Just as Uchiha Izuna was lost in thought, the copy gave him no time to catch his breath. It instantly made a hand sign and spat out a roaring, massive flame that surged forth like a fire dragon. "Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique."
However, Uchiha Izuna was, after all, a shinobi seasoned by countless battles. His perception of danger was exceptionally sharp.
The moment the flames rushed towards his face, he snapped back to reality. Without hesitation, he performed the Substitution Technique. His figure flashed, instantly swapping places with a block of wood.
"Whoosh." The flames roared past, burning the block of wood to ashes, but Uchiha Izuna successfully evaded the fatal blow.
Before he could even breathe a sigh of relief, the copy's figure flickered like a ghost once more.
It moved with astonishing speed, a cold gleaming blade held tightly in its hand, Vanisher. It charged towards Uchiha Izuna like lightning.
Uchiha Izuna took a deep breath, gripped Vanisher tightly in his hand, and then abruptly drew it from its scabbard.
In that instant, a cold light flashed, as if the entire space was enveloped by this chilling aura.
Holding the sword with both hands, his figure dashed towards the copy like a ghost, each step carrying a fierce killing intent.
Blade lights flashed, sword shadows crossed.
For a time, the two parties exchanged blows, neither giving ground, locked in a stalemate.
Uchiha Izuna's sword style was like a violent storm, his attacks like tidal waves. The copy, with its bizarre body techniques and agile movements, skillfully evaded his attacks and looked for opportunities to counterattack.
At this tense moment, Yagura suddenly let out a cold laugh. "Well, Uchiha Izuna is already tied up by the copy I summoned. He has no attention to spare for anything else."
"Miss Pakura, how about a fight between you and me." His voice carried a hint of mockery and provocation.
"Perfect, I also want to witness the power of the Four-Tails Jinchūriki." The corner of Yagura's mouth turned up, his gaze cunning. He deliberately said Pakura's current identity and strength in front of Chiyo.
On one hand, it was to let Chiyo from the poorly informed Sunagakure hear this news. On the other hand, it was to sow discord between Pakura and Konoha. Even if it didn't work, it could drive a wedge between Konoha and Sunagakure.
Pakura, as the Four-Tails Jinchūriki, possessed unfathomable strength. But she had, after all, grown up in Sunagakure. When it came to the issue of Pakura's allegiance, the two villages would likely come to blows.
Sure enough, upon hearing 'Four-Tails Jinchūriki Pakura', Chiyo's eyes lit up, and she then looked towards Pakura.
Pakura nodded. "The Mizukage's information is indeed well informed. Since that's the case, please enlighten me." She didn't dare look at Granny Chiyo, because she knew clearly at this moment that she was Konoha's person. From the moment Granny traded her away, there was no turning back.
After speaking, Pakura circulated her chakra. A crimson tailed beast cloak enveloped her body. The massive chakra instantly drew everyone's attention.
Granny Chiyo watched this scene and sighed. She understood Pakura's meaning. She was both happy that Pakura had gained the attention of Hokage Uchiha Ryun, who thus bestowed the Four-Tails upon her, and sad that she had now left Sunagakure.
She looked towards the distant Yagura, the expression in her eyes becoming even more thoughtful.
Yagura took a deep breath, clearly he was now serious. His Water Mirror Clone and his main body simultaneously and rapidly formed hand seals, their movements fast as lightning, dazzling to the eye.
"Water Release: Water Trumpet." With his angry shout, a huge torrent of water appeared out of thin air, as if gushing out from underground.
This water current rapidly spun upwards like a tornado, forming a massive waterspout that tightly wrapped around Yagura.
The waterspout moved extremely fast, reaching in front of Pakura in the blink of an eye.
Immediately after, the waterspout spread out like a waterfall, then surged downward like a flood, attacking Pakura with an irresistible force.
This move was incredibly powerful. If Pakura chose to dodge, the Suna forces behind her would become the direct target of this powerful ninjutsu, completely scattered.
"Pakura. Dodge quickly." Uchiha Izuna, seeing this, urgently found a moment to shout out, reminding Pakura to evade.
However, Pakura just glanced at him, then without hesitation turned her head back, stared at the waterspout above, and took a deep breath.
"Four-Tails, lend me your power." Pakura said to the Four-Tails inside her without the slightest hesitation.
The Four-Tails, Son Gokū, hearing Pakura's request, also did not hesitate in the slightest, immediately responding, "Use it freely, go." It unhesitatingly continuously transferred its own natural chakra to Pakura.
Pakura felt this scorching and steadfast power, her heart leaping with joy. The power of a tailed beast was indeed extraordinarily strong. With this power, this move might not be impossible to resolve.
Pakura took a deep breath. "Lava Release: Scorching Stream Rock Technique." Instantly, the ground at her feet cracked. Rocks encased in magma flew out from underground, exposed to the air. The temperature around them rose noticeably. Then they smashed into the water.
The water poured down like a waterfall. The moment it made contact with the Scorching Stream Rock, it instantly stirred up countless splashes, turning into billowing steam that rose into the air.
