NOVEL WEB Chapter 51: CHAPTER 51
This was the first time Guren had ever fought alongside another person who wielded the Shōton—Crystal Release.
What made it even more surreal was that the other person's Crystal Release had originated from her own genetic material.
Jūgo's control over the kekkei genkai was still rudimentary. He had only grasped the basic techniques so far—far from Guren's refined and deadly mastery. Still, it was enough for battlefield cooperation.
All she needed from him was temporary suppression.
"Such a troublesome jutsu! I'll shatter all your crystals with lightning!"
Rairyū Kurosuki, once of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, scowled as crystalline growths formed endlessly around him. The crystals continued to shatter and reform, trapping him in a gleaming cage. Jūgo's chakra output far exceeded Guren's, making up for his lack of finesse.
Guren was already prepared. "Crystal Release: Jade Crystal Light Pillar Prison!"
A beam of condensed chakra energy in crystal form shot out, refracting light into a piercing laser aimed at Raiga.
"I won't lose to you!"
Raiga roared, crossing his twin lightning swords—Kiba, the Lightning Fangs—forming a barrier of crackling electricity. The impact of the beam and lightning caused shockwaves to ripple through the air, the sound alone enough to rattle the rocks below.
Guren gritted her teeth. Her chakra was running low.
Jūgo noticed immediately. Without hesitation, his body morphed, skin darkening and horns sprouting as he entered a berserk Sage Transformation state. He rocketed forward and landed a monstrous punch squarely into Raiga's chest.
Raiga was blasted backward. Already teetering near the cliff's edge, he couldn't stabilize and plunged over, lightning still crackling around him.
As he fell, Raiga smirked bitterly.
"Guess this is it... Am I gonna die too? Hah… no one needs to bury me. I'll hold my own funeral. Lightning Release: Lightning Burial!"
A bolt from the sky answered his final jutsu, striking his body and exploding into a brilliant, thunderous bloom that lit the clouds.
"Raiga…"
Ranmaru, watching silently from the cliff, trembled. Even though Raiga had tried to kill him moments ago in a rage, he couldn't bring himself to hate him. After all, Raiga had protected him once. They had relied on each other.
"…Let's go down."
The group descended. At the bottom, only the Lightning Blades remained.
Kimimaro picked them up and handed them to Suigetsu. "These are Kiba. What will you do with them? Use them yourself? Or find someone worthy?"
Suigetsu twirled one of the swords before glancing at Ranmaru. "Nah, I've already got my eye on Zabuza's blade. But Ranmaru—how about you? Want to learn how to use a sword?"
"Me?"
"Yeah. You were his partner. Isn't it fitting that you carry them now?"
Ranmaru's eyes lit up. "…Okay. I'll do it."
Though Raiga had been reduced to ashes by his final jutsu, Ranmaru still raised a stone marker on the cliff. A cenotaph.
Some people, even if they lived in darkness, are still remembered by someone who saw their light.
With that, the group truly moved on.
They eventually reached the border of the Land of Earth.
"The Land of Earth is huge. Once we pass through, we'll need to find somewhere to settle," Kimimaro said as he scanned the horizon. Their group had grown to eight people. Constant wandering would attract too much attention. A base was needed.
"Let's go find Kurotsuchi!" Karin said brightly, seemingly forgetting her earlier complaints about Kimimaro seeing her.
"We don't have to find her," Kimimaro replied calmly. "We're just passing through."
"Oh come on. We're already here. And don't pretend you don't miss her legs," Karin teased, clinging to his arm. "Didn't you say once I could touch them too if she let you? Besides, you already have me… and little Hanabi's still waiting to grow up. I just want Kurotsuchi to know she's not even in second place!"
That last part's what you really care about…
Kimimaro sighed inwardly. Understanding girls was far harder than fighting ANBU.
"Fine. But we're still heading west. I'm not turning off course."
"Then how do we meet her?"
"With a group like ours, we'll stand out. If we run into Iwagakure shinobi, we can just pass on a message. If Kurotsuchi wants to meet, she'll come."
"Oh, that's smart! She should be the one making the first move!" Karin gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "It's settled!"
Sure enough, they made no effort to hide their presence.
Before long, Iwagakure shinobi appeared.
"State your affiliation!"
The Iwa jonin shouted, his team already spreading into formation. Unknown ninja in a group this large? It was no surprise they were on high alert.
"We're not affiliated with any shinobi village, but there's no need for alarm," Kimimaro said calmly. "I know Kitsuchi and Kurotsuchi of Iwagakure. Just inform them that Kimimaro is merely passing through the Land of Earth with no hostile intent."
"You know Lord Kitsuchi and Miss Kurotsuchi?" The Iwa-nin across from them were skeptical. But given that Kitsuchi was the Tsuchikage's son and Kurotsuchi his daughter—and future Tsuchikage—they dared not make a hasty move. Kimimaro's group also didn't appear hostile.
The leading ninja thought for a moment before nodding. "I'll report this to the village. You're free to travel for now, but please don't conceal your movements. It's best if you stay on the main roads."
"Understood," Kimimaro replied.
In the shinobi world, anyone deliberately hiding their presence within a foreign land usually had suspicious motives. Normally, open travel would draw little attention, but Kimimaro's group stood out. They wore no forehead protectors, no village insignias, and their chakra signatures were unusually powerful. Naturally, this drew the attention of the patrolling Iwa-nin.
Given that the Tsuchikage's family was involved, the response was swift. By the next day, another Iwagakure squad located them.
"Gentlemen," said their leader, "Miss Kurotsuchi has heard of your arrival and expresses her pleasure. She extends an invitation to visit Iwagakure as honored guests."
"Thank you," Kimimaro replied, "but we have pressing matters and cannot afford to detour to the village. It would be inconvenient."
In truth, Kimimaro wished to avoid unnecessary complications. The last time he encountered Kitsuchi, the man had attempted to recruit him. If they entered Iwagakure and came face-to-face with Ōnoki—the current Tsuchikage and wielder of the rare Kekkei Tōta: Dust Release—things could escalate. Ōnoki was known to value powerful shinobi and might attempt to force them to stay.
Kimimaro had no interest in a confrontation with a Kage-level opponent at this point. While Dust Release was impressive, it didn't seem to be an inheritable bloodline limit like his own. Rather, it required intense training and elemental mastery. If the opportunity arose one day, perhaps he would attempt to develop his own Kekkei Tōta.
The Iwa-nin nodded respectfully. "Miss Kurotsuchi said that if you cannot come to the village, then please remain here for two days. She will come to meet you once her duties are complete."
Refusing under such polite insistence would be discourteous.
So Kimimaro agreed, and their group paused their journey.
In truth, he didn't mind the delay. He was glad to spend more time near the sharp-tongued girl with the striking legs.
Of course, it wasn't just her figure. Kurotsuchi's short hair and confident demeanor reminded Kimimaro of women from his past life. There was a familiarity to her that lingered in his mind.
More importantly, Kurotsuchi possessed the Lava Release—an advanced nature transformation combining fire and earth chakra. It was a Kekkei Genkai Kimimaro was determined to acquire.
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