After Sailing with the Pirate King, I Returned to Konoha - 228

Chapter 228: The Hero Arrives!

The Cutting Technique's wooden spikes attacked Fu from all directions, seemingly intent on turning her into a pincushion.

But this time, with Chomei's tailed beast chakra supporting her, Fu's power immediately surged dramatically.

Two insect-like wings sprouted from her back, carrying her body as she moved at high speed.

As the only tailed beast to master flight, Chomei could grant this ability to its Jinchūriki.

The insect wings flapped rapidly. Fu's petite body weaved and dodged through countless wooden spikes, not a single one managing to hit her.

Seeing this, Zetsu simply "drained" this half of the White Zetsu clone completely, pouring all its chakra out in one burst.

Instantly, the wooden spikes' volume and density nearly doubled.

Caught off guard by this sudden assault, Fu took several scratches across her body from the spikes.

Seeing more and more wooden spikes approaching, Fu knew she couldn't continue this stalemate.

"Ninja Art: Insect Fog."

Chakra rapidly surged out, forming a massive "cocoon" that enveloped Fu within.

Those wooden spikes pierced the giant cocoon's surface, only able to absorb some chakra. Breaking through would require more time.

"Ah, out of options?"

Seeing this, Zetsu used the absorbed chakra to create even more wooden spikes.

The massive cocoon shattered under the intensifying absorption, revealing the Jinchūriki collapsed within.

"Caught you!"

Several wooden spikes rapidly pierced through the Jinchūriki's limbs, completely eliminating any possibility of escape.

But before Zetsu could smile, the Seven-Tails Jinchūriki's gradually cracking skin shattered his illusion.

Crack, crack, crack.

The crisp sound reached Zetsu's ears.

The next moment, the "Fu" left behind crumbled like an insect's molted shell, revealing a large hole leading underground.

"Tricked."

Zetsu watched the escape through tunneling, not feeling particularly frustrated.

Because he knew that as long as she didn't abandon Takigakure Village, she would definitely walk into the trap.

The facts weren't much different from Zetsu's guess.

Fu, who'd escaped using the "golden cicada sheds its shell" tactic, didn't choose to flee but returned to Takigakure Village's surface.

Originally, she'd thought she'd have to deal with that traitor Suien, but when she just emerged, she saw the Chimera fused with Hiruko feasting heartily on the previously arrogant Suien.

Meanwhile, Shibuki lay severely injured, protected by other villagers at the center.

After the Chimera devoured Suien in several bites, Hiruko's chakra instantly expanded.

That was the Hero Water remaining in Suien's body taking effect.

"Mmm, this feeling is truly indescribable."

Sensing the explosive chakra increase, Hiruko's gaze toward the gourd in his hand grew fervent.

Just one third-rate nobody who'd drunk the Hero Water could bring such massive improvement. It seemed this so-called "Hero Water" wasn't overly exaggerated after all.

Originally, Hiruko, as a biology expert, had been dismissive of legendary things like "Hero Water."

But that couldn't withstand the pleasure brought by the tangible chakra increase.

"I take back my assessment. This thing really is quite good."

Saying this, Hiruko didn't hesitate, similarly pulling out the stopper and drinking a large mouthful of Hero Water.

Instantly, his already massive chakra doubled again.

Chakra flames far exceeding everyone's imagination rose from his body. Even the Chimera fused with him underwent changes.

Not only did its body size increase, but the number of wings and tails also doubled.

The massive lion's jaws gaped wide, saliva constantly dripping down.

With this power, do I still need to use the Akatsuki organization to capture kekkei genkai ninja?

The inflated power made Hiruko's already minimal cooperative spirit instantly fade.

"Hmm? There's still another little bug?"

Because of the increase in chakra quantity, his original perception range also expanded to a certain degree. Hiruko instantly shifted his gaze toward Fu, who'd just emerged from the corner.

Looking at the tailed beast cloak on her body, Hiruko's bandage-covered face revealed a smile.

"Though I don't need to follow those people's orders, using you as dessert before the main course isn't bad either."

Following Hiruko's malicious voice, several snake heads behind the Chimera rapidly extended, biting toward the half-tailed-beast-transformed Fu.

