The enormous flames of Fire Style: Ash Accumulation Burning engulfed Kirito, their searing heat threatening to incinerate everything in their path.
Yet Kirito smiled calmly. Forming a seal with his left hand, he gathered an immense amount of chakra in his throat and unleashed it with a commanding roar.
Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet Technique.
A massive water dragon, far larger than the flames, surged forward, crashing into the fire and instantly dousing it. The sheer force of the water sent shockwaves rippling through the air. The dragon spiraled upward, its scales shimmering, before diving back down toward Sarutobi Asuma with a thunderous roar.
Mitarashi Anko and Umino Iruka led the remaining Genin qualifiers—including Kabuto, Gaara, Naruto, and others—away from the Forest of Death per Sarutobi Hiruzen's orders. Sasuke, still unconscious from the curse mark, had already been taken to the hospital.
Suddenly, a mighty roar echoed across the forest, followed by the sight of a colossal water dragon breaching the treetops and crashing into the ground with a deafening splash.
"What was that?" Naruto shouted, his eyes wide with excitement.
Anko and Iruka exchanged uneasy glances, both breaking into a sweat as they turned toward the commotion.
Kabuto, standing among the Genin, narrowed his eyes. A bead of sweat rolled down his forehead as he thought, That technique... It's the Water Dragon Bullet. Only someone like Fujiwara Kirito could produce something so powerful. Why did Konoha provoke someone even Lord Orochimaru dares not cross?
Iruka tried to calm the group. "It's likely the Jonin sparring nearby. Don't worry about it. Let's stay focused and leave the Forest of Death."
"A sparring match?" Naruto's face lit up. "Does that mean Kakashi-sensei is there? I'm going to watch!"
Before Iruka could stop him, Naruto bolted into the trees, heading straight for the source of the commotion.
"Naruto, come back here!" Iruka shouted in vain.
Turning to Anko, Iruka sighed. "Take the others and leave. I'll bring him back."
Before he could give chase, Gaara silently stepped forward and followed after Naruto.
"Gaara, where are you going?" Kankuro called after him.
"It's none of your business," Gaara replied coldly, disappearing into the trees.
Kankuro exchanged a glance with Temari, and the two reluctantly followed their younger brother.
One by one, the other Genin—Shino, Toss, Shikamaru, Ino, and Sakura—joined the pursuit, their curiosity piqued by the massive water dragon.
Left behind, Anko clicked her tongue in irritation. "These brats are hopeless." She glanced at Kabuto and asked, "Aren't you going?"
Kabuto shook his head. "I've reached my limit after the second round. I'll rest here and leave on my own."
"Tsk. Suit yourself," Anko muttered before vanishing into the trees to chase after the Genin.
As she disappeared, Kabuto smirked and murmured, "Now, things will get interesting. Right, Lord Orochimaru?"
The ground beside him rippled as Orochimaru emerged, his sinister smile reflecting Kabuto's. "Yes, very interesting indeed."
Asuma braced himself as the water dragon bore down on him, but Morino Ibiki's voice suddenly rang out.
Summoning Jutsu: Dark Lightning of Sorrow.
A massive spectral cat appeared, its iron chains swiftly ensnaring Asuma and yanking him underground just before the water dragon struck. The ground trembled as the dragon landed, sending torrents of water flooding the area and toppling countless trees.
From his hiding spot, Kakashi watched the devastation with his Sharingan active.
He's controlling multiple elements with unparalleled precision. Even against five Konoha elites, he's already incapacitated two. This level of power is beyond anything I've seen... Kakashi thought, sweat dripping down his face.
Asuma, bruised but alive, emerged from the ground with Ibiki's help. Meanwhile, Ibiki had secured the unconscious Might Guy and Gekkō Hayate in a safe area.
"You used a reverse summoning technique to save Asuma," Kirito said, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Impressive, Captain Morino Ibiki. But now you're alone. Do you truly believe you can stop me?"
Ibiki's eyes narrowed. "We'll see about that. Spiritual Communication Technique: Torture Room."
Chains shot out from the ground, binding Kirito tightly. In an instant, the battlefield disappeared, and both men were transported to a shadowy interrogation room filled with cruel instruments of torture.
"I've been preparing this technique since the fight began," Ibiki said, standing tall before Kirito. "Here, I am in control. No matter how powerful you are, you'll never escape. Now, tell me about the organization you've joined and your purpose in Konoha."
Kirito, still bound by chains, smirked. "And if I refuse?"
Ibiki snapped his fingers. Razor-sharp wires sprang forth, tightening around Kirito. Blood began to seep from shallow cuts as the wires constricted.
"This technique shares the pain inflicted," Ibiki explained. "I'll suffer alongside you, but I've trained my mind and body to withstand anything. Can you say the same?"
(End of Chapter)
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