Standing at the center of the five-pointed star formation, Hiruko breathed heavily, his chest undulating up and down, and steam coming out from his body.
Tsukihi observed intently and noticed that Hiruko's figure seemed much stronger than before.
He was no longer short, but was back to his normal body size, with a slender and fit body, perfect for a rejuvenated young man.
From just one glance, people could see that his body was brimming with power.
Aside from the chiseled muscles that of a shinobi, his skin also seemed unnaturally tender and delicate, so much so that his skin did not have the rosy look that a human has, but rather it was as white as chalk and pale as that of a corpse, like that of a Vampire.
"Huff… huff…"
After catching his breath, Hiruko picked up the simple piece of white lab gown and put it on.
Although he looked physically exhausted, the expression on his face said the opposite, as it had clear signs of euphoria, ecstasy, intoxication, bliss, and joy.
All the thoughts that he has kept hidden within his heart for the past two decades were now out in the open, he no longer cared about maintaining his humble attitude, there was no false expression on his face, at this moment he was his truest self.
Under Hiruko's aggressive gaze, Tsukihi's heart 'thumped' for a moment.
Undoubtedly, Hiruko who has 'successfully' completed the Kekkei Genkai Absorption Ritual, now eagerly wants to test his own strength.
And among the people present here at the moment, most of them are official members of Akatsuki, with the only exception being Uchiha Tsukihi and Oto Yumie.
And Hiruko would obviously not attack the other members of Akatsuki in the presence of Tendo Pain, so Uchiha Tsukihi, and Oto Yumie became the natural target for him to test out his newly achieved strength.
And naturally, Tsukihi wasn't the only one who realized Hiruko's thought.
The members of Akatsuki who were watching the ritual, consciously jumped backward, leaving only four people on the site, that being Hiruko, Uchiha Tsukihi, Oto Yumie, and Uchiha Shinichi who was a little hesitant to leave Tsukihi behind.
Unlike Shinno, who had a natural smile on his face, and did not care about the safety of Oto Yumie at all, Shinichi glanced at Tsukihi with a worried expression.
Tsukihi smiled gently and bowed towards Shinichi, "Do not worry Shinichi-sama, I shall not disappoint you."
Shinichi questioned, "Are you sure? You don't have to do it if you don't want to."
Tsukihi shook her head and said, "I am. If I back away here then that would be a stain on the reputation of Shinichi-sama, and I would rather die than let that happen."
Shinichi sighed and said, "Very well, but know this, I will take action if I deem necessary, and you are not allowed to get killed or injured here." – Leaving this sentence, Shinichi also jumped out of the platform, and similar to other members of Akatsuki, he paid close attention to the three individuals.
It wasn't just Hiruko who was eager to test out his newly gained strength, but even the other members of Akatsuki were very interested to know just how strong Hiruko has become after 'successfully' completing the Kekkei Genkai Absorption Ritual.
Tsukihi was surprisingly calm at this moment, when she glanced at Yumie, she wasn't surprised to find that Yumie was the same as her, there was no trace of fear in either one's eyes.
"Hahahahaha…." – Hiruko laughed wildly seeing the calmness of the two.
Tsukihi's Sharingan was already activated and her hand was on the hilt of her Katana, ready to be drawn out at any moment.
Yumie tilted her neck to the side, contrary to her leisure expression she also seemed fully ready for the upcoming battle, as her hands were inside the kimono sleeves she was wearing.
Hiruko suddenly stopped laughing, and said, "At this time, in the face of the person standing before you, both of you should not have shown any other emotion aside fear, if you did, then maybe things would have turned out much better for both of you."
Tsukihi did not reply, but slandered Hiruko in her heart, 'Hiruko, you are being too arrogant for your own good!'
Yumie on the other hand giggled, and said in a sultry tone, "In that case why don't Hiruko-sama show us ladies what true fear is? I believe it would be worth an experience."
Tsukihi immediately blushed, 'Just what is Orochimaru even saying!?'
Both Yumie and Hiruko glared at each other, one with a fierce expression and the other with a mocking one.
Finally, Hiruko raised his hand to print the hand seals…
"Swift Release: Shadowless Flight!"
Whoosh…
Instantly Hiruko disappeared from his position.
'So fast?' – Tsukihi exclaimed inwardly, and her body instinctively drew out the Katana strapped at her waist.
Ding…
"Steel Release: Impervious Armor!"
