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OPI Chapter 337: The Battle, The Queen, and The Agents
🕑 Added 2025-04-16 00:38:35 +0000 UTC“Dear god... that guy’s a monster!”
Uzui Tengen gritted his teeth against the stinging pain in his hand as he flew backward through the air at high speed, all while staring at the Third Raikage, who pursued him relentlessly.
That one instant of impact just now...
His techniques, his explosions, even his external Armament Haki—all of it had been sliced clean through by that electrified hand.
It was only thanks to the direct clash of blade and palm that he had managed to block it.
He hadn’t been injured—yet.
After all, hardened Armament Haki, Iron Body, and Life Return weren’t just for show.
But what really stood out to Tengen was this—
The Third Raikage’s body... it was unbelievably tough.
It felt like he had some invisible Haki coating his skin... or maybe his entire body had been permanently hardened like Iron Body?
That layer of crackling blue lightning around him likely had a protective effect, much like Haki—it made his body truly tough, and his strength was immense!
“In that case, I’ll stop fighting you up close~~”
To everyone's surprise, Tengen laughed boldly even as the Third Raikage was closing in, just a few steps away. Under the latter’s cold gaze, Tengen raised his twin blades and swung them down with tremendous force.
As the razor-sharp blades slashed through the air, two intersecting arcs of dark golden light appeared out of thin air.
Flying Slash!
Tengen was, after all, a master swordsman!
“Hm?”
The Third Raikage furrowed his brows at the sight of the crossing blade lights. Still, he didn’t hesitate—his hand turned into a blade, and he thrust it forward, smashing the attack to pieces on the spot.
“Not Chakra-infused blade energy?!”
He quickly realized that these arcs of light were nothing but compressed air—there wasn’t the slightest trace of chakra in them.
This made things interesting.
No chakra? That meant the attack was generated purely through swordsmanship and raw strength… an air blade, forged through sheer force?
And another thing—
From beginning to end, his opponent hadn’t used a single jutsu. Not a hint of chakra had emerged from his body. That made the Third Raikage both wary and intrigued.
Something’s off.
But just then, he realized—Tengen had vanished.
He must’ve used the slash as cover to conceal his body. Outrunning the Raikage with pure speed would’ve been impossible.
Which meant—he had to be nearby.
“Invisibility jutsu?”
The Third Raikage stopped moving, carefully scanning his surroundings. In his experience, basic invisibility techniques could never be completely flawless.
Footsteps, heartbeats, breathing, the subtle stir of air during movement—all of those gave things away.
Otherwise, it wouldn’t be considered a basic jutsu.
Lightning surged around the Third Raikage in steady, pulsing waves as his eyes sharply searched every inch of his surroundings.
“No changes in the environment... That means you’re standing still somewhere nearby.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he turned into a bolt of lightning and shot into the air. From high above, he unleashed his second ninjutsu.
“Lightning Release: Black Panther!”
There were no hand signs—just a surge of violent black lightning erupting from his body. It quickly shaped into a vicious black panther and dove straight toward the spot just ten meters ahead of where he had been standing.
The Third Raikage wasn’t sure if Tengen was there—but his instincts pushed him to attack that location.
Besides, the technique would spread upon impact—if the target was anywhere in the blast zone, it would hit.
The next moment, a blinding white beam tinged with faint blue suddenly blasted out from thin air, striking the lightning panther head-on.
[BOOM!!!]
In an instant, it was like thunder crashing directly above. The deafening roar was so intense that even the Third Raikage felt his ears ring.
The out-of-control energy exploded wildly, tearing the entire sky bridge in half. Every window within several kilometers shattered in an instant. A brilliant flash erupted in the sky, drawing the eyes of everyone within and outside the city of Rōran.
“He even has a move like that... Sound Release? Or maybe a Kekkei Genkai? This guy... there's no way he's just a jōnin!”
The Third Raikage clenched his teeth as he glared at Tengen, who had just reappeared across from him.
...
“What on earth…”
At the top floor of the central tower in Rōran, Queen Sāra stood by a shattered window, gazing out at the battles unfolding throughout the city.
She was especially drawn to the western side, where the fight between Tengen and the Third Raikage had erupted. Flashes of light continued to burst from that direction, and the most recent one was so intense she instinctively shielded her eyes with her hand.
“There are only two hundred of you, but Kumo has three or four thousand shinobi. And you’re telling me there’s no need to evacuate? What exactly are you people thinking?!”
Sāra turned around, looking at the three ninja from Umigakure—two Genin and one Chūnin—with a bewildered expression.
She had originally assumed they were after her, intent on kidnapping her because of her powers.
