Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: The Iburi Clan Will Pledge Loyalty to My Lord for Generations
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“Orochimaru... and 'Asura'...” Kakashi's Sharingan locked onto the two standing shoulder to shoulder, his breathing beneath the mask growing slightly ragged.
From the situation inside the cave, it looked like the two had clashed—and Orochimaru had come out on the losing end.
But now they were standing together, as if they'd struck some kind of deal.
“What's your take on Yamato's Wood Release?” Orochimaru's raspy voice carried a probing edge, his slitted pupils sliding toward 'Asura' at his side. He wanted to hear from him whether this “creation” of his held any real future value.
“Average.” Menma's cold, flat voice drifted from beneath the mask. “No shinobi clan bloodline. Chakra reserves destined to be pathetic.”
“Worthless beyond the Wood Release.”
Yamato's greatest strength was his Wood Release, but as a mere civilian-born ninja, he lacked the Uzumaki Clan's vast chakra pools and the Senju Clan's ironclad physique. That doomed his total chakra growth to be forever limited.
Ceiling at best: elite jonin level.
Seeing 'Asura' show zero interest in the still-young Yamato, Orochimaru's tongue flicked across his lips.
'Looks like Yamato's growth potential is capped... or maybe my future self cooked up something even stronger.'
“This spot's yours now. I've gotta bail from the Land of Fire.” Orochimaru turned toward one of the exits.
“I'll keep digging into the Ibuki Clan's kekkei genkai. You know my hideout, right?” As he spoke, Orochimaru shot a loaded glance over his shoulder.
He'd laid his cards out this openly—the other guy owed him some goodwill in return, didn't he?
“No need to see me off.” Menma's reply cut sharp and short.
Hmph—
Not getting what he wanted, Orochimaru narrowed his eyes in a soft snort, clutching his side as he melted into the cave's shadowy depths.
“Orochimaru!” Kakashi called after him, but a figure lunged at him in a blur.
The crunch of toes grinding cave gravel rang out clear.
“Don't just fixate on Orochimaru. Play with me awhile.” Menma's tone was mocking, light—he wanted to test Kakashi's current strength.
Bang!
The sharp crack of kunai meeting boot sole exploded off the rock walls! Kakashi blocked the sudden kick, but the raw power still hurled him back several meters.
“Kakashi!” After today's back-and-forth, Yamato had warmed up to Kakashi quite a bit. Seeing a fellow Konoha ninja get booted away like that, he lunged forward without hesitation.
Menma had kicked Kakashi flying, and now with Yamato charging in, he didn't back off—instead, he dropped low and closed the gap.
“Too slow!” Amid Menma's cold sneer, his left hand parried Yamato's thrusting arm, clamping down on it in a reverse grip. His right fist hammered forward like a torrent of blows at Yamato's chest.
It beat Yamato until he coughed up blood, his kunai clattering from his grasp.
Sizzle—sizzle—sizzle—
A roar like crackling lightning split the air from behind!
Menma's right foot hooked Yamato's leg. He released the grab and drove a final punch, sending Yamato hurtling through the air—straight toward the onrushing Kakashi.
Seeing Yamato sail toward him, Kakashi's Sharingan spasmed hard. A wave of agonizing memory crashed over him.
The Chidori chakra in his hand fizzled out against his will as he caught Yamato's body.
Craddling Yamato, Kakashi's Three-Tomoe Sharingan quivered violently.
The nightmare image of Nohara Rin dying by his hand clawed at him relentlessly.
Pfft!
Yamato hacked up a mouthful of blood, his chest churning with roiling qi and blood—like a thousand-jin boulder crushing down on him.
“Tsk tsk. That all you got?” Menma had already drifted to Yukimi's side, his palm resting lightly on the girl's trembling head.
This taijutsu combo was Menma's own brew: past-life traditional martial arts fused with the Gentle Fist he'd picked up from Boss Lady Hinata. Inch strength blended seamlessly with Gentle Fist principles, yielding a personal style packed with explosive close-range bursts, fluid variations, acupoint disruptions, and more.
It even echoed Konoha-style taijutsu just enough to throw opponents off balance.