Chương 323: No escape

We kept running for our lives toward the open area of the pier. I was certain there was no ambush or another barrier hiding more shinobi because our enemies knew we would sense it. Instead they had set their trap extremely well. I sensed a tremendous amount of chakra destabilizing the entire area beneath my feet. My eyes widened as I detected a Jonin-level chakra signature right before an ANBU flickered directly into my path. He was instantly greeted by my spear.

The roof ignited with lightning, and just before the weapon struck, he flicked to the side, only to be met with a point-blank Lightning Spear jutsu. The blast hit him square in the chest, violently shattering his form. Yet, instead of flesh and blood, a massive chunk of jagged stone crumbled onto the roof. The Jonin had used an earth clone from the very start to gauge my abilities. Finally, I flickered and skidded to a halt at the end of the pier.

The sea churned behind me, while the path ahead revealed a scene of absolute destruction. Multiple warehouses had collapsed completely, and the ground looked as if a massive earthquake had fractured the stone. Shisui materialized next to me with his kunai drenched in fresh blood. His red Sharingan glowed with a terrifying, pulsing light and spun at its absolute limits. The trail of blood extending from him to the multiple mutilated ANBU in front of us was all the proof I needed of the carnage he had just unleashed.

Shisui spoke in a grim low tone.

"How many." My heart hammered against my ribs as I replied with caution.

"Multiple. There are a few Chunin approaching slowly with a Jonin leading them. There is also one larger wave behind them and at least one more wave of them spreading out to encircle us from the sides. Should we run for it, Sensei?" Shisui shook his head.

"The sea is covered by a Water Release user, and those fighters can be highly annoying to deal with while in the water. That is not to mention the small squad that will surely be chasing us. As for running before we are fully encircled, I am not sure that you will be able to make it out in time with them harassing us. They are too good to let that happen." I felt like dropping my head in defeat but I knew better than to take my eyes off the approaching enemies.

"Sorry Sensei." Shisui offered a small chuckle. He deliberately eased the tension despite the slaughter surrounding us.

"Do not get me wrong Noa. I am simply much faster than you." The lead Jonin stepped forward with a team of six at his back.

"That terrifying speed. You are Shisui of the Body Flicker. Killing you at any cost is worth it." He pointed his kunai directly at us.

"We just arrived here but it looks like we have found something truly worth hunting." My body shivered as I sensed Shisui's rising bloodlust. The chakra feeding his Sharingan began to warp and shift. I knew he was about to activate his Mangekyo Sharingan but I also knew the terrible cost. I could feel the steady deterioration of his sight. I noticed the way he hesitated before touching objects and how he navigated the world with such careful measured steps whenever his eyes grew clouded.

It was not too bad yet but the damage was compounding. If he used that ultimate skill once more I was terrified of the permanent price he would pay. I spoke in a hushed, desperate tone.

"Sensei, preserve your strength. The other waves are not approaching. They are fully planning on sacrificing their lives in a controlled manner to take you down. They want a war of attrition, and they outnumber us heavily." Shisui sighed and his voice was heavy with a profound sadness.

"It is my responsibility to protect my students. I will not allow you to die here." He looked forward and his gaze hardened into pure resolve.

"I will hold them back. I am confident in my ability to prevent them from reaching you." His hand gripped his kunai tightly. I felt the absolute sincerity in his words and the heavy weight of his resolve made it difficult for me to breathe. Watching him prepare to sacrifice his own life for mine ignited a fire in my chest. I decided then and there that I would fight with everything I had so we could both make it out alive. I owed him that much and more.

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"Sensei, I have a jutsu that will take care of most of these enemies since they are fairly close together, but if you can draw more of them in, that would be even better. However, it will take a long time to set up. I also must be very discreet about it. Otherwise, they will rush me at any cost if they sense the volume of chakra I am emitting. Please buy me as much time as you can while maintaining your own strength, because I will be in a weakened state afterward."

Shisui almost turned his head toward me, but he remained focused, curiosity clear in his voice as he asked, "Is it a variation on Stormdrive?" I shook my head.

"While that is powerful, it is better suited for single targets than multiple waves with Jonin sprinkled throughout. This will be something entirely different." I cracked my neck before continuing.

"I will bring my summon forward. He will not miss the chance to help with such an intense battle, given how many enemies might close in on us once they start losing numbers and sense me building up my jutsu, which they will surely do just before it releases." The lead Jonin eyed us with interest. He was unwilling to attack until we revealed our hand. He had the luxury of superior numbers and he fully intended to use it, so he was not in a rush. I looked right at him and grinned.

"You insolent brat. Are you underestimating a Jonin. You..." Before he could finish his posturing I bit my finger and slammed my palm hard against the pier.

"Summoning Jutsu." A massive explosion of white smoke roared across the pier and shook the very foundations of the ruined docks. As the smoke cleared, the giant bear stood on his hind legs, towering over the wreckage. He held a massive, thrashing fish in his maw. With a sickening crunch, his sharp fangs brutalized the creature and shredded it into pieces in an instant. He swallowed the remains whole before turning his heavy gaze toward the surrounding shinobi.

His face split into a wide, maniacal smile as he surveyed the death and destruction surrounding us. He finally shifted his immense bulk, dropping onto all fours on the ground. The sheer weight of his titanic body caused the already fractured pier to groan and splinter further. Several of the enemy shinobi retreated instinctively. They were paralyzed by his ominous bloodlust and the bone-chilling, frigid chakra emitting at a frightening pace from his titanic body.

The bear spoke and his voice vibrated through the very air.

"Kid you did not disappoint. To bring me to such a beautiful fighting ground. I do not regret signing a contract with you at all." Suddenly, the sea exploded from behind us. A monumental amount of chakra had been consumed to strike from our blind spot, using the ocean itself to amplify the scale of the Water Style jutsu beyond belief. As the ANBU in front of us screamed and summoned their final reserves of courage before lunging forward, the entire world seemed to collapse toward us.

The bear however looked completely bored. He turned his massive frame toward the oncoming tidal wave with an expression of utter disdain.

"Such a weak attack." He opened his maw and unleashed a roar so catastrophic that the very air seemed to shatter. It was not just a sound but a true force of nature. The earth buckled and the attacking ANBU were thrown off balance as their footing was pulverized by the shockwaves. The towering wall of ocean water behind us groaned and then abruptly halted. It flash froze in midair as the sound waves rippled through the liquid and turned the entire sea into a jagged mythical sculpture of ice.

An absolute bone deep chill radiated from the frozen expanse while thin wisps of vapor curled into the air like ghosts. The roar died down and left a deafening silence in its wake. As the bear turned back to face our enemies a thick spiderwebbing sheet of ice raced across the pier and coated the ground in a layer of deadly frost. His bloodied maw dripped with the remnants of his meal. His crimson eyes burned brighter with a predatory light that made the remaining shinobi tremble in fear.

Shisui's eyes widened as his usual calm was replaced by a flicker of genuine awe. He almost whistled before steadying himself and tightening his grip on his blade. The steel reflected the ominous icy light coming from the frozen ocean behind us.

"I guess I cannot let your summon outperform me." Shisui said with a voice that was quiet but incredibly sharp.

"Since I need to conserve my chakra there will be no shadow clones for me today." He stepped in front of me with a stance that was fluid and entirely unbreakable. He did not even question what I was planning, and his complete trust in me warmed my heart.

"Take your time, Noa. I will keep you safe until you are ready."