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In the forest.

As the last Kumogakure ninja before her was killed, the short blade in Mikoto's hand shattered completely. Unable to hold on any longer, she collapsed to the ground.

Due to the overuse of her Pupil Power, blood seeping from her eye sockets blurred her vision.

She struggled to lift her head to look at the corpse beside her.

That was Yoshino, who had blocked a fatal blow from the enemy for her, dying without even leaving behind a final word.

So this is... the battlefield...

"What is the meaning of this!!"

A sudden exclamation rang out as a man with a slender build, wearing a Konoha jonin vest, appeared.

"Mikoto, are you alright? Yoshino... Ayaka... what on earth happened? I only left for a moment! How could it come to this!!"

The man's refined face was filled with concern as he hurried closer.

The newcomer was the jonin leader of their squad. Mikoto looked up, her blood-stained pupils staring at him with indifference.

"We've reached this point... Hiruko-sensei, there's no need to keep up the act."

Hiruko stopped, the expression on his face slowly freezing.

"So you knew."

Mikoto's voice was soft and slow: "I don't want to know the reason you did this, it's just... you were always the person Ayaka respected most. Don't you think it's too cruel to treat her this way?"

"Cruel..."

Hiruko shook his head gently, a twisted, gloomy smile curling the corners of his mouth.

"What is that compared to the true cruelty of the heavens..."

"How terrifying. You are clearly just a genin who graduated not long ago, yet you managed to kill so many people in return while poisoned... I'm afraid even I couldn't do that."

"Your brother... hehe, I find myself subconsciously afraid to even say his name... Yes... after all, he is the remarkable Uchiha Kamizuki!"

"Bloodline ninjas, masters of secret arts... your very existence is the greatest cruelty of all!!"

"Why is it that you are born with everything, and why is it that no matter how hard we try, we can only accept our own mediocrity!!"

Hiruko's face gradually twisted.

Since he was young, he had been friends with the Sannin, but it was they who became the disciples of the Hokage, they who made names for themselves on the battlefield, and perhaps one of them would be the next Hokage.

Why...

Why am I the only one who has nothing!!

Orochimaru...

Even though you are already a genius far beyond my reach, you keep saying that your talent is far inferior to Uchiha Kamizuki.

Then why, why don't you feel jealousy, why don't you feel despair!

It is truly... disgusting!!

If I could obtain that power... what kind of defeated expression would you wear then!!!

"That's really hard to argue with..."

Mikoto knelt on the ground. Despite being in the lower position, her tone was calm, like the whisper of a superior: "My brother once said..."

"We... are not the same..."

"There are plenty of... people like you..."

"Hehe... even your reason for falling is so mediocre..."

Hiruko's pupils constricted violently, the veins on his hand gripping his kunai bulging as he used Body Flicker to strike at Mikoto!

You are the one dying, you are the one to be captured, so why do you still have the right to use that attitude and say such things!!

Why!!

Clap—

"Calm down, don't forget our deal."

One in front and one behind, two Kumogakure jonin blocked him.

Scanning the corpses littering the ground, the Kumogakure ninjas' eyes revealed a trace of sorrow, which then shifted to Mikoto, replaced by greed.

"This is our prey; we cannot let you kill her."

Hiruko took a deep breath to steady his mind and lowered his hand: "She is not just yours, she is mine as well!"

The Kumogakure ninja narrowed his eyes and said slowly: "We can discuss that when we return. Our movements could be exposed at any moment, and you wouldn't want to be hunted down by that monster, would you?"

Thinking of that man, Hiruko could not help but show a look of fear.

The plan was not supposed to be like this from the beginning.

What he coveted was Kamizuki's body, that overwhelming presence on the battlefield.

Using his position to send Mikoto to the front lines was meant to set a trap for Kamizuki, to harvest that invincible physique.

If it were only for Mikoto, he would never have agreed to Kumogakure's demands and committed the act of betraying Konoha.

However, Mikoto awakening her Three Tomoe in public had tipped the scales in Kumogakure's hearts.

Uchiha Kamizuki was too strong; even with perfect preparations, the chances of capturing someone of that level were slim.

By comparison, a living Uchiha Mikoto was more cost-effective.

The reason the two of them didn't appear earlier was to ensure a live capture; there had been similar situations before where, once Uchiha members judged that escape was impossible, they would choose to take their enemies down with them.

It was impossible for all Uchiha to be fearless madmen, but on the battlefield, they were all exceptions to the rule.

As the ropes inscribed with sealing curses touched her, Mikoto's consciousness inevitably began to sink.

How terrible...

I should have committed suicide sooner...

I've caused you trouble again... Brother...

Unbeknownst to the group, a wisp of invisible Pupil Power slipped from Mikoto's body, transforming into a serpentine shape after they had walked away and darting off into the distance.

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"Mahoraga..."

Hanzo narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the monster.

It was visibly powerful, an abnormality that transcended the limits of biology, stinging his senses; he could vaguely hear the humming of a volcano before an eruption emanating from within it.

"What a truly... incredible monster!"

Specks of firefly-like sparks flickered between Mahoraga and Kamizuki.

"It can only be considered a semi-finished product for now, possessing only one Fire Style heart that isn't particularly strong."

This was the lethal weapon that Orochimaru and Kamizuki, along with Madara, had painstakingly created based on the Cursed Tool Earth Grudge Fear.

A smug smile played on the corners of Kamizuki's mouth, as if he were showing off his treasure: "Its complete form requires at least five hearts from powerhouses of different affinities."

The physical body itself was a manifestation of Yang Style, and when combined with the Sharingan, it was a form of the power of All Things in Nature!

When that time came, it would be an incomparably strong artificial creature capable of adapting to everything!

"Heh... are you planning to take my heart?"

Although Hanzo was famous for his Water Body Flicker and poison, his primary affinity was actually Fire Style; it was just rarely used in the environment of the Land of Rain.

Furthermore, because small ninja villages lacked ninjutsu heritage, it was difficult for him to learn high-level Fire Style techniques.

If one were to speak of those most skilled in Fire Style in the ninja world, it would be the Uchiha, followed by the Sarutobi clan, who were also from Konoha.

Kamizuki naturally knew Hanzo's primary affinity and shook his head: "I have a heart I really want, but you are not in my considerations."

"Hanzo, your role..."

The smile he couldn't suppress spread wildly across his face.

Blood lines shot from his fingertips, and Mahoraga, moving at a speed inconsistent with its size, surged forward alongside the blood lines, tearing through the atmosphere.

"Is merely to be the stepping stone for me to become a legend!!!!"

WHOOSH!!!

Dense purple mist poured from the mouth of the Salamander, the air itself sizzling as fire and water rose in tandem.

Hanzo gripped his chain-sickle and laughed heartily.

"Haha!!"

"Then come!!"

"I shall feel honored to defeat you! A formidable enemy of the Uchiha!!"

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BOOM!!!!!!!!

An unprecedented collision was etched into the firmament of the Land of Rain.