69novels Chapter 142 S-Rank Rogue Ninja - Scorching Release User Yekura!
Chapter 142 S-Rank Rogue Ninja - Scorching Release User Yekura!
Chapter 142 S-Rank Rogue Ninja - Scorching Release User Yekura!
Yura practically scrambled back to Kikyoyama Castle.
When he rushed into the temporary command post, covered in sand and pale-faced, Rasa, who was discussing military affairs with several high-ranking Sunagakure officials, immediately frowned.
"Yura?"
"Why are you back so soon? Where's Yekura?"
Yura opened her mouth, only to find that her throat was so dry that she could barely speak.
He swallowed hard, his voice hoarse: "Fourth Hokage, Lady Yekura—she's back."
"You're back?"
Rasa's pupils contracted slightly, but his expression remained as composed as that of a Kazekage: "Are the negotiations over? Has Kirigakure accepted our terms?"
"No, this isn't a negotiation—"
Yura lowered her head, not daring to look directly into Rasa's eyes.
"Lady Yekura must have discovered that document and asked me to tell you that she has returned and that you should prepare to welcome her."
Before he finished speaking, the entire command post fell into dead silence.
The high-ranking officials of Sunagakure present exchanged glances, a complex look flashing in their eyes.
Luo Sha's expression darkened instantly, but he quickly regained his composure. He slowly put down the documents in his hand, his voice revealing neither joy nor anger.
"How did you find out?"
"I—I don't know." Yura's forehead was covered in cold sweat: "Lady Yekura suddenly appeared at the border. When I saw her, she already knew everything. It must have been that guy Makoto Karatachi who showed Lady Yekura the documents we gave him and released her."
"She could have killed me, but—"
"But she didn't kill you; instead, she sent you back to deliver a message," Luo Sha continued, a cold smile playing on his lips.
"This is a show of defiance against me."
"Fourth Hokage, what do we do now?" an older Sand Village Jonin asked in a deep voice. "Yakura has extremely high prestige in the village. If she openly opposes us—"
"She won't openly confront them."
Luo Sha stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the distant horizon where yellow sand filled the sky.
"I know Yekura. She loves Sunagakure more than herself, and even if she knew she was being betrayed, she wouldn't do anything to harm the village."
“But,” he turned around, his gaze icy, “she won’t let this go. She’ll come back and, in front of everyone, question me, question us, about why we did this.”
"So how should we deal with this?"
Luo Sha remained silent for a moment, his voice eerily calm.
"Summon all high-ranking officers to a meeting in the council hall of Kikyōyama Castle. At the same time, notify the frontline troops to strengthen their defenses and prevent Kirigakure from taking advantage of the chaos. That bastard, Makoto Karatachi, I practically delivered this huge gift from Pakura to our doorstep and he still wouldn't accept it! He really wants to be an enemy of Sunagakure!"
"As for Yekura—"
A complex emotion flashed in his eyes, but it quickly turned into a cold, resolute expression.
"Now that she's back, let's make things clear face to face."
Kikyoyama Castle, Sunagakure Frontline Command Post.
This is Sunagakure's only military fortress within the Land of Fire, and also its most fortified location with the largest troop concentration.
square.
Inside the council chamber, all the high-ranking officials of the Sand Village Front gathered together.
Seated in the main seat was the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa.
On either side of him sat several members of the Sunagakure Elder Council: Chiyo and Ebizo, siblings, as well as several Jonin who held real power.
In the center of the council chamber, that tall figure was coldly observing everyone present.
Yecang.
A hero of Sunagakure, the user of Scorch Release, and an idol in the hearts of countless Sunagakure ninja.
At that moment, she stood there like a drawn sword, its sharpness fully revealed.
"Yakura, you're back."
Luo Sha spoke first, his voice calm: "Is the mission complete?"
"Task?"
Ye Cang laughed, a laugh that was icy and chilling.
"Fourth Hokage, what mission are you referring to? Is it to escort me to Kirigakure for negotiations, or... to offer me up as a sacrifice to Kirigakure?"
These words caused an uproar in the council chamber.
Several high-ranking officials, unaware of the inside story, exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes filled with shock.
