Hiruko: Impossible! How Are You So Strong?

In the Land of Fire, the two gazed at the distant sea.

"Chimera's cultivation is quite good. I thought you would need more time to solve Chimera's problem."

"Hehe."

Hiruko sneered, "I don't believe that document on Chimera's ideology from back then appeared by chance."

"Without it, you wouldn't have achieved what you have today, would you?"

Danzo smiled noncommittally.

Hiruko coldly, too lazy to reply.

That old man, using his spiritual cultivation and eagerness to curry favor, does he think he'll be grateful?

He looked ahead.

"As you've seen, the Kekkei Genkai of Smoke Transformation can now be used reliably. Properly fusing Kekkei Genkai can make one even stronger!"

"Danzo, only I in the entire Shinobi World can do this, only I can help you continue to grow stronger. As for the technique itself, I can't possibly teach it to you."

"Hiruko out."

Danzo smiled and said, "How could that be? We are partners with a common goal. Would I harm you?"

As he spoke, Hiruko a deep look, then turned around, leaning on his cane.

"However, regarding the Shikotsumyaku..."

"I think you need to reconsider. Instead of dealing with Konoha, why not target the Kaguya Clan? They're easier to deal with, aren't they?"

"I have my reasons."

Hiruko said calmly.

"In that case, I hope we'll have the opportunity to cooperate again in the future. I have other matters to attend to in Kyoto, so I won't keep you company for now."

Danzo chuckled softly.

Hiruko him leave without saying a word to stop him.

After they left, a person emerged from the ground.

His name is Yamanaka Itsuki. He is one of the few remaining members of the Root who still follow him. He originally belonged to the Yamanaka Clan and is now a member of the Guardian Ninja.

"Sir, shouldn't we cooperate with him to deal with Konoha?"

"It's not that simple."

Danzo walked forward and then said calmly, "This person is reasonably strong, but he's good for nothing else."

Chimera is indeed a decent forbidden technique.

Despite its significant flaws and the risks of devouring others, after experiencing it once, he basically understood how Hiruko managed to do it.

If he goes back to research and experiment, he still has a chance to develop his own Chimera.

In comparison, cooperating with a madman like Hiruko is actually riskier; you never know when you might get tricked.

He doesn't want to confront Konoha directly in the short term.

Danzo, initially seeing Hiruko, changed his mind and decided to cooperate with her in a genuine way.

He provided intelligence and forbidden techniques, which the other party then researched and successfully implemented.

it is a pity.

This guy is a madman, a fool. He's completely caught up in Chimera's success, and it's impossible for him to come to his senses without a single failure.

"Isn't he afraid of the Flying Thunder God?"

The Yamanaka Itsuki was puzzled.

They didn't know how long the mark of the Flying Thunder God Technique would last, but it would certainly be enough to sustain them until they rescued Kaguya Ippei.

The only explanation for the two from Konoha not appearing yet is --

They are fishing.

Danzo chuckled, "That's where his foolishness lies; he thinks he's smarter than Kyohiko and Orochimaru!"

Yamanaka Itsuki remained silent for a moment, his expression undisguised; after all, Danzo's cooperation with them was only temporary.

He did not consider Hiruko a match for Kyohiko.

"But what about Chimera that he's dead? You only fused with Ice Release..."

"It's better than dying with him."

Danzo sighed.

He didn't want to Hiruko, but that guy was too foolish; continuing to cooperate would only lead to one outcome—

He was found by Kyohiko and Minato Namikaze, and then died.

It wasn't that Danzo was boosting the morale of others while diminishing his own; it was simply that Minato Namikaze and Kyohiko's Flying Thunder God posed too great a threat to him.

"Of course, I hope he survives, so at least I'll have someone to help me."

If he survives, Hiruko will likely become much more clear-headed, understand the gap between them, and be willing to proceed slowly like him.

Only then will Hiruko be a qualified accomplice.

Hiruko's eyes gleamed with excitement.

Danzo had spoken of Kyohiko and Minato Namikaze's methods, but the more he learned about them, the more excited he became.

"Of course I won't take action myself."

"But."

"I'll make sure their bait is eaten by me!"

In his view.

This is a challenge issued by Konoha, and now that he has made his move, he will let Konoha know that his talent is absolutely no less than that of the Sannin, and perhaps even...

This includes current figures like Minato Namikaze and Kyohiko Yoshimine.

Hiruko muttered to himself, appearing somewhat deranged.

While the Chimera is powerful, it also has certain side effects, such as...

His emotions and mental state are not as stable as those of a normal person.

In the distance, Kaguya Ippei Kaguya Ippei, under control, entered the Cave, and smoke was about to engulf his body.

However.

The next instant, a sudden gust of wind howled inside the Cave.

