In an instant, the air began to vibrate subtly and strangely.
Then, an invisible blade of air shot out, like a hatchet tearing through cloth, devastatingly cutting down all trees in its path for a hundred meters.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Trees broke and fell in swathes. Following the direction of the severed stumps, a violent invisible air blade surged forward.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
Meigetsu reacted extremely quickly. Her hands flew through hand seals, and she spewed out a torrential flow of water from her mouth, instantly forming a wall of water circling around her, intercepting the path of the invisible air blade.
Boom!
Splash~ Splash~
A moment later, the invisible air blade formed by the Wind Cutter Technique slammed fiercely into the Water Formation Wall.
As water splashed everywhere, the thick water wall was actually struck so hard that it dented inward.
"Such a powerful Wind Release Ninjutsu!"
Meigetsu's face showed astonishment. She had previously fought Konoha's Shimura Danzo and thought his Wind Release was the peak in the Ninja World. She never expected this newcomer's Wind Release prowess to be no less than Danzo's.
The next instant, as the surging water wall fell, the figure of the attacker also appeared in Meigetsu's line of sight.
Second on Kirigakure's Konoha kill list, the red-haired Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, Uzumaki Kushina!!!
At this moment, on the open ground dozens of meters away, Kushina stood there, her gaze heavy, sharp, and fixed in their direction.
Meigetsu felt a chill. She never imagined she would meet the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki so soon.
Jinchuriki…
Even in the eyes of Elite Jonin, Jinchuriki were still nightmare-like existences. If a timid person encountered one, they might be scared to death.
Meigetsu wasn't afraid, but the apprehension in her heart was hard to dispel.
"It's the Jinchuriki…"
"This is troublesome!"
Meigetsu murmured softly, unconsciously taking a step closer to Sora.
Sora remained standing still with a calm expression, his gaze resting on Kushina without much unusual warmth.
"Yuki Sora!"
Kushina's heart tightened. The enemy she was facing now was the Ninja who had repelled Jiraiya. If she was careless, she could be killed instantly.
At this moment, Sora and Kushina exchanged a glance, both seeing the resolve in the other's eyes.
This was a battle where neither side would retreat. Both were top-tier experts of their respective villages. Even for the honor of Kirigakure or Konoha, this step could not be taken back.
"You will pay the price for killing Konoha's Ninjas!"
"Of course, so will you."
This was the final declaration of war, and then there were no more words.
The next moment, Kushina's expression turned fierce, and then bubble-like red Chakra continuously began to emerge from her body.
'Is that…'
'Stage One Tailed Beast Transformation?'
Sora narrowed his eyes slightly. He had seen this state countless times on Naruto in the future.
This was the power of the Nine-Tails, a level belonging to the ultimate power below the Otsutsuki.
At the same time, the other Konoha's Ninjas also attacked. They had obtained intelligence about Sora from their fallen comrades, knowing he was a terrifying close-quarters butcher, with insanely powerful Taijutsu and swordsmanship. If they got into close combat, many could be killed or wounded instantly.
Therefore, from a far distance, over twenty Ninjas joined forces, simultaneously launching a Ninjutsu bombardment.
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Bullet!"
"Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Spears!"
The combined attack of over twenty Jonin and Elite Chunin instantly formed a surging sea of fire.
A flaming earth dragon and earthen spears thrust forward, their momentum fierce, a rare and fearsome combined ninjutsu.
Boom!
Boom!
Powerful Chakra Turbulence ran rampant, fueling the temperature of the flames, making the surrounding air scalding hot.
The Konoha's Ninjas were well-prepared.
As soon as they saw Sora appear, they specifically used a combination of Earth and Fire Release to suppress him, because according to the intelligence, the Yuki Clan's Ice Release Kekkei Genkai was synthesized from Water and Wind Release. Using Earth and Fire combinations to counter it held a significant advantage in Chakra Nature.
The burning earth dragon roared forth, its momentum immense.
Scorching!
Tremors!
Turbulence!
Just at the moment of engagement, the battle entered a white-hot stage.
These Konoha's Ninjas weren't fools. They learned from the experience of their fallen comrades and joined forces against the enemy from the start, using Ninjutsu from a distance to consume the opponent's Chakra.
