Yamato had said, "Leave the rest to you," because he knew full well that even his all-out strike had failed to deal Hiruko a fatal blow.
It was only to be expected.
Hiruko's Steel Release possessed exceptional physical defense.
Of course, if Hashirama stood before him, that "exceptional" defense would merely let him take a few extra breaths before being crushed to death.
Sometimes, however, the difference between 20% and 100% was not merely 80%.
Crack! Crack!
A fissure split the compressed trees apart. Two hands reached out, wrenched them aside, and Hiruko leaped free, blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.
It seemed Steel Release had its defensive limit as well.
That gave Kakashi even more confidence in the next attack.
Hiruko's face, meanwhile, had darkened so much it looked ready to drip water.
The worst thing for a braggart was having his bragging exposed and getting slapped in the face on the spot—more than once, at that, with blows coming from both sides.
So Hiruko had completely tossed the order to "stall for time" out of his mind.
Everyone here had to die!
Only by silencing them forever could he erase the swelling on his face!
Of course, once the Storm Demon Dragon was complete, that goal would be achieved—and soon.
Sage Fukasaku and Sage Shima leaped up at the same time.
Sage Art: Frog Song!
Faced with the sound-based genjutsu jointly unleashed by the two sages, black rings of light appeared around Hiruko once more.
Suddenly, Hiruko's expression changed. He thrust both palms forward, and chakra like pale blue flames erupted from the seals in his hands.
It canceled out the sound waves produced by Frog Song.
Dark Release: Evil Self-Destruction Battle!
Dark Release could not completely absorb senjutsu—or rather, its absorption efficiency had fallen, leaving