269. Acting as Tobi

The sudden display of Izumi's ability to create cold nitrogen gas left the team members puzzled, and their curiosity was evident. Tabane was the first to voice her questions, her inquisitive nature shining through.

"Is that Ice Release?" Tabane asked, her tone filled with curiosity. "But Ice Release is exceptionally rare and typically requires a Kekkei Genkai user or someone with specific talents. You didn't seem to have that talent previously, Izumi-chan, and you didn't use any hand seals either."

The others nodded in agreement, intrigued by this newfound capability.

Izumi scratched his head, attempting to clarify as he said, "Uh, didn't I tell you? I created an explosion after generating hydrogen. Remember when we defeated Potimas in the underground laboratory in the previous world?"

As Izumi recalled the past event, Tabane, Kuroneko, Rory, and Hiiro also recollected the occurrence. Their memories resurfaced, but at the time, they hadn't attributed it to his Devil Fruit power.

Tabane, sporting a thoughtful expression, remarked, "I do remember that explosion, but I didn't connect it to your Devil Fruit power at the time. But, you didn't tell us."

Kuroneko nodded in agreement, saying, "Same here. I thought it was just some unique ability."

Rory chimed in with her usual enthusiasm, "Well, it seems you have even more tricks up your sleeve, Izumi."

Hiiro, as the observant member of the group, offered his perspective, "Your abilities are indeed becoming more versatile. It's quite intriguing."

The other members couldn't help but be impressed by Izumi's versatile Devil Fruit power. It wasn't limited to just manipulating wind, but also had the capacity to create and control gasses. This adaptability in his abilities was seen as a valuable asset, enhancing their effectiveness in a variety of situations.

(AN: which is right: gasses or gases?)

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Around an hour later, Izumi's heightened senses allowed him to detect the approach of several incoming presences. His experience and intuition led him to a firm conclusion: these were likely the ninjas from Sunagakure, the ones they had anticipated.

He turned to the rest of the group, his expression focused and ready. "They're here," he announced.

The team members rose to their feet, each one preparing themselves to meet the approaching Sunagakure ninjas. In an effort to maintain their disguises and protect their identities, everyone except Kisame took measures to conceal their faces by donning hoods or masks.

As the group of Sunagakure ninjas arrived at the ruins, they were met with the sight of the team members, who had just deliberately walked outside. The leader of the Sunagakure group, showing signs of caution and curiosity, voiced the question that was on all of their minds.

"Who are you all?" the ninja inquired, uncertain about the identity and intentions of the figures who had emerged from the ancient ruins.

With his swirling pattern mask concealing his face, Izumi adopted a playful demeanor reminiscent of Tobi, one of the enigmatic members of the Akatsuki. He spoke in a lighthearted and somewhat mischievous tone as he addressed the Sunagakure ninjas as he approached them closely.

Tilting his head slightly and using a tone that carried an air of jest, he responded, "Oh, you don't recognize us? We're just humble travelers exploring these ancient ruins. Nothing to worry about, we're not here to cause any trouble, I promise."

His words were delivered with a touch of theatricality.

The Sunagakure ninjas, their suspicion heightened by the chakra disturbance they sensed from the ruins, couldn't help but feel a growing sense of frustration as they perceived Izumi's playful demeanor. Their patience was wearing thin, and their leader voiced their increasing irritation.

The ninja leader's tone was firm and direct as they responded, "This is no time for games. We sensed a disturbance of chakra from these ruins, and we demand to know who you are and what your business is here."

Maintaining his playful demeanor, Izumi responded with a mischievous tone, "Oh, a disturbance, you say? My, my, how exciting! But don't you worry, we're just here to enjoy the view and soak up some history. No need for any trouble, really."

His words carried a sense of nonchalance, as if he was treating the situation as a mere curiosity rather than a matter of significance.

The leader of the Sunagakure ninjas, sensing that the situation was growing increasingly tense, swiftly gestured to their fellow ninjas in a coordinated manner. With a series of hand signals and nonverbal cues, they communicated their intention to launch an attack, signaling for their comrades to act in unison.