Watching the sky-blotting Ninjutsu attacks sweeping towards them, Kushina's expression was very calm. She possessed the Uzumaki Clan's bloodline, plus the vitality of the Nine-Tails' Chakra, making her virtually an immortal existence.
Light injuries… No, even life-threatening serious injuries could be completely healed in a very short time. As long as Chakra existed, she was truly undying.
Therefore-
Kushina didn't mind fighting in a sea of fire. She didn't think Sora's damage resistance was stronger than hers.
'This is bad!'
Meigetsu's pupils were illuminated by the firelight. She looked at Sora's back, her face full of disbelief, 'Did this man really defeat Konoha's Sannin, Jiraiya under such terrifying Ninjutsu bombardment!??'
Boom!
Ther Chakra detonated.
The roaring earth dragon stirred up fiery winds, transforming into a whirlwind over twenty meters in radius, rolling forth blotting out the sky and covering the earth. The scorching air currents it pulled along seemed intent on burning everything in the area to ashes.
This was a combined Ninjutsu launched jointly by over twenty Jonin-level experts. Going all out, the technique's power could rival that of a Kage-level Ninja.
In the sea of fire, both Sora and Meigetsu were enveloped. Just as this scorching earth-dragon-fire-sea was about to engulf them, Sora finally moved.
He gently raised his right hand, pointing his index finger lightly towards the oncoming scorching fire-sea.
Then, the next moment.
That roaring earth-dragon-fire-sea seemed to crash into an invisible wall, being unbelievably crushed into the shape of a platform.
The subsequent Chakra continued to pour in, outputting frantically, but the increasingly scorching earth-dragon-fire-sea still couldn't tear through that invisible wall.
The power could only pile up further. As the energy density rose rapidly, the platform-shaped fire-sea was compressed to a startlingly thin, paper-like thickness.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The next instant, an earth-shattering explosion erupted skyward. As a terrifying mushroom cloud formed, the roar shook the surroundings. The resulting hurricane-like shockwaves spread out for over ten kilometers. Yet, even such a horrifying explosion still failed before that invisible light screen, only managing to helplessly stir up sand and dust, spreading out in all directions.
"What?"
"He blocked it?"
"It's not Ice Release at all, what kind of Ninjutsu is that!"
"Seal-less! It's seal-less again!"
Shockwaves mixed with smoke and dust ran rampant, but still couldn't suppress the shock and terror in the hearts of the Konoha's Ninjas. They watched helplessly as the combined Ninjutsu of dozens was casually defended against.
Some, due to that momentary stunned disbelief, were directly blown away by the scattered scorching air currents, leaving only distant, intermittently echoing, miserable cries.
Sora still stood in place.
Beside him was Meigetsu, equally petrified and dumbfounded.
'Who am I?'
'Where am I?'
'What just happened?'
Meigetsu wore an expression as if she had seen a ghost. She stared in terror at Sora beside her, unable to imagine what method he had used to so bizarrely and effortlessly block the combined attack of Konoha's Ninjas.
"Water Release: Water Fang Bullet!"
Kushina refused to believe it. Clad in her red Chakra Cloak, she pressed a rapidly spinning ball of water with her left hand and hurled it towards Sora.
Water Fang Bullet!
The Second Hokage's ultimate technique!
The power of the high-speed rotating water release could even cut through the powerful wood of the God Tree!
This was Kushina's most lethal Ninjutsu, peerless in close combat. Even the Raikage from Kumogakure would cough up blood if he took a solid hit.
It's a pure offensive skill!
High-speed rotation coupled with high-density Chakra, it created a water blade that seemed capable of tearing space itself!
However,
The next moment,
When the spinning Water Fang Bullet crashed into the invisible light screen, it shattered like an egg, scattering into countless fragments that drifted away.
Kushina looked on in shock, seeing that what blocked her path was merely Sora's casually raised finger.
One finger…
Blocked the combined Ninjutsu of over twenty Jonin-level attackers, and her strongest killing technique, the Water Fang Bullet!!!
Water splashed, soaking her long hair.
"Marvelous, isn't it?"
Sora said with a smile: "I usually call it Hado #81: Danku."
Before the words faded, Sora's figure disappeared from Kushina's sight.
Bang!
The next moment.
Kushina's body flew backward like a cannonball.
