Naruto: Passerby and Returnee

Chapter 306 The Monster's Cry

Climbing a vertical cliff is a matter of a moment for a ninja at full speed.

Before they even crossed the high wall, a gust of wind shattered the wooden perimeter, carrying several humanoid figures flying through the air. Instinctively, even though Sasuke knew these people were likely criminals, he intended to intervene. But before he could move, a chilling gust of wind swept in, carrying the flying figures back to the center of the plaza. Sasuke witnessed firsthand how those people were swallowed by a black box at least five meters tall; clearly, that was the source of the unease.

A black monster hovered in the sky, attacking everyone on the field indiscriminately. The thing was clearly taller than the box, yet it moved with an agility that defied logic. Under the observation of the Sharingan, the chakra flowing within its body was not normal, but rather a dark purple energy.

Was that a monster released from the box? If we destroy the box, will it stop?

Given the limited information, this was the conclusion Sasuke reached. Since the conditions here are favorable, it wouldn't hurt to try out his latest research.

Sasuke didn't immediately approach the box. Instead, he decisively used the high wall as cover to gather his strength. The thunderous roar was already deafening, and the screams and wails of countless people provided further cover. As expected, the strange creature didn't immediately notice him and gradually flew further and further away. It wasn't until a gigantic thunder beast suddenly emerged from the clouds that the creature finally realized something was wrong. But its first reaction wasn't to protect him; instead, it headed straight for Sasuke's hiding place.

Sasuke swung his hand without hesitation. Lightning was definitely faster than that thing, but he also had to consider the possibility that the attack would be ineffective. He immediately jumped out of cover and ran towards the square where the view was more open.

The Qilin's momentum was even greater than expected, but its effect... was practically nonexistent. Even as Sasuke dodged the monster's attacks, he kept an eye on the outcome. Logically, the Qilin should have been powerful enough to destroy a broken box, but the moment the attack arrived, a patch of purplish-black energy gathered at the top of the box, actually blocking the Qilin's power!

"You don't belong here..."

What the heck? This thing can actually talk!

Sasuke was genuinely surprised, but the worst thing in battle is to be distracted. He quickly shook off these emotions and began the next step of his plan. Since he couldn't destroy the box, he would kill the monster!

Being unable to fly puts him at a disadvantage against aerial units, so he inevitably thought of something that could soar freely in the sky. But he knew very well just how fast his Ninja Hawk could fly; if he were to actually face that thing, he would only become an aerial target.

Since speed might not be fast enough, let's use range to cover the area. Didn't I just hear Jiraiya talk about the power of combined ninjutsu? We've already got a chance to put it into practice so soon. Hopefully, the toad that came recognizes him...

"Spiritual communication!"

The altitude suddenly increased by several meters, indicating that the toad he summoned this time was indeed a toad capable of going to war, and those red patterns... I remember it should be called Gamabunta.

"Huh? What kind of place is this?" Bunta was already quite familiar with being summoned to all sorts of strange places, but the environment of Hozuki Castle was indeed very unusual. After asking, he realized that there seemed to be something sticking up under his butt. He looked down and immediately sprang into action.

"What? It's the Box of Bliss! You're just like that brat, you never come to me unless it's troublesome, are you?!"

Sasuke was genuinely surprised. "You know about the Box of Elysium?"

"How could I not know? This is the ultimate weapon from the era of the Sage of Six Paths." While speaking, Gamabunta skillfully dodged the monster's feather attack. "Isn't that Satori?"

"Jue. Is that guy's name?"

"The Box of Bliss nurtures the awakening, moves with the awakening, and awaits the end of the awakening. That thing will send the enemy into the box, making them a puppet controlled by the box."

"Moreover, this thing can read minds. I don't know what kind of magic the Box of Bliss uses, but it seems to turn enemies it sucks in into allies."

So you absolutely can't let that monster catch you and put you in the box, right? Summoning the toads of Mount Myōboku was definitely the right thing to do. If he had chosen the snakes of Shikkotsu Forest... those guys would have had a hard time even speaking a normal human word.

"How can we get that thing back into the box?"

During the conversation, Satoru launched another attack on them. This time, Gamabunta drew his blade and blocked Satoru's attack. Sasuke immediately followed up with Chidori Sharp Cry, but unfortunately, the weapon nimbly dodged it.

Is someone manipulating consciousness?

To be honest, he really didn't know the answer to that question. But there was a person lying in a pool of blood next to the Box of Bliss, and judging from his attire, he seemed to be the city lord, Wuwei.

"I don't know, probably not."

"That feeling has gone out of control. The only way to bring it back is to kill it."

Sure enough, isn't that obvious? But that thing is so fast and can fly, it's impossible to hit it. How can we take it down?

"Are you scared?" the thing spoke again. "You don't belong here, so why bother sticking up for this rotten place?"

"Will you stop after you kill everyone in this place?" This was the second time the other party had shown its intention to talk. Sasuke wanted to see what earth-shattering things this thing could say, and also to buy some time to plan the operation.

"...The moment I killed my father, there were no more shackles in this world that could bind me. I will make this utterly terrible world taste true fear!" Jue laughed wildly, looking like someone who had truly let go of himself.

"...You have a father?" Sasuke's first thought was that there were other monsters in the box, given that the monster's appearance was completely unlike that of a human. Could there really be inheritance and mutual warfare between monsters?

But for some reason, these words provoked Jue, who suddenly opened his mouth and spewed out a huge, dark red fireball. Fortunately, Wen Tai reacted quickly and managed to dodge it with his men.

"Can't you shut up if you can't even have a conversation?"

"How was I supposed to know that thing would suddenly go crazy?"

It's clear that the two sides don't have much in common and even ridicule each other, but when they actually start fighting, their teamwork is strangely tacit, which is quite odd.

"Jiraiya taught me the Fire Oil Flame Ball technique."

"understood."

Gamabunta lost his temper and leaped high into the air—a move with a huge opening, which Sasuke naturally followed. However, this time, what fell like rain wasn't water, but oil. Such a large-scale application of flammable materials would likely cause an explosion, right? But Sasuke was fearless, immediately forming hand seals and casting a spell after the oil rain.

Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!