Chapter 193: Men Must Fight!

Chapter 193: Chapter 193: Men Must Fight!

(Rain fell like needles, piercing the broken roads on the border of the Land of Fire. Ominous Chakra churned within the mud. Kakuzu’s five heart threads coiled around the ruins like venomous snakes, while Hidan licked his bloodstained scythe, the iconic black and red patterns of his cult writhing eerily across his skin.)

"Hmph, two arrogant cultists. You’ll make perfect sacrifices for Lord Jashin."

Hidan charged forward with a maniacal laugh, the wind from his scythe blade carrying the scent of death.

Asuma’s gaze sharpened as his hands wove signs:

"Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning!"

Thick grey flames instantly filled the battlefield. Forcing Hidan back, he turned to Mei Terumī beside him and said, "Mei, please handle Kakuzu’s Earth and Lightning Release!"

"Leave it to me."

Mei’s red lips curled slightly as crystalline Chakra gathered at her fingertips.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

Unlike the turbid water of ordinary techniques, her water dragon possessed a translucent chill as it slammed into the Earth Style Wall Kakuzu had just completed.

With a thunderous boom, the earthen wall collapsed. Amidst the splashing water, Mei’s figure blurred, appearing right in front of Kakuzu.

"Lava Release: Quicklime Congealing Technique!"

Scalding quicklime poured down like a waterfall, instantly sealing off Kakuzu’s path.

Kakuzu’s expression changed. His five hearts beat simultaneously as Lightning Release Chakra surged into his threads:

"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"

Countless lightning needles shot toward the quicklime, but most were blocked by the steam rising from the high heat. Just then, Hidan burst through the fire mist, his scythe swinging directly at Mei’s back. Asuma’s form flickered, Wind Release Chakra coating his specialized trench knives.

"Wind Release: Verdant Mountain Gale!"

The sharp wind blade severed the scythe’s rope, and he followed up with a kick to Hidan’s lower back.

"Got it."

Hidan had managed to scrape a drop of blood onto his scythe.

"Damn it!"

Hidan stumbled but steadied himself, unhesitatingly slicing his palm and pressing the blood onto the cultist array on the ground. Knowing the effects of Hidan’s technique, Asuma lunged forward to interrupt the ritual... Ahead, Asuma and Mei were locked in a fierce battle with Hidan and Kakuzu.

Kano and the other little ones stepped out of the carriage, ready to provide support at any moment.

Well, they were just ready... "Lady Sister, is it really okay if we don’t go help?"

Karin felt that just watching others fight while they enjoyed the show was a bit inappropriate. But Kano just sat on the edge of the carriage, swinging her bare feet and directing Choji, Shikamaru, and Ino to move the carriage further away to avoid it being destroyed by the aftershocks of the battle.

"It’s fine. We just need to stay far enough away to avoid getting caught in it. Leave the dangerous work to the adults. Everyone sit down; a battle of this level isn’t something you see every day. Watch closely and learn."

They were still young, after all, and didn’t have much actual combat experience. While Choji and Shikamaru had been through life-and-death struggles, Karin, Ino, and Sakura had never encountered a proper battle.

Even if they didn’t fight, just observing would be very beneficial.

Seeing how calm Kano was, the others were still a bit worried. Choji, who was the least familiar with Kano, was the most concerned; he considered suggesting to Shikamaru that they take his sister and run.

"Little Sister, although Asuma and Mei are both strong, their opponents are no pushovers. Are you sure they can win?"

"How about you go help them?"

"Just say it if you want me dead."

"How could I? You’re my dear brother; I’d never let you face danger."

"You’re the one who’s dangerous."

"I’ll give you a Shadow Ninja. You’ll have full control over it to fight, which will train your combat skills without any risk. It doesn’t matter if it accidentally dies; I’ll just give you another one."

"Really?"

"Really. You can pick whichever one you want; you know all my Shadow Ninjas."

When away from home, Kano still looked out for her brother. Besides, she had been quite moved when Shikamaru instinctively shielded her earlier. So, she decided to reward him by letting him play on her account for a bit of fun.

"I want that Ninja with the giant sword."

Shikamaru still preferred Shadow Zabuza; he was the most familiar with him, and the guy had strength and good mechanics. Plus, the first time they met, Zabuza had kicked him so hard into a wall that it took a while to pry him out.

"Alright."

Kano summoned Shadow Zabuza and had him dive into Shikamaru’s shadow to refresh his state. This way, Shikamaru could control him at will, and it would consume Kano’s Chakra instead.

"Why are you being so nice to me today?"

Shikamaru was very puzzled. Usually, his sister was quite fierce; he didn’t understand the sudden kindness.

