Ssssss!
The instant Gekkō Raito's blade touched the bone shield, a teeth-grating hiss of corrosion rang out.
The shield blocked it, but the hard bone was actually melting rapidly!
The bone shield caught the blade for just one second before being sliced straight through like tofu.
Fortunately, Kimimaro reacted with incredible speed, twisting aside at the last possible moment.
Only then did he narrowly avoid losing his head.
Yet Gekkō Raito's attacks came like a raging storm.
Slash after slash came with terrifyingly hot steam. Kimimaro could not understand what this power was or why it could melt even his bones.
He stole a glance at the severed bone's cut surface. It showed clear signs of melting, as though strong acid had eaten into it!
Just what kind of technique was this?
Driven into a corner, Kimimaro roared. Countless sharp bone spikes instantly erupted from joints all over his body, turning him into a porcupine.
Facing Gekkō Raito's relentless pressure, Kimimaro refused to yield and launched a frenzied counterattack.
Their swordsmanship and taijutsu clashed fiercely in the cramped space, severed bone fragments scattering across the ground.
Bam!
Seizing an opening, Kimimaro kicked Gekkō Raito's blade hard, using the recoil to knock Gekkō Raito back while pulling away himself.
This was the first time since the fight began that Kimimaro had chosen to retreat.
He had never encountered an opponent as troublesome and bizarre as Gekkō Raito.
"Come back to Kirigakure!"
"The tragedy back then wasn't what Kirigakure intended. Come back with me, and I'll tell you the whole truth!"
Gekkō Raito put away his Ninja Blade and offered Kimimaro an olive branch once more.
Yet Kimimaro's gaze did not waver in the slightest. Instead, it grew even more resolute.
"No! I will never return to a place like that!"
"If