Chapter 17: Terrifying Pressure of a Higher Being, Initial Manifestation of Senjutsu!

Chapter 17: Terrifying Pressure of a Higher Being, Initial Manifestation of Senjutsu!

Ishihara understood one clear point: although he grew up from infancy in the eyes of others, in reality, his body reverted to that of a baby, and he was merely repeating the process of growing up. Unconsciously, he had already returned to his seventeen or eighteen-year-old appearance. Ishihara couldn't help but feel a bit lost for a moment.

"He didn't form any hand seals just now?!"

"It's a water-style ninjutsu we've never seen before!"

Kakashi and Itachi both whispered, exchanging glances, their eyes trembling. To cast such a high-level ninjutsu with a mere wave of a hand, without forming seals, was unheard of, even compared to the First Hokage's clasping hands technique.

After being baptized by natural energy, Ishihara's senses had greatly improved. He was quickly alerted by their whispered conversation. Ignoring the ANBU who questioned him, he looked calmly at Kakashi and reiterated:

"I'll say it again, step away from Jūgo, Hatake Kakashi!"

Ishihara's eyes fixed steadily on Kakashi, emanating an intangible pressure from his presence.

"Damn it! What's going on?!"

Kakashi's hair stood on end as he looked at Ishihara in horror, his heart pounding. Despite Ishihara not exuding any visible killing intent or bursting chakra, Kakashi felt like an ant under a god's gaze, his soul seemingly trembling! It was an oppression that seemed to come from a higher life form. Although faint, it sent shivers down his spine!

Itachi and the others, while not feeling the pressure as directly as Kakashi, also sensed an overwhelming suppression. It was as if a heavy stone pressed upon their hearts, making their bodies rigid. The entire corridor fell into dead silence, the oppressive atmosphere growing heavier by the moment, like a volcano on the verge of eruption, about to reach its breaking point.

The terrifying pressure caused sweat to break out on Kakashi and the others' foreheads, their hearts racing wildly.

"Damn it! Damn it! What the hell is going on?!!!"

Inwardly, everyone was screaming and roaring in despair. The crushing pressure made them want to die or go mad.

At some point, Jūgo had lifted his head, smiling at the terror in Kakashi and the others' eyes.

"I told you already, Lord Ishihara is ten or a hundred times stronger than me! You're all doomed!"

"Shut up!!! No matter how strong he is, he's still just a six-year-old kid!"

Unable to bear the suffocating atmosphere, the Root captain roared, his face twisted in fury behind his mask. Rather than be stifled by the oppressive aura, he would rather fight to the death!

"Kill!!!"

The Root captain charged at Ishihara with a roar of rage.

"Stop!!"

Kakashi's face paled as he shouted in alarm.

Ishihara frowned, displeased by the approaching enemy.

"Genjutsu Space!"

For the past two years, Ishihara had never ceased practicing the Crystal Visualization Method, significantly strengthening his mental and soul powers. Consequently, the potency of his Genjutsu Space had also increased. The moment it was activated, the Root captain was caught without even realizing it.

To the captain's perception, he had miraculously reached Ishihara!

Unbelievable! Absolutely unbelievable! The mysterious, fear-inducing Ishihara had been so easily approached!

"Die!!!"

The Root captain grinned malevolently, thrusting a short sword into Ishihara's heart, shouting angrily: "You arrogant kid, aren't you supposed to be powerful with all those secret techniques? Fight back! Huh?!!"

But Ishihara, impaled by the sword, simply watched him calmly, as if looking at an ant.

"Damn it, stop looking at me like that!!!"

The Root captain trembled all over, the look in Ishihara's eyes reviving the oppressive feeling from before, making him roar in madness.

"Silence!"

Ishihara frowned and cast a binding genjutsu on him. Instantly, the captain realized in horror that he could no longer speak.

In reality, Kakashi and the others were astonished to see the Root captain standing near Ishihara, roaring madly.

"He's caught in a genjutsu. When did that happen?!"

Especially Itachi, who stared at Ishihara in disbelief. Any genjutsu required certain conditions to be activated. Even the strongest genjutsu user, Shisui, needed his Sharingan to cast it. But Itachi had seen no such indicators from Ishihara, completely overturning his understanding of genjutsu!

"I knew this guy wouldn't be easy to deal with!"

Kakashi was drenched in cold sweat, unable to even look at Ishihara. He urgently whispered, "Itachi, I'll buy time. You need to run!"

Before Itachi could respond, Kakashi quickly activated Chidori, pressing it against Jūgo and threatening loudly:

"Let Itachi go, or I'll kill him immediately!"

Itachi's expression changed, moved by Kakashi's quick thinking. But...

"Senpai, we can't escape…"

"Shut up!!!!"

Kakashi roared in fury.

Itachi was shocked to see Kakashi trembling all over. What he didn't know was that Kakashi felt an intense sense of confinement.

"No way! I'm caught too?! How did he do it?! I wasn't even looking at his eyes. Was it his voice?!"

Kakashi's mind was in turmoil, but his actions didn't waver. He knew that even under genjutsu, he could still move. As long as he maintained his position, he might have a bargaining chip.

Itachi's face changed, realizing the situation was dire. His heart chilled as he thought of their impending doom. Not knowing how the enemy cast their genjutsu left him feeling hopeless.

Was this the end for him?

But then, Ishihara's voice broke the silence, surprising him.

"Oh, this is Chidori?"

Ishihara sounded intrigued. Just as Kakashi activated Chidori, a notification appeared:

[Congratulations, you have observed Kakashi performing Chidori. With your strong foundation in Lightning Release ninjutsu, you have created the Lightning Technique: Lightning Palm!]