chapter 155 part 2
With a splashing sound, the Rain ninja's entire body, like a shattered illusion, instantly turned into a puddle of water that flowed across the ground!
Kakashi, who had spent a lifetime fighting everyone to a standstill, had been duped like this for the first time!
Kakashi's heart sank. A sense of dread washed over him, and he hurriedly turned to look back.
Sure enough, among the members of Team Seven, a bald, short Rain ninja had appeared out of nowhere!
The bald ninja charged fiercely towards Yakumo Kurama at an astonishing speed.
Yakumo Kurama was just an academy student who had never experienced such a cruel battle. At this moment, she was so frightened that her face was pale, her lips trembled slightly, and her mind went completely blank. She had completely forgotten how to cast a genjutsu.
Fortunately, Kurama Unchou at her side reacted extremely quickly. His muscles tensed, and his longsword was instantly unsheathed with a flash of cold light. With a "clang," it clashed with the kunai aimed at Yakumo Kurama.
Neji Hyuga didn't dare to be the least bit complacent either. The veins around his eyes bulged as he instantly activated his Byakugan, blocking Yakumo Kurama's path.
Just as everyone's hearts were thrown into turmoil by this sudden crisis, an even more unexpected scene unfolded!
The Rain ninja who had just fought Kakashi and disappeared as a water clone—the one everyone thought had temporarily retreated behind the scenes—had silently emerged from the puddle beneath Uchiha Ren's feet like a ghost!
The kunai gripped tightly in his hand carried an air of absolute finality as it stabbed straight for Uchiha Ren's throat!
"Clang!" A crisp sound echoed in the quiet yet tense space, sounding exceptionally abrupt. The kunai was frozen in place, as if it had struck a piece of metal, unable to advance another fraction of an inch.
Uchiha Ren, however, had a serene expression, a faint, almost imperceptible smile playing on his lips. In this moment between life and death, that smile exuded a unique kind of composure and confidence. He spoke unhurriedly, "Tekkai!"
"Te-Tekkai? What kind of jutsu is that?!" The long-haired Rain ninja was momentarily stunned.
In the instant the long-haired Rain ninja was dazed, Uchiha Ren drew a kunai and thrust it toward him with incredible speed!
The Rain ninja sensed the approaching danger and subconsciously wanted to flee, only to discover with horror that he couldn't move his feet at all. Only then did he realize he had fallen into a genjutsu at some unknown point. He could only scream, "Damn Uchiha!"
However, before he could break free from the genjutsu, a squelching sound was heard as the illusion shattered.
The kunai had mercilessly pierced his throat. In the blink of an eye, the man's body began to convulse violently, his face contorted in agony!
A moment later, he foamed at the mouth, his eyes rolled back, and he died with blood pouring from all seven orifices!
It was a terrifying sight. He fell to the ground, stiff as a board, splashing up a patch of bloody rainwater.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Kakashi had already closed the distance. Dozens of ninja hounds bit down on the bald, short Rain ninja's limbs.
He thrust his Raikiri forward, perfectly recreating Zabuza's famous death scene!
This time, the Raikiri pierced through the bald Rain ninja's body without any obstruction, and the powerful electric current instantly ravaged his insides.
The short man's face was filled with horror, his eyes wide. He managed to force out a few words, "Hatake Kakashi... truly lives up to his name..."
With that, he fell to the ground with a thud, his breathing ceasing.
After finishing off the two, Kakashi looked over at the Rain ninja Uchiha Ren had dealt with. His expression was grave as he issued an order, "Let's go! We've been exposed! We need to hide!"
In the Hidden Rain Village, a layer of fine rain, like a thin veil, perpetually shrouded the area, immersing the entire village in a hazy mist.
Low houses were arranged in a scattered yet orderly fashion. Occasionally, a wisp of cooking smoke could be seen rising from a chimney, only to be quickly dispersed by the fine rain and vanish into the air.
And in the center of the village stood a tall spire. The spire pierced the clouds, as if trying to break through the endless curtain of rain.
The spire was also a gloomy gray color, weathered by wind and rain, yet it still exuded a cold, stern aura.
At this moment, Tendō Pain stood quietly atop the spire. His iconic orange hair fluttered slightly in the fine rain, and his chilling Rinnegan eyes gazed deeply at the surroundings.
The rainwater trickled down his cheeks but did nothing to affect his cold expression.
He frowned slightly, as if sensing something amiss. Then, he slowly turned his head and said to Konan beside him, "The presences of two shinobi from the village have vanished. They must be dead."
Hearing this, Konan's delicate features changed slightly. Her beautiful brows furrowed gently, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes as she asked softly, "Who would come to the village at a time like this?"
Tendō Pain crossed his arms, lowered his head in thought for a moment, and muttered, "It must be related to the rogue Leaf Village ninja. He has the Second Hokage's weapon and things like the Scroll of Seals. The Leaf Village must have sent people after him."
Konan nodded slightly, a hint of resolve in her eyes. She volunteered, "Then I'll go provide support?"
But Tendō Pain gently shook his head, his tone calm, steady, and unquestionable. "That guy is nearby. Let him go."
With that, Tendō Pain once again cast his gaze into the distance, his eyes profound, his thoughts unknown.
And Konan, wearing a paper flower in her hair, having stood vigil for years, looked at Yahiko's corpse, which Nagato had turned into Tendō Pain, and a trace of sorrow flashed in her eyes.
But she quickly composed herself.
In a cave not far from the Hidden Rain Village, the members of Team Seven were resting.
Uchiha Ren stood at the entrance of the cave. Though his eyes were closed, he was actually using Observation Haki to sense the surrounding situation.
Yakumo Kurama was drying her wet hair with a towel, her gaze unconsciously drifting to Uchiha Ren's figure.
The scene of Uchiha Ren killing the enemy earlier had also left a deep impression on the other members of the team.
Neji Hyuga could only sigh at the vast difference in power between himself and Uchiha Ren. Just over two months ago, he had been able to fight Uchiha Ren on even terms.
But now, this guy was monstrously strong.
Blocking a kunai with his neck?
Was he even human?
Hatake Kakashi was also sizing up Uchiha Ren, having some thoughts he wasn't sure if he should voice.
After some consideration, he first distributed the soldier pills to the other three. Then, he walked towards Uchiha Ren and offered him a pill.
"Ren, here, eat up."
Uchiha Ren took the pill made of carrots, cornmeal, and wheat flour. A black tendril of Earth Grudge Fear extended from his mouth and swallowed the pill, making Hatake Kakashi's eyelid twitch uncontrollably.
"Um..." Kakashi didn't know how to begin.
After all, the prerequisite for growing stronger was, first and foremost, to be human.
Uchiha Ren's current growth trajectory seemed to have a hint of a monstrous, tailed-beast-like transformation.
"What is it, Kakashi-sensei?" Uchiha Ren still wore an innocent expression. He looked at Kakashi's pouch. "Can I have some more? It's not enough..."
Kakashi impulsively gave all the soldier pills to Uchiha Ren, who, right in front of him, swallowed them all and let out a satisfied burp.
"Thanks for the meal, Kakashi-sensei! This is much better than steamed cornbread and pickled vegetables!"
"Ahem." Kakashi scratched his head. "I... I have something to talk to you about. Your Cursed Seal of Heaven, from the looks of it, its development has exceeded my expectations. If this continues..."
He hadn't finished speaking when Uchiha Ren's expression suddenly changed!
He looked into the distance at a lone figure, appearing and disappearing in the torrential rain, and gritted his teeth, "Someone's coming! It's a strong enemy!"
(end of chapter)