Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Across the vast icy plains, several figures darted through the air. All of them wore dark red ninja vests, though they had added gray, heavy winter coats on top.
This was within the territory of the Snow Country, where temperatures were extremely low. Without special powers or a superhuman body, wearing a coat was just common sense in this freezing place.
"Sir Kitsuchi, there's movement ahead!" Tozawa called out to the leading figure, Kitsuchi, who possessed an unusually strong sensitivity to chakra and had sensed it first.
"Understood! Everyone, prepare to speed up! Let's move!"
Kitsuchi slightly turned his head to signal the several ninja following behind him. Immediately afterward, a light yellow layer of chakra appeared around his body. His steps became faster and more rhythmic, dramatically increasing his speed.
"Yes, sir!"
Following Kitsuchi's lead, several ninjas—including Akatsuchi—also increased their pace. On the snow-blanketed ground below, yellow traces began to appear.
"I hope nothing's gone wrong. Otherwise, things could get really bad!"
Kitsuchi stared forward. All he saw was white—an empty expanse with no signs of life—but his gaze seemed guided by some internal compass, locked firmly in Han's direction without deviation.
The old man gave this mission top priority and expected nothing less than perfection. Kitsuchi knew that if he failed to complete it perfectly, especially if something unexpected occurred, upon returning home he would definitely face serious consequences.
Of course, his motivation wasn't solely because this was the elder's order; it was also because this mission was crucial for the survival and strength of our village.
With these two reasons in mind, Kitsuchi understood there was absolutely no room for mistakes during this mission.
When it came to the Tailed Beasts—the most powerful forces our village possesses—not even the smallest mistake could be tolerated.
"Captain Kitsuchi, I've found Deidara!"
At that moment, Akatsuchi suddenly accelerated, rushing to Kitsuchi's side to whisper.
"Hmm? Where?" Kitsuchi frowned as he looked ahead into the sky, but he couldn't see Deidara anywhere.
"Over there—behind that cloud. Although we can't see from here, I'm very familiar with Deidara's chakra signature, and I know his habits well. He's definitely hiding there—I'm sure of it!"
Akatsuchi pointed toward the location while showing slight confusion.
If Deidara wasn't in trouble, then why hadn't he checked in yet? Was something holding him back? Or was there another reason?
"This feels off."
Kitsuchi narrowed his eyes at the area indicated by Akatsuchi, but then something caught his attention—Deidara had just emerged from behind that very cloud, seemingly diving downward.
"It's Deidara!"
"Lord Kitsuchi, look quickly—it's Deidara!"
The moment Deidara burst forth from behind the cloud where he had hidden, the rest of the ninjas noticed him too. They all shouted urgently, calling out to Kitsuchi.
They still remained quite far from Deidara's position, but against the wide open sky, the sudden appearance of a moving object was extremely noticeable, so they directly spotted Deidara.
They noticed Deidara several li away, and naturally Kakuzu and Hidan beneath him also sensed this unexpected visitor descending from the sky!
"Hmm?" Hidan slightly tilted his head upward, gripping his spear while looking at Deidara. He felt puzzled because Flight was extremely rare throughout the Shinobi World. Other than Konan, this was only the second time he had ever seen someone using Flight.
Though not soaring with her own power like Konan, he still arrived in style—riding a giant bird into battle.
This irritated the Jashin believer. He decided then and there—the punk with yellow hair falling from the sky would be his next sacrifice.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Kakuzu's eyes widened with caution as he immediately dashed to Hidan's side.
He noticed this sudden ninja wore Iwagakure's forehead protector. While appearing quite young and seemingly harmless, anyone who came here alone couldn't be some small-time guy!
The CLAY WHITE BIRD flapped its wings, hovering about ten meters above ground—a position Deidara calculated perfectly for keeping enemies at bay. This height allowed his Ninjutsu to unleash maximum effectiveness while avoiding incoming attacks.
"What a buzzkill! I originally wanted to play around with you a bit, but it seems you've got backup now, so I guess the fun has to end!"
Hidan withdrew his gaze from Deidara and turned toward Han, who knelt on the ground.
As soon as he finished speaking, he pointed his black spear directly at his own heart, its sharp tip already piercing through Akatsuki Organization's iconic cloak and slightly embedding into his surface muscles.
Han stayed silent, glaring at Hidan with bloodshot eyes. Wisps of steam jetted from seams within his armor as he waited—watching for the perfect moment to strike back!
But he knew very well that attacking right now would only worsen his wounds!
He still couldn't figure out what kind of jutsu—or kekkei genkai—that brat was using!
Somehow, whatever injuries this kid sustained, he seemed to receive identical damage himself.
Of course, he recognized Deidara. Though they certainly weren't from the same generation of ninja, since both were regarded as outsiders within their village, they had exchanged words before.
However, later on when Onoki assigned Deidara to live outside the village, their contact gradually diminished.
Neither was really into talking much anyway—not when it meant dragging themselves halfway across the world for a chat.
Seeing Deidara arrive brought slight relief to his mind. Although Deidara looked quite young, his combat strength should never be underestimated!
Especially once battles fell into Deidara's rhythm, no one could keep up with those endless waves of explosions!
Yet currently, the most pressing matter wasn't about balancing sides' fighting capabilities—it lay in how to break free from that mysterious Secret Arts binding their bodies together.
Only by severing this connection could Han finally launch a counterattack. Otherwise, perhaps the enemy might go for a do-or-die exchange at any moment!
