No matter how strong their fighting spirit, the Iwagakure Ninjas can't withstand such attrition. When their comrades fell, the Iwagakure Ninjas always felt that they would be next.
After a brief exchange, the Iwagakure Ninjas changed their strategy and kept their distance from the Konoha Ninjas.
The two sides entered a phase of exchanging Ninjutsu attacks with each other. Only the Iwagakure Ninjas skilled in Taijutsu remained in close - range combat with the Konoha Ninjas.
Kawaki walked forward steadily, although he showed no intention of attacking.
However, wherever he went, the Iwagakure Ninjas stepped back.
None of the Iwagakure Ninjas dared to attack him, which showed how fearsome his reputation was.
The closer Kawaki got to ōnoki, the faster he became. Lightning flashed on his body, and he was already in combat mode.
Tsunade had returned to normal and followed closely behind.
The two had a clear target—ōnoki and Rōshi.
"I'll go first."
Rōshi bowed his head and informed ōnoki, then rushed straight towards Kawaki.
Lava Release: Scorching Flow Fist[b]Lava Release: Scorching Flow Fist[/b].
After forming the hand seals, Rōshi spat out several magma balls from his mouth, aiming at Kawaki and Tsunade.
As he ran, a red tail appeared behind him.
Only then did ōnoki slowly take to the air, his eyes fixed on Kawaki's movements.
Once he spotted an opening, he would strike without hesitation.
"Good timing."
The magma balls, even bigger than a person, looked imposing. The magma on them was still flowing, and the flames were blazing high.
Even before the balls reached him, Kawaki could feel the intense heat wave.
Lightning Flash, Six - Strike Combo[b]Lightning Flash, Six - Strike Combo[/b].
A slight smile appeared on Kawaki's lips. He bent his knees slightly, then suddenly accelerated, leaving a lightning afterimage in place.
The lightning passed through the magma balls, instantly cutting them in half and sending them crashing to the ground.
After sinking into the ground, the flames on them didn't go out. The flowing magma set the surrounding ground on fire.
"Such incredible speed."
Rōshi felt that his eyes couldn't keep up with Kawaki's movements. Instinctively, he raised his right fist and punched forward.
"Clang~"
A crisp sound echoed as Kawaki's sword collided violently with Rōshi's fist.
The makeshift sword shattered. Rōshi's fist, wrapped in lava and burning with intense heat, headed straight for Kawaki's face.
"This crappy sword."
Kawaki showed no fear and even had the time to complain about the sword's quality.
He casually tossed aside the broken half of the sword and did a backbend. Rōshi's fist whistled past his face.
Balancing on one leg, Kawaki lifted his right foot and kicked Rōshi in the chin.
It was as if everything had been rehearsed in advance. To Tsunade, it looked so seamless.
"Oof~"
Rōshi let out a grunt and flew backward.
Fatal Kick[b]Fatal Kick[/b].
Tsunade had no reason to miss this good opportunity. She flapped her wings and flew towards Rōshi in mid - air at high speed, aiming a kick at him.
The brightly - shining crimson Chakra on her toes was terrifying.
ōnoki's expression changed drastically. He had seen this move before.
"You won't succeed."
Earth Release, Rock Arm[b]Earth Release, Rock Arm[/b].
"Rumble~"
A huge rock arm broke through the ground and emerged.
It blocked the way between Tsunade and Rōshi.
Tsunade kicked one of its fingers, shattering it and sending rocks flying everywhere.
Failing to land a hit, she quickly retreated.
After narrowly avoiding the attack, Rōshi fell heavily to the ground.
"Thanks."
Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth and spitting out two ōga, Rōshi slurred his words a bit.
He shook his head, and the intense dizziness gradually subsided.
Rōshi got up and peeked at Kawaki and Tsunade through the fingers of the rock arm.
These two were really tough nuts to crack. Rōshi had put away his contempt.
"Come back. Don't fight recklessly."
ōnoki descended. Rōshi had been too rash. He'd almost been taken out in the first clash.
If Tsunade's kick had landed, Rōshi wouldn't have fared much better than Han.
