Ziluo watched in shock as Hidan drove the spear into his own heart.
He had no idea Hidan was using the Cursed Technique: Death Controlling Possessed Blood to transfer the damage to him.
Ziluo still felt the sharp pain in his fractured spine and assumed Hidan's behaviour was simply more insanity.
Hidan cackled maniacally as he plunged the spear into his heart.
Squelch.
Ziluo suddenly coughed up a mouthful of blood. He felt his heart being pierced through, and the overwhelming pain nearly suffocated him. Clutching his chest, he slowly dropped to his knees. His heart was torn apart, and blood surged up into his throat and out of his mouth.
Gasping for breath, Ziluo coughed up more blood, unsure of what was happening.
Bright red blood flowed from his mouth.
With the spear still lodged in his chest, Hidan slowly pulled it out, and as the weapon withdrew, the agony was mirrored in Ziluo's body. He was curled up on the ground, too overcome with pain to make a sound.
Hidan was pleased with his successful sacrifice.
"You're tough, not dead yet, huh?"
Grinning, he prepared to strike again, aiming to finish Ziluo off for good.
Just then, a few drones flew overhead.
Hidan frowned at the sight. These machines weren't made of flesh—they were just oil and metal parts, a poor match for his abilities.
Time to go.
Hidan bolted, disappearing into the forest and crossing the river, quickly fleeing the area.
The drones spotted Ziluo lying in a pool of blood, and the images were relayed back to the command vehicle.
Upon seeing Ziluo covered in blood, Mufeng immediately ordered, "Someone, get Ziluo out of there quickly!"
Mufeng himself had authorised the symbiote Earth Grudge Fear combat test, and it would be a huge waste if Ziluo died during it.
Captain Nocturne from the fifth squad quickly activated his Teigu: Thousand-Mile Flight and sped toward Ziluo's location.
As Nocturne dove down, he saw the massive amount of blood surrounding Ziluo and feared the worst. There was so much blood it looked like a small stream, and it seemed unlikely that Ziluo could survive.
But orders were orders, and he had to act fast.
Just as Nocturne landed, Ziluo suddenly sprang to life from the pool of blood, startling Nocturne.
Ziluo gasped for air, his lungs filling with fresh oxygen.
He was alive again.
To be precise, he had just been dead.
The Death Controlling Possessed Blood technique from Jashin was real, and Ziluo's heart had indeed been pierced.
But at the moment his heart shattered, and he was on the brink of death, the symbiote Earth Grudge Fear sensed the imminent danger to its host.
Ordinarily passive, the symbiote exploded with power, further evolving and unleashing its full potential. The Earth Grudge Fear tendrils near Ziluo's heart sprouted rapidly, similar to how dry grasslands burst into green after a season of rain. Countless tendrils grew throughout Ziluo's body, some quickly wrapping around his heart to begin repairing the damage. Like expert craftsmen, they precisely mended the broken heart. The remaining tendrils worked to support his other organs, keeping him alive.
By the time Nocturne arrived, Ziluo's heart had fully repaired, and he breathed again.
Ziluo stood up suddenly, breathing heavily. His breathing was stronger than ever, his heart pounding with greater power. His Fire Breathing technique felt even stronger.
Ziluo prepared to throw a few more punches, testing his newfound strength.
"Hey," Nocturne called out to him.
"Ninja Academy student Ziluo, what's going on with you? What enemy did you face?"
Ziluo snapped out of his excitement and turned to Nocturne. He wore a ninja uniform, exoskeleton, and manoeuvring gear, wielding two high-frequency blades. On his left chest was the number "5," and the right side bore a captain's insignia. A white cloak hung from his back with two bold black characters: "City Patrol."
Ah, the captain of the fifth squad.
Ziluo quickly stood at attention and saluted.
"Good day, Captain."
Nocturne replied, "Report the situation, Ziluo."
Ziluo recounted his battle with Hidan and described Hidan's strange curse technique.
Nocturne stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"Looks like you ran into Hidan."
"Hidan? Who is that?"
Nocturne explained, "When you graduate and become a full-fledged ninja, you'll be trained to recognize these individuals. For now, you don't need to know too much."
"But..."
Nocturne scrutinised Ziluo with suspicion.
"Are you sure you're alright?"
Ziluo pounded his chest, producing a strong thumping sound.
"I'm really fine. In fact, I feel better than ever, stronger than before."
The symbiote Earth Grudge Fear had awakened new abilities, further bonding with Ziluo and making him even more powerful.
Still concerned, Nocturne insisted, "I'd better take you to see a medic."
He grabbed Ziluo and activated Thousand-Mile Flight, using his four wings to return them to the convoy.
Back at the convoy, Nocturne took Ziluo to see the medical captain, Kabuto but was stopped by the other medical staff.
"Captain, Kabuto is sleeping. He ordered that no one disturb him until he wakes."
With Kabuto unavailable, Nocturne had the other medics check Ziluo, who was in perfect health.
Nocturne then brought Ziluo before Mufeng, who had already been briefed about Hidan.
When Ziluo arrived, Mufeng immediately placed his hand on Ziluo's chest, using his magnetic abilities to assess him. He could feel Ziluo's heart beating strong and steady.
Scanning him with his electromagnetic eye, Mufeng observed the symbiote Earth Grudge Fear. Compared to its earlier lazy state, it now seemed much more active.
Mufeng was delighted.
"Well done, Ziluo, well done!"