Facing the pincer attack of two giant salamanders, the Black Dragon showed no trace of fear. Instead, it actively dove into the river water and engaged in bloody combat with the two salamanders once more.
On the surface of the river, the moment the poison mist dispersed, a group of Rain-nin immediately attacked the Konoha-nin. Several elite Konoha-nin who were heavily poisoned were killed on the spot, and the remaining ones quickly fell into a disadvantage.
Unfortunately, Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and Uchiha Ryun currently had no energy to pay attention to the others. Because they were facing a demigod, even the slightest carelessness could mean death for themselves.
"Water Release: Water Cutting Technique!"
Hanzō of the Salamander initiated the attack first. A high-pressure water line was spat from his mouth and swept horizontally toward the three.
Orochimaru was the first to lean backward and dodge the sharp cutting water line. Uchiha Ryun exerted strength in his legs and leaped high into the air. Jiraiya, being the last one attacked, had ample time and thus crouched on the ground like a toad.
While in midair, Uchiha Ryun threw out a series of shuriken. At the same time, Jiraiya used the Hair Needle Senbon technique.
"Body Flicker Technique!"
Hanzō of the Salamander formed a hand seal with one hand, evaded all attacks, and disappeared in an instant.
"Teacher! Under the water!!"
Just as Orochimaru and Jiraiya were still looking around for Hanzō of the Salamander, Uchiha Ryun in the air managed to catch a glimpse of a fleeting shadow underwater through the insight of his Three Tomoe Sharingan.
"Lightning Release: Earth Flow!"
Orochimaru quickly formed hand seals and slapped the water surface. Instantly, a powerful electric net turned a rapidly approaching figure into liquid.
This was just a Water Clone distraction technique used by Hanzō of the Salamander!
Before taking action, he already knew the Three Tomoe Sharingan could detect him. He deliberately revealed himself to attract the trio's attention, but his real target wasn't Orochimaru—it was Jiraiya!
A cold glint suddenly pierced through the turbid river water.
Facing the deadly sickle coming at him, Jiraiya, learning from past lessons, didn't dare to block the sickle's edge with a kunai. Because the weapon in Hanzō of the Salamander's hands was made of better material than Uchiha Ryun's chakra blade, and his swordsmanship was highly refined. Engaging him in close combat would be no different from seeking death.
Jiraiya's long hair suddenly extended, entangling the sickle and quickly wrapping around Hanzō of the Salamander's body.
"Something's wrong!!"
Jiraiya suddenly realized in shock that it felt too easy. Without thinking, he knew he had fallen into a trap!
The next moment, Hanzō of the Salamander's body turned into a pile of mud, and within the mud, a large number of explosive tags were revealed.
(Explosive tags from the Land of Rain are waterproof and can ignite and explode whether in heavy rain or deep water.)
Jiraiya was so frightened that he scrambled away, retracted his hair, and immediately used the Body Flicker Technique.
Boom!!!
A violent explosion resounded across the river surface. Even though Jiraiya reacted quickly, he was still sent flying by the shockwave.
Before the dazed Jiraiya could recover, a chain emerged from underwater and wrapped around his ankle.
"Ninja Art: Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Just as Jiraiya was about to be dragged into the water with great force, Orochimaru used his Snake Hands to firmly grab him.
The two sides struggled in a contest of strength. Jiraiya's ankle was soon bleeding from the chain's tight grip, but even so, he gritted his teeth and didn't utter a single cry of pain.
"Ryun!!!" Orochimaru suddenly shouted.
The next moment, Uchiha Ryun arrived with a Body Flicker. Instead of trying to cut the chain with his chakra blade, he grabbed the chain with one hand and unleashed the full power of his Chidori Current.
Jiraiya beside him was instantly electrocuted. Orochimaru had already detached his Snake Hands the moment Uchiha Ryun arrived, narrowly escaping the same fate.
The other end of the chain suddenly lost its tension. Clearly, the opponent also knew the power of Chidori Current and abandoned the chain immediately.
Uchiha Ryun didn't waste precious time trying to free the injured Jiraiya from the chain. Instead, he exerted all his strength and threw both the chain and Jiraiya toward Orochimaru.
Then he quickly pressed both hands onto the river surface, channeling the lightning power of Chidori Current into the riverbed.
He knew Hanzō of the Salamander was underwater. This move might injure him since water conducts electricity.
"Water Release: Water Vortex Jutsu!"
The water beneath Uchiha Ryun suddenly began to churn, then swiftly enveloped him in a spinning vortex at lightning speed.
At the critical moment, Orochimaru once again used Snake Hands to pull Uchiha Ryun out of the water vortex.
The water vortex didn't dissipate after failing to trap its target. Instead, under Hanzō of the Salamander's control, it swiftly rushed toward the trio.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!!!
Jiraiya and Uchiha Ryun simultaneously threw several explosive-tagged kunai. The kunai were swept into the vortex and exploded violently, the shockwaves instantly suppressing the vortex's formation and officially neutralizing Hanzō of the Salamander's attack.
The three stood guard on the water surface, and Hanzō of the Salamander slowly emerged from the river.
Among the four, Uchiha Ryun and Orochimaru had only expended some chakra. Jiraiya looked the most disheveled—his ankle was injured, and he had also been electrocuted by Uchiha Ryun's Chidori Current.
However, he didn't blame Uchiha Ryun. Instead, he felt it was a clever move—they had gained more than lost.
Because Hanzō of the Salamander on the opposing side had lost half of his weapon (the chain and sickle were one piece), leaving only a sickle.
Moreover, judging by Hanzō of the Salamander's heaving chest, he had definitely taken a direct hit from Chidori Current just like Jiraiya.
Unfortunately, Uchiha Ryun's heart wasn't ruthless enough. He had somewhat held back out of concern for Jiraiya's life and didn't increase the current to its maximum.
When he threw Jiraiya away, it also gave Hanzō of the Salamander a brief chance to escape. The subsequent electric conduction in the water failed to electrocute him to death.
"Ryun, you take the lead in attacking. Jiraiya and I will support you!" Orochimaru said solemnly.
Fighting on the river surface limited Jiraiya's strongest Fire Release techniques and Orochimaru's strongest Earth Release techniques. Both were unable to perform at their best. Ordinary Water Release techniques also posed little threat to Hanzō of the Salamander.
After careful consideration, only Uchiha Ryun's powerful Lightning Release techniques currently had the potential to decide the outcome.
"Kid, this round depends entirely on you!"
Even though his own condition was far from ideal, Jiraiya still managed to smile.
"You ignorant brats, do you really think you can defeat me?"
Hanzō of the Salamander spoke with a dark expression.
"And you, at such a young age, you already possess remarkable strength and have awakened the Three Tomoe Sharingan..."
"You will surely become a great threat in the future. I cannot let you live!"
Hanzō of the Salamander stared intently at Uchiha Ryun, then launched another attack!
(On September 10th, Kushina's voice actress, Megumi Shinohara, passed away due to illness, sob... My poor Nana, may you rest in peace. Also, Konan's voice actress passed away due to illness just over half a month ago. Two beloved anime characters. May there be no illness or villains in heaven. Leaving their names here is a way to commemorate them, because I truly love Kushina, especially her catchphrase!)
PS: The life of the great Kushina has ended, but the little Kushina in this story will always remain. Ryun will protect her (Dattebane)!
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