Chapter 38: Heavy Strike!
Zzzzt—!
A harsh electric screech tore through the air as Kitagawa Gen smashed through the wall himself, a surge of crackling purple lightning shooting straight toward Kimimaro’s chest!
"Watch out!"
Just as the lightning was about to hit, Jūgo lunged forward without hesitation, using his body to shield Kimimaro. Despite the burns on his skin, he took the full force of the strike head-on.
The muscle on his arm was pierced straight through, and in the next instant, he was sent flying by a brutal kick—dragging Kimimaro backward with him!
"Don’t lose focus, Kimimaro. That guy’s Lightning technique isn’t ordinary."
As they stabilized themselves, Jūgo spoke between breaths, his voice low but steady.
"Jūgo..." Kimimaro looked at his companion, his lips pressed tightly together.
He was usually the calm and courteous one—unless something involved Lord Orochimaru.
And now, this enemy had used such a despicable tactic that he almost destroyed Orochimaru’s statue...
Wait—no. He did destroy it.
And he did it on purpose!
"I understand, Jūgo." Though Kimimaro’s eyes still burned with fury, his voice had cooled. But the Cursed Seal had already begun to spread across his skin.
"We’ll finish this—together."
"Be careful, Kimimaro—your body..."
Jūgo tried to caution him, but Kimimaro simply shook his head. Bone spikes had already begun to emerge from his chest.
"This isn’t the time to worry about that. We need to correct our mistake."
"You done talking?" Kitagawa Gen suddenly cut in, voice casual but sharp as a blade.
"Seems like you two respect Orochimaru a lot. Even in that situation, you held back?"
"..."
Kimimaro didn’t respond, unwilling to waste words, while Jūgo shot a glare at Gen and whispered, "I’ll go first. You follow."
The moment he spoke, Jūgo charged forward. Kimimaro followed close behind, their rhythm in sync.
Jūgo’s unique body made him ideal for leading the assault—his injuries regenerated quickly, allowing him to take the brunt of the enemy’s blows.
"They’re coming..."
Kitagawa Gen raised an eyebrow as the Purple Lightning in his hand flared even brighter, and then—he shot forward like a thunderbolt.
"So fast...!"
In a flash, Gen was already in front of Jūgo. Reacting on instinct, Jūgo threw a punch!
Boom—!
A thunderous impact rang out, blasting a visible shockwave through the air. The ground beneath them cracked wide open, spiderwebbing outward for several meters.
But Jūgo’s expression turned grim—his punch had been blocked by a shimmering wall of Purple Lightning, and the surge of electricity left his arm momentarily numb!
"That lightning... not only does it pierce, it defends too?!"
From behind, Kimimaro analyzed the situation in a flash, spotting his opportunity.
"Dance of the Camellia!"
His body flowed like a phantom, elegantly weaving through the air, and his bone sword stabbed toward Kitagawa Gen with precision!
"Pretty quick," Gen muttered as he glanced back. With a flick of his hand, his lightning surged.
Crack—!
Kimimaro’s eyes widened—his bone sword had been nicked. A cut?!
Impossible.
His bones were dense and durable, forged for battle. Nothing should damage them so easily—yet here it was, a visible cut across the blade!
"That lightning... it’s ridiculously sharp, too?!"
Three unique characteristics—piercing, defense, and slicing—all in one jutsu? Even as a taijutsu specialist, Kimimaro recognized how absurd that was.
"Heh!"
Jūgo had recovered slightly and threw another enhanced punch at Gen’s side.
Kimimaro didn’t hesitate—he drew another bone sword and attacked in tandem.
"Dance of the Larch!"
Despite being flanked, Gen remained calm. With a light twist of his body, he dodged Jūgo’s blow and swept his leg out.
Thud—!
A heavy thump followed as Jūgo was sent flying again, smashing through a nearby tree.
At the same time, Gen raised his lightning-coated arm. The energy surged forward, forming a shield that effortlessly blocked Kimimaro’s bone strike.
Jūgo charged again. Within moments, the three were locked in a fierce melee!
Boom—boom—boom—!
Lightning flashed, fists flew, and swords danced. Residual shockwaves shredded the landscape—trees fell, grass was flattened, and boulders shattered under the pressure of their battle.
Kimimaro fought with agility and grace, while Jūgo relied on raw power. Together, they made a perfect pair—complementary in style and deeply attuned.
Yet...
They were losing.
To one man.
Kitagawa Gen moved like a ghost, fast and lethal. His Purple Lightning was an all-in-one arsenal—offense, defense, speed—and neither of them could find an opening.
"He’s around our age... so why is he so much stronger?"
They couldn’t understand it—especially Kimimaro. The shame burned in his chest.
During the Kaguya clan rebellion, even without formal training, he could fend off Mist ninja with just instinct and his Shikotsumyaku. Once under Orochimaru’s wing, his growth had skyrocketed—his taijutsu honed, his bloodline fully utilized.
And yet... even with Jūgo’s help, he couldn’t match this man.
He felt unworthy.
He felt he’d failed Orochimaru.
Their emotions weighed heavy, but Kitagawa Gen was unfazed.
He knows that they’re not at their full potential yet.
Kimimaro hasn’t unlocked the second stage of the Cursed Seal. Jūgo hasn’t lost control and tapped into his true rage. They’re not at their future strength.
But he had been growing fast too.
"If I can’t go all out against opponents like them... then all my training, all my sweat—it’s meaningless."
Gen knew his weaknesses: lack of combat experience, inconsistency in technique.
But even so... he could strike hard!
BOOM—!
Suddenly, a massive surge of chakra erupted in the distance. A colossal presence emerged, shaking the very earth beneath their feet.
"What the—?!"
The shock distracted all three. But Gen reacted instantly.
Bang—!
He slammed a devastating punch into Jūgo’s chest, sending him flying back into a giant boulder—rock and rubble exploded on impact.
"Jūgo!"
Kimimaro called out, worried—but Gen was already upon him like a phantom.
Zzzzzzt—
The purple lightning danced and hissed. Forming a blade with his hand, Gen slashed across Kimimaro’s chest.
Shhk—
Flesh parted—but Gen frowned. No blood. The sensation was off.
"Using a bone membrane as internal armor?" he mused. "I’ll admit—that bloodline of yours is impressive."
Kimimaro leapt back, eyes locked on Gen. His chest was torn open, but beneath the flesh was a solid layer of white bone.
"Impressive... but that’s your limit. Looks like Orochimaru didn’t train you enough."
Gen’s voice was calm. The lightning in his hand surged again.
He intended to finish it—to carve out a chunk of Kimimaro’s flesh and take one of his bones. He didn’t know what the reward was—but better to be over-prepared than under.
But just as he stepped forward, Kimimaro suddenly raised his head.
His face was pale, blood dripping from the corner of his lips.
"Don’t you dare speak of Orochimaru-sama that way. I’m the one who’s lacking. But for his name—for his honor—"
"I’ll stake everything on this final dance."
"Dance of the Seedling Fern!"