Biwa Jūzō, proficient in Kirigakure assassination techniques, had never expected anyone to sneak up behind him without making a sound. Startled, he had no time to think and immediately spun around, slashing with his blade.
Just as before, Hyuga Kagami caught the Kubikiribōchō Biwa Jūzō swung at him with one hand. This time, however, he did not waste any words. His other hand stabbed straight toward Biwa Jūzō's chest.
Splash...
Biwa Jūzō, whose chest had been pierced, instantly turned into a splash of water and fell to the ground.
"A Water Clone..."
Hyuga Kagami muttered indifferently, then took the Kubikiribōchō he had caught by the blade into his hand.
Biwa Jūzō abandoned his sword decisively this time. He had made the judgment almost instantly; the slash he had turned around to deliver had merely been a feint to cover his escape.
But such a tactic could not fool Hyuga Kagami. With a sweep of his eyes, he found Biwa Jūzō, then grinned and hurled the Kubikiribōchō in his hand.
Whoosh...
The huge, heavy Kubikiribōchō vanished into the dust in an instant with the sound of rushing wind.
"Urgh..."
Almost at the same time, a muffled groan of suppressed pain came from the direction the Kubikiribōchō had flown. Clearly, the sword Hyuga Kagami had thrown had struck the fleeing Biwa Jūzō squarely.
Crackle...
Just then, the faint sound of electricity came from the distance.
"Lightning Cutter!?"
Hyuga Kagami's expression hardened. No longer bothering with Biwa Jūzō, he flickered away and vanished from the spot.
At the other end.
Kakashi, carrying Naruto, was in a rather sorry state. To shake off Nagato's pursuit, he had exhausted every means at his disposal. After their prolonged struggle, his body was covered in wounds, and a Black Rod was embedded in his left leg. Not