Too Weak!

"How could this be?"

Panic showed on Yakumo's face.

The Jonin squad guarding the shelter entrance had been defeated so quickly—far faster than she'd expected. For a moment, she was at a loss.

Hiruko strolled leisurely through the fallen Jonin squad.

Nagato had assigned him as the main force in the operation to capture the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki for more than just his familiarity with Konoha.

After successfully completing the Bloodline Fusion Ritual, he had already been an elite Jonin. Now, he had firmly crossed into the ranks of the Kage. Once he fully mastered the five Kekkei Genkai he possessed, his strength would rise yet another level.

That was why, within the organization, he had come to surpass its other members by half a step—and earned the right to be arrogant!

Just then, Hiruko's gaze lifted. He spotted the shelter entrance concealed beneath the rock face, and Yakumo standing in his way.

His lips curled up. He eyed Yakumo mockingly and said, "Kurama Yakumo, the supernova of the Kurama Clan who not only awakened a brand-new ocular Kekkei Genkai but also survived the First Hokage cells! Heh, if I were Tsunade, I'd probably be unable to resist taking a genius like you as my student!"

Yakumo raised her hands and assumed the stance for forming Hand Seals.

Yet beneath her resolute exterior, her heart pounded wildly in her chest, betraying her nervousness.

"But more than taking you as my student, I'd prefer to slaughter a super-genius like you before you make a name for yourself!"

Hiruko's grin widened. With that, he blurred into motion and launched a surprise attack on Yakumo with Swift Release.

Yakumo gritted her teeth and met him head-on.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

In an instant, the two clashed, trading punches and kicks so quickly their movements became