Blade Against the Demigod

"Kasaya Demon Subjugation!"

A thunderous shout rang across the cliffs!

The black-robed figure who had just saved Konan shot up from the ranks of Akatsuki.

He tore off his black Akatsuki robe.

And flung it into the air!

Everyone looked up instinctively.

Beneath the black robe, he wore another garment patterned with fire clouds!

"Hum—!"

The Fire Cloud Kasaya activated instantly.

Its dark-gold fabric swelled in the wind, its fire-cloud patterns blazing to life!

In an instant, it became a vast red cloud that blotted out the sky.

Golden Sanskrit characters intertwined, forming a sealing barrier.

It dropped toward the giant Ibuse below!

"You think you can seal my summoning beast?!"

Hanzo saw through the move at once and gave a cold snort.

He was surprised, but not the least bit rattled.

He drew the Exploding Blade Shibuki, and chakra erupted beneath his feet.

He shot like an arrow toward the center of the Fire Cloud Kasaya overhead, blade raised.

He meant to split it apart with a single strike!

Countless Explosive Tags sealed within the blade flared with blinding light.

If that strike landed, even if it failed to destroy the Fire Cloud Kasaya,

the terrifying explosive force within the blade would be enough to disrupt the seal—or even break it!

But just as the blade was about to touch the fire cloud—

A black speck appeared at its center in Hanzo's vision.

It was Might Guy, holding on to the kasaya!

The instant Hanzo saw Guy, his pupils contracted!

"It's you!!"

He recognized the young ninja who had been with Jiraiya.

If Might Guy was here, didn't that mean... Jiraiya was nearby too?!

Thoughts raced through Hanzo's mind, and his brow furrowed.

But his blade was already in motion. There was no stopping it!

*So it was them.