The explosion tags ignited in a chain reaction, tongues of fire lighting up the battlefield as the balance between offense and defense flipped instantly.
In the clash moments earlier, Shibi's team had been completely overwhelmed. Hanzō had suppressed all three of them with nothing but overwhelming Taijutsu skill. Still, that alone did not fully describe his strength, his true expertise lay in both Taijutsu and Kenjutsu.
Bathed in flickering firelight, Shibi formed hand seals once more.
Secret Technique: Insect Wall Technique.
A dense swarm of kikaichu insects surged outward like a dark tide, surrounding him and Inuzuka Tsume in multiple layers. From a distance, it resembled a massive cocoon. The insects spun rapidly, forming a powerful defensive barrier.
At the same time, Hyuga Hizashi spread his arms, releasing chakra from every tenketsu point as his body spun at high speed.
Eight Trigrams Palm Revolving Heaven.
An explosion erupted immediately after, shaking the ground and tearing through the air.
Shibi had underestimated the technique. The attack was not just explosive, it carried a burning effect that lingered and spread.
Smoke filled the battlefield, slowly thinning as Hanzō's figure emerged from within.
When the dust settled, only Hizashi remained standing.
Shibi and Inuzuka Tsume lay motionless on the ground, their bodies scorched, their condition critical.
Hizashi himself was heavily injured. Even with Revolving Heaven, he had not escaped unscathed. Still, he stepped forward, raising his right hand and positioning himself in front of his fallen comrades.
There was no hesitation in him, no fear.
Hanzō watched him with a faint look of admiration.
Even enemies like this were worthy of respect.
He smirked slightly.
"Two of the three of you can live. Choose one."
Hizashi did not respond. Instead, he thrust his palm forward, releasing a burst of chakra.
Eight Trigrams Mountain Crusher.
Hanzō vanished with the Body Flicker Technique. The ground where he had stood shattered instantly.
Hizashi's condition made it impossible to land a hit. Still, he forced himself to gather chakra again.
But Hanzō had already closed the distance.
Using his left foot as a pivot, he twisted his body and delivered a powerful kick aimed at Hizashi's neck.
Hizashi crossed his arms to block.
The impact sent him flying backward, rolling across the ground for over ten meters. His Hyuga robes were stained with dirt and blood as he struggled to stand again.
He exhaled heavily, forcing down the blood rising in his throat.
"How long can you keep this up? A minute, or maybe ten seconds?"
Hanzō's voice carried clear impatience now.
Receiving no answer, he lost interest. His hands moved through another set of seals.
Fire Release: Great Flame Flower.
Three blazing fireballs shot forward like meteors, targeting Hizashi, Shibi, and Inuzuka Tsume.
Hizashi tried to move, but his body refused. He dropped to the ground, lifting his sleeve to wipe the blood from his face.
"Twenty minutes… is it time?" he murmured.
At that exact moment, a sharp cry rang out from the sky.
A metallic rumble followed as a massive iron gate descended from above, slamming into place in front of them.
Ninja Art: Summoning Technique, Rashomon.
A giant hawk appeared in the sky, its cry echoing across the battlefield.
Riding on it, a Konoha ninja dove down at high speed.
A black figure leapt from above, landing atop the Rashomon gate.
Without pausing, he stepped forward and dropped from the towering height.
As he fell, his feet tapped lightly against the gate before he launched himself downward, sprinting along its vertical surface.
Blue lightning flickered beneath his feet as chakra burst outward.
His speed surged to an unbelievable level.
Fast.
That was Hanzō's first thought.
But the moment the figure landed, he became even faster. His movements flowed in rapid succession, like flashes of light.
In an instant, he closed the distance.
Hanzō's aura tightened, his robes whipping violently in the wind pressure. Still, he did not retreat.
Instead, he faced the incoming figure directly.
With a flick of his wrist, the chain connected to his scythe snapped into his hand.
He swung it forward with full force, the blade cutting through the air with overwhelming power.
Hayashi did not change direction.
He moved straight ahead.
Raising a kunai, he met the attack head-on.
Clang.
The collision rang out sharply, sparks bursting into the air as the kunai shattered instantly.
Hanzō pressed forward, but Hayashi had already prepared his next move.
His free hand formed a swirling sphere of chakra.
Rasengan.
The attack collided directly with the scythe, releasing a sharp vibrating sound that pierced the air.
Despite the Rasengan's destructive power, Hanzō's weapon remained intact.
The clash slowed Hayashi slightly, but he had already closed the distance.
He drove a punch straight toward Hanzō's chest.
Hanzō reacted instantly, pulling back the chain. The scythe reversed direction, slicing toward Hayashi's back.
Hayashi twisted his body to avoid the strike, then swept his leg low.
Hanzō stepped back, lifting his foot to evade the sweep.
Planting his palm on the ground, Hayashi flipped backward, then surged forward again.
His fist tightened, carrying immense strength.
At such close range, Hanzō could not bring his weapon back in time.
He released the chain and answered with a punch of his own.
Bang.
The impact sent Hanzō flying backward like a broken kite.
Without hesitation, Hayashi grabbed the chain midair and hurled it toward Hanzō's falling body.
The speed tore through the air, producing a deafening sonic boom.