Chapter 291: God-Slaying Bomb and Obito Who Almost Capsized
Kenichi remained very calm about Konoha creating hot air balloons. It was more or less within his expectations.
The ninja world had never lacked geniuses. If anything, they seemed to grow in batches. Perhaps because the ninja world was not especially large, it was easier for extraordinary talents to emerge here.
Of course, it might also be related to chakra. Chakra nourished the body and brain alike, which could explain why so many gifted people were born in this world. There were geniuses in ninjutsu, geniuses in scientific research, geniuses in taijutsu, and even geniuses in business.
So in the ninja world, all kinds of strange talents could be found. Just looking at Amado and his teacher was enough. They had already created all sorts of things that could practically be called black technology in this world. Naturally, that was also tied to the ninja world's absurdly inconsistent tech level.
Konoha in particular stood at the forefront of the ninja world. It had produced more than its fair share of geniuses.
Besides, Kenichi had flown an airship over Konoha before. So he was not surprised in the slightest that Konoha had managed to produce hot air balloons of this scale.
"No wonder they do not even want to pay protection fees. Could it be they reinforced their defensive barrier too?" Kenichi scratched his head.
He felt that was very likely, though it was still within his expectations. He had considered that possibility long ago. The people of this world were not naive sheep. Why would they obediently pay up when faced with a problem like this?
By ninja logic, if a problem could not be solved, then solve the person who created the problem, and the problem itself would disappear.
"These people learn quickly," Sasori said as he glanced at the hot air balloons outside, then at Kenichi.
A sudden realization struck him. Unit One had a fatal flaw. It could not fly.
That flaw did not seem significant for the moment, but seeing Konoha's ninja flying outside, Sasori suddenly felt a sense of urgency. If future enemies all gained the ability to fly while his puppets remained stuck on the ground, then would they not just become living targets?
"I never underestimated them." Kenichi quietly watched the Konoha ninja before him.
The enemy launched another round of attacks, and at the same time dropped something downward. It looked like a bamboo tube or some similar object. Kenichi did not know exactly what it was, but he knew the Konoha ninja were definitely sending word back to the village that invaders had appeared, and that the invader was him.
"It looks like a sneak attack is impossible. Then we will go in head on. This is also a good chance for me to see how far ninjutsu and technology can be combined." Kenichi licked his lips, then asked Sasori beside him to deal with the enemies that were about to arrive.
Deidara stood nearby. He had just used explosive clay to create several flying birds and send them at the hot air balloons. He had hoped for some good results from the ambush, but the opposing ninja were also highly capable and had dealt with his clay birds almost instantly.
"That is a Konoha jonin. I remember him. He has a bounty at the Exchange Office." Sasori made his move.
Though Unit One was not particularly suited for this battlefield, it did not matter. He had plenty of human puppets. He could not use the Kazekage puppet for this, but the rest of his collection was more than enough.
"You go assist Kenichi. I can handle this alone."
Sasori glanced at Deidara, then acted. Three puppets shot out of the airship and charged directly at the hot air balloon.
"Eh?" Deidara froze.
He had been thinking about showing off in front of Kenichi, but he had not expected Sasori to immediately send him off to help Kenichi instead.
Kenichi stood by and watched, nearly amused.
"Sasori, for all his sharp tongue, is actually softhearted," Kenichi muttered as he unwrapped a piece of gum and popped it into his mouth.
Naturally, he understood what Sasori meant.
Sasori knew Deidara admired him. He also knew Deidara worshipped explosions, and Kenichi's fame largely came from the thermobaric bomb. So Sasori was deliberately giving Deidara a chance to witness it. For Deidara, seeing something like that in person would certainly be the height of happiness.
Deidara quickly understood as well and rushed to Kenichi's side. He looked a little embarrassed, but his eyes were blazing with excitement.
