Although it was a frontal assault, it mainly relied on a combination of Genjutsu and Ninjutsu to form a defensive line to block the Kumogakure Ninja's attack, which looked a bit passive—but there was no help for it; the Third Unit's combat strength was inferior to the opponent's, and if they fought head-on, the Third Unit would definitely collapse.
Combat personnel like Masaki Fūmori did not need to take defensive measures; for them, offense was the best defense. He, along with Danzo, Satomi, and the others, received orders from Senju Touka to strike at the flank of the Kumogakure Ninja.
Masaki Fūmori and his group set off immediately, and under the guidance of Hyūga Kei, they headed toward the flank of the Kumogakure Ninja to inflict as many casualties on the enemy as possible and reduce the pressure on the Third Unit.
While on the move, Masaki Fūmori said to Satomi, "When the battle starts, don't stay too far from me; we can support each other if necessary."
Satomi nodded; the tacit understanding between them was beyond the reach of ordinary people, and when fighting together, they would sometimes perform beyond their usual level.
Masaki Fūmori highly recognized Satomi's strength and combat proficiency, so he didn't say much else, only adding one final instruction: "When fighting enemies separately, don't lose focus just because it looks dangerous. If you really need help, remember to give a signal."
"I understand. If it's a level I can handle on my own, then there's no need to signal, right?" Satomi said.
"Correct."
At this moment, Danzo's voice rang out: "Alright, Masaki, stop constantly fussing over your wife. We're about to encounter the enemy, so get ready for battle."
Upon hearing this, Masaki Fūmori smiled apologetically at Danzo. In this man's view, his behavior might have been a bit frivolous and not quite in line with the image of a Ninja.
Collecting his thoughts, Masaki Fūmori had already finished condensing his Senjutsu Chakra, and his left side was covered in senmon. Next, he began to seek the sensory state from his previous battle. Although he had almost run into trouble, he felt it might have been because he had inadvertently condensed too much Senjutsu Chakra.
After all, his opponent at the time was the Third Raikage; Masaki Fūmori had felt nervous for a moment, and it was possible he had overreacted.
As he focused his mind, Masaki Fūmori once again felt that unique form of perception. The ripple reactions stirred up by each person allowed him to obtain quite a bit of information. In Sage Mode, his perception would be greatly enhanced, and the effect brought by this perception was even better than his previous perception.
Could this be a unique method of perception for his Sage Mode? Masaki Fūmori thought silently to himself. Everyone's Senjutsu manifestation was different, and there was no rule stating that the forms of perception had to be the same.
This thought only crossed his mind for a moment; his current target was still the Kumogakure Ninja in front of him. Watching the ripples created by the Kumogakure Ninja ahead, Masaki Fūmori gathered all his strength, pushed off with both feet, and his figure flashed forward rapidly.
When the Kumogakure Ninja running at the very front saw Masaki Fūmori, it was only in the blink of an eye that the opponent's figure was already in front of him.
This Kumogakure Ninja was greatly shocked and hurriedly drew his long sword. Before he could even attack, Masaki Fūmori passed by him, appearing to have no intention of engaging in battle. However, the very next moment, a large amount of blood mist exploded from his body.
—So, so fast...
This Kumogakure Ninja never expected the opponent's speed to be this fast, and the speed of his strikes was the same. He only had time to draw his sword before his arm, waist, and shoulder were slashed.
He didn't know that this was just the beginning. By the time Masaki Fūmori left him behind, the others had just witnessed him erupting in blood mist and subconsciously paused in shock; it was precisely this moment that Masaki Fūmori seized the opportunity.
Masaki Fūmori raised his sword and severed the arm of a person holding a blade, then kicked him with force, sending him flying into other Kumogakure Ninja. The immense power carried the Kumogakure Ninja who caught him away as well, slamming them heavily against a tree. The person had just caught his breath when he saw a burning talisman on the back of the Kumogakure Ninja who had been kicked toward him—Boom!