In response to this silent command, the other ninjas of the group moved with remarkable synchronization. Each of them unleashed their ninjutsu in a choreographed assault, directing their techniques toward Izumi, who stood before them in his Tobi disguise.

The group of Sunagakure ninjas launched a combination of elemental jutsu, creating a flurry of fire, wind, and earth-based attacks. The desert sky was briefly illuminated with the vibrant colors and effects of their ninjutsu as they aimed to overwhelm Izumi with their coordinated assault.

As the Sunagakure ninjas unleashed their coordinated attack, they were met with an unexpected turn of events. Izumi, utilizing the Logia-type abilities granted by his Devil Fruit power, swiftly shaped his body to become intangible, resembling the wind itself. This transformation rendered him impervious to the elemental ninjutsu aimed at him.

The attacks passed through him harmlessly, and the ninja's efforts seemed to have no effect on Izumi. The encounter had taken an intriguing twist, leaving the Sunagakure ninjas bewildered as their attacks failed to make an impact.

The Sunagakure ninjas, witnessing Izumi's uncanny ability to render himself intangible and impervious to their attacks, found themselves at a loss for words. They exchanged bewildered glances, struggling to comprehend what had just transpired before their eyes.

One of them finally managed to mutter, "This... It can't be real, can it?" The others echoed this disbelief, finding it nearly impossible to accept that their coordinated assault had been met with such an inexplicable outcome.

Izumi, still maintaining his playful demeanor, couldn't resist a hint of amusement in his voice as he responded, "Well, it's my turn now, isn't it?" With a lighthearted tone, he emphasized the role he was playing, keeping the atmosphere playful and enigmatic.

With his Devil Fruit power granting him the upper hand in evading elemental attacks, Izumi took advantage of the situation. He swiftly created two shadow clones, effectively tripling his presence on the battlefield, before engaging the Sunagakure ninjas in close combat.

Izumi's approach shifted from evading to utilizing his impressive physical strength. He closed the distance between himself and the group of 15 ninjas, launching a flurry of precise and powerful strikes. His speed and combat prowess made it difficult for the ninjas to keep up, leaving them in a challenging and chaotic confrontation.

Izumi, with his impressive physical strength and combat skills, swiftly and decisively took on the group of Sunagakure ninjas.

In a flurry of precise strikes and acrobatic movements, Izumi incapacitated the ninjas one by one. His movements were fluid and seemingly effortless, and his Logia-type intangibility allowed him to effortlessly evade their counterattacks.

The battle was short-lived as Izumi and his shadow clones overpowered their opponents. With a combination of strength, agility, and the element of surprise, they swiftly defeated the Sunagakure ninjas, leaving them incapacitated and bewildered.

Izumi, having defeated the Sunagakure ninjas, briefly took on an ominous demeanor, as if he were about to deal a final blow. However, in a sudden change of behavior, he stopped in his tracks and stood still, his expression shifting from aggression to one of deep concentration.

It was as if he were receiving a telepathic communication that commanded his attention. The Sunagakure ninjas, though defeated, observed this sudden change with confusion, unsure of what was transpiring.

Izumi, continuing his enigmatic role, pretended to make contact with someone telepathically. His demeanor suggested that he was receiving a message or communication from an unseen source. His eyes took on a distant and focused look, as if he was engaged in a mental conversation.

The dialogue Izumi conveyed in this telepathic act included a series of cryptic statements:

"Yes, I understand. We'll handle it accordingly."

"Don't worry; we'll keep our cover intact."

"The plan is in motion."

"Of course, we won't attract unwanted attention."

"We'll continue our journey. Over and out."

Izumi, after completing his cryptic telepathic act, regrouped with the rest of them and abruptly disappeared from the location. The Sunagakure ninjas, already bewildered by the strange turn of events and their encounter with these mysterious individuals, were left even more confounded by Izumi's sudden vanishing act.

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