Hiruko returned in a sorry state, covered in burns and missing an arm. His expression was grim as he stared at Roshi, the unconscious Four-Tails jinchūriki.
Seeing Hiruko in that state, Zou Hyuga knew exactly what had happened to him.
He must have fallen into the trap set by Deidara's clay clone.
Deidara might have been young, but all he lacked was combat experience. His clay bombs packed quite a punch.
"Hiruko, looks like you didn't finish that kid off..."
Hiruko gave Zou Hyuga a dark look. He had thought Deidara would be an easy target, only to fall for his trick and suffer serious injuries.
He silently walked to a corner to treat his wounds, in no mood to talk. Still, he now had a more complete understanding of Zou Hyuga's strength.
Zou Hyuga had subdued a rampaging jinchūriki in just a few minutes. Hiruko would probably need to perform the Chimera Ritual several more times to surpass him.
Zou Hyuga picked up Roshi and slowly walked toward Hiruko. "Don't forget the payment you promised me. Also, now that the blond kid has escaped, he's bound to tell the Tsuchikage. We need to pick up the pace."
Hiruko's expression darkened, but he nodded in acknowledgment.
Although he had fought the Fourth Mizukage head-on, Ōnoki was no ordinary Kage-level shinobi.
Both his ability to fly freely and his Dust Release, which could disintegrate anything, posed a lethal threat to Hiruko.
And if they encountered Ōnoki, the profit-driven merchant beside him certainly wouldn't come to his rescue.
At that thought, Hiruko dragged his battered body along and followed Zou Hyuga.
Inside Iwagakure.
Riding his clay bird, Deidara streaked straight over Iwagakure. The Iwagakure Forces on guard were already used to it.
After all, he was the Tsuchikage Ōnoki's student. It