A piercing scream echoed through the battlefield, yet even Ōnoki couldn't pinpoint Kyoichi's exact location—his chakra was completely blocking their sensory abilities.
Hiding in Mist Jutsu and Silent Killing Technique even more terrifying than those used by the Kirigakure!
"The Second Mizukage's technique!"
Before long, a fierce gust of wind howled through the battlefield.
Dozens of Wind Release: Great Breakthroughs.
Iwa-nin weren't without Wind Release users, but compared to Konoha, they were fewer in number. However, dispersing the mist was still within their capability.
And yet…
The moment they cleared the mist, their sensory abilities detected Kyoichi dragging an Iwa-nin into a crevice formed by Earth Release techniques.
The next instant…
Before the Iwa-nin could entrap him with Earth Release, Kyoichi snapped his captive's neck and burst out of the ground—there was no other choice. The underground was crawling with Iwa-nin, leaving nowhere to hide.
At that moment, a barrage of Earth Release jutsu came crashing down, forming a massive stone prison around him. In the hazy light, he caught sight of Ōnoki and Kitsuchi appearing with the Body Flicker Technique, Kitsuchi's arm transforming into a massive stone fist.
Fist Rock Technique.
And also… Added-Weight Rock Technique!
Before they could strike—
Boom!
A thunderous explosion erupted from beneath the stone prison as a terrifying chakra surged forth. In the next instant, a single punch—
The entire stone structure shattered into fragments. Molten lava seeped through the cracks, flowing into the earth below and scalding the Iwa-nin using Earth Release to move underground.
Kitsuchi's fist came crashing down, only to be met with an even more devastating counterattack.
The power of a Tailed Beast, enhanced by monstrous strength techniques, combined with a strange, jagged blade.
One slash—
Kitsuchi's rocky fist covering his arm vanished.
His heart clenched in shock.
But—
Retreating now was impossible. Fortunately, Ōnoki grabbed him just in time, using the Light-Weight Rock Technique to make him lighter and swiftly pulling him back, narrowly avoiding the devastating punch powered by the Tailed Beast's chakra.
Even so, Kitsuchi's arm was already scorched and blistered.
And that was just from a mere graze.
"Lava Release… Tailed Beast Transformation!"
Ōnoki took a deep breath.
The abilities Kyoichi had just displayed were beyond his comprehension—he was certain this young Konoha shinobi wasn't a full-fledged Jinchūriki.
He must have found a way to borrow the Tailed Beast's chakra.
But how?
That blade?
There was no time to dwell on it. One thing was clear—
Surrounding and overwhelming Kyoichi was not a viable option!
Moreover…
Konoha's other shinobi had already begun their assault, and there was no telling when Hiruzen Sarutobi would make his move.
He had to divide his forces.
"I'll take care of him. The rest of you handle the others."
Ōnoki's expression turned grim.
He had to admit—the seventeen-year-old Konoha jōnin before him might be unbeatable, save for himself.
Too dangerous!
Even the legendary Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju, at this age, might not have been as formidable as this boy.
The Iwa-nin followed orders without hesitation.
With Ōnoki's command, they swiftly dispersed to engage the advancing Konoha forces.
In an instant, only Kyoichi and Ōnoki remained.
"You see," Kyoichi said with a smirk, "my goal was always just to stall you. Why don't we just sit back and watch the fight unfold?"
"Enough nonsense!"
There was no way Ōnoki would agree.
He refused to believe he was weaker than Kyoichi. He had to take him down quickly—then he could turn his focus toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.
And so…
The real battle began.
Kyoichi's expression turned serious.
Against multiple enemies, it seemed like he was at a disadvantage, but in truth, the Iwa-nin had served as his cover, preventing Ōnoki from using large-scale Dust Release techniques.
But...
Now that it was one-on-one, Onoki had no need to hold back.
Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!
A massive cube enveloped Kyoichi from all sides. This time, it was several times faster than before. If Kyoichi hadn't been in his Tailed Beast transformation, he would have had to activate the Seven Heavens Breathing Method just to keep up.
After he used the Body Flicker Technique...
All the earth walls and spikes were disintegrated into atoms.
And that wasn't all.
In the next instant, Onoki moved with astonishing speed, instantly closing in on Kyoichi. As soon as Kyoichi flickered away, another cylindrical Dust Release beam came blasting toward him at an angle.
With his firepower fully unleashed, Onoki had increased both his own speed and the velocity of his Dust Release techniques considerably.
A direct hit from this specialized cylindrical Dust Release would completely annihilate anything in its path, even Ice Release defenses. Nothing could withstand its disintegration—this was the terrifying power of Bloodline Selection!
Kyoichi was envious.
But a technique of this level couldn't simply be copied. Even if he had access to the training methods for Bloodline Selection and possessed Fire Release chakra, it would still be nearly impossible to master.
Otherwise, Iwagakure wouldn't be struggling with a lack of successors.
Kyoichi focused all his attention. His lungs and skin began to breathe—
He had entered the First Activation.
There was no other choice...
Onoki was too fast under the effects of the Light-Weight Rock Technique, and with both Dust Release and the Heavy-Weight Rock Technique posing constant threats, Kyoichi had to bring out his full strength.
Of course...
Kyoichi wasn't just going to stand there and take hits.
A skilled assassin only needed a single moment to turn the tables, and he was patiently waiting for his opportunity.
Onoki didn't know what Kyoichi was planning.
But he knew he had to be wary of Kyoichi's explosive tags and those swords.
Three Dust Release attacks.
Yet, Kyoichi didn't reveal a single flaw, nor did he show any intention of launching a close-range counterattack.
Onoki's heart sank.
