Chapter 228: Should I Stab the Heart, or Should I Stab the Neck?
"You are… the kid who was with Orochimaru?"
Hiruko frowned, his tone full of wariness. "Where is Orochimaru? Why are you alone, and with a noisy fool who speaks nonsense?"
"You bastard! I…"
Yakushi Kabuto stretched out his arm, stopping the furious Hidan.
He then looked at Hiruko and said unhurriedly, "Lord Orochimaru… has already been killed."
"...Dead?"
A look of unconcealable astonishment appeared on Hiruko's face.
Immediately, a thoughtful gaze swept back and forth over Kabuto's body.
Orochimaru had already betrayed Konoha and become an S-rank rogue ninja. It wouldn't be surprising if he died.
However, this news should not have been told to him by Kabuto personally.
"So, you're the one who killed Orochimaru?"
Looking at Kabuto, whose smile never wavered, Hiruko quickly understood. He sneered with a playful tone, "Hmph, to think that stinking snake was killed by the little loach he raised. How disgraceful."
He didn't doubt Kabuto's words.
Although he didn't know how Kabuto killed Orochimaru, with Hiruko's deep understanding of Orochimaru, that stinking snake would not die so simply and cleanly.
"However, let me make it clear beforehand, I have no intention of wearing that strange outfit and painting my nails with strange polish like you people." The smile on Hiruko's face gradually faded. "If you're here to talk about that kind of thing, then you can go back now."
Since Orochimaru had died at Kabuto's hands, Kabuto's purpose in seeking him out was clear.
But he only wanted to complete his "Chimera Technique" and had no interest in joining some inexplicable organization.
Now that Hiruko had basically completed the research and development of his forbidden jutsu, he was no longer the dead-last of Konoha from back then.
Let alone facing this little follower of Orochimaru, even if he were to face Orochimaru himself, whom he could once only look up to, he would not have the slightest fear now.
"Hahaha!! So you're a coward who's insecure to the bone!"
Hidan, whose robes had been completely burned away, suddenly covered his right eye and laughed wildly with a disdainful tone, "The words from your mouth are so arrogant, yet in your heart, you're already prepared to run away. You really like to deceive yourself, don't you!"
In his field of vision, Hiruko's body was glowing with green, representing "insecurity," and purple, representing "arrogance."
What a contradictory fellow.
At this thought, Hidan subconsciously glanced at Kabuto.
He found that Kabuto still had a gentle smile on his face, and the "Evil Eye" couldn't detect the slightest hint of fear in him.
It was a bottomless, almost pure black "indifference."
This was also why Hidan liked to be around Kabuto.
Whether it was desire or something else, Kabuto's heart was pure enough.
Ever since he received the "Evil Eye" from Lord Jashin, he had grown to dislike those people with messy "colors" more and more.
For example, this guy named Hiruko in front of him.
Hiruko's expression stiffened as his thoughts were exposed by Hidan. Immediately, his entire face twisted with rage, and he said viciously, "Brainless fool! You're seeking your own death!!"
"In that case, I'll use you to test my current power!"
With that, he raised his arms and formed a seal.
SWISH!!
With a sound of tearing wind, Hiruko instantly vanished from the spot.
"Hm? So fast!"
Hidan's heart instantly tensed.
Fortunately, he had already seen the red representing "killing intent" with his "Evil Eye," and he subconsciously brought his triple-bladed scythe in front of him.
CLANG!!
Hidan narrowly blocked Hiruko's straight punch.
But the moment the fist and the scythe collided, a huge force suddenly surged forth.
"This feeling, what's going on…"
Hidan glanced at Hiruko in front of him with surprise.
But the response he got was Hiruko's savage grin.
"Scorch Release: Extremely Steaming Murder!"
A fireball suddenly erupted from Hiruko's palm.
SIZZLE!
Unable to dodge in time, Hidan was immediately hit in the arm.
The moisture was instantly evaporated, and his arm became dry and withered.
"It hurts so much!! Is this the power you stole?!" Hidan immediately let out a miserable scream, unable to stop himself from wailing.
"Bullshit! This is my power! The power of me, Hiruko!"
Experiencing this immense power, Hiruko also became frenzied.
"Hmph! You're just a shameful thief! My power was granted by Lord Jashin!"
Although he was full of doubts, Hidan knew that this was not the time to dwell on them.
So he made a decisive move, redirecting the force and swinging his scythe.
With a harsh, piercing sound of tearing wind, the gleaming blade slashed towards Hiruko.
Hiruko just showed a disdainful smile.
