Fusion Ninjutsu

"Secret Technique: Insect Tornado!"

The Aburame Clan's signature ninjutsu, its scale depended on the number of insects. Aburame Heqing had scattered his insects throughout the area beforehand, so he did not need to release them from his gourd. As a result, he cast the technique extremely quickly, filling the barrier with insects in no time.

Muzan watched the densely packed insects. He remembered that many members of the Aburame Clan were loyal to Danzo, with quite a few powerful ones becoming Danzo's direct subordinates. As an opponent, Aburame Heqing's strength and methods were exceptionally troublesome.

"Hah!"

"Monster Strength Fist!"

The explosive force concentrated at a single point shattered the ground before him, and the rippling shockwaves traveled through the insects.

Just as Muzan was about to press forward, he suddenly sensed danger.

"Ninja Art: Mind Disruption Body Technique!"

A blond-haired ninja appeared before Muzan and used his spiritual power to interfere with him.

Yamanaka Yuntian's technique caused Muzan's movements to falter. Such methods naturally countered taijutsu specialists. During battle, the slightest mistake could cost one's life.

"Clack!"

The last ninja immediately used the Shadow Clone Technique. Two clones plus the original body sealed off every possible escape route for Muzan.

They believed no ninja could survive this.

All three kunai struck Muzan's body, with one of them plunging directly into his heart.

"It's over. A genius who hasn't grown strong will never become a true powerhouse! We can finally report back to Lord Danzo."

Shanye Song watched Muzan bleed, even seeing his shattered heart. No one could possibly survive such injuries, yet what happened next overturned everything he knew.

Muzan, struck by three kunai, showed no panic. Instead, he pulled the kunai from his body with his hands. In the blink of an eye, the wounds he had suffered had completely healed.

Amid his opponent's stunned expression, Muzan's Monster Strength Fist had already arrived before him.

"Bang!"

Having inherited Tsunade's terrifying Monstrous Strength, even a taijutsu ninja who chose to take the blow head-on was sent flying.

The tree behind him snapped apart with a thunderous crash from the impact. Once the dust settled, Shanye Song's arms could be seen covered in a layer of earth-yellow armor. However, the cracks across it proved that Muzan's attack had not been ineffective.

"How can you still be alive?!"

More than the pain in his body, Shanye Song could not believe the supposedly fatal kunai strike had done nothing. Then, a rumor suddenly came to mind.

"Strength of a Hundred Technique!"

The three of them looked at Muzan's restored body. With the Monster Strength Fist inherited from Tsunade, coupled with the recovery power of the Strength of a Hundred Technique, he now possessed the strength to contend with a jonin.

Muzan did not explain his body. Faced with the attacks of all three, he merely responded with caution.

That lethal combination just now truly lived up to the reputation of Konoha's most elite Root squad. If an ordinary elite jonin was careless, they would probably become a corpse after a single exchange.

"You are indeed formidable, but kunai alone cannot kill me."

He leaped backward, breaking free from the three men's encirclement. He had no desire to be surrounded and attacked.

Of the three Root ninjas, Muzan was most wary of the Yamanaka Clan. Their spiritual power could actually affect his body. He remembered that the Yamanaka Clan had many techniques involving the mind, so he had to deal with that man first.

"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"

A large number of venomous snakes were summoned in an instant. Under Muzan's deliberate control, they attacked in unison, their target being Yamanaka Yuntian in the rear.

"Clack, clack, clack!"

Several kunai pinned all the venomous snakes to the ground. Though Yamanaka Yuntian did not specialize in taijutsu, he was still a jonin. Throughout the battle, he kept a close eye on Muzan's movements.

As long as Yamanaka Yuntian seized an opening, a single Mind Body Switch Technique could take control of Muzan's body.

Shanye Song recovered slightly. The Earth Release: Hardening Technique had saved his life at the critical moment, though he could feel faint cracks in his bones. Tsunade's signature technique truly deserved its reputation. An ordinary ninja would have had no chance of survival after taking such a punch.

"Cover me! I refuse to believe his Strength of a Hundred Technique can keep him from dying forever!"

Aburame Heqing formed hand seals with both hands, gathering the scattered insects around them once more. He wanted to use them to block Muzan's vision, but this time, Muzan did not retreat.

Using the force-generation technique of the Monster Strength Fist, Muzan actually smashed through the blockade and collided head-on with Shanye Song in a clash of brute strength.

Unfortunately, his opponent had overestimated himself.

Under Muzan's fist, the Earth Release armor shattered across a wide area from the point of impact. The arm that had only suffered minor bone fractures now developed far worse cracks due to the collision.

"Damn it!"

"Secret Technique: Insect Swamp!"

At the crucial moment, to ensure his comrade's safety, Aburame Heqing gathered a vast number of insects beneath the ground, causing the soil underfoot to soften.

With nowhere to brace himself and exert force, Muzan had no choice but to give up his chance to continue the pursuit.

"Idiot! If you want to die, don't drag us down with you! You actually wanted to take Tsunade's signature technique head-on?"

Shanye Song had muscles for brains, but he was the only ninja in the team capable of attacking Muzan directly. If he died at Muzan's hands, the other two would have to consider retreating.

As the team's commander, Aburame Heqing assessed the situation. The coordination among the three of them was extremely tight, but as long as Muzan's chakra had not run out, the Strength of a Hundred Technique made him difficult to kill.

Seeing that Muzan's expression remained unchanged, the plan to wear him down over time was immediately discarded. They could only rely on his insects to devour him.

But would Muzan give him that chance?

The instant the ground sank beneath him, he had already made his move.

"Hah!"

"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullet!"

"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"

This was a fusion ninjutsu Muzan was currently attempting to master. The coordination between the two techniques, coupled with Muzan's chakra-switching speed, allowed flames to cling to the earth. Whether in direct attacks or the splashing effects caused by explosions, it far surpassed ordinary ninjutsu.

The exploding flaming earth resembled a blooming flower of lava, and the surrounding trees began to burn fiercely.

"Not good! My insects were hit by the rocks!"

Aburame Heqing felt a massive number of insects die. He had put considerable effort into raising them, yet they were now reduced to ashes by a single blaze. His strength would decline significantly because of this.

Unlike other ninjas, the Aburame Clan's strength was tied to their insects.

"Damn brat! I'll make you pay!"

Compared to Aburame Heqing's losses, Yamanaka Yuntian behind him was in even greater danger. Concealed by the smoke, Muzan successfully broke through the blockade. Without the insects stopping him, he charged straight before Yamanaka Yuntian.

"Monster Strength Fist!"