Just after Gekko Hayate finished swinging his sword, Baki suddenly felt dizzy.
"What?!" he gasped, startled.
He felt the air around him thinning, making it difficult to breathe.
Recalling Gekko Hayate's strange slashes moments ago, his heart trembled.
No wonder Hayate's sword didn't hit him directly—this guy had used his blade to suck all the air out of the area!
How was that even possible?!
Was such a technique within the realm of ninjutsu?!
He had used a sword to extract the oxygen around a person—this was horrifying!
Before he even hit the ground, Baki's limbs went limp, and he struggled to take in even a breath.
But the surrounding air had vanished. Within several meters, there was no oxygen left to inhale.
Baki's face began to turn purple. His veins bulged grotesquely.
Suddenly, a blood vessel ruptured, and blood sprayed from his body.
And with that rupture, it was like a switch had been flipped—dozens of blood trails erupted from him all at once.
From a distance, Baki looked like a crimson flower blooming in the sky. It was terrifyingly beautiful.
"What?!" Baki was horrified.
I'm injured? When did that happen?
Gekko Hayate's blade didn't even touch me directly—so why are there wounds all over my body?!
"What sort of sword technique is this?!" he gasped, looking toward Hayate's silhouette.
"Absolute Wind Slash."
Gekko Hayate slowly sheathed his blade and lowered his head slightly, as though admiring his shadow.
"I see..." Baki murmured with great effort, giving up resistance as he prepared to bleed to death.
But just then, Konohamaru arrived with his two friends and the Heavenly Demon Puppet.
"Go! Keep hitting him!" Konohamaru ordered.
Boom!
The Heavenly Demon Puppet blasted forward like a cannonball.
BANG!
The puppet's strike sent Baki flying through the air.
Unfortunately, the direction he flew in happened to be right where Gekko Hayate stood.
Baki pulled out a kunai midair and drove it into Hayate's back.
Puff! Gekko Hayate coughed up blood, turning around to stare at Baki in disbelief.
When he caught a glimpse of Konohamaru, understanding dawned on him.
"Heh... I finally got rid of you," Baki sneered, blood dripping from his lips. "You've been a thorn in my side too long, Hayate. Now you're dead!"
THUD!
Both Baki and Gekko Hayate collapsed to the ground.
"Konohamaru... I think you're in trouble," Udon muttered, a thick string of snot hanging from his nose.
"That's not true! Don't say that!" Moegi quickly leapt to Konohamaru's defense. "Konohamaru was trying to help Uncle Hayate! It's just that the enemy was too cunning!"
"Besides, Konohamaru helped defeat him!" Moegi added, walking over to Baki and giving him two little kicks.
"Be careful!"
Iruka's voice suddenly rang out from the side, startling them.
Moegi instinctively tried to dodge, but Baki suddenly opened his eyes and grabbed her, holding her hostage.
"Tch... it's you?" Baki looked at Moegi in disappointment.
He had hoped to lure that brat Konohamaru over.
Even if he was on the verge of death, holding the Hokage's grandson hostage would guarantee him safe passage out of Konoha.
Now, with just this little girl? Useless!
"Moegi!" Iruka, Konohamaru, and Udon all shouted at once, frozen in place.
They dared not move, afraid Baki would hurt her.
"Hmph!" Baki pressed the kunai tightly to Moegi's throat and said coldly, "Let me go, or I'll slit her throat!"
"Konohamaru! Don't listen to him!" Moegi shouted bravely. "He's the one who invaded our village—we can't let him go!"
"But..." Udon hesitated to speak, only for Konohamaru to cut him off.
"Don't worry! I'm your boss—I won't let anyone get hurt!"
With that, Konohamaru pulled out a pale white mask and put it on.
Everyone was stunned by his actions.
Why is he putting on a mask at a time like this?
Is this... some kind of game?!
"Hey! Konohamaru, cut it out!" Iruka shouted, pushing Konohamaru and Udon behind him and stepping forward with a kunai.
"Hey, you Sand Shinobi! Let Moegi go!" Iruka barked, eyes fierce.
Though only a Chūnin, and facing one of Sunagakure's most feared elite jōnin, Iruka didn't show a hint of fear!
"Well, well..." Baki sneered. "It's been a long time since a mere Chūnin dared to bark at me."
"You've got guts!" he growled, tightening the kunai. A line of red appeared on Moegi's neck.
"You bastard!" Iruka roared, eyes bloodshot. He lunged forward recklessly.
Bang! Baki swatted him down with one hand and stepped on his back.
"Trash," Baki said flatly.
"Don't be afraid, Moegi!" Iruka shouted, even as he was pinned. "I'm here! I won't let him hurt you!"
"Right!" Moegi replied, gritting her teeth.
Meanwhile, Konohamaru held the mask in his hands.
"I hope you're as amazing as Boss Haruto said," he muttered.
Baki turned slightly and paused.
What was that kid holding?
A mask?
Was he playing pretend?
"Hmph, foolish brat!" Baki muttered and prepared to drag Moegi away.
But Konohamaru suddenly slipped the "Landry's Torture" mask over his face.
"Hey, Sand Ninja!" Konohamaru shouted.
Baki turned—and his heart nearly stopped.
The mask was plain, but from its left eye flowed a single bloody tear.
The moment Baki saw it, a chill crept down his spine, as though he had glimpsed something from a nightmare.
"Let Moegi and Iruka-sensei go!" Konohamaru yelled.
And somehow... Baki did.
He released them, backing away slightly, as if intimidated by the boy's eerie presence.
But after being freed, Moegi didn't move.
She simply stared at Konohamaru—frozen, wide-eyed.
The scene fell into an awkward silence.
End of the Chapter.
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