Hiruko panted urgently, his eyes filled with terror suppressed to the extreme.
He had clearly just taken a trip through death's door and nearly failed to return, almost dying completely during the genetic fusion.
The members of Akatsuki were also sizing up Hiruko's current appearance, each with a different expression.
The Hiruko before them looked like a defective fusion of a human, a snake, and a toad—twisted and grotesque.
But judging from his aura alone, he was indeed powerful.
With every passing second, Hiruko's aura slowly rose, while the amount of Chakra stored within his body steadily increased.
Nagato observed him through the Rinnegan and saw far more clearly.
"So he can convert a greater amount of Natural Energy into Chakra now..." Nagato watched coldly, his expression easing slightly.
He had originally thought little of Hiruko and the Chimera Technique. Now, however, while the results were hideously ugly in appearance, they were undeniably effective. Hiruko's strength had greatly increased and could bolster the organization's power.
The others were also observing the man before them.
"At least you're still humanoid. Otherwise, I really wouldn't know how to face you, Hiruko," Kisame said, baring a mouthful of sharp teeth.
"I'm in a bad mood. Keep talking nonsense, and I'll kill you." Hiruko's voice had become incredibly hoarse and obscure, carrying a strained quality, as though even his vocal cords had mutated.
Kisame's grin widened, but he truly said nothing more.
Wary as he was, he was not afraid.
Even if Hiruko had clearly become stronger, at the end of the day, he had merely gained a greater amount of Chakra.
When it came to Chakra reserves, aside from a limited few, Kisame feared no one.
"Since he succeeded, can we leave now?" Naruto looked at what Hiruko had become and grew increasingly