"Yakura, what are you saying?!" a Jonin couldn't help but exclaim. "What sacrifice? What gift to Kirigakure?!"
Yekura did not answer, but stared coldly at Rasa.
Luo Sha remained expressionless and slowly stood up.
"Yakura, I understand how you feel right now. But some things aren't as simple as you think."
"Oh?"
Yekura raised an eyebrow: "Then please tell me, Fourth Hokage, what exactly is going on with that handover document you personally signed? When did I, Yekura, become an item that Sunagakure can give away at will?!"
Luo Sha remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.
"Yakura, you are a hero of Sunagakure, and no one can deny that."
"However, precisely because you are a hero, precisely because your prestige is too high, your existence has become an obstacle to the peace of Sunagakure."
Yekura's pupils constricted slightly.
"The Hidden Mist Village has stated that a peace agreement can only be reached if you are handed over. This is their only demand."
"I know this isn't fair to you. But Yecang, you have to understand, this is war. War requires sacrifice; it requires someone to stand up and take on the most difficult choices."
"And this time, the one chosen is you."
As Yecang listened to Luo Sha's words, the chill in his heart grew stronger.
This is her Fengying, the person in charge of the village she has protected for more than ten years!
They make betrayal sound so noble, and package it as sacrifice.
"So, what the Fourth Hokage means is that my life, Yekura's life, is a bargaining chip for peace?"
"Yes."
Luo Sha's answer was crisp and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.
"For the sake of hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians in Sunagakure, and to end this damned war, the sacrifice of one Pakura is worthwhile."
"worth?"
Yekura's voice finally trembled slightly.
It wasn't fear, it was anger.
"I, Yekura, have risked my life for Sunagakure for over ten years, slaying countless enemies and suffering countless wounds. But I have never complained, never retreated, because I feel that this is my duty, my honor."
"But what about you?"
"Is this how you treat me?!"
Her voice grew louder and louder until it was almost a shout.
The council chamber was deathly silent.
No one dared to speak, and no one even dared to look Yekura in the eye.
Luo Sha sighed, his voice tinged with weariness.
"Yakura, I understand your anger. But you must understand, this is not a decision I made alone."
He looked at the elders on both sides.
Chiyo slowly stood up, her wrinkled face bearing a complex expression.
"Ye Cang, you are a good child. We have seen all your efforts over the years."
"But war is too cruel. Every day young ninjas die, every day families are torn apart. We need peace, we need to stop this damned war."
"We considered the conditions proposed by Kirigakure many times. In the end—we had no choice but to make this decision."
Yekura looked at Chiyo, the senior she once respected immensely.
"Elder Chiyo, even you—"
Chiyo turned her head away, not daring to look into her eyes.
Ebizo stood up, his voice low.
"Yakura, this isn't directed at you. If it were someone else, someone with a different identity, we would make the same choice."
"Because we are elders of Sunagakure, our duty is to protect the entire village, not just any one person."
Ye Cang smiled.
His laughter was very forlorn.
"Good, good for the whole village."
"Then let me ask you, if one day, Rasa also becomes an obstacle," would you also do the same, pushing him away without hesitation?
Luo Sha's complexion changed slightly.
Chiyo and Ebizo exchanged a glance but did not reply.
Silence is the best answer.
Ye Cang took a deep breath and glanced at everyone present.
"I've come back today not to ask you to retract your decision, nor to ask you to give me justice."
"I just want you to know that I, Yecang, am not a lamb to be slaughtered."
"You wanted to send me away as a sacrifice? Fine, I'm back."
"Now, in front of everyone, I want to ask the Fourth Hokage a question."
She stared directly at Luo Sha, her gaze sharp as a knife.
"Luo Sha, do you dare to fight me?"
Yekura actually challenged the Kazekage?
This is to—
"Yakura, are you crazy?"
One of the Jonin couldn't help but shout, "Do you know what you're saying? This is insubordination!"
"Insubordination?!"
Ye Cang sneered.
"Does someone who wants to kill me even deserve to be called 'someone'?"
Luo Sha looked at Ye Cang in silence, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
There was surprise, and there was appreciation.
But more than anything, it was a cold-blooded decision.
He knew that today's standoff could not be resolved amicably.
