I don't like this kind of thing...

In the darkness, a massive explosion erupted at the edge of Green Peak Town, instantly jolting countless people from their sleep.

"Ugh, it's the middle of the night, who's making all that racket? Don't people need to sleep?"

"The ground is shaking. Did an earthquake happen?"

In an instant, the awakened residents of Green Peak Town flicked their lights back on, threw on their clothes, and poured out into the streets, eager to see what had happened.

"Cough, cough, cough."

At the epicenter of the blast, amidst the swirling dust and smoke, Jun Tianlin remained shielded by a cage of shattered bones. He pressed his right hand to the corner of his mouth, letting out a few soft coughs as a trickle of blood became clearly visible between his fingers.

"I truly didn't expect a mere Chunin to possess such a powerful forbidden jutsu. What a surprise. Since when did forbidden jutsus become so cheap that even a Chunin could learn one?

Driven by despair, knowing he was doomed, he chose a move meant for mutual destruction just to drag someone down with him?

Heh, your plan was certainly well-calculated, but it's a pity—in the end, you still couldn't take me with you, Yamamoto Ichiki!"

As his voice trailed off, Jun Tianlin coughed heavily again, unable to hold back a spray of blood. It appeared that although he had successfully killed Yamamoto Ichiki, he had ended up severely wounded himself.

Under the night sky, Jun Tianlin heard the growing commotion from Green Peak Town not far behind him. He furrowed his brows and whispered to himself, "It seems this place is no longer safe. That guy Yamamoto's self-destruction woke up every sleeping civilian in this town. If I stay any longer, who knows what unexpected dangers might arise? I think it's best if I leave this place now.

However, before I go, I still need to collect the spoils of this battle!"

With a solemn expression, Jun Tianlin manipulated the tattered bones that had shielded him from the blast, causing them to fall away from his body. He leaped lightly and landed beside a blood-stained head.

This head belonged to none other than Yamamoto Ichiki, the man who had unleashed the Lightning Explosion.

Under the force of the suicidal Lightning Explosion, Yamamoto Ichiki's body had been blown to smithereens, but his head had been hurled a great distance by the powerful shockwave, landing elsewhere and remaining intact.

The test set by Orochimaru required not only the killing of the ten powerful rogue ninjas listed on the scroll but also the retrieval of their heads as proof.

Thus, even if Yamamoto was reduced to nothing but a head, Jun Tianlin would not let this trophy go!

"Seal."

Jun Tianlin pulled the sealing scroll provided by Orochimaru from his chest and swiftly sealed away the head of Yamamoto Ichiki.

After tucking the sealing scroll back into his chest, he cast one last glance at the brightly lit Green Peak Town, let out a cold sneer, and strode away, his figure quickly vanishing into the darkness.

"Although I took this battle seriously enough, the combat power that guy unleashed was truly terrifying. If I hadn't reacted in time and used Shikotsumyaku to protect myself, I fear I really would have been dragged down by that guy Yamamoto.

A fall into a pit, a gain in your wit. Fortunately, I survived this time. Even with these injuries, given the powerful physique and recovery rate of my Kaguya Clan, I'll be back on my feet in a few days.

However, for the next nine targets, I won't be the slightest bit careless. I don't like the idea of capsizing in a gutter, and I certainly don't want the targets I'm using as whetstones to pull a fast one on me before they die!

That kind of thing... I don't like it!"