Chapter 169: Hiruko: Impossible! How Are You So Strong?

Mass Release 5 Chapters! --- In the Land of Fire, two people gazed at the distant sea. "Your Chimera Technique has been cultivated well. I thought you would need more time to solve its problems." "Heh." Hiruko sneered. "I don’t believe that the conceptual data for the Chimera Technique back then appeared by chance." "Without it, you wouldn’t have today’s achievements, would you?" Danzo smiled noncommittally. Hiruko snorted, too lazy to respond. This old thing, taking credit for my cultivation and efforts, does he think I’ll be grateful? He looked ahead. "You’ve seen it too. The smoke transformation Kekkei Genkai can now be used stably. The rational fusion of Kekkei Genkai can make one stronger! Danzo, only I in the entire shinobi world can do this. Only I can help you continue to grow stronger. As for the technique itself, it’s impossible for me to teach it to you," Hiruko said. Danzo smiled. "How could that be? We are collaborators with a common goal. Would I harm you?" As he spoke, he gave Hiruko a deep look, then turned around, leaning on his cane. "However, regarding the matter of the Shikotsumyaku... I think you still need to consider it carefully. Instead of dealing with Konoha, it would be better to deal with the Kaguya clan. They are easier to handle, are they not?" "I have my own considerations," Hiruko said faintly. "In that case, I hope we have the opportunity to cooperate again in the future. I still have matters in Kyoto, so I won’t keep you company for now," Danzo said with a slight smile. Hiruko watched him leave without trying to make him stay. After he left, a person emerged from the ground. His name was Yamanaka Shu, one of the few Root members still following him. Originally from the Yamanaka clan, he was now also a member of the Guardian Shinobi. "Are we not cooperating with him to deal with Konoha?" "It’s not that simple." Danzo walked forward, then said faintly, "This person’s strength is acceptable, but besides his strength, he is worthless." The Chimera Technique was indeed a good forbidden jutsu. Although it had great flaws, and devouring others had its risks, after experiencing it once, he basically understood how Hiruko did it. As long as he went back to research and try, there was still a chance to develop his own version of the Chimera Technique. In comparison, cooperating with a madman like Hiruko was riskier; who knows when he might be tricked and fall into a pit. For the time being, he didn’t want a direct confrontation with Konoha. Originally, Danzo had seen that Hiruko was talented and a target worth winning over, so he changed his initial idea and planned to cooperate sincerely with him—he would provide intelligence and forbidden jutsu, and the other would produce results. Unfortunately, this was a madman, a fool, completely immersed in the success of the Chimera Technique. Without a failure, it was impossible to wake him up. "Is he not afraid of the Flying Thunder God?" Yamanaka Shu was puzzled. Although they didn’t know how long the Flying Thunder God’s mark could last, it was certainly enough to support a rescue of Kaguya Ippei. The two from Konoha had not yet appeared, the only explanation was—they were baiting a trap. Danzo smiled. "This is where he is foolish. He thinks his intelligence is superior to that of Kyohiko, Orochimaru, and the others!" Yamanaka Shu was speechless, not bothering to hide the expression on his face. Anyway, his cooperation with Danzo was only temporary. He didn’t think Hiruko was a match for Kyohiko. "But, if he dies, what about the Chimera Technique? You’ve only fused with Ice Release..." "It’s still better than dying with him." Danzo sighed. He didn’t want to part ways with Hiruko either, but this guy was too stupid. Continuing to cooperate with him would only lead to one result—being found by Kyohiko and Namikaze Minato, and then dying. It wasn’t that Danzo was boosting others’ morale while diminishing his own, but the threat of Namikaze Minato and Kyohiko’s dual Flying Thunder God was too great for him. "Of course, I hope he can survive. That way, I’ll at least still have an assistant." If he could survive, Hiruko would surely sober up a lot, understand the gap between them, and be willing to plot slowly like him. Only then would Hiruko be a qualified accomplice. --- A look of excitement appeared in Hiruko’s eyes. Danzo had told him about Kyohiko and Namikaze Minato’s methods, but the more he heard, the more excited he became. "Of course, I won’t make a move myself." "However." "I will also have someone eat their bait!" In his view, this was a challenge issued by Konoha, and since he had already made a move, he would let Konoha know that his talent was by no means inferior to the Sannin, and even... included the current Namikaze Minato and Kyohiko. Hiruko muttered to himself, his state somewhat frenzied. Although the Chimera Technique was powerful, it also had certain side effects, for example... his emotional and mental state was not as stable as a normal person’s. In the distance, Kaguya Ippei was manipulated into a cave. Immediately after, the smoke was about to engulf Kaguya