"This is..."
Jiraiya's pupils contracted as he watched Hiruko's small frame charge straight into his Needle Jizo,
colliding head-on with the countless spikes of white hair!
Amid the metallic clangs, countless strands of hair flew through the air and fell to the ground.
The hair, infused with chakra that had undergone Earth Release nature transformation, was as hard as metal and stone. It could pierce human bodies and withstand Ninjutsu.
But against Hiruko's small frame, it proved surprisingly fragile!
Jiraiya keenly noticed that through the torn bandages on Hiruko's body, his skin gleamed with a blue-black metallic sheen.
"Steel Release, huh?"
Jiraiya had seen plenty in his time. Even obscure Kekkei Genkai were familiar to him.
"You can actually combine two Kekkei Genkai. Don't they clash inside your body?"
Jiraiya's expression grew more serious. It wasn't only because Hiruko's forbidden technique was more terrifying than he'd imagined.
If things kept going this way, who knew how many more people would die before Hiruko achieved his goal?
And besides...
"If you get your hands on even more Kekkei Genkai..."
"I might not be able to beat you..."
Jiraiya frowned, his heart sinking.
"I have to take you down here, Hiruko."
Hiruko scoffed at his words.
"Enough big talk!"
With that, Hiruko charged forward like a force of nature, smashing through every strand of Needle Jizo around him as he barreled toward Jiraiya.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Jiraiya leaped into the air and exhaled blades of wind, sending waves of pressure surging outward.
But when they struck Hiruko, they only tore his bandages. His blue-black skin remained unharmed.
"It's useless! With Steel Release, my defense is invincible!"
Hiruko grinned viciously, looking immensely pleased with himself.
Jiraiya's expression didn't change. He continued spitting out techniques in rapid succession.
"Fire Release: Great Flame Bullet!"