69novels Chapter 389 Counterattack from Desperate Circumstances
Chapter 389 Counterattack from Desperate Circumstances
Chapter 389 Counterattack from Desperate Circumstances
Inside the cave, it was deathly silent, like a tomb.
Taiyi's figure had already disappeared.
The strong smell of burning and blood mixed together to create a nauseating and bizarre odor.
The once-distorted altar is now reduced to half a charred base. The bas-reliefs of demons dancing wildly on the walls have been blurred by the intense heat, and the flowing lava has long since cooled and solidified, like black tears flowing from the earth.
A full half hour later.
Deep within the cave, in a shadowy crevice cleverly concealed by collapsed rocks, the space ripples silently, like the surface of water tossed with a pebble.
Obito Uchiha, wearing an orange-red swirling mask, and Zetsu, with a pitcher plant-shaped head, slowly revealed themselves as if growing out of nothingness.
Obito's scarlet right eye coldly surveyed the ravaged battlefield from behind the hole in his mask. Zetsu's half-white face wore an exaggerated look of astonishment, while the other half of his black face was ashen and gloomy.
"Oh dear, oh dear—" White Zetsu broke the silence first with his characteristic gloating tone, "It's truly—a terrible sight! Were we too late? No, it should be said that the White Reaper's" actions were too swift and clean!"
Black Zetsu's hoarse voice rang out, tinged with solemnity and disbelief: "It wasn't late, we've been here all along. We were planning to wait until they were both exhausted, then pick off the rest. Unexpectedly—"
His gaze swept over the scattered remains of the "undead warriors," burned to mere charred skeletons, and finally settled on the deepest scorch mark on the altar base—the spot where the last fused giant had been utterly incinerated.
"This Matsushita Taichi—his progress in power has exceeded our previous estimates. He was able to so easily defeat and seal the evil god's avatar head-on!"
Obito remained silent, his brows furrowed beneath his mask.
They could see the battle clearly from their hiding place in the alternate dimension.
The arrival of that evil god was powerful, but what truly made them wary was Matsushita Taichi.
"Sage Technique—" Obito uttered in a low voice, sounding somewhat muffled through his mask, "and he uses it with such skill. His Flying Thunder God Technique—is no less impressive than Minato Namikaze's."
He recalled Taiyi's skillful combination of abilities during the battle and couldn't help but rub his temples. "And those golden chains—the Vortex Clan's Vajra Lock, which in his hands could actually bind divine thoughts!" This overturned his understanding of sealing techniques.
"Yeah, yeah!" White Zetsu shook his head. "That Blood Raven summoned this giant by sacrificing itself, its aura was so terrifying! I thought I was going to see a good show, but—tsk tsk, it was burned to ashes!"
"Has that brat gotten stronger again? He didn't seem this strong back in Konoha!"
"It's not a feeling, it's a fact." Black Zetsu's voice was more serious than ever before. "His growth rate is simply inhuman. With each new piece of information, his strength seems to have jumped to a whole new level."
Obito's eyes grew even more sinister. They had arrived earlier than Taiichi and had conducted a more thorough investigation of the Jashin Cult. Although the immortal warriors were still incomplete, their effects were quite remarkable.
It's especially good for fragile ninjas, making it the perfect supplement.
pity----
"Blood Raven—that cult leader, he took him away." Obito said coldly, his gaze fixed on the direction Taiichi had left in.
"Yeah, still alive, but practically dead. Probably just used to complete a task," White Zetsu chimed in. "Should we try to take it back? Or—get our hands on that scroll that sealed the evil god's avatar? That thing is definitely more valuable!"
Obito remained silent for a moment, his crimson Sharingan swirling slightly as if he were rapidly weighing the pros and cons. In the end, he slowly shook his head.
"It's too risky to act now. Matsushita Taichi just went through a major battle and seems to be quite exhausted, but his condition is still unclear. It's not worth it for a cripple and an uncertain scroll."
He paused, a hint of determination in his voice: "But after he completes his mission in Daming Prefecture, there—perhaps there's still a chance."