"Is swinging that scythe all you can do? It's completely useless against me."
The next moment, his speed increased several times over. He once again disappeared from before Hidan, and the slash only hit an afterimage.
Hiruko seized the opening as he swung, flashing behind Hidan. He condensed a fireball in his hand and slapped it forward.
BOOM!!
This strike blew a hole in Hidan's back. For a moment, flesh and blood flew, only to be instantly burned to ashes by the Scorch Release. One could even see the dried-up internal organs inside.
Hidan howled in pain, looking as if he were about to die.
"Hmph, this way, you'll… what?"
Hiruko was about to say something, but Hidan, his face twisted in pain, revealed a mocking smile. "Hehe, Kabuto-san was mistaken. Your forbidden jutsu is nothing special."
Hearing this, Hiruko was stunned for a moment, then his face became uncertain.
"...Damn it, you dare to look down on my forbidden jutsu?!"
Surprise, because he learned of Kabuto's "recognition" of him.
Anger, because Hidan had denied his forbidden jutsu.
Perhaps, there was also the shame and anger of losing face in front of Kabuto.
Hiruko glanced at Kabuto in the distance.
From the beginning of the battle, he had been keeping an eye on Kabuto.
Because Hiruko found that Kabuto had maintained a faint smile from start to finish.
Seeing him, who had multiple Kekkei Genkai and was completely transformed, how could that guy Kabuto remain so calm and composed?!
This arrogance, just like Orochimaru's, of not taking him seriously, deeply touched Hiruko's insecure heart.
However, although his talent in ninjutsu training was poor, his talent in scientific research was enough to rank among the top in the ninja world.
Based on the few words Hidan had spoken and the abnormalities in his body, Hiruko had already deduced his ability.
"To not die after being burned like this by Scorch Release, it seems you have a secret technique similar to immortality."
Hiruko gritted his teeth and said in a low voice, "In that case, I'll just smash your head and then chop you up to feed the dogs! I'd like to see if you die then!"
Hearing this, Hidan also showed a disgusted expression. "Ew! Disgusting guy!"
This was the first time someone had planned to deal with his immortality in this way.
Even if his flesh and blood could slowly recover, he had no desire to experience the feeling of being pooped out by a dog.
At this time, Hiruko charged again.
Instantly, a large number of afterimages appeared in the air.
It was Hiruko's moving figure.
Hidan also attacked repeatedly in a rage.
Sword lights crisscrossed between the two, and the sound of metal clashing was incessant.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Although Hiruko was not very good at taijutsu combat, and his combat awareness and experience were not sharp enough, with the speed of Swift Release and the attacks of Scorch Release, Hiruko gradually suppressed the experienced taijutsu user, Hidan.
For an ordinary ninja, immortality was indeed very tricky, but for Hiruko, who had two Kekkei Genkai, Hidan's attack methods were too one-dimensional.
This brief exchange had already allowed Hiruko to see through Hidan.
A reusable living target.
"Besides relying on your immortality and swinging that scythe around wildly, do you have any other skills?"
Hiruko sneered and slammed a fist into Hidan's chest.
The next moment, strange flesh buds suddenly emerged from his body and rushed towards Hidan.
The Chimera Technique was never just about fusing Kekkei Genkai. Instantly stripping an enemy of their chakra for his own use was also one of the Chimera Technique's abilities.
That was why Hiruko was so confident, firmly believing that the Chimera Technique, which he had spent half his life developing, was the most perfect ninjutsu in the world.
Seeing this, Kabuto's expression moved slightly in the distance, but he still just stood there, quietly watching the two before him.
"The Chimera Technique… it seems Hiruko was hiding some information…"
The corner of Kabuto's mouth still held a faint smile as he watched the entangled pair, his eyes glinting.
At this moment, not only did Hiruko want to test his own strength, but Kabuto was also very curious about just how strong Hiruko was with his forbidden jutsu.
Those flesh buds were the core of the "Chimera Technique," a special substance called "Chimera Sprout," and also the root of the "Chimera Technique's" ability to devour Kekkei Genkai.
However, was Hiruko planning to devour Hidan and obtain his "immortality"?
He had thought the "Chimera Technique" was a forbidden jutsu for fusing Kekkei Genkai, but now it seemed it was probably fusion at the level of physical cells.
Not only ninja with Kekkei Genkai, but even summoning beasts or other creatures could be forcibly fused into his own body.
"Heh."
Kabuto chuckled lightly. "To have survived until now, Hiruko is really lucky."
He didn't know whether to say he was ignorant and fearless, or that he had gone mad for power.