Ever since he had seen that mushroom cloud, he had sworn to reach Kenichi's level one day. But after coming here, he had never seen Kenichi unleash that terrifying explosion again. Now the opportunity had finally come.
"Deidara, do you know what science is?" Kenichi asked as he looked at him and took the God-Slaying Bomb out of its sealing scroll.
He did not remove it completely, only halfway.
"Science? I do not know. I only know ninjutsu," Deidara admitted, shaking his head.
Kenichi smiled faintly.
Science had never been especially valued in the ninja world. Ninjutsu was simply too powerful, too direct, and too quick to produce results.
A person with ninja aptitude could begin learning ninjutsu and usually show some basic results within the first year. Just look at academy students. After graduating, they already possessed superhuman ability.
Even Naruto, who had been mocked as the dead last, could still handle an ordinary person with ease once he graduated from the academy.
But what about science?
Scientific research was slow and tedious. It might take years, a decade, or even decades before anything meaningful emerged. At Naruto's age, most people in such a field would still be stuck studying theory.
"It is an incredibly powerful discipline. What I am about to show you is the power called science." Kenichi chuckled.
At that moment, a roar rang out from outside the airship, and Sasori withdrew his puppets.
Three puppets against one hot air balloon had been simple enough.
Sasori had seen the situation clearly. There was no need to fight to the death. He only needed to render the enemy unable to threaten the airship.
That Konoha jonin was strong. Otherwise, he would never have been listed at the Exchange Office. But he was not a ninja who could fly on his own. As long as the hot air balloon was destroyed, he would fall.
"Unit One is also a product of science. I agree with that. Science truly is remarkable," Sasori said after hearing Kenichi.
Deidara nodded, only half understanding.
He still did not really grasp what science was, but Kenichi did not mind. He had only understood it himself after years of study.
"Naruto is fishing again?" Kenichi muttered as he leaned over and looked down while holding the scroll.
He quickly found Naruto's location, which reassured him.
Among everyone in Konoha, Naruto was still the one he liked best. Naruto's personality was good, perhaps too good, but Kenichi had no desire to kill him here.
Still, even knowing Naruto was in Konoha, Kenichi would throw the God-Slaying Bomb all the same. The reason was simple. He believed the Third Hokage would never sit by and let Naruto come to harm. Naruto would absolutely have the strongest protection nearby, and Hiruzen was also well aware of Kenichi's methods.
"Come on, Deidara. Let me show you the power of science."
Kenichi laughed, then hurled the God-Slaying Bomb toward the position he had calculated. He did not overdo it. Instead, he jumped down after it, a safety rope fastened to his body to let him return to the airship later.
"Amamiya senpai!" Deidara cried out excitedly as he pressed himself against the window.
He wanted to jump down after him too, but Sasori stopped him.
Sasori looked at him helplessly. Deidara was talented in every respect, but whenever Kenichi was involved, his enthusiasm became excessive. If Deidara jumped down now, he would only get in Kenichi's way.
Meanwhile, below them, Konoha had already fallen into chaos.
"Sealing squad! Sealing squad! Raise the barrier output to maximum! Activate the Anti-Sky Barrier!"
As Kenichi had expected, Konoha had long since received word that the Heavenly Demon had arrived. The entire village instantly sprang into motion like a massive machine. The streets were full of rushing ninja, while others maintained order and guided civilians to safety.
Though Hiruzen Sarutobi had great faith in the Anti-Sky Barrier that Konoha had developed during this period, he would never gamble the safety of Konoha's civilians on his own assumptions. That kind of risk was too great.
So he ordered the civilians into designated shelters.
"Hokage sama, the fledgling has reached the nest."
At that moment, an Anbu ninja appeared beside Hiruzen and spoke respectfully.
"Good. Protect the fledgling at all costs." Hiruzen nodded, his heart easing slightly.
Konoha could endure damage. Some people could even be blown apart like last time.
But Uzumaki Naruto absolutely could not be harmed.