Black Zetsu immediately understood Obito's intention: "You mean—the Second Prince? That idiot who colluded with the Jashin Cult?"
"Hmph." Obito let out a cold snort that was hard to decipher. "Let's go, we'll find out if we follow them."
As soon as they finished speaking, their figures disappeared into the shadows like ink spreading in water, as if they had never existed.
Deep within the magnificent mansion, the second young master's study was in complete disarray. Fragments of precious porcelain lay scattered on the floor, and exquisite calligraphy and paintings were torn to shreds.
He was like a trapped beast, his eyes bloodshot, his chest heaving violently, his remaining rationality torn between immense fear and desperate madness.
"Useless! All of you are useless!"
The second young master kicked over the low mahogany table in front of him and roared at his trusted warrior who was kneeling on the ground, trembling.
"That Blood Raven madman! What happened to his supposedly immortal army? He couldn't even stop a kid from Konoha. Now he's finished, and I'm next!"
The trusted samurai lowered his head even further, his voice trembling: "Your Highness, please calm your anger—the news we just received only said that the squad that went out to capture the offerings was captured by Matsushita Taichi." Perhaps he can't even find that place.
"Maybe? You're telling me maybe?" Upon hearing the explanation, the second young master smashed a teacup at him, roaring angrily, "You think the 'White Reaper' won't be able to extract the information he wants?"
The second young master's face was ashen; he had witnessed firsthand the madness of the Evil God Cult and the terror of those undead warriors.
But he had no idea whether such power could stop Matsushita Taichi.
Fear, like a cold, venomous snake, instantly coiled around his heart, tightening its grip ever tighter.
If the Daimyo can invite Konoha once, they can invite it a second time!
Even if Matsushita Taichi fails this time, what about next time?
If Matsushita Taichi were to return with any survivors of the evil cult, his crimes of colluding with the cult, harming the people, and attempting to overthrow the cult would be completely exposed!
At that time, he will face the cruelest trial and eternal shame, and even committing seppuku will be a luxury!
No! He can't just sit here and wait to die! He still has one last card to play!
The second young master suddenly looked up, his eyes flashing with a terrifying glint of malice—a final greed for power and a mad thirst for destruction.
"Assemble! Gather all our men! And—release those twenty samples from the cellar! Feed them with berserk blood!"
The trusted warrior looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with horror: "Your Highness! You—you mean those—those monsters? And you want to feed them mad blood? That will make them completely lose their minds, unable to distinguish friend from foe! And—and there are only twenty of them, the Daming Prefecture is heavily guarded—"
"Shut up!" the second young master interrupted him sharply, as if he were possessed. "Heavy guard? Now is the best opportunity. That scoundrel hasn't returned yet. The old man is dying, and my good brother..." He only had some useless samurai and a few good-looking but useless wandering ninjas around him!
Twenty undead fed with berserk blood are enough to tear them apart! As long as we control the old man and my elder brother before they can react—no, kill them. Once they're dead, I'll be the sole heir!
No matter how strong Konoha is, can they interfere in the internal affairs of my Land of Hot Springs? Go now!
Under the hysterical pressure of the second son, the coup was launched hastily and frantically.
As dusk began to paint the sky above the capital of hot springs, a piercing alarm and deafening shouts of battle suddenly erupted within the Daimyo's residence!
The second young master, clad in magnificent armor and wielding a treasured sword symbolizing his status, personally led a rebel army of over three hundred men, composed of assassins, private soldiers, and hired ronin, rushing towards the core area of Daming Prefecture like a flood bursting its banks.
Leading the way for them were twenty figures exuding a strong aura of bloodlust and madness!
These "samples" are not human. They are slightly smaller than the test subjects in the cave, but their skin is also grayish-white. Their eyes are even more vacant, and they have even lost the last bit of the spark of obedience to commands.
They were forcibly given a specially made "Berserk Blood" potion by the evil god cult. At this moment, their muscles were bulging, their veins were writhing under their skin like earthworms, their mouths were drooling, and they were emitting low growls like wild beasts. They were left with only the most primitive and violent killing instincts!
