Master of Time

Chapter 184: The Result of the Past

I also use the smokescreen to morph into an appearance that is more suitable for the task, and I have just the one in mind.

The shapeshifting ability of the biomechanical avatar is very handy, allowing me to become anyone as well as anything that I desire.

Obviously, I prefer to take on a humanoid appearance since I was born as a human. While I could take on a completely alien humanoid form, it will cause mass hysteria later down the road, considering that I will allow someone to live.

And there is no need to kill everyone in this room. At least one person has to live to spread stories and rumors about me.

"Who are you really?"

Sun Xiao asks. Killing intent literally oozes out of his body, coating his form like a malicious aura.

I can sense it from this far away from him, but it doesn't really affect me in any way.

Killing intent is only effective against someone who is much weaker than the user. It basically helps to stop the user getting into meaningless fight.

Of course, some people still do get into meaningless fight. It is human nature to pick fights with others even if they no longer consider themselves as human.

Is this a meaningless fight, considering that I could decapitate each person before they could blink?

It is to some extents, but there are some theories and speculations I want confirmation.

And besides, I am also testing some abilities on my end. Mostly my clone ability. A ninja must have the ability to clone himself.

Why did I automatically assume that? That is because pop culture brainwashes the masses to the point that the masses don't realize that they are being brainwashed.

"I am a Shinobi. Sent here to kill four people and anyone who gets in my way. Well. Three now since I have already executed one. He puts up a good fight. I hope that you do too."

I response as I tap my masked face and look at Xi Shi. The black fabric covers everything from the nose bridge down, hiding my identity. My eyes are visible. My spikey gray hair as well.

"I don't think you are on my list of people to kill, so I suggest you don't get in the way or I will have no choice but to dice you up. I just hate carving up your beautiful face."

I add, making Xi Shi glares at me. I am treating her like a damsel in distress when she obviously is not, but that is all to antagonize her. It would be no fun if she sits out of the battle, especially when I want to witness her power and ability first hand.

"Execute one…?"

Sun Xiao mutters. The implication didn't escape him or anyone in the room, and whether it is actually true or not, they will have to see for themselves.

But so far, I have demonstrated that I am faster than Lu Bu.

"Be careful. He is very dangerous."

Mo Shu warns and looks at the unconscious form of Lu Bu. It is an unnecessary warning for Sun Xiao, but probably necessary for Xi Shi since she didn't think much of Lu Bu in the first place.

She doesn't really put anyone in mind outside her own faction within the Party. Her arrogance will be her undoing.

Without delay, their eyes change. Slits can be seen within. It is a trait that all Hybrids share regardless of which versions or deviations.

However, Chimeras are a bit different from Hybrids bred by Hydra decades prior. At least as according to Legion after he had finished analyzing their genetic makeups.

The analysis didn't take long once the micromachines have managed to infest their body without being detected. About a minute or so.

And just like their name, it isn't a single animal that the Chimeras have taken power from.

It is actually from multiple species. Only the very best traits are spliced into their genetic makeup, thus granting them multiple superhuman abilities.

A concept that Hydra has explored in the past but never fully realized for a very good reason, but it is now perfected by the Chinese. It is to the point that they can actually empower normal people with a simple injection, such as those who are high up in the Triad.

The Triad is a problem to United States as well as the rest of the world, including China, but instead of destroying them outright, the Party decides to enslave them instead.

And to keep the Triad subservient, the Party has turned most if not all of the bosses and leaders into Chimera, but not real Chimera because that would be foolish.

There is only one true Chimera facing me, and it is Xi Shi. Mo Shu and Sun Xiao are false Chimera. Yang is also one of the false Chimeras, but the muscle head is too busy jacking up back in the room instead of joining in on the fun out here.

I guess Yang will join in later. It would be interesting to see how effective the modified serum is. I had adjusted the retrovirus within the serum to make it more potent than normal.

I am basically lending them a hand and boosting their powers with my own research.

"Oh. That is interesting. I can do it too."

I call out and close my eyes.

And when I open my eyes again, crimson comma-like swirls are noted in each of my black eyes.

There are three swirls in each eye, arranged in a circular fashion.

Everyone is surprised, as they have never seen such a thing before. It is expected considering that the manga will not be written by Masashi Kishimoto in another seven years or so.

Naruto, the manga, might not even exist in this new prime timeline, but it isn't really my concern. This is because someone else will take care of the Japanese Entertainment industry in my stead, and manga is considered entertainment.

