"Then… I won't dodge."
Kiyohara came to a halt, his hands forming seals in front of his chest.
Black markings intertwined and spread across his skin, crawling over his body until even the whites of his eyes turned pitch black. Soon after, those markings caused his skin to shift into a light brown hue, and a massive tail grew out from behind him.
Cursed Seal Transformation, Stage Two!
Kiyohara could clearly feel an additional mass of chakra within his body. It was the cursed seal chakra that had been subconsciously accumulated over time, similar in nature to the Strength of a Hundred Seal, stored away and released when needed. The difference was that this accumulation process occurred automatically within the user's subconscious.
Immediately after, Kiyohara sank his consciousness deep into his mind.
Within that inner space, the spiritual form of Toad Kiyohara opened its horizontally lined eyes.
"You want to borrow senjutsu chakra?"
"That's right. I've been attacked."
Kiyohara gave a slight nod.
He intended to end this battle quickly.
Hiruko's Swift Release was indeed impressive, granting him extraordinary speed. On top of that, he possessed Steel Release just like Kiyohara.
Of course, Kiyohara's Steel Release was stronger, because he could stack it with Earth Release: Earth Spear.
"Alright."
Toad Kiyohara did not refuse the request.
They had already reached the Summoning Island, and they were only one step away from fulfilling its long-held will.
The ultimate summoning beast existed in a state between weakness and strength. Before it had fully developed, it was merely stronger than ordinary summoned creatures, not overwhelmingly so. Only after devouring numerous summoning beasts and evolving step by step, completing more of its genetic composition, would it become truly troublesome.
By dealing with Hiruko now, they could move on to locating the ultimate summoning beast sooner.
When Kiyohara opened his eyes again, orange-red pigmentation appeared around them.
This was known as the Sage Mode Face.
At this moment, a portion of Toad Kiyohara's spiritual form had merged with him, assisting in refining senjutsu chakra.
This process was very similar to the cooperation between Jiraiya and Fukasaku and Shima. Jiraiya's Sage Mode required the two great sages to jointly use Sage Art: Amphibian Technique.
In that sense, this could also be considered another version of that technique, Kiyohara thought to himself.
Gathering natural energy required absolute stillness, which was why it was associated with "stillness," yet Sage Art: Amphibian Technique split the burden into two parts, allowing the still aspect to exist without interfering with movement in battle.
At that moment, dozens of afterimages of Hiruko lunged in simultaneously.
Kiyohara simply raised his right hand, spreading his fingers.
"Sage Art: Magnet Release: Gold Dust World!"
Golden sand poured out from the gourd at his side and surged up from the ground itself.
Each grain of gold dust contained natural energy. They intertwined and assembled in midair, forming a golden cage that enveloped the battlefield.
The dozens of Swift Release afterimages shattered like bubbles the instant they came into contact with this domain.
Hiruko's true body was forced into the open. His high-speed movements turned into chaotic zigzags within the golden cage, each burst of acceleration intercepted by newly formed structures of gold dust.
"Magnet Release from Suna…"
Hiruko frowned.
He had seen Rasa use this technique before.
With this in place, he could no longer use Swift Release freely.
Unless he layered Steel Release over it.
But doing so would drastically increase his chakra consumption.
Without hesitation, he raised his left hand, and a black vortex reappeared in his palm.
Dark Release: Inhaling Maw!
However, this time, when the golden grains touched the black vortex, they were not easily absorbed like ordinary ninjutsu.
The gold dust infused with natural energy possessed a far more stable chakra nature, clashing violently with the absorption power of Dark Release.
A sharp, grating sound filled the air.
The black vortex trembled violently, its absorption speed greatly reduced. Some of the gold dust even pierced through the edges of the absorption field, transforming into fine needles that shot toward Hiruko.
Hiruko tilted his head sharply, several strands of hair being sliced off by the golden needles.
His right arm instantly took on a dark metallic sheen.
Steel Release: Steel Hardening!
Clang, clang, clang!
The golden needles struck his hardened arm, sending sparks flying. Though they failed to penetrate his defense, the impact caused a faint vibration to ripple through him.
"Even Dark Release is struggling to absorb it… this guy's senjutsu is different from Jiraiya's."
Hiruko's thoughts raced as he realized he could not remain passive any longer.
He suddenly retreated, attempting to escape the range of Sage Art: Magnet Release: Gold Dust World.
