Was it merely a momentary rush of blood to the head?
Or had Shibuki made this decision for some deeper reason?
From atop the building, Menma Uzumaki frowned slightly. He had originally intended to intervene immediately and eliminate Shibuki before the situation became unstable. However, after catching sight of the reactions of the surrounding Taki shinobi and recalling the earlier conversation between Mizuno Satoru and Shibuki a trace of surprise appeared in Menma's eyes.
'So that's your intention…?'
His footsteps halted once more.
'Very well, then let me see exactly what you're capable of, Shibuki.'
In Menma's view, this had become something akin to observing a performance from the sidelines. With his current level of strength, even without drawing upon the Nine-Tails' chakra, he remained fully confident in his ability to suppress everyone present if necessary.
There was no need for concern.
Naturally, the Shibuki below had no idea the entire situation had already escaped his control.
At this moment, Shibuki genuinely believed victory was already within his grasp.
Not only did he intend to destroy Shibuki physically, he wanted to crush him mentally as well.
Especially here, in front of the villagers.
Only by utterly defeating Shibuki beneath overwhelming force could he prove that the elders of Takigakure had chosen the wrong person from the very beginning.
"Since you're so eager to die," Shibuki sneered viciously, "then I'll grant your wish!"
"Boom!"
His chakra erupted violently.
"Whoosh!"
With a sudden burst of speed, Shibuki shot toward Shibuki like an arrow released from a bowstring.
Shibuki's expression darkened instantly.
With a flick of his wrist
"Clang!"
A kunai appeared in his hand.
The two collided head-on.
"Keng!"
"Bang!"
Metal screeched violently as sparks burst into the air.
The impact generated a powerful gust of wind that spread outward in all directions.
"Boom!"
Within mere seconds, the two had already exchanged more than a dozen blows.
Under sustained close-range combat pressure, however, Shibuki gradually gained the upper hand through superior experience and raw physical ability.
Even though Shibuki possessed decent strength as a jōnin, the difference between them was still obvious.
Under the rapid barrage of attacks, Shibuki eventually exposed a flaw.
And Shibuki seized it instantly.
"Bang!"
A vicious elbow strike slammed directly into Shibuki's chest.
"Guh !"
The terrifying force crashed into him like a hammer.
Shibuki felt his breathing stop for an instant as his body was sent flying backward.
"Boom!"
His figure smashed heavily into the ground.
Dust exploded into the air.
"Leader!"
"Lord Shibuki!"
The Taki shinobi behind him especially those fiercely loyal to the previous village chief immediately changed expressions and prepared to rush forward.
"Don't interfere!"
Shibuki barked sharply even as he coughed violently.
"This is between me and Shibuki…! If I die, none of you are allowed to resist!"
Whether it was stubborn pride, a desire to prove himself, or some deeper determination
At least at this moment, Shibuki genuinely intended to resolve everything with his own strength.
'Grandpa Satoru…'
Shibuki slowly rose to his feet.
'I will protect this village!'
A resolute expression surfaced across his face.
"Hah! Do you see the difference between us now?" Shibuki approached slowly, a cruel grin spreading across his face. "Just give up already, Shibuki. For the sake of our past relationship, I'll at least give you a painless death."
"Whoosh!"
At that moment, Shibuki suddenly pulled a small gourd filled with transparent liquid from within his clothing.
The instant it appeared
"What!?"
"That is !"
"No way…!"
Several older Taki shinobi widened their eyes in horror.
Even Shibuki's expression changed drastically.
"The Hero Water!?"
"Boom!"
Chakra exploded outward once more.
Shibuki's figure blurred as he tried to rush forward and stop him.
But it was already too late.
"Gulp! Gulp! Gulp!"
Without hesitation, Shibuki yanked out the stopper and drank the transparent liquid in one breath.
"BOOM!"
In an instant, a massive surge of chakra erupted from his body.
Visible chakra currents spiraled violently around him.
The pressure radiating from Shibuki multiplied at a terrifying rate.
"So this is the Hero Water…"
Watching from above, Menma Uzumaki narrowed his eyes slightly.
The sacred water of Takigakure.
A forbidden substance rumored to amplify a shinobi's chakra many times over in exchange for consuming their lifespan.
A true double-edged sword.
Yet at critical moments, it was also an incomparable trump card.
"The amplification isn't quite as exaggerated as the legends claim," Menma murmured softly, sensing the rapid expansion of Shibuki's chakra. "But it's still at least several times greater than before."
From Menma's perspective, this level of power still remained entirely manageable.
But for Shibuki
The difference was overwhelming.
"Whoosh!"
Enhanced by the Hero Water, Shibuki's physical abilities rose explosively.
His speed instantly surpassed anything he had displayed earlier.
Shibuki's pupils contracted sharply.
He could now clearly track Shibuki's movements.
"Snap!"
"What!?"
Shibuki easily caught the incoming fist.
"The one who deserves to die… is you, Shibuki!"
Hatred burned within his eyes.
Terrifying chakra erupted outward again.
Why had Shibuki insisted on fighting personally?
Why would he willingly use the Hero Water despite knowing its severe side effects when Menma's assistance was available?
Was it because he distrusted Menma?
Or because he wanted to prove himself?
No.
It was because he wanted to personally execute the traitor who had betrayed Takigakure.
That obsession alone drove him now.
"Boom!"
His chakra flared even higher.
"Bang!"
Shibuki's fist crashed heavily into Shibuki's abdomen before the latter could even react.
"Gahhh !"
The impact caused Shibuki's stomach to cave inward visibly.
Blood burst from his mouth instantly.
Shibuki intended to finish him immediately
But at that critical moment
"AAAAAAH!"
Madness flashed across Shibuki's face.
With brutal force, he twisted his own arm at an unnatural angle.
"Crack!"
The horrifying sound of bone breaking echoed through the battlefield.
Yet by sacrificing his arm, Shibuki forcibly escaped Shibuki's restraint.
Unfortunately, Shibuki's combat experience still remained insufficient.
Having missed the opportunity for a killing blow, he could only capitalize with another attack.
As Shibuki desperately retreated
"Bang!"
Shibuki drove a savage kick into his side.
The terrifying force exploded outward.
"Whoosh!"
Shibuki's body shot away like a cannonball.
"Boom!"
He smashed heavily into the ground.
"Shibuki-sama!"
"Lord Shibuki!?"
The subordinates he had brought with him, who previously wore relaxed and confident expressions, all changed drastically.
"Ack…!"
As the dust slowly dispersed, Shibuki staggered back to his feet in miserable condition.
His face had gone deathly pale.
Blood dripped continuously from the corner of his mouth.
Most importantly, the horrifying depression in his abdomen clearly proved one thing
Shibuki had been severely wounded by Shibuki's attack.
WE ARE CURRENTLY ON CHAPTER 265 ON PATREON.
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