Ippei’s body. However, the next moment, a fierce wind suddenly howled inside the cave. The smoke had just solidified when it was instantly swept away by the gale. In an instant, a scream echoed in the cave, and then there was silence. He was dead! Namikaze Minato appeared, looking at the dazed Kaguya Ippei, and quietly breathed a sigh of relief. The person was fine. However, even so, by appearing and disrupting the fusion, he definitely wouldn’t be able to find Hiruko anymore. Kaguya Ippei opened his eyes, somewhat confused. But soon, his gaze focused. "Are you a Konoha ninja?" "Namikaze Minato, responsible for protecting your safety." Namikaze Minato nodded. Kaguya Ippei understood, but soon he frowned. "But if that person doesn’t die, he will still threaten my clansmen... sigh! No matter what, thank you for saving me." Kaguya Ippei sighed. However, Konoha and Kirigakure were truly different. If it were Kirigakure, with such an ability, they would be eager to sacrifice one person to find the other. And he himself had instinctively thought that way just now. But Konoha prioritized the lives of their comrades. Prioritizing the safety of your comrades first... it’s truly reassuring. At least you don’t have to worry about being betrayed or killed by your comrades, Kaguya Ippei thought to himself. Namikaze Minato smiled and said, "It’s not necessarily a failure. I’m responsible for protecting you on this side, but on the other side, someone is also searching for the opponent’s location." "Can it be done?" "Mm, there should be a way." Namikaze Minato wasn’t too sure either. Before they separated, Kyohiko had indeed said he had a way, but he had thought it was either through the connection of a summoning jutsu or through perception. The only other method he could think of was the perception ability of Wood Style. Just then, he felt something strange, and immediately after—Namikaze Minato’s pupils shrank. "Go!" --- On a distant mountain, Hiruko, through the connection with his summoned beast, sensed the scream from over there and knew that Konoha had made a move to save Kaguya Ippei. He was a little disappointed. However, he had also left a surprise in that cave. Boom! A loud explosion was heard from over there. A blaze of fire rose up, engulfing a large area of the mountain forest. Hiruko let out a delighted laugh. Perhaps the other party wasn’t dead, but this explosion would at least give them a scare, and he had suffered no losses. Just a few subordinates. As long as he was alive, he could synthesize and create such underlings anywhere; it wasn’t difficult at all. Hiruko turned, preparing to leave. He had no real intention of going to war with Konoha, nor did he have any interest in cooperating with Danzo. However, just at this moment—Swish! A very faint sound suddenly came from one direction. This is... the sound of the Body Flicker Technique stepping on a tree branch. It was very faint, but Hiruko’s observation of his surroundings was very meticulous and detailed. He could still hear the slight change. This was the quality a battle-hardened Jounin should have. Hiruko’s pupils shrank. While shocked, a trace of fear flashed in his eyes. He shouldn’t have left any openings. How is this possible? "How did you find this place?" "You seem to be laughing quite happily! As for how I found you, take a guess." Kyohiko smiled. Danzo? Hiruko’s pupils shrank, his first reaction was that Danzo had betrayed him. But soon, he dismissed the idea. If it were Danzo, the other party wouldn’t have come alone, so... this guy had some special perception ability. Wood Style? Hiruko looked around and immediately understood where the problem was. The surrounding trees. The ability of Wood Style could silently influence the surrounding trees, turning them to his own use. They were equivalent to Kyohiko’s other pair of eyes! Besides, the other party also knew the Flying Thunder God... A truly terrifying opponent. Hiruko didn’t dare to underestimate him. Immediately, ice crystals appeared around him, and in an instant, countless ice mirrors stood around Kyohiko. Secret Technique: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals! The ice mirrors appeared, instantly trapping Kyohiko inside, but—Bang! In an instant, the ice crystals were shattered by a single punch. Kyohiko rushed out of the ice crystals at high speed, leaping over a mountain in the blink of an eye. There, Hiruko emerged from a rock, preparing to jump down. But when he looked up, he saw Kyohiko coming at him from above. What? How is he so fast! Hiruko cursed in his heart, not expecting the opponent’s speed to be so fast. A ferocious look appeared on his face. He then formed a hand seal with one hand. A layer of ice spread, instantly freezing the surroundings. Ice swords grew out of the earth, stabbing towards Kyohiko. At the same time, Hiruko’s other hand created a strange lightning. It was like water, like lightning. In the blink of an eye, it formed a dark cloud around them, and then—Boom! Streaks of lightning spread out. However, what he didn’t expect was that Kyohiko, who was constrained by the ice swords and pillars, erupted with even more terrifying