Kazzek??

Lightning Release unleashed instantly without hand seals. It looks like a special single attribute, just like Minato's. And with this degree of mastery, he most likely awakened it very early.

Watching Uchiha Gen instantly scatter his swarm, Shibi Aburame could not help looking surprised.

A special single attribute referred to an ordinary attribute of the five basic releases that some ninja possessed from birth, similar to a Kekkei Genkai. Ninja with this talent could freely channel chakra of that attribute to unleash corresponding ninjutsu without forming hand seals.

There were only five special single attributes: fire, wind, earth, lightning, and water, corresponding to the Shinobi World's five most basic release techniques.

Shibi Aburame knew of only a handful of people with such a talent, and there were only two he was most familiar with: the late Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, and... that star-like genius ninja, Minato Namikaze.

Of those two, one had awakened Water Release, and the other Wind Release.

And now, his list included another genius who possessed the lightning special single attribute.

In that case, as their teacher... wanting to know my subordinates' true capabilities should be perfectly reasonable, shouldn't it?

Watching Uchiha Gen handle his swarm with ease, along with Asuma Sarutobi and the other beside him, whose performance stood in stark contrast to Uchiha Gen's, Shibi Aburame's lips curled slightly behind his collar.

He began forming hand seals.

"Summoning Technique!"

As he completed the final seal, a ring of pitch-black technique markings abruptly spread open across the Gourd before Shibi Aburame.

Immediately afterward, deep purple miasma surged out of the Gourd.

"Click, click!"

An eerie insect cry rang out within the miasma.

Go.

Looking at the purple miasma before him, a hint of amusement flashed in Shibi Aburame's eyes behind his sunglasses.

This was one of his latest completed creations.

The instant Shibi Aburame summoned the new insect, Uchiha Gen turned to look.

At that same moment, the purple miasma churned violently, and a purple figure roughly as tall as a person shot out. Using the Kikaichū filling the air to conceal itself, the figure pushed off the ground with its limbs and charged.

In an instant, its scythe-like forelimbs flashed coldly as they slashed straight toward Uchiha Gen's lower back, moving fast enough to almost stir the air.

I knew it wouldn't be that simple!

Just as the scythe blades were about to touch the fabric at his lower back, Uchiha Gen activated the Body Flicker Technique. Chakra burst beneath his feet, and he slid several feet diagonally aside with enough force to plow two shallow furrows through the soil.

The unknown insect's sharp scythe blades cut through empty air and slammed into the ground, gouging a long, deep crack and sending gravel flying.

Kazzek?!!

During that dodge, Uchiha Gen's Sharingan finally took in the attacker's entire form. The instant he saw its appearance clearly, his eyes widened.

It resembled a mantis, its limbs covered in a hard, dark brown exoskeleton. A pair of scythe-shaped forelimbs gleamed coldly, while its crimson compound eyes flickered with a savage light.

Its appearance truly bore a striking resemblance to a character from a certain game.

Even as Uchiha Gen reeled in surprise, the giant mantis-like insect that resembled Kazzek moved again. Kazzek shot forward as a pitch-black afterimage, appearing before Uchiha Gen in the blink of an eye.

It raised its forelimbs high, its scythes slicing through the air with a sharp gleam as they hacked straight at Uchiha Gen's torso. Speed seemed to be this giant insect's specialty.

Not only did it move extremely quickly, but even its scythe swings were so fast that only afterimages remained visible.

With a shrill whistle through the air, its sharp scythe forelimbs thrust straight toward Uchiha Gen's chest with tremendous piercing force, the attack vicious and cunning.

Facing this swift, lethal surprise attack, Uchiha Gen had no intention of retreating or dodging.

His ocular power poured forth!

Susanoo-Armor Manifestation!

In an instant, a dense layer of dark Chakra Armor enveloped Uchiha Gen's chest. As the armor formed, its surface immediately condensed and hardened, bringing its defensive power to its peak in a single instant.

At the same time, Armament Haki added a further sheen to the already pitch-black Susanoo armor.

"Clang!!"

An ear-splitting metallic crash erupted across the field. Searing shock waves burst outward from the point of contact, blasting all the loose stones off the surrounding ground and sending them flying through the air.

Kazzek's piercing scythe strike slammed into Uchiha Gen's chest, layered with Haki and Susanoo armor. Its ultimate close-range assault was forcibly blocked in full.

The powerful recoil sent Kazzek's massive body staggering two steps backward, a trace of humanlike bewilderment and ferocity flashing through its compound eyes.

Its attacks should have been unstoppable!!

To it, an ineffective attack also meant its evolution had failed... and failure meant it would not be entrusted with important tasks, or... would become food for its own kind...

Without giving Kazzek a moment to recover its stance, Uchiha Gen took the offensive.

His Sharingan remained locked on Kazzek throughout. Uchiha Gen stepped forward, his footwork light and swift. Drawing on the explosive physical power amplified by his Susanoo armor, he surged forward in an instant, pressing into close range.

He clenched his fist!

And struck!

A layer of black covered Uchiha Gen's arm.

Armament Haki!

This strike...

Was blindingly fast!

Kazzek reacted extremely quickly to Uchiha Gen's attack. Its jointed legs kicked hard against the ground, and it flipped sideways, attempting to evade the oppressive punch. As it dodged, the stinger at its rear abruptly sprang out, its venomous point thrusting at Uchiha Gen's throat from a treacherous blind spot.

Outside the field, Shibi Aburame watched the battle with his full attention. He was confident he could end the fight between the boy and the insect at any moment.

Click!

The Susanoo armor on Uchiha Gen's chest instantly extended. In a mere instant, the Crow Tengu Mask covered his face, while scale armor woven from chakra and ocular power covered his throat as well.

The sight made Shibi Aburame's eyes widen as he watched from the side.

Susanoo armor that can cover his entire head!!! Does he have... three tomoe?!?!

Clink!!

With a crisp ring, the Susanoo armor successfully blocked the sharp stinger.

At the same time, Uchiha Gen's fist landed squarely on the exoskeleton covering Kazzek's flank.

"Thud!"

A dull, heavy impact boomed out. Tremendous force penetrated the protection of its hard exoskeleton and struck violently inside Kazzek's body.