Whether it was the Aburame Clan or the Kamizuru Clan, insect users shared a fatal weakness—atrocious close combat ability. They relied entirely on their insects for offense and defense, leaving them lacking in hand-to-hand combat.
Tatsuma was no different. Even though the kikaichū granted him powerful attack potential, his own defense? Practically nonexistent.
"Ahh!"
A wave of searing pain tore through him, forcing a scream out of his mouth. He was professionally trained, but the pain struck straight to the core—completely unbearable.
And it wasn't over yet. Spiraling chakra erupted, launching Tatsuma into the air like a rocket.
With his concentration shattered, his kikaichū immediately lost coordination, hovering midair in disarray.
Without the support of the kikaichū, Kazuyama's Crystal Release senbon broke through Hanzō's Water Formation Wall and began injuring those still inside the room.
"Retreat!"
"Get out of the room!"
The Root members knew all too well how dangerous Kazuyama was. Fighting him in such close quarters was suicide.
Even without Tatsuma's orders, they had the training to act on instinct—smashing through doors and windows, fleeing with all haste.
Hanzō, however, didn't care about their survival. The moment he saw Kazuyama, fury boiled over. He'd been on edge for days, guarding against this cursed brat. Now, finally, he'd shown himself.
"Damn you, little bastard!"
"Die!"
He launched into one of his signature moves—Twin Hook Chains. The extended chains coiled around Kazuyama, the sharp sickle blades slicing toward his head.
"Old fossil, you think teaming up with Danzō scares me?"
"Even if Danzō came himself, I'd just bolt—what could you possibly do?"
"Crystal Release: Crystal World."
Unfazed, Kazuyama dismissed his Tiger Seal and pressed one hand to the ground.
His Kekkei Genkai, Crystal Release, erupted outward. Crystallization spread rapidly from his position, walls of crystal instantly rising and enclosing him.
Hanzō snorted as he watched him retreat into the walls.
"Coward. Let's see how long you hide."
He quickly formed hand seals, condensing the moisture in the air into massive orbs of water.
"Water Release: Water Ball Bombardment!"
The giant water balls slammed down on the crystal walls. Though tough, they trembled under the assault, reverberating with a sharp hum.
The torrents of water also slowed the spread of the crystal, halting its growth.
Just then, the kikaichū that had scattered midair due to Tatsuma's collapse suddenly regrouped, like they'd received fresh orders, and surged toward Hanzō.
"Huh? These insects...?"
In the middle of his attack, Hanzō was suddenly swarmed by the kikaichū. His expression darkened.
Why were the Aburame's insects turning on him?
Despite his confusion, he knew the threat these insects posed. He frantically swung his chains to fend them off.
What he didn't know was that inside the crystal barrier, Kazuyama wore a wicked grin.
While one hand performed Crystal Release, the other was spreading Chōmei's Scale Powder.
The powder had infiltrated the surrounding kikaichū, bringing them under Kazuyama's control.
Now weaponized, the kikaichū wrapped around Hanzō, interrupting his ninjutsu before he could finish casting.
Seizing the moment, Kazuyama partially dissolved the crystal wall and rapidly formed hand seals.
"Crystal Release: Venomous Snake!"
From the ground, crystalline serpents burst upward, lashing out toward Hanzō.
Seeing the snakes bearing down on him, Hanzō stomped hard and sprang back, narrowly avoiding the strike.
"Hmph! Trying to run? Not that easy!"
Kazuyama surged his chakra, accelerating the crystallization process. The crystal serpents shot forward with sudden speed, their fangs just inches from Hanzō.
But Hanzō came to an abrupt halt, then launched himself high into the air with a powerful leap.
Just as the crystal snakes lunged at where he'd stood, he formed a one-handed seal and roared,
"Detonate!"
Dozens of explosive tags suddenly lit up beneath him, igniting in an instant.
Boom!
Kazuyama's grin vanished. He hadn't expected Hanzō to have set up a trap like this—especially not one he'd failed to notice.
The explosion tore the entire chamber apart. In the flash of destruction, two figures shot from the crumbling castle and landed on the open ground nearby.
It was Hanzō and Kazuyama.
"Old fossil, you really just blew up your own castle?"
"Gotta say, you're one hell of a village leader. Money clearly means nothing to you."
Kazuyama was shielded by a thick shell of crystal. The explosion had caught him off guard, but he was unharmed.
Hanzō, of course, had triggered the trap himself—he wasn't even scratched.
But his castle? Reduced to rubble, black smoke still billowing from the wreckage.
[Ding! Detected: Due to the host's sudden ambush, Hanzō of the Salamander blew up his own castle in rage, suffering massive financial loss. Special Reward: Ninjutsu Amplification +5%.]
Kazuyama landed smoothly, feeling pretty damn good.
No doubt about it—Hanzō lived up to his name. And the bonus reward? Not bad at all.
"You little bastard! You blew up my castle, killed my men—today, I'll make sure you die!"
Hanzō's exposed eyes were bloodshot with rage. Kazuyama knew—if the man could, he'd skin him alive, eat his flesh, drink his blood, and grind his bones to dust.
Since their first clash—when Kazuyama had suffered a minor setback—Hanzō had taken loss after loss. His Sanshō, Ibuse, was dead. His castle was in ruins. Kazuyama had brought him nothing but pain.
"Hehehe, old man, you're dreaming."
"You think I'd be scared of you?"
Kazuyama smirked, drew his Kusanagi blade, and charged straight at him.
Steel met steel—sickle versus sword—sparks bursting with every clash.
"Kazuyama, he didn't notice your clone?"
"Tch. The Shadow Clone Technique was created by the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. Even the Sharingan can't distinguish the real one. And this old fossil doesn't have any special abilities. You really think he'd see through it? Please."
Above, Kazuyama watched coldly as Hanzō battled furiously with his clone, mockery written all over his face.