Chapter 42: Dual Casting
Three days later, the Foam Coast on the border of the Land of Rivers.
The waves here were a murky greyish-black, with massive reefs standing tall, and the air was thick with the salty stench of rotting seaweed.
Boom!
A high-pressure jet of water erupted from beneath the sea, instantly shattering a ten-meter-high reef.
Splash—
Amidst the splashing water, a giant crab the size of a tank burst out. It brandished two massive pincers strong enough to snap steel, spewing a large amount of white foam from its mouth.
Water Release: Wild Bubble Wave!
These bubbles weren't for cleaning; not only did they obscure vision, but they were also highly sticky and corrosive. Once touched, even a Ninja's skin would instantly fester.
"What a bad-tempered fellow."
Deva Path Pain stood on the water's surface. Facing the overwhelming foam, he simply waved his hand casually.
A repulsive wave rippled out, and all the foam was forcibly repelled the moment it came within two meters of him, unable to get close at all.
"Don't kill it. This thing has a hard shell; it's suitable as a meat shield."
Yahiko's figure flickered across the reefs.
Clatter!
Five golden Adamantine Sealing Chains shot out from his back like five golden dragons, instantly entangling the giant crab's two massive pincers and legs.
"Screech—!"
The giant crab let out a piercing hiss and struggled desperately. Its brute strength pulled the Adamantine Sealing Chains taut, even dragging Yahiko several meters across the reef.
"Quite strong."
Yahiko steadied himself, a red light flashing in his eyes.
King Crimson!
The red-and-white King Crimson instantly manifested by his side.
At this moment, the unique combat style of a Stand User was displayed to the fullest.
Yahiko's hands formed Seals at a speed that left afterimages. Meanwhile, King Crimson wasn't idle either; it opened its mouth, and although it lacked physical Chakra, it could guide the flow of energy within Yahiko's body.
Yahiko's main body: "Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
King Crimson (Guiding): "Water Release: Severing Wave!"
Roar—!
A massive water dragon roared forth, biting down hard on the giant crab's torso and forcibly pinning its enormous body into the water.
And at the moment the giant crab showed a slight opening, an extremely thin line of water, like a high-pressure water cutter guided by King Crimson, precisely sliced into the joints of its carapace.
Crack!
The iron-hard crab shell was sliced deep by the Severing Wave, causing the giant crab to twitch in Pain.
The defense it took pride in became useless against high-level Water Release of the same element.
It stopped struggling and submissively lowered its massive pincers.
The Animal Path stepped forward again, skillfully inserting the rods, forming the contract, and retrieving it.
"That's another one dealt with."
Yahiko released the Adamantine Sealing Chains and shook his slightly aching wrists. "This crab can be used for large-scale Water Release flushing later; not bad."
Heavenly Dao looked toward the horizon, where dark clouds were faintly visible in the direction of the Land of Rain. "Time for the next target."
"Yeah, the Yatagarasu."
Just then.
From the shadows of the reef ahead, a pitcher plant slowly rose.
That black-and-white Yin and Yang face wore an eerie smile as it looked at the three individuals resting.
"Quite a splendid hunt, Leader, Pain."
White Zetsu's frivolous voice rang out: "I thought that crab would give you some trouble, but I didn't expect it to end so quickly. It seems I underestimated your strength~"
"Cut the crap." Yahiko glanced at him coldly. "Where's the intel?"
"Brought it, of course."
Zetsu emerged halfway from the ground and tossed a scroll to Yahiko. "The Yatagarasu has been very active in the Land of Grass lately, even attacking Kusagakure outposts. Those fence-sitters in the Hidden Grass Village are having a real headache right now."
Yahiko took the scroll but didn't rush to open it.
"The Grass Hidden Village, huh..."
That was another village in the Ninja World famous for being fence-sitters, skilled at going whichever way the wind blew and possessing many strange and unusual forbidden techniques.
"Oh, right."
Zetsu seemed to suddenly remember something and grinned widely. "If you're going to the Land of Grass to catch a bird, maybe you should hire a local Ninja as a guide. I hear as long as you pay, the Grass Ninja will do anything."
The Land of Grass was sandwiched between the two bullies, the Land of Fire and the Land of Earth; it was not only a hotbed for fence-sitters but also for opportunists who followed the wind.
The air was filled with a mixture of the smell of rotting plants and rust.
"I say, masters, is there really that kind of strange bird you mentioned in this godforsaken place?"
The guide was a Grass Ninja in his thirties named Hozukijo, with a slightly chubby face. He chattered and complained while hacking through waist-high weeds with a Kunai.
"This land has been plowed over by those bumpkins from the Hidden Stone. Aside from corpses and mud, you won't even find a wild rat. The commission you gave isn't small, but if I have to risk my life to find a bird, you'll have to pay extra if we actually find it."
Yahiko walked in the middle, scanning the surroundings with indifferent eyes. He had no interest in even responding to this typical old fox of the Ninja World.
Deva Path Pain and the Animal Path following behind were as silent as the dead.
"Hey, did you hear me? I said I need extra pay!" Seeing no one was responding, the guide got a bit annoyed. "In today's world, intel is very expensive, especially about..."
"Shut up."
Yahiko suddenly stopped and looked up at the dense canopy overhead.
"It's here."
Before his voice faded, a gust of wild wind descended from the sky without warning, instantly flattening the surrounding grass.
Caw—!!
A shrill, sharp cry pierced their eardrums.
In the sky, a giant black shadow with a wingspan of over five meters dove down. Its feathers were as hard as steel, and it clutched a half-eaten, pale human leg bone in its talons—a snack it hadn't finished.
Yatagarasu.
"Holy crap! It's real!" The guide shrieked and skillfully scurried away with his head in his hands, ducking into a nearby thicket. "This thing eats people! You guys hold it off, I'm going for backup!"
No one paid attention to his pathetic display.
There was no earth-shattering exchange of Ninjutsu.
Just as the Yatagarasu was about to pounce on Yahiko's head.
Clatter!
A golden radiance suddenly erupted in the dim, dense forest.
Five thick golden Chakra chains shot out from the void behind Yahiko like five giant golden pythons. With terrifying speed that struck second but arrived first, they precisely entangled the Yatagarasu's neck, wings, and its three sharp talons.
Adamantine Sealing Chains!
Caw!?
The fierce light in the Yatagarasu's eyes instantly turned to terror. Its strength, enough to crush rocks, was completely useless against these golden chains.
A domineering sealing power poured into its body through the chains, instantly cutting off the flow of Chakra within it.
Boom!
The massive bird, like a broken kite, crashed heavily onto the muddy ground, kicking up a flurry of dead leaves.
Before it could struggle, the Animal Path stepped forward expressionlessly and drove a signature black rod deep into the Yatagarasu's head Acupoints.
Infusion of the Rinnegan's ocular power.
Three seconds later.
The Yatagarasu stopped struggling, eerie purple ripples appearing in its eyes as it submissively lowered its proud head.
"Done. Let's wrap up."
The golden chains behind Yahiko dissipated into points of light.
The entire process was seamless, taking less than a minute.
The guide hiding in the bushes was dumbfounded. He slowly poked his head out, his murky eyes staring fixedly at Yahiko's departing back and the lingering scent of golden Chakra in the air.
Golden chains...
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