"Bastard!"
After three Kumogakure Ninja were taken down in succession, the other Kumogakure Ninja were finally able to counterattack. One of them unleashed the Lightning Release Chakra Mode and raised his sword to strike at Masaki Fūmori. However, in Masaki Fūmori's view, this person's Lightning Release Chakra Mode was far inferior to the Third Raikage's. This Secret Technique, which stimulated the body with powerful Lightning Release, could only unleash its true power in those with a strong physique; ordinary people could only use it as a burst method, which had limited power and could not be sustained.
Masaki Fūmori unceremoniously clashed with him. His Chakra blade was coated with Wind Release Chakra; although the technique was simple, the degree of nature transformation was very high, and it was based on Senjutsu Chakra, so even if the blade used by this person was coated with Lightning Release Chakra, it was of no use.
The opponent's sword was cleanly severed, and the Chakra blade continued to slice through the opponent's body; not even the Lightning Release Armor could stop it. After all, not everyone was the Third Raikage, and even the Third Raikage's Lightning Release Armor would be pierced by Masaki Fūmori.
When Danzo, Satomi, and the others caught up, Masaki Fūmori had already taken down four people. This speed was astonishing, and both Danzo and Satomi were somewhat suspicious that perhaps he hadn't achieved anything in that previous battle, which was why Masaki Fūmori was working so exceptionally hard this time.
Seeing that the Kumogakure Ninja ahead had gathered, Danzo chuckled: "How can we just watch this guy show off?" Having said that, he immediately formed hand seals, took a deep breath, and spat out a large number of invisible air bullets. —Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere.
The Vacuum Spheres unleashed by Danzo could easily shatter trees; even with Lightning Release Armor, taking a hit head-on would not end well. What was even more terrifying was that not only were they numerous, but they were also very fast.
Those Kumogakure Ninja hurriedly dodged. Even if they really had confidence in their Lightning Release Armor, ordinary people would not choose to take Wind Release Ninjutsu head-on. Of course, some could not dodge, and they were either directly pierced by the Vacuum Spheres or had to hold on using their Lightning Release Armor.
Under such a wave of Vacuum Spheres from Danzo, the Kumogakure Ninja's formation was immediately disrupted, and other Konoha Ninja swarmed up; a chaotic battle began in this forest.
Satomi was someone who loved peace, but she would not refuse her duty as a Ninja; otherwise, she would not have stepped onto the battlefield, so her attacks were not ambiguous either.
Seeing this scene, Masaki Fūmori breathed a slight sigh of relief and turned to continue facing his own enemies.
Given Masaki Fūmori's striking speed and movement speed, not a single Kumogakure Ninja here could last more than three moves under his hand. Perhaps feeling that they could not let Masaki Fūmori continue killing like this, someone of significance finally arrived.
Masaki Fūmori felt a strong ripple fluctuation. When he turned to look, a blinding golden light rushed toward him with astonishing speed, and he hurriedly raised his sword to block the opponent's strike.
Masaki Fūmori saw the opponent's face clearly; it was actually the blonde woman he had almost taken down. He thought to himself: "I almost thought the yellow flash had suddenly traveled through time. Isn't the Lightning Release of ordinary people blue?"
"So it's you. Where is that Kumogakure Ninja?" Masaki Fūmori said while raising his blade to parry the long sword, then turning to slash at the opponent.
If it had been the previous Kumogakure Ninja, he wouldn't even have had time to react, but the blonde woman—Sola—calmly dodged Masaki Fūmori's slash, though she also opened up some distance.
"I don't need my senior brother; I can handle you myself!" Sola glared at this Konoha Ninja who had made her lose face. "What good luck, running into you here. This time, let's properly decide the winner."
"Senior brother?" Masaki Fūmori was slightly stunned. Just as he was momentarily distracted, Sola had already charged over, the Lightning Release Armor on her body flashing with golden light, moving truly like that yellow flash of the future.