Ordinary fog is difficult to concentrate in one place; a gust of wind can disperse it easily.
However, the gray mist transformed by the mirage shell contains the aura and cursed energy of cursed spirits, which can be manipulated.
Gradually, all the fog was focused into a specific area.
This is useless for cursed spirits but is a deadly strike for humans!
Ninety-nine point nine percent of humans will die painfully in despair after losing oxygen.
And unless they escape immediately at the start, once they realize they're having difficulty breathing, it's already too late.
The cursed spirit on the mountain top couldn't help but burst into loud laughter.
The humiliation he suffered earlier must be washed away with the blood of these damn humans!
"So, not breathing feels like this?"
Shinji tried to stop breathing and adjust his blood oxygen levels, and surprisingly, he quickly adapted to this feeling.
Don't you understand what it means to have an immortal body? Loser!
Hidan was the same—completely clueless about what was happening.
He could have his head chopped off and buried underground for days and nights without issue. Now, just not breathing? Who cares!
The two hanging men ignored the enemy's attacks entirely.
As for Tobi, it was even simpler—he just stayed in Kamui space, coming out for a stroll when he felt like it.
Thus, among the four, only Terumī Mei ended up in trouble.
Even with her two bloodline limits and good looks, just the fact that she needs to breathe to stay alive meant she lost!
No choice—just understand.
After all, humans and freaks are different.
Bang.
The pain of suffocation caused Terumī Mei to first kneel on the ground, then her consciousness gradually blurred.
She had all the strength but couldn't cope with the current situation.
At this moment, Shinji once again buried Little Black underground, using its guidance to find Hidan first.
"Follow me."
A strand of black hair quickly linked their wrists.
Seeing this, Hidan wrinkled his mouth but said nothing.
Not far ahead, they found Terumī Mei struggling painfully on the ground.
Shinji couldn't help but frown slightly, weighing whether to rescue her.
If he didn't, the trouble with the severing sword would be temporarily resolved, but if the Water Shadow died here, and they managed to escape alive, it would undoubtedly cause even greater trouble.
Even if they cover up the evidence afterward, it wouldn't help.
Anyone who knew about Terumī Mei coming here couldn't explain the matter clearly.
And the previously agreed reward for the cursed object was probably ruined too.
But if they saved her, at least she would have to acknowledge this life-saving grace.
And secondly, they could take this opportunity to persuade Terumī Mei to join their side.
That nearby guy with the straw hat always does this—rescue you once, you don't follow; rescue you twice, still no; rescue you three times, and you'll be willing to follow him to the end!
Even if the persuasion ultimately failed, it probably wouldn't be a total betrayal.
So, when Little Black finally sensed Tobi's appearance, Shinji successfully merged with it.
"Tobi, take Hidan and this woman away first. Any problem with that?"
"Of course! I haven't taken out that sneaky rat yet, I'm not leaving!"
Tobi didn't speak, and Hidan immediately got angry.
Shinji was a bit amused and said, "Fine, I'll stay with Hidan. Tobi, you take her and leave first. Wait for us at the foot of the mountain."
Tobi looked at the suffocating, unconscious Terumī Mei, nodded gently, then absorbed her into Kamui space.
Just as he was about to leave, Shinji added, "Don't let her die. This woman still has use."
Why did he just now want Hidan and Terumī Mei to leave together?
Don't forget how Obito once caused trouble for Kirigakure.
Shinji was genuinely worried that Tobi might have the same idea—taking this chance to kill Terumī Mei.
That would be truly disastrous, like stepping into a mud pit with your pants down—nothing would be left.
But if Hidan refused to leave and insisted on staying, there was nothing to do—just wish him good luck.
After Tobi left, Hidan, full of confidence, said, "I've decided—I'm killing that guy. Don't try to compete with me."
Shinji: "Each to their own."
"Alright, the loser has to be the younger brother, call the other 'Brother' for a month!"
Shinji immediately chuckled, "Are you sure? I tell you, bets are bets. And the loser can only call the other 'Brother' for a month, no other nicknames allowed."
"You just wait—you'll be calling 'Hidan Brother'!"
Hidan, somehow full of confidence, carried his Bloody March Scythe and walked off.
"This was originally meant to be my trump card, but since you're so eager to rush into the gunfire, I guess I'll reluctantly accept it. Foolish idiot~"
"Cursed Speech: The Ultimate Version—Destiny is in My Hands!"
Endless cursed energy flooded into his throat. Under the powerful surge, faint curse markings started to appear on Shinji's cheeks.
The familiar outer circle with an inner triangle extended via a black line into his mouth.
When Shinji opened his mouth, he could clearly see a scale carved on his tongue, seemingly symbolizing something.
This complete curse pattern was the "Ultimate Version" that Shinji had comprehended!
Its ability was simple: change the target of the "Cursed Speech" to himself, then gain an ultimate amplification effect and extension of the technique.
A simple example:
"[Flight]!"
This was the first time Shinji applied the "Cursed Speech" on himself. That invisible force, in an inexplicable way, instantly made him fly into the air!
"Hahaha! Destiny is truly in my hands!"
He mastered the technique effortlessly, laughing loudly in midair, then continued to accelerate upward.
Soon, he broke through the thick fog and reached the top.
Because the fog was descending, at this height, it had mostly cleared, allowing Shinji to see the giant mirage shell on the mountain top at first glance.
"So you've been hiding here. I've come to catch you, sneaky little mouse!"
The boost from "Destiny is in My Hands" and the technique extension was incredibly powerful—like an ongoing buff that increased his strength significantly.
Although cursed energy consumption and backlash increased, it was like two different skills.
Unfortunately, in this state, the "Cursed Speech" could only be used on himself. Otherwise, with just the word "roll," Hidan could be rolled from the mountain top to the foot of the mountain!
In the blink of an eye, Shinji approached the mountain top from the air.
The pale cursed spirit's eyes widened—because he had concentrated all the fog below, he couldn't attack Shinji at this height.
And now, it was too late to gather fog from below!
He immediately turned around, flustered, trying to crawl back into the mirage shell.
Seeing this, Shinji drew his severing sword.
"This distance, just right."
"Breaking Concealment Strike!"
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