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Chapter 111: Kizaru From Another World
[Plunderer: Personnel Confirmation]
[Cloud Shinobi Village... Jōnin—Darui]
"The Fourth Raikage should be the one fighting!"
"After all, if it wasn't for the Kage, victory would be uncertain!"
The audience was thrown into confusion. Jōnin? Cloud Shinobi Village sent only a single Jōnin?
"What are they doing? Sending a mere Jōnin? Do they really think they can deal with the monsters from the Otherworld?"
"Is the Raikage scared? Does he think he can't win even if he fights personally, so he sent a subordinate to take the fall?"
"Hey, watch your mouth! Our Lord Raikage is the ninja known as Blue Lightning! He would never be afraid. Keep talking like that or I would beat you!"
Although the Cloud Ninja in the auditorium defended their leader, they inwardly didn't understand why the Raikage had made such a decision. But surely, it couldn't be out of fear.
The angry retorts from the Cloud Ninja made ninjas from other villages curl their lips and fall silent, though the suspicion lingered throughout the Ninja World. How could the Raikage win without stepping onto the field himself? If they only won a single game, their world's plunder of power would be considered a failure.
At his advanced age, the Third Tsuchikage had gone into battle personally and secured a victory for the Ninja World. Yet now, the Raikage seemed to be flinching. If they lost, Cloud Shinobi Village would likely be overwhelmed by the fury of their own civilians.
Hiruzen looked at the name displayed on the light curtain. "Darui! Is that the ninja who inherited the Third Raikage's Black Lightning?"
Behind him, Shikaku Nara nodded. "Yes! That should be him."
"Why send a Jōnin instead of doing it himself?" Tsunade asked, frowning. She couldn't believe the Fourth Raikage was afraid; there had to be another strategic purpose.
Orochimaru laughed hoarsely. "Don't you understand, Tsunade?"
Tsunade shot him a glare, displeased by his condescending tone. Orochimaru quickly suppressed his smile and explained seriously, "It's simple. The Fourth Raikage is likely judged as an S-level combatant by the System."
"Since the Third Tsuchikage challenged the S-level Marine Admiral Aokiji, there is a high probability that we cannot challenge the same tier of opponent consecutively."
"Therefore," Orochimaru continued, "The only candidate for the Fourth Raikage to fight would be Yuichi."
"I don't know if Cloud Shinobi's Lightning Style Chakra Mode can defeat that guy, but if it were me, now is not the time to gamble. The priority is to ensure victory and seize the power of the opponent's world."
Tsunade's eyes widened in realization. "I see. By choosing Darui, a Jōnin, he will be evaluated as an A-level combatant. Referring to Kakashi and Might Guy, Jōnin are A-level, meaning his opponents will be those Warlords or that Marine Rear Admiral!"
Orochimaru nodded in agreement. Sarutobi Hiruzen had arrived at the same conclusion. Sending a Jōnin was indeed the correct strategic choice.
Yuichi... That man was already difficult to deal with. Now that he had become the One Tail Jinchūriki, his threat level had skyrocketed. They couldn't easily risk their strongest leaders against him.
"But there is still a question," Hiruzen mused. "Will sending Darui guarantee victory?"
Hiruzen smiled disdainfully. Those Shichibukai and that Marine Rear Admiral were not people to be trifled with. A single Jōnin might not be enough to guarantee a 100% win rate.
[The challenge opponent is: A-level Combat Power — Shichibukai Gecko Moria]
[Confirmed]
[Both parties will be sent into the arena shortly]
Moria, having been selected, possessed none of Aokiji's patience. He screamed loudly at the screen, "Choosing me? Damn it! If you think I'm easy to deal with, you are sorely mistaken, kid!"
"I'll make you my zombie! You will live in darkness forever and feel endless pain! Kishishishi..."
The light flickered, and the two combatants appeared on the dueling field simultaneously. The arena, which had previously disappeared, rematerialized instantly. This time, it seemed wider, and the floor glossier and more solid.
Darui didn't look like anything special. In fact, he appeared lazy and listless, standing with a slump that screamed a lack of motivation.
This appearance caused the Marines watching the battle to suddenly turn their heads toward Kizaru. Even Akainu squinted at his colleague.
Kizaru calmly watched Darui on the light curtain. "Yooo~ This little brother looks very strong!"
That weird, drawn-out tone left the surrounding Vice Admirals and soldiers speechless. Did Admiral Kizaru not realize that the man on screen was practically his mirror image? The resemblance in demeanor was overwhelming.
Suddenly, Kizaru looked down at the people around him. "Eh? Why are you guys staring at me?"
Apparently, Kizaru hadn't realized the key issue. Seeing they had been caught staring, everyone quickly turned their heads away.
At that moment, Gecko Moria's voice boomed from the light curtain.
"You make me sick! Seeing you makes me feel like I'm looking at that unmotivated Marine Admiral Kizaru. It makes people angry just looking at you!"
Kizaru, having been named directly, was speechless. "Is that guy... really like me?"
Akainu grunted. "You can remove the question mark."
Kizaru: "..."
Gecko Moria, a towering small titan compared to Darui, glared down at the nonchalant ninja. As the countdown ended, Moria spread his arms.
"Facing me, Master Gecko Moria, and you still dare to show such an attitude? Since you have no energy, hurry up and die!"
Strange shadow bats formed behind him, flying out toward Darui at high speed.
Darui yawned and spoke lazily, "That is indeed a weird ability. Sorry it makes you angry. I don't want to be unmotivated, but it's just my personality... nothing I can do about it."
As he spoke, Darui's hands moved. The moment the swarm of bats was about to strike, he formed hand seals with blinding speed.
His action instantly silenced the mocking ninjas. The speed at which Darui wove signs put many to shame. The seal was completed in a split second, and thunder materialized almost instantly.
"Lightning Style: Black Panther!"
Zizizi!!
Black lightning erupted, taking the form of a massive cheetah that rushed forward. As the thunder flashed, the swarm of bats was scattered instantly. The black lightning tore through the shadows and slammed directly into Moria's body.
"Gaaah..."
Zizizi...
The lightning paralyzed Moria's massive frame. While the Warlord was stunned, a figure flickered.
Swish!!
Using the Body Flicker Technique, Darui appeared directly in front of Moria. He drew the sword on his back and looked at the Warlord coldly. "Boring. It looks like the battle is coming to an end."
The blade fell.
Darui appeared behind Moria, slowly sheathing his sword.
Puff!!
Blood burst from Moria's neck. His eyes bulged, cold sweat beading on his forehead, and his massive body slowly collapsed.
Boom.
.....
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