Chapter 32: The Terrifying Secret Technique

Deep within the base.

At the very moment of the explosion.

Ishihara pushed open the door and said to Shigeko, whose face had turned pale:

"An enemy has attacked, but their strength isn't strong. This time, you'll handle it—test your mastery of the secret technique!"

"Yes!"

Shigeko shouted loudly, not angry at all, but wildly excited.

He had always wanted to do something for Ishihara, but Ishihara was too strong, too clever—there was no place for him to contribute.

Now, the opportunity had finally come!

He immediately charged toward the enemy with great enthusiasm.

Ishihara released his perception to monitor Shigeko's situation, then began organizing personnel to collect documents and scrolls.

No matter who the enemy was, this base had been exposed—it had to be relocated.

For safety's sake, he still prepared himself.

…

Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap!

Rapid footsteps echoed from deep within the base.

Kakashi and the others changed expression, immediately stopping and turning alertly toward the front.

"Prepare for battle!"

All eyes fixed on the front, hearts tense.

They wanted to see who the enemy was at once.

If the enemy was Orochimaru, they were likely doomed!

The footsteps grew louder.

The enemy was drawing nearer!

Gulp!

The tense atmosphere made someone involuntarily swallow saliva.

Whoosh!

A figure appeared in the distance, then rushed forward at incredible speed.

"The enemy isn't Orochimaru!"

Kakashi's heart steadied; he exhaled in relief.

He had fought Orochimaru before—he wouldn't mistake that aura.

If not Orochimaru, then who was this?

Could it be that mysterious Ishihara?

A flash of sharp light passed through Kakashi's eyes as he stared intently ahead.

Yamanaka Heiji, upon seeing the figure, hurriedly said:

"It's not Ishihara—the intruder is Shigeko! Orochimaru's key experiment subject, the origin of the Cursed Seal!"

"Be careful—his strength is immense!"

Kakashi's expression hardened; he had already sensed an extremely terrifying chakra approaching.

Shhh!

Shigeko appeared before Kakashi and the others.

Tall like a teenager, his face filled with fury as he glared at them.

"Bastards! Was it you who attacked our base?!"

Kakashi and the others frowned.

Had he been brainwashed?

Kakashi's mood grew heavy; he coldly said: "Orochimaru is a traitor to Konoha—we're here to capture him!"

"You'll come with us too!"

Shigeko roared: "Don't even think about it!"

Though his appearance resembled a teenager, his mind remained that of a child.

He stepped forward, excitedly saying:

"Master Ishihara sent me to deal with you—you're dead!"

Someone whispered: "Could Ishihara have sent Shigeko out as cannon fodder while he himself fled?"

Kakashi and the others' expressions shifted slightly.

The Root members growled anxiously: "Enough talk—attack!"

They charged forward immediately.

"You dare strike first?!"

"Cursed Seal Activation!!!"

Shigeko angrily removed the Reverse Cursed Seal, returning to his normal state.

Instantly, his turbulent emotions ignited his murderous impulse.

Cursed Seal Activation!

Boom!!

Wild chakra erupted from Shigeko's body.

His body underwent violent transformation.

His body grew taller and larger, his skin turned dark brown, and his appearance became somewhat deformed.

Terrifying chakra; even without using sensory ninjutsu, Kakashi and the others could feel how terrifying it was!

"Monster!!!"

"So this is Cursed Seal transformation? So strong! It's a bit outrageous!"

"This amount of chakra is probably no less than the Hokage's, right?!"

Kakashi and the others exchanged glances, their expressions grave yet slightly excited.

The power of the secret technique seemed even greater than they had imagined.

Kakashi sneered, "Is this the extent of the secret technique created by Ishihara? Then you cannot stop us!"

He saw that Jugo respected Ishihara greatly and deliberately provoked him to draw his anger.

Jugo instantly grew furious.

"Do not regret this!!"

"Explosive Secret Technique!!"

Boom!!!

The amount of chakra on Jugo's body surged again.

Kakashi was horrified. "Can that secret technique even multiply chakra of this level?!"

The others wore expressions of utter madness on their faces.

If they could obtain such a secret technique, their strength would surely surge!

"It's not over yet!"

"Sage Art: Stone Skin Technique!"

"Sage Art: Lightning Body Flicker!!"

Buzz—

Instantly, Jugo's skin became even darker.

At the same time, terrifying Lightning Release chakra erupted from his body.

Crack! Crack! Crack!

The Lightning Release chakra wrapped around Jugo's body like chains, dancing wildly like silver snakes.