But Kiyohara would not let him.
"Trying to run?"
Kiyohara formed more hand seals.
The structure of the golden cage abruptly shifted. Countless grains of gold dust gathered together, extending into dozens of massive golden hands from all directions. With heavy pressure, they slammed down toward Hiruko.
Hiruko's figure flickered continuously, weaving through the gaps between the giant hands, almost becoming a blurred white line.
But there were too many hands, covering too wide an area, coordinating with each other to seal off most escape routes.
Bang!
The edge of one massive hand finally brushed against his left shoulder.
Even with Steel Hardening, the overwhelming force caused his body to tilt, his blood surging violently. Beneath his mask, a trace of pain flashed across his face.
Even more troublesome was that after barely absorbing a portion of the attack with Dark Release, he found that the natural energy within the gold dust was causing his arm to stiffen.
If he had to describe it, it felt like it was turning to stone.
This realization struck Hiruko instantly. He could not absorb senjutsu.
Not only was it difficult to absorb, but even after doing so, it would backfire.
"Damn it…"
A fierce glint flashed in his eyes.
He understood that relying solely on Swift Release, Steel Release, and Dark Release would no longer be enough to face Kiyohara head-on.
The two figures moved rapidly through the forest, each clash generating shockwaves that sent dust and debris flying into the air.
As Kiyohara observed Hiruko's use of Steel Release, he copied the technique Steel Hardening.
This was a method he had not previously mastered, one that made Steel Release more condensed and efficient.
"Not bad…"
Kiyohara grew more satisfied as the battle continued.
Hiruko possessed numerous kekkei genkai, and there was a good chance Kiyohara would obtain them in the future. Learning more about their applications in advance would only benefit him.
At the very least, he was extremely interested in Hiruko's Dark Release.
He could already tell that Hiruko no longer dared to absorb his ninjutsu enhanced with senjutsu chakra, because those techniques contained natural energy.
Of course, this was simply because Hiruko did not know senjutsu. If he did, this degree of petrification would not pose a problem.
Unlike Kiyohara's calm confidence, the pressure in Hiruko's heart grew heavier by the moment.
He also had to remain wary of Kiyohara's companions intervening, especially Uzumaki Honoka suddenly using Adamantine Sealing Chains.
"I didn't want to use that move here…"
Hiruko weighed his options and made a decision in an instant.
His right index fingernail silently cut into his left palm, a trace of blood seeping out. He then rapidly formed hand seals, smearing the blood away.
At the same time—
Rumble!
From the dense forest behind the laboratory, near the volcano's crater, a deafening roar suddenly erupted!
The sound was neither lion nor tiger, but a chaotic mixture of countless creatures, filled with violent savagery.
Then came the crashing of collapsing structures, flashes of exploding ninjutsu, and the short, terrified screams of humans!
"What was that sound?"
Tsunade and the others' expressions changed as they all turned toward the direction of the laboratory.
Uzumaki Honoka's eyes widened instantly.
"That sound… it's it, the ultimate summoning beast. Why is it suddenly here…"
A realization struck her.
The reason they had been unable to find the ultimate summoning beast all this time was because it had been hiding in plain sight.
Before her words had even fully fallen, black summoning inscription patterns began to emerge from the palm of Hiruko's hand.
Bang!
As the smoke dispersed, Hiruko summoned a monster.
It was a creature that defied precise description.
Its main body resembled a lizard magnified dozens of times, its entire form green, yet a massive maw filled with fangs was grotesquely embedded in its abdomen, while its original mouth had been replaced entirely by writhing tentacles. On its back, two pairs of eagle wings had grown in a distorted fashion, covered with steel-like feathers, their wingspan extending well beyond twenty meters.
Its head resembled a fusion of some deep-sea monstrosity and a terrestrial predator, and along its neck were arranged several murky, unsettling eyeballs.
Most disturbing of all was that the ends of what should have been its clawed forelimbs had evolved into something resembling human hands.
At this moment, it was using those hands to grab the corpse of a researcher as if it were a snack, stuffing it into that horrifying mouth.
Standing atop the monster's head was a figure dressed identically to the Hiruko before them.
"That is… a shadow clone? What is he doing?"
Shizune cried out in shock.
"He is… merging with that summoned beast?"
Tsunade, with her extensive experience, instantly grasped part of what was happening.
