Chapter 243 : Ninja Attack, Giant Fire Dragon
You know, the woman known as Yugito Nii is a Jinchūriki who can perfectly control her Tailed Beast. If you want to use genjutsu on her, it normally wouldn’t work—unless it’s the Mangekyō Sharingan. Even then, it might still fail.
But just now, Riku had cast an illusion on her and Matatabi for a brief moment.
If he hadn’t released the genjutsu voluntarily, she might have died.
Thinking of this, Yugito trembled slightly as she asked, "Y-You... how did you do that?"
Riku turned away, gazing at the scenery beyond the balcony. His voice was calm as he replied, "Don’t worry about how I did it. Just think about this: I don’t even have the Sharingan, and I still managed to trap you in an illusion. If you were to face a member of the Uchiha Clan using Mangekyō Sharingan, you’d stand no chance of resisting."
Hearing that, Yugito fell silent. Riku’s illusion had genuinely shaken her.
Before, she had only a basic understanding of the Sharingan—just the standard tomoe stages. She didn’t know much about the Mangekyō Sharingan.
But after what just happened, she felt a chill deep within her.
"Can someone with the Mangekyō Sharingan really use genjutsu on your level?" she asked nervously, watching him closely.
In truth, Riku had used the Rinnegan to cast the illusion, which was far more powerful than the Mangekyō Sharingan.
But he hoped this would be enough to serve as a warning to her.
"To be precise," Riku replied, "not just on my level—far above. Do you understand what that means?"
Yugito gripped the balcony rail tightly, silent and grim.
Riku watched her with a small smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.
This was exactly the response he wanted.
"In addition to the Uchiha’s Sharingan," he continued, "there’s the immortal shinobi I told you about earlier. If you ever fight him, don’t let him get his hands on your blood. If he does, you’ll die. No question."
"His partner is even more terrifying—a shinobi with all five chakra natures, capable of using ninjutsu from each element."
"And he has five lives."
"You’d have to destroy all five of his hearts, or he won’t die."
"The other one is from Iwagakure. He uses a forbidden technique that creates explosive clay. Some of his attacks rival a miniature Tailed Beast Bomb."
Yugito gripped the rail tighter, a flicker of unease in her eyes.
"These are the kinds of people Akatsuki has."
Riku chuckled. "And that’s just a few of them. There are many more who haven’t appeared yet, but one thing is certain—each of them is Kage-level."
Yugito frowned, then turned to him. "Why are you telling me all this? What do you want?"
As shinobi, deception and caution were second nature. She couldn’t believe Riku was sharing this information just out of kindness or admiration.
What he said was crucial—and she had indeed heard the rumors that Akatsuki had begun targeting Jinchūriki.
Riku looked at her and smiled. "Why do you always ask what my motive is? Just pretend I don’t have one. Just remember what I said—and don’t die so easily. After all, I’d rather not see the Two-Tails inside you get captured by them."
With that, Riku turned and walked back into his room.
Yugito remained outside, her expression full of confusion and suspicion.
She stared up at the moon, brows furrowed. What is this guy really after? Why tell me this?
Inside her, Matatabi spoke up after a moment. Maybe... he really does admire you and doesn’t want Akatsuki to take me. Whatever their ultimate goal is, it could threaten the entire world—and that includes Konoha.
Yugito stayed silent, still unsure what to think.
The next day, Riku arrived with Neji and Rock Lee to meet with the priestess at her palace.
Yugito and Omoi had already arrived ahead of them.
At first, Shion appeared calm, but the moment she saw Riku, her composure slipped.
"Lord Riku!" she called out and approached quickly.
The previous night, Uzuki Yugao, Samui, and Karui had taken shifts guarding Shion.
Upon seeing Riku, Yugao quietly stepped up behind him.
Riku turned and smiled, "Sister Yugao, everything okay?"
She nodded silently.
Since the death of Moonlight Gai, she’d grown more withdrawn, and Riku understood her pain.
Yugito watched him silently, still trying to understand his motives.
Samui eyed him coldly.
Riku turned to Shion and said, "Your Highness, let’s go. We’ll escort you to the Land of Marsh."
Shion nodded and stepped beside him, seemingly full of trust.
Just as the group was about to leave the palace grounds—
Suddenly, all the guards stationed outside collapsed at once.
Everyone instinctively moved to shield Shion.
Yugito and Riku stood at the front, facing the five shinobi in white who had appeared before them.
Riku and Yugito exchanged looks.
"These ninja... something’s off," Riku muttered. "Be careful."
Yugito nodded and rushed forward.
Riku remained in front of Shion, standing protectively.
Blue, flame-like chakra claws emerged from Yugito’s hands as she leapt forward and struck one of the enemy ninja.
Boom! With a single hit, the enemy was sent flying and slammed into the palace wall.
The remaining four ninja gave up on Yugito and appeared in front of Riku and the others.
But instead of attacking Shion directly, they each began weaving hand seals.
"Fire Style: Ground Flame!"
"Wind Style: Gale Spiral!"
"Earth Style: Flying Sand!"
"Lightning Style: Thunder Flash!"
The four ninja used four elemental chakra styles simultaneously—and astonishingly, their jutsu fused together.
In an instant, a massive fire dragon wreathed in lightning and wind surged forth, surrounding Riku and the others.
The entire palace shook as the enormous flaming beast loomed over them, at least tens of meters long.
ROAR!
The fire dragon snarled, its massive head swinging down toward Shion like a predator closing in on its prey.
Terrified, Shion grabbed onto Riku’s sleeve.
Neji and Rock Lee were ready to act, but hesitated.
This wasn’t just fire—there were lightning bolts, razor-sharp wind blades, and a storm of flying sand inside the dragon’s body.
Charging in would mean getting obliterated instantly.
Even Samui’s face was grim as she stared at the raging inferno.
"This jutsu... it can’t be extinguished," she muttered.
Then her eyes flicked to Riku. "If anyone can stop it... it’s him."
She drew her short sword, but even she couldn’t bring herself to charge the blazing beast.
---------------------
Join my Patreon and get access to 50+ early Chapters before anyone else! 🔥
/UK21
Your Support is Truly Appreciated
--------