joy surged in Mikoto's heart.
"Wait for me, Kushina—I'm coming!"
Once she had fully adjusted to her new power, Mikoto revealed a confident smile and leaped down to the ground.
…
"Earth Style: Earth Wall!"
A wall of yellowish-brown earth rose from the ground, blocking yet another of Kushina's attacks.
"Just hold her off! As long as we stall her until she runs out of chakra, it'll be our turn to counterattack!"
The dozen or so surviving bandits and the remaining missing-nin hid behind the earth wall. One of the missing-nin spoke up.
"Damn it! This is wasting too much chakra."
Realizing the shameless plan of the missing-nin, Kushina felt furious inside—but she had no way to break through.
If she charged in alone, she'd be overwhelmed by numbers. If she didn't, her long-range techniques couldn't penetrate their combined defense.
For a moment, she was stuck in a dilemma. Just as she was considering retreat—
A familiar voice suddenly rang in her ears.
"I'm here, Kushina—come to me!"
"Susanoo!"
A massive pink skeletal figure appeared out of nowhere on the battlefield, instantly drawing every eye.
…
Meanwhile – At the Foot of the Mountain
"Holy—! That's Susanoo?!"
Looking at the towering pink giant that had appeared, Ling Yu's eyes widened. He shouted in shock, then immediately grabbed Tsunade and rushed up the mountain.
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