Chapter 153 : Takeshi vs Chiyo

Chiyo's body chakra was regenerating at an astonishing pace. Under Takeshi's scrutinizing Byakugan, her meridians were abnormally active, and an emerald flame surged forth.

"Sister, cease this now, the cost is too steep!"

Ebizō, though outwardly composed, hurriedly rushed over, attempting to intervene, but was roughly thrown aside by Chiyo.

"Don't obstruct me, you fool! Sometimes one must sacrifice. A fraction of life for eliminating future's trouble is acceptable."

Chiyo struck her abdomen with her palm. Escaping chakra revitalized her injuries, and her previously weakened demeanor regained its ferocity, astonishing even Tsushima, who had battled her before.

"This ninjutsu is indeed remarkable, yet the greater the power, the greater the toll it extracts. Do you deem us worth this sacrifice?" Takeshi mused in surprise at the Jutsu's effects.

"This is a forbidden technique I created—forcing an over expenditure of vitality to mend injuries and restore chakra," Chiyo retorted coldly towards Takeshi's group. "I've named it the 'Limit of Life'. Today, be it Senju wielding Wood Release or you, I won't let you escape!"

"Oh? A pre-reincarnated ninjutsu? Chiyo truly displays versatile talents, worthy of being Tsunade's archrival," Takeshi reflected inwardly.

Chiyo unfurled a scroll once more, conjuring three humanoid puppets donned in white robes.

"White Secret Technique: The Chikamatsu Collection of Ten Puppets!"

In this state, Chiyo unveiled nearly all her prowess, manipulating five of the ten puppets from Chikamatsu!

"Leave them to me!"

The five puppets each brandished a unique weapon, from serrated protrusions extending from their forms to chains linked to vertebrae, sharp runners, and slender blades.

Their movements defied the constraints of human combatants, akin to specters surging forth, zeroing in on their targets. Merely five, yet their onslaught bore an invincible slaughterous aura.

"Puppetry Art: Rhino Horn Charge!"

Ebizō, rueful for his previous restraint, now gave his all. Unfurling a scroll, he summoned forth an intense lightning engulfing a lizard puppet. Lightning intermingled with the puppet's body armor, sprouting numerous spikes and sickle-wing blades. The puppet lunged at Takeshi and the others with incongruous swiftness.

"Fall back!"

Tsushima swiftly resorted to Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall to craft a shield, while the approaching sand ninjas demanded attention. Unexpectedly, Tsushima stumbled mid-step, barely recovering his balance.

"Poisoned," Takeshi sighed. Necessity dictated that he unveil more of his abilities sooner than he intended.

"Boom!"

Unperturbed, the lightning-charged lizard puppet breached Earth Wall's defense, prompting Nightingale to strain her dwindling chakra. "Wood Release: Great Forest Wall!"

A mélange of violet and green vines erupted, coalescing into a colossal net ensnaring the lizard puppet. The puppet struggled, momentarily trapped within the tenacious vines—a defense resilient to physical assaults.

Seizing the moment, Takeshi summoned a large snake, its maw poised to devour all.

However, this maw, reeking of decay, was oddly welcoming to Tiger and company. Without instruction, they willingly entered.

"Using summoned beasts to escape, are we?" Shadow mused, deducing their intent. Their decision unanimous, all entered the snake's belly.

"Escape won't be so simple!"

Chiyo's quintet of puppets effortlessly sundered Nightingale's vine barrier with their lethal weaponry, advancing towards Takeshi.

Takeshi, unruffled by the departure of his comrades, faced the encroaching threat. The Kusanagi blade blazed with brilliance as Takeshi soared aloft. Blood-red chakra enveloped him, entering Sage Mode. Defiantly, he confronted Chiyo's puppets, unafraid.

"Crack, crackle, crackle!"

Within mere seconds, hundreds of exchanges transpired. Nightingale perceived only glimmers of cold light amid the tumultuous clash—scattered shards of the sole remnants.

"They're formidable opponents," Nightingale marveled. Takeshi, while seemingly unscathed, showed signs of exertion. This intensified swordplay thoroughly tested his Sage Mode's limits.

Across the field, the five white-robed puppets emerged unscathed, bearing weapons now worn from battling Kusanagi's edge. They'd need replacing.

Chiyo's countenance remained frigid. Her chakra continued to blaze, while concealed among the puppets, diminutive forms drew near. Chiyo gripped a chakra-laden orb, its aura enigmatic, a portent of impending danger.

"Brace yourselves. Black Snake, let's retreat!"

Nightingale's desperate cry resonated. She'd not abide witness to Takeshi's demise.

However, the moment everyone sought refuge within the snake's gullet, the creature devoured them, guided by Nightingale's compulsion.

"Curses...!"

"Too late! None shall escape!"

A smug grin adorned Chiyo's visage. She'd foreseen their escape attempt via summoned creatures. Her countermeasure—a potent jutsu—hurtled forth in chakra-infused form.

"Y'all, depart post haste. I shall manage on my own," Takeshi addressed his comrades, gaze affixed to the chakra sphere. Instinct whispered of its ominous touch.

Creating distance, Takeshi's finger met his lip, drawing blood that splattered the ground as he launched himself backward.

"Crack—!"

A colossal portal erupted from earth's bowels. Neither metal nor wood composed its imposing frame, but an eerie visage sculpted its facade. A fierce lion countenance clamped shut, fangs sinking into an imaginary prey—Takeshi.

Concurrently, the colossal snake reconfigured into smoke, bearing Tsushima and the surviving Anbu away.

Lion fangs clamped onto the Rashomon, and an intricate sealing jutsu surged—constricting, suppressing. The Rashomon crumbled to ethereal mist, the summoning link fractured.

"Sister, it seems I couldn't give chase," Ebizō's lizard puppet manifested behind Takeshi, launching an abrupt strike against his back.

"Pfft—!"

Even Takeshi's robust physique succumbed to Ebizō's formidable puppet assault. A spurt of blood heralded his airborne trajectory, as he careened through a colossal boulder and plowed a deep trench into the earth. Eventually, he was swallowed by the ensuing debris.

"Damn! I don't require your input!"

Gazing at the vanishing giant snake, Chiyo trembled with smoldering anger. The imminent eruption of her suppressed fury was palpable.

Her desperate sacrifice to activate the forbidden technique, trading life force, had been rendered futile. The seven apertures on her visage emitted plumes of distressing smoke.

Takeshi's swift reaction caught her off guard. It was as if he'd anticipated her actions, and his unconventional employment of spiritual manipulation to evade was a perplexing novelty, deviating from her expectations.

Though this operation marred Konoha's triumph, it unveiled Ebizō's concealed prowess and inflicted considerable losses upon Sand's shinobi forces. A blow to our army's morale was inevitable.

The exorbitant price paid only to witness the enemy's complete withdrawal brewed a profound sense of disgrace.

Wait, there remains another individual...

A Rashomon jutsu user—a significant figure within Konoha, presumably?

Leisurely emerging from the rubble, Takeshi reinstated his dislocated neck with a forceful twist, expelling an expletive-laden exhalation.

His resilience against purely physical assaults was evident.

"Next, my battle begins!"

With the Kusanagi blade held steadfastly, Takeshi exuded an aura of combat readiness. His serpent-like eyes flickered with determination.

"Orochimaru, are you prepared?"