Chapter 33: Black Flash vs. Dust Release!
"Uchiha brat, put Roshi down, and I'll allow you to retreat," Ōnoki's voice carried from above as he hovered lower.
Uchiha Kagami smirked, tightening his grip on Roshi.
"Ōnoki, your Dust Release is renowned across the ninja world. If I release the Four-Tails' Jinchūriki, I know you'll immediately unleash it on me."
"Don't talk to me about honor among the Kage—I don't trust that nonsense."
Ōnoki's brow furrowed. "Brat, didn't Hiruzen Sarutobi teach you manners?"
"Even Iwagakure ninja show respect by addressing the Hokage properly."
Kagami remained indifferent. "A name exists to be called, and titles mean nothing to me."
"And if begging on my knees would guarantee our escape with the Four-Tails, I'd kneel right now."
Ōnoki chuckled coldly. "It was your First Hokage who knelt to us to sell the tailed beasts back in the day."
This remark soured the expressions of the Leaf shinobi.
Kagami's grin widened. "Really? Then tell me, how long did you and the Second Tsuchikage kneel after being crushed by Uchiha Madara?"
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Ōnoki's narrowed eyes radiated danger, the air growing heavy with tension.
"Losing to Madara Uchiha isn't shameful. The reasons no longer matter."
"But you… brat…"
Ōnoki extended his hands, a pure white cube forming in his palms.
"Roshi and a Nine-Tails Jinchūriki brat as your comrade-in-arms? I suppose Iwagakure wouldn't lose too much."
"Ōnoki, let's get one thing straight."
Despite the mounting tension, only Kagami showed no respect toward the Tsuchikage.
It was a fundamental principle of negotiation: equality must exist between both parties.
"If you dare unleash Dust Release, I'll have Minato teleport both me and the Four-Tails straight back to Konoha!"
"And trust me, the Four-Tails isn't worth your life."
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Minato glanced at Kagami, understanding the bluff. Though he was prepared to extract as many allies as possible, Kagami's confidence carried a boldness even he couldn't replicate.
Ōnoki maintained his Dust Release stance but didn't fire.
Dust Release was indeed one of the most powerful offensive techniques in the ninja world—but hitting a Flying Raijin user was a completely different challenge.
Ōnoki knew this well, having faced Tobirama Senju numerous times.
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"Fine, brat. State your terms."
At that moment, Han, the Five-Tails' Jinchūriki, arrived with his team. They stood ready, awaiting Ōnoki's orders.
"Swear, in front of all these Iwagakure ninja, that you won't invade the Land of Fire's borders for six months. If you do, I'll return the Four-Tails to you. It's a fair trade, isn't it?"
Ōnoki's expression darkened into a grim smile.
"Wrong. Roshi is the hostage, but the trade should be your lives for his return."
"Do you think I won't use Dust Release? How many can that Flying Raijin save?"
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"I'm not mistaken."
Kagami's tone was unhurried.
"We haven't crossed the border. We're merely defending the Land of Fire."
"Don't use grandiose words to cover up your intentions, Ōnoki. You're here to probe Konoha's defenses, looking for an opening to invade."
"Therefore…"
Kagami clenched his fist, his voice echoing with determination:
"My comrades may die, but their deaths won't be due to my decisions—they will die protecting the Land of Fire, protecting Konoha. They will die at the hands of invaders like you!"
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Kagami's words ignited the spirits of the Leaf shinobi.
Even Fugaku's blood burned with a newfound fervor.
"That's right! You invaders will never set foot in the Land of Fire!"
"Exactly! Death doesn't matter! Not even the Tsuchikage scares us!"
"Even if we die, Kagami-sama will avenge us!" Genka roared, "Ōnoki, you'll face the wrath of the Uchiha!"
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Ōnoki suppressed his anger.
"Arrogant brat…"
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"Dust Release—Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"
A massive white beam shot down with overwhelming destructive power!
Ōnoki had no intention of holding back. He wouldn't be fooled by Kagami and Minato's theatrics.
Did they think a single boy, even with Flying Raijin, could teleport the Four-Tails and themselves to safety?
All of them would perish!
Under Dust Release, all are equal.
Even Madara Uchiha couldn't withstand its might.
---
As the terrifying pressure of Dust Release bore down, the shinobi below felt an oppressive despair.
Minato prepared to activate Flying Raijin, intending to save as many as possible, but Kagami pushed him aside.
He tossed Roshi to the ground and smiled.
In this moment of near-total suffocation, his expression seemed almost eerie.
A crimson surge of chakra erupted, scorching his skin.
From the tailed beast chakra cloak, Kagami transitioned into partial-tailed-beast form, his human features barely discernible.
Four massive tails lashed violently behind him, the shockwave forcing the others back.
---
It hurts—
The tailed beast chakra burns, just as I expected.
The air itself seemed ready to combust under the intense heat.
But the intoxicating power coursing through Kagami's veins drowned out the pain.
All desires in this world ultimately stem from a yearning for power.
With power, anything can be achieved.
Clenching his fist, Kagami felt black and red lightning dance around him, reducing the flying debris to dust.
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"Those who've experienced Black Flash stand in a realm apart from those who haven't," Sukuna observed within the seal, his sinister smile widening.
"Your Black Flash is entirely different from the one I know. But can your fragile body withstand such violent energy?"
"Don't worry. If you die…"
"I'll avenge you."
"I'll slaughter every last shinobi in this world!"
"Hahahahahaha!!!!"
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Outside, Kagami wasn't fazed by Sukuna's taunts.
He focused entirely.
Perfect concentration.
Surpassing limits.
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"Black Flash!"
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A black and red thunder dragon roared upward, clashing directly with the unstoppable beam of Dust Release!
The deafening explosion left the Leaf shinobi clutching their ears in pain.
The ground shattered, and space itself seemed to distort.
Raging thunder tore through everything in its path!
"Brat! Die already!"
Ōnoki roared, pouring more chakra into his technique.
The escalating energy brightened the battlefield, illuminating the skies.
The collision unleashed shockwaves that rippled outward, shaking the earth and shattering clouds.
Amid the chaos, Kagami's voice rang out defiantly:
"Relics of the past have no place here!"
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The black lightning shattered space as it surged upward.
Crack!
Ōnoki's old back emitted a faint sound as his chakra faltered.
Not good!
For just a fraction of a second, the momentum of Dust Release waned.
Seizing the opportunity, the black lightning surged forth, obliterating the white beam entirely!
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