The instant his words fell, Kabuto Yakushi's figure.
Silently vanished amid the swirling sand and fallen leaves.
He moved so fast that he left only the faintest ripple in the air.
His target was not the monstrously powerful Sen Senju.
Nor was it that tough, white-haired Jiraiya.
His gaze.
Locked firmly onto Shizune, who stood at the very back, frantically shielding the little pink pig.
And.
Naruto Uzumaki, who was clutching his stomach and groaning on one knee!
He was going to take hostages!
As long as he had those two weakest fools in his grasp.
No matter how strong Sen Senju was, he would have to surrender!
"Shizune! Behind you!"
Jiraiya was the first to react, his large eyes flying wide as his mouth opened.
He was just about to rush over to help.
But.
It was already.
Too late.
Like a ghost, Kabuto Yakushi had already.
Appeared less than half a meter behind Shizune's flank.
In his right palm, a pale blue Chakra Scalpel, sharp enough to slice through steel.
Lit up in an instant.
Whoosh!
The scalpel hurtled straight toward Shizune's vulnerable throat with a piercing whistle.
Shizune squeezed her eyes shut in terror.
Her whole body froze.
Even Tonton, cradled in her arms, let out an agonized squeal of fright.
However.
In the microsecond before Kabuto's right hand came down.
Crack-!
The gravel beneath his feet, slick with muddy water, suddenly.
With a thunderous roar.
Exploded!
A mass of enormous emerald-green vines, their surfaces sprouting tender leaves, surged like a spring erupting from underground.
Bursting violently through the earth!
In midair, the vines intertwined and joined together at an impossibly fast speed.
Transforming into a single.
Perfectly solid figure, identical in height, facial features, and even patched trousers.
Sen Senju's Wood Clone!
This specialized clone, which