Storm Release Ultimate Technique

This tug-of-war eventually ended with the snapping of the rope.

Yet the consequence of that snapped rope was not something Gaara, acting as the Jinchuriki, could endure, for there was only one fate for a Jinchuriki who lost their Tailed Beast—death!

Thud.

Amid a muffled sound, Gaara collapsed to the ground.

"No!"

Kankuro roared.

Temari stood frozen in place, wearing a dazed expression.

Yakumo also wore a dejected look; she had initially thought that merely finding a way to seal Gaara could reverse the situation, yet she had never expected Hiruko to master such a terrifying Sealing Technique, using the combination of Nether Release and Demon Seed to forcefully snatch the One-Tail right out of their hands.

On the other side, Hiruko retreated far away and curved the corner of his mouth.

Another Tailed Beast secured!

Although a minor accident occurred along the way and he failed to seal the One-Tail Jinchuriki Gaara alongside it, the One-Tail was at least captured.

Subsequently, he glanced sideways at Ranmaru, who was intercepting the Konoha Ninja, and his gaze instantly sharpened.

Those eerie Red Eye clones by Ranmaru's side quickly entered his field of vision, causing even him, the wielder of the Mangekyō Sharingan, to involuntarily marvel at them.

Lacking physical bodies yet capable of executing ninjutsu, paired with the Shadow Release Ranmaru himself mastered, these Red Eye clones were simply impossible to guard against.

That brat actually dared to deceive me!

In an instant, Hiruko realized that Ranmaru had not told him the truth earlier.

The Bloodline Fusion Ritual atop the snow-capped peak earlier had not only strengthened Ranmaru's Shadow Release, it had also strengthened Ranmaru's Red Eye!

"Hmph!"

With a soft snort, Hiruko smoothed away the astonishment on his face and withdrew the covetous glint in the depths of his eyes;