Then, left alone, ōnoki would probably have to slink back.
"You're pretty quick on the draw."
Kawaki said with a hint of mockery, glancing at ōnoki in mid - air.
"What's there to be so cocky about?"
ōnoki had a reunion with Rōshi and gently placed his hand on his shoulder.
Rōshi immediately felt his fists and kicks grow heavier. This was the Third Tsuchikage's Weighted Rock Jutsu[b]Weighted Rock Jutsu[/b].
"ōnoki, if you withdraw your troops now, I'll let bygones be bygones."
Kawaki smiled faintly, not taking the two in front of him seriously at all.
"You're dreaming."
ōnoki rejected the offer without a second thought.
Rōshi opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but swallowed the words.
"Then don't blame me for being rude."
"Forgot to tell you, someone's learned your secret jutsu."
Kawaki added fuel to the fire. At these words, ōnoki's face darkened even more.
This was a secret jutsu passed down to him by the Second Tsuchikage. He never expected someone in Konoha could learn it so easily.
And in such a short time!
"If you want to fight, then fight. Stop blabbering."
Although Rōshi didn't get along with ōnoki, he understood the situation.
After saying this, a powerful chakra burst from Rōshi. Large swaths of lava instantly appeared on the land, and his body was gradually covered by the high - temperature lava.
Lava Release Chakra Mode[b]Lava Release Chakra Mode[/b]!!!
This was Rōshi's most powerful battle state apart from the currently uncontrollable complete Tailed Beast transformation.
In this mode, everything Rōshi touched would melt. The lava - release armor enhanced his lethality and defense.
With the boost from ōnoki's Weighted Rock Jutsu[b]Weighted Rock Jutsu[/b], Rōshi's combat power was likely to rise another notch.
Feeling Rōshi's overwhelming aura, Kawaki steeled himself.
"Not bad strength."
Kawaki silently activated Sage Mode[b]Sage Mode[/b], and Tsunade also had three Buffs.
"You're really full of yourself."
Seabed Needle[b]Seabed Needle[/b]
Rōshi leaped into the air, his right fist completely engulfed in magma.
Propelled by the terrifying explosive force, he reached Kawaki's front with a strong whoosh of wind.
"Sorry, you're too slow."
Kawaki's voice sounded faintly. His figure flashed, and he dodged Rōshi's thunderous blow.
The missed punch slammed into the ground, instantly evaporating the moisture from it.
The dry ground exploded with a bang, forming a huge crater centered around Rōshi.
"Be careful."
ōnoki intended to come to the rescue, but Tsunade blocked his way.
He could fly, and coincidentally, so could Tsunade.
With his small arms and legs, ōnoki really didn't dare to fight Tsunade in Taijutsu[b]Taijutsu[/b].
He could only try to increase the distance between them. Two consecutive blasts of Dust Release[b]Dust Release[/b] missed, but fortunately, he managed to get out of Tsunade's attack range.
"Heavenly Foot of Pain."
How could Kawaki not be aware of Tsunade's signature move, Heavenly Foot of Pain[b]Heavenly Foot of Pain[/b]?
Rōshi reacted too late. He didn't have time to dodge and could only take the hit head - on.
Watching Kawaki's foot getting bigger and bigger in his sight, the violent aura of the lightning - attribute made him hold his breath.
"Lava Release: Granite[b]Lava Release: Granite[/b]."
Suddenly, circles of magma quickly rose around Rōshi's body, and a huge magma wall stood up from under his feet.
Along with the "hissing" sound, white fog billowed up from the wall.
Kawaki stomped heavily on the magma wall.
"Bang~"
This barrier shattered right before Rōshi's stunned eyes, and Kawaki's foot, with the remaining momentum, landed on Rōshi's head.
"Rōshi!"
Ōnoki exclaimed, worried that another Jinchūriki from his village would be down.
Then he would be the sinner of Iwagakure.
"You still have time to worry about others?"
Seizing this opportunity, Tsunade moved forward quickly. Her crimson figure turned into a gorgeous streak in the air.
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