Konoha cat breeder

Chapter 119: The Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu

"Such powerful lightning chakra!"

Kichiro, watching Tonari consume the mysterious pill, had no idea of its effects but couldn't help noticing the overwhelming surge of lightning chakra surrounding him.

"Argh!"

The next second, as the pill's effects erupted within his body, the sheer intensity of the stimulation left Tonari momentarily unable to control himself. He screamed out as electricity coursed through him.

The uncontrollable lightning arcs obliterated the incoming wind blades, even dissipating Kichiro's wind walls. The faint smell of burnt flesh filled the air.

This time, the charred scent wasn't metaphorical. Tonari's skin darkened in places, cracking and flaking as if it were about to fall apart. However, beneath the damage, streaks of azure chakra coursed through his veins, creating an uncanny balance between destruction and regeneration.

"Finally... I'm starting to adjust..." Tonari exhaled deeply, releasing a cloud of darkened breath. Despite the excruciating pain, a faint smile tugged at his lips.

The world around him slowed as his senses sharpened. He could almost feel the rhythm of the lightning dancing around him, as if it were alive, responding to his command.

With a sudden burst of speed, Tonari vanished from his spot, leaving only a scorched trail on the ground.

---

Kichiro's eyes widened as he struggled to follow the blur of lightning streaking toward him.

A second later, blood blossomed from his shoulder. Despite his attempts to block, he had failed to keep up with Tonari's newfound speed.

"Is this... the Lightning Chakra Mode of the Hidden Cloud Village?"

The bitter realization sent chills through Kichiro's spine. His opponent was no longer playing by the same rules.

Gritting his teeth, he summoned his chakra and condensed it into a wind chakra blade, its green glow shimmering ominously.

"Even if I can't match your speed, I'll cut you down when you strike!"

---

Tonari didn't stop.

His lightning-imbued short blade cut through the battlefield like a streak of silver lightning, leaving trails of carnage in its wake. He was a predator, and the battlefield was his domain.

But Kichiro wasn't without skill. He endured Tonari's strikes, focusing on observing the rhythm of his attacks. Each time Tonari closed in, Kichiro adjusted, countering with increasingly precise movements.

"I've got you now!" Kichiro roared, lunging forward as Tonari struck. His hand twisted unnaturally, catching Tonari's wrist in an iron grip.

His wind chakra blade surged forward, aiming straight for Tonari's neck.

The blade sliced cleanly through—

Only for Kichiro to realize his mistake.

Blood didn't spray from the wound. Instead, the severed "Tonari" dissolved into a pool of water.

"A Water Clone?!"

Before Kichiro could react, a cold voice whispered behind him.

"I know ninjutsu too, you know."

---

Squelch!

A lightning-coated blade pierced through Kichiro's chest, precisely striking his heart.

The surge of electricity coursed through his body, paralyzing him entirely.

Kichiro's eyes widened as his vision blurred. His chakra flow slowed, and he gasped for breath.

The once-proud jonin collapsed, his life extinguished.

---

Tonari let out a shaky sigh, withdrawing his blade from the fallen jonin. His body trembled, his injuries and the pill's side effects taking their toll.

He fell to his knees, gasping for air. The lightning surrounding him dimmed, and the blue-purple pill's effects began to fade.

Around him, the Sand ninja hesitated. Though their numbers were superior, they hesitated to approach, wary of Tonari's deadly capabilities.

"I can't afford to rest now..." Tonari muttered to himself, forcing his legs to support his weight.

---

As the residual lightning dissipated, Tonari noticed something peculiar. A faint thread of electricity lingered on his fingertips, sparking weakly.

"Is this... my own lightning chakra?"

For the first time, Tonari realized that the pill's effects had altered his body. His cells, battered by the extreme stimulation, had adapted. He could now generate lightning chakra of his own.

Excitement surged through him, momentarily dulling his pain.

"Just as Orochimaru theorized... pushing the body beyond its limits really does unlock new potential. Still, this method isn't for the faint of heart."

Tonari's brief moment of triumph ended when he noticed the Sand ninja regrouping, preparing to attack again.

"Damn it... I guess the real fight is just beginning."

---

Tonari tightened his grip on his blade. He wouldn't go down without a fight.

---

Suddenly, an ominous voice echoed through the forest.

"White Secret Technique: Chikamatsu's Ten Puppets!"

The air shifted as ten white-cloaked puppets emerged from the shadows, their movements eerily fluid.

Nine of them charged toward Tsunade, while the remaining one advanced on Tonari.

With a resounding clash, the puppet's massive blade met Tonari's short sword.

The force of the impact sent Tonari skidding backward, his arms trembling from the sheer power.

"What the... this puppet's strength..."

---

From the treeline, a short, elderly woman in a brown robe stepped forward, her fingers deftly controlling the puppets.

The Sand ninja around her bowed slightly in respect.

"Elder Chiyo!"

---

Tsunade's expression darkened as she recognized the newcomer.

"Chiyo... I should've known you'd show up."

The two women locked eyes, the weight of their past battles hanging in the air.

Chiyo sneered. "Still relying on brute strength, Tsunade? Let's see how well that serves you against my Ten Puppets."

Tsunade cracked her knuckles. "Bring it on, old hag."

---

As the two legends prepared to clash, Tonari stepped back, his gaze shifting to the puppets and the Sand ninja surrounding him.

"Great... just what I needed."

But before he could act, Tsunade's voice called out.

"Tonari, fall back and regroup with the others. I'll handle Chiyo."

Reluctantly, Tonari nodded, retreating toward the remaining Leaf ninja.

The battle was far from over.

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(Chapter End)

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