Standing atop a large tree, Menma's short black hair fluttered slightly in the wind, the hem of his robe billowing, while the cloak adorned with the pattern of the Nine Masked Beasts fluttered behind him.
He closed his eyes, his sensory perception spreading like an invisible tide, surging outward from him, sweeping across the vast forests, trickling streams, and human settlements.
With the Mind's Eye of the Kagura operating at full capacity, the world in his consciousness shed its form, leaving only countless flickering dots of Chakra, bright and dim.
He was searching… filtering through countless chaotic traces, precisely capturing the faint, familiar Chakra Signature of the Iwagakure's Explosion Release user, Gari.
'Found it!'
Finally, Menma's Mind's Eye of the Kagura tracked the Chakra to a rugged, lifeless mountain terrain. The Chakra was as weak as a candle flickering in the wind.
A faint smile curled at the corner of Menma's lips as his figure blurred, transforming into a streak nearly imperceptible to the naked eye, darting swiftly toward the location locked by his senses.
…
Meanwhile, Hiruko was in high spirits.
Riding atop his chimera beast, carrying the unconscious Gari, he swiftly advanced along a mountain path shrouded in enormous shadows.
The Explosion Release Kekkei Genkai Gari has was like a sweet lure, stirring the greedy cravings of his Chimera Technique.
Soon, this power would become part of him, becoming another stepping stone toward his goal of becoming the 'Perfect Immortal Ninja'!
As he rounded a rock pillar shaped like a beast's fang, the chimera beneath him suddenly stopped.
On a strange rock in front, a figure suddenly stood there.
Clad in a black robe that fluttered in the rising wind, a white three-eyed fox mask covered most of his face, revealing only short black hair.
The figure stood there silently, as if he had existed on that rock since the dawn of time… soundless, yet exuding a pressure that froze the air, precisely blocking Hiruko's path forward.
Hiruko's heart lurched violently, a chill creeping up his spine.
Alertness instantly replaced his earlier ease as he scrutinized the uninvited guest.
That distinctive black robe, the white three-eyed fox mask-
A name that had stirred storms of bloodshed across the Ninja World in recent years flashed through Hiruko's mind.
"Shura?" Hiruko's voice was dry, his red pupils contracting slightly, carrying a barely perceptible tension.
Though he had been secluded in his lab researching the Chimera Technique, he wasn't completely ignorant of the outside world.
Shura's attacks on Konoha and Kumogakure, even the 70 million Ryo bounty placed on him by Kumogakure, were some of the biggest news in the Ninja World in recent years!
Hiruko's mind raced, trying to deduce why this infamous figure had appeared near his hideout.
The fact that this man could infiltrate two Great Ninja Villages as if they were nothing proved his terrifying strength.
Meanwhile, Hiruko's Chimera Technique was still incomplete, as he had only absorbed Storm Release and Dark Release so far. If a fight broke out now-
Across from him, Menma's gaze felt tangible, piercing through the mask and settling on Hiruko's youthful face.
Instead of answering Hiruko's question, he spoke in a tone devoid of fluctuation, stating his purpose with absolute clarity:
"I'm interested in that Kekkei Genkai fusion technique of yours… the Chimera Technique."
Shura's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable weight, striking Hiruko's eardrums with precision.
Hiruko's pupils shrank to pinpricks!
A surge of cold fear and fury instantly seized him.
The Chimera Technique is his biggest secret, the core of his ambition to become the 'Perfect Immortal Ninja'!
'How did Shura know about it?!'
"What are you talking about? I don't understand!" Hiruko nearly shrieked, trying to deny it, but the panic in his voice completely betrayed him.
A crushing sense of crisis gripped his heart like a cold hand.
Without hesitation, his survival instincts took over!
"Tear him apart!" Hiruko roared loudly, yet his body swiftly leaped backward with Gari in tow, showing no intention of staying even a moment longer.
The terrifying reputation and mystery surrounding Shura made Hiruko, who had yet to fuse multiple Kekkei Genkai, act with extreme caution!
"Roar-!"
With an ear-splitting bellow, the massive chimera beast surged forward like a moving mountain of flesh, its monstrous form wreathed in a foul, blood-tinged wind as it lunged violently toward Menma!
Faced with an assault that would shatter the nerves of even a Jonin, Menma didn't so much as flicker an eyelid.
He simply formed a single hand seal.
"Nine Mask Svāhā-"
His low voice resonated like an incantation.
A dark red runic circle rose beside him, forming an intricate array. The [Black] character glowed brightly, carrying the briny scent of the sea and an overwhelming, crushing pressure!
"Genbu!"
"Roar-!"
A deep, ancient roar, as if from the abyssal depths of the ocean, shook the entire valley!
A monstrous figure, which is far larger than the chimera, resembling a colossal tortoise, burst forth from the [Black] array.
Its shell was like a mountain of jagged reefs, its head raised high, cold reptilian eyes locking onto the charging chimera.
The chimera's talons slashed viciously toward Genbu's head, slicing through the air with a piercing screech.
Genbu didn't dodge.
Instead, its massive head swung with terrifying force, smashing into the talons like a battering ram!
Boom!
The impact was like a war drum, sending shockwaves ripping outward, kicking up dust and debris.
The chimera shrieked in pain as its talons were violently knocked aside.
At the same time, the chimera's dog head seized the opportunity, jaws gaping wide as it unleashed a torrent of scorching flames, a molten breath attack, straight at Genbu's enormous body!
Genbu's massive frame lowered slightly, its four limbs anchoring firmly into the earth.
Facing the oncoming inferno, it simply raised its head higher, mouth opening wide as an icy, viscous, high-pressure water surge erupted forth like a bursting dam… morphing into a roaring water dragon that collided head-on with the flames!
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!
Hiss-!!!
Blazing flames and freezing water cannon clashed violently in midair!
An ear-piercing shriek of steam exploded outward, scalding white mist billowing like an explosion, instantly engulfing the area in a thick, roiling mist.
Within the dense white mist, only flashes of blue and red could be seen, accompanied by the thunderous sounds of collision, the tearing of scales, and the agonized roars of beasts.
The battle between the two titans had turned the entire region into a chaotic warzone.
…
The moment the deafening crash of Genbu and the chimera's collision echoed through the valley, Hiruko had already used the cover of steam and mist to bolt toward a narrow mountain crevice, desperate to escape!
His mind held only one thought: Run!
However, the instant his foot took its second step, his vision blurred.
That figure appeared right in front of his escape path without warning, perfectly blocking the entrance to the narrow crevice.
Hiruko could feel it clearly… those cold eyes piercing through the white three-eyed fox mask, pinning him in place like a hunter locking onto prey.
"No need to rush off." Menma's voice was calm, yet carried a bone-chilling coldness, "You haven't given me what I want yet."