Kusei had long surpassed the level of a Jonin!
"Damn it!" Shiki Uzumaki saw the Jonin lunging straight at him and wanted to counterattack by opening the Fifth Gate—Limit Gate—of the Eight Gates Release.
But his injuries were clearly too severe to sustain such a move any longer.
He'd already lost too much blood, and even with Mystical Palm Technique to stop the bleeding—he still couldn't launch a powerful attack in the short term.
What about the Five Elements Seal?
Shiki considered this technique of his.
This jutsu had once been evaluated by Kabuto Yakushi—within the entire Konoha, only The Third and Jiraiya could undo it. Those were the exact words Kabuto and Orochimaru had said when they saw Naruto's Five Elements Seal undone in the original storyline.
Though a bit exaggerated, there was no way the enemy would know how to break it now.
Yet under these circumstances, how could he even land a hit on the enemy?
"The blade in my hands will never match the speed of wind!"
Watanabe Sho opened his eyes, shooting out a cold gleam.
Then, his body tensed like a bowstring and he charged straight at Shiki Uzumaki!
Ten meters, five meters, three meters—
The short distance shrank even more until Shiki couldn't help but widen his eyes in alarm.
"If the last move wasn't strong enough, then try dodging this personally released Blade of Wind! At this range, how do you plan to escape my lock-on?"
Zizi~
A sharp slicing sound filled with wind chakra began to rise, strangely grating against the silence of the desert.
Even amid the other fierce battles raging around them, people couldn't help but turn to look.
[Wind Release: Blade of Wind!]
The A-rank Wind Release technique rang out alongside Watanabe Sho's voice.
Just as he said, Shiki could already feel an overwhelming sense of danger.
However—
there was still a way to dodge.
In that split second, Shiki didn't hesitate.
He knew that if he forcibly unlocked the Fifth Gate, he could avoid the strike.
Moreover, his physical condition now wouldn't result in meridian damage again just from opening the Fifth Gate.
Still, one thing was painfully clear—he was already covered in wounds.
Even with his extraordinary regeneration and having used Mystical Palm Technique to heal himself,
many wounds remained unhealed.
If he forced open the Fifth Gate—Limit Gate—it would definitely worsen his injuries.
Though he might survive until backup arrived, for this fight, Shiki needed to prove his worth.
Or rather, demonstrate his combat power.
Only by showing his value could those two advisors continue supporting him wholeheartedly.
Through this period, he could also grow rapidly.
After all, he had many plans yet to implement.
Until he accomplished everything he carried on his shoulders,
he could go to Otogakure, force Orochimaru into submission with sheer power, and make him reveal every clue he had.
"What a shame… It looks like it won't work after all."
Shiki Uzumaki let out a soft sigh. His chakra had already gathered at the Fifth Gate—the Limit Gate.
He was ready to burst through in one final push, using the Limit Gate's speed to evade the attack.
But amid the flying sandstorm,
a figure suddenly appeared before his eyes!
It wasn't Watanabe Sho charging toward him—it was an old, stooped silhouette.
"Grandpa Kusei!"
Kusei turned toward Shiki Uzumaki. He had originally intended to block the attack with his sword, but Watanabe Sho and Shiki Uzumaki were simply too close together!
The proximity gave him no time or space to perform any techniques whatsoever.
"Let me take this hit for you!"
The Wind Blade slashed through—so sharp it seemed to tear the very air apart.
It rushed toward the aged man.
Sliiice!
Blood sprayed across Shiki's face, jolting him into stunned disbelief.
Yet Shiki Uzumaki's body had already moved on instinct!
Metal! Wood! Water! Fire! Earth!
Five elemental words appeared on each of Shiki's right fingers.
[Sealing Technique: Five Elements Seal!]
A distinct form of chakra blazed fiercely on Shiki Uzumaki's fingertips, its glow resembling roaring flames.
But the five azure chakra flames shot forward along different trajectories, aiming straight for Watanabe Sho's abdomen!
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