"Stop them! Protect the Daimyo and His Highness!" The samurai commander, loyal to the eldest prince, was furious and led his elite samurai guards in formation to meet them.
Swords clashed instantly!
However, the battle was almost entirely a one-sided massacre!
The samurai were well-trained and skilled with swords. When their long swords struck the undead, they made dull "thud" sounds, easily cutting through flesh and even severing bones.
But what's terrifying is that these wounds are visibly wriggling and healing!
"Ah!" A samurai had just severed the arm of an undead man when the man slammed his head into his face, shattering his nose. Then, the remaining hand gripped his throat tightly, and the sound of bones breaking was chilling.
"Monsters! These are monsters!"
Fear instantly spread through the ranks of samurai. They were not afraid of death, but faced with an enemy that was indestructible, impenetrable, and incapable of feeling pain, their courage crumbled rapidly in the face of physical terror.
Every swing of the Undead's claws or weapons was imbued with ferocious power. The finest armor of the samurai was like paper before them; any samurai struck were either killed or maimed!
Led by twenty berserk undead, three hundred rebels, like red-hot knives cutting into solidified butter, swiftly tore through the warrior guard's lines and charged toward the inner palace with unstoppable momentum! They left behind a trail of mutilated corpses and glaring blood.
With the desperate protection of a few trusted samurai and two pale-faced wandering ninjas, the eldest son helped the old daimyo, who was almost unable to walk and whose face was as pale as paper, retreat in a sorry state to the last and most fortified stronghold of the daimyo's mansion, the Ichishokaku.
The heavy iron gate slammed down behind them, temporarily shutting out the shouts of battle outside.
But the violent thuds coming from the gate, like battering rams, and the piercing groans of twisting metal, all indicated that this last barrier wouldn't hold for long either.
"Father—hold on!"
The eldest son settled his elderly father on a soft couch in the center of the attic, then drew his sword and stood guard at the top of the stairs, his face pale but resolute. He was left with fewer than ten wounded samurai and two wandering ninjas whose chakra was almost depleted.
An atmosphere of despair permeated the narrow space.
The eldest son coughed violently, his cloudy old eyes staring at the crumbling gate, then at his eldest son standing in front of him with a knife. His lips trembled, and finally, he let out a long sigh filled with sorrow and regret.
Outside the castle tower, the afterglow of the setting sun dyed the sky a poignant blood red.
The second young master stood amidst the rebel army, watching the iron gate that was constantly deforming and groaning under the onslaught of the berserk undead, a twisted and gleeful smile on his face.
Soon! Soon he will be able to step over the bones of his father and brother and ascend to that position he has always dreamed of!
Just as the iron gate was about to be completely smashed open, and the people in the attic were plunged into the deepest despair.
A streak of azure light, like lightning tearing through the blood-red twilight, shot down from the distant horizon at a speed beyond the limits of human vision!
Almost the instant the light appeared, it hovered above the castle tower!
The light subsided, revealing Taiyi's figure. He held the Blood Raven Cult Leader, who was lying on the verge of death like a dead dog, in one hand. His cold, icy light swept across the bloody battlefield below and the monsters frantically pounding on the gate.
Without uttering a single word, without even the slightest emotional fluctuation, Taiyi's chakra wings merely fluttered gently.
call out!call out!call out!call out!
Several extremely refined, almost transparent wind blades shot out silently! Their speed was so fast that the naked eye could not even catch their trajectory; only a few tiny, twisting ripples were visible in the air.
Puff! Puff! Puff! Puff!
In just a moment, the wind blades cleared a patch of open space in front of the castle tower.
The ruthless methods and domineering aura forced the Second Young Master and his men to retreat step by step, and even the irrational Undead were intimidated by this aura.
The commotion naturally attracted the attention of the eldest son inside the castle tower. When they learned that Taiyi had arrived and successfully blocked the enemy, they were overjoyed.
The heavy iron gates of the castle tower slowly opened with a tooth-grinding groan.
The eldest son stepped forward first, supporting the eldest son, who was so weak he could barely stand.
