There was no doubt that Hyuga Chinano won this battle. She didn't even use Sage Mode, and the blade Shigure at her waist never moved.
What Shino excelled at was controlling bugs—so Hyuga Chinano did just that, too. She crushed Shino's confidence at the very core of what he prided himself on most. There was no helping it. As Shino said earlier, Insect Controllers were at a huge disadvantage against Aburame Hatsuizumi. Though they both used bugs, their systems were completely different. Especially when Aburame Hatsuizumi unleashes a swarm of insects that swept across the arena, Shino realized one thing with certainty.
"These bugs... they're formed from her chakra. Not only can she control real insects, but she can also recreate them from her chakra? How the hell does she even do that?"
Shino wasn't too bothered by the loss. He simply wasn't as skilled—it was as simple as that.
Aburame Hatsuizumi had no intention of answering him. After the fight, her sea of insects vanished. She casually skipped out of the arena, not caring what the commentators had to say.
Uzumaki Zixu held a hand to his temple. It was clear—Aburame Hatsuizumi had gotten much stronger, and it seemed she still had cards she hadn't even revealed. She had grown into someone who could stand strong on her own.
She disappeared from the audience's view, skipping all the way to Zixu's side. Most of her outer armor had been removed, leaving only a few small limbs sticking to her back, swaying like a dog's tail. With stars in her eyes, Hatsuizumi threw her arms around Zixu's neck.
"Well? Isn't my new armor awesome? I spent so long designing it! It can even integrate with Sage Mode to be even stronger. Too bad Shino was kinda weak..."
She rambled while rubbing up against Zixu's neck like an octopus. Sitting on his lap, her petite body was cool to the touch—refreshing on this hot summer day.
Zixu yanked her off him with one hand. She flailed in the air, limbs waving like a cat grabbed by the scruff.
"Quit messing around. I've got a mission for you." He set her down and straightened her clothes.
"Alright, alright. Tell me." Hatsuizumi clearly enjoyed being fussed over by Zixu—it calmed her.
Zixu relayed the images and intel his clone had just returned with. She listened carefully, her playful demeanor fading a bit.
"Space Phasing... that's tricky," she murmured, frowning as she thought it through.
"Forget that guy. Focus on the tailed beast. Stop him if you can. If not, take out the Three-Tails."
"Got it." She nodded without hesitation, ready to go.
"Zixu, Zixu... how am I supposed to get down? It's really high." Hatsuizumi forced an awkward smile. She had ways to descend, sure, but she was... maybe a little afraid of heights?
"Scared of heights? It's fine. I'll use a Flame Cloud to cushion your fall. Jump down—it's not far. Since my clone returned, Sky City's already moving toward the Three-Tails. Won't take long."
Zixu saw right through her. If she was scared, she was scared. No big deal.
"...Fine." She wasn't thrilled to hear there was only one cushion layer and she'd have to jump.
"Come on, best way to kill fear is to face it! Let's go—whoa!"
Zixu escorted her to the edge of the city, summoned Flame Clouds to create a passage, and tossed her down.
"..." Hatsuizumi landed softly on the cushion. There was more than one layer—Flame Clouds stacked at intervals like a trampoline. It was surprisingly comfy.
"Huh? What's that red pillar in the sky?" Hidan, mid-ritual and stabbing himself with a black spear, noticed the sudden column of Flame Clouds.
A bomb exploded in front of his face as Tobi leapt over.
"Come on, Hidan-senpai! The Three-Tails can't last much longer!" he shouted, lobbing another explosive.
"I know we're trying to weaken the damn beast, but it feels like this guy's just getting revenge..." Hidan muttered, stabbing himself again.
Hatsuizumi landed near the lake where the Three-Tails used to dwell. Most of the water had dried up, and the level had dropped significantly. Fish and shrimp littered the muddy shore. The lake itself was red and black—like chocolate soup, or maybe... blood snow.
She quickly sent out her scouting insects. They flew fast and fanned out in all directions.
"Two chakra signatures. Both weak. Must be the ones Zixu mentioned."
Though their objective was the Three-Tails, she couldn't forget the poaching targets.
She moved like a forest sprite, light on her feet, and soon came across Guren holding Yūkimaru.
"Yo, you alive? You awake?" Hatsuizumi waved at Guren, but she just stared blankly at Yūkimaru in her arms.
"We have a way to help him recover." That got a reaction. Guren's eyes slowly lifted. A spark of life returned to her dulled gaze.
"...Really?" Her voice was hoarse, rusty from disuse.
"Come with me. We're taking down the Akatsuki bastards. Killing the Three-Tails is secondary. If you're in, follow me."
She didn't say much else and turned away.
Whether Guren fully grasped her words didn't matter. Hatsuizumi's bugs had found new targets—likely the Akatsuki and the Three-Tails.
Guren, numb at first, changed the moment she heard "Akatsuki." Hatred lit up her eyes. She sealed Yūkimaru in a crystal orb and followed behind.
Hatsuizumi could sense the bloodlust and hate radiating from her. She didn't comment. That was the ninja world for you—revenge born of hatred, and justice twisted by it.
They quickly reached the edge of the battlefield. Hidan and Deidara were already finishing up the sealing jutsu.
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