"This is bad, stop him quickly!"
Uzumaki Honoka shouted anxiously. No one understood more clearly than she did how terrifying that monster's ability to evolve truly was.
There was no telling what even more horrifying existence might be born.
Ignoring the strain on her body, she forcefully channeled her chakra, and several golden chains shot out from behind her once again.
Adamantine Sealing Chains!
The chains shot forward like lightning toward Hiruko's shadow clone and the ultimate summoning beast, attempting to interrupt the fusion.
"ROOAAAR!"
The ultimate summoning beast abruptly turned its head, multiple eyes locking onto Honoka at the same time.
One of its eagle wings suddenly flapped, sending dozens of steel feathers shooting out like bullets, colliding head-on with the golden chains.
Clang, clang, clang!
Sparks flew everywhere. Most of the feathers were shredded by the chains, but a few still pierced through the blockade, forcing Honoka to dodge.
At the same time, the creature's fish-beast hybrid head opened its mouth, unleashing a stream of corrosive breath mixed with acidic fluid, rushing straight toward Honoka.
Gritting her teeth, Honoka rapidly formed hand seals for a defensive sealing technique.
However, she had already expended energy earlier while helping defend against Hiruko's attacks. Now, responding hastily, she was clearly struggling to hold on.
Pfft!
In the end, a small portion of the breath grazed the edge of her defense and struck her shoulder.
Honoka let out a muffled groan as she was sent flying, a small mouthful of blood spraying from her lips before she crashed heavily onto the ground, unable to get up for the moment.
"Miss Honoka!"
Rin tried to rush forward to help, but Shizune pulled her back.
"Don't be reckless, that monster is too dangerous."
Meanwhile, Hiruko's real body directly smashed through Kiyohara's golden cage, dispelled the shadow clone, and took advantage of the moment when the ultimate summoning beast was holding back Honoka to charge straight into the creature's chest.
"Chimera Technique!"
The massive body of the ultimate summoning beast began to tremble violently, and the already unstable biological traits on its surface started writhing wildly.
Its green muscles bulged as if being inflated, the steel feathers grew denser and sharper, and two more eyes appeared on the fish-beast head, now carrying a faintly human-like cunning as they rotated.
"Hahaha… hahaha!"
"Do you feel it, Kiyohara? This is evolution, this is the beauty of power. This body, filled with infinite possibilities, is about to become one with me!"
He suddenly turned his head to look at Kiyohara, his eyes burning with fanaticism.
"Once I completely merge with it and obtain its ability to devour and evolve, your Sharingan will become the most precious cornerstone on my path to perfection!"
"Now, the game will be controlled by me!"
"Is that so."
Kiyohara's expression did not change in the slightest.
Perhaps Hiruko had not yet completed his experiment, so his current body had not deteriorated into the loose-skinned, short, and grotesque form seen elsewhere.
As a result, his strength was significantly greater.
But… so what?
In Kiyohara's evaluation, this had merely gone from requiring one Wind Release: Rasenshuriken to two.
The reason he had been dragging things out until now was simply because he wanted to copy a few techniques.
In the next instant, the gold dust wall directly in front of Hiruko suddenly split open, and Kiyohara's figure appeared as if teleporting.
The distance between the two shrank to less than three meters in an instant.
Kiyohara clenched his right hand into a fist, which turned pitch black.
Faint arcs of electricity flickered across it.
Sage Art: Magnet Release: Electromagnetic Fist!
This punch appeared simple and unadorned, yet it was as fast as lightning.
Hiruko did not even have time to activate Swift Release to evade before the blow landed directly on him.
A spherical shockwave exploded outward, shaking nearby trees and sending leaves scattering in all directions.
On Hiruko's crossed arms, the layer of dark metallic sheen began to crack from the point of impact, spiderweb-like fractures spreading rapidly.
"Ughhh!"
Hiruko let out a scream. To him, that was not a punch, it felt like being slammed by a massive truck.
The hardened steel defense was rapidly collapsing, and the concentrated force of the punch pierced through it, crashing heavily into his chest.
Crack!
The clear sound of bones breaking echoed.
Hiruko's entire body was sent flying like a ragdoll, crashing violently into a building behind him and smashing most of it apart.
The pure white mask on his face cracked with a sharp sound under the impact, splitting open before half of it fell away.
Revealing the pale face beneath, filled with disbelief.
