Chapter 73 : Kubisaki's Castle

Under the guidance of the samurai leader, Orochimaru stealthily approached the mountain. After walking for about ten minutes, he could hear the clash of swords and the shouts of people.

"You scoundrels, how dare you covet Lord Kubisaki's legacy."

"Defend Lord Kubisaki's Castle!"

A foul stench wafted from a distance, and there were several fresh corpses on the ground, indicating recent deaths.

Orochimaru concealed himself behind a large rock, observing quietly and making mental notes.

The combatants were scattered, making it difficult to discern the number of opposing camps. They fought fiercely around a massive Castle.

"The remnants of Kubisaki 's followers, clear the way immediately, or I'll send you to meet your master!"

A burly man, seemingly the leader, bellowed loudly. Over 200 individuals followed him, though their armors and emblems varied, showing signs of mixed affiliations.

"Dream on! You won't get your hands on Kubisaki-sama's legacy, we'll fight you to the end!"

Another group, seemingly heroic and likely subordinates of the Castle owner, numbered around a hundred and valiantly resisted.

"Fascinating. The master is deceased, yet these subordinates continue to battle for his sake. Why didn't they flee with their belongings sooner?"

Orochimaru studied this assembly, using his keen perception to probe their actions and expressions.

"Damn, why haven't Genjiro and the others come out yet?" The leading warrior anxiously queried one of his subordinates while fending off skirmishers.

"Lord Masamune, there's been no word from them since they entered. I signalled just now, but received no response!"

A subordinate responded with a sombre expression, "Could it be that Lord Kubisaki's grudge is still lingering, and he's toying with us?"

"Nonsense!" Masamune snapped, "That old man's been dead for two days. What nonsensical tricks could he concoct?"

"But... but..." The subordinate glanced timidly at his superior, "Don't you find it odd that Castle's location seems off? When we escaped... oh, during the retreat, someone should've stayed, but now we're back and it's eerily deserted."

The subordinate's face grew increasingly grim, his gaze fixated on the Castle behind, as if it were a devouring monster.

"Impossible!" Masamune's confidence wavered too, "Didn't we see Lord Kubisaki's remains? We were shocked at the time, but unfortunately we didn't come across his belongings. Then these individuals appeared for some unknown reason."

From a distance, Orochimaru scrutinized the Castle, an unsettling feeling taking root. The more he observed, the more foreboding it became, as if he were forgetting something.

"Logically, this Castle isn't overly extensive. A dozen people should've combed through it by now, but..."

Orochimaru's snake-like pupils took on a crimson hue, activating his sharingan. Examining the Castle once more, a revelation dawned upon him: powerful chakra fluctuations!

"What... what kind of creature is this?" Orochimaru gasped. The Castle before him was a living entity, emanating potent power, yet devoid of imminent danger.

It wasn't that the Castle lacked peril; on the contrary, entering might spell doom. However, the creature's disguise was masterful, its restraint uncanny. In the presence of hundreds engaged in combat, it remained utterly indifferent.

"This formidable entity isn't unfamiliar. Where has it surfaced before?"

Orochimaru racked his brain, employing his formidable mental acumen to unearth distant memories.

"An army surrounding the castle, Kōza Kubisaki... No way! Could this be the legendary Chameleon, Shiromari ?"

Orochimaru's realization struck like lightning. Gazing at the colossal Castle, it dawned on him.This was the famed summoning beast of Masashi Kishimoto's lore!

"Step aside, or witness the slaughter of all!" The intruders' patience waned. The legendary City of Kōza Kubisaki was within grasp. For these individuals, most of whom were mid-tier samurai's at best, this was a chance for instantaneous wealth. Acquiring new swordsmanship or ninjutsu scrolls could potentially change their fates. They were driven to a bloodlust due to greed.

Chaos erupted, the clash of steel and crimson carnage unfolded. Kubisaki's supposed subordinates could no longer withstand the onslaught.

"Dammit! We can't wait any longer! We've all been waiting here at Castle. It's inconceivable that no one's emerged for so long. Genjiro and the others must've found the treasure and intend to seize it for themselves!"

Masamune cleaved a samurai in twain with his blade, his voice a low roar, "We're all going in. Fusaki, you'll stay behind!"

Fusaki's face froze. He'd almost met his demise earlier, and now he was left as the sole survivor among over twenty individuals. Despite his misgivings, he dared not voice objection.

Masamune, with the remnants, charged forward while a dozen held their ground, willing to sacrifice themselves.

"Move aside!" Soon, several more formidable ninja surged forth with a squad, bolstering their forces. Yet, just as Fusaki stepped forward, the gateway inexplicably shut, shearing two samurai in the process. Their lower halves created a gruesome tableau, a bloodied scene of horror that stained the entryway.

"What's happening?!" The remaining warriors were taken aback. Their path to the treasures had been sealed off. Why would the door shut on its own when they were about to enter?

"It could be that there are too many inside, and Shiromari

can't consume them all at once?" Orochimaru speculated darkly. The chameleon,Shiromari, akin to a Giant Snake, devoured people.

"A fortune awaits, yet what bad luck it's turned out to be!"

A hundred warriors remained, their gazes widening in shock. Some had ventured inside the Castle, others hadn't even reached its threshold. Tension was palpable.

"Why the hesitation? Unleash your ninjutsu together, and even if we can't break it open, we'll blast the door apart!"

Finally, someone proposed, well aware that the gate was sturdy. Those versed in ninjutsu began to employ their skills, sealing the entrance.

Fusaki's heart grew cold. Though he had survived, he was the last among just twenty. With a sigh of relief, he tried to slink away.

"Frustrating, a hypocrite!"

Orochimaru's sneer punctuated his reappearance. Fusaki was stabbed in the abdomen by a ninja under Orochimaru's control. The puppet-like warrior showed no emotion.

Orochimaru emerged, placing a clawed hand on Fusaki's head. Invigorating spiritual power coursed through, and Fusaki swiftly fell beneath the crimson gaze of snake-like eyes.

"Disgusting charlatan!"

With a contemptuous toss, Orochimaru discarded Fusaki, a strange sense of relief settling upon him.

Fusaki, towering above Orochimaru, collapsed, blood spewing. He gasped for breath, seeking to voice his thoughts before passing.

This group comprised deserters and turncoats. Kōza Kubisaki, renowned for his strength, aimed to unify the Hidden Lands, creating a nation in the Land of Neck– more accurately, a small town.

Resistance ensued, alliances formed, and enemies united to bring him down. Poisoned and plotted against, Kōza Kubisaki's combat prowess dwindled. Besieged within the Castle, only loyal and desperate defenders remained at his side.

According to Orochimaru's knowledge, before his demise, Kōza Kubisaki summoned a mighty summoning beast, annihilating his foes and then disguising as the Castle.

The supposed subordinates likely returned to seize the spoils. The summoned beast, Shiromari, had eradicated the invaders, refusing to release its grip. Passing enemies or even fellow clansmen fell prey to its insatiable hunger.

With high intelligence and a vengeful nature, this summoning beast lured wave after wave of warriors to their doom, seeking retribution for its master.

**********

Support me on my patreon and read upto 30 early chapters.

https://www.patreon.com/Unique_Writer