Want to read ahead? Join my Patreon for just $7 to get early access to all advance chapters!
> Patreon.com/NegativeTranslations
───────────────────────────
Chapter 191: Are You a Child?
"Something is wrong."
Nara Shikamei stood up abruptly. The lazy, decadent aura he usually exuded vanished instantly, replaced by a sharpness akin to a drawn blade.
In the adjacent cell, the Cloud Jonin known as Manniu was startled by the sudden movement. He gripped the iron bars and roared, "Hey! Konoha scum, have you gone crazy? If you figured something out, spit it out! Don't just stand there acting deep!"
Shikamei ignored Manniu's clamor. He turned around to look at his massive companion huddled in the corner of their shared cell.
It was an elite of the Akimichi clan, Code Name: "Heavy Rock."
Due to prolonged starvation and his chakra being sealed, Heavy Rock's usually round cheeks were sunken, making him look like a deflated rubber ball.
"Heavy Rock."
Shikamei's voice was low but carried an unquestionable seriousness. "Do you still have that tooth?"
Hearing this, the lethargic Heavy Rock trembled. A glint of astonishment flashed through his small eyes, which were squeezed into slits by his facial flesh. Subconsciously, he pressed his tongue against a molar in the back of his mouth.
"Captain... are you sure?" Heavy Rock swallowed hard, his voice dry and raspy. "That's our last resort. Once I use it, whether we escape or not, I'll be bedridden for at least half a month."
It was a secret medicine specially crafted by the Akimichi clan for desperate situations, hidden inside a false tooth. Once crushed, it would instantly restore stamina and forcibly break through some of the chakra seals within the body. However, the cost was immense—it was a gamble that overdrew one's life force.
"There's no time to hesitate."
Shikamei walked to the cell door, gripping the freezing iron bars until his knuckles turned white.
"Heavy Rock, do it."
Shikamei stepped back two paces, clearing a space for his companion. "Something has definitely happened inside Amegakure."
Heavy Rock took a deep breath, the hesitation in his eyes replaced by resolve.
Crack.
A crisp shattering sound echoed piercingly in the quiet dungeon. Immediately after, a violent aura erupted from Heavy Rock's withered body.
It was the sound of chakra flowing!
The sealing shackles on his wrists and ankles, sensing the intense chakra fluctuation, began to flash red wildly and released high-voltage electricity.
Bzzzt—!!
Electricity coursed through his body, scorching his skin instantly. Yet, acting as if he felt no pain, Heavy Rock let out a deafening roar.
"Raaahhh!!"
With the roar, his body began to expand at a speed visible to the naked eye. Muscles bulged, tearing through his prison uniform, and the loose shackles were instantly stretched to their breaking point.
Akimichi Style: Partial Multi-Size Technique!
"Open... for me!!"
Heavy Rock's giant hand, now several times larger than a normal human's, swung with a howling wind and slammed ruthlessly into the cell door.
BOOM—!!
The entire dungeon seemed to tremble.
The door, forged from refined steel and engraved with sealing formulas, let out a groan of being overwhelmed before the sheer, unreasonable brute force. It twisted, deformed, and then blasted off its hinges. The heavy iron door flew like a piece of broken wood, smashing into the opposite wall and kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Cough, cough..."
Inside the dust cloud, Heavy Rock reverted to his original size. He collapsed to his knees in exhaustion, gasping for air, a trace of blood leaking from the corner of his mouth.
But he had succeeded.
Shikamei rushed out immediately, hauling Heavy Rock up and draping the large man's arm over his shoulder. "Let's go!"
Without wasting a word, Shikamei dragged his heavy companion and prepared to charge out.
"Hey! Konoha guys! What about us?!"
Manniu in the next cell panicked. He shook the bars desperately, his rugged face full of anxiety. "Let us out too! Our odds are better if we rush them together!"
The Iwa ninja diagonally across from them also shouted, "That's right! We are combat power too! Don't leave us behind!"
Shikamei stopped and looked back at those eyes filled with desperate longing.
Manniu thought he had swayed him and a look of joy appeared in his eyes, only to hear a reply cold enough to freeze marrow.
"Are you a child? We are enemies. Not killing you right now is already an act of mercy."
With that, he didn't look back, dragging Heavy Rock as he charged into the pitch-black corridor.
"Bastard! You insidious Konoha snake!"
"I'll haunt you from the grave!"
Curses rose and fell behind them, but were soon left far behind.
The corridor was long and dark. Shikamei's heart pounded rapidly. He supported Heavy Rock with one hand while the other tightly gripped a rusty iron nail he had picked up from the ground.
It was currently his only weapon.
He was waiting. Waiting for Rain ninja to rush out from a corner, waiting for the sound of kunai piercing the air, waiting for the explosion of paper tags.
However, there was nothing.
Until they rushed out of the dungeon gate and saw the sky again, only freezing rain welcomed them.
"This..."
By the dim light of the sky, Heavy Rock forced his eyes open. He was so shocked by the scene before him that he couldn't speak.
Empty streets. Empty watchtowers.
The core area of Amegakure, usually heavily guarded, now resembled a dead city. Rainwater washed over the stone-paved roads, gathering into muddy streams. There were no patrols, no hidden sentries, not even a stray dog.
Only atop the highest tower in the distance, something vaguely hung there, swaying in the wind and rain.
"Is there really... no one?" Heavy Rock muttered in disbelief.
"Don't worry about it. Let's leave first."
Shikamei stopped overthinking. Dragging Heavy Rock and using the curtain of rain as cover, he ran like a madman toward the outskirts of the village.
The journey was so smooth it was unnerving.
It wasn't until they rushed out of Amegakure's range and entered the muddy marshlands that a dense cluster of chakra reactions finally appeared ahead.
"Who goes there?!"
Several black shadows darted from the tree canopy. Gleaming kunai instantly sealed off all of Shikamei's escape routes. Seeing those familiar green flak jackets and Konoha forehead protectors, the last string of Shikamei's taut nerves finally snapped, and he nearly collapsed.
"Don't shoot! Friendly forces!" he shouted with a hoarse voice, raising his hands. "I am Shikamei!"
Walking out of the forest was the vanguard unit sent by Konoha to support the front, led by a Jonin from the Hyuga branch family. His Byakugan was active, and after confirming the chakra flow within Shikamei, he immediately waved his hand to stand down.
"Captain Shikaku?!"
The Hyuga ninja rushed forward in shock, supporting the teetering pair. "You... weren't you captured?"
"We were just preparing to storm Amegakure's outer defense line. This is the vanguard squad here to meet you!"
Shikamei gasped for air, waving his hand to indicate they should ignore him and treat Heavy Rock first. "Don't ask about that... tell me first, what is the situation on the front lines?"
The Hyuga ninja signaled for the medical team while speaking rapidly, "The situation is complicated. The Daimyo has issued a death order requiring us to immediately eradicate Amegakure. Although Lord Hokage opposed it, he bowed to the pressure and assembled the troops."
"Right now, it's not just us. The main forces of Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and Sunagakure are all pressing toward this location. Amegakure is completely surrounded."
At this point, the Hyuga ninja looked toward the direction of Amegakure with confusion. "But it's strange. Our reconnaissance squad reports that Amegakure's outer defense lines offered absolutely no resistance. It's like... they just gave up."
Shikamei let out a bitter laugh.
"Amegakure is already empty."
───────────────────────────
Support this fanfic by leaving positive reviews, comments, and Power Stones!
For advance chapters, visit:
> Patreon.com/NegativeTranslations