"It's over."
His gaze lifted slightly, settling on the area behind Hada Ryuhiko, where Hada Ichiba's somewhat wistful voice rang out.
Huh? Did that idiot Kazuha know this Second Pillar?
Hearing that voice, Hada Ryuhiko immediately noticed an emotion in Hada Ichiba's words that did not fit the current situation—or rather, did not fit the strangers' relationship between Hada Ichiba and Second Pillar, who had begun his counterattack below.
It sounded as though that idiot Kazuha knew Second Pillar.
Or perhaps Second Pillar did not know that idiot Kazuha, but that idiot Kazuha knew Second Pillar.
At the same time, his gaze left Akado Yoroi, who had been kicked into the air.
However, when his eyes settled, what he saw was Hada Ichiba's usual carefree, leisurely expression, as if that sigh had not come from him at all.
"Whoosh!"
Before he could think any further, the sound of something cutting through the air came from below.
This is...
So fast!
He had barely even seen it! Instinctively turning his head, Hada Ryuhiko's face showed a trace of surprise as soon as his gaze shifted.
At that moment, dust rippled across the ground where Second Pillar had been standing, while Second Pillar himself had already vanished from the spot.
And beneath Akado Yoroi of Konoha, whose body was flying through the air almost parallel to the ground, Second Pillar was clearly visible within his shadow, his teeth clenched as though enduring immense pain.
What were these runes?
Hada Ryuhiko instantly noticed the Cursed Seal markings on Second Pillar's body. His pupils contracted slightly, and surprise surfaced on his face.
Could this Second Pillar be one of that idiot Kazuha's targets?
Was he the one Kazuha had talked about with that Sound Village Jonin instructor?
At that moment, he keenly sensed something.