"Hiruko… senpai?"
Shizune was the first to cry out.
She had seen Hiruko many times in Konoha. After all, he had been a classmate of Tsunade.
Although she was not particularly close to him, there was no way she could mistake that face.
Kurenai and Rin both covered their mouths, their eyes filled with shock and confusion.
They had never imagined that the enemy attacking them and attempting to merge with a monster would be a Konoha shinobi, and one from the same generation as the Sannin.
Tsunade's expression instantly became extremely complicated, a trace of long-held suspicion surfacing in her eyes.
She clenched her fists tightly, her nails nearly digging into her palms as she stared at that familiar yet unfamiliar face and murmured, "Hiruko, you still ended up walking down this path…"
"Cough… cough cough!"
Hiruko spat out a mouthful of dark blood mixed with fragments of internal organs. Supporting himself with one hand against the shattered gold dust, he struggled to raise his head.
The exposure of his true face caused a flicker of panic to pass through his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by deeper unwillingness.
"So what if you've seen it… Tsunade, you so-called geniuses will never understand what I have paid in order to catch up to you, in order to obtain true power."
He glared resentfully at Tsunade, then suddenly turned to Kiyohara, especially at those Sharingan eyes that appeared even more demonic beneath the Sage Face.
"And you… Kiyohara, why… why do you get to possess the Sharingan, to have such talent, while I can only rely on this…"
His gaze swept over his cracked steel-hardened arm, then moved downward.
Hiruko had already erased the consciousness of the ultimate summoning beast. Now, his lower body was that creature's body.
It had simply been sent flying together with him by Kiyohara's blow.
"But it doesn't matter anymore… as long as I complete the fusion and obtain the possibility of infinite evolution, everything… will belong to me!"
With his still-functioning left hand, Hiruko pulled out a scroll from his chest and tore it open.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three bursts of white smoke exploded, revealing three ferocious summoned beasts with violent auras.
A massive hound covered in bone spikes, a black-feathered monstrous bird with blade-like plumage, and a giant purple-scaled serpent with two heads, hissing as it flicked its tongues!
"Hold them off!"
Hiruko ordered the three summoned beasts while struggling to stand, continuing to use the Chimera Technique to deepen his fusion.
The metallic sheen of Steel Release gradually spread across the ultimate summoning beast's body.
"Still not learning your lesson."
Kiyohara shook his head.
People in the shinobi world, stubborn to the end.
He did not even glance at the three summoned beasts charging toward him. With a mere thought, the remaining gold dust instantly contracted and condensed into three massive golden spears.
Using electromagnetic force as propulsion, they shot forward at speeds surpassing sound, striking after they were launched yet arriving first.
Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!
They pierced precisely through the cores of the giant hound, the monstrous bird, and the twin-headed serpent.
The three summoned beasts did not even have time to cry out before turning into white smoke and disappearing.
And Kiyohara himself had already reappeared in front of Hiruko once more.
He raised his fists and began striking with both hands.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
The sound resembled that of a pile driver hammering continuously.
The ground beneath them trembled, the vibrations clearly transmitted through their bodies.
Hiruko tried to form hand seals, but his hands could only be used to shield his face.
He was being continuously battered by Kiyohara.
Each punch generated a burst of white shockwaves.
Violent winds swept outward, scattering stones, grass, and branches in all directions.
That represented that every single punch Kiyohara threw had surpassed the speed of sound.
If Hiruko did not possess Steel Release, any other shinobi in his place would likely have already been beaten into a shapeless mass of flesh.
"So fast…"
Rin sighed.
Even if she entered Tailed Beast Chakra Mode, she could not achieve an effect like Kiyohara's.
As for Kurenai and Shizune, their eyes were wide open in disbelief.
"Damn it… damn it… damn it!"
Hiruko felt utterly stifled.
He had only completed four kekkei genkai so far. He was still missing one more to form the five-element cycle.
At this rate, he would truly be beaten to death.
Because Kiyohara was not even attacking the ultimate summoning beast. He was only targeting Hiruko's upper body after the fusion.
Hiruko wanted to resist, but his resistance was like resisting life itself.
Aside from being battered by it, he could do nothing.
Or rather, the only thing he could do now was continuously activate the Chimera Technique, forcing a deeper and deeper fusion with the ultimate summoning beast's body.
(End of Chapter)