Hidan had finally managed to reassemble his body.
Earlier, during the drone bombardment by the first and second squads, Hidan hadn't dodged in time and was blown to pieces—his body was shattered, his head blasted off, and his right arm severed.
Now, amid this smoky, explosive battlefield, he was busy collecting the pieces of his body.
He was ready to retreat.
What the heck is this? This isn't a ninja war! Can't we just have one-on-one, proper ninja duels?
You guys bombing like crazy is just wasting money!
Hidan couldn't help but complain.
"Sand Ninjas are ridiculously rich."
"With money, they can do whatever they want."
He also found a new appreciation for Kakuzu's foresight.
"No wonder he didn't come for this high-paying mission. Even he wouldn't take on this tough gig."
Hidan decided it was time to bail.
He slung his triple-bladed scythe over his shoulder and started running.
Enichi had spent a fortune hiring ninjas to support the Land of Rivers, and as part of Akatsuki, Hidan and some others had taken the job. Several Akatsuki members participated, but others, like the fish duo (Kisame and Itachi) and Kakuzu, had refused. They didn't want to face Muzake, that monster.
But reckless Hidan didn't care. He had charged into the front lines with his scythe, relying on his immortality.
As someone who always acted without caution, after facing the firepower of the Sand Ninja army, Hidan realised even his recklessness had limits.
Sure, he wouldn't die, but trying to find all his severed limbs on this moon-crater-like battlefield would be a real pain.
As a follower of Jashin, even Hidan couldn't hold up against the "Multi-barrel Cannon Cult."
"Damn it, these people have no honor."
Hidan darted into the forest, hoping to escape.
"Stop!"
Someone shouted from behind him.
Hidan turned and saw a Sand Ninja. It seemed like they were chasing after him.
He took a closer look at the young ninja.
This kid seemed pretty green, a rookie.
Hidan glanced around and noticed no other pursuers. Now, he felt relieved.
After being bombarded earlier, he was in a foul mood and needed to vent.
This kid was perfect.
With pale purple eyes, the young ninja stared at Hidan, wearing a grim expression.
"Sand Ninja kid, what do you want?"
The Sand Ninja was serious. "You attacked our forces. Surrender and come with me."
Hidan burst out laughing.
A single rookie daring to chase him alone and demand his surrender?
The young ninja assumed a combat stance, revealing his taijutsu skill.
"I'm Ziluo, and I'm serious. Surrender now."
Hidan's lips curled into a sinister grin, revealing his sharp white teeth.
"Kid, I'm going to make you experience the most painful death."
"Die!"
Hidan flung his triple-bladed scythe like a shuriken. With retractable and split functions, the red, three-part scythe was connected to a rope tied to Hidan's waist, allowing him to throw and retract it freely.
Ziluo hadn't expected this move. He quickly sidestepped to dodge, but the rapidly spinning scythe still grazed his abdomen, tearing his ninja uniform and leaving a cut.
However, Hidan didn't follow up with another attack. He pulled back the scythe, grinning.
Now, with the blessing of Jashin, it was time to offer a sacrifice.
The life of this young ninja would surely please Lord Jashin.
Excited, Hidan looked at the scythe's blade.
???
There was no blood.
How was there no blood? I cut his abdomen!
Hidan glanced back at Ziluo.
Ziluo's torn uniform revealed a white, vest-like piece of equipment underneath.
Hidan was dumbfounded.
"What the hell is that?"
Ziluo, equally startled, patted the vest and explained, "This is the new anti-ninjutsu vest developed by the Sand Ninjas."
"With this, you can't hurt me."
"I suggest you surrender."
The vest was made of composite materials reinforced with Kimimaro's bones. It was lightweight, durable, and practical against ninja tools and minor ninjutsu, increasing survival rates for offensive-oriented ninjas. It was the latest product from the Sand Ninja's ninja tool factory.
Ziluo, being a taijutsu specialist, was fortunate to be part of the field testing for this equipment. Hidan's ferocious scythe had only left a scratch on the vest, proving its effectiveness.
After realising the situation, Hidan sneered.
Do you think a mere vest can stop the great Hidan?
Hidan charged at Ziluo with a maniacal laugh, swinging his scythe wildly in a frenzied attack, cackling like a madman as he slashed at him.
Ziluo, however, remained calm.
He took a deep breath, steadying himself.
A powerful heartbeat pulsed from his chest as his symbiote, Earth Grudge Fear, sensed his battle intent. Unlike Kakuzu's Earth Grudge Fear, Ziluo's symbiote evolved through constant cultivation inside him. Its colour was no longer black but blood-red, and the tendrils were finer, like nerves.
The tendrils quickly spread inside Ziluo, wrapping around his heart, lungs, brain, other vital organs, and bones.
His visual nerves were also enhanced, allowing him to see through Hidan's furious, storm-like attacks clearly.
Ziluo found the opening.