Chapter 202: Chapter 197: Raen's Prey!
Chapter 197: Raen's Prey!
"Stand up. Your strength is far greater than this. Show me your true power!"
From his commanding position, Uchiha Madara spoke, sensing a strength within his opponent not inferior to his own.
Madara's words left Jin momentarily stunned.
This man truly lived up to his legendary reputation, his perception was frighteningly accurate!
Indeed, Jin had held back, but this was not the moment to reveal his trump card.
After some thought, he decided that retreating was the best option for now.
Having made up his mind, Jin didn't hesitate. He swung his Zanpakutō directly at Madara, aiming to take him down.
Feeling the force of the blade, Madara's excitement surged.
"Good, that's it! Show me what you've got!"
Madara roared with enthusiasm as he grabbed his own Zanpakutō to block Jin's attack.
But just as Madara was about to counterattack, Jin turned abruptly and fled.
Madara was briefly stunned, then shouted, "What are you doing? Don't run!"
Without a second thought, he chased after Jin, unwilling to let him escape.
Realizing Madara's speed was formidable, Jin immediately used Shunpo to move.
Shunpo was considerably faster than the Body Flicker Technique—surely it would allow him to shake off Madara?
However, when Jin glanced back, he was shocked to see Madara still closely tailing him, showing no signs of falling behind.
"How can this guy be so fast?" Jin thought in disbelief.
"Did you think you're the only one who's fast? Unfortunately, my speed is in no way inferior to yours!"
Madara smirked mockingly, performing a Sonído to appear directly in front of Jin.
"This technique, called Sonído, is not much slower than your movement technique," Madara explained smugly. He then swung his Zanpakutō at Jin.
Having finally encountered an opponent of similar strength, how could Madara let him go so easily?
The options were simple: join him or die here today.
But Jin had no intention of continuing this fight. Perhaps in the future, but for now, he needed to preserve his strength.
After all, he knew very well that there was another monster waiting—an incredibly strong one he would have to confront.
That monster was none other than Raen.
Jin had some understanding of Sonído, having developed his Shunpo technique through insights gained from it.
And back then, Raen already knew how to use Sonído. Now, his strength could only be imagined.
If Jin exhausted himself fighting Madara, even if he managed to win, he'd surely face death if he encountered Raen in such a state.
This was why Jin chose to escape instead of engaging in prolonged combat.
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On the other side, Raen had been consumed by a single obsession since escaping from Jin:
to kill that bastard at all costs!
Raen was determined to become the strongest. And for ghosts, the stronger their obsession, the more powerful they became.
Having nearly been killed once, Raen now had an unparalleled thirst for strength.
"Three ghost slayers already, and yet they thought I was just an ordinary ghost. Ridiculous."
Raen chuckled, tossing the weapon of a slain ghost slayer to the ground.
Ghost slayers were what ghosts called those who wielded Zanpakutō.
"So, you're quite confident in your strength, aren't you? Killing a few ordinary people and thinking you're something special?"
At that moment, a voice came from the top of a large tree behind Raen.
It was a man, likely a ninja based on his attire.
"Oh? Is that so? Then can you kill me? If not, I'll be the one to kill you," Raen said mockingly.
His power came not only from his will but also from energy. Ghosts could gain energy by devouring their own kind, killing living humans, or consuming tailed beast chakra.
Among these, the energy from tailed beasts provided the greatest boost.
Next came strong living humans who wielded Zanpakutō. Then came other powerful living humans and strong ghosts.
The man before Raen was strong, alive, and wielding a Zanpakutō—making him second only to tailed beasts in terms of value as food.
Grinning, Raen's body began to transform.
Suddenly, countless tentacles sprouted from his back, and a mask appeared on his face.
The sight left the ninja on the tree stunned.
"This guy… even has a mask?"
"Looks like you're something special. Fine, let me test you!"
Recovering from his shock, the ninja smirked wickedly.
Challenges made things interesting. Without them, simple slaughter was boring.
"Oh, really?"
The next moment, the ninja felt every hair on his body stand on end.
When did this guy appear behind me?!
"You're still too weak!"
Raen sneered, sending a tentacle hurtling toward the ninja.
Though the ninja was startled by Raen's speed, his instincts kicked in, and he quickly turned to defend himself.