Chapter 34: Unveiling the Enemy's Power
A chilling wind swept through the courtyard as the masked shinobi completed his hand seals. Nicolas tightened his grip on his sword, every muscle in his body tense. His opponent's chakra pulsed unnaturally, distorting the air around him.
What kind of jutsu is this?
Then, without warning—
BOOM!
A surge of black energy erupted from the masked shinobi's hands, forming jagged tendrils that lashed out toward Nicolas. The sheer force of the attack cracked the ground beneath them.
Nicolas barely had time to react. He threw himself to the side, rolling across the stone pavement as the dark tendrils slammed into the ground where he had stood. A deep crater formed, showing the sheer destructive power behind the attack.
This isn't just chakra… It's something else entirely.
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Fighting Against the Unknown
The shinobi didn't stop. He extended his arm, and the tendrils twisted in the air, moving as if they were alive. They shot toward Nicolas again, faster this time.
Instead of dodging, Nicolas took a risk. He swung his sword, channeling his strange energy into the blade. As soon as it connected with the tendrils—
CRACK!
The black energy split apart, dispersing like smoke.
The masked shinobi hesitated for the briefest moment. That was all Nicolas needed.
He dashed forward, closing the distance in an instant. His sword gleamed under the moonlight as he slashed toward his opponent's chest.
But just before his blade could land, the shinobi flickered out of existence.
Again?!
Nicolas spun around, expecting a counterattack, but the courtyard was now empty. The masked figure had vanished.
The only thing left was the scroll he had placed on the ground earlier.
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A Cryptic Message
Cautiously, Nicolas approached the scroll. The strange markings on it still glowed faintly, but the energy within them was fading. He picked it up, inspecting the intricate symbols.
What were they doing here?
Suddenly, Tsunade's voice rang out from behind him.
"Nicolas!"
He turned to see her approaching, her expression serious.
"I felt a strange chakra disturbance," she said, scanning the area. "What happened?"
Nicolas exhaled, still gripping the scroll. "I was attacked. Another masked shinobi."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "Another one?"
Nicolas nodded. "They were powerful… stronger than the last. And they said something strange."
"What did they say?"
Nicolas looked down at the scroll in his hands.
"They said I was never meant to exist."
Silence.
Tsunade's expression darkened. "We need to figure out what this means. Fast."
Nicolas clenched his fist. The masked shinobi weren't just after him randomly. There was something bigger at play.
And he was going to find out what.
End of Chapter 34