76 Ch-76 I Know Mud Release.

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...

Michikatsu deftly manipulated the golden sand, crafting a small platform mid-air. Both he and Nawaki stepped onto the golden sand platform suspended in the air.

"Finally, a place to stand," remarked Nawaki.

Without responding to Nawaki's comment, Michikatsu continued to control the golden sand. He shaped it into small, golden bullets and launched an assault on Ameyuki.

Recognizing the potential threat, Ameyuki understood that he needed to halt these golden bullets before they became fatal. Employing his 'Mud Release: Muddy Water Wall,' mud from the pit rose, forming a substantial wall that effectively blocked the path of the oncoming golden sand bullets. While some were slowed down significantly, others were entirely halted. The mud wall then surged forward like a wave, directed toward Michikatsu and Nawaki, aiming to strike them.

Michikatsu squinted his eyes, detecting Ameyuki's move. It was evident that Ameyuki had exploited the cover of the mud wall to create a mud clone while making his escape using the 'Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique.' Knowing Ameyuki's vengeful nature, Michikatsu anticipated that he wouldn't simply retreat but would likely return with a more formidable attack so Michikatsu didn't even bother to chase Ameyuki.

Addressing Nawaki, Michikatsu instructed, "You go and search Ameyuki's house. See if you can find anything related to Mud Release."

Nawaki nodded determinedly, responding, "I'll go check immediately."

Leaping from the golden sand platform, Nawaki entered the village. Along the way, he intercepted one of the Shangri-la villagers. Employing a 'polite tone', Nawaki inquired about the location of Ameyuki's residence. With the information obtained, Nawaki swiftly made his way towards Ameyuki's house. Once there, he commenced a thorough search for any clues or items related to Mud Release.

****

Outside the mountain where Shangri-la nestled, the earth violently split open, revealing the emergence of a young man—none other than Ameyuki.

Stepping out from the newly-formed opening, Ameyuki declared, "I won't let you get away like this. They should think I've escaped, but I'll not only destroy this mountain but also Shangri-la. Now that Shangri-la is no longer my hideout, that village is doomed as well."

A maniacal laughter escaped Ameyuki's lips as a cruel smile adorned his face. He began weaving intricate hand seals, a substantial number hinting at the potency and destructiveness of the impending technique.

After about 15 seconds, Ameyuki's technique reached its apex. With a triumphant grin, he unleashed 'Mud Release: Landslide.' In an astonishing turn of events, the lower portion of the mountain transformed into mud. Given the mountain's slanted shape, it immediately began to tilt forward, breaking apart and cascading toward the ground.

As the mountain descended, the first victim in its path was Shangri-la. The village, situated within the mountain, faced complete destruction as the slanted mountain crashed downward, obliterating everything in its wake.

****

Michikatsu and Nawaki sprinted at full tilt, desperately trying to escape the imminent calamity of the falling mountain. Amid their frantic retreat, Nawaki couldn't help but curse, "Damn it, bastard! Who in their right mind destroys a whole mountain?"

Michikatsu, running alongside Nawaki, yelled in response, "Be ready!"

As Michikatsu's command echoed, two wooden dragons materialized. They swiftly enveloped Michikatsu and Nawaki, spiriting them away from the mountain's destructive descent.

With a thunderous impact, the mountain crashed onto the ground, sending shockwaves through the Valley of Lies. Its deafening noise resonated far and wide.

"Haha! Yes, everyone died! Haha!" Ameyuki gloated, reveling in his apparent triumph. However, his laughter abruptly ceased when, emerging from the debris of the wooden dragons, Michikatsu and Nawaki emerged unscathed.

"What!? How is this possible? How did you both survive the catastrophe?" Ameyuki exclaimed, disbelief etched across his face.

"You don't think you can kill us, do you?" Michikatsu asked calmly as he continued walking forward.

"Even if you can survive, so what? I am not weak; I am also very powerful," retorted Ameyuki confidently.

With those words, Ameyuki executed 'Mud Release: Mud Doll.' Over ten large humanoid creatures crafted from mud emerged and advanced toward Michikatsu and Nawaki.

Michikatsu turned to Nawaki, asking, "Did you find anything of significance in the house?"

"No, there was nothing that can help me develop Mud Release," replied Nawaki.

Michikatsu reassured him, "You don't have to worry. I already know how Mud Release works, so I'll teach you after this."

"That's great. We don't need him, especially someone as mad as this person. I feel like this person is nothing more than a psycho," remarked Nawaki.

"Your intuition is on point. He really is nothing less than a psycho," agreed Michikatsu. His statement wasn't unfounded; he understood that individuals like Ameyuki, akin to Hidan, is worshippers of Jashin, and such worshippers were rarely in their right minds.

Michikatsu continued, instructing Nawaki, "Go and see if you can find any bodies of rogue ninjas who were in Shangri-la. It will be beneficial for us; we can present their heads to Konoha for a substantial reward."

Nawaki voiced his dissatisfaction, saying, "Why do I have to be the one who counts dead bodies and collects them?"

"Stop complaining. If you don't want to do this, then just become stronger than me. If you can't, then shut up and do what I say," Michikatsu asserted, emphasizing the importance of their mission.

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