Chapter 74: The Assault on Iwagakure
The giant-winged dragonfly was not only incredibly fast but also had compound eyes that covered most of its head, giving it an impressive ability to track its target. In no time, it followed the escaping bees back to their handler—the insect users of the Kamizuru Clan of Iwagakure.
"Heh, gotcha!"
Looking down at a group of Kamizuru Clan members attempting to flee, Hattori grinned, revealing a row of sharp, white teeth.
"Yo, good morning!"
"(*Д*)!"
Hearing Hattori's voice above them, the Kamizuru Clan members' faces flashed with fear, and without hesitation, they attacked.
"Bee Jutsu!"
"Thousand Bees Jutsu!"
"Secret Technique: Bee Jewel!"
In an instant, a swarm of bees surged toward Hattori, but the giant-winged dragonfly made quick work of them, scattering the attack.
Seeing this, the Kamizuru members looked desperate, while Hattori burst into laughter.
"Hahaha! Encountered your natural enemy, huh? Despair, scream, and then... die!"
With that, dozens of explosive puppets dropped from his hands, engulfing the Kamizuru Clan members below in a massive blast.
"BOOM..."
Amid the flames and explosions, none of the Kamizuru survived. However, they were too low-level to give Hattori any substantial experience.
Hattori decided it was time to go after some bigger targets! His plan was to at least hurt the Kamizuru Clan, if not cripple them entirely.
But fate had other plans. Before he could find a "big fish" in the Kamizuru Clan, another big fish came looking for him.
Looking at the short, elderly figure before him, Hattori immediately recognized him—the Third Tsuchikage, Onoki!
And as soon as Hattori recognized Onoki, Angry Tsuchikage unleashed a powerful technique.
"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"
As he spoke, a bright light formed in Onoki's hands. Seeing this, Hattori's face instantly changed.
"This isn't good. Charge at him!"
Knowing from the original story just how deadly Onoki's Dust Release was, Hattori understood there was no surviving a direct hit from it. Escape was impossible; he was too close to Onoki.
Moreover, with Dust Release ready to fire, even the dragonfly's speed wouldn't be enough for a clean getaway.
"I have to get up close if I want any chance to survive!"
With that thought, Hattori steeled himself, riding the dragonfly right up to Onoki's side and throwing a punch at his face.
"Onoki, your Dust Release might be powerful, but I refuse to believe you'd risk mutual destruction!"
"Hmm?"
Hearing this, Onoki looked slightly surprised, dodging Hattori's punch while frowning.
"Do you dare take that risk? Think this old man wouldn't swap his life with yours?"
"I bet..."
Hattori started but quickly remembered his "never-win-a-bet" curse and changed tactics.
"I bet you don't dare to punch me back, you shorty!"
"Impudent brat!"
Enraged by Hattori's taunt, Onoki swung his fist.
"This old man will teach you a lesson—Earth Release: Fist of Rock Technique, Earth Release: Added-Weight Rock Technique!"
As he finished, thick rock covered Onoki's previously small fist, turning it into a massive rock fist over a meter in diameter.
To make matters worse, with the Added-Weight Rock Technique, his punch flew at Hattori like lightning.
Seeing this, Hattori's eyes sparkled.
"Bring it on!"
With his monstrous strength, Hattori didn't shy away from a direct clash, charging to meet Onoki's rock punch.
"normal punch!"
His fist collided with Onoki's rock fist, resulting in a massive explosion.
"BOOM!"
The powerful impact shattered Onoki's rock fist into pieces. However, being a battle-hardened Tsuchikage, Onoki's instincts were sharper than most. Sensing something was wrong in the clash, he quickly backed off, staring at Hattori in shock.
"The superhuman strength of the Senju Clan... What's your connection to Tsunade?"
"No connection at all!"
Hattori pointed to his forehead protector.
"I'm a shinobi of Sunagakure, here for vengeance against you!"
"Sunagakure?"
At this, Onoki scoffed.
"Hmph, do you think I'm ignorant? Ebizo from Sunagakure is already heading toward Hidden Leaf Village. You're here in Iwagakure, and yet you claim to be from Sunagakure?"
"What?" Hattori's face darkened upon hearing this, and he stomped his foot. "Retreat!"
Upon his command, the giant-winged dragonfly veered off to the side, flying away.
However, Onoki intercepted them again.
"Brat, do you think you can come and go from Iwagakure at will? Leave your life here—Dust Release: Detachm—"
Before Onoki could finish his technique, Hattori charged in again.
"I bet you won't spit on me!"
Hearing this, Onoki, who had almost completed his Dust Release, actually stopped and spat at Hattori.
"Heh… ptoo!"
Hattori dodged the spit easily, sidestepping and using the Body Flicker Technique to appear behind Onoki.
With his hands clasped together, he aimed right at Onoki's backside!
"Hattori Taijutsu Secret Technique—Super Strength Thousand Years of Death!"
"BOOM!"
With a sound like exploding popcorn, Onoki shot forward like a rocket, letting out a scream.
"(*Д`) Aaaaahhhh..."
Seizing the opportunity, Hattori jumped back onto the dragonfly, waving his arm.
"Quick, Nigerundayo~!"
"Boom!"
Upon his command, the dragonfly surged to maximum speed, flying out of Iwagakure. As they neared the village's outskirts, Hattori, with nothing left to lose, threw down the last of his explosive puppets from his scroll.
Laughing loudly, he yelled, "Open your eyes and watch—art is... an explosion!"
"BOOM BOOM BOOM..."
With a series of explosions, Hattori and the dragonfly quickly vanished into the distance, leaving behind a furious Iwagakure full of angry and distraught villagers.
In a secluded corner of Iwagakure, Onoki, struggling to get up from the pain, nearly ground his teeth to dust.
"Unforgivable… cursed Konoha, cursed Senju Clan—I will never forgive you!"
Elsewhere in the village, a child, about two or three years old, watched Hattori's departure, not in fear but with bright, fascinated eyes.
"So beautiful... this is art. And art is… an explosion. Yes!"