chakra. Then, the ice pillars and swords were all destroyed, and the streaks of lightning that fell on the opponent couldn’t harm Kyohiko at all, but instead wrapped around his body as if becoming his own power. This is... Lightning Release Chakra Mode? How is that possible! Hiruko was dumbfounded, his mind no longer stable. "Why?!" He couldn’t accept it. He had risked his life and worked hard for decades to research the Chimera Technique and master many ninjutsu, but the other party... at just over eleven years old, had mastered Konoha’s own S-rank ninjutsu, which was fine. But he had even mastered the Cloud Village’s Lightning Release Armor! "Do you know how Orochimaru evaluates you?" "He said you’re a fool. Learning a Kekkei Genkai is so simple, you just need to understand bloodlines and genes. Yet you messed with the Chimera Technique, turning yourself into neither human nor ghost!" A voice rang out. Hiruko screamed, "What does he know? This technique of mine, this is the path to immortality!" After his roar, terrifying chakra erupted from his body. Then—Crack! Lightning flashed, and dark thunderclouds instantly swept over the mountain. At the same time, Hiruko’s body descended, and he took out a scroll from his hand. "You forced me!" Then, a corpse appeared, and his body fused with and devoured it. Hiruko endured the pain of his bloodline being remodified, veins popping on his forehead. After intense pain, his body gradually stabilized. "Indeed! Indeed! The third Kekkei Genkai is crucial. I must master an ability that strengthens and balances the body!" Hiruko laughed loudly. He had originally not wanted to devour Steel Release because he wasn’t sure whether Steel Release or Shikotsumyaku was better, and had wanted his subordinates to help test it. As it turned out, since Konoha was so stingy and unwilling to sacrifice that guy... he wouldn’t insist. Now, the power within him was constantly being stimulated, his chakra and bloodline were both improving. The Steel Release was even stronger than before! His body was also getting stronger. "My direction is right, my direction is right!" Hiruko roared with excitement. Then, his body split open, and chakra spewed from his chest. Crack! Dark clouds gathered, thunder rolled, and together with the ice mist he spewed from his mouth, it turned into a strange and mixed weather phenomenon. Hail, lightning, and water were chaotically intertwined. Below, Hiruko landed with a thud on a tree growing out of a cliff. A normal person falling from such a height would be injured even with the cover of trees; a few broken bones would be the minimum. But Hiruko was completely fine. He couldn’t help but laugh loudly. The Steel Release, having been interwoven and fused with three bloodlines, had made even his bones as hard as steel. What he regretted was—not being able to get the Shikotsumyaku. If Steel Release was like this, the evolution of Shikotsumyaku would surely be even more powerful. However, he still had a chance. A slight smile touched Hiruko’s lips. He formed hand seals, about to bid farewell to his opponent. At this moment, a hand rested on his shoulder. What? Hiruko was stunned for a moment, then his entire body’s chakra erupted, and he used Gale Release again. Then—lightning and ice mist reappeared. At this moment, he had already realized that his body was very strong, but also in a bad state. The crack in his chest could release ninjutsu, but it had also caused a strange mutation in his body. He had to go back and deal with it. Under the influence of his chakra, water vapor gathered around, and dark clouds gathered. Boom! A muffled sound. Lightning flashed, and streaks of silver electricity converged, striking towards Kyohiko. Such an attack... even the Lightning Release Chakra Mode couldn’t withstand it. However, the next second, his figure disappeared from the spot. Hiruko was stunned for a moment, then didn’t give up this opportunity and quickly dived into the water to escape. Through his disappearing shadow clone, he knew Kyohiko’s situation. That guy had used Flying Thunder God to return to the top! No wonder he was so fearless. But for him to suddenly appear behind him just now... that tree? After some thought, Hiruko still understood the reason he was caught. That tree was created by Kyohiko, and it should have the other’s Flying Thunder God formula on it. "Danzo was right, this guy is a terrifying opponent." The water-based abilities from his Ice Release made him like a fish in the sea. Besides, he also had a backup plan. In a short while, a shark swam over and carried him away into the distance. Above, Namikaze Minato appeared beside him. "I didn’t expect you to actually find him. But you let him go. Are you trying to find his lair?" "Yes. His base must have people in it. If we don’t destroy it in one go, if the research inside falls into someone else’s hands, the future trouble will be endless." "Danzo?" Namikaze Minato was thoughtful. Kyohiko smiled. "Yes. I sensed Danzo’s presence earlier, which is how I was able to lock down his general area." "Kaguya Ippei has rendezvoused with Kakashi and the others. On your side, I’ll go with you." "Alright."