Bang!
A dull thud echoed.
Hiruko, mid-kick, froze, staring in disbelief at the hand gripping his calf.
"Swift Release, it seems, is nothing special." Shinji's lips curved slightly.
If Hiruko had solely practiced Swift Release, it might have been more troublesome. But alas, the power Hiruko had plundered was mixed and unrefined. He had barely managed to stabilize several Kekkei Genkai at their critical point.
Shinji's peripheral vision shifted to Shinno, who had already been cut off from the extraction. It was about time.
Creak—
A sound emerged, and the sharp pain in his calf made Hiruko's face change drastically. He activated Swift Release again, trying to break free from Shinji's grip.
Shinji naturally wouldn't let Hiruko escape. He extended his other hand, and a brilliant blue Rasengan immediately appeared in his palm.
Rasengan!
Without hesitation, the Rasengan was brought down onto Hiruko's head.
The high-density spinning Chakra made Hiruko feel his breathing become labored. He absolutely could not be hit by that Jutsu.
Dark Release: Inhaling Maw!
Hiruko raised both hands, unleashing a powerful suction, and at the last moment, it met the Rasengan hurtling towards him.
Buzz—
A strange fluctuation sounded.
Shinji's eyes narrowed, and the Rasengan in his hand dispersed and was absorbed.
Seizing this opportunity, Hiruko immediately used Swift Release again, fleeing rapidly. After landing, his chest heaved, and his face was filled with disbelief as he looked at Shinji.
"Interesting."
Shinji looked at his palm. This Dark Release reminded him of Pain's Six Paths and the Ōtsutsuki clan's Chakra absorption.
No, it should be different.
Hiruko's Dark Release just now disassembled the Jutsu before absorbing it into his body for transit, whereas Pain's Preta Path should be pure Chakra absorption.
"Ahhh!"
Hiruko's eyes blazed with fury as he roared.
His entire body's Chakra erupted, and then with a raised hand, a Rasengan appeared in his palm.
"I'll kill you!"
Whoosh—
This time, in his rage, Hiruko finally used Swift Release in a way that Shinji couldn't track.
The next instant, a brilliant blue Rasengan appeared in front of Shinji's chest and slammed down hard.
Seeing his goal achieved, a trace of madness finally appeared on Hiruko's face.
"What a pity! If you were smart enough, I could have made you the next perfect core for Chimera."
Bang!
Before he finished speaking, Shinji, who had been hit by the Rasengan, exploded, and smoke filled the air.
Hmm?
A Shadow Clone? When?
This scene stunned Hiruko, and a bright light appeared behind him.
Shinji's right hand, enveloped in Chidori, thrust towards Hiruko's back.
Since the opportunity was given, he didn't need to be polite.
Chidori!
Whoosh... Whoosh...
Several black tentacles shot through the air, instantly wrapping around Hiruko's figure.
Shinji's Chidori missed its target. After landing, he turned his head to look.
Shinno, disheveled, landed on the ceiling of the cave, the tentacles at his side still wrapped around Hiruko.
"Hiruko, it's time to go!"
Shinno saw that Hiruko was still trying to break free from his restraints and quickly shouted.
Seeing Jiraiya and the other two rushing towards their location, Hiruko glared at Shinji with extreme reluctance. "I've memorized your Chakra. The next time we meet, I'll get my revenge."
With that, Hiruko released the barrier that had been supporting the cave. Since they were leaving, he would give these troublemakers some difficulty.
As soon as the barrier was released, Shinno quickly retreated with Hiruko.
Gonbei, who was about to give chase, was stopped by Darui's outstretched hand.
"Prioritize Five-Tails. This cave is collapsing."
Shinji glanced towards the stone platform, which had already been utterly destroyed.
Samui had fallen unconscious at some point. Seeing this, Shinji immediately said, "Ao, guide the way."
"Darui, clear the path. Gonbei and Jiraiya-sensei, you cover our retreat."
Shinji went to the stone platform, grabbed the Five-Tails Jinchuriki Han and the unconscious Samui, and swiftly rushed towards the stone wall.
Darui acted in unison, using Storm Release to break through the stone wall, clearing a path for Shinji.
The cave, due to the disappearance of the barrier and their recent battle, was already collapsing. The narrow path they had entered through was long since buried. Now, they could only forge a new path.
—
Rumble!
The moment Jiraiya and Gonbei rushed out of the cave, the entire ground collapsed downwards, and surging waves instantly crashed in.
"That was close."
Even Jiraiya couldn't help but inwardly feel a sense of relief. It really was just by a hair's breadth.
Darui collapsed onto the ground beside them. He had been continuously using Storm Release to clear the path.
"Ah... so tired."
Ao and Gonbei, on the other hand, didn't even have the strength to speak. Both of them had been constantly using Water Release to maintain the tunnel, and their condition was no better than Darui's.
"Hmm?"
Samui opened her eyes, and seeing Shinji carrying her, she couldn't help but be startled. She then patted Shinji's shoulder.
Seeing Samui awaken, Shinji immediately put her down, then looked at the Five-Tails Jinchuriki Han. This guy had his Chakra forcibly extracted by Shinno.
Even now, there was no sign of him waking up, and in Shinji's perception, Han's own Chakra was already starting to fluctuate erratically.
"The Five-Tails Jinchuriki must receive treatment as soon as possible." Shinji said, turning to look at the others.
Hearing this, Samui quickly got up and went to Han's side to examine him carefully.
Everyone present was an elite from their respective villages, so they naturally understood that the Five-Tails Jinchuriki's condition was very abnormal at the moment.
"This mission is led by Kumogakure, and we possess powerful Fuinjutsu and the stable terrain of the Lightning Cloud Gorge."
"To ensure the Jinchuriki's safety and treatment, we should temporarily take custody of him."
Samui stood up and said to the others, while Darui also stood up and came to Samui's side, facing everyone.
Now, for the benefit of Kumogakure, they had to respond cautiously.
Ao, on the other hand, shook his head in refusal, looking at Samui and Darui with a serious expression.
"Kirigakure also possesses Jinchuriki-related Fuinjutsu."
"Moreover, Five-Tails originally belonged to Iwagakure. If he is taken to Kumogakure, I don't think Ōnoki and the newly appointed Tsuchikage would agree."
Kumogakure and Iwagakure already had a mortal enmity.
The previous Chunin selection in Kumogakure, besides some other reasons, also involved conflicting interests. Otherwise, Ōnoki wouldn't have shown up at all.
Furthermore, Kumogakure already had Two-Tails and Eight-Tails. Ao did not want Kumogakure to acquire another Tailed Beast Jinchuriki. This was not in Kirigakure's interests.
Shinji rubbed his chin. This was only their first collaboration, and the two sides were already so eager to contend.
The future, he estimated, was uncertain.
"Ahem..."
Just as Kumogakure and Kirigakure were locked in a standoff, Jiraiya spoke up, "I believe that the most important thing right now is to stabilize the Five-Tails Jinchuriki's condition."
"From the perspective of medical technology, Fuinjutsu, and safety, Konoha might be more suitable."