The smoke had barely settled when it was swept away by a gust of wind. In an instant, a scream echoed through the cave, then silence fell.

He's dead!

Minato Namikaze appeared, looked at Kaguya Ippei who was in a daze, and quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

He's alright.

but.

Even so, his appearance disrupted the fusion, so there's definitely no way he can find Hiruko again.

Kaguya Ippei Awakening, looking somewhat confused.

but.

His eyes narrowed quickly.

"You're Konoha Ninja?"

"Minato Namikaze, I'll be responsible for your safety."

Minato Namikaze nodded.

Kaguya Ippei, but he quickly frowned.

"But if that person doesn't die, he'll still threaten my people... Sigh! Anyway, thank you for saving me."

Kaguya Ippei sighed.

but.

Konoha and Mist Village are indeed different.

If it were Kirigakure, with such capabilities, they would be eager to sacrifice someone to find the other party, and that was his instinctive thought just now.

Konoha, however, prioritizes the lives of its comrades.

The safety of our partners is our top priority...

It's reassuring; at least I don't have to worry about being betrayed or killed by my comrades.

Kaguya Ippei thought to herself.

Minato Namikaze laughed and said, "It's not necessarily a failure. I'm responsible for protecting you, but there are others on the other side searching for the other's location."

Is it possible?

"Hmm, there should be a way."

Minato Namikaze are also uncertain.

Before they parted, Kyohiko did say he had a way, but he had just been thinking that it could be either through Summoning Jutsu or through perception.

The only other method he could think of was his sensory abilities related to Wood Release.

Just then, he sensed something unusual, and then—

Minato Namikaze's pupils contracted.

"Walk!"

On a distant mountain, Hiruko, through his summoning beast, sensed screams coming from that direction and knew that Konoha had taken action to protect Kaguya Ippei.

He felt a little regretful.

but.

He also left a surprise in that Cave.

Boom!

A loud bang.

A violent explosion was heard from that direction, and flames shot up, engulfing a large area of the mountains and forests.

Hiruko out a joyful laugh.

The other person may not be dead, but the explosion should at least have given them a fright, while he suffered no loss.

Just a few subordinates.

As long as he's alive, he can easily synthesize and create more of those subordinates anywhere.

Hiruko around and prepared to leave.

He had no real intention of going to war with Konoha, nor was he interested in cooperating with Danzo.

However.

At that very moment--

Call out!

An extremely faint sound suddenly came from one direction.

This is...

The sound of Body Flicker Technique stepping on a tree branch.

It was very subtle, but Hiruko very observant and meticulous about his surroundings; he could still detect even the slightest changes.

This is also a quality that seasoned Jonin should Jonin.

Hiruko's pupils contracted, a look of shock flashing across his face along with a hint of fear.

He shouldn't have given himself away at all.

How is that possible?

How did you find this place?

"You seem to be having a great time! As for how I found you, guess."

Kyohiko smiled.

Danzo?

Hiruko Danzo; his first thought was that Danzo had betrayed him.

but.

He quickly rejected it.

If it were Danzo, the opponent wouldn't have come alone, so...

This guy has some kind of special perception ability.

Wood Release?

Hiruko around and immediately understood where the problem lay.

The surrounding trees.

The Wood Release ability allows one to silently influence surrounding trees and convert them for one's own use.

They are like another pair of eyes for Kyohiko!

Furthermore, the opponent can also use the Flying Thunder God...

What a formidable opponent.

Hiruko dared not underestimate him, and immediately a patch of ice crystals appeared around him, followed by countless ice surfaces standing around Kyohiko.

Secret Technique: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals!

An ice mirror appeared, instantly trapping Kyohiko inside, but—

Bang!

In an instant, the ice crystal was shattered by a single punch.

Kyohiko burst out of the ice crystals at incredible speed, leaping over a mountain in the blink of an eye. There, Hiruko emerged from the rocks, preparing to jump down.

But.

Looking up, he saw Kyohiko charging down from above.

What?

How could it be so fast!

Hiruko, completely unprepared for the opponent's incredible speed, and a ferocious expression immediately appeared on his face.

Then, he Hand Seals with one hand.

The ice spread, freezing the surroundings instantly, and ice swords grew from the ground, piercing towards Kyohiko.

At the same time.

Hiruko's other hand conjured a strange bolt of lightning.

It is like water and like thunder.

In the blink of an eye, a dark cloud formed all around, followed closely by—

Boom!

Bolts of lightning spread outwards.

However.

To his surprise, Kyohiko, who was restrained by ice swords and ice pillars, suddenly unleashed an even more terrifying burst of Chakra.

