The Forbidden Jutsu Weapon Developed by the Third Kazekage!

"They're learning!"

Shinku wiped his face, black blood on his blade giving off white smoke. "With every attack, they adjust their defensive weaknesses!"

Aoba felt a chill run down his back. Seeing more monsters emerge from the shadows, he suddenly recalled the crossed-out line in the mission report—"The Land of Rivers is conducting forbidden human experiments."

"Kurenai, use genjutsu!"

Shinku's voice carried unquestionable authority. "Aoba, coordinate with her barrier to create a wind field! Torune, disrupt their movements!"

Just as Aoba was about to form hand seals, he saw a monster tear open its own chest cavity. A curled-up human figure crawled out from inside.

The figure was covered in stitches, and its open eyes were a murky grayish white.

"That's a person!"

Aoba's Wind Release lost its aim, and the monster seized the chance to pounce.

Yuhi Kurenai's genjutsu barrier unfolded in time, slowing the monsters' movements.

Yet Aoba clearly saw a flash of pain in those gray-white eyes.

"Don't go soft!"

Shinku's Kunai flew past his ear and lodged in the back of the monster's head. "They're no longer human!"

Black blood splattered across Aoba's face. Its warm touch reminded him of the wildflower he had seen by the stream during the day—growing in the wilderness, yet blooming with extraordinary brilliance.

The battle continued until the latter half of the night, but the monsters' numbers showed no sign of dwindling.

Aoba's Chakra was nearly depleted. His arm had been cut by a steel spike, and the blood dripping onto the ground was quickly covered by black blood.

Cracks began to appear in Yuhi Kurenai's genjutsu barrier, while Aburame Torune had only a few Kikaichū left.

Shinku's blade had chipped, yet he still weaved through the monster horde.

Aoba grabbed Kurenai's arm. "Sister Kurenai, we need to find a