If he does not accept the challenge, his prestige will be severely damaged, and how will he be able to lead Sunagakure in the future?
If he accepts the challenge—
"it is good."
Luo Sha slowly stood up, his tone calm.
"Yakura, I accept your challenge."
"But you must understand, this battle, regardless of victory or defeat, will not change anything."
"If I win, you will be sent back to Kirigakure. That's an order."
"If I lose—"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over everyone present.
"If I lose, I will resign as the Kazekage and you will take over."
"The Yondaime!"
Several high-ranking officials exclaimed in surprise.
Luo Sha raised his hand to signal them to be quiet.
"We've all seen what Yekura has done for Sunagakure. If she's truly stronger than me, if she can truly lead Sunagakure to a better future, then what's wrong with giving her my position?"
Ye Cang sneered inwardly.
What a despicable person!
For their own benefit, they are willing to betray meritorious officials, and now they even use these high-sounding words when it comes to fighting.
But at least this guy didn't run away!
"it is good."
Ye Cang nodded.
"Then let's have a fight!"
"Let's stop here," Rasa added. "Regardless of victory or defeat, we are both ninjas of Sunagakure."
Should we stop here?
Oh.
If she really wanted to stop there, she wouldn't be standing here.
Outside Kikyōyama Castle, there is a flat sandy area.
All the high-ranking officials of Sunagakure were present, watching the upcoming battle from afar.
Sandstorms raged, and the sun blazed overhead.
Luo Sha and Ye Cang stand facing each other, about fifty meters apart.
-
"Ye Cang, this is the last time I'll ask you," Rasa's voice came through the sandstorm, "Are you really going to fight?"
"You are truly the epitome of hypocrisy, Rasa!"
Ye Cang could no longer contain her disgust and angrily retorted, "You've already gone this far, and you still want to have your cake and eat it too? Is this how you act as the Kazekage?!"
Luo Sha's face twitched slightly, but he quickly suppressed it again.
"Ye Cang, you're right."
"Now that things have come to this, there's no point in saying any more high-sounding words. Let's fight!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Luo Sha suddenly formed a hand seal!
"Magnetic Escape·Golden Burial!"
The sand beneath his feet surged instantly, and a large amount of golden sand rose up like a tidal wave, turning into a towering wave that swept towards Ye Cang.
As the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa's strength is beyond doubt. His Magnet Release is unparalleled in Sunagakure, especially his mastery of large-scale control and area-of-effect attacks.
Moreover, his magnetic escape technique allows him to freely manipulate gold dust.
Most importantly, the underground of Kikyōyama Castle contains a large amount of placer gold!
This is why Rasa was able to hold Kikyoyama Castle even after Sunagakure and Konoha suffered repeated defeats. For Rasa, this place was practically his natural territory!
A sandstorm is brewing.
Golden sand howled in the gale, blotting out the sun and turning this already desolate battlefield into an apocalyptic scene.
Gold dust mixed with ordinary gravel wriggles and surges like living things under the control of the sand, forming breathtaking waves.
Ye Cang's eyes narrowed, and he instantly retreated!
Although her Scorching Release technique was incredibly powerful, it would be unwise to confront it head-on against such an overwhelming barrage of gold dust.
"Trying to run away?"
Luo Sha snorted coldly and waved his hands.
The giant waves of gold dust split into several streams in the air, like several golden pythons, blocking all of Yecang's escape routes from different directions!
At the same time, gold dust surged beneath Luo Sha's feet, lifting him into the air so he could look down at Ye Cang from above.
Magnet Release: Gold Dust Flight!
This is his unique ability: using gold dust to lift himself up and gain an aerial advantage.
"Yakura, you are no match for me."
Luo Sha's voice came from above, filled with absolute confidence.
"Your Scorch Release is indeed powerful, but my Magnet Release is naturally your counter. As long as I keep my distance and attack from a distance with Gold Dust, you won't be able to get close at all."
"Admit defeat. I'll let you leave with dignity."
Yekura did not answer.
She simply stood there quietly, watching the massive, surging gold-flecked pythons come crashing down on her.
Just as the gold dust was about to engulf her, Ye Cang's figure suddenly vanished from the spot!
No, it's not teleportation!
"Illusion?!"
Rosa's pupils suddenly contracted.
