Poof!
Uchiha Kazuhiko, whose heart had been pierced, didn't bleed.
Instead, he dissolved into a puff of smoke.
Simultaneously, on the other side of the crater, a kunai lying scattered on the ground suddenly erupted in smoke.
When the smoke cleared, Uchiha Kazuhiko's true body appeared there.
It turned out that while executing the Reverse Lotus, Uchiha Kazuhiko had sensed the one-eyed jonin's approach.
Seizing the opportunity provided by the billowing dust, he had created a low-level clone to guard against a sneak attack while his main body transformed into a kunai and hid nearby.
Uchiha Kazuhiko watched as the one-eyed jonin emerged from the shadows, step by step, walking towards him.
He covertly opened the Pan-Universe Mall and spent his last three gold coins to purchase a Spring Recovery Pill that could quickly heal injuries.
He swallowed it to repair the damage inflicted on his body by the Eight Inner Gates.
"Heh, Konoha brat, it seems we all underestimated you somewhat."
The one-eyed jonin glanced disdainfully at the black-clad jonin's gruesome corpse and sneered,
"But thankfully, that trash) Araki didn't finish you off. I can personally offer your blood in sacrifice to Jirō."
"Don't talk so big, you might bite your tongue."
A cold light flashed in Uchiha Kazuhiko's eyes.
The pill had somewhat restored his bodily injuries.
He swallowed several high-quality soldier pills to replenish his chakra and once again opened the Gate of Injury, transforming into a blur as he charged at the one-eyed jonin.
"Secret Technique: Blood Scale Body!"
Having witnessed Uchiha Kazuhiko's speed, a trace of gravity appeared within the one-eyed jonin's insane gaze.
He immediately activated a defensive secret technique, stimulating the growth of the blood-red scales on his upper body until they covered his entire form.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Under the ultra-high-speed assault of the Reverse Lotus, the one-eyed jonin was thoroughly dominated by Uchiha Kazuhiko, just like the black-clad jonin before him.
A final heavy punch sent the one-eyed jonin crashing to the ground.
Pfft...
However, the one-eyed jonin had used a technique to mitigate damage.
He didn't die from the Reverse Lotus attack, but his body was covered in shattered blood scales, his face was unrecognizable, and he was almost entirely covered in blood.
After viciously spitting out several mouthfuls of blood, the one-eyed jonin tremblingly stood up again.
Assessing his own condition, he directed a venomous gaze towards Uchiha Kazuhiko, who was gasping for air.
"Cough, cough... Damn brat, I won't let you get away with this. Let's go to hell together."
A look of resolve flashed in the one-eyed jonin's eyes. Seizing the moment while Uchiha Kazuhiko was catching his breath, he swiftly completed his hand seals.
"Ultimate Secret Technique: Blood Scale Body Devourment! Aaaah!!"
Accompanied by the one-eyed jonin's piercing scream, the black substance on his body instantly became highly active, covering his entire body and internal organs.
Countless blood-red scales madly devoured his flesh and blood, growing with astonishing speed like bamboo shoots after rain, transforming him into a lizard-like monster composed entirely of blood-red scales.
Hiss~ Screech~
The blood-scale monster let out an incomprehensible roar.
Its blood-filled eyes, brimming with killing intent, fixed on Uchiha Kazuhiko, making him feel as if he witnessed first hand.
Countless corpses lunging at him. He felt an immense fear from the depths of his soul.
"Genjutsu: Break!"
Disrupting the flow of chakra within his body, Uchiha Kazuhiko broke free from the state of terror.
Watching the blood-scale monster charging at him at high speed, he didn't hesitate, using his psychic ability for the first time in battle his blood ability, now at the peak of LV3.
"Blood Ignition Technique!"
The blood within Uchiha Kazuhiko's body seemed to boil, transforming into a thick, crimson mist that rapidly invaded his cells.
It was as if a thin layer of bloody flame was burning on the surface of his body.
Nourished by the blood qi, his cells continuously repaired the damaged body.
Although he couldn't open the Eight Inner Gates again, it restored some of his mobility, preventing him from being completely at the mercy of his opponent.
Transformed into the blood-scale monster, the one-eyed jonin had lost his human intellect, retaining only the instinct to kill.
