Naruto evolution system

Chapter 247: Illusory Sound

"Very well. Since everyone is so eager, let's go for a big score."

The leader of the bounty hunter group hid the smirk at the corner of his lips, speaking in a tone that suggested he was only thinking of their best interests.

Although his reasoning didn't hold up under scrutiny, the moment his voice rang out, everyone seemed entranced, nodding and cheering as if under a spell.

"Awooo~ Awooo~"

"Boss, you're the best!"

"..."

Hearing this familiar chorus of agreement, Monkey shivered and instinctively shrunk his presence.

When the leader's gaze swept over, he immediately acted enthralled, raising his fist in feigned enthusiasm.

As the intelligence officer of the Illusory Sound Mercenary Group, Monkey knew about the leader's special ability.

For example—his words held an unnatural persuasive power.

Like earlier, all it took was a half-decent excuse and a few simple sentences to warp everyone's judgment, making them lose all sense of reason.

In the past, Illusory Sound had displayed similar abilities, but he had brushed it off as mere genjutsu.

However, today's events could not be dismissed as simple illusions.

'So… It really is a Kekkei Genkai, huh?'

Monkey muttered internally.

He had long suspected it, but now he was certain.

But so what?

Revealing this information?

Did he have a death wish?

From Illusory Sound's actions today, it was obvious that the leader had no intention of letting them walk away alive.

Since that was the case, pleading for mercy was pointless.

'What should I do?'

As time ticked by, Monkey grew increasingly anxious.

Illusory Sound was about to give the order to move, yet he still couldn't think of a way out.

But just then—

The ground beneath them suddenly trembled.

Cracks of pitch-black fissures spread from the depths below, splitting the earth apart like hideous scars.

"What's happening?!"

The unexpected shift triggered a primal fear in some of the mercenaries, their trance-like state wavering.

Although they remained by Illusory Sound's side, the obsessive fervor was no longer there.

Seeing this, Monkey's eyes lit up, about to speak—

But suddenly—

A chilling sense of danger surged through him.

And not just him—everyone felt it.

Within an instant, panic spread, and the mercenaries frantically searched for the source of the threat.

"Look down!"

Someone shouted in alarm.

All eyes snapped to the ground—

Where eerie blue-white flames surged from the cracks, along with searing magma and blistering heat.

In a single breath, their hair and eyebrows were singed to a crisp, and the air's moisture evaporated completely.

"Run for your lives!"

Monkey seized the moment, roaring with all his might.

His shout was the final straw—

Faced with mortal peril, the mercenaries broke free from Illusory Sound's influence, scattering in all directions.

Seeing this, Illusory Sound abandoned his anger and also fled, trying to escape the collapsing terrain and the relentless magma.

But no matter how far they ran, the magma followed—

Worse yet, the lava did not flow naturally.

Instead, it moved as if deliberately controlled, splitting into dozens of separate streams, each one chasing a specific target.

With the ground and sky both blocked off, the bounty hunters had no escape.

And Illusory Sound himself—

Was targeted by the largest magma currents of all.

"Damn it! What the hell is going on?!"

Trapped within an encircling sea of lava, Illusory Sound's expression twisted in fury.

Finally, at the brink of annihilation, he gritted his teeth, forming a rapid series of hand seals.

"Wind Release: Wind Blade!"

With a sharp motion, he swung his arm downward—

A razor-sharp wind blade materialized, radiating an unparalleled cutting edge.

"Go!"

With a low shout, he sent the wind blade hurtling forward.

The air itself howled as the blade sliced through the magma, carving a massive gap.

Seeing his strongest jutsu working, Illusory Sound's face lit up in joy.

But before his smile fully formed—

His expression froze.

Because—

The wind blade, which had been slicing through lava effortlessly, was suddenly crushed by a single hand emerging from the magma.

At the same time, the previously split lava instantly reformed.

This was not natural—someone was controlling it.

And the only person who fit the description—

Was Baishi.

"Wait… but the intelligence reports never mentioned Baishi controlling lava…?"

Illusory Sound's mind raced in confusion.

But now was not the time to ponder.

He had to survive first.

"Baishi!"

He shouted loudly, voice carrying a mixture of urgency and desperation.

"I know you're here! Show yourself!"

Yet—

Only the steadily approaching lava responded.

Gritting his teeth, Illusory Sound pushed his Kekkei Genkai to the limit, trying to amplify his persuasion.

"Baishi! We have no hostility toward you! We were forced into this by Orochimaru!"

"Orochimaru has been spreading talismans to track you—I can help you find him!"

The lava stopped mere inches away, the heat making Illusory Sound's sweat evaporate instantly.

"Baishi! Listen!"

He pressed on, determined to save himself.

"The entire underground market has put a bounty on you! Just clues alone are worth millions of ryo, and your exact location is worth fifty million!"

"Do you realize how insane the bounty hunters have become?"

"If you don't want to be hunted everywhere you go, working with us is your best option!"

Then—

A low chuckle echoed through the air.

"Heh… Interesting."

Illusory Sound's parched lips trembled—Baishi had finally responded.

Yet…

Something was off.

Had Baishi not understood his meaning?

He prepared to speak again—

But Baishi's voice cut through the silence once more.

"Your Kekkei Genkai is quite fascinating. It has some research value."

Illusory Sound's pupils shrank.

A chill crawled up his spine, his instincts screaming danger.

He wanted to resist—

But before he could even move—

A massive mental force descended upon him.

His body froze.

Even his spiritual energy seemed to stall, like a dying flame in a storm.

And in that instant—

He finally realized how laughable his earlier thoughts had been.

Even if every single member of his group had sacrificed themselves, they wouldn't have been able to harm Baishi in the slightest.

"Frog in a well, huh? What a joke..."

Illusory Sound chuckled bitterly, before his consciousness faded into silence.

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