The atmosphere was thick with an indissoluble darkness. As the raindrops collided with the ground, they transformed into a hazy mist. Suddenly, an army of serpents materialized, encircling the agile warrior in a web of danger from all directions.
"You monstrous creature! I won't be defeated by you!"
The samurai roared, transforming into a streak of sharp light, attempting to break through the serpent blockade. However, the snake tide compressed around him, forming an impenetrable iron wall.
"Swish-swish-swish!"
The tightly gripped sword flickered, transforming into a myriad of afterimages. The radiant swordlight formed a halo of blade energy, carving a bloody path through the sea of snakes. His astonishing speed held back the invasive serpents in all directions.
"Such incredible hand speed!"
Takeshi remarked, playfully acknowledging the warrior's mastery of Swift Release.
"In the world of martial arts, is speed the only invincible factor? It seems reasonable. Swift Release not only enhances body speed, movement, and attack speed but also reaction power to some extent. A pleasant surprise indeed."
Orochimaru analyzed solemnly. Though the swift warrior was not a ninja, ordinary humans harbored chakras within them. With the warrior's level of training, the chakras quietly accumulated to a certain level, awakening a Bloodline Limit.
"Hu-hu-"
The ground was littered with snake corpses, yet Takeshi, with a wave of his hand, turned the lifeless serpents into a mysterious mist. From the mist emerged more serpents, closing in on the warrior again.
"I'm reaching my limit!"
The samurai gasped for breath, unable to sustain the momentum of Swift Release any longer. His sword swings slowed down, each movement more laborious than the last.
Hiruko observed the scene in silence, showing no signs of disapproval. In the past years, the law of the jungle, where the strong devoured the weak, became evident after his father's death.
During his time in Konoha, he faced ridicule and mockery while relentlessly pursuing strength. In the Shinobi world, the constraints of societal morality might only hold value for him when shattered. What Hiruko acquired was the power to grow stronger.
"Pfft—!"
Several massive purple snakes leaped from the ground, forming a cage around the warrior.
"Well--!"
The colossal purple serpents entwined around the warrior's limbs, binding him tightly. Countless smaller snakes swarmed over him, drowning him in their numbers.
"It's over."
Takeshi could have finished off the warrior much earlier. Although the warrior relied on Swift Release, attempting to unleash power beyond his limits, it proved futile.
"Swiftly, I'll take it from here."
The original Snake Tide, seemingly receiving some unspoken command, transformed suddenly, morphing into robust tree trunks. A trace of chakra was drawn from the warrior, and he soon succumbed to unconsciousness.
"Um... is it really just a blood succubus that is better than nothing? It doesn't have much effect on me at all..."
Takeshi furrowed his brow as he sensed the chakra he had absorbed. The Bloodline Limit resulted from the fusion of two chakras, with the potential for mutation. This meant that the combination of the two chakras could give rise to different Bloodline Limits.
While the plot didn't explicitly state it, Takeshi discerned the limitations of Swift Release. Certain Bloodline Limit, like Lava Release and Shikotsumyaku, could be effective until the strength reached a certain level.
Others, however, proved less impactful. For instance, Transparent Escape Technique, similar to stealth but not entirely invisible, felt like a feeble explosion. The Second Tsuchikage's Dustless Bewildering Cover could hide even chakra, lacking any real presence.
Bloodline Limits, such as theSwift Release, had limitations. While not entirely useless, it wouldn't benefit Takeshi or Orochimaru, given their strength surpassed that of the typical Chunin. The efficacy of such Bloodline Limit was restricted.
"However, weakness also has its advantages. It seems the resistance to such power is relatively low. For ordinary people, it's a shortcut to quickly boost combat power. Well, it's just right for Hiruko to study."
"Let's go."
Takeshi spared the samurai's life, sealing him away for further study. The snakes and wood dunes that blanketed the ground transformed into purple-black vines beneath the mist. The rustling serpents slithered toward Takeshi and were absorbed into his body.
This was the uniqueness of Takeshi Wood Release. His chakra could transform into two substances: snake and wood, making him a distinct entity. The two could switch between each other, offering versatility.
Leaving no trace of blood or evidence behind, Takeshi and Hiruko vanished into the rain, as quietly as they had arrived.
A few more ninjas from the Land of Rain arrived, destined to find no information...
"The black market is truly an excellent place."
Reappearing in a remote, abandoned temple—a mere façade—Takeshi opened a secret door, revealing a brightly lit underground world.
"Stop! Who are you?"
Two guards eyed Takeshi, masked and cloaked in black. After various alterations, Takeshi appeared tall and imposing.
Hiruko wasn't present; he was handling the fresh living materials procured in Konoha himself. During the war, with Orochimaru absent from Konoha, no one paid attention to the ordinary laboratory. Takeshi brought him along for experience, familiarizing him with the process.
"Uchiha Dragon."
The pupils beneath Takeshi's mask transformed into a sea of blood, the three-hooked jade slowly turning, as if reflecting the terrifying scene of Shura's hell. He stared at the guards coldly.
"It's Lord Dragon! Please come inside!"
The guards, seeing Takeshi's nameplate, quickly stepped aside, feeling the immense mental pressure slowly dissipate.
"Hoo~ That was scary. How could a Uchiha appear here? I heard he came for that kind of mission..." one guard sighed in relief, looking at the distant figure.
"Shut up. Uchiha Dragon has killed several Jōnin targets. He has a strange temper. Don't cross him unless you want to die," another guard interrupted hastily.
Orochimaru had gone to the first ninja war, while Takeshi wandered the ninja world and Konoha, conducting research and accumulating experience for future scientific endeavors, as well as strength.
Stronger than Orochimaru, possessing both Wood Release and Sharingan, Takeshi was well-suited for such clandestine activities. The black market was an excellent place for information, provided you had the money.
"Mr. Dragon, are you here?"
A deacon greeted Takeshi enthusiastically, though he couldn't help but mutter about Takeshi's mask.
"It's said that this Uchiha Dragon came out of nowhere from the Land of Soup. He had a clash with some Konoha folks after leaving the black market, but it seems he's unscathed. The black market's management was settled by Konoha Anbu.
Tsk tsk, I don't know if it's Uchiha's betrayal, but these eyes can't be faked. He's killed a few Jōnin targets here and bought a lot of information."
The deacon shook his head, thinking that as long as there's money to be made, who cares who he is? Someone of such strength isn't to be trifled with.
Takeshi fumbled for a moment, then swiftly produced the reward list for the swift release warrior, pinning it to the table with a kunai.
"He's dead. Let the money flow!"
********
Support me on my patreon and read upto 30 early chapters.
https://www.patreon.com/Unique_Writer