Kirigakure.
Seeing Hiruko erupt with such overwhelming force, the Hidden Mist ninja threw kunai and shuriken in a probing long-range attack.
Hiruko's entire body took on a metallic sheen.
It was Steel Release—Hardening.
Amid a chorus of clinks and clangs, all the Hidden Mist's ninja tools were deflected.
"That's Steel Release! Weapons can't hurt him!"
A knowledgeable Hidden Mist ninja hurriedly shouted.
"Try ninjutsu!"
By then, Hiruko had already finished gathering power for his ninjutsu.
An enormous amount of Chakra flowed from Hiruko's body into the ground, and towering storm clouds began spreading out from the earth.
They surged into the sky along with Hiruko's thunderclouds.
The sky, already lacking in visibility, was now blanketed by pitch-black storm clouds.
Seeing the terrifying might of Hiruko's ninjutsu, most of the Hidden Mist ninja began attacking him from afar with Water Release.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
"Water Release: Water Cannon Bullet!"
"Water Release: Water Fang Bullet!"...
Countless Water Release techniques flew at Hiruko, but he merely laughed wildly.
"Hahaha... Ninjutsu is useless against me!"
He formed hand seals, and a massive purplish-black ring of light swept out from his body.
Every Hidden Mist ninja shuddered as the ninjutsu they had cast suddenly slipped out of their control.
Hiruko roared again, opening his mouth wide as countless techniques broke apart in midair.
They became vast amounts of Chakra, pouring into Hiruko's mouth.
Hiruko's presence immediately grew even stronger. The immense Chakra within him made him resemble a gigantic torch.
"Today, Kirigakure will become the first step in my, Hiruko's, rise to fame across the Shinobi World!"
"Take it back!"
With a swing of his hand, Hiruko sprayed out an enormous volume of water.
It formed all manner of Water Release techniques in midair and struck back at