Inside the Infinity Castle.
Boom boom boom...
Chino was knocked flying like a cannonball, crashing through several walls along the way and smashing through several houses before barely stopping.
Ryuzetsu cried out urgently: "Chino!"
Yakumo aside shouted: "Don't get distracted!"
Swish...
Before her voice fell, Tanjiro flashed in front of Ryuzetsu, swinging his Nichirin Sword down.
Reacting, Ryuzetsu immediately swung the kunai in her hand to block.
Clang!
Instantly, an ear-piercing sound of metal clashing resounded through the entire block!
Immediately after, Tanjiro's Nichirin Sword suddenly turned crimson. With a crack, the kunai Ryuzetsu used to block broke into two pieces, and Tanjiro's Nichirin Sword slashed down instantly.
"How!?"
Although frightened, Ryuzetsu, who had activated 'Twelve Palaces', still reacted, retreating rapidly.
Swish...
The sword shadow slid down, bringing up a splash of blood.
Huff huff...
Ryuzetsu panted heavily. She lowered her head to glance at her chest. A shallow sword mark was clearly visible, making her feel lingering fear.
If her reaction had been half a beat slower just now, her entire body would probably have been cut in two by the opponent.
Yakumo aside was also panting lightly.
From their arrival on the battlefield to this moment, not much time had actually passed, but this short period felt incredibly long in their eyes.
The strength of this 'Upper Rank One' completely exceeded their imagination.
Whether speed, strength, or reaction, the opponent had reached the top level of the Ninja World. Yakumo even vaguely felt that the opponent also mastered some kind of pupil technique, able to see through their movements.
Yakumo's guess was actually correct. Tanjiro's attainments in 'Breathing Style' were catching up to Tsugikuni Yoriichi. He not only unlocked the 'Mark' but also mastered the 'Transparent World', representing the highest realm in 'Breathing Style'.
Clatter...
Throwing away the half kunai in her hand, Ryuzetsu looked solemn.
Now she finally understood why Ameyuri Ringo, Chojuro, and Darui were defeated by 'Upper Rank One' so quickly.
The opponent was not only powerful but his weapon was also unexpectedly sharp.
One must know that she was equipped with the finest ninja tools provided by the Ninja Village Alliance, all forged by masters with refined steel.
Yet even such ninja tools couldn't block the weapon in the opponent's hand.
At this time, Chino jumped out of the ruins, wiping the dust off her face.
Not daring to be distracted again, Ryuzetsu, staring firmly at Tanjiro, asked: "Chino, are you okay!"
Chino replied: "I'm fine!"
Yakumo said: "Be careful everyone, this guy is a bit weird!"
More than a bit weird. Everyone present saw the strangeness of 'Upper Rank One'.
'Upper Rank Demons' were indeed strong, but not to this extent.
It could be said that among the ninjas present, only Ryuzetsu and Chino who cultivated 'Twelve Palaces', or Yakumo possessing 'Ketsuryugan', could withstand 'Upper Rank One'.
Others, like Ameyuri Ringo and Darui, could barely keep up with 'Upper Rank One' in speed, but completely failed to keep up with the opponent in insight and reaction.
Going further down, ordinary ninjas going up were basically sending themselves to death, hardly even playing a role in consuming the opponent.
Yakumo even had the idea of retreating first, reporting the situation here to Shinji, and acting only after Shinji or Karin came to support.
Yes, unlike other ninjas trapped inside 'Infinity Castle', Yakumo mastering 'Red Dragon' could leave at any time.
It was just that too many companions were trapped in 'Infinity Castle' right now. If she left, the situation might collapse instantly, with immeasurable casualties.
In addition, 'Upper Rank One' was obviously here for Muku this time. She worried that after 'Upper Rank One' fused Muku, he might become even more difficult to deal with.
Swish...
Just then, a gust of airflow surged, then Muku lying aside was suddenly grabbed by a transparent figure and sped away.
Tanjiro reacted instantly, slashing out a swift strike, forcing the transparent figure attempting to steal Muku to stop.
Undoubtedly.
The one attempting to steal Muku was exactly Ranmaru who activated 'Transparent Release'.
Seeing Tanjiro slash at him, not only blocking his path but also aiming straight at his face, he hurriedly activated 'Steel Release', raising his arm to block.
Clang...
Another ear-piercing sharp sound. Ranmaru flew backwards.
He looked at his bleeding left arm, his face incredibly solemn. This was the first time he was cut and bled by a sharp weapon after mastering 'Steel Release'.
What was even harder for him to accept was that the opponent seemed able to see through his 'Transparent Release'.
"As expected!"
Yakumo thought to herself, becoming more certain that 'Upper Rank One' mastered some kind of pupil technique.
Possessing 'Ketsuryugan', she actually noticed Ranmaru just now, but she didn't interfere with Ranmaru taking Muku away, because she felt that even if Muku fell into Dark Akatsuki's hands, it was better than being fused by 'Upper Rank One'.
Similarly, Ranmaru didn't try to sneak attack Yakumo and others while they were fighting 'Upper Rank One', because Ranmaru also sensed the strangeness of 'Upper Rank One'. Intuition told him absolutely not to let 'Upper Rank One' fuse Muku.
Just like that, Akatsuki's Ranmaru was added to the battle circle surrounding 'Upper Rank One'.
Excluding Ameyuri Ringo and Chojuro who were already heavily injured on the ground, at this time only Yakumo, Ryuzetsu, Chino, Ranmaru, and the injured Darui had combat capability in the battle circle, plus some nearly terrified Alliance ninjas in the outer circle.
The number was less than half compared to the beginning, appearing somewhat sparse, and morale was even lower.
Everyone looked at each other, especially Yakumo and Ranmaru. Just now they were enemies killing each other, but now due to the appearance of 'Upper Rank One', there was a trend of forced cooperation.
Suddenly, a whistling sound came from the sky.
Everyone looked towards the sound, only to see a huge clay monster bird descending from the sky, landing on top of 'Upper Rank One's head.
"Explosion is art!"
Rumble...
Instantly, that clay monster bird exploded. The huge explosion swept everything, and the entire block was swallowed by firelight!
Under the shockwave of the explosion, nearby blocks were also affected, with patches of houses leveled.
In the ruins, Yakumo hiding under 'Wood Release' held the unconscious Ameyuri Ringo, looking speechless.
Deidara's attack was too sudden and the affected range too large, so with her speed, she could only barely bring Ameyuri Ringo out of the battlefield alone.
Fortunately, Ryuzetsu and Chino were also fast. One rescued Chojuro, and the other rescued the injured Darui.
And Muku was dragged out of the core area of the explosion by Ranmaru.
As for other ninjas, because they were originally in the outer circle, although affected by the explosion, most of them escaped the disaster...