To perform cellular fusion so crudely, even with the help of the "Chimera Sprout," was tantamount to repeatedly testing the waters of hell.
Meanwhile, Hiruko had already begun to control the Chimera Sprout, attempting to devour Hidan's body.
But Hidan, his body charred black, suddenly grabbed Hiruko.
"You bastard, it hurts so much!! I'm going to dig out your stomach too and let you feel this sensation!!" Hidan's face was full of ferocity, yet he also showed an unconcealable craving.
On that unusually twisted face, pain and frenzy were intertwined.
He opened his mouth wide and bit down hard on Hiruko's arm, tearing off a piece of flesh.
"Hmph, still struggling at death's door."
Hiruko said disdainfully, "The ability of immortality is simply wasted on you. You might as well give it to me."
Clearly, he had not realized the seriousness of the problem at all.
"Hahaha!! I'm going to offer you to my lord!"
Hidan grinned with a mouth full of red teeth, his face twisted as he laughed wildly.
Then he dabbed his feet in some of the blood that had been blasted out earlier and began to draw the ritual's pattern on the ground.
Even though he was about to be surrounded by the Chimera Sprout, he didn't look flustered at all.
"What are you doing?"
A bad feeling rose in Hiruko's heart. He reached out, wanting to stop his actions.
But it was already too late.
Hidan had already memorized the formula for the Curse Technique: Death Controlling Possessed Blood.
"Of course, I'm sending you to see my lord!"
Hidan laughed maniacally, and the skin on his body began to change. Black and white patterns appeared as if he were turning into a skeleton.
"Hehehe, it's starting!"
Hidan's face was fanatical, and a savage grin spread across it. "Then let me feel your fear!"
"What's going on with this guy? Does he have some other trick up his sleeve?"
A sense of unease rose in Hiruko's heart. He gritted his teeth and once again accelerated the devouring and fusion of the Chimera Sprout.
But, in that instant, an incredibly intense and unfamiliar pain surged into his body.
"Pfft!! This feeling…"
His body felt as if it were being constantly torn apart by something. A look of utter horror appeared on Hiruko's face.
This strange feeling of devouring himself…
"Is it the Chimera Sprout? How is that possible?!"
Realizing this, Hiruko's face instantly became incredibly grim.
He knew very well that he was not under a genjutsu.
That meant…
"Is it by obtaining the opponent's flesh and blood, making the target share damage with me?"
Hiruko looked at Hidan with a wary expression.
Although it was somewhat unbelievable, after a moment's hesitation, he still gritted his teeth, abandoned the Chimera Sprout outside his body, and quickly retreated to create distance from Hidan.
Cultivating a "Chimera Sprout" was not an easy task.
Not only did he need to extract his own cell tissue, then cultivate the "sprout seed" of the "Chimera Sprout," but he also needed to plant it in his own cell tissue, feeding and suppressing it with his own flesh and blood.
Therefore, Hiruko's heart was bleeding now.
"I didn't expect you to be hiding such a terrifying ability."
Hiruko gritted his teeth and looked at the strange formula at Hidan's feet.
Does that bizarre secret technique rely on this formula to be cast?
Then, as long as I destroy this formula, I can…
"Hm? Why did you stop?"
Hidan, who had a look of bliss on his face, was suddenly taken aback, then a fanatical look appeared on his face. "Does this mean I have to personally send you to see my lord?"
"That would be just perfect!!"
With that, Hidan took out a black spike and stabbed it fiercely into his own thigh.
SQUELCH!!
A spray of blood shot out.
But two miserable screams sounded at the same time.
Hiruko clutched his own thigh in shock and anger.
A hideous wound had actually appeared on his leg, in the exact same position as where Hidan had just mutilated himself.
"Could it be…"
Thinking of a certain possibility, Hiruko condensed a Scorch Release fireball and blasted it at Hidan's body.
But the same burn wound immediately appeared on his own body.
This time, Hiruko completely understood the principle of this jutsu.
The user and the target share damage? Such an ability actually exists in this world?!
"Argh!!"
Before Hiruko could react, Hidan once again struck himself, creating one wound after another, the expression on his face becoming more and more intoxicated.
Conversely, Hiruko's screams became more and more shrill, his body covered in wounds, blood flowing freely.
"Ahh~ so good~"
Hidan looked at the pained Hiruko, gesturing with his weapon on his own body, a savage grin on his face. "You've turned completely white now! There's no expression on your face other than fear!"
"Lord Jashin will definitely like you as a sacrifice. Do you think it's better to stab the heart, or to stab the neck?"
(End of Chapter)
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