But who would’ve guessed? These black-clad shinobi had no intention of leaving Rōran. In fact, they were going head-to-head against the Kumo forces!
Yet none of them answered her. They only exchanged silent glances with each other.
“…Then allow me to answer your question.”
Suddenly, a man’s voice echoed through the hall. Sāra turned her gaze toward the entrance.
A tall man stepped in, dressed in a black suit with matching boots. His long silver hair flowed behind him, and in his hand was a curved, black-sheathed blade.
Four others followed closely behind—two men and two women, all in formal attire.
The two men looked utterly ordinary, with blank expressions and average builds. There was nothing about them worth remembering apart from the chill in their eyes.
But the two women in business skirts were a different story—even Sāra had to admit they each possessed a distinct and striking beauty.
One had long purple hair, porcelain skin, and a pair of rectangular glasses that made her violet eyes shimmer like polished amethyst.
Strangely, she carried on her back a pair of absurdly oversized scissors—something completely out of place.
The other girl also had purple hair but cut in a neat bob with straight bangs. Sāra instinctively referred to her as a 'girl' because of her cute, youthful face—yet the… prominent peaks beneath her blouse made Sāra silently question the girl’s actual age.
“You are…?”
“Allow me to introduce myself. I’m Gozuki, a squad leader from Cipher Pol No. 8, operating under the World Government.”
Gozuki looked calmly at Sāra as he explained, “Since Umigakure no longer has any high-ranking shinobi to spare, our team has been assigned to ensure your protection.”
“Th-The World Government?!”
Sāra blinked in confusion. It was yet another unfamiliar term. Some kind of newly founded group from the outside world?
“Tsukushi, show Queen Sāra our promotional video.”
“Got it!”
Gozuki didn't waste any words. He turned to the purple-haired girl with a doll-like face and large chest behind him. She immediately responded with lively enthusiasm.
From somewhere within the folds of her outfit, she pulled out a Den-Den Mushi, then skipped over to Sāra’s side, chattering away as she projected a virtual screen into the air.
Meanwhile, Gozuki exchanged a few quick words with the three shinobi behind Sāra.
Without hesitation, the ninja vanished—rushing off to rejoin the battle raging in the city.
Of the agents Gozuki brought with him, the remaining three each moved to separate positions, standing guard with sharp vigilance, scanning every corner of the room.
They all knew full well that the ninja of this world weren’t just skilled in stealth. They could use bizarre jutsu that rivaled—if not surpassed—the power of the Shingu, or even the Teigu.
[Whoosh!]
Just then, a blur zipped in from outside the door, revealing a young man with green, mid-length hair and a pair of crimson gloves.
He wore a playful grin as he looked at Gozuki. “Captain, my setup’s complete.”
“Excellent,” Gozuki nodded. Lubbock’s Teigu ability was perfect for rigging up traps and surveillance lines within buildings like this.
“Then I’ll leave the decorations to you. We may have guests dropping by later.”
“…Sure, I guess.”
Lubbock sighed and got back to work. He knew just how chaotic things were out there.
At that moment—
Gozuki stepped up to another window, his face expressionless as he gazed out at the city.
Countless black and white figures clashed atop towers, across sky bridges, and through narrow alleys in a frenzy of war.
Hurricanes, lightning, fire, and explosions surged one after another—some were Ninjutsu, others the visual effects of various Breathing Techniques.
Everywhere you looked, there were bodies—people from both sides who had died under countless forms of attack.
The entire ancient city of Rōran had turned into a blood-soaked battlefield—a hellish warzone. And yet, in the face of such brutality, Gozuki's eyes showed not a shred of pity. Instead, they burned with ambition.
Although he hadn't been with the World Government for long, he had already fully embraced his new identity—and found a new goal in life.
That goal was to rise through the ranks of Cipher Pol.
Specifically, he aimed to become the commander of Cipher Pol No. 8. Lately, he had been working hard to improve his strength.
Aside from having fully absorbed the ‘Type-One Perfect Cellular Enhancement Serum,’ he had also mastered the Six Powers and the hardening technique of Armament Haki.
But despite these gains, Gozuki still felt a sense of urgency.
Because his current strength still wasn't enough.
Of course, he knew that was partly because he had only recently joined the World Government. But the real problem was the man ahead of him—someone who posed a major threat to his aspirations.
Amatori Biba.
Rumor had it he came from a pathetically weak world plagued by Kabane. But it was also the very first world conquered by the World Government. That alone had allowed Amatori Biba to make up for his humble origins.
At the very least, Gozuki was well aware he couldn’t beat him. Nor did he have as many merits to his name.
That’s why he was so determined to make a name for himself in this world of shinobi.
