Monster Reveals Itself

As for Space-Time Ninjutsu, that Fierce Beast definitely could not use it. But Asuma's words gave Uchiha Feiyu pause:

"If it can't fly, could it be traveling underground?"

"Only a handful of people in the entire Shinobi World can use Space-Time Ninjutsu, but Earth Release techniques are commonplace. Ninja Beasts capable of awakening the Earth Style: Subterranean Voyage Technique may not be numerous, but they are not exactly rare either."

"Besides, blocking the Byakugan's observational abilities isn't easy. The most likely possibility is that it's hiding underground!"

The Byakugan's x-ray vision covered a radius of one kilometer, but if something hid underground, it was basically difficult to see through once it was more than ten meters away.

If the other party truly was some kind of Chakra Animal proficient in the Earth Style: Subterranean Voyage Technique, then building its nest more than ten meters underground would be effortless.

"That makes sense! It's very likely hiding underground!"

Hizashi Hyuga nodded in sudden realization, but then frowned again.

"If it's hiding underground, that'll be hard to deal with!"

It was not that they could not catch this monster, but this was only a C-rank mission. Hizashi Hyuga did not want to waste too much time here. If they had to spend several days lying in wait, then even if they caught the so-called monster in the end, they would still come out at a loss.

Uchiha Feiyu also had a headache. He did not want to waste too much time on this mission either. With that in mind, he turned to Asuma and Kurenai and asked,

"Do you have any good ideas?"

"Hiding underground... If it were a ninja, it would eventually have to surface for air. But if it is an animal born with the ability to travel through earth, then we may really be unable to catch it."

Asuma could not think of any good solution, but Kurenai spoke up directly.

"These Chakra Animals generally evolve from ordinary animals that suddenly gain Chakra. Perhaps we can look for clues in that regard!"

"That makes sense. After ordinary animals first gain Chakra, they usually undergo changes such as growing larger, while their intelligence slowly increases as well. Perhaps if we ask around about whether anything strange has happened nearby, we can find that monster's nest!"

Kurenai's suggestion was not bad. More importantly, none of them had any better ideas, so they naturally followed her suggestion.

The group split up. After half an hour, they compiled the intelligence they had gathered from the village and finally reached a conclusion.

"About half a year ago, numerous large burrows suddenly appeared halfway up West Mountain. They looked as if they had been dug by some kind of animal."

"Besides that, all the animals in the area, large and small, fled completely. It resembles the behavior of a Chakra Animal claiming territory after gaining Chakra."

They compared their intelligence point by point, then marked the mountainside of West Mountain as the suspicious area.

When Uchiha Feiyu's group arrived, their suspicions were further confirmed. They found several huge scales and claw marks there. Upon comparison, the claw marks were exactly the same as those at the scene where people and livestock had been devoured.

Aside from the Gentle Fist, this Jonin Hizashi Hyuga had also learned some ninjutsu of other attributes to broaden his arsenal. The one he had mastered best was Earth Release ninjutsu—Earth Release restrained the Gentle Fist to some extent, so anyone in the Hyuga Clan with Earth-nature Chakra would basically study it to some degree.

With a casual use of the Earthquake Technique, the ground trembled. At that moment, Uchiha Feiyu immediately sensed a soul far more powerful than an ordinary animal rising from beneath the earth.

"Careful, it's coming up!"

Hizashi Hyuga's Byakugan naturally saw the monster's movements as well, and he immediately warned them. The group leaped into the trees, just as a lizard the size of a van, covered in golden scales and armed with sharp claws and teeth, burst from the ground.

To that strange lizard, the earth seemed like flowing water. After it emerged, it did not even leave a hole behind. Clearly, its Earth Style: Subterranean Voyage Technique was extremely refined.

"This is... a pangolin?! No wonder it has such remarkable Earth Release and subterranean travel abilities!"

Kurenai spoke in surprise. Looking carefully, the creature was indeed nearly identical to a pangolin. The only difference was its mouthful of sharp fangs.

Hizashi Hyuga glanced at the pangolin and said to Kurenai and Asuma,

"You two take it on. This pangolin should not have reached Chunin level yet, so it is perfect for training."

"But be careful. Don't let it hide underground again."

"Don't worry. Watch me take it down in one go!"

Brimming with confidence, Asuma brandished his pair of trench knives and jumped from the tree, stabbing straight at the pangolin's head. Yet with a sharp screech, sparks flew from the scales on its head, leaving only a white mark.

"What tough armor!"

A trace of surprise appeared on Asuma's face. At that moment, the attacked pangolin flew into a vicious rage. Its long tail swung out, and with a boom, smashed into Asuma, knocking him into two halves.

With a bang, the two pieces of Asuma transformed into shattered wooden logs. He had escaped disaster with the Substitution Technique.

However, his expression was far from pleasant. The toughness of the pangolin's outer shell exceeded his expectations. Against that shell, his trench knives could not even leave a scratch.

Seeing that the enemy it had struck had turned into a piece of wood, the pangolin froze briefly. Then it drew in its limbs, curled its head and tail together, and instantly formed a Shell Ball.

The Shell Ball began rolling with a thunderous rumble. The Shell Ball formed by the van-sized pangolin stood three meters tall, hurtling straight at Asuma like a bomb.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! What is this? Does this pangolin have Akimichi Clan blood too?!"

Asuma barely dodged the pangolin's Shell Ball attack. Fortunately, they were in a forest, preventing the pangolin's Shell Ball from spinning at full speed. Otherwise, Asuma would have been in an even worse state.

After finally finding an opening, he unleashed a Fire Release technique. However, the enormous Shell Ball rolled straight through the flames, nearly turning Asuma into teppanyaki.

Kurenai, who had remained in the tree, narrowed her crimson eyes and kept them fixed on the pangolin. Only when it had finally spun itself dizzy and exhausted, and the Shell Ball stopped moving, did she leap down from the tree.

As she descended, Kurenai formed hand seals with both hands and unleashed a Genjutsu.

"Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique!"

The pangolin's Shell Ball, which had been tightly curled together, immediately began trembling under Kurenai's Genjutsu. Whatever terrifying sight the pangolin saw, its curled body spread apart, exposing its soft belly.

Without another word, Asuma blasted the pangolin's belly with a Great Fireball Technique. The scorched stench of burning protein immediately spread through the air.