Haku was sent flying by the impact and rolled several times after hitting the ground.
He braced a hand against the ground and slowly stood.
Several tears had appeared in his clothes.
A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
Kurotsuchi watched him, a hint of seriousness entering her eyes.
"Not bad."
"You're harder to deal with than I expected."
Haku gently wiped the blood from his mouth.
"Your Lava Release is strong, too."
"Then let's keep going."
Kurotsuchi formed hand seals.
"Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique!"
Her body swiftly sank underground.
Only a faint ripple of chakra remained on the surface.
Haku activated his sensory abilities, trying to pinpoint Kurotsuchi's position.
But the Arena's floor was too vast, and her Earth Release chakra had blended completely into the rocks and soil.
The next second.
The ground beneath Haku's feet suddenly exploded.
Kurotsuchi burst out of the earth, her right fist encased in thick rock.
"Earth Release: Fist Rock Technique!"
"Ultra-Added-Weight Rock Technique!"
Reinforced by chakra, the stone fist hurtled straight toward Haku's chest with crushing force.
Haku's pupils narrowed.
The power of this punch far exceeded an ordinary Earth Release attack.
He crossed his arms, rapidly gathering Ice Release chakra.
"Ice Release: Ice Shield!"
Crack!
The moment the Ice Shield appeared, the stone fist smashed cracks into it.
The tremendous force drove Haku backward, his feet carving two furrows across the ground.
Kurotsuchi pressed her advantage, raising her leg for another kick.
Haku twisted aside to dodge.
Kurotsuchi's foot struck the ground.
Boom!
The ground caved in instantly.
Haku slid backward across the ice, quickly putting distance between them.
Their battle had reached a fever pitch.
Ice Release and Lava Release collided again and again.
Cold and heat intermingled, thick frost coating one side