Naruto: Eating Kaido's Azure Dragon Devil Fruit-Chapter 260: Reunion with Kitsuchi

Within the Land of Fire.

Sora stopped his steps at the edge of a relatively open valley.

The traces became clear here, and pointed inside the valley.

Sora leaped onto a large tree, hiding his form with the help of the dense branches and leaves, his gaze looking into the valley.

In the valley, several figures were resting.

They wore the standard flak jackets of Iwagakure ninja. One of them was exceptionally tall and burly, with a resolute face. It was Kitsuchi.

He was currently squatting on the ground, looking at a map, occasionally whispering something to the subordinates beside him.

’It really is him.’

Sora felt sure in his heart.

He carefully observed the Iwa-nin beside Kitsuchi. There were four in total. Judging from their chakra fluctuations and bearing, they were all elite jonin level.

One quasi-Kage level? Four jonin... This squad’s composition is quite high.

Sora noticed that Kitsuchi’s chakra fluctuations were a bit stronger than before. His strength was estimated to be at the initial Kage level standard.

His mind raced, thinking of a strategy.

Charge forward directly for a head-on fight?

Given his current strength, he naturally was not afraid.

But if the other side was determined to escape, especially a ninja like Kitsuchi who was proficient in Earth Release, it would be somewhat troublesome to keep them all here.

It would be best to kill with one strike, or at least severely injure Kitsuchi, breaking down most of their combat power.

Just as Sora was thinking about tactics, Kitsuchi in the valley seemed to sense something. He suddenly raised his head, scanning the surroundings of the valley, finally slowly fixing his gaze in the general direction where Sora was hiding.

’Hmm? His perception is very sharp.’

Sora thought to himself. As expected of an Iwa elite.

"Be on guard!"

Kitsuchi shouted sternly, his voice echoing in the valley.

The other four Iwagakure jonin reacted extremely quickly. In an instant, they formed a defensive formation back-to-back.

Seeing that his tracks were already exposed, Sora no longer hid.

He slowly descended from the tree canopy and stood steadily not far in front of Kitsuchi’s squad.

"Who are you?!"

An Iwagakure jonin shouted sharply.

Kitsuchi raised his hand to stop his subordinate. His gaze was fixed on the Azure Dragon mask on Sora’s face and the calm, unrippled eyes behind the mask.

A memory from several years ago suddenly surfaced in his mind.

That Anbu with the monkey mask at the medical base where Tsunade was, who opened the Eight Gates, and withstood his Rock Fist.

Although the mask was different, that kind of look in the eyes, and the faintly discernible physique aura, made him instantly confirm the identity of the newcomer.

"It’s you..."

Kitsuchi’s voice carried a trace of gravity. "That Anbu protecting Tsunade a few years ago... I never expected you have already grown to this extent."

"Konoha’s Azure Dragon."

Kitsuchi uttered word by word this title that had rapidly risen during the Third Great Ninja War and had already spread throughout every ninja village.

Sora did not speak, just quietly watched Kitsuchi. An invisible pressure spread out like a tide.

Kitsuchi’s heart sank.

Konoha’s Azure Dragon.

That monster who reportedly faced the Third Raikage head-on at the Land of Lightning’s border.

Why is he here?

And found them so precisely?

This mission was top secret. Their movements were extremely careful. They were actually discovered?

And the one who came was a powerhouse of this level.

The mission... is probably completely failed.

Now the most important thing is not to complete the mission, but how to survive... Or, let his subordinates survive as much as possible.

"So it is the esteemed ’Konoha’s Azure Dragon,’ renowned throughout the ninja world."

Kitsuchi forcefully suppressed the shock in his heart, trying to buy time with conversation. "May I ask why you have blocked our path? What instructions do you have?" 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Sora said plainly:

"Kitsuchi, Iwagakure high-ranking official, son of the Tsuchikage. Without permission, you trespass into the Land of Fire... You tell me, why am I here?"

"Moreover, you Iwagakure seem to owe me some things."

Kitsuchi frowned tightly. "Owe you things? What do you mean?"

"Yumi, Ayumi."

Sora slowly uttered two names. "My comrades, captured by your Iwagakure during a mission... To this day, their remains are nowhere to be found."

His words carried a trace of suppressed anger and hatred, perfectly playing the role of a Konoha ninja who came for revenge because his comrades were "killed."

Hearing this, a flash of astonishment crossed Kitsuchi’s face.

He had no impression of these two names.

Iwagakure captured quite a few Konoha ninjas during the war. The methods of handling were also... He could not confirm whether what the other said was true. It could also be an excuse the other side casually found to take action.

But regardless, the other side’s killing intent was real.

"In war, life and death are fated."

Kitsuchi said gravely. "Isn’t it too far-fetched for you, Azure Dragon, to use this as a reason?"

"Farfetched?"

Sora gave a cold laugh. "For me, this is the reason. Today, you will stay here."

Before the words fell, the aura around Sora suddenly changed. Powerful chakra mixed with a faint, if discernible, dragon’s might swept forth.

Kitsuchi’s face changed drastically. Knowing the negotiation had broken down with no room for further discussion.

His hand behind his back quickly made a gesture for dispersing and breaking out.

Seeing this gesture, the faces of the four Iwagakure jonin instantly turned pale.

They understood the captain’s meaning. He was going to sacrifice himself to buy them a slim chance of survival.

"Captain!"

A young jonin couldn’t help but exclaim in a low voice, his eyes filled with struggle and unwillingness.

"Execute the order!"

Kitsuchi roared in a low voice. His massive chakra burst forth without reservation. His hands rapidly formed hand seals.

"Earth Release, Mountain Sandwich Technique!"

Rumble!

The rock walls on both sides of the valley seemed to come alive. Huge hemispherical rock blocks rapidly formed, carrying the momentum to crush everything, closing in fiercely towards Sora from both sides.

The imposing manner was terrifying, enough to crush anyone trapped inside into pulp.

For this attack, Kitsuchi used his full strength. But his goal was not to kill, but to trap, to block Sora even for a moment.

"Go!"

Kitsuchi roared again.

The four Iwagakure jonin clenched their teeth, tears in their eyes. But they knew this was the chance their captain created with his life. They absolutely must not waste it.

The four instantly shot out in four different directions like electricity, pushing their speed to the limit.

Facing the huge rocks attacking from left and right, the look in Sora’s eyes beneath the mask showed not the slightest fluctuation.

"Minor tricks."

He simply raised his right fist, covered with dragon scales. Chakra instantly condensed.

"Super Strength!"

A punch was thrown out. It seemed ordinary, but contained the power to shatter mountains and split rocks.

Boom!!!!!

In the deafening explosive sound, the hard rock that could trap an ordinary Kage-level ninja was actually shattered by his single punch.

Kitsuchi’s pupils constricted violently. Although he was mentally prepared, seeing the other so effortlessly break his powerful ninjutsu with his own eyes, a tidal wave of shock still surged in his heart.

This power... is even more terrifying than the rumors.

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