Chapter 149 Explosion

"Hehe, hehe..."

Logan looked curiously at Jinpachi, whom he had pinned to the ground with his other hand.

"That guy is dead." A few drops of blood splashed on Jinpachi's face, and the smile on his face was dry and eerie.

"Don't worry, I won't be giving you any last words." Logan replied, shaking the blood and flesh off Shimizu. Without the blood and flesh, the blade was as pristine as ever.

"Dead, huh? That's good." Jinpachi didn't look at Logan at all, still staring at the corpse next to him.

A severed neck, a broken long sword.

The always brutal Jinpachi seemed oddly detached, as if he had found some peace after completing his final technique.

His past life flashed briefly before his eyes. The companions and swords he had never cared about were shattered, just like a story that should have ended long ago and the illusion was finally shattered by reality.

He had mixed feelings about it.

Logan sensed something was off. Why did this guy suddenly become so poetic? With a quick glance, he felt a chill down his spine.

"Even in death, I would still try to drag you down with me." Jinpachi muttered as he let go of his explosive sword. His expression twisted with rage, directed at the Konoha Ninja who had defeated him.

"This is the ultimate explosive technique that will destroy this sword! You..."

'As expected, this lunatic wants to take me down with him even in death!'

Shibuki lying on one side suddenly began to tremble violently, as if something furious inside was struggling to break free.

Logan had no interest in listening to Jinpachi's final words. He stepped back quickly, but as he turned, he saw from the corner of his eye the explosive sword breaking apart, emitting countless blinding lights from its cracks.

Instantly, the sense of danger he felt spiked intensely.

'It's bad…'

Logan only had time to take one step, using Lightning Release to stimulate his cells to their limits.

The wind rushed past, and the scenery blurred rapidly. But within moments, a massive shockwave and heat engulfed him from behind.

Boom!

A brilliant light filled his vision, uprooting trees and plants in all directions. It felt like the transition from 3D to 2D, then to black and white, and finally complete obliteration.

A small mushroom cloud rose into the sky.

…

On the other side, the battle had just ended, and the remaining water from the Water Release Ninjutsu was everywhere, and traces of being washed away by the rushing water could be seen on many broken tree trunks.

Drip, drip...

Naruto and Sasuke helped each other up from a pile of wet branches and leaves, "So this is the strength of a Jonin?"

The fight between Kakashi and the so-called Demon Zabuza had been equally intense and terrifying, far beyond what they, fresh graduates from the Ninja Academy, had imagined.

"Sakura, are you okay?" Naruto turned to look back, feeling the weight on his shoulder, and realized he was leaning on Sasuke, 'Damn, why am I shoulder to shoulder with this bastard Sasuke?'

"I'm fine." Sakura coughed, clearly affected by the overwhelming water flow from earlier, but her little hand was still holding tightly on her client, Tazuna, "Tazuna-san is also okay."

Tazuna, who was over fifty years old, was so dizzy by the Great Waterfall Technique, but he was still conscious and able to walk.

"How's Kakashi-sensei?"

Sasuke staggered and regained his balance. He also gave Naruto a look of disgust and disinterest. Although he was injured, he still stood up straight.

"Kakashi-sensei won. He's up ahead..."

"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto energetically greeted him from a short distance away.

Sasuke glanced at the smiling Naruto without showing any emotion. Both of them had sustained similar injuries while rescuing Kakashi from the Water Prison, but…

'He recovered so quickly...'

Naruto bounced over a few steps as Kakashi, with his left eye closed, walked over weakly, "Well, the enemy has been dealt with."

Kakashi glanced at his three students, each bearing various degrees of injury, standing amidst the disarray of water. Just now, they had experienced their first 'super-level' Ninja battle without fleeing or relying on luck. They courageously get involved and work as a team.

Kakashi felt that Team 7 in front of him seemed different now.

"Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, you did well." Kakashi said with a smile in his eye, "I'm very pleased."

"Of course we did! I told you I'd fight well!" Naruto was stunned for a moment and then smiled proudly, put his hands on his hips, and adjusted his forehead protector.

"Zabuza's body has been taken away by the pursuing Kirigakure's assassination units. Let's go see how the battle on Hattori's side is going." Kakashi's tone lightened as he looked toward the dense forest, "He is facing two of the Seven Swordsmen alone. The pressure must be immense. He might need our help, but since the Kirigakure's assassination unit has arrived, perhaps that side..."

In the middle of his words, Kakashi suddenly stopped speaking, as something caught his attention.

"Everyone, get down!" Kakashi shouted quickly as a spot of light gradually expanded and exploded in his vision. Kakashi held his body, which is worn from using the Sharingan excessively.

Just as he pressed the still-celebrating Naruto to the ground, the shockwave hit, and the aftermath of the explosion swept over them, sending Team 7 and Tazuna flying again.

"Ugh."

Despite protecting his vital areas and rolling twice, Sasuke still felt the pain of slightly damaged internal organs. However, a more urgent concern immediately filled his heart. Pushing aside his discomfort, he looked towards the now-charred forest, his hand gripping the dirt tightly.

"Hattori!"

Kakashi struggled to stand, but collapsed halfway. The side effects of using his Sharingan, combined with Chakra and physical exhaustion, were overwhelming. The explosion's shockwave just now obviously triggered his suppressed fatigue and injuries. Reaching out, Kakashi tried to say something but fell over.

Naruto felt the weight on his body, but before he could even say any complaints, he felt agitated.

"Whoa! Kakashi-sensei, what's wrong? Sakura, Sasuke, come quick! Kakashi-sensei fainted! Ugh..."

The two teachers of Team 7 have now fallen into a not-so-good situation.

…

It was too late to take another step, too late to form hand seals and use the Forbidden Technique, Rashomon.

As he felt his body being torn apart and the light filling his consciousness, Logan couldn't help but feel regret in his heart.

Fortunately, just as hope seemed lost, a line of small text appeared in the corner of his vision.

[To be continued…]

The world suddenly turned upside down.

Check out my new novel, the title is: Starts In Konoha: Unlocking Shadow Clone.

Just click my profile, and look for my uploaded novel..