Konoha could not afford to lose the Nine Tails.
"Heavenly Demon... but this time, you came to the wrong place." Hiruzen looked up at the sky, his gaze unreadable.
The Anti-Sky Barrier was the culmination of all Konoha's recent research. Hiruzen had even pushed aside every other ninjutsu project and ordered Konoha's research department to focus solely on this problem. He was seventy percent confident it could intercept the Heavenly Demon's attack.
There was just one thing...
Hiruzen's hand unconsciously tightened around the note he held.
It had arrived an hour ago, pinned to a kunai and thrown at Konoha's gate. The Anbu had quickly delivered it to him after seeing it.
The note read:
The Heavenly Demon is about to attack Konoha. The mission was commissioned by the Hidden Mist Village.
Hiruzen did not know who had sent it, nor whether it was true, but it had made him more cautious.
And now the warning had proven to be completely accurate.
That meant a new question arose.
Who had given Konoha that message? Who had specifically warned him?
"No matter who it is, if you intend to use Konoha as a tool, then you have chosen the wrong person."
Hiruzen stared upward.
Then, in the next instant, his pupils shrank.
He saw it.
That familiar dark shape in the sky.
This one looked larger than before, but it still had that same metallic form.
At once, ninjutsu rained into the sky from every direction. This was Konoha's first defensive line.
Though Hiruzen still did not know exactly what that thing was, intercepting it was undoubtedly the correct decision.
At that moment, the people attacking were elite jonin from the Ino Shika Cho trio and other top shinobi.
This had been Hiruzen's direct order. The moment Konoha entered red alert status, they were to be ready to attack anything suspicious in the sky. Even a bird was not to be allowed to pass over Konoha unchallenged.
The attack worked.
The strange object was struck directly and swallowed by flames in an instant.
The ease of it made Hiruzen feel uneasy.
Could the Heavenly Demon really be this weak?
Had those previous disasters all relied entirely on that flying machine?
Or had the Heavenly Demon simply...
Before Hiruzen could finish the thought, a roar exploded from the center of the flames.
"What, that is all that brat can do?"
Far away in the forest, Obito stood atop a tree branch with his arms crossed, watching the fireball above Konoha with a slight frown.
He still had not seen what he wanted to see.
No sign of Kamui. No sign of anything similar.
"He is not that simple," Black Zetsu, squatting nearby, said quietly.
"Then why not send White Zetsu to stick to him and gather information?" Obito shot Black Zetsu a glance.
"I would not dare. That guy's perception is terrifying, and his attack range is massive. I would not even get close..." Black Zetsu chuckled awkwardly.
He had nearly been blown up by Kenichi before. Ever since then, he had grown even more reluctant to approach him. The man was far too dangerous and could injure him by accident at any moment.
"Such cowardice. I would never..." Obito scoffed.
But before he could finish, he saw the giant fireball suddenly erupt over Konoha.
The Anti-Sky Barrier almost shattered in the same instant. Cracks spread across it with frightening speed.
Obito's unfinished words died in his throat.
Then the scorching shockwave from Konoha blasted outward, striking him directly and sending him tumbling through the air several times.
"Damn it! I only slipped because I was still acting like Tobi!" Obito barked, his face unusually red as he saw the odd look Black Zetsu was giving him.
Black Zetsu only let out two dry chuckles.
Obito scratched at his face irritably.
Still, that strange weapon of Kenichi's had clearly become even stronger. Based on the power it had shown before, the spot where he had been standing should have been completely safe. Yet the blast had still reached him.
"That brat... I cannot let him live." Obito narrowed his eyes.
For the first time, he felt a real sense of danger. If Kenichi kept growing stronger, then sooner or later he might threaten the plan itself.
And Obito would never allow that.
No one was permitted to interfere with that plan.
A world without Rin had no reason to exist.
TL: Check out my newly released fanfic:
Transmigrated into The Legendary Mechanic
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