Matatabi had been thrown high into the sky, even higher than before.
It would take a while before it fell back down.
That was more than enough time for him to deal with the people in front of him.
Especially that captain of the Explosion Corps—if he remembered correctly, Iwapō's name represented a bounty of forty-five million ryō.
And money… he really liked money.
A sly smile curved on his lips as his real body and clone charged toward Iwapō like lightning.
Iwapō, as the captain of Iwagakure's Explosion Corps, was strong and had a calm, steady mind.
Facing the attack, he didn't flinch at all. His hands formed hand seals, then his right hand slammed to the ground. This was his Explosion Release, a kekkei genkai that could turn certain objects into bombs using chakra.
"Explosion Release."
The ground trembled, and the explosion detonated.
Gekko Chizan and his clone leapt into the air as the land beneath them erupted.
Seeing him take to the sky, the surrounding ninja immediately began launching attacks as well.
Ninjutsu and ninja tools rained toward him as if they cost nothing.
"Use your heads—don't just attack blindly!"
"Split into two groups! One feints, the other finds his landing point!"
"Trap him, then kill him!"
Iwapō's voice rang out again.
He was well aware of Gekko Chizan's strength. The Konoha Ghost and the Yellow Flash both possessed space–time ninjutsu.
This level of attack wouldn't affect him at all.
Under Iwapō's command, the Iwa-nin immediately split into two groups.
Explosives continued to fly toward him, while the other group ran in different directions, forming a tight encirclement around him.
"No wonder you're worth forty-five million ryō."
"Tsk tsk… but even if the heavens themselves come down today, this money is mine."
Facing the Iwagakure shinobi's encirclement, Gekko Chizan did not dodge with Flying Thunder God Technique as he usually would.
Instead, he used Transparent Release to craft himself a set of the emperor's new clothes—no, correction, crystal armor.
With both arms guarding the front, and his clones helping him block, no stones, shuriken, or kunai could break through.
As soon as he landed, he suddenly accelerated and charged at Iwapō.
Iwapō's expression didn't change. His hand seal speed remained blindingly fast.
Gekko Chizan was already in front of him, the blade-like wings shimmering in the sunlight as they slashed forward.
"Forty-five million ryō… today, it's going into my pocket."
Even in the face of a fatal strike, Iwapō remained calm.
His seals were complete, and his jutsu was instantly released.
"Earth Release, Ground Core."
This was a fairly common Earth Release technique—by injecting chakra underground, the flow of chakra could control the ground, raising or lowering sections of terrain.
Just as the blade was about to cut down, the ground beneath Gekko Chizan suddenly rose.
"Damn it, this bastard!"
Being lifted like that made him let out a sharp yelp.
That floating feeling was really unpleasant.
Unfortunately, Iwapō had underestimated Gekko Chizan. Even though the real body was lifted…
The clones were still there.
Four clones immediately surrounded Iwapō.
"Earth Release, Ground Core."
The jutsu activated again, but this time Iwapō lowered the ground beneath his own feet.
As the pit formed, Gekko Chizan didn't get angry—instead, he revealed a wicked smile.
All four clones gathered around the pit, each pressing their hands together.
"Ten Thousand Snake Formation!"
With the release of the jutsu, countless serpents slithered down into the pit.
Seeing the tide of snakes rushing toward him, Iwapō's expression finally changed.
Trapped inside the pit, with nowhere to escape, he was completely forced on the defensive.
Helpless, he used Ground Core once again to raise himself up from below.
"Coming up?"
"Then you're finished, Explosion Corps captain."
But Gekko Chizan had already been waiting for this—not just him, but his four clones as well.
All five Gekko Chizans bared the same savage grin.
"Do you know what the ultimate secret of Konoha taijutsu is?"
Seeing Gekko Chizan's attack coming, Iwapō swiftly drew a custom long blade from his back, trying to swing it fast enough to force him back.
But it was pointless.
Even the Iwa-nin charging at Gekko Chizan were wasting their time.
Because a massive serpent suddenly burst out of the ground, surrounding both Gekko Chizan and Iwapō.
It was Jinlin, the one who had been digging underground earlier. With her blocking interference, Gekko Chizan could strike at Iwapō without worry.
Crack!
The greatest feature of a crystal clone was its toughness. Ordinary weapons couldn't hurt it at all.
Just like a Lightning Release clone would explode in electricity when struck, the crystal clone simply raised its arm and shattered Iwapō's blade.
"Damn it… what is this thing…"
Shock flashed in Iwapō's eyes.
But that was also the last expression he ever made.
Because the real body and clones had closed in.
"Konoha-ryū, taijutsu secret art—One Thousand Years of Pain! Enhanced Pain Mode!"
A flower bloomed.
Iwapō could feel nothing but pain piercing into his very bones.
"AAAHHH!!"
A scream ripped from his throat.
But that was only the beginning.
Gekko Chizan didn't stop so easily.
Punches and kicks rained down. And on top of that, the already tormented Iwapō was hit with the One Thousand Years of Pain five times in a row.
The poor Explosion Corps captain died under the onslaught—or rather, he was probably gone halfway through it.
"Chizan, you're way too ruthless..."
"Just watching that hurts..."
"Tsk, poor guy."
Gekko Chizan released his clones.
He heard Chōmei's commentary but didn't care.
He was the enemy anyway. Why leave him alive? And besides, he could exchange him for money.
He suddenly understood why Kakuzu enjoyed this so much.
The feeling of turning enemies into cash… was pretty damn good.
"Jinlin, we're leaving. Take me and him both. Head toward the Land of Earth."
"Go underground."
He looked at Jinlin, who was still blocking the enemies, and signaled her to withdraw.
At the same time, he raised his head to the sky. Through insect vision, he saw Matatabi almost at the point of landing.
He'd dragged things out long enough.
The battlefield should've shifted by now. It was about time to retreat.
Not that he was returning. In war, one contribution was plenty.
If Jiraiya had arrived, then Minato was probably here too. They could handle the rest.
"Chizan, time to go. I can feel the ground shaking. I'm guessing Son Gokū's about to come up."
Chōmei's voice echoed again, and Gekko Chizan nodded.
Jinlin's massive body rushed toward him, swallowing both him and Iwapō in one gulp before diving underground, retreating into the depths of the earth.