"Hiss~"
All the flames on Hōryūsai's body disappeared, but the scorching heat in the air did not diminish in the slightest; in fact, it continued to rise steadily. The moisture in the surrounding ground and trees evaporated rapidly and even began to crack.
The blade of the samurai sword was no longer as hot as it had been at the beginning; instead, it turned into a charred, coal-like form, though a wisp of white smoke still rose from it.
Kurotsuchi's expression turned grave. "We must stop him! Lava Release: Lava Release: Quicklime Congealing Technique! Water Release: Water Horn!"
Several clumps of white lime exploded beside Hōryūsai, followed by a jet of water that split the lime into cement, binding his feet.
Hōryūsai opened his eyes fully, revealing two white flames within them. At the same time, orange eyeshadow appeared in his eyes, and the space around him seemed to tremble.
"My specialty is a combination of Fire Style and Taijutsu, Nintaijutsu. The Zanka no Tachi concentrates all the intense heat of Fire Style into the blade, unleashing it the moment it's swung. Since you've crossed my line, then whoever you are, you must bear my wrath. However, before I came, Lord Nuclear Shadow said that we must not take lives, so I will not kill you."
Hōryūsai unleashed an extremely powerful aura, slowly slashing a blade at Kurotsuchi Tu from afar. " Zanka no Tachi - North - Ashes of Heaven and Earth!"
"Laugh!"
An invisible blade aura followed the blade out, but it wasn't aimed at Kurotsuchi. Instead, it was aimed at the earthen dragon beneath her feet. In an instant, a section of the earthen dragon vanished into thin air, and Kurotsuchi fell to the ground where she had been standing.
Kurotsuchi shouted, " Seigan! Make your move!"
Earth Release: Rock Fist Technique!
Where Hōryūsai stood, mounds of earth rose in all four directions, which was the same as the Earth Release Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique that Kurotsuchi had just used to hide in the earth dragon.
The four members of the Seigan Sect are Jonin of Iwagakure and quadruplet brothers. Named after the four cardinal directions, they possess an unparalleled tacit understanding, which is why they can perfectly coordinate the use of the same Ninjutsu.
As expected of one of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, the Rock Ninja had a very clear grasp of the timing of their attack. At this moment, Hōryūsai was still in the posture of swinging his sword, and his legs were trapped by concrete, so it seemed that he had no time to defend himself.
" Zanka no Tachi ·Xi· Zanjitsu Gokui!"
"Boom!"
Hōryūsai's body was enveloped in white flames, which changed shape and became like a yukata, blocking the Rock Fist attack.
"So hard, so hot!"
Lord God: "(°ー°)..."
The Rock Fist struck the Zanjitsu Gokui, but it was as if it had hit a block of iron. The flames were as hard as steel, and in a mere second, the Rock Fist was scorched red. The four realized something was wrong and retreated.
" Zanka no Tachi - South - Ten Trillion Fire Death Burial Formation!"
Hōryūsai resumed his offensive stance, but this time he did not pursue the four. With his left hand Hand Seals, the Zanjitsu Gokui on his body suddenly exploded into dozens of balls of flame, which then transformed into White Flame Clone, surrounding the four people respectively.
Seeing this, Kurotsuchi was shocked and pressed his hands to the ground. "Grandpa, your Fire Style will only make the concrete below even harder, and your strange clothes are all disheveled. Can I assume you have no means of defense now? Kurotsuchi Earth Release: Earth Stalagmite!"
The ground around Hōryūsai rose up like a piece of cloth, transforming into sharp thorns like bamboo shoots, piercing towards him.
You're so naive!
Several sword lights flashed, shattering the earthen stalactites and the concrete binding their feet. Then, the body transformed into afterimages and rushed to Kurotsuchi's side.
Earth Release: Earth Dragon Concealment!
Kurotsuchi then displayed incredible speed in Hand Seals, lowering his body to dodge the fatal sword strike. He then darted out from behind Hōryūsai, shouting, "Grandpa, if I really left a scar on your back, wouldn't you be furious? Earth Release: Added-Weight Rock Fist Technique!"
