chapter 97 part 1
Chapter 97: Soloing the Four-Tails, New Uses for Spatial Rift Jutsu
"?"
Hidan paused, thinking he had misheard.
Me? Go fight the Four-Tails? Honestly, Hidan knew he had unique talents in certain areas, and he firmly believed his current strength far surpassed his peers. If he found an opportunity to use his Jutsu, killing even powerful Ninja would be child's play.
But to go straight for a full-throttle challenge, wasn't that a bit much?! "I'm only 12, and you want me to kill the Four-Tails? This is too troublesome, how can you give such an order!" Hidan scratched his head.
"That's natural. I know your talent better than anyone. As my disciple, you are the focus of everyone's attention. Everyone is observing your growth, so you absolutely cannot lose face... though you don't have such a thing as a face."
Tsukasa Kaede walked in front of Toka Senju, blocking Han's attack path. This simple action already conveyed his attitude.
"Hyo, Shizune, you two assist Hidan—no, it's fine for Hidan to challenge the Four-Tails Jinchuriki alone." Tsukasa Kaede thought for a moment, deciding that the gap in strength between Hyo, Shizune, and Hidan was too great. If they died, it would be difficult for him to explain, and he would have to use the Living Corpse Reincarnation Jutsu to resurrect them.
"You two just stand by and watch the show. I'll call you after I've dealt with that Four-Tails Jinchuriki."
Hidan wore a look of disdain, immediately shouldering his Three-Bladed Scythe, which was longer than he was tall, and trudged towards Roshi. Coupled with his slouching posture, he looked utterly unreliable.
Hyuga Takashi said, "Got it, then be careful."
"If you really can't win, don't force it. Sensei will come help us after he deals with the Five-Tails," Shizune added.
The utterly confident words spoken by these three youths, whose average age was barely eleven or twelve, silenced both allies and enemies.
All eyes, which had initially been on Tsukasa Kaede, now fell upon the boy fiddling with his scythe.
"Are you serious? This is too reckless!"
Jiraiya gasped, seizing the moment to recover his stamina, astonished by Tsukasa Kaede's almost childish move.
He knew Hidan. Many in the Village were watching this boy Tsukasa Kaede brought back from the Land of Hot Water, and he also knew Tsukasa Kaede claimed he would train Hidan into a formidable Ninja in a few months.
But to immediately confront a Four-Tails Jinchuriki without any prior accomplishments? And by Hidan's own behavior, he seemed to only find it troublesome, not impossible to beat?
This world must be crazy.
Minato's gaze sharpened. "Lord Tsukasa Kaede is not one to speak idly. Kaedence he said it, it means he has a certain level of confidence."
"I know you've fought Hidan, but even that ability doesn't seem to be enough against the Four-Tails."
Jiraiya recalled the scene he saw in the Third Hokage's Crystal Ball when he first returned to the Village, knowing Hidan was someone Minato found difficult to kill even with various methods.
But even so, how could Hidan possibly fight the Four-Tails Jinchuriki? Just with his Taijutsu, which still had room for improvement, and his Undying Body? Tsukasa Kaede's squad spread out into battle formation, facing the two Jinchuriki.
"Have your abilities improved again, becoming a Hokage-level powerful Ninja?" Toka Senju stood up and asked.
Tsukasa Kaede shook his head. "I personally don't think so yet. I'm still a bit short of that level of powerhouse, but with everyone's cooperation, dealing with the Five-Tails Jinchuriki should be enough."
He still completely avoided mentioning Hidan's situation.
Roshi and Han watched Tsukasa Kaede's dismissive attitude with cold eyes.
"We meet again. You were the one who made me leave the war early back then. I've always wanted to settle the score. Last time, you were lucky. This time, I won't let you escape easily."
Roshi narrowed his eyes, eager to directly kill Tsukasa Kaede, but reason told him it would be difficult.
"Leave him to me. I'm faster, so I have a better chance of killing a Space-Time Ninja. No matter how many Corpses he Summons, they won't stop me... Also, I might not have much time left, so it's best to finish this quickly," Han said in a low voice.
*Swish!* Han moved first, but his initial attack wasn't aimed at Tsukasa Kaede. Instead, he lunged at Hidan, bringing a powerful fist down from above. With a thunderous *boom*, he instantly smashed Hidan into the ground.
A normal person suffering such a blow would have their body shattered.
"One down. Leaf Devourer, you seem to have been completely caught off guard. Relying on Corpses for combat, your Main Body's neural reflexes seem inferior to that blond kid's," Han said with an icy voice, already picking his next target.
"That hurt, you bastard! How dare you do that to me!"
Hidan spat out blood, cursing loudly. He pushed off the ground with his still-exposed arm, pulling his entire body out of the dirt, and casually brushed off the mud.
"He can still move freely? What kind of monster is this guy... This body strength is abnormal, and his healing ability is incredibly astonishing."
Han lowered his head, dodging Hidan's horizontal scythe swing.
Hidan's actions drew everyone's attention.
Especially Toka Senju, who had experienced the power of Han's Taijutsu, was speechless looking at the lively Hidan.
What the hell?
This was the Jinchuriki of the Five-Tails, who theoretically was the strongest Taijutsu user among Jinchuriki, relying on the Five-Tails' power. Yet, his attack couldn't kill this guy?
"I think I understand why Tsukasa Kaede is so confident in his disciple, even if I don't know how this boy does it."
Toka Senju vaguely felt a surge of Life Force from Hidan, but she believed it wasn't due to Life Force alone. There must be another reason that allowed Hidan to withstand Han's attacks without dying.
Summoning Jutsu!
Tsukasa Kaede Summoned a large number of Zombies. Araki of the Sand, Terai, and Troy, the three Elite Jonin, attacked together.
"Go! Kill these two Jinchuriki and cripple Iwagakure," Tsukasa Kaede said quickly. "Let Hidan handle his opponent alone. If other juniors want to join, they can. The three of us will prioritize the Five-Tails."
Jiraiya and Toka Senju didn't hesitate. No matter how many doubts they had, they could only trust Tsukasa Kaede now.
Battles erupted simultaneously in two locations.
"It's started, Minato, what should we do?" Dekai's voice was filled with suppressed excitement. "Lord Tsukasa Kaede, who is extremely skilled at fighting Tailed Beasts, has arrived! The tide of battle will surely turn. Who should we deal with now, the Four-Tails or the Five-Tails?"
Minato mused for a moment. "We can't interfere with Jiraiya-sensei's side. So let's prioritize teaming up with Hidan. However, I'll go in. You two stay with Lord Tsukasa Kaede's other two disciples, provide support from the battlefield's periphery, and try to preserve yourselves. Don't give the enemy any opportunities."