Chapter 234: The Overwhelmingly Strong Passerby!
Looking down at the ground below, Ishihara felt that something was off.
Normally, if a research facility took a direct hit from his blade, it would have collapsed entirely. But now, the ground had only caved in slightly before stopping.
This research facility must have cost a fortune to build.
Given Konoha's current economic situation, constructing such a sturdy facility should be impossible. And since this was within Konoha's territory, the question of who built it became rather intriguing.
Still, what did all these conspiracies have to do with him?
He was just here to retrieve his Zanpakutō.
With that thought, Ishihara swung his blade once more.
This time, the crescent arc was even larger!
Boom!
At last, the research facility fully collapsed, burying countless researchers underneath.
Seeing this, Ishihara nodded in satisfaction before slowly descending to the ground.
Stretching out his right hand, he activated his power, causing the earth to tremble. The soil churned, and soon, a Zanpakutō slowly emerged from beneath the rubble.
As he gazed at the sword, Ishihara found it somewhat odd—there seemed to be many strange elements mixed within it.
It looked like these guys had conducted some pretty advanced research.
If they had been allowed to continue, they might have actually discovered something significant.
But unfortunately for them, they were all dead now.
Just as Ishihara was about to leave, he suddenly sensed something was off!
It felt as though something was watching him—something trying desperately to remain hidden.
Was he being monitored?
"The crystal ball the Third Hokage used before? No, that's not it! This presence is nearby!"
In an instant, Ishihara sharpened his senses and spread his spiritual energy outward.
The surroundings were a forest—natural, yet strangely unnatural at the same time.
This eerie sensation made Ishihara uncomfortable. If someone had used the Transformation Jutsu, he should have been able to detect it.
So, did that mean no jutsu had been used?
That didn't seem right either.
With that in mind, Ishihara intensified his spiritual energy.
Then, he sensed it.
"So you're here, little guy! Come out!"
Boom!
As Ishihara directed all his spiritual energy toward the hidden presence, the figure lurking in the shadows was finally forced to reveal itself.
That unsettling feeling began to dissipate.
Moments later, a masked man in a purple cloak appeared before Ishihara.
"I didn't expect you to notice me. Looks like the tools our organization uses still aren't perfect."
"Who are you?" Ishihara narrowed his eyes at the masked man.
As far as he remembered, there was no such figure in the shinobi world.
And the man's aura was incredibly strange—it felt like he was somewhere between Kage-level and beyond-Kage-level.
For someone this strong to exist, yet his own organization had no information on him… that was troubling.
"Who we are doesn't matter. What matters is that you've brought a power into this world that doesn't belong here, throwing the shinobi world into chaos. We are here to put an end to that chaos."
The masked ninja's words sent a shock through Ishihara.
Did this guy know something?
Why did he say "a power that doesn't belong here"?
Could he have recognized that this was the power of a Shinigami?
And what did he mean by "end the chaos"?
"Hmph, you should be grateful we're cleaning up the mess you've made."
With that, the masked ninja turned to leave. But with so many questions swirling in his mind, how could Ishihara let him go?
In a flash, Ishihara used Shunpo and appeared beside the masked man, grabbing his arm.
"Tell me—who are you people? What are you planning? Otherwise, I won't hesitate to kill you."
His voice was calm, but the murderous intent flooding into the masked ninja's mind was overwhelming.
And with just a bit of spiritual energy, Ishihara made the ninja's very soul tremble.
"Such terrifying power… But do you really think I'll tell you our Shadow Organization's goal? Foolish dreamer! The moment we master the power of the Zanpakutō, we will rule the world!"
The ninja's voice brimmed with confidence, but his words made Ishihara's expression twitch.
Seriously? He just said he wouldn't reveal anything, but in two sentences, he told me both his organization's name and its objective.
That aside, why had he never heard of the Shadow Organization before?
Was it a newly formed group?
Still, Ishihara let out a quiet sigh of relief.
He had been worried the guy might actually know about the world of the Shinigami.
If that were the case, things would have gotten much more complicated.
After all, such an individual would likely be aware of Ishihara's true identity.
And their strength certainly wouldn't be as lacking as this guy's.
Suddenly, Ishihara realized why this ninja's power fluctuated between Kage-level and beyond-Kage-level.
It was likely that he could tap into a portion of a Zanpakutō's power.
Without using the Zanpakutō, he was merely Kage-level.
But once he activated it, he could reach beyond-Kage-level.
That realization left Ishihara somewhat stunned.
Was this guy really that strong…?