However, his power had greatly increased compared to before, even reaching the level of an elite jonin.
In his current state, Uchiha Kazuhiko could only barely cope with the scale monster's attacks.
Unconsciously, Uchiha Kazuhiko acquired several rather serious wounds.
Although his ability controlled the blood loss, he looked badly wounded and battered, a shocking sight.
"Blood Flame Shield!"
Releasing his ability had consumed a lot of blood. Uchiha Kazuhiko's face was somewhat pale.
He transformed another portion of his blood into a shield, blocking the blood-scale monster's claws as they shot towards his abdomen.
"Dammit! Both chakra and blood are draining rapidly. I can't afford to drag this out with this guy. I must find a way to end this quickly."
Uchiha Kazuhiko used the impact force to fly backward, putting distance between them. Watching the seemingly tireless blood-scale monster, he knew the situation was dire.
Roar~ Aah~
The blood-scale monster didn't give Uchiha Kazuhiko much time to think. It closed the distance in a flash, two sharp, curved claws smashing down towards him.
Uchiha Kazuhiko drew his tachi to block the blood-scale monster's powerful strike. Just as he prepared to create distance, he didn't expect it to suddenly twist its waist, swinging its thick, scaled tail in a sweeping motion towards Uchiha Kazuhiko.
With a dull thud, Uchiha Kazuhiko, who hadn't anticipated the blood-scale monster using its tail something it hadn't employed in previous fights was caught off guard. He was sent flying over ten meters, crashing through several large trees before finally landing heavily on the ground.
The blood-scale monster, having successfully struck Uchiha Kazuhiko, excitedly threw its head back and roared, then charged quickly towards Uchiha Kazuhiko once more.
Pfft.
Watching the blood-scale monster approach again, Uchiha Kazuhiko coughed twice, clutching his chest where ribs were broken, and spat out a mouthful of blood. His eyes held a mix of fierceness and a touch of madness.
"Heh, come on then. This time, it's either you die or I perish!"
Uchiha Kazuhiko roared. He didn't dodge or avoid the blood-scale monster's claws as they aimed for his heart. The moment they pierced his heart, he tightly embraced the blood-scale monster's body.
"Go to hell!"
Blood vessels bulged in Uchiha Kazuhiko's eyes, his face somewhat twisted. He drew upon a massive amount of blood to release a final, all-or-nothing attack.
"Corrosive Blood Mist!"
A dark red blood mist surged from Uchiha Kazuhiko's body, enveloping him and the blood-scale monster within it. Immediately, a series of horrifying sizzling sounds erupted.
The highly corrosive acidic blood mist dissolved the blood scales on the monster's surface.
The blood-scale monster struggled madly, causing waves of indescribable agony to shoot from Uchiha Kazuhiko's chest straight to his brain, making him dizzy.
Gritting his teeth against the pain, he unleashed his final killing move.
"Blood Lance Assassination!"
Dozens of short, blood-red spears erupted from the surface of Uchiha Kazuhiko's body.
They pierced through the blood scales, whose defense had been greatly reduced by the blood mist's corrosion, deeply embedding themselves into the scale monster's vital organs its head, heart, and others.
This was a technique Uchiha Kazuhiko had developed based on Kimimaro's Dance of the Larch from the original story. It condensed blood spears on the body's surface.
Enhanced and strengthened by his psychic ability, they could both defend against taijutsu attacks and utilize the spears' sharpness for offense.
Roar~~
The blood-scale monster struggled frantically, shaking off Uchiha Kazuhiko, who was controlling it. It roared, wanting to eliminate Uchiha Kazuhiko, who now had no ability to resist.
Unfortunately, all its vital points had been pierced by the blood spears. After staggering forward a few more steps, it plummeted headfirst to the ground.
Having finally dealt with this terrifying blood-scale monster, Uchiha Kazuhiko weakly clutched his chest.
He barely managed to use his ability to solidify some blood, plugging the hole in his heart, before his consciousness completely plunged into darkness.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
The other rogue ninja, arriving late, finally reached the scene after the battle had concluded.
The leading rogue ninja chunin checked the black-clad jonin and the blood-scale monster for signs of life, then drew a kunai and walked towards the unconscious Uchiha Kazuhiko.