The Scorching Stream Rock, after the lava cooled, rapidly solidified into a hard wall, firmly blocking the remaining water flow.
This sudden change caused the mist on the scene to grow even thicker, as if the entire world was covered by a layer of white gauze.
The vision, originally blurred by the Hidden Mist Technique, now became even more indistinct. Apart from the people nearby, it was difficult to see figures even a little farther away.
Yagura saw this and felt secret delight. He originally found Pakura's abilities quite troublesome, but he hadn't expected that the large amount of water vapor produced by the clash of ninjutsu would now become his useful aid.
This thick water vapor, under the skillful control of the Kirigakure shinobi, formed layers of heavy curtains, completely concealing their figures.
At that moment, the Four-Tails Son Gokū suddenly shouted loudly, "Behind." Hearing this, Pakura, without hesitation, activated her chakra and used her signature ninjutsu. "Scorch Release: Overwhelming Steam Kill."
Four blazing fireballs shot out like meteors, carrying intense heat and powerful impact force, heading straight to strike Yagura.
With a splash, Yagura's Water Mirror Clone body turned into water vapor, dispersing into the air.
Yagura, not far away, frowned and thought to himself, luckily he hadn't acted rashly, otherwise he would have turned to ash right now.
Yagura thought for a while, his eyes suddenly lighting up. Just as he was about to make a move, he heard a voice from afar. "Wind Release: Wind Style."
Following the sound of "Wind Release: Wind Style," a strong wind swept through, instantly dispersing the thick mist on the battlefield. Everyone looked closely. It was him.
Yagura's face turned pale. Chiyo's heart tightened. Uchiha Izuna's lips turned up in a smile. Pakura sighed. All living beings showed different expressions, each unique.
"I say, let's stop here." The person wearing a cloak slowly walked from behind the Sunagakure troops towards the battlefield.
Then, his right hand gripped the air. A huge golden skeleton appeared, grabbing Uchiha Izuna's copy. Then it squeezed.
The copy shattered, turning into a puddle of water that flowed into the ground.
Uchiha Izuna was thus freed. He came to Pakura's side and checked her over, finding that Pakura was not injured. He let out a sigh of relief, then looked at the golden skeleton, his mind set at ease.
Yagura, however, held his staff horizontally in front of him, adopting a defensive stance.
Uchiha Ryun took off his cloak. Uchiha Izuna smiled. Pakura did the same. Chiyo's eyes darted around. Yagura let out a sigh.
"Since the Hokage has spoken, then this battle shall cease here." After saying this, Yagura led the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and the Kirigakure troops towards the ferry, preparing to return to their village.
Uchiha Ryun watched them leave without saying a word. Then he turned to look at Uchiha Izuna and Pakura, and smiled. "Are you two alright."
Pakura shook her head, indicating she was fine. Uchiha Izuna sighed. "If you had come any later, I would have handled it."
Hearing this, Uchiha Ryun smiled. "Although the Water Mirror Technique can copy ninjutsu, it cannot copy Kekkei Genkai, Susanoo, and so on."
"As long as you used Susanoo, the Water Mirror Technique would have been unable to withstand it long ago."
Uchiha Izuna was stunned. "Why didn't you say so earlier. You just enjoyed watching the show from the sidelines, right." Uchiha Izuna snorted.
"Ahem, my mistake, my mistake." Uchiha Ryun coughed twice to express apology.
Chiyo looked at Uchiha Ryun's high-spirited appearance and couldn't help but feel envy. In his twenties, he was already the strongest in the shinobi world.
With his existence, Konoha could remain at the pinnacle of the shinobi world. Moreover, many of his policies were being studied and implemented by various villages one after another.
Having both power and talent. It's a pity he is not from our Sunagakure. Otherwise, Sunagakure would have unified the entire shinobi world by now.
Watching Uchiha Ryun chatting with Pakura and Uchiha Izuna, Chiyo sighed. She knew that Pakura would not return.
She turned around and began organizing the troops to return by the original route. Uchiha Ryun secretly glanced at her, the corners of his mouth turning up.
It seemed Chiyo was a person who knew how to adapt to circumstances. If she had questioned him about Pakura's allegiance, Uchiha Ryun wouldn't have minded personally taking action against Sunagakure.
After resting in place for thirty minutes, Uchiha Ryun walked at the very front. Uchiha Izuna followed closely behind. Pakura walked side by side with Izuna. The three of them walked at the very front, talking and laughing.
Suddenly, Chiyo coughed. "Hokage-sama, Sunagakure wishes to engage in border trade with you and your village. Mainly, we want to import some water and food from you. I wonder if you would agree."
Chiyo's expression was serious and determined. Uchiha Ryun was taken aback, then thought for a moment. Looking at the expectation in the eyes of the Suna shinobi, he smiled.
"Normal trade is certainly possible. However, there is a precondition." Uchiha Ryun said with a smile.
"Please state it, Hokage-sama." Chiyo frowned but still inquired.
"If Sunagakure launches a war against Konoha, the trade will cease immediately." Uchiha Ryun said with a smile.
Chiyo nodded. "That is only reasonable."
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