Naruto: Unlocking Kaido Template-Chapter 144

The rules of the preliminary round were simple: to encourage conflict between the villages. The greater the clash, the better. If anyone died, they could only blame their own weakness.

Under this competition system, the participants naturally grouped themselves according to their villages. Since teams from the same village couldn't target each other, multiple small groups inevitably formed, mirroring the dynamics of the major ninja villages.

Among the participants were many familiar faces. Although Zixu had yet to reveal any prizes, it didn't dampen their enthusiasm. An event of this scale was second only to the Fourth Great Ninja War.

Some aimed to become famous through this martial arts competition, while others sought to sharpen their skills. Either way, no one intended to hold back—not even in the preliminary round.

---

After entering the forest, the contestants quickly divided into their respective groups.

Visit freёnovelkiss.com for the 𝑏est n𝘰vel reading experience.

The Konoha team, led by Shikamaru and Naruto, moved swiftly. The Kumogakure (Cloud Village) team was headed by a grim-looking man alongside a red-haired woman—the same one Zixu had encountered before. The Iwagakure (Rock Village) team was led by a big-nosed man with a dull expression, while the Kirigakure (Mist Village) team followed a short, fan-shaped man with glasses. The Sunagakure (Sand Village) group had a bald man with facial tattoos at the helm.

The Uzushiogakure (Whirlpool Village) team boasted even greater numbers. Aburame Hatsuizumi, Karin, Hyuga Chinano, and others took to the field. Haku and Gaara were not idle either, though Neji refrained from participating. Instead, he remained on standby, tasked with coordinating and monitoring the situation.

The Whirlpools had also sent several promising newcomers who had performed well in recent years. This competition was their chance to be tempered by battle.

---

It was assumed that the first clash would occur later, after some initial testing of each other's strength. However, no one expected the Cloud-nin to immediately launch an attack against the Whirlpools without warning.

"Attack!" the red-haired woman leading the Cloud-nin shouted, unsheathing the twin swords strapped to her back. She gave the signal for the assault.

Their target: the Whirlpool Country.

The Cloud-nin sought revenge. During their previous encounter, several of their comrades had been humiliated over a petty dispute about free meals. The Cloud-nin viewed their initial restraint as a show of face toward the Whirlpools. Yet the Whirlpool shinobi had dared to disgrace them. Now, they would pay.

Moreover, Zixu's previous incident in Kumogakure had left lingering resentment. Unable to deal with Zixu directly, the Cloud-nin instead turned their fury toward his subordinates, seeing no shame in preying on the weak.

"Kumo-nin, this is your only warning," Aburame Hatsuizumi's voice rang out from the Whirlpool group. "If you continue forward, we will show no mercy. Are you declaring war?"

"War?" A tattooed Cloud-nin with scars running across his face sneered. "The weak die, the strong live. That's the only rule. What, you Whirlpool shinobi think you're above death? Once you enter this battlefield, your life depends on your own strength. If you're weak, you die."

The other villages reacted differently.

The Konoha team chose to avoid the conflict altogether, quickly retreating. Though Naruto was eager to intervene, Sasuke forcefully held him back.

The Kirigakure and Iwagakure shinobi feigned withdrawal but didn't go far. They discreetly scattered into the surrounding terrain, scouting for potential opportunities to strike or reap the benefits of the impending battle.

Meanwhile, the Sunagakure team remained still, merely observing the clash between the Cloud and Whirlpool forces. Their leader seemed undecided but clearly interested in joining the fray.

---

The Whirlpool Country, however, was not intimidated. Despite the Cloud-nin's aggressive march, the Whirlpools displayed remarkable composure.

Their forces lined up in perfect formation.

The front line used Doton: Doryūheki (Earth Style: Earth Wall) to construct a wide defensive shelter, while various ninjutsu assaults were unleashed from above the barrier.

The middle line equipped themselves with assault rifles, launching a relentless barrage of bullets from both flanks.