Behind him followed the few remaining, battered samurai and ninjas, their faces a mixture of relief at surviving the ordeal and shock at the horrific scene outside the door.
The eldest son immediately spotted Taiyi hovering in the air, exuding a dignified aura, and the figure in his hand whose fate was unknown.
He hurriedly stepped forward, bowed deeply, and said in a voice filled with barely suppressed excitement and gratitude, "Your Excellency Taiyi! You—"
You've arrived just in time! If it weren't for your divine power, we would be...!"
He glanced at the mess on the ground and the monster remains shattered by the wind blades, his lingering fear evident in his eyes.
Taiyi slowly descended and gently placed the Blood Raven Cult Master, which resembled a tattered sack, on the ground.
"I have fulfilled my mission." Taiyi's voice remained calm. "The leader of the Evil God Cult, Blood Raven, is here. His lair has been destroyed, and his remaining followers have been wiped out. This fiend is the murderer of the recent massacre in the Land of Hot Springs."
The light from everyone instantly focused on Blood Raven.
It's terrible, truly terrible.
But now is not the time to talk about these things.
Enraged, the eldest son waved for two warriors to step forward: "Keep a close watch on him! Use the strongest shackles!"
Just then, a hysterical scream rang out from within the rebel ranks: "No! Impossible! How could it be so fast!"
The second young master's face was ashen, his body trembling violently. He looked at the blood crow on the ground as if he had seen a vengeful ghost.
The eldest son whirled around, his gaze piercing his younger brother like lightning, his voice icy and chilling: "So it really was you! Colluding with a cult, harming the people, wreaking havoc on the nation, and now you dare to murder your father and brother! Second brother, what do you have to say for yourself?!"
Under the piercing gazes of his elder brother and father, the second young master completely broke down, roaring, "So what if it's me! This position should have been mine. You—you all deserve to die. Undying Legion! Kill them all!"
He frantically gave orders to the remaining, still restless undead.
Taiyi stepped forward, blocking the way for the eldest son and the others, and nodded slightly to the eldest son: "Now that this person has confessed, the rebellion should be quelled. Please wait a moment, Your Highness."
Before he finished speaking, he had already disappeared.
The next moment, a blue light flashed among the undead!
Dealing with these half-finished creatures who had lost their minds and were fighting solely on instinct and regeneration, he no longer needed to probe their weaknesses. He concentrated his Wind Release chakra into his short sword, and with each flash and each strike, he precisely sliced across the necks of those grayish-white monsters.
puff!puff!puff!
The sound of heads rolling off was incessant. The headless bodies convulsed and fell, and the regenerating granulation tissue writhed futilely at the severed neck for a moment before losing all vitality.
Taiyi's figure was like a grim reaper weaving through a rain of blood. Wherever he passed, the raging undead fell like harvested wheat stalks. In just a few breaths, all the monsters still active in the field had turned into a pile of dismembered remains.
The remaining rebels witnessed this terrifying scene, as if a demon had descended upon the world, and their last shred of will to resist completely collapsed. They threw down their weapons and knelt down to surrender.
The second young master was pinned to the ground by two warriors loyal to the eldest young master, his magnificent armor covered in mud, as he let out a desperate wail.
A massive rebellion crumbled instantly in the face of Matsushita Taichi's absolute power.
The blood-red sunset over Yudo City seemed to have lost some of its ferocity as the rebellion subsided.
The eldest son looked at his subdued younger brother and the kneeling rebels, and breathed a long sigh of relief. He was about to thank Taiyi and discuss the next steps.
Suddenly, one of the warriors guarding the Blood Raven Cult Leader cried out in alarm, "My lord! Something terrible has happened!"
The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw the warrior lying on the ground, his neck twisted at an odd angle, clearly dead.
The Blood Raven Cult Leader, who was lying on the ground, had vanished without a trace!
Taiyi's eyes instantly sharpened like knives, and his powerful perception spread outwards like a tidal wave. His brows furrowed deeply.
"The aura of space-time ninjutsu—someone took advantage of the chaos to rescue him." Taiichi's voice lowered, carrying a hint of solemnity. "This is—Uchiha Obito."