Something wasn't right. If this ninja truly hailed from the Aburame clan, his techniques were far too potent. That level of power likely implied immense chakra reserves or a highly specialized application, neither of which were typical characteristics of the Aburame clan Habara knew.
Moreover, after two direct attacks, Habara realized the enemy's physical form wasn't entirely... solid. Both his hand-strike and the Iron Sand trap had failed to connect properly. The sensation was strikingly similar to fighting Konan of the Akatsuki, with her ability to disperse into paper.
The enemy's corrosive technique was extremely potent, making close combat risky, but not entirely out of the question.
Usually, Habara was the one executing first-encounter kill tactics. It was ironic to find himself on the receiving end this time. Still, since the initial ambush hadn't killed him, he could analyze the information gathered and adjust his strategy.
He didn't even need to take the offensive. As he'd already observed, the enemy seemed disoriented, not entirely in control. They would likely continue to charge recklessly without any prompting from him.
Sure enough, as the enemy rushed forward again, Habara calmly flicked out a sphere of mercury.
Secret Technique: Mercury Lamp!
The sphere instantly expanded, blooming like a dandelion of taut, razor-sharp mercury wires across the enemy's path. Completely avoiding such an area-of-effect attack was impossible; the opponent only made limited evasive maneuvers, weaving through the sparser outer edges of the wire-blade network. They phased directly through several shimmering threads.
Any normal ninja attempting such a direct charge would have been instantly sliced into chunks. Yet this enemy—still resembling an Aburame—passed through as if intangible, reminiscent of Obito's Kamui.
However, there were only two known users of Kamui in the world, and one version didn't even grant that kind of full-body phasing. This brief test confirmed Habara's suspicion about the enemy's nature. So, you're a Logia-type too, huh.
As the enemy bore down on him again, Habara's skin shimmered as Iron Sand flowed over it once more. This time, however, it wasn't just armor; it was an inner lining. Over the Iron Sand, a second layer formed—gleaming mercury armor.
Surely, Habara reasoned, a single corrosive agent can't eat through both mercury and iron sequentially.
With his defenses bolstered, Habara still didn't charge forward for a taijutsu exchange. The armor was merely a precaution. Given the enemy's clear advantage in close quarters thanks to their corrosive touch, there was no need for Habara to play to their strengths.
Instead, he retreated rapidly, simultaneously unleashing a barrage of shuriken. Each one trailed an exploding tag.
BOOM!BOOM!BOOM!
The successive explosions buffeted the enemy's Kikaichu-composed body, tossing it erratically. While the exploding tags couldn't inflict serious damage on such a foe, the concussive force confirmed another of Habara's hypotheses.
"Just as I thought..."
To put it simply, this "Logia-type" wasn't truly intangible. Their composition was more akin to Sasori of the Red Sand after his 'mechanical ascension'—ascended, yet not completely. Sasori still possessed a physical 'core' containing his original essence.
This enemy was the same. While the vast majority of their body was composed of Kikaichu bugs, the torso from the chest up, including the head, seemed to be their original, physical self. And if that was the case...
By Newton and Mendeleev, if it exists physically, it can be destroyed physically. Nothing to fear.
Habara spread his arms, and the distinct shape of his Iron Composite Bow materialized in his hands. Gritting his teeth against the throbbing pain in his right arm, he drew the bowstring taut, nocking a gleaming Mercury Arrow.
An iron arrow might not be effective, but mercury was worth a try.
The next instant, the Mercury Arrow tore through the air, flying towards the enemy with lightning speed.
Propelled by the combined force of Magnet Release and sheer kinetic energy, the arrow's velocity made it virtually un-dodgeable. But the enemy didn't need to dodge completely; they only needed to shift their vital core out of the path. The maneuver required was almost trivial... and indeed, the enemy simply tilted their body slightly, allowing the arrow to strike their side, below the ribs.
"Nice dodge, but..."
As the Mercury Arrow flew past the enemy's torso, it suddenly erupted, branching into a cluster of long, sharp spikes.
The mercury thorns plunged deep into the enemy's remaining physical parts. The immense impact carried the core backward, pinning it violently against the thick trunk of a nearby tree.
Impaled and suspended, the enemy began making horrible wheezing sounds, like a broken bellows. They struggled, but the mercury spikes were incredibly sharp and held fast. Their movements only served to further tear apart their fragile core. The Kikaichu could no longer maintain a coherent human shape, swarming erratically around the pinned torso like agitated flies.
Judging by their disoriented state and apparently missing limbs even before this final attack, Habara was certain this ninja had been subjected to extensive human experimentation.
His initial plan had been to capture the subject, but looking at their state now... it seemed unnecessary. Ending their suffering might actually be the truest form of mercy.
Three slender, wickedly sharp mercury blades materialized in Habara's left hand. Given the way he held them, reverse-gripped between his fingers, they resembled Black Keys more than typical short swords.
With a flick of his wrist, Habara sent the three mercury blades hurtling towards the struggling figure. As soon as they left his hand, he began forming seals...
Ninja Art: Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!
Thk-thk-thk! The multiplied blades rained down, a concentrated storm of silver striking the enemy's core again and again. Within seconds, the struggling ceased. Only the cloud of Kikaichu continued to buzz aimlessly around the ravaged remains.
"I suppose this counts as humane euthanasia..."
Habara found himself walking the familiar path of "I killed you, but it was for your own good." This time, however, his justification felt less controversial. It was, after all, simple self-defense.
Regardless of the ethics, if Habara didn't get to Konoha Hospital soon, he'd be the one needing euthanasia. The blood loss was significant, his face already pale.
But just as he turned to leave, a deep rumbling sound echoed from behind him. Thinking the enemy somehow wasn't finished, Habara spun back around. He froze, staring as a colossal tree erupted from the enemy's mangled corpse, growing at an unnatural, explosive rate, reaching towards the sky.
"This is..."
This was far more complex than Habara had imagined. No wonder such a powerful, albeit twisted, Aburame-like ninja had suddenly appeared. Now he knew the root cause.
In an instant, Habara formulated the perfect title for the report he'd have to submit to his superiors:
"Regarding the Ethical, Humanitarian, and Environmental Hazards Caused by the Abuse, Proliferation, and Loss of Control of Wood Release Cells."