The insect swarm's attack was brutally simple—crushing survivors by sheer numbers as they covered the defenders like a living shroud. It was like a mass of living mummies.
"Ahh! Help me!"
"Use explosive tags! Blast them!"
Boom!
Amegakure's elite guards managed to react fast, even after losing several comrades to the initial swarm. They threw explosive tags forward desperately.
From the castle's top floor, Hanzō and Aburame Tatsuma recoiled in horror at the screams and blasts.
"Impossible! If he'd entered, we'd have sensed him!"
"Damn it! Who else could attack my castle like this?"
Tatsuma spread his arms, releasing his kikaichū in all directions. His face turned ashen.
"How did he get so many insects—some highly venomous?"
"Is this another Orochimaru creation?"
Everyone in Konoha knew that without Orochimaru's insect repellent, their losses against Iwagakure would've been catastrophic. But a drug that attracts insects? That was a disturbing thought.
Even worse was how Kazuyama could infiltrate the village undetected. With sensor ninjas in place, how was this possible?
"Damn you! Konoha's sensor jutsu is worthless!"
Hanzō bellowed, then turned to his ninjas.
"Destroy all the insects immediately! And find out who released the sensor jutsu around the village!"
The Amegakure shinobi rushed out, terrified by the sheer mass of crawling insects. They tried to fight back, but even with reinforcements, it was overwhelming.
Hanzō barked orders until Kazuyama appeared overhead.
"Haha, Hanzō, never saw this coming, did you?"
"Thought you could stop me? You're full of shit!"
Amidst the rain and battle cries, Kazuyama laughed openly, watching the chaos below. Seeing Hanzō flustered gave him immense satisfaction.
"Kazuyama, are we just going to watch? Want to give them a shock?"
Chōmei piped up excitedly, eager for action.
Kazuyama's grin disappeared. "Chōmei, keep your ridiculous ideas to yourself."
"Unless we're facing a Tailed Beast, shut it."
Below, ninjas launched explosive tags, ninjutsu, and razor-sharp senbon shuriken to hold back the insects. Their defense was fierce but thin.
Kazuyama grinned again. He summoned a crystal "eagle" with a flick of his hand. Once solid, it flew toward the castle.
Hanzō sensed danger immediately—his battlefield instincts were legendary. He swung his kusarigama chain-sickle and cleaved the eagle in half.
"Come out, coward!"
Even as he struck, he knew Kazuyama was nearby. But no matter how much he roared, Kazuyama remained invisible.
Shattered crystal rained over the castle—and then countless crystal eagles glimmered above. Insects covered the ground below, and eagles hovered over head. Kazuyama attacked from both directions, ruthless and relentless.
"Don't think you can penetrate my defenses with this!" Hanzō exerted all his strength, blades flashing and cutting down dozens of crystal birds.
Tatsuma and Root ninjas joined in—flames burst, kikaichū swarmed, and they intercepted the eagles ferociously.
"Sensor ninjas—where are they?" Tatsuma barked, his face darkening as he realized their defenders were faltering.
Kazuyama watched their defense hold… but only for a moment. A sly smile curved his lips. He performed rapid hand seals, and the shattered crystals reassembled into sharp spikes that rained down on the castle.
Hanzō's expression hardened. Even steel birds were easy to slice, but these crystal shards were endless—impossible to cut through. He formed hand seals and shouted, "Water Release: Water Array Pillar!"
A massive water barrier rose around the castle. The spike clinked against the surface, but several pierced through and flew inside.
Tatsuma directed his kikaichū to swarm those spikes, protecting the ninjas below.
They thought the dual leadership would guarantee their safety—but that was before kunai encased in crystal shot through the water and insect barrier.
Then a spectral voice echoed through the courtyard:
"Hehehe... Danzō, that old bastard—he really spared no expense to kill me."
"The Aburame Clan—you were supposed to be allies."
"Too bad. Catch this—One Thousand Years of Death Rasengan!"
Tatsuma's face blanched. A crushing pain and sudden dizziness overwhelmed him.
...
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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