Immediately, the ice pillars and ice swords were all destroyed, and the bolts of lightning that struck the opponent could not harm Kyohiko. Instead, they wrapped around the opponent as if they were turning into an aid to him.

This is...

Lightning Release Chakra Mode?

How could that be!

Hiruko was dumbfounded, his composure completely overwhelmed.

"Why should I?!"

He found it hard to accept.

He risked his life and spent decades painstakingly researching and developing the Chimera, mastering numerous Ninjutsu, only to have his opponent...

At just over eleven years old, he had already mastered Konoha's own S-rank Ninjutsu.

They've even mastered the Lightning Armor from the Kumogakure!

Do you know what Orochimaru thinks of you?

He said, "You're an idiot. Learning Kekkei Genkai is so simple. You just need to understand bloodlines and genes. Instead, you Chimera, making yourself neither human nor ghost!"

A sound rang out.

Hiruko screamed, "What does he know? This technique of mine, this is the technique to immortality!"

After his roar, terrifying Chakra erupted from his body.

Then--

Crack!

Thunder roared, Black Lightning instantly swept across the mountainside.

At the same time, Hiruko landed, taking out a scroll from his hand.

You forced me to do this!

Immediately, a corpse appeared, its body merging with and devouring the other.

Hiruko the pain of his bloodline being modified, veins bulging on his forehead. After the intense pain subsided, his body gradually stabilized.

"Just as I expected! Just as I expected!"

"The third Kekkei Genkai is crucial; I must master the ability to make my body strong and balanced!"

Hiruko loudly.

He originally didn't want to absorb the Steel Release because he couldn't be sure which was better, Steel Release or Shikotsumyaku. He originally wanted his subordinates to help him test it.

result.

Since Konoha is stingy and unwilling to sacrifice that guy...

He didn't insist.

Right now, the power within his body is constantly being stimulated, and his Chakra and bloodline are both increasing.

The Steel Release is now even more powerful than before!

My body is getting stronger too.

"I'm on the right track! I'm on the right track!"

Hiruko roared excitedly.

Immediately, his body split open, Chakra gushed out from his chest.

Kara!

Dark clouds gathered and thunder roared, creating a strange and chaotic atmosphere along with the icy mist he exhaled.

Hail, thunder, and water swirled together in a chaotic display.

Below, Hiruko a thud on a tree growing out of the cliff.

Even with trees providing shelter, a normal person falling from that height would be injured, with broken bones being the least likely outcome.

but.

Hiruko was completely unharmed.

He couldn't help but burst into laughter.

His Steel Release, through the interweaving and fusion of three bloodlines, made even his bones as hard as steel. To his regret—

They failed to obtain the Shikotsumyaku.

If Steel Release is this powerful, then the evolved Shikotsumyaku must be even stronger.

but.

He still has a chance.

Hiruko's lips curled slightly, and he Hand Seals, ready to bid farewell to his opponent.

At that moment, a hand landed on his shoulder.

What?

Hiruko was stunned for a moment, then his Chakra exploded, Storm Release once again.

Then--

Thunder and icy mist reappeared.

At this moment, he realized that his body was both incredibly powerful and incredibly weak.

The crack in his chest could unleash Ninjutsu, but it also caused strange changes in his body; he had to go back to deal with it.

Under the influence of Chakra, moisture gathered all around, and dark clouds covered the area.

Boom!

A muffled thud.

Thunder roared, and streaks of silver lightning converged, hurtling towards Kyohiko.

Such an attack...

Even Lightning Release Chakra Mode couldn't withstand it.

but.

The next second, his figure disappeared from the spot.

Hiruko hesitated for a moment, then, not giving up the opportunity, quickly plunged into the water and escaped.

He learned about Kyohiko's situation through the disappearing Shadow Clone.

This guy Flying Thunder God to return to the top!

No wonder they're so fearless.

However, he suddenly appeared behind me just now...

That tree?

Hiruko still understood why he had been caught up.

That tree was created by Kyohiko, and it should have the Flying Thunder God Formula belonging to him.

"Danzo is right, this guy is a formidable opponent."

His Ice Release Water Style abilities allowed him to move freely in the sea.

In addition, he also had a backup plan.

A moment later, a Shark swam over and carried him away into the distance.

Above him, Minato Namikaze appeared beside him.

"I didn't expect you to actually find him, but you let him go. Are you trying to find his hideout?"

"Yes, there must be people at his base. If we don't destroy it all at once, and the research inside falls into the wrong hands, it will cause endless trouble."

"Danzo?"

Minato Namikaze seemed lost in thought.

Kyohiko smiled and said, "Yes, I sensed Danzo's presence before, which is why I was able to pinpoint his approximate location."

"Kaguya Ippei has met up with Kakashi and the others. I'll go with you."

"Good."