NOVEL NEXT Chapter 134: Chapter 129: Battle with the Akatsuki!
Chapter 129: Battle with the Akatsuki!
In the Afterworld, Ishihara was frantically absorbing the ambient spiritual particles around him. However, the quantity was simply too low.
He wasn't sure who had tampered with the environment outside, but it felt as if the spiritual energy around him was isolated. Ishihara speculated that it was probably the Sage of Six Paths who had done this. What he didn't understand was why the Sage of Six Paths would go to such lengths. Was it because he had entered the Afterworld? Did the Sage of Six Paths see the Afterworld as his own domain and, like a beast protecting its territory, felt compelled to kill any intruder that entered?
Although Ishihara couldn't say for certain why the Sage of Six Paths had taken action against him, he was 90% sure it was the Sage's handiwork.
In fact, even the Sage of Six Paths hadn't anticipated Ishihara's remarkable abilities. Despite binding the space Ishihara occupied, Ishihara still managed to extract spiritual energy from the void. Although it was a slow process, it was better than nothing.
Meanwhile, the three-man team from the Akatsuki could never have dreamed that, while traveling to Kusagakure Village 147 to purchase information on the tailed beasts, they'd stumble upon such a lucrative target.
Of course, in true Akatsuki fashion, "purchasing" information on the tailed beasts didn't mean they intended to pay. Instead, they planned to track down the informants and forcefully extract the information.
However, upon spotting Haku, they realized he was potentially more valuable than a tailed beast at the moment.
"Well, well, where do you think you're going?"
"Haku from the Immortal Organization—he possesses various secret techniques and has achieved the rank of titled Jōnin, possibly even breaking through to Kage-level. A true prodigy."
"Hahaha, is that so? Then let me test his strength and show him what true talent and artistry are!"
The three were Kisame, Sasori, and Deidara! Deidara loathed self-proclaimed "geniuses" and was eager to demonstrate his explosive art to them.
After all, he considered himself a genius—one who wielded the art of explosions with mastery. But Sasori scoffed and rebuffed, "True art is eternal!"
"No! Art exists in a fleeting explosion—that's the true essence! Sasori-senpai, your lifeless puppets hardly count as art!"
"You brat! Don't think I won't kill you."
Sasori glared angrily at Deidara; this guy was insufferable.
"Tch, if you ask me, art is explosion! Hm!"
Deidara reiterated, while Kisame had already tired of their bickering and charged toward Haku, wielding Samehada.
"You two can keep arguing. I'm going in!"
Kisame swung Samehada at Haku with deceptive speed; although it appeared sluggish, it was fast enough that Karin, watching from the sidelines, couldn't imagine dodging it.
Because of her Uzumaki constitution, Karin could keenly sense the malice radiating from the trio. Watching Kisame rush toward Haku, she instinctively feared for him—especially since this shark-like man possessed an enormous and terrifying chakra reserve.
"Run!"
Karin shouted, but by then, Kisame was already in front of Haku. He swung his massive weapon down, aiming squarely at Haku's head.
Karin covered her eyes, too afraid to watch what would happen next. In her mind, Haku didn't stand a chance. After all, Kisame's chakra was utterly overwhelming.
But to her surprise, Haku intercepted Kisame's attack with an ice blade in his right hand! Part of it was due to Kisame not going all-out, for if he had, Haku certainly wouldn't have blocked it.
After all, Kisame was a monster of raw strength. Yet Kisame was also taken aback—while Haku wasn't especially powerful, he managed to withstand this strike.
"Interesting. Very interesting. You actually blocked my attack. I thought you'd be reduced to minced meat by now."
Grinning, Kisame bared his teeth and lifted Samehada once more. Haku seized the moment, slashing at Kisame's abdomen with his ice blade. Kisame quickly retreated with a backward leap, then glared at Haku.
"Well, well, it seems I'll have to take things more seriously."
With that, Kisame charged forward again with Samehada.
Haku had some confidence facing Kisame alone. After all, he had trained hard and reached Kage-level. But with two others eyeing him maliciously from the sidelines, he couldn't afford to go all-out. If his chakra was depleted and they found an opening, he'd be doomed.
He needed to escape with Karin before he ran out of chakra!
With this thought, Haku deftly dodged Kisame's attack and quickly formed hand signs.
"Water Release: Hidden Mist Jutsu!"