Chapter 175

The sickening sounds of gnawing echoed from the shell of the Three-Tails—bones cracking, flesh being chewed, and chakra being drained. It was a gruesome sight, a horrific concert of Sanbi's agonized roars and the insect swarm's ravenous feast.

But the cries didn't last long. Aburame Hatsuizumi, merciful in her own twisted way, grew irritated by Sanbi's howls. So, she released anesthetic insects to numb the beast completely.

Its consciousness faded, yet it still sensed the bugs burrowing into its body, devouring flesh, chakra, and everything in between. Sanbi could only lie there, awaiting death in silent agony. Its body and spirit weakened simultaneously, and the insects gnawed faster.

For the first time, the Tailed Beast feared death. Logically, Tailed Beasts couldn't die permanently. But when one's flesh and chakra were completely consumed... could it still return?

Practice makes perfect. Let's offer a moment of silence for Sanbi—who dared to explore the truth of death.

Guren was already stunned beyond belief. She had never witnessed someone insane enough to take a Tailed Beast Ball head-on and still live. But now she had.

Even more insane was that after surviving the attack, Aburame Hatsuizumi devoured the Three-Tails. It shattered everything Guren thought she knew.

She hugged the crystal-wrapped Yūkimaru tightly, backing away from Hatsuizumi with fear in her eyes.

"Well, thanks for the meal." Hatsuizumi licked her lips with an unsatisfied expression. She'd eaten fast, only taking her time at the start. With the feast over, her insects vanished, returning to her body.

She hopped in front of the fainting Guren and gently tapped the crystal beside her.

"It's time for us to hit the road too."

Not far away, Yakushi Kabuto peeked from the tunnel he'd just dug. Clad in red robes, he only emerged once he confirmed the coast was clear.

"What kind of freaks fight like that on a damn rooftop?" he muttered irritably. "This place is next to a graveyard! Show some respect!"

He scoffed. "If you're gonna mess with the dead, at least use a little shovel like I do—to gently awaken their slumbering souls."

Then something caught his eye. Kabuto darted toward the area where Hatsuizumi had battled.

"Wait... is this Sanbi? No, more like leftover pieces of Sanbi." His eyes lit up with mad curiosity.

The bloody battlefield was grotesque. Broken shells, fleshy chunks, sharp protrusions, tails scattered around—it all reeked of blood and fish. It looked like a massacre by a lake.

Despite the cold wind and clear skies, the scene offered no warmth—only discomfort.

Amidst it all, stood a red-robed figure laughing maniacally while digging through the remains like a twisted archaeologist. It was a disturbing sight.

Although the fight hadn't seemed long, time had indeed passed. Back at the Sky, several rounds of the tournament had ended, and many competitors had already been eliminated.

One thing the competition revealed was the hidden talent in the Land of Whirlpools.

Take Yamagami-kun, for example—a civilian with explosive engineering talent. He could craft weapons from basic materials, making him a mechanical prodigy.

Then there was Hydrangea from the medical and sensory team. She had exceptional spatial talent, crafting all her summoning scrolls personally. Her mastery of Kuchiyose no Jutsu (Summoning Technique) was so vast that she practically ran a zoo with all her summons.

But today's spotlight didn't shine on them.

Instead, the center stage was claimed by Hyuga Chinano and Hyuga Hiashi.

Hiashi stood on the field, carrying the unconscious Hinata in his arms. His Byakugan active, he furiously weaved hand seals, trying to force the Caged Bird Seal into effect.

"It's useless, Hyuga Hiashi," Chinano said coldly. "The branch family is no longer caged birds. Stop trying to chain us."

Years had softened her hatred for the main family. She didn't want revenge—she just wanted the branch to live freely.

"Hmph. A caged bird remains caged. That is the fate of the branch family. You can't defy it," Hiashi sneered. When he saw the seal fail, he finally stopped.

He carried Hinata off the field, sitting down with arms crossed.

Beside him stood a small girl, several years younger than Hinata—Hanabi. She tilted her head, puzzled.

"Father, why are Chinano's eyes different from ours?" she asked softly. She walked closer, relieved to see her sister only unconscious, not seriously hurt.

"Hanabi, remember this—if you ever face her, don't trust what you see," Hiashi said, rubbing his temple.

"Why not? Doesn't our Byakugan see through everything?" she asked, confused.

He gently stroked her head. Hanabi had always been more suited to lead than Hinata, and he'd already begun training her as the next clan head.

"That girl has something else—Red Eyes. It's an eye technique that counters the Byakugan specifically."

"An eye that counters the Byakugan?" Hanabi blinked. "But the Sharingan is red too, and it doesn't do that."

Hiashi shook his head solemnly, his eyes meeting Chinano's as she descended from the arena.

She didn't care what he thought anymore. The Hyuga couldn't control her now.

Noticing Zixu above the stands, she walked up and took a seat beside him, closing her eyes and rubbing her temples.

"Where's Hatsuizumi? I saw her up here earlier."

"She went out on a mission," Zixu replied. "If it goes smoothly, she'll be back soon."

He stood behind her and placed a cool hand over her eyes, soothing her fatigue.

"Overused your eyes again?" he asked, a little exasperated.

"More or less," Chinano muttered.

Then, as if remembering something, she said, "Hey... how's Hatsuizumi planning to get back? I remember she's scared of heights."

Zixu smacked his forehead. "Ah... I forgot about that."

Elsewhere, Aburame Hatsuizumi was clinging to a massive beetle as it soared through the air. Her body was frozen, her hands gripping tight, and if you looked closely—tears were welling in her eyes.

"I'm not scared of heights… not at all…" she whispered, clearly lying to herself.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Do you want to read Advanced Chapters?

Visit this link:

Påtreon.com/Fanficlord03

Change (å) to (a)

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Check my Discord!

https://discord.gg/MntqcdpRZ9