Naruto: Unlocking Kaido Template

"Why should we retreat? If you hold off the Calabash Brothers, our chances of winning are high. Even if we can't take them out, we can still grab a scroll..." Aburame Hatsuizumi frowned, feeling frustrated as her chance to prove herself was slipping away. She wanted to show Zixu and the others the true power of her Kikaichū (Parasitic Insects).

"That Calabash Brother is still useful. He can't be killed yet. You'll understand when I explain later," Uzumaki Zixu replied calmly.

"Hmph, so secretive. There's something you can't say here, huh?" Hatsuizumi pouted in dissatisfaction, crossing her arms.

"Complaints won't change my mind. This is serious. I don't mind, but if I say too much here and the wrong people hear, you two will be in trouble," Zixu warned as they distanced themselves from Gaara and the others.

Hyuga Chinano smirked playfully. "You've changed. You actually consider others now. You're finally acting like a real leader."

Zixu remained unfazed by the teasing. "No, I've always cared about my comrades and valued teamwork. Naturally, your safety comes first."

People change. Zixu admitted that much, but now wasn't the time to dwell on it. The scrolls they had taken earlier turned out to be the same type as theirs. That meant they needed to find a different type—or trade with another team that had duplicates.

"Huh? What's that weird sound? It's annoying~" Hatsuizumi suddenly stiffened. The swarm of insects she had released earlier had died off in large numbers, vanishing as if erased from existence. It was like watching whole sections disappear from a thermal imaging map. The remaining insects relayed feedback—something had killed them with sound.

"There's movement 2 kilometers away," she said, pointing in the direction where her insects had been wiped out.

At that moment, two kilometers away, a man with a bandaged head—only his left eye visible—stood amidst crushed insects. Draped in a white fur cloak that resembled a tattered broom, he wore a loose cardigan covering his arms, concealing the Yoroi (Porous Armor) on his right arm. Maintaining a hunched posture, he muttered coldly:

"We've been detected. These bugs aren't native to the Forest of Death. The local ecosystem isn't strong enough to support such a massive swarm with low vitality. Most likely, they belong to a ninja."

Nearby, another young man with dark gray hair and a brown coat—adorned with three red kanji spelling 'Death'—clicked his tongue in annoyance.

"It's just some disposable bugs. So what if we're found out? We were personally chosen by Lord Orochimaru. How could we be afraid of some brats? The power of science is absolute—don't underestimate it."

"I only care about gathering all the necessary scrolls," a girl with kurokami (long, jet-black hair) that nearly touched the ground said coldly. A large purple bow tied at the end of her hair swayed as she spoke. "If that insect team dares to approach, I'll take their scrolls. But we move according to Lord Orochimaru's orders."

The bandaged man, seeing that his teammates were resolved, decided to stay put but secured their scroll in a more hidden location.

Hatsuizumi didn't keep the three waiting long. Like a tracking hound—no, like a ninken (ninja hound)—no, that wasn't right either. In short, her unparalleled sensory skills allowed her to locate them with pinpoint accuracy. She rushed ahead, leading the way.

"You're after our scroll? Hmph... Your hair is annoyingly smooth. I kinda wanna rip it all out," the long-haired girl sneered, jealousy flickering in her eyes.

Hatsuizumi wasn't about to back down. She grinned and spread her hands mockingly.

"I don't think my hair is that great. Yours, though… It's so long. What, haven't cut it in years? Or is it thinning, and you're afraid of losing more?"

The two men beside the girl immediately took a step back. They had no intention of interfering in a battle between women. Instead, they turned their attention to Hatsuizumi's teammates.

Not long after, Zixu and Chinano arrived on the battlefield.

Zixu frowned. These three were Orochimaru's subordinates, yet the snake sannin had never mentioned them. Did that mean they were insignificant in his eyes?

"Zixu, don't interfere. Let me handle this!" Hatsuizumi called out, fearing he would steal her victory. She needed to prove herself. If Zixu took them down before she even started, she'd lose all the experience!

Zixu glanced at her expression—it was like a kicked puppy demanding attention. He sighed, realizing that he really hadn't let them shine much.

"Alright, show me the results of your training," Zixu said, scratching his head as he sat down on the ground. He truly didn't intend to step in.

The dark-haired boy in the 'Death' coat scoffed. "You cocky brat… You think you can just ignore us? The ninja of Otogakure (Hidden Sound Village) aren't like you weaklings!"

Only then did Zixu notice the ongaku (musical note) symbol on their headbands.

Annoyed, the Sound-nin swiped his hand in a slapping motion.

"Suiton: Tenpū Suiha (Water Release: Sky Wave Palm)!"

Several blue chakra orbs shot from Chinano's hands, infused with Suiton (Water Release). Though not overly powerful, they were meant to test the enemy's capabilities.

PAH PAH PAH!

The energy balls shattered midair—dispersed by an unseen force. However, instead of vanishing, the shattered water droplets expanded into a wide mist-like curtain.

Zixu narrowed his eyes. There was no trace of natural energy in that attack. That meant it wasn't Ninjutsu—it was something else.

The Sound-nin smirked. "Heh, disperse!"

In the next instant, the water mist vibrated violently. The entire air rippled as if struck by an invisible explosion. Then—

BOOM!

The water curtain detonated like an overfilled balloon bursting under pressure. Droplets sprayed everywhere, some splashing onto Chinano's clothes.

Before she could react, the Sound-nin sneered smugly.

"My arms have been modified. I can freely control ultrasound and air pressure, allowing me to shatter rock itself! Sound waves travel faster in water than in air—using Suiton against me is the dumbest move possible!"

Zixu clicked his tongue. What is this guy, a damn science project?

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