NOVEL NEXT Chapter 111: Fight
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A/N
hello everyone,
This chapter was originally unavailable, so I had to recreate it using ChatGPT. I apologize in advance for any inconsistencies, and I appreciate your understanding as I bring you the best experience I can. Thank you for your support!
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Orochimaru glanced at Muzan with a calculating smile.
"Then, let's proceed to the next steps," Orochimaru said, his voice echoing through the dim, sterile room.
Muzan nodded. "I'll handle things from here. Continue as planned."
With a final shared smirk, the two parted ways. Orochimaru disappeared into the shadows, while Muzan exited the lab, heading towards the outskirts of the village.
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As tensions mounted over a series of kidnappings and strange disappearances, Konoha's leadership tasked Kakashi—a rising star within their ranks—with leading a group of ANBU to investigate the disturbances. Though he wasn't aware of the full scope of what lay ahead, Kakashi sensed the danger ran deep.
Tracking the source to a secluded laboratory on the outskirts of Konoha, Kakashi arrived with his team at the entrance. A feeling of unease settled over him, though he couldn't quite pinpoint why. Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself for whatever awaited inside.
With a signal, the doors burst open, and Kakashi's gaze fell on a lone figure in the dimly lit room. As the figure turned, Kakashi's heart sank—staring back at him was Muzan, his brother, his eyes gleaming with a cold, crimson light. The realization hit Kakashi like a shockwave. But Muzan merely smirked, as though he had expected them.
"Muzan…" Kakashi's voice wavered, laced with disbelief and pain. "It was you?"
"Surprised, little brother?" Muzan replied, his voice calm and mocking. "Did you truly think I would follow the Hokage's narrow vision?"
"But… why?" Kakashi's voice held a trace of desperation, memories of their childhood flashing through his mind. "You were a hero once, a Hatake."
"Hero?" Muzan scoffed. "What has 'heroism' ever brought our family? I chose a different path—one beyond the Hokage's ideals."
Kakashi's expression hardened, a flicker of sadness in his gaze as he realized how far his brother had fallen. "If this is the path you've chosen… then I can't let you continue."
Muzan's smirk faded, replaced by a cold, calculating look. "You think you can stop me, little brother? Then prove it."
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The ninjas present could hear Muzan's words, and they immediately drew their kunai.
Kakashi stood at the front. He knew Muzan's strength and feared it would be challenging for these ninjas alone to hold him back.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
This was no sparring match between comrades. Kakashi was determined to bring Muzan to justice.
The three shadow clones rushed forward. Faced with Kakashi's attack, Muzan didn't hold back.
Boom!
"Chakra Enhanced Strength!"
A series of fissures cracked open the ground, sending the first few ninjas flying. Kakashi's shadow clones halted in their tracks.
Three puffs of smoke exploded in front of Muzan as the clones were instantly destroyed. Under Kakashi's shocked gaze, Muzan closed the distance in an instant.
"Damn it! I can see his movements, but my body can't keep up!"
Kakashi, the famed Copy Ninja, knew he couldn't go head-to-head with Muzan. The terrifying power behind Muzan's strike would leave him severely injured, if not dead.
Crack!
"Why is the gap so huge?"
This was Kakashi's last thought before he lost consciousness. Unable to dodge, he took the full brunt of Muzan's attack, the overwhelming force sending him crashing into a wall and bringing the building down in rubble.
It was mercy, sparing Kakashi from witnessing what would come next.
"Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!"
The attack wasn't aimed at the ninjas in front of him but above their heads. Flames roared skyward, resembling a dragon of fire. For a moment, villagers just falling asleep thought it was dawn.
As they awoke, they saw the fiery dragon streaking across the sky in the distance.
"What's happening in the village? Why are the ninjas fighting?"
"I don't know! Hide quickly! It's getting more chaotic."
"Why is Konoha constantly under attack?"
Helpless villagers could only hide in their homes, trembling. The fiery dragon acted as a signal, drawing the attention of nearby ANBU, who immediately rushed to the scene.
Meanwhile, Hizashi, who had been waiting for tragic news, noticed the commotion in the village. Activating his Byakugan, he began moving toward Konoha, closely followed by Pakura, both sticking to their plan.
Figures hidden in the shadows were drawn to the fiery signal as well. Hatake Sakumo, who was at home, received the news immediately.
At the scene, Muzan had already incapacitated all the Konoha ninjas who had arrived.
Despite his defection, Muzan wasn't aiming to massacre Konoha. Once he left, as long as he didn't stir up further trouble, Konoha likely wouldn't expend excessive resources to pursue him.
As the smoke settled, Muzan moved toward the edge of Konoha, but his steps halted. Standing before him was a white-haired man, gripping a ninja sword and looking at Muzan with solemn eyes.
"Muzan, do you understand what you've done?"
Hatake Sakumo's face showed shock and rage. He already knew the reasons behind Muzan's actions, but using villagers for his experiments struck Sakumo deeply. He couldn't believe his own son would commit such atrocities.
"I know, but I don't regret my choices."
As Muzan drew his ninja sword, it symbolized his resolve. His father alone couldn't hold him back.
Muzan's abilities naturally countered any blade. From the outset of their clash, he refused to consider defeat.
Clang!
The clash of swords sent sparks flying. Though Muzan wasn't as skilled in swordsmanship as Sakumo, his sharp reflexes and fierce determination compensated.
While Muzan cautiously countered Sakumo's sword techniques, Sakumo felt horror and realization. He had underestimated Muzan's power.
This strength could rival the village's elite ninjas.
Boom!
In raw power, Muzan surpassed Sakumo by far.
Seeing the blade inch closer to his shoulder, Sakumo realized he couldn't match Muzan in a direct fight. Brute force wouldn't be enough.
Clang!
Sakumo deftly deflected Muzan's sword with his own, sliding his blade down to place it against Muzan's neck. Despite Muzan's actions, Sakumo hesitated, unable to bring himself to kill his own son.
"If you lose, come back with me. I'll protect you."
He hoped Muzan would surrender, but things didn't go as he wished.
Gripping the blade across his neck, Muzan's eyes glowed menacingly.
"Father, you still underestimate me. This is only the beginning."
A terrifying layer of flesh and blood spread from the blade, forming a demonic pattern over Muzan's face, giving him the visage of a demon king.
"What is this power?"
Sakumo's eyes widened as Muzan's face transformed. He knew Muzan possessed a unique kekkei genkai, but Muzan had only shown it once.
"The power of flesh and blood."
The sword in Muzan's hand morphed into a twisted, terrifying weapon, with crescent-like blades emerging.
As Muzan raised his hand, Sakumo could hear his heart pounding like an engine.
Clang!
This was no ordinary chakra slash. Muzan's bloodline technique had made it far deadlier.
"Blood Demon Art: Blood Fang Blade!"
Obstacles in Muzan's path were cleaved apart, his weapon never losing momentum. Amid the onslaught, Sakumo raised his sword, performing an action that caught Muzan off guard.
"Muzan, a ninja's blade should remain untainted. Let me show you a pure slash!"
The two slashes collided, ringing sharply.
Sakumo severed Muzan's attack, but the force wasn't so easily overcome. Muzan's strike pushed Sakumo back five meters.
"Father, you can't stop me. Orochimaru-sensei has already left Konoha, drawing away most of the other ninjas. You're alone."
Muzan's words rang true. To the outside world, Muzan posed less of a threat than Orochimaru.
"Then it's just you and me, Muzan."
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