CHAPTER 33 — "VOICE OF THE SERPENT"
The shrine doors slammed shut behind them. Stone ground like it was alive, sealing every exit.
Shoto:
"Bro… the exit's GONE!"
Temari's wind talismans shattered mid-air.
Temari:
"The mist… it's eating my seals!"
Ashura's artifact pulsed — faint violet light — instinct flickering.
From the thickening fog, a low chuckle slithered.
Kagemaru (voice):
"Sharp senses… good. I was hoping you'd realize."
The mist parted. Yorozu Kagemaru stepped forward, black kimono flowing like liquid ink, silver serpents crawling across fabric. Slit-gold eyes, gentle smile — predator in monk's guise.
Kagemaru:
"Why the rush Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am Yorozu Kagemaru — collector of potential."
Temari:
"What do you want?"
Kagemaru:
"The scroll… and a closer look at you." His gaze lingered on Ashura — hungry, calculating.
Ashura:
"You're not touching them."
Mist surged — a colossal serpent shadow coiled, silent and alive.
Kagemaru:
"You misunderstand. I was not asking."
Mist serpent lunged — purple flame dripping from fangs.
Ashura:
"忍法・炎流!" (Ninpō: Enryū!)
Jet of fire roared. The serpent's head blasted aside, mist sizzled, reformed instantly.
Temari:
"I'll hold the mist — FIGHT!"
Ashura dashed, blade igniting with wind.
Ashura:
"忍法・嵐斬!" (Ninpō: Aranzan!)
Spiral of flame and wind — serpent split, re-knit immediately. Kagemaru clapped softly.
Kagemaru:
"Beautiful execution. But your power lacks purpose."
He raised a finger. Mist serpent lunged at Temari — shadow claws dripping purple flame.
Temari:
"…AH!"
Ashura's rage ignited, purple flames exploding from his body.
Ashura (distorted voice):
"DON'T… TOUCH… HER!
忍法・焔拳!" (Ninpō: Enken!)
Flaming punch detonated — serpent shattered into smoke. Tattoos crawled from left hand → right eye. Right eye ignited — violet, no pupil, no emotion.
Ashura (relic-influenced voice, cold, superior):
"影術・影界." (Eijutsu: Kagekai!)
Shadow Domain erupted — black dome swallowed the shrine, purple flames raining in perfect silence. Kagemaru's eyes widened.
Kagemaru:
"There it is… 深淵の影の遺物 — Relic of the Abyssal Shadow. Power to devour worlds… but no leash."
Flame scorched shrine walls — stone melted. Ashura collapsed.