The rear line swiftly retreated, taking up sniper positions. Unlike the others, they prioritized finding cover over engaging directly.

"Cloud-nin, if you take another step, you will suffer the consequences," Hyuga Chinano warned coldly. Though the Whirlpools were not bloodthirsty, they had no qualms about killing when necessary.

"Hey, pretty girl," one of the Cloud-nin sneered lecherously. "Why don't you let big bro show you some fun later? Hahaha! Brothers, I want this one!"

The Cloud-nin only grew more brazen, grinning cruelly as their blades gleamed with murderous intent.

Wild thunder suddenly roared overhead. Combining their strength, the Cloud-nin summoned a massive Rai no Jū (Thunder Beast), which charged toward the Whirlpool's defensive line. Despite being bombarded by numerous jutsu, the beast remained unscathed—until...

Ice suddenly formed over its front claws. Countless electric beetles, their bodies crackling with lightning, burst forth from the frozen prison.

Sand surged from all directions, swiftly entombing the Thunder Beast, as though preparing a grave for it.

Finally, a sniper round—a bullet wrapped in a blue-green Fūton (Wind Style) chakra blade—pierced through the beast's skull.

In an instant, the so-called invincible Thunder Beast disintegrated into nothingness.

---

But the Cloud-nin were undeterred.

Wielding their long swords, they surged forward once again, electricity coursing through their muscles, amplifying their speed and reflexes.

"Kill! We're invincible!"

They roared in unison, their eyes bloodshot and filled with battle frenzy.

But Hyuga Chinano and her comrades quickly proved otherwise.

The arrival of advanced technology had already changed the battlefield forever.

Bullets of various colors tore through the air. With the Thunder Beast gone, the Cloud-nin were exposed. The bullets, accelerated to lethal speeds, tore through their bodies before they had a chance to react.

In the shinobi world, a kunai—a mere physical weapon without chakra—was capable of killing. There was no reason a steel bullet, with superior speed and kinetic force, couldn't do the same.

And these were no ordinary bullets—they were chakra-enhanced rounds designed for maximum lethality.

---

"Aaaaaargh!"

The Cloud-nin screamed in agony, blood spurting from their wounds as life gradually slipped away.

They were caught completely off guard by the firepower. In desperation, they unleashed defensive jutsu—Doton (Earth Style) walls, Suiton (Water Style) barriers—anything to hold back the deadly onslaught.

But Hyuga Chinano and the others gave them no quarter.

The sniper squads, having already taken their positions, were like ghosts in the night. No matter how the Cloud-nin tried to flee or defend, they fell one by one.

The snipers' bullets struck with ghostly precision, claiming lives without warning. Every time a Cloud-nin turned to run, another fell. Their allies' bodies collapsed around them, but they were powerless to retaliate.

The battlefield echoed with the sharp crack of sniper rifles and the despairing wails of the dying Cloud-nin.

---

The remaining Cloud-nin, now consumed by fear, began to retreat. Their once-frenzied eyes were now wide with terror.

However, the Whirlpool snipers were merciless. They continued their slaughter with machine-like efficiency.

The Cloud-nin attempted to create smokescreens with jutsu, but it was futile. Most of the Whirlpool snipers were members of the Hyuga clan—Byakugan (White Eyes) users. There was no escaping their sight.

The Sand-nin eventually intervened, launching their own attacks to hinder the Whirlpools. It appeared they, too, were preparing to join the battle.

Coincidentally, the Whirlpool forces' guns needed time to cool, creating a temporary stalemate.

---

Though the battle had felt like an eternity, it had only lasted five minutes.

In that brief span, the devastating power of firearms had been laid bare for the entire shinobi world to witness.

As the dust settled, the ground was littered with the corpses of Cloud-nin.

The survivors would never forget the name of their tormentor: guns.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Do you want to read Advanced Chapters?

Visit this link:

Påtreon.com/Fanficlord03

Change (å) to (a)