Naruto: Echoes of a Distant Home

For every 30 POWER STONES there will be an extra chapter!

27 Power Stones To GO!!!

This was a forest full of life, with countless creatures inhabiting it. Even in the deep of night, it was usually lively, filled with the sounds of chirping insects and night birds. But now, everything had fallen silent. Even the sound of breathing was barely audible.

One man stood there, like a mountain blocking the way.

Though such a description might seem exaggerated, it truly caused the Konoha shinobi in pursuit to hesitate, unable to move forward.

In the deep, dark night, moonlight pierced through the branches like stage lights, casting beams down to the forest floor. One such beam angled across Ye Zi's chest, illuminating the area below while his upper body remained hidden in the shadows. The cold, sharp aura emanating from him was all the more striking in the stillness of the night, and his eyes, hidden in the gloom, glinted with a chilling gleam.

Ye Zi...

Everyone present knew that name. Never did they expect they would be standing opposite him as enemies.

Seeing that the Konoha shinobi hesitated to act, Ye Zi didn't attack either. Instead, he calmly channeled his chakra, cloaking himself in the crackling energy of Lightning Release. He could sense the reinforcements drawing near.

He remained composed and confident, making it clear to the Konoha shinobi that he didn't regard them as a threat. Even if he couldn't defeat them, he could easily escape. He stayed behind only to give Orochimaru the chance to flee.

The Konoha shinobi, nearly ten of them, remained frozen in place as more reinforcements continued to arrive.

Suddenly, the sound of Lightning Release reverberated through the air. It was Kakashi. His earlier guilt had been transformed into determination, and he channeled it into this moment. His goal was to find Orochimaru and atone for his guilt. Whoever stood in his way, he would remove.

Under the astonished gazes of the Konoha shinobi, lightning surged through Kakashi's body, stimulating his cells. Though his body wasn't wrapped in Lightning Release, the technique still enhanced his speed. His right hand flared with an intense light, far more violent and brighter than the lightning crackling around Ye Zi. The power it contained was immense.

The nature transformation of the technique was so intense, yet Kakashi's hand remained unscathed, showcasing his remarkable skill with Lightning Release.

His speed was fast, but still far below Ye Zi's. His airborne, straight-line attack was foolish.

The light of the lightning technique reflected in Ye Zi's eyes. He swiftly moved, and just as Kakashi closed in, Ye Zi caught his wrist with one hand, freezing Kakashi's body midair.

The Konoha shinobi were stunned, watching the scene in disbelief. They were all familiar with Kakashi's technique, but they never expected it to be stopped so easily.

Kakashi's lightning-covered right hand was mere inches from Ye Zi's heart, yet he couldn't move it an inch closer. His eyes were filled with shock and disbelief.

This technique, one he had only used in critical moments, had always either missed or pierced through his enemy's chest. It had never been stopped like this before.

With a single hand, Ye Zi had not only halted Kakashi's attack but also crushed the pride Kakashi had as a genius.

"How can there be such a gap?" Kakashi's black eyes trembled violently. The powerful lightning he had been so proud of couldn't even scratch Ye Zi.

Ye Zi's gaze was cold. He recognized the boy before him as the son of White Fang—a young boy, but in this moment, he was an enemy.

Since Kakashi had made the move to kill, he should be prepared for the possibility of being killed himself.

The crackling sound of lightning intensified on Ye Zi's left hand. It was the same nature transformation, the same power, and the same light as Kakashi's—an identical technique.

To die by the very jutsu he prided himself on—a truly cruel fate.

The lightning reflected in Kakashi's eyes, drowning out the confusion in his heart.

With killing intent fully formed, Ye Zi thrust his lightning-covered left hand toward Kakashi's chest.

From the moment Kakashi attacked to Ye Zi's counter, aiming to kill him, only a few seconds had passed. None of the other Jonin could react fast enough to intervene.

At that moment, a golden chain shot through the night, flying straight toward Ye Zi.

Noticing the chain, Ye Zi didn't flinch, nor did he retract his attack.

The golden chain wrapped around Kakashi's chest just in time, and Ye Zi's left hand was stopped by the chain, unable to advance any further. However, the force of the thrust was transferred through the chain, causing Kakashi to cough up blood.

"Hm?" Ye Zi was surprised. His normally unstoppable Lightning Release couldn't penetrate the golden chain.

As he contemplated this, more chains flew toward him.

Frowning, Ye Zi recognized it as Kushina's ability. He hadn't expected the chains to be so tough, even resisting his Lightning Release. If they wrapped around him, it would be a serious problem.

With a swift motion, Ye Zi grabbed Kakashi and tossed him toward the chains, then leapt back to create distance.

Kakashi grunted as the chains coiled around him and pulled him to safety.

After retrieving Kakashi, Kushina's expression was grave. She could tell that Ye Zi had genuinely intended to kill Kakashi. There was no doubt about that.

Setting Kakashi down beside her, Kushina gazed at Ye Zi with a mixture of emotions.

The surrounding Konoha Jonin quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Had anyone else attempted to rescue Kakashi, Ye Zi might have used him as a shield. In this situation, only Kushina could have successfully saved him.

"Kushina-sensei," Kakashi muttered, clutching his chest as blood trickled from his mouth. His deadpan eyes reflected his relief at surviving. If not for Kushina's timely intervention, he would have been dead.

After this brief exchange, Kakashi finally understood the terror that was Ye Zi.

Kushina's arrival signaled the impending arrival of more reinforcements.

Ye Zi glanced at the increasing number of Konoha shinobi, and for the first time, his expression turned serious. He didn't fear them, but after encountering Kushina's chains, he realized the threat they posed.

"Ye Zi… are you serious about this?" Kushina asked, her voice filled with conflicting emotions. Seeing Ye Zi after such a long time had filled her with excitement, but witnessing him attack Kakashi had doused her hopes like a bucket of cold water.

"Serious? Do you mean when I attacked that kid?" Ye Zi replied coldly.

Kushina bit her lip lightly, and the chains behind her rattled, reflecting her inner turmoil.

"How… how could you become like this?"

Ye Zi remained silent for a moment before letting out a sharp, mocking laugh.

"Do you even know what you're saying?"

His icy gaze swept over the crowd of Konoha shinobi. He had stalled them long enough with combat, and now he could delay further with conversation. His mere presence had frozen them in place, but as their reinforcements arrived, the weight of his former identity began to fade. But if he could buy more time through talking, he'd gladly do so.

"I am your enemy."

Check out the patreon and get 50 chapters in advance -> SaintXI

Currently on Chapter 287 - Just in the Mood