On a battlefield where even Jonin could easily perish, being entangled by the Hidden Sand's forces was a terrifying prospect.
They should be thankful that most of the Hidden Sand Ninja's attention was focused on Hanzou, otherwise none of them would have a chance of survival.
Nagato gazed at Hanzou, surrounded by a large number of Hidden Sand Ninja, his aged yet resolute figure stood amidst the heavy rain, tall and tragic.
Biting his lip, he suppressed his sorrow and followed Yahiko and the others in retreat.
Even a ninja as powerful as Hanzou fought with the determination to die.
Despite having the Rinnegan, he still had many immature aspects; being besieged by so many enemies, survival was impossible.
Running towards the outskirts of the Hidden Sand's encirclement, he encountered bodies all along the way, all slain by Hanzou earlier. A rough count revealed there were over a hundred.
The Hidden Sand Ninja relentlessly pursued them. Although most were focused on Hanzou, there were still more than two hundred pursuing them, led by several Jonin.
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Bodies, bodies, bodies.
Bodies everywhere.
Bodies emitting black bubbles.
It was some kind of lethal poison.
The expressions on the dead were not peaceful, only twisted with the agony of struggle, becoming rigid in their contorted state.
The water-based creature resembling a Black Dragon was Hanzou's final secret Ninja Technique.
Normally, a Water Style water dragon would dissipate back to water after one impact.
However, this black water dragon, coated in lethal poison, defied the conventions of Ninja Techniques, moving as if it were a living dragon, capable of autonomous action.
The black water dragon glided forward. The Hidden Sand Ninja preparing seals to defend were instantly scattered.
Contact with the black dragon caused their skin to immediately blister with black bubbles. Many Hidden Sand Ninja writhed on the ground in agony, their bodies twisting, their desperate screams creating a hellish din.
Even battle-hardened ninja couldn't help but shiver.
Their eyes, looking at the black dragon, were filled with intense horror.
Touch meant death.
Even the antidotes they carried couldn't counteract such a bizarre poison.
Every Hidden Sand Ninja obstructing the black dragon was blasted away, spitting blood, and succumbed to the black virus, losing their lives in extreme agony.
The black dragon's movement shook the earth, clouds gathered in the sky, forming a vortex with lightning.
Even fighting to suppress their fear, the terror still showed on their faces.
Because they knew this was a fundamentally unequal battle.
No matter what type of Ninja Techniques, or explosive tags, when used against that poison-laden black dragon, they couldn't cause any damage.
Though not a Tailed Beast, it surpassed one.
Approaching the black dragon was impossible, any proximity meant corrosion by the poison.
Such a technique was almost insurmountable.
"My body is nearly at its limit, Nagato and the others should have escaped by now..."
Looking at the rampaging black poison dragon, Hanzou coughed lightly, his voice increasingly aged, as he scanned his surroundings, gripping the scythe in his hand tighter.
Before dying, he had to eliminate the greatest threat among the Hidden Sand.
Thus, Hanzou leapt forward, facing the cold wind and rain, the color in his eyes as cold as the rain.
"How can it be, the antidote I made..."
Chiyo watched in horror as a Hidden Sand Jonin died painfully before her eyes. The antidote she formulated to counter Hanzou's Poison Jutsu was completely ineffective now.
How could this be? In past battles, she had already deciphered all the poisons Hanzou carried.
There couldn't be any omissions.
Why was the poison carried by the black dragon unbreakable now?
"What on earth is the Ninja Technique Hanzou is using?"
Chiyo was perplexed.
A water dragon created by a Ninja Technique, preserved like a living being, capable of continuous combat.
Moreover, its body was coated with a lethal unknown poison.
Did he still hold such a formidable Ninja Technique in reserve during their past battles?
"Chiyo-sama, be careful!"
A frantic shout from a Hidden Sand Ninja reached her ears.
Immersed in contemplating how to counter Hanzou's ultimate technique, Chiyo sensed danger approaching, panicking, her body instinctively shifted, her fingers pulling, activating nine puppets simultaneously.
Splurt!
Splurt!
Splurt!
Blades continuously pierced through, penetrating Hanzou's chest, the white-robed puppets driving all the blades into Hanzou's body, seizing his dwindling life force.
With a clatter, the scythe slipped powerlessly from his hand, falling onto the rain-soaked ground.
Hanzou's eyes dimmed, he looked at Chiyo with slight regret.
Just a little more.
Everything happened too quickly for Chiyo to react.
By the time she realized, an arm had vanished, along with a surge of blood spilling forth.
"Ah!"
Chiyo clutched the bleeding wound where her arm had been severed, the pain of the severance making her cry out.
"Hanzou, you bastard, how dare you—"
Chiyo gritted her teeth, glaring at Hanzou, the pain of losing her arm causing her brow to twitch repeatedly.
"Such a pity, I guess I've truly aged. If it were ten years ago, this old man surely wouldn't have failed..."
Hanzou's regretful voice echoed.
Ultimately, this was all he could manage.
This aged body could only emit this much remaining heat,