Boom!
Terrifying force tore through the air, emitting dull roars.
Kushina resisted the urge to vomit blood, her face smashed by Sora's knee, sent flying violently.
Petrification.
Stupefaction.
Terror.
The encircling Konoha's Jonin watched in horror as Kushina was brutally knocked flying by the enemy, even crashing through the mountain rocks dozens of meters away, causing a rumbling landslide.
So fast!
And so strong!
Instantly withstanding a Kage-level combined Ninjutsu, then sending Kushina flying. Everything that happened in that split second was so shocking it made one almost forget to breathe.
"Fake, right?"
"Lies, right?"
"This is the enemy Jiraiya-sama faced?"
"Terrifying! Simply makes one's hair stand on end!"
Some Jonin's expressions completely changed. They already had high expectations for Sora's combat power, but never imagined the enemy's strength would be so much more horrifying than they thought!!!
The impact of this instant scene deeply shocked even the battle-hardened Konoha's Jonin present, and simultaneously filled them with fear.
From the shattered rocks, Kushina got up disheveledly. A hideous wound had split open on her fair forehead, blood continuously rolling down.
"Bastard!"
"Big bastard!"
Kushina couldn't tolerate it. Her opponent was simply a bastard, making her face bloom like that. For a Kunoichi, this was practically an insult.
Fortunately, Kushina was no ordinary character.
The unique vitality of the Uzumaki Clan, combined with the Nine-Tails' Chakra, actually caused the wound on her forehead to heal rapidly with a sizzling sound. Then she charged back with a fierce expression.
Getting knocked flying in the first round was too shameful!
Now, the red hair behind Kushina danced like seaweed. Anger, almost tangible, seemed to flow from her eyes.
She had been careful enough!
But…
She was still too careless!
Indeed!
Facing an enemy of this level, there was no need for probing attacks. Going all out from the start was the right move!
Any more probing and she would end up like that fool Jiraiya, with all his subordinates killed and nearly dying himself!
"Nine-Tails!"
"I need your power!!!"
Kushina roared. Immediately, a beast-like roar seemed to sound from within her body.
"Kushina!"
"You damned woman, when I break this seal and get out, I'll kill you first, ahhh ahhh!"
"Hurt!"
"It hurts!!!!"
Amidst the insane beastly roars,
The bubble-like red Chakra on Kushina's body surface instantly turned into a dazzling crimson, then spread out like satin, covering her entire body, enveloping her completely.
An unbelievable skull appeared, shaped like a fox's head, encasing her own head, finally wrapping Kushina's last features into the satin-like deep red Chakra.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Chakra ran rampant!
In an instant, Kushina transformed into a beast-like monster, crouching on the ground. Behind her, four terrifying and creepy tails rose, swaying constantly.
'This…'
'The Tailed Beast Transformation?'
Sora's expression remained unchanged, but he gently stepped in front of Meigetsu: "From now on, you don't need to intervene. I alone am enough."
"Mm…"
"I understand."
Meigetsu bit her lip and nodded. The opponent's Jinchuriki had already begun to rampage. The coming battle was indeed not something an Elite Jonin like her could participate in.
"Sora!"
"You must win!"
Meigetsu retreated half a step, ready to witness this destined to be peerless performance.
However,
Sora's words made the partially transformed Kushina feel extremely furious.
'One person is enough?'
'Planning to kill me alone, and then escape under the encirclement of Konoha's Jonin!??'
'You…'
'Who do you think you are!??'
'Uchiha Madara?!'
The Nine-Tails' Chakra's rampage ultimately affected Kushina's mind, making her originally fiery temper even more ferocious.
Whoosh!
In mid-air, a streak of deep red light flashed.
The next instant, the partially transformed Kushina had already crossed the hundred-meter distance, charging right in front of Sora.
"Vacuum Ice Blade!"
Sora raised his hand, a piercingly cold freezing air shot out, forming a blade.
The resulting ice blade was enough to instantly kill a Jonin-level figure.
However,
The partially transformed Kushina didn't dodge or evade. She charged straight at the ice blade, roaring:
"Adamantine Sealing Chains!!!"
Chains shimmering with a faint golden light shot out from Kushina's back. Like willow branches whipping through the air, they swept fiercely towards the incoming ice blade.