She barely held the flat part of the Katana in front of her to block the straight punch coming from Hiruko's black fist. At the moment when Hiruko's punch collided with the Katana, a loud metal collision sound rang throughout the mountain.
Tsukihi used her other hand to slash at the opponent with a Kunai, but Hiruko was no longer in front of her.
"Steel Release… Swift Release…" – these two words immediately flashed in Tsukihi's mind, and she was surprised that Hiruko was able to switch between two Kekkei Genkai seamlessly after just having completed the ritual.
Ding… Ding…
While Tsukihi started analyzing, another series of metal collision sound rang out from the other side of the battleground.
Because Hiruko possesses two extremely strong Kekkei Genkai that enhance his Taijutsu abilities, so even Yumie (secretly Orochimaru) one of the strongest shinobi alive was also suppressed (it's also because Orochimaru did not intend to reveal all his abilities here) by Hiruko for a moment.
It's just that Hiruko is not as experienced as Yumie, as such even though Hiruko managed to suppress Yumie, he was unable to inflict any serious damage.
"Heh…" – Tsukihi grinned and ran forward.
With the addition of Tsukihi, the battle turned from 1 vs 1, between Hiruko and Yumie, to 2 vs 1, with Tsukihi and Yumie, on one side, and Hiruko on the other.
Tsukihi and Yumie worked in a surprising tacit understanding and were easily able to not only fight back on the even grounds but even suppressed Hiruko from time to time in the physical warfare, which included, Taijutsu, Kenjutsu, Shurikenjutsu, Bokijutsu, etc.
Hiruko's lack of combat experience and lack of combat awareness compared to 'Tsukihi' and 'Yumie,' was clearly apparent in this battle.
And this is also a normal thing, Hiruko has been focusing his attention on the research and development of the Chimera Technique, as such he lacks experience compared to the Sensei-disciple pair who have experienced so many battles.
Moreover, Hiruko has just obtained new forms of power, so in terms of application, he obviously lacks the necessary familiarity, as such there are obvious shortcomings.
And neither of the two 'Kunoichi' he is fighting against is ordinary, with one of them being an inflamed Sannin, and the other one having the only Eternal Mangekyou Sharingan currently existing in the Shinobi World, so it is obvious that he is in a slight disadvantage.
After all, unless it is too big of a difference in strength, experience also plays a very important role in a battle.
And combat experience is not something one can gain in just one or two days or steal from others, it is pure hard work that requires one to pour sweat and blood, and gained by overcoming test and trials of countless life and death battles.
But Kuroto knows that so long as strength is high, overcoming the lack of experience is not that much of a problem.
…
On a high cliff covered with vegetation.
Zetsu said mockingly, "He can't even deal with just two subordinates of the official members of the organization? It seems that all this Kekkei Genkai Absorption Ritual was just a waste of time!"
However, the masked man who has been observing everything up to now stood up and said with a serious tone, "No. Although Hiruko's performance is not as good as my initial expectations, that is more of a lack of time he has had with his new powers, what I am more surprised about is the strength displayed by the two women, neither of them can be considered ordinary or weak."
…
Among the other spectators watching the battle.
Sasori looked at Shinno and said with a ridicule expression, "Your assistant seems much better than you."
Shinno just shrugged helplessly, he didn't really care about Sasori's opinions.
Biwa Juzo on the other side said to Shinichi, "The Uchiha Shinobi are really extremely strong in terms of physical warfare, and looking at her movements, with precise actions, simple, neat, and flawless form, she seems to be a better Kenjutsu master than even you Shinichi, and as a Kenjutsu master I have to admire her."
Shinichi nodded with a solemn look, "I knew for a fact that she was strong, but I am rather surprised that she has grown up to this extent since the last time I saw her, it appears that I can't laze around or I will be overtaken by her."
…
Back to the battle.
Hiruko's anger started to rise as he was gradually being overwhelmed by the two women. Suddenly he leaped back, quickly printed the hand seals, and shouted, "Why don't you two just die already!?" "Storm Release: Thunder Cloud Inner Wave!"
Instantly a thick ring of black thunderclouds and electricity appeared around Hiruko.
Tsukihi instantly put back the Katana in the sheath, and printed the hand seals, "Fire Release: Fireball Technique!"
Yumie was able to realize the Jutsu that Tsukihi was using and also completed the hand seals at almost the same instant, "Earth Release: Earth Flow River!"
.
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Read up to Chapter - 524 on P.a.t.r.e.o.n. Page: p-atreon.com/Milta_translations