"Disadvantageous… situation, huh…"
Some clarity returned to Kirito's eyes. But the vast power constantly bleeding from his eyes, his overflowing ocular force, meant he was still largely lost to berserk madness. In this state, only fragments of rationality remained.
Kirito slowly raised a hand, and in his palm appeared a pitch-black dagger. As soon as the blade formed, dozens of shadowy figures emerged from the darkness around him.
These were Phantom Echoes, hallucinated assassins, each with an independent personality and specialized field. There were 80 in total. And now… every single one appeared.
The Konoha ninjas were alarmed.
Strangers in black clothing appeared without warning. Men and women of all forms and weapons stood silently in formation. They clearly weren't Shadow Clones.
"What's going on?!" Shikaku gasped.
"How did this many unknowns sneak into Konoha undetected?!"
Kakashi's expression darkened.
"Even now… he still had hidden cards to play…"
Amid the rising panic, Inoichi's calm voice rang out:
"Everyone, stay calm! These individuals don't possess strong chakra signatures."
Kirito's eyes snapped to Inoichi. He had sensed it, throughout the fight, their teamwork was seamless. Their coordination, positioning, and attack timing had been nearly flawless. Clearly, it was Inoichi's sensory abilities that tracked him, and through mental links, relayed real-time information directly to the entire team.
This instant tactical relay made a scattered force into a true unit. In large-scale battle, it was beyond vital.
Still, Inoichi's analysis was correct. Each individual Phantom Echo lacked strong offensive capability. Assassins were never designed for direct combat, after all. But it wasn't about their fighting ability.
Kirito had something else in mind.
He raised the black dagger and slashed through the air. Others couldn't understand what he was doing, but to Kirito, something invisible had just appeared.
[Arsenal System – Exchange Mode]
Cost: Assassin's Dagger
Action: Recycle and dismantle
Confirm…
Crack!
A sharp crack rang out. A fracture split across the surface of the black blade.
It shattered.
The dagger dissolved into radiant fragments and disappeared without a trace.
At the same time, all 80 Phantom Echoes faded away, vanishing like mist. Their anchor, Assassin's Dagger, had been sacrificed.
"What just happened?"
The Konoha ninjas looked around in confusion.
"Did they go into hiding?"Hiashi activated his Byakugan.
"I see no trace of them."
Tsume sniffed the air.
"No scent either."
Aburame Shibi checked with his insects.
"Nothing. No response."
Inoichi concluded firmly,
"Their chakra has completely disappeared."
"Then… what was the point of that?" Kakashi muttered, keeping a close watch on Kirito.
"A bluff? Or something more…?"
But Kirito was motionless, still calmly navigating his Arsenal System.
Exchange Complete.
Assassin's Dagger: Dismantled.
Reward: …
He froze.
For a moment, a still silence fell upon the field.
Neither side moved.
The tension rose until it snapped,
"Enough of this!" shouted Tsume. She lunged forward.
"Let me handle this punk!"
Crack!
She dropped to all fours. Her eyes shifted to a beast's vertical pupils. Claws sprouted along her fingers and toes.
"Secret Art – Four-Legged Technique!"
By channeling chakra into her limbs, her body entered a wild beast-like state, massively boosting her speed and strength.
Whoosh!
Inuzuka Tsume streaked toward Kirito like a thunderbolt. Her clawed hand aimed for his throat,
"Tch!" Shirayuki flared her spiritual energy and prepared to strike.
But Kirito raised a hand to stop her.
"No need. Just watch."
"Huh?"
Tsume thought she saw… cherry blossoms?
Faint pink glimmers, drifting like sakura petals.
"What…?"
From behind her, Inoichi suddenly shouted in panic:
"Clan Head! Get back now!"
"Too late."
Kirito's calm voice cut through the air.
Shkkk!
A horrifying sound of a hundred blades slicing through flesh.
SPLASH!
Blood scattered through the sky.
Tsume reeled backward, her body trembling.
"Clan Head!"
Kakashi's eyes widened.
"Damn you…"
Tsume's face was deathly pale. Blood streamed from her arm. Her entire left forearm was mangled, shredded as if by countless blades. Torn flesh, exposed white bone, it was grotesque.
"One second slower and I'd have lost the whole arm…"
Petals continued to drift through the air, soft pink snowflakes.
And then, they gathered in Kirito's palm.
Condensing… reshaping…
A long, elegant katana appeared, simple, traditional, deadly.
Kirito gripped it firmly and raised it high.
"Scatter."
<><>---------------------------------------
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🚨 TL/N 💥
Hello guys Fanfic recommendation!
Check out my other work:
💥> Naruto: Mind Control (Highly Recommended)
💥> Bleach: Sephiroth Template
If you like smart and strong MC, this fanfic is for you.
It's Peak.
Give it a chance and you won't be disappointed