"Lightning Release: Chidori Blade!" Saitama shouted, naming the technique clearly as he channeled Chidori into his sword.
"Zzzap!"
The shinobi sword instantly flared with a dazzling glow as the electrical current surged along its edge.
"Tch—!" Wuli Jinpachi’s pupils shrank. He instinctively released the Blastsword: Shibuki, but it was too late. Saitama’s blade bypassed the falling weapon and slashed directly toward his chest.
"Get back!"
A cold voice suddenly came from behind Saitama—it was Kushimaru Kuriarare, the wielder of the Nuibari, the long needle-like sword with wire thread.
"Fwoosh!"
Saitama heard the air slicing behind him and quickly sidestepped, barely evading the incoming thrust. However, the interruption gave Jinpachi just enough time to twist his body and narrowly avoid a fatal blow. Still, Saitama’s strike slashed across his shoulder, leaving a deep wound as blood splattered out.
"Gahh!"
Wuli Jinpachi howled in pain and stumbled backward, his Blastsword clattering to the ground near Saitama’s feet.
"Clang!"
As the sword grazed the enemy’s shoulder, Saitama frowned. He immediately turned and slashed in a wide arc to intercept Kuriarare’s incoming Nuibari strike.
"Clink!"
The thin, wire-attached blade was deflected. Just as Saitama prepared to counter, Kuriarare expertly retracted the weapon, pulling it back in an instant.
"Boom!"
Uchiha Pomori—bloodied but alive—used the moment to break away from Kuriarare’s earlier assault and land beside Saitama.
"I’m okay... haaah..." Pomori panted heavily, his body covered in cuts, but none were lethal.
"You’re lucky," Saitama nodded, watching Jinpachi and Kuriarare regroup.
"That long blade is strange," Pomori warned, gesturing to Kuriarare. "He attacks by weaving wire through the battlefield. Watch your footing—those threads are hard to see."
"Got it."
Crackling arcs of electricity danced across Saitama’s body as he eyed the approaching duo.
"You’re pathetic! Lost your weapon already. Want me to kill him for you?" Kuriarare mocked, glancing at Jinpachi, who clutched his bleeding shoulder.
"Don’t waste your breath," Jinpachi snarled. "I’ve figured out how to handle this brat. A lightning-style swordsman... from the Uchiha, no less. Must be the so-called ’Konoha Reaper.’ Tch, his reputation isn’t exaggerated."
"Fine. I’ll handle him," Kuriarare replied calmly, lifting his needle sword again.
"I’ll take this one," Saitama told Pomori. "Go help the others. You’ll just be a distraction here."
"Understood. Be careful," Pomori nodded, acknowledging that Saitama was the only one who could fight these two evenly.
"Fwoosh!"
With a powerful leap, Saitama charged forward, lightning trailing behind him and leaving a burnt ozone smell in the air.
"Come!" Kuriarare’s voice sharpened with tension. His eyes narrowed.
Though wounded, Jinpachi raised a kunai with his good hand and stood beside Kuriarare, forming a temporary alliance.
"Lightning Release: Chidori Blade!"
Maintaining a steady rhythm in his steps, Saitama advanced, chakra flowing into his blade. The blade buzzed intensely with raw power.
"Hmm?"
As he closed in, his Sharingan caught something unusual—subtle distortions in the terrain around the enemies. Wire traps.
"Tch—!"
Without slowing down, he veered in a different direction to avoid the traps.
"He noticed?" Kuriarare muttered, just loud enough for Jinpachi to hear.
"Shff!"
The seemingly untouched ground ahead of Saitama was suddenly slashed apart, revealing multiple thin wires pulled taut by Kuriarare’s movements.
Jinpachi blocked Saitama’s blade with his kunai, but the surge of Chidori coursed into him through the metal. He grit his teeth and held his ground, refusing to fall.
"Whip!"
Kuriarare’s Nuibari flew toward the back of Saitama’s head—fast and lethal.
"Bam!"
Saitama reacted by kicking Jinpachi’s thigh, launching himself sideways.
"Zzzap!"
His sword sliced Jinpachi’s kunai in half. The wounded swordsman wisely abandoned the now-useless weapon and retreated further.
Kuriarare’s missed strike didn’t deter him—he pressed the attack.
"Tch—!"
Suddenly, Saitama felt something coil tightly around his left calf. His eyes widened.
"Got you!" Kuriarare’s tone dripped with satisfaction. With a tug of the wire, he yanked his hand sharply.
"Goodbye."
"Boom!"
Saitama’s leg exploded in a puff of smoke—revealing it was only a Shadow Clone.
"What?!"
Startled, Kuriarare jumped backward—just as Saitama reappeared beside him, his sword blazing with lightning.
"Lightning Release: Chidori Blade!"
The cry echoed like the scream of a dying bird as Saitama’s blade cleaved toward his foe.
"Damn it—!"
The strike landed. A clean gash appeared across Kuriarare’s left chest as he somersaulted backward, distancing himself.
"Huff..."
Wuli Jinpachi stepped beside Kuriarare. The cockiness was gone from his face—replaced with grim seriousness.
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