"Scorching Release: Overheating and Killing!"
Accompanied by a cold voice, a terrifyingly high temperature appeared behind him!
Yekura's figure appeared behind Rasa like a ghost, his hands gathering two blazing white orbs of light, which he slammed into Rasa's back.
But Rasa, as expected of the Kazekage, reacted with extreme speed.
The gold dust beneath his feet suddenly erupted, causing him to roll to the side, narrowly avoiding the fatal blow.
But how could Yekura's attack be so easily dodged?
Although the two orbs of light did not directly hit Luo Sha, they exploded in mid-air!
The scorching heatwave swept out instantly, melting the gold dust within a radius of tens of meters into pools of boiling liquid!
Luo Sha groaned. Although he had avoided a direct impact, the terrifying heat still made his skin burn and made it difficult for him to breathe.
"What just happened—"
"Not Body Flicker Technique, but a space-time ninjutsu? No, impossible, Yekura couldn't possibly possess a space-time ninjutsu."
"Scorch Release, wait, is it that the high temperature of the air generated by Scorch Release distorts light, thus creating an effect similar to genjutsu?"
Luo Sha steadied himself, his gaze becoming serious.
As expected of a master of scorching release, he is indeed not comparable to an ordinary ninja.
However, he cannot and will not lose this battle!
"Magnetic Release: Golden Sand Waves!"
Rumble!
The ground across the entire battlefield was trembling violently!
Large amounts of gold dust surged wildly from the ground, like a monstrous wave, rushing towards Ye Cang's location from all directions!
This time, it wasn't a few giant pythons, but a real tsunami!
The sandy gold that blotted out the sun almost completely blocked out the sunlight, sealing off all the space around Yecang.
"This level of placer gold?!"
Ye Cang's eyes narrowed, and he desperately activated his Blazing Escape technique.
The intense heat instantly melted the surrounding gold dust, but the melted liquid gold dust did not lose its effect under Luo Sha's control. Instead, it transformed into an even hotter and more dangerous golden torrent, sweeping towards Ye Cang from all directions.
Yecang's expression changed drastically.
She can melt gold dust, but the molten metal that remains after melting is equally deadly!
If she gets caught in it, she will be instantly burned and seriously injured or even die.
Ye Cang gritted his teeth and activated his Body Flicker Technique, desperately dodging the attacks of the gold dust waves, weaving and dodging through the overwhelming gold dust tide.
She was as light as a swallow and as swift as an eagle, narrowly avoiding the deadly golden torrent with every leap and roll.
But Luo Sha's offensive was like a continuous tsunami, wave after wave, giving her no chance to catch her breath.
"Yakura, your defeat is inevitable!"
Luo Sha stood in mid-air, looking down at the figure struggling to hold on below, his voice as cold as iron.
"Your Scorching Release is indeed powerful, but it consumes far more chakra than my Magnet Release. And here, in this Kikyoyama Castle, my gold dust is inexhaustible."
"How much longer can you hold on?"
Yecang did not answer, but tried her best to dodge.
Luo Sha is right.
In this mountain town of Kikyo, on this land rich in placer gold, he is the absolute king.
Just as water-style ninjas experience a significant increase in both chakra consumption and chakra intensity when in a water environment, Rasa's Magnet Release can infinitely manipulate underground gold dust, unleashing maximum power with minimal chakra.
However, her Blazing Release was consuming her already dwindling chakra every second.
Perhaps Yekura does possess strength comparable to Rasa, but this war was never a fair fight from the very beginning.
Victory was decided the moment the war began!
Sweat soaked through the stray hairs on Ye Cang's forehead, sliding down his cheeks, only to evaporate instantly in the intense heat of the air.
Her breathing became increasingly rapid, and her movements lost their initial agility.
But she cannot fall.
It's not because of any honor or dignity.
It's simply because she's unwilling to accept it!
On what grounds?
Why should she fight for Sunagakure for more than ten years, only to be given away as a sacrifice?
Why is it that this hypocritical guy, Luo Sha, can look down on her from a high position and speak with that "I understand you, but you must sacrifice yourself" attitude?
Why should I?!
"Scorching Release: Overheating and Killing!"
Yekura strikes again!
