A transparent cube crossed the distance and sealed off the entire area.
A flash of white light followed, and when the cube faded, only a perfectly square depression remained on the altar floor. The exploded Giant Cocoon had been erased completely, as if wiped from existence, leaving nothing behind but drifting purple-black mist.
Was the danger removed?
The power of Dust Release made everyone relax slightly without thinking.
Then it happened.
A figure appeared beside Onoki in an instant.
The speed was far faster than the killing tentacle from before. An arm swung down with terrifying force, tearing through the air as it smashed straight toward Onoki's head.
A massive surge of Gold Dust burst from the ground at the last moment, forming a thick golden wall between them.
The slender arm slammed into the Gold Dust wall with an ear-shattering crash. The wall, strong enough to block most Ninjutsu, was blown apart instantly, exploding into countless glittering grains of gold sand.
That brief block was enough.
Onoki's floating body was thrown backward like a leaf caught in a gale, narrowly avoiding the follow-up blow. The others scattered in different directions at once, each taking a defensive stance.
Only then did they clearly see the figure that had appeared, killed two Jonin in seconds, and nearly crushed Onoki.
It was a Guai creature shaped much like a human.
Its skin was pitch black, with vertical purple markings glowing faintly and running from the bony face down its limbs. Black bat-like wings spread from its back, and a bone mask with fangs covered its face, red light burning in its hollow eye sockets.
A suffocating pressure and icy aura poured from it, pressing down on everyone present.
"What is that?" Darui asked, his voice trembling despite himself.
"That's Moryo?" Deidara hovered in the air atop his clay bird, staring down eagerly.
"A Moryo transformed into 'Crimson giant'?" Hiruzen Sarutobi's face darkened as he gripped his staff, his knuckles turning pale.
The creature before them looked nothing like the formless, twisted Demonic Creatures of legend. It was human-sized and even wore something resembling the robes of priests from the Land of Demons.
It looked more like a strange human than a mythical Demonic Creatures called Moryo. Or perhaps it truly was born from human desire and malice.
"That speed and strength… this is insane."
Onoki and Third Kazekage were visibly wary, having felt firsthand how it dodged Dust Release and shattered the Gold Dust wall with a single punch.
Moryo did not seem to care about their reactions. It slowly raised its hand and examined its new body with its head lowered.
"Crimson giant?" A hoarse voice came from beneath the bone mask, tinged with surprise. "So that is what this thing is called."
It flexed its fingers, savoring the power within them.
"A perfect creation. Just right for me."
As it spoke, it lifted a hand and brushed the pale bone mask on its face.
Crack.
A faint but clear Sui Sui LieSui Lie sound rang out as a thin crack split the mask from left to right.
"So that's how it works," Moryo said, its voice filled with restrained excitement and hunger. "When my power exceeds the mask's limit, my true strength will be released."
"Then I won't need that weak flesh anymore."
"As long as the Miko line is wiped out, no one can stop me."
It raised its head and looked over the seven people facing it.
"As for you," it said coldly, killing intent flooding its voice.
The space around it rippled like disturbed water. Sharp, barbed tentacles emerged from the ripples, trembling as they locked onto their targets.
As Moryo clenched its fist, the tentacles drew taut like fully drawn bows, power gathering.
"You can die now."
The verdict rang clearly in everyone's ears.
Their faces changed instantly. The distance was far too close.
"Fall back!"
Someone shouted sharply.
Six figures retreated at almost the same time, driven by instinct. In that same instant, countless purple-black tentacles shot out with piercing shrieks.
With that speed and force, even Ryoma's famed body would be pierced through instantly.
"Earth Release·Rigid Strength Technique!"
Onoki halted his retreat and slammed his hands together.
A massive stone giant burst from the ground, blocking the tentacles head-on.
"Earth Release·Weighted Rock Technique!"
The giant's density surged as it punched forward, deflecting the tentacles with dull booms and leaving deep dents behind.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique·Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled three roaring streams of fire shaped like dragon heads, blasting through the incoming tentacles in a violent explosion.
"Lava Release·Dissolving Technique!"
Mei Terumi spewed corrosive acid that melted the tentacles on contact, turning them into wisps of smoke.
"Magnet Release·Gold Dust Triangular Prism!"
Third Kazekage formed massive golden prisms that collided with the tentacles and exploded.
"Water Release·Water Formation Wall!"
Darui and Chakra raised towering walls of water, but the tentacles pierced straight through them.
"Damn it!"
Darui infused the water with lightning, blasting apart most of the tentacles. Several still broke through, impaling both men and pinning them to the rock wall.
Chakra screamed as blood poured from his mouth, his arm torn off. His face went pale, yet his Pure Byakugan stayed locked on Moryo.
Fear, rage, and refusal blended into madness.
Even as he fell, he formed seals with one hand.
He was a Ninja who survived the Kirigakure. He lived by one rule.
If he had to die, he would take flesh with him.
"Water Release·Water Fang Bullet!"
A spiraling jet of compressed water mixed with blood screamed toward Moryo.
At the same time, Onoki and Hiruzen Sarutobi acted without hesitation.
"Earth Release·Earth Core Shift!"
The ground beneath Moryo collapsed, dropping it into a deep pit.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's staff split apart, forming a massive cage that sealed the pit.
"Magnet Release·Gold Dust Boundary Method!"
Golden spikes filled the pit, piercing and binding the creature.
"Boil Release·Skilled Mist Technique!"
Superheated mist poured in, dissolving everything it touched.
"And me too!"
Deidara sent swarms of clay spiders down into the pit.
Seals, spikes, mist, explosions, water drills, and barriers layered together into a deadly combination. The underground space shook violently as everything detonated.
Smoke filled the pit.
Had they succeeded?
"No," Hiruzen Sarutobi said suddenly, his face changing. "Miroku said Moryo can't be killed without Miko."
A searing red beam erupted from the pit, obliterating the barriers like glass. It punched through the ceiling and into the night sky.
An even colder presence surged out.
In the blink of an eye, Moryo appeared before Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Too fast to see.
Third Kazekage raised a wall of Gold Dust, but a tentacle pierced his abdomen from behind. He severed it instantly and turned, eyes blazing.
Space-Time Ninjutsu?
More tentacles struck. Onoki twisted away but was struck and sent flying. Mei Terumi was swept aside as well.
Chakra had no chance. His body was torn in half, organs scattering across the floor.
Another Jonin from Kirigakure had fallen.
Moryo stepped up to the Gold Dust wall shielding Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Sealing Technique is annoying," it said coldly, then punched.
The wall shattered. Hiruzen Sarutobi raised an Earth Release wall, but it broke instantly. The blow smashed into his waist, crushing bone and flesh, and sent him flying into the rock wall.
In moments, the space was filled with the dead and dying.
Only Deidara remained mobile in the air, dodging desperately while throwing explosives.
"Annoying bug," Moryo said, raising its hand.
Then something struck it.