Ning Feng's movements were simply too fast.
So fast that the instant he flashed into view, the Explosion Release ninja Gari hadn't even had time to react.
Hiss—!
A violent gale roared outward.
At some point, a Rasengan had already formed in Ning Feng's hand, and he slammed it straight toward Gari.
Just as it seemed that the legendary Iwagakure shinobi would be killed on the spot, a cold smile appeared at the corner of Gari's mouth.
In the next instant, yellow chakra surged over his body, forming something like armor—like a suit of living plating.
This was Gari's Explosion Release Armor.
Compared to ordinary Earth Release armor, it possessed far greater defensive power—and at any moment, it could detonate, inflicting terrifying damage on the enemy.
Who knew how much effort and preparation Gari had poured into countering Ning Feng's terrifying mobility?
After all, this Explosion Release Armor was practically tailor-made to restrain him.
"Rasengan!"
A cold voice rang out.
The Rasengan, carrying shrill whistling sounds, instantly tore Gari's Explosion Release Armor apart, shredding it into countless fragments that flew everywhere.
But in the very next moment, Gari rapidly formed hand seals—
BOOM!
The shattered Explosion Release Armor detonated violently.
Amid the deafening roar, Gari's mocking laughter echoed out.
"Hehehe… I thought the famous Uchiha Feng of the Uchiha clan would be something special."
"Turns out you're nothing more than this!"
"My Explosion Release can be used anywhere there's earth-element chakra present—it's your perfect counter."
"As long as you make a move, my Explosion Release can hurt you!"
However, before Gari could finish speaking, his expression abruptly froze.
In his horrified gaze, the one torn apart by the explosion was—
Only Ning Feng's shadow clone.
The clone burst into countless bubbles and vanished.
"…What?"
Gari frowned deeply.
The one who had used Flying Thunder God to appear beside him should have been Ning Feng's true body—so why…?
Nearby, Deidara, who still hadn't made a move, also had eyes full of shock.
To complete a Shadow Clone and a substitution in such a short span of time was practically impossible.
Yet there was no time to dwell on it.
All of them immediately tensed up, on full alert, afraid that the moment Ning Feng struck again, they would suffer catastrophic losses.
Unfortunately—
Just as Gari and the others were still thinking—
A streak of golden light appeared without warning.
One Iwagakure jōnin was instantly harvested by a kunai.
Before the remaining jōnin could even react, several flashes of golden light flickered in succession.
Those Iwagakure shinobi vanished on the spot, as if they had never existed—collapsing as lifeless corpses.
"So fast… Flying Thunder God…"
"Way too fast!"
Gari and Deidara's faces changed drastically.
In just a few breaths, the so-called ace Iwagakure Demolition Squad had already lost more than half its members.
This was far more terrifying than the intelligence they'd received.
According to Kumogakure's information, Ning Feng had indeed killed many Cloud Village jōnin—but nothing at this level of slaughter speed!
Before they could finish processing the shock, more golden flashes appeared.
The remaining Iwagakure jōnin fell one after another, dying with disbelief still frozen in their eyes.
In just a few breaths—
Not a single Iwagakure ninja remained alive.
Only corpses lay scattered across the ground.
"So strong…"
Only now did Gari and Deidara truly realize—
They had encountered an overwhelmingly powerful opponent.
One of the strongest they had ever faced in their lives.
Flash!
Another streak of light shot straight toward Gari.
"Explosion Release: Explosive Flow Wall!"
Gari's face changed as he hurriedly formed seals, trying to block the attack with a powerful ninjutsu.
But in Ning Feng's eyes—
His movements were simply too slow.
"Susanoo."
A calm voice echoed out.
In a surge of brilliant golden light, a massive golden warrior clad in heavy armor instantly manifested around Ning Feng.
In the next moment, the giant warrior raised its long blade and cleaved down toward Gari and Deidara.
"Susanoo!?"
"It's actually Susanoo!?"
Gari and Deidara's expressions changed violently.
They hurriedly unleashed every defensive technique they had to resist the descending blade.
But before the monstrous power of Susanoo—
The sword swept through, shockwaves exploding outward.
Gari and Deidara were nearly cut apart into clouds of blood mist.
"Explosion Release—!"
Gari gritted his teeth, about to counterattack—
But Ning Feng moved first.
Another slash descended, instantly shattering the Explosion Release Armor protecting Gari into countless fragments.
Pfft!
Gari felt sweetness surge into his throat and spat out a mouthful of blood.
At that moment, countless explosive tags suddenly appeared on Ning Feng's Susanoo.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Violent explosions erupted one after another.
"Heh… even Susanoo will be reduced to ashes under my explosive tags!"
Enduring the pain, Gari laughed coldly.
In truth, he had been waiting for this moment all along—
Waiting for Ning Feng to use a high-consumption technique like Susanoo.
Only then could he unleash his Explosion Release to inflict devastating damage.
Even if he was gravely injured, it would all be worth it.
As long as Iwagakure could advance unimpeded into the Land of Rain.
However—
Gari's laughter froze after only a few seconds, replaced by grim disbelief.
Because as the dust and smoke slowly dissipated—
Ning Feng's golden Susanoo stood there, completely unscathed.
Not a single crack.
Not even the slightest damage.
Ning Feng himself hadn't suffered so much as a scratch.
"Unharmed… completely unharmed!?"
"Is this… the power of the Uchiha!?"
Gari's brows knit tightly, his mind momentarily going blank.
No one knew better than him how many shinobi had died under his Explosion Release.
Even the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, had praised his technique.
Yet now—
Such a powerful Explosion Release hadn't been able to harm Susanoo in the slightest.
"Deidara!"
Gari took a deep breath, resolve flashing in his eyes.
"I'm not a match for this kid. You must leave immediately and bring Uchiha Feng's intel back to the village!"
"If my guess is right, this man will become one of Iwagakure's greatest obstacles in the future."
"His existence must be reported—otherwise, no one will be able to deal with him!"
But before Gari could finish—
A pitch-black Chidori pierced straight through his body.
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