Although in Han's eyes, the enemy seemed somewhat abnormal and cruel in methods, would he really go so far as to use a mutual destruction technique just to kill him?
"Hehe! You're not even scared? I'm impressed!"
Hidan looked at Han. He had already made the move toward stabbing the heart, yet this Jinchuriki didn't show any fear like he did earlier. This surprised him a little, and also triggered a sinister enjoyment deep inside.
"You won't actually do it, right?"
Han stared at Hidan, sensing a slight pain near his heart area, and spoke directly to him. Although there were already blood droplets seeping slowly from under the skin on his chest, he remained outwardly composed.
He figured out by now that this enemy must possess an unusual body—either immune to pain or possessing some supernatural endurance—so injuries wouldn't affect his movement immediately.
But the heart was no ordinary spot. Once pierced, even a Jinchuriki with immense vitality would die within moments!
Therefore, Han was certain that the enemy's threat of piercing his heart was only a bluff meant to make him submit.
"Oh? So sure about that?!"
Hidan's voice sounded hoarse, filled with eerie and wild madness. Though his face bore strange bone patterns, anyone could tell he was laughing just by looking at him. It was a chilling, bizarre grin—an expression of sheer insanity.
Han gazed into Hidan's eyes. His heart skipped a beat, and a sense of unease gradually appeared on his face.
Sweat began forming on his forehead.
He realized he had made one mistake—provoking an enemy who clearly wasn't all there mentally!
Though he knew the enemy wouldn't stab his heart, he shouldn't have said it out loud. What if the lunatic suddenly lost control...?
Han stopped talking. He feared further provocation might cost him dearly—he certainly didn't want to see an unnecessary bloody hole appear in his own heart! Even though he was a powerful Jinchuriki, he had no intention of testing his luck with such a madman.
"Hehe! So you are scared after all! You're afraid! And I love this fear—I'm so pleased! Now, keep amusing me! With your fear, your blood, and your life!"
Hidan laughed maniacally, as if he had discovered something extraordinary, cackling like a madman, appearing almost hysterical.
"Damn bastard!"
Han's gaze darkened. He silently swore to seize an opportunity to kill this disturbing madman.
Otherwise, he couldn't ease the frustration burning inside him right now!
However, almost immediately, his eyes froze, and his facial expression solidified into an instant of shock from the previous moment. An unprecedented terror suddenly overwhelmed his entire being.
His body felt as if plunged into icy water—freezing cold.
Thud!
A black spear pierced entirely through Hidan's heart, then protruded slightly from his back. Thick blood immediately started dripping down the spear shaft.
"This madman!!"
Deidara's eyes widened. Before he could react at all, he saw Hidan plunge the weapon straight into his own heart.
Just now, he was still trying to figure out how to pull Hidan out of that blood-drawn ritual circle without harming Han. The next instant, Hidan stabbed himself straight through the heart without hesitation.
Well then, no need for further thinking—everything had already ended. Did they just take each other out at the last second!?
Deidara's eyes narrowed as he stared at Hidan, then shifted his gaze toward Kakuzu.
He had witnessed the earlier battle; Kakuzu appeared to be a close-range ninja skilled in taijutsu. Fortunately, Deidara's ability was exactly what countered such an opponent!
"Hahaha! What an intoxicating sensation! Lord Jashin, please accept my offering—the tormented soul of the faithless and the blood born of fear!"
Hidan released his grip on the weapon with both hands, letting them dangle freely at his sides. As he spoke, he wildly raised his arms as if embracing something in ecstasy, his feet constantly stomping within the circle—his excitement overflowing!
"What's going on? He isn't dead yet?!"
Inside, Deidara felt shocked and uncertain. He sensed that he was about to uncover the enemy's Secret Arts, needing only one final clue to complete the puzzle.
Puh-puh!
Han spat out a mouthful of blood, clutching his chest, disbelief flickering across his face.
Hidan actually dared stab his own heart?!
Indeed, madmen couldn't be measured by ordinary thinking. One must never provoke them because they'd truly dare do anything!
Thanks to Han's remarkable vitality as a Jinchuriki, even though his heart had been pierced, he didn't die immediately. The tailed beast's chakra and life force continuously replenished him, preventing a quick death.
Meanwhile, Hidan stood there with his chest puffed out, leaving the black spear embedded inside. He ran his tongue along his lips, swallowing the blood streaming from his mouth caused by the heart wound.
Looking at the Jinchuriki whose breath was growing weaker, Hidan once again burst into arrogant, grating laughter.
This guy who once looked down on him now lay utterly defeated at his feet—like a dead dog!!
Completely helpless!!
"Man, Hidan really is..."
Kakuzu cast a glance at Hidan, instantly understanding what he was thinking. After working together for so long, Kakuzu could tell whether Hidan lifting his butt meant a fart or a dump. Having lived this long, he still had plenty of insight into people.
"I've figured it out!" Deidara stared at Hidan, his eyes gradually brightening as if discovering the answer behind this ninjutsu. There's only one thing that makes sense... this heart thing!
When every other explanation falls apart, the remaining one—no matter how incredible or implausible—must be the truth!
"He can't die?!"
That thought flashed briefly through Deidara's mind. Without hesitation, he squeezed his legs against the Clay Bird—it immediately understood, diving straight at Hidan, who stood within the circular blood-marked pattern.
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