He was a seasoned warrior. While he lacked extraordinary sensory abilities, his battle intuition far surpassed that of ordinary shinobi—he could tell that Konoha's plans extended beyond this duel.
No Lightning Release had appeared.
The main forces seemed to be limited.
It looked as though...
Konoha lacked the means for an all-out battle.
Why?
A sense of urgency grew in Onoki's mind. He ascended higher into the air, hoping to get a better view of the battlefield.
And then, he saw something was wrong.
At the front lines, Hiruzen Sarutobi was engaged in a fierce battle with Konoha's shinobi, while the rear camp was in complete disarray. Medical-nin were retreating toward him.
Impossible!
Onoki was stunned.
At that moment—
The Tailed Beast chakra around Kyoichi withdrew, returning to the Yin Seal, and his outer cloak suddenly tore apart, transforming into a pair of pure white wings.
Dance of the Shikigami: Angel Form!
In the next moment—
Third Activation!
Whoosh—
A sharp sound of air being sliced through.
And a blindingly fast blade.
Onoki couldn't see Kyoichi's movements or position at all. His eyes could no longer be trusted.
Because what he saw could very well be just an afterimage—the real Kyoichi had already moved elsewhere.
He immediately formed hand seals, and then, from his mouth, he expelled a mass of earth that rapidly condensed into a massive stone giant. The giant wrapped its hands around Onoki, shielding him.
Earth Release: Golem Jutsu!
Empowered by the Light-Weight Rock Technique, the golem hovered and positioned itself to block any attacks aimed at Onoki's back.
But then...
A single slash.
The stone giant was cleaved in two—
Even though Kyoichi didn't use Lightning Release, his Wind Release sword techniques were sharp enough to slice through stone with ease.
Onoki didn't have time to hesitate.
He formed seals midair, landed, and slammed his hand onto the ground. A massive rock arm emerged, shielding him once more.
But...
Through the gaps, he saw Kyoichi forming an unusual hand sign.
In the next instant, he sensed a surge of chakra on his body—
Not good!
Explosive tags!
Onoki was horrified. Without a second thought, he immediately shed his robe and used the Earth Dragon Submersion technique to burrow underground.
He never expected Kyoichi to be able to fly.
And even after cutting through his defensive jutsu with a single sword strike, Kyoichi still managed to plant explosive tags up close…
However…
Onoki was a veteran warrior with vast battle experience. Before fully submerging underground, he quickly gathered chakra in his palm and formed a cube above him, enclosing his position precisely.
Boom!
The explosive tags and ensuing flames were all disintegrated and neutralized.
Kyoichi frowned.
He managed to counter that?
What a tough opponent!
Little did Kyoichi know, Onoki was thinking the same thing.
I almost died!
Hiding underground, Onoki was drenched in cold sweat.
Ever since the Second Generation of shinobi from various villages had passed away, it had been a long time since he had felt the threat of death. But in that brief moment, he had been terrifyingly close to it.
A fraction of a second slower, and he wouldn't have survived. His years of battle-honed instincts had saved him.
Damn it...
This guy is a complete monster. He can even fly! Is there anything he can't do?
The Senju and Uchiha are all monsters!
He cursed in his heart.
However, Onoki noticed something crucial—Kyoichi's speed wasn't constant.
After observing for a moment, he realized that Kyoichi's bursts of speed came from leveraging external forces to propel himself. In pure flight, Onoki was still superior. But despite this realization, he couldn't help but feel a sense of defeat.
As the Tsuchikage, when did it come to this—comparing flight speed with another shinobi?
It wasn't that he lacked options, but he didn't want to waste too much chakra against Kyoichi.
There was no point...
Kyoichi was a Senju!
Who knew how much chakra this guy had?
Moreover…
Kyoichi wasn't even Konoha's leader, while he was the Tsuchikage.
Their positions and importance were vastly different. Onoki couldn't afford unnecessary risks, especially with the battlefield situation worsening both at the front lines and the rear.
He couldn't gamble.
Onoki broke away, quickly flying forward.
Kyoichi pursued.
In pure flight, he wasn't as fast as Onoki. But with Body Flicker, taijutsu techniques, and momentum-assisted gliding, it was a different story. And this was exactly what Onoki feared—
That earlier sword strike had been so fast, he hadn't even seen it coming.
Many Iwa-nin were stunned.
To them, Onoki was practically invincible. But now…
Onoki was being chased down by Kyoichi.
This was a misunderstanding.
But no matter the truth, the morale of the Iwa-nin had already been shaken. Yet, Onoki had no time to care—his only goal now was to kill Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Defeat the commander, and Konoha's morale would crumble. Iwagakure could turn the tide.
It was a good plan.
However…
He underestimated Kyoichi's speed.
To catch up, Kyoichi unsealed his chakra again, his body shrouded in the Tailed Beast's cloak.
The increase wasn't immense—but it was enough!
The boost was just enough to close the gap.
But just as Kyoichi was about to reach him, Onoki suddenly turned back, a brilliant beam of Dust Release erupting between his hands.
He had timed it perfectly.
This was the moment when Kyoichi's speed was at its lowest. In midair, there was almost no way to dodge.
But…
At that instant, Kyoichi's body transformed into countless fluttering paper sheets.
Some were disintegrated—but many reassembled elsewhere.
At the same time, Kyoichi reached out, manipulating chakra. Throughout the battle, Onoki had been drenched in rain, and he had discarded his robe to escape the explosive tags.
Now, Ice Release chakra surged through the rain, taking control of the water clinging to Onoki's body.
Instantly—
The rainwater froze!
Onoki's hands turned to ice. He tried to form hand seals, but the ice expanded rapidly into massive chains.
His hands were frozen solid!
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