The next second, Iwahato felt a sharp pain in his abdomen from the heavy blow, and involuntarily released his grip on Jörmungandr. Then, he was punched by Jörmungandr flying backward, crashing directly into the canyon wall.
The force of the punch even shattered the rock wall behind him, creating a spiderweb-like pattern of broken rock fragments.
Not long after, Iwahato, recovering from the excruciating pain, staggered to his feet amidst the rubble. He had been jolted awake from his pride as a great nation's ninja by Jörmungandr's powerful punch, and he clearly understood that only the strong had the right to be proud.
So he put aside his contempt and looked at Jörmungandr not far away.
Jörmungandr, however, felt something was off. He looked at his fist, puzzled, and realized that the feeling of his punch just now was not right.
It felt as if the blow had hit a stone, not a person's flesh. Confused, he looked up at Iwahato, convinced that if there was a problem, it must Iwagakure.
Sure enough, upon careful observation, he noticed faint, mysterious black marks on Iwahato's abdomen. He looked up at Iwahato and asked, "What kind of technique did you use?"
For some reason, when faced with Jörmungandr's question, Iwahato did not hide anything and answered directly, " Earth Release: Earth Spear ".
It can harden the body like a diamond; it's Earth Release Technique that combines offense and defense.
"Kid, as a bounty hunter, I acknowledge your worth. So I will do everything in my power to kill you."
After speaking, Iwahato's eyes turned serious. He now regarded Jörmungandr a true formidable enemy and no longer harbored any contempt for him.
He would explain his techniques to his enemies, simply to ensure they died a worthy death; this was his way of treating enemies he trusted.
"So that's how it is. Iwahato, the Iwagakure missing-nin from Iwagakure, I acknowledge you as well. You are the first opponent I've chosen, and I hope you can give me a good time," Jörmungandr, also acknowledging Iwahato.
However, Iwahato's words seemed like a slight to him, but they did not anger him. He felt immense pressure from Iwahato, and the pain in his abdomen told him Jörmungandr the enemy before him was no ordinary foe.
Without further ado, Iwahato formed hand Hand Seals and slammed them onto the ground. Suddenly, more than a dozen sharp spears appeared on the ground where Jörmungandr standing, piercing towards him from countless angles.
Earth Release: Earth Flow Spears
This technique is the same one Iwahato used to ambush and kill Aizen.
However, Jörmungandr did not dodge or evade such a spell. Instead, he swung his fists and smashed all the clay spears that came at him.
Seeing that his Earth Release Technique had failed, Iwahato was not annoyed and continued to use his signature Earth Release Technique.
He puffed out his cheeks and spat out several rocks, which grew larger in the air and shot towards Jörmungandr at great speed. " Earth Release: Rock Gun "
Faced with the Jörmungandr leaped into the air, then clenched his fists and began to swing them rapidly through the air.
The fist Jörmungandr swung created intense flames due to friction with the air, and these flames instantly filled the entire sky, turning it fiery red.
Meanwhile, the way those flames scattered across the sky resembled a peacock displaying its proud plumage.
" Morning Peacock "
The technique, originally displayed by Might Guy after opening the Sixth Gate of View, has now been shown in the Shinobi World by Jörmungandr.
The rocks that were hurtling toward Jörmungandr were shattered one by one by the flames that filled the sky and disappeared into the heavens. The flames that had shattered the rocks also gradually disappeared into the sky because they had no target.
Standing on the ground, Iwahato looked at the magnificent scene in the sky, somewhat mesmerized, and couldn't help but exclaim, "What superb Taijutsu!"
But I quickly realized that I shouldn't cheer for the enemy's moves.
His gaze grew even more serious. The way Jormungandr unleashed his power with such rapid punches made him realize the extent of Jörmungandr's Taijutsu. When had such Taijutsu ninja appeared in the Shinobi World?
That's right, Iwahato has already mistaken Jörmungandr a ninja who can only use Ninjutsu and not Taijutsu.
It's understandable that he would think that way, because Jörmungandr just now defended against the Earth Release technique entirely with his Taijutsu, without using a single bit of Ninjutsu.
" Iwahato, do you have any other techniques? If not, I'm going to attack." Jörmungandr was annoyed by this kind of Ninjutsu that he could easily deal with.
He was getting bored, and if the Iwagakure didn't show anything new soon, he was going to make his move.
Enraged by Jörmungandr's nonchalant tone, Iwahato, Jonin of Iwagakure, one of the Five Great Nations, had never been so disrespected by an enemy before. He gritted his teeth and continued Hand Seals, unleashing " Earth Release: Tearing Earth Turning Palm."
Iwahato gathered his Chakra in his hand and slammed it into the ground. The cracked earth spread towards Jörmungandr, creating a huge fissure that seemed to want to devour the enemy.
However, Jörmungandr was not a target either. Faced with such Earth Release Technique), he quickly dodged the Earth Release attack with several leaps.
Just after he dodged, a huge rock fist appeared in front of his right arm. He looked closely and realized that, without him noticing, Iwahato had appeared to his side, raising its huge Rock Fist and striking him with " Earth Release: Rock Fist Jutsu ".
This powerful Rock Fist strike Jörmungandr flying, his body crashing through several tall rock pillars standing in the canyon and snapping in two.
Iwahato was overjoyed by the successful strike of the Rock Fist, and a happy expression appeared on his face.
But after the sandstorm cleared, when he saw Jörmungandr only a few scratches on his body, his smile froze, replaced by an expression of disbelief.
"How is that possible? How come you only suffered a scratch after being hit by the Rock Fist?"
Iwahato was finding it hard to accept that his all-out attack had only tickled the enemy; this huge disparity left him somewhat dazed.
"Hey, getting distracted during battle isn't the fighting attitude expected of a ninja from Iwagakure, one of the Five Great Nations."
Suddenly, Iwahato, still feeling lost, heard Jörmungandr's voice in his ear, and cold sweat immediately broke out on his forehead.
He glanced in the direction of the sound, and there stood Jörmungandr, who had been far away, beside him. To his despair, he hadn't even noticed him.
"You're so slow-witted, you don't seem like a good Iwagakure Ninja." Jörmungandr's words reminded Iwahato, but it was too late. A huge fist gradually enlarged in his eyes and then slammed heavily into his face.
In an instant, Iwahato felt an unparalleled force strike his head, knocking him to the ground. The crimson rock and soil on the ground were also shattered by this powerful blow.