Nagato, who was beside Haruki, narrowed his eyes, and without thinking, extended his hands towards Ryuga.

Invisible waves rippled in his eyes, a light purple halo spread, and an unseen force erupted from his hands.

After the claw hook paused for a second in front of Haruki, it sharply flew backward towards Ryuga.

Ryuga's pupils constricted, and he rapidly retreated, his claw hook already deeply embedded in the wall behind him.

"I won't let anyone hurt Haruki!" Nagato's icy gaze fell upon Ryuga.

Ryuga's eyes were filled with shock. He steadied himself, his gaze on Nagato becoming serious. He hadn't expected a mere kid to be so strong.

A strong gust of wind assailed Haruki from behind.

[Ding!]

[System detected Ranga's killing intent value +2000.]

[Your Slaughter Curse growth value has increased to 2%.]

Haruki looked back, and a pair of eyes swirling with killing intent met his gaze.

A metallic hum echoed in the room, and the long blade on Haruki's back unsheathed. The long blade rubbed against the short blade in Ranga's hand, sending sparks flying.

The blade reflected Ranga's fierce, beast-like eyes.

Blue Cursed Energy erupted from Haruki's long blade, completely enveloping it. Haruki spun his body, gripping the long blade tightly, and chopped down towards Ranga.

Ranga's pupils constricted.

So fast!

Was this really a speed a kid could possess?

Ranga subconsciously brought his short blade horizontally across his chest, blocking the descending long blade.

Boom—

A loud bang resonated between Ranga and Haruki. This was followed by a crisp snapping sound.

Ranga stared intently at the short blade in his hand. His hand, gripping the short blade, trembled violently, the power emanating from the long blade was incredibly immense.

How could a kid have such immense power?

The next second, a clear crack appeared on his blade. The crack continuously spread, and the short blade shattered with a crash.

Ranga's wrist loosened, and the hilt of the blade fell heavily to the ground. Before he could react, the glint of the blade was already upon him, unavoidable.

"Ah!"

Ranga let out a miserable shriek.

His body crashed to the ground. He wasn't dead, Haruki hadn't killed him, but had severed the tendons in his hands and feet.

The blood from Haruki's blade dripped onto the floor. He immediately turned and unhesitatingly attacked Ryuga.

Ryuga's strength was clearly more than one level higher than Ranga's. Nagato was struggling somewhat against Ryuga now. Nagato couldn't continuously use powerful techniques like Shinra Tensei, and coupled with his lack of combat experience, it was only a matter of time before Ryuga killed him.

Haruki dared not risk Nagato's life. He had only copied one of Rinnegan's abilities. Nagato absolutely could not die.

"Nagato! Leave it to me!" Haruki stood in front of Nagato.

Ryuga raised an eyebrow, forcing a sinister smile. "What deep brotherly love. Don't worry, I'll send you both to your deaths together."

Haruki: "..."

This guy talks big.

Ryuga swung his arms forcefully, and the two claw hooks intertwined like venomous snakes, whistling towards Haruki. The chains connecting the claw hooks were covered with tiny blades, and the edges were purple, clearly indicating they were highly poisonous.

Haruki moved agilely, swiftly weaving between the claw hooks, while simultaneously extending his hands towards Ryuga.

Crimson Binding Technique: Slicing Exorcism!

Blood shot out from Haruki's fingertips.

The blood transformed in mid-air, becoming dozens of razor-thin, rotating blood blades.

The blood blades whistled as they flew out, deflecting all the claw hooks that surrounded him, firmly pinning them to the walls on both sides.

Hundred-Fold Blood Manipulation: Piercing Blood!

Haruki clasped his hands together, blood compressed to its limit, condensing like a bullet, and shot out towards Ryuga. The lightning-fast red light grew larger and larger in Ryuga's pupils.

Boom—

Ryuga fell to the ground, blood splattering in the air. His ear was torn open, and blood covered his entire face. He endured the intense pain and rose from the ground again. Broken black strands of hair floated in the air.

No!

Ryuga was both shocked and enraged, retreating rapidly. He clutched one ear, realizing a problem. The kid in front of him must hold an extraordinary position in Amegakure.

Otherwise, how could he be so strong?

In an instant, a flash of lightning streaked through Ryuga's mind.

A name surfaced in his thoughts.

"Haruki!"

"You are Hanzo's student, Haruki!" Ryuga roared at Haruki.

He knew!

The ninja who had turned the tide of battle some time ago, allowing Amegakure to turn defeat into victory, was Hanzo's student, a young ninja—Haruki.

If the kid in front of him wasn't Haruki, who else could it be?

Haruki approached Ryuga step by step.

[Ding!]

[System detected Ryuga's killing intent value +3000.]

[Your Slaughter Curse growth value has increased to 2.3%.]

Ryuga's eyes suddenly erupted with intense killing intent. He swiftly drew a short blade from his boot and lunged at Haruki.

"Haruki!"

The distance between Haruki and Ryuga was too close. Nagato and the others had no time to block for Haruki.

[Ding!]

[System detected Nagato's fear value +5000.]

[Ding!]

[System detected Yahiko's fear value +5000.]

[Ding!]

[System detected Konan's fear value +5000.]

[Total fear value collected is 15000. Your Cursed Spirit Hanami's rank has increased to 92.2%.]

"It's over!"

"Kid!"

The distance between Ryuga and Haruki was less than a meter.

Haruki stood still, a slight curve to his lips, and Ryuga's crazed smile was reflected in his pupils.

Straw Doll Technique: Resonance.

A straw doll appeared in front of Haruki. Four long nails were driven into the doll's limbs.

"Ah!"

Ryuga's shrill, agonizing scream echoed through the room. The short blade in his hand dropped to the floor. His body fell at Haruki's feet, blood continuously oozing from his limbs, rendering him unable to move.

"Now, it's over." Haruki stared at Ryuga's pale face, saying calmly.

[Ding!]

[System detected Ryuga's fear value +5000.]

[Your Cursed Spirit Hanami's rank has increased to 92.25%.]