"You’re my dear brother! If I’m not nice to you, who would I be nice to?"

In truth, Kano was just slightly touched by Shikamaru and wanted to help him. Even though she was usually mean to him, he still protected her in times of danger.

"Now that Naruto’s gone, are you pouring all your overflowing maternal love onto me?"

"Screw you! I think you’re just a masochist; I shouldn’t have been nice to you at all."

Since her fists couldn’t reach, Kano could only use her white-stockinged feet to kick Shikamaru’s butt. After being kicked, Shikamaru just ran off with a grin.

"That’s more like it."

Kano began to suspect if her annoying brother had been beaten into becoming a masochist by her.

Shikamaru remotely controlled Shadow Zabuza to join the fray. He coordinated well with Asuma, and Shadow Zabuza’s Ninjutsu also complemented Mei, instantly reducing the pressure on the two.

"A Chunin from your Konoha has this kind of strength? He can even coordinate his attacks with mine."

Mei was impressed. The Shadow Ninja controlled by the boy moved through her Hidden Mist Jutsu as if he were right at home.

"Our Shikamaru is quite excellent."

Asuma was also familiar with the Nara Clan’s Shadow Deer Technique, and Shikamaru often summoned a Shadow Deer to assist in battle. However, this Shadow Ninja was likely borrowed from his sister.

Hidan and Kakuzu hadn’t expected these people to be so troublesome, let alone that Chunin. They had thought he was just a kid with no skill, but he turned out to have the combat power of a Jonin. He was a genius; they had underestimated him!

The other companions also wanted to play, but unfortunately, they didn’t know the Nara Clan’s secret techniques, so they wouldn’t be able to control them even if given the chance.

While the others were focused on the battle and stayed alert for surrounding dangers, Kano put on her shoes, stepped onto the ground, and walked over to Ino.

"Ino, what flavor of chips do you want?"

"I want original flavor."

Kano then pulled a bag of original flavor chips out of her shadow.

Ino naturally took the chips and started eating. Given her close relationship with Kano, there was no need for formalities.

Then Kano walked over to Karin and Sakura, who were also watching the battle intently.

"What flavor of chips do you guys want?"

"I want tomato flavor, thank you, Lady Sister."

"Me too."

Kano took out two more bags of tomato flavor and handed them over. Then she walked to Choji and Shikamaru and patted their shoulders.

"What flavor chips?"

Choji looked at Shikamaru, who was focused on controlling the Shadow Ninja.

"One BBQ flavor and one original."

At the moment, Shikamaru was fighting with all his heart and had no time to eat chips.

"Choji, I’m not eating. I’m too busy; you don’t need to get one for me."

Choji ignored Shikamaru and took the two bags of chips Kano shared.

"I’ll eat both bags."

After distributing the snacks, Kano sat back on the carriage, took off her shoes, and began singing to buff her allies while also keeping an eye on the battle.

She also needed to learn combat techniques.

Kakuzu truly lived up to being a man who had once fought Hashirama. Even if he had only thrown a Kunai from eight hundred miles away, he was no amateur. Even with his weaknesses exposed, he still managed to hold the upper hand in a two-on-one fight.

However, Shikamaru’s combat skills were becoming increasingly proficient. Although Shadow Zabuza had already been "played to death" by him, he was making Shadow Haku perform brilliantly. This annoyed Kakuzu so much that he tried to rush and kill Shikamaru several times, but he was always intercepted by Asuma.

Originally, he had looked down on this Shadow Ninja with low stats, but because the mechanics were so unique, Shikamaru found it incredibly easy to use. In his hands, Shadow Haku was even stronger than Shadow Zabuza.

The unpredictable Ice Mirrors were almost on par with the Flying Thunder God, though they lacked a bit in raw power.

Kakuzu also felt that this couldn’t continue. The woman possessed strength far beyond that of a Jonin, and that Chunin was no pushover either.

At this rate, they wouldn’t be able to capture the target. This was a big contract; they had to complete it!

"Hidan, I’ll hold them off. You go take care of the target. Remember to keep the body intact!"

"Fine!"

Hidan immediately broke away, and Mei moved to stop him. But a fully-powered Kakuzu suddenly had four Earth Grudge Fear masks emerge from his back!

He might not be a match for two Jonin alone, but stalling for enough time to deal with that weak young girl was doable.

"Poor girl, return to the embrace of Lord Jashin!"

Hidan laughed maniacally as he charged with his scythe. The others were terrified, except for Kano, who immediately "panicked" and fled on her Shadow Deer.

As she ran, she cried out performatively:

"Help! Don’t come over here!"

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