Roshi let out a long roar, but the sound was filled with violence and joy from the depths of his soul.
From a distance, Uchiha Tatsumi was also taken aback when he saw Roshi.
The opponent's body did not undergo obvious changes, but a red chakra appeared on the surface. This should be the primary Tailed Beast Cloak.
Roshi's current appearance, although very manic, still retained his personal consciousness. Emotionally, he became violent and aggressive due to the interference of the Tailed Beast Chakra.
He hammered his chest with both hands, like a gorilla.
As expected of a tailed beast that resembles a male primate, Roshi was now inevitably affected to some extent.
"He has already controlled the power of the Tailed Beast to this extent?" Uchiha Tatsumi frowned.
The chakra on Roshi's body dissipated. "Come, come, let me see the strength of Konoha's ninjas."
For Roshi, killing these two ninjas was undoubtedly just a game.
It was no wonder he had such a mentality. After all, in the ninja world, Jinchuriki were generally considered among the highest combat forces of a village.
With this attitude, it was inevitable that he would look down on Sakumo.
Hatake Sakumo did not speak. He was not one for words, nor did he have the habit of conversing with enemies on the battlefield.
The only reason for pausing now was that his previous strike had consumed a significant amount of chakra. Although he wasn't exhausted, recovering a little was always beneficial.
Roshi, however, had no intention of giving Sakumo time to recover.
He charged forward, slamming his hand toward Sakumo. His speed was now much faster than before.
Faced with this high-speed taijutsu assault, Sakumo found himself struggling.
In this form, Roshi's speed was like lightning. This technique was somewhat similar to the Third Raikage's Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
After enduring a few punches, Hatake Sakumo realized he couldn't continue like this. He dodged Roshi's attack and quickly retreated without using any leverage.
Body Flicker Technique!
"Not bad speed."
Roshi smirked. With the amplification of the Tailed Beast Chakra, his taijutsu now possessed extraordinary speed and power. Ordinary ninjas wouldn't even be able to see his movements, let alone dodge them.
Sakumo's gaze shifted to Uchiha Tatsumi. Tatsumi immediately understood that Sakumo needed him to buy some time.
However, Tatsumi wasn't entirely sure if his genjutsu would still work on Roshi in this state.
The Tailed Beast could interfere with the Jinchuriki's consciousness to some extent.
If the Four-Tails intervened, Tatsumi's genjutsu would be useless. But judging from Roshi's behavior, his relationship with the Four-Tails didn't seem particularly harmonious.
Tatsumi decided to try. His Sharingan spun rapidly. A significant amount of his chakra was consumed just to halt Roshi's charge.
"It seems it's still effective," Tatsumi noted.
Taking advantage of the brief pause, Hatake Sakumo rapidly formed hand seals.
"Hatake Secret Technique!"
Sakumo's aura surged dramatically.
As Roshi shook off the genjutsu, scorching flames rose around him, distorting the air with intense heat waves.
"Lava Release: Mount Huaguo!"
Flames ignited around Roshi, and a massive surge of lava erupted, spreading rapidly. In mere moments, tens of meters of the battlefield were submerged in a sea of molten rock.
The rolling lava spread wildly, engulfing the earth.
The lava river quickly surrounded Sakumo. But he remained unfazed. With a single slash of his short sword, the ground in front of him split apart, parting the lava as if slicing through water.
Roshi was momentarily shocked. Sakumo's strength seemed to have suddenly increased.
However, secret techniques couldn't last forever. Roshi knew this and decided to drag the fight into a battle of attrition.
He immediately closed in, his fiery fist aiming for Sakumo's chest.
White Fang's short sword intercepted the attack. But the impact didn't feel like hitting a blade—it felt like slamming into a heavy hammer.
The sheer force actually sent Roshi stumbling backward several steps.
Sakumo, now empowered by his secret technique, was unstoppable.
His chakra-infused short sword, glowing with an intense azure light, collided with Roshi's fist like a sledgehammer, sending him flying.
Explosions erupted throughout the battlefield. Trees turned to charred husks under the relentless clash of lightning and lava.
Sakumo's attacks carried immense force, his short sword wielding unparalleled power. Even with Roshi's Tailed Beast Cloak, he was forced to one knee, struggling to withstand the onslaught.
White Fang's blade finally pierced through the Tailed Beast Cloak, embedding itself an inch deep into Roshi's left arm.
Scarlet blood dripped onto the scorched ground.
"I haven't been injured in years... You are truly strong..."
Since mastering part of the Four-Tails' abilities, few had managed to wound Roshi. Yet, with just a short sword, Sakumo had forced him into this dire situation. It was impressive.
"You're the only one who dares to take my blade with your body." Sakumo's voice was ice-cold.
Even he was slightly troubled. Despite utilizing his secret technique, it had taken multiple strikes just to breach Roshi's defenses. That fact alone surprised him.
"In that case... Lightning Release: Knife Wind!"
This was a technique Sakumo had been perfecting for years, blending Lightning Release with his swordsmanship. Though unfinished, it was still his ultimate trump card.
Bolts of lightning crackled around his short sword, exploding into the air.
For a moment, the battlefield was enveloped in an eerie stillness before an overwhelming wave of lightning surged forward like a divine judgment.
Uchiha Tatsumi watched in awe, his heart burning with the desire to learn and master this technique.
Seconds later, the storm of lightning finally dissipated.
A battered figure emerged from the devastation.
Roshi was covered in blood, his chakra cloak tattered and nearly gone.
The tortoise shell had finally been cracked.
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