"What kind of Chimera are you to have those eyes?"

Xi Shi questions and expects me to answer.

She is very curious. More than curious actually, considering that she has seen many types of Chimera eyes in the Party. None of them are like mine. That is obvious, as I am faking it.

"Who said that I am a Chimera?"

I response with a question of my own before raising my katana to have a look at its fine craftmanship.

I am not really a sword person since I like to spear people with long and thick sticks.

That comes out wrong, but meh.

In any case, this is one of the finest katanas ever crafted by hands. It is also made of nano carbon steel, basically a super strong and durable composite. It is needed since anything less probably break in my hands due to the amount of force I exert.

I did try to make the atom-wide cutting edge, so I can cut through anything with absurd sharpness. To the point that they don't know they have been cut.

That would be kind of cool.

However, I realize how stupid that is pretty quickly due to actual science governing the real world. And therefore, if I want an unrealistic monomolecular blade, I will have to resort to magic. Not really sure how to do that yet, but it is on my list of things to do.

"Then what are you?"

Xi Shi asks. Again, she expects me to answer her. Me, who is actually her enemy right now.

I honestly never understand why people talk so much before a life and death battle, so I decide to stop humoring her.

There is no need to tell her or anyone anything since they might all be dead soon.

I cast her glance before forming a smirk under my mask. While no one can actually see that smirk, they do know I am smirking due to my expression, especially in the eyes.

Their acute eyesight allows them to pick up micro-expression fairly easily.

"You dare looking down at me? Do you not know who I am?"

Xi Shi questions. Her presence becomes even more stronger, dwarfing the other two. It is to show her power. There are also marking on her beautiful face now, as her power and ability is tied to how much she has transformed.

Full transformation will release her full power, but it also makes her susceptible to the innate instincts of animals.

That problem was never solved by Hydra even with all the resources at their disposal, and I don't think that the Chinese or any other countries have solved it either. If they did, their entire army would have hybridized.

A million strong Chimera army will be pretty epic. That is probably their plan for world conquest. Not if I have anything to do with it.

"Actually no. Who are you?"

I response coyly.

I don't think I have introduced myself either, but I have to check since controlling multiple avatars has created a confusion within my mind.

Splitting consciousness is fairly hard.

"I am Xi Shi!"

Xi Shi announces. Her hands and legs are mostly transformed now, and from what I can tell, it doesn't really look like any kind of animal. It is an amalgamation of all sort of animals.

Insects too from the look of it.

"Does that name supposed to mean something? Sorry, but I am not really familiar Chinese name since I was born and raised in a hidden ninja village in a place more awesome than China."

I question while scratching my head before shaking it rather dismissively.

"What did you say!?"

Xi Shi notices my subtle insult. It is easy to piss her off, and I am rather surprised that she hasn't try to attack me yet.

"Please calm down, Miss Xi Shi. He is just taunting you."

Mo Shu speaks up calmly and keeps his eyes on me. It is pretty hard to taunt someone who uses their brain and remains cool like him, and from what Legion tells me, there is something very strange within his genetic makeups.

His cells are also very unstable, so he technical be dead or at least be dying. He is not, however.

And that is strange.

I would like to analyze his blood more, but the micromachines have been found out within his body at the moment.

They are destroyed by his enhanced immune system very quickly.

He is also the only one who has managed to detect those micromachines. Strangely enough, he didn't tell the others about them.

"Yes, miss. And whatever he is, we will find out after we kill him."

Sun Xiao tells Xi Shi before tensing his body up. His muscles swell, making him incredibly bulky. Doing that will drop his speed, so he must have an ace up his sleeve.

I decide to find out and leaps forward. To my surprise, Sun Xiao manages to evade my downward slash even if barely. I honestly didn't expect him to be that fast from his now hulking size.

And I also didn't expect him to retaliate so quickly either.

My sword immediately turns sideway to block a counterstrike. His punch is a lot heavier thanks to all of that muscle mass, and it is powerful enough to send me flying against the wall.

I am weighting about half a ton right now, so that is something.

"I am at a loss at how Lu Bu gets defeated by him?"

Sun Xiao questions as I pull myself out of the hole that he has just sent me in before patting off all the dirt and dust, looking completely fine.

That surprises Sun Xiao since his punches can shatter concrete and dent steels.

"I might have underestimated your speed due to your current size. I apologize. Let me try again."

I response before twirling my blade. Before he could blink, his animalistic instinct saves him from being decapitated. I did give him a nice haircut though.

