Chapter 43: The Wrath of Susano'o
"Who are you?!" a girl with freckles splashed across her nose yelled, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger. "Damn it, what have you done to Ang? Let him go!"
"Hokuto, don't come any closer!" Ang managed to choke out, his voice strained from the serpent's grip. "Run!"
By now, the commotion had drawn the attention of the entire village. More Hoshigakure ninja poured into the street, their expressions shifting from confusion to fury as they saw one of their own held captive. They quickly formed a loose circle around Ren, kunai drawn.
"Who are you?" an older Chunin demanded, stepping forward. "You dare trespass into Hoshigakure and take our people hostage? You have a death wish!"
"Enough yelling," Ren said, his voice flat and utterly bored. "I have no real interest in your pathetic village. It would be in your best interest to get out of my way. Otherwise, I can't guarantee what will happen."
"You bastard! You're surrounded! How dare you act so arrogant?!" the Chunin spat. "No matter who you are, we're taking you down! Get him!"
"Everyone, stop! Don't... don't do anything rash!" Ang cried out, desperation clear in his voice. "None of you are a match for him! You have to believe me!"
"Ang! What are you talking about?" another ninja laughed, though it sounded nervous. "He's just a kid! I could take ten like him! Getting caught just proves you're weak!"
"Hahaha! Are you scared he'll hurt you if we move, Ang? Don't worry, we'll take him out before he gets the chance!"
The gathered shinobi dismissed Ang's warnings, their laughter covering their own unease. They assumed his claims were just excuses for his own capture.
"Tch. Stop wasting my time," Ren sighed. "If Summer Star won't come out willingly, I'll just have to force her hand. I'll destroy this village piece by piece until she has no choice." A cold, cruel smile touched his lips. "I'm done waiting."
"You... what are you going to do? Stop!" Ang pleaded, sensing the shift in Ren's demeanor.
"Idiots," Ren muttered. He slowly closed his eyes. When he opened them again, the familiar three tomoe were gone. In their place was a stark, intricate pattern—a six-pointed star, burning with malevolent crimson light.
The air grew heavy. The mocking laughter died instantly.
"Wh-What... what is that? What's wrong with his eyes?" ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novęlfire.net
"Those eyes... looking at them gives me the chills..."
"I feel... terrified. What kind of eyes are those...?"
The mere sight of the Mangekyo induced a primal, soul-deep fear in the Hoshigakure ninja, most of whom were only Genin or low Chunin. They didn't understand its power, but they felt its threat.
"D-Damn it... everyone... together! Kill him... now!" one stuttered, his courage breaking. The circle of ninja surged forward in a disorganized, fear-fueled charge.
Ren didn't move. One hand still controlled the serpent binding Ang, the other hung loosely at his side. He made no move to defend himself.
Just as the first kunai were about to strike his body, a visible, swirling mass of grey-white chakra erupted around him. It solidified in an instant, forming a cage of gigantic, human ribs that encased both Ren and his captive. The kunai clattered harmlessly against the chakra structure, unable to penetrate even a millimeter.
"This... what is this?!"
"Is it... some kind of Peacock Method? How...?"
"What kind of defense is this?!"
The attacking ninja fell back, staring in horror at the spectral skeleton that had materialized.
So this is my Susano'o, Ren thought, a thrill of power coursing through him. Grey-white. I wonder what unique ability it holds? I'm looking forward to testing it.
He could feel the immense chakra drain, a taxing but manageable pull. You fools should be honored. You're the first to witness this newly acquired power. Consider this your final privilege.
"Susano'o? What... what is that?!" Ang gasped, trapped within the protective ribs. "He didn't even use this against Lord Hoshino... Has he been holding back this entire time? Just... who is he?!"
"Get him! Now!" a ninja yelled, rallying the others. They launched another volley—shuriken, kunai, even weak Fire and Water Style jutsu.
It was all utterly futile. Every attack shattered or fizzled against the impervious chakra skeleton, not even causing Ren to flinch.
"Hmph. Useless," Ren's voice echoed from within the skeletal frame, cold and absolute. "No attack you possess, whether physical or ninjutsu, can pierce the absolute defense of Susano'o. And its power isn't limited to defense alone..."
As his words faded, the right side of the ribcage morphed. A massive, skeletal arm formed, clenched into a fist the size of a small boulder. With a casual, devastating swing, it slammed down into the crowd of ninja.
The sound was horrific. Several ninja were pulverized instantly. Others were sent flying by the impact, which left a deep crater in the village street.
"This... What kind of monster is this?!" Ang whispered, utterly horrified. "Not only an impervious defense... but an attack of that magnitude... It's impossible... we can't win..."
He found his voice again, screaming at his friends. "Hokuto! Mizuha! Get out of here! Run! You can't beat him! RUN!"
"No! We won't leave you!" the freckled girl, Hokuto, cried, though her body was shaking uncontrollably. "We have to save you!"
"Idiots! Just go!" Ang begged.
"Those who avoid me live. Those who stand in my way, die," Ren declared, his voice devoid of all mercy. He willed the Susano'o forward. The giant skeletal fist rose again and smashed through the village's main gate, reducing it to splinters. He began a slow, inexorable advance into the heart of Hoshigakure.
"He's entering the village! Stop him! We have to stop him no matter what!" a ninja yelled, lunging forward with a desperate battle cry.
The Susano'o's giant hand shot out, snatching the man out of the air. It clenched.
The sound was brief and final. The lifeless body was dropped to the ground like garbage.
"Fengjian! No! Damn you! Everyone, attack!"
As the enraged ninja prepared another futile assault, Ren's Susano'o began to change again. The rib cage expanded, another massive arm forming. A monstrous skull took shape atop the ribs, completing a terrifying upper torso.
It now stood as a gigantic, spectral demon, radiating an aura of pure, annihilating power.
The remaining Hoshigakure ninja could only stare, their weapons lowering. All fight drained out of them, replaced by utter, hopeless terror.
A single, unified thought echoed in every mind:
It's... it's hopeless. We... we could never win against a monster ...
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