Kazuyama swiftly gathered natural energy, using the Coiling Serpent Technique before activating the Transparent Escape Technique. As he absorbed the energy in his concealed state, a faint red glow flickered across the red snake patterns on his body, marking the influx of natural energy.
"Chōmei, gather your chakra. I doubt it'll be long before Snake Princess appears."
"I know, I know. Ever since you got Snake Princess, you don't need my Scale Powder anymore. Found yourself a new love and forgot the old one."
Chōmei's plaintive tone nearly made Kazuyama lose focus on his defensive barrier.
"Good for you, Chōmei. You haven't learned much else, but you sure know how to talk."
"I've been injured, haven't I? You expect a wrapped-up mummy like me to rush over and sprinkle powder? You'll have to manage this time. Next time, we'll go to Sunagakure or Iwa, and I'll let you have your way."
Despite his complaints, Chōmei understood Kazuyama's current situation and didn't argue further. The natural energy around them grew denser, and the flickering red patterns on Kazuyama's body intensified. Thanks to the Transparent Escape Technique, he remained hidden—otherwise, glowing red in the middle of the night might have caused quite a scare.
Within just a quarter of an hour, the red snake patterns came to life. A drowsy voice soon echoed through the space.
"Kazuyama boy, why are you waking me up in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?"
Tagitsuhime's form materialized before him, her face carrying the drowsiness of someone who had just been roused from slumber.
"Tagitsuhime, I don't have a choice."
"Kinrin was injured in battle today, and I need to avenge this."
"If you look at me, my hands are broken, I'm covered in wounds—I have to avenge this too!"
Tagitsuhime's gaze drifted over Kazuyama's battered state before she chuckled.
"What happened to you, kid? Why are you such a mess?"
"Tagorihime told me about Kinrin's situation. Her injuries aren't serious—her strength lies in her physical abilities, after all."
"It seems your opponent gave you a rough time."
Kazuyama nodded. The thought of A, the Raikage's son, soured his mood instantly.
That bastard really had it out for him—just because he had tricked him a few times using the Flying Thunder God Technique? A guy that big with a heart so small!
But that was fine—Kazuyama's heart wasn't any bigger. He wouldn't even wait until morning to get his revenge!
"Hmph! He did this to me—I have to repay the favor!"
"Tagitsuhime, I'm counting on you this time!"
Tagitsuhime covered her mouth, laughing at Kazuyama's pitiful state.
"Tell me, what do you need?"
Since he had already mastered the Coiling Serpent Technique and Tagitsuhime was here, there was no reason to hesitate.
Kazuyama flashed a devious grin.
"Tagitsuhime, sometimes, Genjutsu is the most devastating weapon."
"I might be in bad shape, but my opponent isn't necessarily any better."
"All you need to do is amplify his trauma—infinitely."
"And at the same time, use Genjutsu to make sure more people know about it. The weight of their stares alone will be enough to crush him with shame."
Destroying someone's will was far more effective than simply killing them. Besides, he wasn't even sure if he could kill A outright.
A's strength rivaled the Third Raikage. Injuring him at all was already an achievement. That was only because his One Thousand Years of Death Rasengan had been enhanced. Otherwise, relying on ordinary Taijutsu to breach Lightning Release Armor would have been nothing but a pipe dream.
"Hmph, so I've become your exclusive tool for revenge?"
"First it was Tsunade, and now it's Kumo?"
Drawing on her natural energy, Tagitsuhime could already sense the presence of many people not far ahead. Several of them had particularly strong auras, though they all seemed somewhat weakened. Given how badly injured Kazuyama was—and how Kinrin had suffered as well—it was clear they had fought earlier in the day.
And now, here he was, sneaking up on them in the dead of night.
"Oh dear, are you just going to stand there and let your little brother get bullied?"
"I'm telling you, those people from Kumo are brutal. Look at me, I've been bullied into oblivion."
Tagitsuhime shook her head helplessly but then flashed a devilish smile.
"Let's go, let's go persecute them!"
Kazuyama nodded eagerly, first leaving behind coordinates for the Flying Thunder God Technique before activating the Transparent Escape Technique and moving toward the Kumo hideout.
Though the camp was quiet at night, numerous Kumo shinobi were still patrolling. Even concealed, he remained cautious.
"Tagitsuhime, can you sense who has the most chakra here?"
"Yes. And I have to say, this person's chakra output is absurdly high."
Surprise flickered across her face. As Snake Princess, she had cultivated for countless years—very little could impress her. Yet this chakra was enough to make even her take notice.
"Hmph, just another reckless brute."
Following Tagitsuhime's guidance, Kazuyama crept toward a tent positioned at the very front of the camp.
"Damn, this guy's got some nerve. He actually set up his tent at the forefront—just how confident is he?"
Looking at the tent where A, the Raikage's son, was resting, he couldn't help but feel a bit shocked. Was this a Kumogakure tradition? The stronger the shinobi, the closer they placed themselves to the battlefield?
If so, there was nothing to criticize about Kumo. The Raikage always led from the front lines, and even A, his heir, did the same.
Maybe the saying was true—righteous men made the best killers. Kumogakure's unity and warlike nature were a direct result of the Raikage's leadership.
"Kazuyama, I'm going to start."
"Good! I'm counting on you, older sister Tagitsuhime!"
"Sage Art... Red Fang Fearsome Phantom Technique!"
Tagitsuhime folded her hands in prayer. The next moment, her snake form materialized, and an invisible, long red serpent slithered toward A before sinking its fangs into his neck.
There was no pain—after all, it was Genjutsu.
A, however, was already ensnared.
Normally, even when resting, he would never let his guard down. As a commander, he had to stay alert at all times.
But his fight with Kazuyama earlier had shattered that vigilance.
That humiliating One Thousand Years of Death attack, amplified by a spiraling chakra burst, had broken through his Lightning Release Armor.
It wasn't just the pain—though it had been immense—but the sheer embarrassment of it. Even with his absurd durability, he couldn't shake the deep sting of humiliation.
Back at the base, the Medical-nin had treated him, but only for physical injuries. How could he possibly explain the real problem?
That his heart had been wounded? That he had suffered the same fate as Dodai?
No—he still had his pride. There were some things he simply couldn't admit.
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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