Chapter 538 : Uncharacteristic Obsession

The graveyard and the area around it were soon covered in mist. Fujin didn't bother stopping it as the jutsu was pretty much useless against him. Yet, he was surprised as he wondered, 'Is Raiga confident in being able to detect me in such dense mist? Does that kid have more capabilities other than controlling that red dust?

I still don't understand what that red dust can do. I thought that it might be something similar to Gaara but that doesn't seem to be the case. Also, why does Raiga care so much for him? It is so uncharacteristic for him to be so concerned. I initially assumed that it might be a relationship similar to Zabuza and Haku but that doesn't seem to be the case. Though there is a chance that he might just be acting. Oh well, I'll find out all the answers soon.'

A thick mist cover engulfed the entire area. Fujin changed his location and activated his chakra field and Space Time Sensing Technique. What he sensed surprised him once again! With his chakra field, Fujin sensed 16 chakra signatures gathered in groups of 2 or 3. However, with his Space Time Sensing Technique, he detected just one disturbance. And, his chakra field couldn't detect any chakra signature at that place. It was the first time Fujin had gotten two completely opposite results from his two sensing techniques!

6 Shadow Clones appeared around Fujin. They flickered to investigate those 16 chakra signatures. Meanwhile, Raiga asked, "Where is he, Ranmaru?"

Ranmaru nervously replied, "I can feel that he is sensing us but he hasn't been able to find us. However, I can't detect him anymore. I can't hear any sound from him."

Ranmaru was confused. He didn't understand what was happening with this opponent. It was the first time he had experienced something like this. On the other hand, Raiga was easily able to understand due to his vast experience. He figured out, 'Ranmaru was able to hear him earlier because he didn't bother reducing the noise of his movements while fighting against me.

However, in the mist, he is paying special attention to ensure that his movements are as quiet as possible. It's the good old hunting in the mist then. That said, I need to be careful. Something about him feels off. It's as if he is hiding something. I also don't understand why he threw the kunai around when I used Lightning Strike Armor.'

Raiga changed his position as well. Though Ranmaru wasn't much help, he had decades of experience in fighting in the mist. It far exceeded Fujin's total experience. If not for the Space Time Sensing Technique, Fujin would have been at a disadvantage in the mist as long as he didn't use Wind jutsus.

Fujin's clones reached the chakra signatures Fujin had sensed. As expected, there wasn't anyone there. Instead, red dust was present there. His clones analyzed, 'I see, the red dust can cloud my judgment of chakra. It can create fake chakra signatures and can probably hide the real chakra signatures as well. No wonder my chakra field didn't sense their real bodies. Still… This ability means that they think that I can't sense them, hehe.'

Fujins's clones dispelled themselves and sent the memories back to him. A smile appeared on his face as he muttered, 'You didn't think that you'd become the prey in this hunting ground you created, did you Raiga?'

Fujin stealthily moved towards Raiga. Since he still hadn't been attacked in the mist, Fujin was sure that Raiga couldn't sense him. Even so, Fujin knew that he couldn't overdo it. If he built up his chakra, Raiga would feel it easily. Even without it, an experienced ninja like Raiga would have a very high sense of danger. So, Fujin knew that he would have only one chance of ambushing. If he failed, then Raiga would disperse the mist, understanding his disadvantageous position.

Raiga was moving stealthily in the mist to find signs of Fujin. Unknown to him, Fujin appeared just a few meters behind him. Fujin pointed the Blade of the Thunder Spirit at him. In an instant, a Lightning Blade appeared and extended straight ahead for 10 meters!

Raiga was completely unaware of the danger. Even so, he moved his body to his left instinctively. The Lightning Blade pierced through the right side of his abdomen, electrocuting him and burning the organs that it passed through. At the same time, a bloodcurdling scream was heard! It came from Ranmaru whose right leg had been pierced by the Lightning Blade. Raiga could endure the pain, but Ranmaru couldn't.

Raiga became worried for Ranmaru but understood that he couldn't afford to get distracted. He gritted his teeth and launched a Lightning ball behind him in less than a fraction of a second after he was hit. Despite his quick action, it was too slow for Fujin who anticipated and dodged the attack while getting closer to Raiga at the same time. The Lightning Blade transformed into a Lightning Whip as he swung it again at Raiga.

Raiga raised his swords to defend the attack. The Lightning Whip hit the Kiba blades. The Lightning Whip was blocked, but to Raiga's surprise, it somehow forced the Kiba blades to stay in the same spot, making it difficult for him to withdraw the blades. While he would need less than a second to free his swords, Fujin didn't give him the time. He appeared in front of him and kicked his chest.

The chakra-concentrated kick brutally damaged his chest, destroying several ribs and damaging his lungs and even his heart! He spat blood as he flew backwards leaving his blades with the Lightning Whip. Ranmaru, who was in a bag on his back, was also sent flying away from him as well.

Fujin created two Shadow Clones. One flickered to Ranmaru while the other followed Raiga. Meanwhile, Fujin observed the swords for a second before storing them in a storage scroll. His main objective for fighting Raiga had been achieved. His Akuro identity now had 3 excellent swords! The collection of his swords was actually better than what Fujin used normally!

One of Fujin's clones flickered next to Ranmaru's bag, caught it and flickered a few hundred meters. Fujin still wasn't sure what his Kekkei Genkai was. Knowing the deadly techniques that existed in the Naruto World, he wasn't interested in becoming arrogant and taking any needless risk.

His other clone flickered next to Raiga and slammed his palm on his abdomen. It caused Raiga even more pain. More importantly, the Self Cursing Seal was applied on his abdomen, restricting his movements and access to his chakra. However, instead of being concerned about his situation, Raiga's mind was focused on Ranmaru who was launched away from him. Despite being restricted by the curse seal and in great pain, he still managed to open his mouth and frantically asked, "Ranmaru! Where is Ranmaru?"

This development surprised Fujin once again. He thought, 'His personality doesn't entirely match with Konoha's intel. To think that someone as sick and bloodthirsty as him would be more concerned about a kid's life other than his own. Not to mention, that kid isn't his either.'

Raiga increasingly became more frantic. Had he not been critically injured, he might have broken the curse seal with just his will. Suddenly, he heard Fujin's voice, "Raiga Kurosuki, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist known for your brutality and bloodthirsty nature. To think that you would be so attached to a child. I have to admit, that isn't something I expected."

Fujin's eyes glowed while he talked. He was inspecting Raiga, wondering whether he was under any influence. However, he didn't find anything strange. Yet, he couldn't help but feel that something was wrong with Raiga. His obsession with the kid seemed very unnatural. He couldn't help but think, 'Don't tell me Orochimaru's fetishes have been spreading throughout Kiri. That would be a rather disturbing sight.'

Raiga couldn't care less about Fujin's confusion and kept shouting, "What did you do with Ranmaru? Bastard! Who even are you? Why did you come here to separate me and Ranmaru?"

'Unnatural… This is too unnatural!' Fujin thought. He said, "Tell me who that kid is, what his abilities are and why you are so concerned about him. If you can convince me, I'll let you meet him."

Raiga immediately said, "He is my family. He is the only one who completes me. Bring him to…"

Raiga's words were stuck in his mouth as his throat was slashed! Fujin muttered, "Since you thought about the answers, I can just find the truth myself."

Fujin placed his palm on Raiga's head and inserted Yin chakra into his brain.

In a remote village in the Land of River, which was only known for its proximity to a Gold Mine, Raiga Kurosuki, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, met his end! It was the second one who had fallen by Fujin's blade!

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