Chapter 135: Rasengan!
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"I win."
Uchiha Kagami spoke indifferently.
Senju Hashirama leaned forward, clicking his tongue in amazement.
"I expected that boy to win, but I didn't think he'd finish the fight in under ten minutes."
"This kind of flashy yet brutal fighting style… it really reminds me of Madara."
Kagami glanced at him, shaking his head in exasperation.
You two never shut up about each other.
Disgusting.
---
Inside the Forest of Death.
Crack…
Kimimaro snapped off a broken bone and tossed it aside, withdrawing the rest of his exposed bones back into his body.
Before him lay a field of Hoshigakure ninja corpses.
Just as he pulled on his cloak, his body shuddered violently, and with a hacking cough, he spat out a mouthful of dark, tainted blood.
Mei Terumi rushed over, gently rubbing his back to ease his pain.
"Kimimaro, you can't keep using your bloodline limit! You'll die!"
Wiping the blood from his lips, Kimimaro silently retreated behind Yagura Karatachi.
Back when Yagura returned to Kirigakure to recruit participants, he had taken Kimimaro from the captivity of the Kaguya Clan.
That alone—
Just that one moment of kindness—
Was enough for Kimimaro to devote his life to Yagura.
The cruel nature of the ninja world meant that for many suffering children, even the smallest bit of warmth made them willing to give everything.
Even someone like Danzo was seen as a savior in the eyes of the orphans he raised in Root.
"I have a way to cure him."
Sasori's eyes gleamed.
Kimimaro's body was his only limitation, and in the shinobi world, this was a common problem.
A powerful bloodline limit could result in genetic disease, as seen in his case.
His body simply couldn't handle the sheer power of his Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse).
But there was a solution—
Just replace his body.
A human puppet had no such weaknesses.
If parts wore out, they could simply be replaced.
Just like how he preserved the Third Kazekage's Iron Sand, the Shikotsumyaku could also be kept intact.
"If your solution is turning Kimimaro into a puppet, then spare me the details." Yagura rejected him coldly.
Kimimaro was a valuable weapon—but fragile.
If Sasori "treated" him, that weapon would no longer be his own.
Kakuzu, watching with calculating eyes, ultimately said nothing.
It was obvious to everyone—Kimimaro wouldn't live much longer.
Kakuzu considered haggling for Kimimaro's heart, but he gave up the idea.
Jiongu (Earth Grudge Fear) could technically incorporate bloodline limit ninja, but his current five-element balance was already perfect.
Adding a new attribute would disrupt the synergy and might even weaken him instead.
Besides—
Shikotsumyaku was like a virus. Best to stay away from it.
After being repeatedly crushed by immortal monsters, Kakuzu was finally rethinking how to improve himself.
His base technique, Earth Grudge Fear, was already near-perfect.
The only true upgrade he could think of—
Was Yin-Yang Release (Onmyoton).
His small green eyes scanned the Kirigakure team.
Sorry, but I don't keep my promises.
I want money.
I want rewards.
I want it all.
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Elsewhere in the forest.
Naruto, Sasuke, and their team were crouched atop Left Wheel, cautiously advancing.
Among all the participants, they were the youngest—their combined ages didn't even match that of a single veteran competitor.
As they turned a corner, they stumbled upon another group.
Both sides immediately tensed up.
"Konoha shinobi!!"
"That forehead protector… Takigakure?"
Neji, with his strong theoretical knowledge, quickly recognized them.
He activated his Byakugan, scanning their chakra reserves.
Good…
Among the eight opponents, only one had jonin-level chakra, while the others were mid to low-level ninja.
Looks like Father was right—even in the entire shinobi world, the number of jonin was still rare.
It wasn't like Uchiha District, where jonin were everywhere.
As the team's leader, Neji spoke in a low voice.
"Karin, Naruto, take the frontline. Formation A."
Formation A meant engaging to test the waters—Karin and Naruto, with their strong physiques, would charge first.
Neji and Hinata would target weak points, while Sasuke provided jutsu and ranged support.
Left Wheel stayed on guard.
Formation B was for escaping if they encountered an overwhelmingly strong foe.
Formation C…
Was last resort survival mode—where they'd reveal their identities.
After all, this group had three of Kagami's direct disciples, one of Kagami's summons, and two members of the Hyuga Clan's core branch.
If things got bad, they could simply say their names.
Try and attack us, see what happens.
As Naruto and Karin enthusiastically rushed forward, the Takigakure leader quickly raised a hand.
"Wait! Konoha shinobi!"
Too late.
Naruto and Karin didn't slow down at all—they were like two lion cubs pouncing on a flock of sheep.
Why would they stop just because their enemy asked nicely?
The competition was survival-based—in the end, only ninety would remain.
There was no room for alliances.
Kagami's students had seen blood since they were five years old.
As long as it wasn't someone from Konoha, they had zero hesitation when attacking.
"Damn it! Konoha shinobi are too rude!"
The Takigakure leader growled.
"First, they stole Fu—now even their kids are this aggressive?!"
"Attack! Subdue them!"
"But don't harm the black-haired one—he's wearing Uchiha clothes!"
Even if they didn't recognize the Byakugan, they knew that symbol.
Those black-haired, black-eyed men who had stormed Takigakure and stolen Fu…
Were burned into their memory.
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Between the trees, figures clashed.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Multiple Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Dozens of tiny Narutos swarmed the battlefield.
More chakra means more clones!
His reckless personality and shadow clones were a terrifyingly good match.
Unlike others, he wasn't afraid of the feedback damage when clones were destroyed.
Karin, though lacking in ninjutsu, swung her Adamantine Sealing Chains, moving like a red blur.
Anyone caught by her chains was instantly dogpiled by Naruto clones.
Within moments, they had already knocked out two enemies.
"These brats aren't normal! All in!"
The Takigakure jonin finally entered the fray, quickly turning the tide.
BOOM!
A small pale hand struck a Takigakure ninja, sending him flying into a tree.
Even Naruto flinched.
"Hinata… you're really strong."
Hinata's face flushed red, lowering her head shyly.
"Opening!"
A Takigakure ninja lunged at her—
Swish!
"AAAAAGH!!"
Two arrows pierced his shoulders, pinning him to the ground.
Perched on Left Wheel, Sasuke and Neji held bows.
Their silent eye contact said it all.
You bastard… you've been secretly training archery too…
"Sasuke-kun is amazing!" Karin cheered.
"Thanks, Neji-nii."
"Hinata, focus on the fight!" Neji scolded.
"Wait!!"
The Takigakure leader shouted—
Too late.
A blazing blue orb formed in Naruto's hand.
"Let's talk after I beat you!"
"Rasengan!!"
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