Spatial ninjutsu? That kind of technique was definitely beyond a mere wild beast—but Asuma's offhand comment still made Uchiha Feiyu pause thoughtfully.
"If it can't fly," Feiyu murmured, "then what about burrowing?"
"Very few beings in the entire shinobi world can use space–time ninjutsu, but Earth Release is practically everywhere. Animals awakening an earth-traveling ability isn't common, but it's not rare either."
"And if it wants to evade the Byakugan, hiding underground is the most plausible method."
The Byakugan's vision extended roughly one kilometer in all directions, but once something went more than a dozen meters underground, even that famous doujutsu struggled to see clearly.
If their target really was a chakra-enhanced animal specialized in burrowing, building its nest deep underground would be child's play.
"That makes sense! It really might be hiding below us."
Hyūga Hizashi nodded, suddenly enlightened—only to frown a moment later.
"But if it's underground, that complicates things."
It wasn't that they couldn't track it down. The real issue was time. This was only a C-rank mission; Hizashi had no intention of wasting several days staking out a monster den in the dirt. Even if they eventually caught the beast, the effort wouldn't be worth the reward.
Feiyu shared that sentiment. He didn't want to waste days on a low-paying errand. He turned toward Asuma and Kurenai.
"Any bright ideas?"
"If it were a shinobi," Asuma muttered, "it'd eventually have to surface to breathe. But a creature born with an earth-traveling ability might not need to."
Kurenai, however, spoke up decisively:
"Most chakra beasts originate from ordinary animals that suddenly evolve after gaining chakra. Maybe we should look for clues related to that transformation."
Feiyu's eyes lit slightly.
"That makes sense. When normal animals first Gain chakra, they often grow larger, Gain intelligence, and start claiming territory. If we investigate unusual events in the area, we might find its nest."
With no better options, they followed her suggestion.
The four split up, gathered information from villagers, and half an hour later regrouped to share what they'd learned.
"Halfway up the western mountain, large tunnels began appearing about six months ago—like something dug them out."
"Since then, all wildlife in that area completely vanished. Looks like territory-marking behavior after gaining chakra."
Cross-checking the reports, they quickly identified their target location.
When the team arrived at the western mountain slope, their suspicions were confirmed. Huge scales and claw marks littered the ground—perfect matches to the prints found at the attack sites.
Aside from Gentle Fist, Hizashi had also trained in supplementary ninjutsu, particularly Earth Release. Among the Hyūga, those with earth affinity often studied it, since Earth Release could counter certain weaknesses in close-quarters combat.
He pressed his palm to the ground and performed an Earth Tremor technique. The earth shuddered—
and at that moment, Feiyu felt it.
A powerful soul, far stronger than any ordinary animal, rising from beneath the soil.
"Careful! It's coming up!"
Hizashi's Byakugan detected it as well, and he called out sharply. The four leapt into the trees just as the ground rippled like water and a massive golden creature burst out.
Covered in metallic scales, with razor-sharp claws and jaws, the lizard-like beast was the size of a small carriage. The earth around it settled seamlessly, leaving no hole behind—proof of a masterful burrowing technique.
"That's… a pangolin?! No wonder it's so skilled at Earth Release!"
Kurenai exclaimed. On closer inspection, it indeed resembled an enormous pangolin—if one ignored the disturbingly carnivorous teeth.
Hizashi glanced at it, then spoke calmly:
"You two handle this. Its strength hasn't reached Chunin level yet. It'll be good training."
"But don't let it burrow again."
"Relax! I'll finish it quickly!"
Asuma dropped from the tree, twin trench knives flashing as he struck at the creature's head—only for sparks to fly.
A bright white groove appeared on the scale plating.
"That's some tough armor!"
Asuma's eyes widened, and the pangolin reacted with fury. With a whip-like motion, its tail lashed out, smashing Asuma cleanly in half.
With a sharp crack, the bisected Asuma burst into wood splinters—Replacement Technique.
Even so, his face pale, he realized his trench knives were useless. against that armor, they couldn't even scratch.
The pangolin froze briefly upon realizing it hadn't struck flesh—then abruptly curled in on itself, limbs tucked in, tail wrapped forward.
In seconds, it formed a massive armored ball.
With a thunderous rumble, the three-meter sphere rolled toward Asuma like a living boulder.
"Whoa whoa whoa! Since when do pangolins have the Akimichi bloodline?!"
Asuma dodged frantically, saved only by the surrounding forest preventing the creature from gaining full speed. Without the trees, he would've been flattened.
He finally managed to counter with a Fire Release, but the flaming blast barely slowed the rolling mass. It burst through the flames like a flaming iron wheel, nearly turning Asuma into grilled meat.
Up in the branches, Kurenai narrowed her eyes, focusing intently. The moment the beast slowed from dizziness and exhaustion, she dropped down.
Her hands flashed through seals.
"Demonic Illusion—Hell Viewing Technique!"
The rolling ball trembled violently, the pangolin's body unwinding as it writhed in terror at unseen horrors. Its soft belly exposed—
Asuma didn't hesitate.
"Fire Release—Ashes to ashes!"
A roaring flame slammed into the creature's unprotected underside. The smell of burning protein filled the air, thick and sickening.
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