Chapter 422: Evil Water
Dark energy surged across Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's body. Black Zetsu was trapped in a glass container, helpless to do anything but witness it all unfold.
Even against the combined assault of four enemies, Kaguya still managed to give them considerable trouble—but in the end, she was undoubtedly defeated.
Once the transformation was complete, Kaguya emerged. She had now become the Ability Beast known as Evil Water.
——
Shinobi World.
Land of Earth.
Surface of Iwagakure.
"Are you ready?"
"Yeah."
Shikamaru nodded in reply.
Kurotsuchi stepped in front of him and encased Shikamaru's hands in hardened earth.
The plan was simple: since Skynet needed allies, they would give it one. While gathering intel, they might even deal Skynet an unexpected blow.
But the candidate had to have a convincing reason to become Skynet's ally. Among them, only Kurotsuchi qualified. After all, her village had been destroyed—strictly speaking—by the very people she was now temporarily allied with. Defecting to Skynet was, in that sense, a plausible move.
Still, Shikamaru knew it wasn't enough to truly earn Skynet's trust.
And so, he volunteered to serve as the tribute Kurotsuchi would offer to Skynet.
"Letting you capture me on purpose, then looking for an opportunity to ambush Skynet… after that fails, I'll head to the rendezvous point, where SpongeBob will extract me using Flying Thunder God…"
Walking ahead, Shikamaru muttered the plan to himself once more.
"I know…" Kurotsuchi, walking behind him and pretending to escort a prisoner, nodded softly. "Quiet down, the Scientific Ninja Tool puppets are here."
As soon as she finished speaking, several Scientific Ninja Tool puppets descended from the sky, surrounding Kurotsuchi and her "captive."
"I'm here to join Skynet. This is my offering."
As she spoke, Kurotsuchi gave Shikamaru a slight push. He stumbled forward awkwardly.
The puppets stood motionless, seemingly transmitting a message to Skynet.
Less than a minute later, one of the puppets suddenly spoke.
"Greetings, Tsuchikage of Iwagakure. I heard you've brought me a gift?"
"Skynet!"
Shikamaru struggled, but Kurotsuchi held him down firmly.
"So this is the gift you brought me… one of Konoha's top brass, the host of the S.H.I.E.L.D. symbiote—Mr. Shikamaru…"
The puppet, now clearly under Skynet's control, turned its gaze to Kurotsuchi.
"Very well. I'm glad you've decided to join me. Unfortunately, I'm afraid you're a bit too late… I've already made new friends."
Something felt wrong to Shikamaru. He could sense it.
A cloud of black mist swept past as five figures appeared—Evilmoku, Evil Earth, Evil Metal, Evil Flame, and Evil Water.
"The Ability Beasts?!"
Kurotsuchi instinctively took a step back at the sight of the sudden arrivals.
Shikamaru broke free of the earthen restraints—which had never been particularly secure to begin with—and was immediately enveloped in the black mass of the symbiote.
"Shikamaru, you—?!"
Kurotsuchi stared in shock at his sudden burst of action.
"The plan's failed. Looks like Skynet's already found new partners. You run—I'll buy you time!"
His fist, encased in the inky black of the symbiote, smashed one of the Scientific Ninja Tool puppets into scrap. Then, black shadows shot out and latched onto Kurotsuchi, hurling her into the distance before she could even protest.
"Go to the rendezvous point—SpongeBob's waiting for you there!"
"How touching. A farewell amid life and death… But still…"
Skynet's voice echoed coldly as he sent more puppets flying after Kurotsuchi.
"None of you are getting away!"
"Like hell we're not!"
Shikamaru launched another wave of black shadows, ensnaring the airborne puppets and yanking them to the ground.
"Your fight is with me!"
"Aren't you five going to do something?" Skynet's puppet turned toward the Ability Beast team standing nearby.
"You only asked us to defeat S.H.I.E.L.D. You never said anything about taking out anyone besides them," replied Isshiki Ōtsutsuki, standing at the head of the group.
"Splitting hairs over semantics... but fine."
Skynet looked back toward the surrounded Shikamaru.
"One man isn't enough to challenge my army of Scientific Ninja Tool puppets."
"Damn it!"
Shikamaru's body was growing heavier with each passing moment. Every punch felt sluggish—a clear sign he was nearing his limit.
He panted, struggling to stay on his feet.
"Capture him!"
Several more puppets lunged at Shikamaru, while more shot off in pursuit of Kurotsuchi.
"Don't underestimate me! Earth Style: Rock Pillar!"
Kurotsuchi, having landed on the ground, rapidly formed hand seals. Jagged stone pillars burst from the earth, slamming into the airborne puppets chasing her.
"Earth Style: Rock Fist Jutsu!"
Her fists, encased in hardened stone, smashed through the incoming puppets one after another.
"You killed my villagers! You destroyed my village! Did you really think I'd ever join you?! I'll never let you go unpunished!"
She made sure to yell her declaration as she fought—knowing full well Skynet would hear it through the puppets' feed.
From above, more puppets descended, firing destructive beams at her.
"Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!"
Slamming her hands onto the ground, Kurotsuchi summoned a protective wall of earth. She knew it wouldn't hold up against the combined beams for long—so at the same time, she sprinted toward the rendezvous point on her long legs.
"Rasengan!"
A Rasengan struck the back of a puppet mid-flight, and a yellow blur appeared beside her.
"You okay?"
"I'm fine! Let's go—get us out of here!"
Kurotsuchi grabbed Minato's arm urgently.
"Right."
Minato nodded. He didn't know why she had returned alone instead of Shikamaru—but now wasn't the time for questions.
With the Flying Thunder God, he teleported them back underground.
"Kurotsuchi?! Why are you the one who came back?"
Kakashi stepped forward in surprise.
"There was a complication…"
Kurotsuchi took a moment to regulate her chakra flow before continuing.
"Skynet's teamed up with the Ability Beasts!"
"What?!"
Everyone's expression changed to one of shock.
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