"Forbidden... technique...!?"
At this moment, the voice coming from Kimimaro's mouth sounded like the ear-piercing scrape of metal against stone, harsh and grating!
As he said this, the corner of his mouth suddenly split into a wide grin, revealing an expression Kimimaro would never have shown before.
Upon the pale bone mask gradually taking shape over half his face, vivid crimson patterns slowly gathered, as though an invisible hand were painting ancient, sinful totems upon it!
"Are you joking...?"
As that icy voice fell, beneath the other half of his face that Kimimaro had partially covered with his hand, his reddish-yellow eyes suddenly fixed tightly on Sakumo, filled with cruelty and coldness!
"Bang—"
His legs bent slightly, and his feet stomped heavily against the ground. His body immediately shot forward in a half-crouch like a cannonball!
Kimimaro's body was now covered in a layer of bone armor stained with crimson blood, fitted over his shoulders, elbows, knees, and other areas as though it had naturally grown from his body, without the slightest incongruity!
Half of a savage mask covered his face. From afar, he looked like a rabid dog made of bone, charging madly toward Sakumo!
"This guy... wasn't he about to die just moments ago!? How could he suddenly unleash such power!?"
Even Sakumo's expression tightened after sensing Kimimaro's terrifying, surging aura, and he warily remained on guard!
"Whoosh!" "Whoosh!" "Whoosh!"...
Kimimaro's pale figure rapidly closed in, while Sakumo pulled the broken blade from the ground once more and gripped it tightly!
Just as Kimimaro's half-crouched body neared Sakumo, he suddenly leaped up, drawing his right hand sharply backward. A spiraling bone spike instantly formed along his right arm!
The next instant, he violently hurled it forward, seemingly intending to strike Sakumo with tremendous force!
Sakumo's face tensed at