Chapter 80: Cleansing
"Who are you?"
Baishi's relentless slaughter finally drew attention. With so few surviving Cloud and Mist ninjas left, his presence became increasingly difficult to conceal.
The remaining combatants instinctively halted, pulling back from one another to survey their strange surroundings.
Baishi glanced around at the wary figures and muttered, "Looks like it's time."
Without hesitation, he formed a series of rapid seals, unleashing one of the most iconic techniques in his arsenal—Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence.
In an instant, a dense web of roots and vines erupted from the ground, rapidly expanding into massive trees that blended seamlessly with the surrounding forest. Within moments, the entire battlefield was engulfed in an enormous canopy of Baishi's creation.
The initial explosion of growth left many injured or trapped. And as Baishi concentrated further, manipulating the wooden tendrils with precise intent, both the Mist and Cloud ninjas found themselves overwhelmed by the unrelenting assault.
Their cries of pain echoed through the forest. Both sides were forced to abandon their battle with each other to defend themselves against this new threat.
The more experienced Mist and Cloud jonin struck back, unleashing a flurry of attacks to sever the advancing vines and free their comrades.
But no matter how many trees they destroyed, Baishi effortlessly regrew them within seconds.
Their efforts were futile.
Raw Power Prevails
In moments like these, Baishi's vast chakra reserves shone. While the jonin carefully managed their dwindling energy reserves, calculating each move with precision, Baishi relied on sheer brute force, continually regenerating his forest.
One by one, the weaker ninjas—chunin and less capable special jonin—fell to the relentless assault. The survivors managed to break free of the forest's grasp, but their numbers were pitifully small.
As the battlefield quieted, the once-mighty Mist and Cloud forces were reduced to scattered pockets of resistance.
Standing amidst the aftermath, Baishi scanned the clearing littered with bodies.
"Time to clean up."
With a series of seals, he activated Earth Style: Earth Shore Return. The ground trembled as a massive trench formed, swallowing the corpses before sealing shut. The battlefield was left eerily pristine, as if nothing had transpired.
Satisfied, Baishi turned his attention to the direction where some Mist survivors had fled. Without a moment's hesitation, he teleported away using the Flying Thunder God Technique.
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The Chase Continues
In another part of the forest, Daikura Rikuo led a small group of Mist ninjas in a desperate retreat.
Suddenly, several kunai streaked through the air, forcing the group to stop.
"Who's there?" Daikura barked, raising his guard.
But before anyone could react further, Baishi appeared in their midst.
The Mist ninja scrambled to form a defensive line, but it was already too late. Baishi moved with inhuman speed, closing the distance between himself and one of the nearest shinobi.
With a single devastating punch, he shattered the unfortunate ninja's chest, sending the body hurtling into a tree with a sickening crunch.
The remaining Mist ninjas hesitated for a split second—a fatal mistake.
Baishi spun into a Leaf Strong Whirlwind, sending the rest of the group flying.
Kunai streaked through the air once more, embedding themselves in the ground around the scattered Mist ninjas.
Baishi teleported to one of the kunai, appearing beside another unfortunate victim. With surgical precision, he slit their throat before vanishing again, reappearing next to his next target.
The Mist survivors could do little more than flail helplessly as Baishi continued his grim work.
However, Daikura Rikuo wasn't one to go down without a fight. Gritting his teeth, he flung a kunai wrapped in an explosive tag toward the area where Baishi was likely to reappear.
BOOM!
The resulting explosion ripped through the air, forcing Baishi to retreat.
Appearing atop a tree branch, Baishi frowned as he eyed Daikura.
"Damn, this guy doesn't hold back—not even against his own men," Baishi thought, noting how many Mist ninjas had been caught in Daikura's trap.
Daikura's gambit was reckless but effective. It bought him and his remaining allies a brief reprieve.
But Baishi was undeterred.
"If you want to play rough, fine by me."
Raising his hand, Baishi unleashed a torrent of water from his sleeve—Water Style: Water Wave Palm.
A surge of water erupted, sweeping toward the retreating Mist ninjas like a relentless tidal wave.
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The Conclusion Looms
The tide had turned decisively in Baishi's favor. The Mist and Cloud forces were scattered, their numbers decimated.
For Baishi, this battle wasn't about survival or territory—it was a demonstration.
A warning to anyone foolish enough to challenge his domain.
And as the final remnants of resistance fell, Baishi stood amidst the carnage, unchallenged and unbowed.
(End of Chapter)