Fortunately, after entering the half-tailed-beast transformation, Fu not only gained increased chakra but also significantly enhanced reaction speed and physical strength.

The insect-winged girl vanished from her position as a blur. Several snake heads blasted the ground into a cloud of dust.

"Wing Slash!"

Wings sliced through the air. Chakra gathered into air blades, cutting across the snake bodies.

With almost no resistance, those snake heads were severed.

But before Fu's face could show a smile, more snake heads grew from the wound's cross-section.

One became two, two became four. Perhaps all multi-headed snakes knew this trick.

"Useless, brat."

Hiruko laughed contemptuously. Originally, he'd thought the Jinchūriki would be slightly troublesome, but she turned out to be just an ordinary little girl, matching her appearance.

The Chimera's tail came from his research summoning beast "Two-Headed Snake," whose greatest characteristic was infinite division under chakra stimulation.

"Snake Spiral Pierce!"

Several snake heads opened, from which even tinier snake heads grew.

The tiny snake heads spun rapidly, transforming into spiral bullets shooting out.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Completely different from when his subordinates used it, the Snake Spiral Pierce in Hiruko's hands could unleash an impact force rivaling an A-rank jutsu. Combined with the Hero Water's enhancement, its power became even more terrifying.

Fu, dodging and weaving, carelessly got hit by one snake head.

"Ah!"

Even with the tailed beast cloak's protection, Fu was heavily slammed to the ground, crying out in pain.

"Fu!"

Seeing Fu, whom he regarded as a sister, severely injured, Shibuki endured his body's pain trying to stand, but several other figures moved faster than him.

Those were other Takigakure ninja Shibuki had just freed from their rope bindings.

"Water Release: Wild Water Wave!"

"Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"

Though unable to use high-level ninjutsu, many small techniques gathered together, various colorful jutsu flying out, actually obstructing many snake head attacks.

Just like Shibuki, they couldn't watch Fu be killed.

"Boring. Originally, I wanted to use you as materials, but now you'd better just die."

Hiruko looked at those small village ninja daring to resist him, a certain twisted emotion quietly emerging in his heart.

Since childhood, he'd fallen behind others due to poor physique and talent.

Clearly a contemporary and classmate of the "Legendary Sannin," he could only watch the gap between them grow wider.

He wasn't resigned to this.

Not because of discrimination, nor due to any misfortune.

It was pure jealousy and unwillingness.

Unlike Orochimaru, who pursued eternal life to research all jutsu and knowledge, Hiruko's pursuits were more crude and shallow.

He simply wanted to use power to prove he was no worse than those people.

Watching those ninja daring to resist him, Hiruko grinned viciously, controlling the Chimera to spread its wings.

The weak should properly submit under my feet!

Perhaps stung by certain bonds, Hiruko directly released an attack at the crowd.

Countless feathers shot from the Chimera's wings, stabbing toward the Takigakure villagers.

Those able to perform jutsu all used defensive techniques like Earth-Style Wall. Fu also endured pain, slashing several air blades toward the sky, severing feathers mid-air.

But these were all drops in the bucket.

Those feathers were simply too numerous, directly covering everyone in saturated fire.

"Ah!"

"It hurts!"

Some villagers got scratched by feathers, crying out in pain.

But this still wasn't the attack's end.

As an intense sense of crisis arrived, Fu saw those feathers suddenly glow with light.

Boom boom boom boom boom!!

Continuous explosions sounded. Each feather seemed to transform into an explosive tag. The Takigakure ninja's jutsu quickly collapsed before these explosions.

Seeing the explosions about to injure the villagers, Fu's eyes nearly turned red with urgency. The floodgates of tailed beast chakra in her body opened wider.

More wind blades shot against the feathers, still unable to block them.

"Daitoku: Storm Wall!"

A clear voice echoed through the valley. Following it came hurricane-like massive airflow.

Those hurricanes easily swept back the overwhelming feathers.

Some feathers detonated prematurely mid-air, but the explosion's flames and shockwaves were all blocked by the substantial wind wall.

Everyone's gaze finally looked upward. Above Takigakure Village's sky, a giant bird had appeared at some point.

"Looks like we're not too late."

The golden giant bird dove downward, positioning itself right between Hiruko and the villagers.