Blood splattered everywhere, but it was not over yet.
"It seems like all my effort over the past few years has almost been for nothing," Shiki Uzumaki said, looking at the warm blood on his hands with a deep frown.
Even though he had trained his body and mastered Sword Training,
In a situation like this, he still felt almost helpless.
Even the Dance of the Sword, his strongest attack, was meant to break through an opponent's defenses during close combat.
But facing such a jutsu, it seemed utterly useless.
Unless he could open the Eight Gates Formation up to the Sixth Gate — the View Gate — he had no hope of breaking through with speed alone.
And if he actually knew some powerful ninjutsu, he probably wouldn't have ended up in this situation.
The wind gradually faded, and the swirling sand slowly settled.
At this moment, nearly every ninja on the battlefield believed that Shiki Uzumaki was dead.
After all, for a child who only knew sword techniques and a limited grasp of the Eight Gates, surviving such a technique was simply impossible.
"No way," Yamanaka San Tian exclaimed, eyes wide. He didn't even think about using the secret arts of the Yamanaka clan anymore, just stared at the spot where the dust hadn't completely cleared.
"Shiki Uzumaki, if you die charging in like that, you're seriously lame! I'll look down on you!"
Nara Shiomi's eyes were filled with sorrow. If there had been no interaction between Shiki and him before, he wouldn't be feeling like this now.
Yet earlier, they had exchanged words and shared stories about their villages.
If there was one word to describe their connection, that word would be "friends."
Even though he had told Shiki, "Even if you called me 'sempai,' I still wouldn't help you," right now, he couldn't help but wish desperately to lend him aid.
"Calm down first. That boy is still alive."
Kusei's wrinkled face suddenly showed a trace of solemnity.
His words startled those who were worried for Shiki Uzumaki.
"How is that possible? Under such a technique, even I..."
He stopped mid-sentence, because from within the dust, a figure was already emerging.
Not very tall, he leaned slightly on his sword sheath for support.
Yet he stood firm in place.
The green flames continued to burn fiercely!
Spitting out sand, Shiki glared viciously at the enemy before him.
His left hand, however, pressed tightly against the wound on his right arm. Green chakra swirled around the wound — distinct from the powerful surge coursing through the rest of his body.
This was restorative chakra.
[Mystical Palm Technique!]
"If my body hadn't recovered so well, I probably wouldn't have made it."
Even though he had survived the [Wind Killing Array], even now, Shiki Uzumaki still felt shaken.
But he was no longer in top shape—not quite up to Special Jonin standards anymore—and definitely not fit for battle.
"That brat isn't bad, but he's got no hope of surviving this."
Sakurai Kōji sneered coldly at the Konoha commander.
The fight had already begun. Even the commander, wielding a large blade, could do nothing to help Shiki Uzumaki.
"Still, the one who ultimately loses this war will be Sunagakure."
Now that Shiki Uzumaki was beyond help, the commander naturally had no more emotional attachments holding him back.
After all, this was the battlefield. Even though the Advisor had given instructions before, those only applied under certain circumstances where some assistance should be provided to Shiki Uzumaki.
Now that he himself was tied up in combat, it would just have to be left to fate.
And standing not far from him was the very Sand ninja Jonin he had wanted to rush over and fight earlier—
The user of [Wind Killing Array]: Watanabe Sho.
"What a waste. If you'd lived, you could have become someone truly great. But your hunger for honor has led you here."
Watanabe Sho stared coldly at the battered and bloodied Shiki Uzumaki, saying indifferently.
Chapter 217: Blood?
Almost instantly, Kusei wanted to rush forward and shield Shiki Uzumaki from the Jonin in front of him.
Ever since Shiki Uzumaki charged into battle, Kusei had been planning to do just that.
He tightened his grip on his thin sword and began advancing.
At this moment, clearly, the danger facing Shiki Uzumaki was far greater than what Yamanaka San Tian and Nara Shiomi were experiencing.
"Even if it costs my life, I must protect the hope of Konoha!"
Kusei had obviously forgotten the talk he'd had with the Third Hokage the day before.
At that time, the Third had clearly said not to treat one's own life so lightly.
But now, he had once again forgotten that lesson.
"Fifty years ago... I should have died then. But I survived and carried on until today. Even if death is my fate today, I must save Shiki Uzumaki!"
Whoosh!
Kusei's figure vanished instantly from its spot.
As someone who had once served on a team with both the Third and Fourth Hokage,
As someone who had personally learned Konoha-style swordsmanship from the Second Hokage—
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