A shockwave follows, driving up dirt and rubbles since I have swung the blade so fast. Unlike in manga, air friction becomes really annoying when you exceed the speed of sound.

"Bastard!"

Sun Xiao shouts and attempts to strike me, but I severe his arm in an instant. Both arms actually. And I would have cut off his head too, but Mo Shu manages to save him by stepping in.

Mo Shu immediately follows up with a barrage of punches, so fast that I can feel getting smashed even if his fist didn't connect to my body. It isn't the only thing that is most surprising.

I am unable to severe his arms due to the carapace covering his skin. It is stronger than steel and also far more flexible than rubber. That shouldn't be possible.

My movements slow down for some reasons, allowing his fists to finally connect. Dozens of punches crashes into my body, turning my innards into mush despite being biomechanical in nature.

That is how much force behind each blow.

A single punch can kill a grown person. Not just kill but pulverize the person.

Once I realize why my movement has become so sluggish, Mo Shu distances himself and stands next to Sun Xiao, who manages to reattach his arms.

His rapid regeneration allows him to connect them as if it is an inconvenience.

That rapid regeneration seems like the most overpowering ability of them all, but it does burn a lot of energy. That is the drawback, but it will take a lot of slicing and dicing to eventually kill them.

A sure way is decapitation. That always work in the past.

"Why didn't you finish him off when you have the chance?"

Sun Xiao questions while I cut all the almost invisible strands that are wrapping around my limbs and trying to hold me in place. They are not strong enough to do so, but they do slow me down.

That is an annoying ability Xi Shi has. It is also strong enough to cut into my skin, drawling blood. Fake bloods, but still blood, nonetheless.

I guess that is why Xi Shi doesn't really fear my speed.

However, she is taking me a bit seriously now.

"It is not possible to kill him like that. His regeneration is abnormal. No. Not just that. His entire body is abnormal. It is like he is a machine.

An organic machine."

Mo Shu responses, making me frown lightly.

He manages to figure that out from trying to punch me into a pulp. I had thought that biomechanical construct can emulate a person perfectly, but apparently not.

Or maybe it has something to do with his ability.

"What the fuck is an organic machine?"

Sun Xiao questions while Mo Shu narrows his eyes at me, seemingly realizing something.

"It means that I can't play around anymore."

Mo Shu responses before roaring. His killing intent washes over the entire room as his power skyrocket to unknown height.

This causes both Sun Xiao and Xi Shi to be shocked.

I am as well since his killing intent is far more powerful than a Chimera should have.

It also explains why Mo Shu can easily destroy and expel those micromachines infesting his body while the other two haven't even noticed them yet.

"You. What are –

Sun Xiao utters before his head gets crushed by Mo Shu.

"Sorry, but I don't have time for weakling, but at least you can be of some use to me. Be grateful that you will live on within me."

Mo Shu responses before lifting up Sun Xiao, and right before my very eyes, the huge corpse instantly get devoured by Mo Shu. Not devoured. More of absorb into his body.

Seeing that, Xi Shi immediately back away as far as she can. She is frightened, more so than facing me even though I can kill her pretty easily.

"I apologize. I should have realized who you are from those things inside my body. When did they get into me? I think it was when I am talking to Lu Bu. That means Miss Xi Shi is right, Lu Bu is not who he supposes to be."

Mo Shu speaks up and casts a look at Xi Shi.

"Infector…! Impossible!"

The pale woman utters.

"Oh. You know what I am, but too bad you don't know who I am. If you did, you would be begging for your life about now. Maybe I should infect you as a way to enter the organization."

Mo Shu speaks up.

"Wait. I am not Xi Shi. I am just –"

Mo Shu tries to grab her before she could finish the sentence, but I severe his outstretched arm before slashing his body several times, forcing him to back away.

"It isn't nice to interrupt the lady, Mo Shu, or whoever you are."

I point out as my blade glows red. It seems I need to resort to laser edge to cut through his limbs. This makes him one of the strongest Hybrids on file.

Stronger than even Kings and Queens in their prime.

In fact, his ability seems to be very similar to someone.

Someone that supposed to be dead, at least from what Johnathan has reported. Seems like I have to have a chat with the man about that. That is slobby work, but then again, it is pretty hard to kill him, as he is called a perfect parasite.

Mo Shu looks at his severed limbs before regenerating it. His severed arm also regenerated, growing and morphing into a full-grown man.

Another Mo Shu.