Chapter 48: The Correct Way to Use Shuriken Techniques!

Chapter 48: The Correct Way to Use Shuriken Techniques!

The crescent moon was sinking, and a faint light emerged on the horizon.

The gentle breeze of early spring had turned into a raging storm.

As Kakuzu's tentacles lashed down, the sound of 'bang', 'bang' resounded almost continuously.

However, not a single strike hit its target. Each time it was about to land, Uchiha Ci would suddenly, as if guided by instinct, duck, flip sideways, or somersault out of the way.

Even without any clear sight, he was still able to evade the attacks.

"Tch, this unreasonable instinct..."

Kakuzu frowned as he watched Uchiha Ci dodging while fiddling with something unknown in his hands.

He knew he couldn't continue like this.

He then controlled the tentacles to smash into the cliffside, creating a massive pit, from which he extracted large boulders and hurled them at Uchiha Ci.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

The spinning boulders tore through the air, roaring towards him!

This scene even made Terumi Mei outside the barrier gasp in surprise.

This technique was equivalent to a dozen people simultaneously using Earth Release: Rock Iron Cannon, sealing off every escape route of the opponent, forcing them to confront the attack head-on.

Yet, this was only the beginning.

While hurling the boulders with his tentacles, Kakuzu formed the Snake hand seal with both hands.

In the next instant, two masks dragged their pitch-black bodies out from behind Kakuzu, formed from the dark threads of Earth Grudge Fear, crouching on his shoulders.

They were Kakuzu's Fire and Wind Release masks—

When these two worked together, the result would be—

Combined Ninjutsu: Flame Storm Chaos, Strange Mask Exploding Flame!

This technique combined the Earth Grudge Fear's Fire and Wind Release masks. By simultaneously using Fire Release: Searing Migraine and Wind Release: Pressure Damage, it created a vast sea of flames.

Moreover, Kakuzu had already blocked the path with boulders in advance.

In this narrow space, Uchiha Ci had no way to escape!

Kakuzu's expression was indifferent as he coldly declared:

"Poor brat, the game is over!"

As he spoke, his cold hand half-closed—

Boom!

The sea of flames erupted, the wind raged wildly!

The entire space was engulfed by Kakuzu's attack.

At that moment, all that could be seen were sandstorms, boulders, wind blades like scythes, and the fiery tongues of flames snaking along the ground, with sparks and fragments of burning stones flying wildly.

In one second, everything would be consumed by the oncoming disaster!

However,

In this hellish scene, amidst the overwhelming despair,

Oddly enough, Uchiha Ci showed no fear!

His eyes were wide open, as if wanting to etch every inch of this apocalyptic image into his memory.

He felt as though his entire body, from head to toe, from fingertips to heart, was electrified. This current penetrated deep into his cells, trying to unlock some hidden switch deep within his body.

Dopamine, serotonin, and endorphins were flooding his brain, sending him to a peak of exhilaration.

[Talent: Battle Instinct (S) development increased. You are now more proficient in using your body.]

In the next moment,

Uchiha Ci glanced at the black Earth Grudge Fear threads wrapped around his fingers and couldn't help but grin.

After looking one last time at Kakuzu's position,

He slightly bent his ten fingers, pressing his fingertips together.

The tomoe in his Sharingan spun wildly, almost forming a black line.

His eyes were filled with a maddened determination!

"Come on!"

"Come on!"

"Come on!"

"Fight! Without fighting, there is only defeat, and at the end of the battle lies nothing but death!"

"To pursue that moment of death, I bet everything!"

With those words, Uchiha Ci closed his eyes.

His single tomoe Sharingan could no longer keep up with the pace of the battle.

So, he chose to shut his eyes and trust his instincts.

He trusted the battle plan that had already been formulated in his mind.

Then, the first step—

Uchiha Ci drew out the last four shuriken wrapped with threads from his ninja pouch.

Facing the firestorm, boulders, and wind blades, he hurled them with force!

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

The shuriken sliced through the air, dragging four black threads behind them, embedding themselves into a distant flying boulder.

Then, Uchiha Ci pulled with both hands.

The threads he had laid down while dodging earlier suddenly straightened, converging at a point beneath his feet.

It was like a fully drawn bow, ready to launch an arrow.

