Before a few minutes had passed, several figures swiftly surrounded Hidan and Kakuzu.
Hidan impatiently twisted his neck, saying, "Ah, you guys are so slow. I've been waiting for ages."
The squad leader at the forefront shouted, "Did you kidnap Lord Killer Bee and Lady Yugito? Where are they now? Hand them over immediately, or we won't be so polite!"
"Tch!" Hidan sneered disdainfully, "Do you think I need your politeness? If you want to fight, then hurry up and do it. Stop being so indecisive!"
Kakuzu raised his fist, eyeing the ninjas around him, "I hope one of you has a heart worth keeping..."
"Hmph!" The squad leader snorted angrily, "You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit! Everyone, formation A, let's end this quickly!"
In the next instant, shurikens and kunai shot out from all directions.
Kakuzu's brow furrowed, and his skin instantly turned black.
As for Hidan, he didn't even bother to dodge, standing still as the projectiles flew at him.
"What's wrong with these guys? They're not dodging the attacks?"
As the Kumo ninjas wondered why their enemies weren't avoiding the attacks, they heard the crisp sounds of the shurikens and kunai bouncing off Kakuzu, not even scratching his skin.
"What? They're invulnerable?"
"Yes, this masked guy has extraordinary defense!" The squad leader analyzed calmly, though a bead of cold sweat trickled down his face, "His skin turned black; it must be an Earth Release technique, hardening his body. Quite a troublesome guy!"
A ninja beside him laughed, "No matter how strong he is, it's just one person. Look at the other one; he's already a pincushion."
Indeed, Hidan was covered in shurikens and kunai, looking like a porcupine with no intact skin left.
"Damn it!" Hidan cursed in pain, "That hurts! How dare you do this to me! You bastards who don't know pain! I'll offer you all to Lord Jashin!!!"
"Why... why isn't he dead yet?" The Kumo ninjas were shocked.
They had never seen someone so grievously injured yet still standing and cursing.
Their understanding of the world was being reshaped.
"Tch! With such powerful abilities, it's clear these two were the ones who took our leaders," the squad leader said gravely, "Everyone, be careful. These two are no pushovers. Don't give them any chance to counterattack!"
A ninja beside him suggested, "Leader, let's use that technique! If we all use it together, no defense will hold!"
"Alright, it seems we have no choice!"
"Boom, boom, boom!"
The sky lit up with thunderbolts.
All the Kumo ninjas simultaneously spread their hands and formed the same seal.
"This is our strongest Lightning Release technique, combining all our power. No one can withstand this attack! Not even Lord Raikage with his ultimate defense!"
"Prepare to be amazed!"
"Lightning Release: Multiple Thunderbolt Technique!"
"Rumble!"
Countless lightning bolts descended from the sky, covering the entire forest.
Escape was impossible.
The only option was to endure it.
However, this technique not only had a wide attack range but also an unusually long duration.
It lasted a full ten minutes!
After all, this was a jutsu executed by forty Kumo Jonin.
Under the relentless barrage of lightning, the entire forest was utterly destroyed.
...