Another punch was thrown, aimed at Hōryūsai's back.
"Smack!"
Hōryūsai reacted extremely quickly at this moment, forcibly twisting his body and throwing out his left fist to meet Kurotsuchi's punch.
" Nuclear Ninja Secret Technique: Ikkotsu!"
The air exploded, and the ground seemed to tremble. However, this time, Hōryūsai had the upper hand in the fistfight. The Rock Fist began to collapse, revealing the jade hand within.
Hōryūsai slashed out, severing Kurotsuchi's right arm. However, there was no bloody scene as expected; instead, it turned into a yellow stone. "Is it Rock Clone?"
" Lava Release: Gray Stone Sealing Technique!"
Only then did Kurotsuchi's true form rise from the ground. The concrete transformed again, binding Hōryūsai's entire body, leaving only his head visible. "Grandpa, your Taijutsu are quite impressive, but now you're..."
When Kurotsuchi used Earth Dragon Concealment, he had already created Rock Clone underground to attack first, inducing Hōryūsai to counterattack. His main body then succeeded in striking. Before he could finish speaking, he noticed Hōryūsai laughing strangely.
"Hehehe, nothing can hold me back! Fire Style: Flame Burst Unrivaled!"
"Not good!"
"Boom!"
Hōryūsai's body exploded violently, reigniting white flames, and then he pointed to the Four Seigan Brothers, who were fighting the White Flame Clone in the distance. "They're going to lose."
Kurotsuchi's heart tightened. The Four Seigan Brothers Jonin like him, and if they attacked together, their combined strength would be far greater than his. However, they were currently separated by White Flame Clone and could not maintain synchronized movements, greatly reducing their combat power. He shouted, "Watch out!"
As soon as he finished speaking, White Flame Clone seized the opportunity, surrounding the four of them. Flames erupted from his body, forming a circle around them, threatening to explode.
If the explosion had succeeded, the four people would have been completely destroyed.
Hōryūsai laughed and said, "My White Flame Clone can only be destroyed by Water Release; otherwise, a violent explosion will occur. Therefore, you must fight me with all your might for them to survive."
"Hateful!"
Kurotsuchi then realized that Hōryūsai had merely been stalling for time. The air was growing increasingly scorching; they couldn't delay any longer. " Earth Release: Clay Giant!"
The ground cracked open, and a three-meter-tall clay giant slowly crawled out. This was the strongest Ninjutsu that Kurotsuchi could currently use. He raised his arms and smashed them down towards Hōryūsai.
Hōryūsai held the sword in both hands, the katana in his hands scorching and distorting the surrounding air as he swung it upwards at the clay giant.
" Nuclear Ninja Secret Sword - Hakoku!"
With the arrival of the Hakoku, the clay giant was instantly blasted in two.
"Nani!"
Before Kurotsuchi could react, a blade tip appeared before his eyes.
As Hōryūsai slashed out at Hakoku, he had already used the Body Flicker Technique to appear in front of Kurotsuchi. His samurai sword was pressed against her brow, but the scorching tip of the sword did not penetrate, only making a hissing sound.
Feeling the intense pain between his brows, Kurotsuchi finally realized the gap in strength between himself and Hōryūsai.
"Tch, I lost."
Hōryūsai didn't want to take her life. Hearing her surrender, he sheathed his sword. "Since that's the case, then come back to Sunagakure with us."
"Although I lost, but..."
"Knock knock knock..."
"Stop fighting!"
A loud thud echoed through the jungle, followed by a dark figure bursting forth— the Hongshi Shadow Clone, which had just awakened from its slumber.
"Hey, Hōryūsai, how could you lay a hand on Leg Shadow... oh no, Kurotsuchi Girl! I have to reprimand you!"
Hongshi stepped forward, grabbed Hōryūsai's samurai sword, and threw it into the distance, drawing an arc above the forest.
Hatoyama Dayū: "Ouch! My butt! Who threw that knife!"
Kurotsuchi exclaimed upon seeing Hongshi's appearance, "Holy crap, what an ugly person! Grandpa!"