Calculating this way feels like being trapped in a strange death loop.
However, Sarutobi Ryu knew why Akago was fixated on him—it was to retrieve the spear from his grasp.
Even though he didn't understand why Akago wanted to reclaim the spear, Sarutobi Ryu would not let Akago succeed.
Beside him, Sarutobi Linko and the two Konoha Jonin had the same thought.
Sarutobi Linko stopped using the Chakra Scalpel in her attacks; the Chakra Scalpel fell within the realm of Ninja Techniques, and using it against Akago was a mere waste of Chakra.
She summoned a standard Anbu Ninja Blade from her scroll and unleashed a fierce and swift Swordsmanship to intercept Akago.
The other two Konoha Jonin drew Kunai and engaged Akago in close combat.
Thud!
Thud!
Blood bloomed; Akago entirely abandoned defense, allowing attacks to fall upon him.
Watching Akago's reckless fighting style, oblivious to how many wounds appeared on him, made Sarutobi Linko and the others feel overwhelming pressure.
Moreover, as time passed, their stamina and Chakra began to wane, whereas Akago showed no sign of decline in the prolonged battle—his strength and speed remained unchanged.
Such a peculiar physique, combined with the ability to nullify Ninja Techniques and Illusion Techniques, and possessing an Immortal Body, seemed to exist solely to hunt ninjas—a nightmare incarnate.
With all three exhausted, Akago directly broke through their defenses, leapt forward, and smashed his head into the face of a Konoha Ninja with full force.
The sound of hard objects colliding was extremely harsh.
One could even hear the sound of the Konoha Ninja's skull cracking, flying backward with blood scattering in the air, mingling with the dust.
Blood appeared on Akago's forehead, but it wasn't his own; it was the blood left on him from the skull of the Konoha Ninja he collided with.
The knocked-away Konoha Ninja struggled twice on the sandy ground and then lay still.
With the formation broken, Sarutobi Linko and another Konoha Jonin silently cursed.
Indeed, after Akago head-butted a Konoha Ninja, he effectively tore open a hole to attack the rear. Ignoring Sarutobi Linko and the other Jonin, he transformed into a shadow on the sand, rushing toward Sarutobi Ryu.
Sarutobi Ryu looked calm; his injuries, treated by Sarutobi Linko, allowed him to barely fight.
He thrust the spear forward, stabbing towards the charging Akago.
Akago lightly jumped, rising above the spear, his white hand clenching the red spear tip, preparing to reclaim the weapon.
Sarutobi Ryu's lips curled into a slight smile.
"Fire Style: Great Flame Burst!"
The spear suddenly flashed with explosive light.
Compared to the flames from the explosion, it was the shockwave caused by the explosion that truly guaranteed the destructive power of the Flame Burst Jutsu series.
Akago could ignore the Chakra-infused flame explosions, but could not ignore the shockwave from the explosion, as it constituted a secondary attack without the 'Jutsu' Chakra signature.
Akago, with nothing to cling to in mid-air, was directly blasted away by a tremendous force.
As he flew away, he clutched the spear's leather strap; the strap tore open, forming a straight line in the air.
Due to the eyeball-patterned strap, once it became taut, Akago's body stagnated in mid-air, bearing the tremendous impact from the explosion.
Subsequently, Akago, still holding the strap, fell from the sky.
Thud!
The blade pierced through the chest.
Sarutobi Linko thrust the Ninja Blade into Akago from behind, just as he was about to land.
Thud!
Another sound.
Akago stood dazedly on the sandy dust, losing the wrap of the strap around the spear, revealing its true form.
The spear's shaft and tip, blood-red as if forged from blood.
Sarutobi Ryu grasped the spear, piercing through Akago's chest.
"Aaaaaaaaahhhh!"
After a moment of shock, Akago let out a cry like an infant, though it resembled an eerie wailing, chilling to the bone.
Sarutobi Ryu and Sarutobi Linko withdrew the Blood Spear and Ninja Blade that impaled Akago, observing his dubious condition.
Akago clutched the spear wound, where blood continued to pour out incessantly.
The blade wound had already healed, but the wound from the Blood Spear persisted, spread even, preventing Akago's body from recuperating.
Akago then went berserk, losing all reason, fiercely charging at Sarutobi Ryu.
Sarutobi Ryu stepped back, wielding the Blood Spear forward with force.
The spear tip slashed across Akago's chest, reopening the wound.
Irreparable.
The Blood Spear seemed to harbor a deadly toxin, undermining Akago's body structure, nullifying his Immortal Body.
Seeing this, delight flashed in Sarutobi Ryu's eyes.
He then realized something, and spat out a phrase.
"Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bomb!"
A Fire Dragon spewed forth; Akago, charging relentlessly, was struck by the Fire Dragon, sent tumbling across the sand, covered in scorched marks, in a pitiful state.
Sarutobi Ryu took a deep breath; he finally understood why Akago was so obsessed with the spear.
To Akago, the spear was like his nemesis, undoing his Immortal Body and disrupting the balance of his illusion and ninja technique-nullifying 'system.'