This time, she didn't choose to dodge, but instead rushed directly towards Luo Sha in mid-air.
She was moving at an incredible speed, and the gold dust waves behind her couldn't keep up with her pace.
Like a burning meteor, trailing a fiery white tail, she crashed straight into that golden figure!
"madness!"
Luo Sha snorted coldly and suddenly clasped his hands together.
"Magnetic Escape·Golden Burial!"
Rumble!
The ground trembled violently again.
An even more turbulent wave of gold dust surged forth from the ground, like a giant hand reaching out from the abyss and slamming down on Yecang.
boom!!
Chiyo's expression was solemn as she stared intently at the center of the battlefield.
Ebizo frowned and muttered to himself, "Yakura—she's reached her limit."
As the sandstorm gradually subsided, the scene in the center of the battlefield was revealed.
Luo Sha remained standing in mid-air, his robes intact, his hair unharmed, and his eyes sharp.
And Yekura—
She collapsed to the ground, panting heavily, sweat dripping from her forehead like rain, her hands trembling slightly, and multiple burns on her fair skin.
Those were burns left on her body by hot, high-temperature gold dust.
She lost.
Although she was unwilling and angry, the facts had already told her everything.
"Yakura, you've lost."
Yekura opened her mouth, as if to say something, but her throat was filled with the taste of blood, and her limbs felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead.
"I won't kill you."
Luo Sha said calmly.
"You are a hero of Sunagakure, you have sacrificed too much for the village. Today's battle is simply to make you understand—"
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the high-ranking members of Sunagakure watching from afar, and his voice rose a few decibels.
"No one in this world is above the village."
"Including me, including you, including anyone."
"I chose to sacrifice you for the sake of the village. You chose to challenge me for your own dignity. But in the end, what decides everything is strength."
"You have no power to change anything, so you must accept the outcome."
Ye Cang listened to his words, a hint of sarcastic smile flashing in his eyes.
That sounds nice.
They make betrayal sound so noble, and package it as destiny.
This is her shadow.
This is the village she has protected for more than ten years!
"Rosa————"
Ye Cang spoke slowly, her voice hoarse: "Do you know what I hate most about you?"
Luo Sha raised an eyebrow slightly.
"What I hate most is someone like you who does the dirtiest things but still acts all high and mighty, like you're all compassionate and righteous."
"If you want to kill me, just kill me. If you want to betray me, just betray me. Why bother with these high-sounding words?"
How disgusting!
Luo Sha's face instantly darkened.
"Yakura, I'm only sparing your life because I respect the blood you shed for Sunagakure.
"Since you don't know what's good for you, don't blame me!"
"Magnetic Escape·Golden Seal!"
The remaining gold dust surged towards Ye Cang like a tide, instantly enveloping her and forming a huge golden sphere.
Only her head was exposed.
Yecang struggled, but the sand gold tightened its grip, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.
"Yakura, I won't kill you, but I'll make you suffer more than if you were dead!"
"From this day forward, you are no longer a hero of Sunagakure, no longer a ninja of Sunagakure, no longer anything of Sunagakure."
"You're just a rogue ninja!"
"A rogue ninja who betrayed Sunagakure, betrayed his comrades, and betrayed the village's trust!"
Yecang's pupils suddenly contracted.
A rogue ninja?
she?!
"Rasa—what are you saying—"
I'm stating the facts.
Rasa turned around and looked at the high-ranking members of Sunagakure who were watching the battle from a distance. He raised his voice a few decibels to make sure everyone could hear him.
"Yakura, a Jonin from Sunagakure!"
"Upon investigation, it has been confirmed that she repeatedly abused her position to secretly collude with enemy nations and leak military secrets of our Sunagakure forces, leading to numerous defeats in our battles and the innocent sacrifice of many ninjas!"
"Today, she has openly challenged the authority of the Wind Shadow, committing insubordination and attempting to assassinate me!"
"The decision was made unanimously by the Sand Village Elders Council."
"Effective immediately, Pakura is stripped of all her positions and honors, designated an S-rank rogue ninja, and is wanted throughout the entire ninja world!"
"Anyone or any force that dares to harbor or assist Yekura is an enemy of Sunagakure and will be brought to justice!"