Bang!

The massive bow made of threads provided the initial momentum, shooting Uchiha Ci forward like a projectile!

He was like an arrow, plunging into the sea of flames, pulling the shuriken threads behind him, changing direction midair.

He spun his body,

Stepping off the boulders hurtling towards him, accelerating continuously!

He weaved through the narrow gap between two colliding boulders,

He flipped upward just in time to avoid the oncoming wind blades,

And before the scorching tongues of flame could engulf him, he quickly formed seals—

Rabbit - Sheep - Snake!

Water Release: Water Fang Blade!

Uchiha Ci wielded a water blade in his right hand, controlling the thread with his left to adjust his trajectory, spinning rapidly midair with the water blade.

Suddenly, he opened his eyes!

"Is he dead?" Kakuzu squinted slightly, watching as everything before him was consumed by the storm and flames.

Combined with the boulders he had thrown earlier to block the way, the opponent should have no way to escape.

Unless the opponent used a technique more powerful than his,

Kakuzu couldn't think of any way they could survive this onslaught.

The ninjutsu he had just unleashed came from the hearts of the strongest individuals he had hunted over the decades—

Earth Release: Earth Spear, Wind Release: Pressure Damage, Lightning Release: False Darkness, Fire Release: Searing Migraine, Water Release: Water Formation Wall.

Five hearts!

Each one capable of casting a jutsu that had reached near-peak levels within its elemental domain!

Kakuzu didn't believe that a kid this age would have such capabilities.

Therefore,

He should be dead,

And even if not dead, he wouldn't be far from it.

Kakuzu slightly turned his head, his cold gaze sweeping over the three people outside the barrier.

Beyond his current target, Hidan, and Terumi Mei beside him, Kakuzu's eyes landed on another figure in the distance—

Shinno, dressed in yellow, with a calm expression.

Kakuzu narrowed his eyes slightly, wondering what this man's true purpose was for standing here.

Would he interfere with his capture of Hidan?

After all, this man didn't even flinch when his own disciple died in front of him.

Surely, he was a ruthless individual.

Meanwhile, on the opposite side, witnessing Kakuzu's terrifying combined ninjutsu,

Terumi Mei and Hidan couldn't help but swallow hard, their faces full of shock.

"This attack... it's even more terrifying than the Wind Release from earlier."

"Uchiha Ci, he..."

Terumi Mei bit her lip slightly, her gaze nervously scanning the barrier.

But no matter how hard she looked,

Within the barrier on the cliffside, aside from the spot where Kakuzu stood,

All she could see was a sea of roaring flames.

Hidan knelt in despair on the tree trunk, staring at the scene of hopelessness.

Within his field of view,

All there was—

Fire, fire, fire, Kakuzu, fire, fire, fire.

This black-masked man, who toyed with tentacles and ninjutsu, was practically the embodiment of Khorne!

And in his ears,

The only sounds were the howling winds, the crackling of burning flames,

And below the cliff,

The heart-wrenching wails of the refugees from the Land of Hot Water, who were being massacred by Kakuzu's jutsu.

Hidan couldn't help but clench his fists tightly, biting down hard, his gaze trembling as he stared at everything in front of him.

His eyes grew moist without him realizing.

He closed his eyes fiercely, gripping the tree trunk with both hands as tears burst forth!

Then, using every ounce of strength in his body, he shouted mournfully into the barrier:

"Uchiha Ci!"

"If you're still alive, then get your ass out here—!"

As his cry echoed,

For a moment, there was silence.

The oppressive stillness of the flames made it hard to even breathe.

However,

The next moment,

The blazing sea of flames suddenly trembled!

It was as if a bulldozer was charging through!

Debris, dirt, weeds, and sparks were sent flying by a rapidly spinning blue whirlwind of blade light.

In the blink of an eye,

The wind roared!

A massive hole was sliced open in the fiery wall,

Uchiha Ci shot through the air like an arrow, spinning towards Kakuzu's head.

He took a deep breath, gripping his water blade with both hands,

And slashed with all his might at Kakuzu's neck, the blade accelerating to the point it screamed with a sharp whine!

The sword glowed like fire, reflecting a pair of cold, merciless scarlet eyes.

Kakuzu's eyes widened in shock!

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