Chapter 123: Wind and Water Showdown
Kaito immediately launched a Wind Style attack at Rintaro.
"How predictable," Rintaro muttered under his breath.
He countered by throwing a kunai with an explosive tag attached.
Both shinobi quickly retreated as the tag detonated, dispersing Kaito's wind technique and creating a thick cloud of smoke.
As Rintaro fell back, he released a massive surge of chakra. His hands flew through hand seals. "Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
He'd expected Kaito to press the attack, but nothing came. What's he planning?
As the water dragon took shape, the smoke from the explosion began to clear.
But Rintaro couldn't see Kaito anywhere. A flicker of worry crossed his face. Did that bastard go underground again?
He immediately glanced up at Sakai Yumi in the waiting room.
The moment Sakai Yumi caught his look, she shifted her gaze toward the forest. Rintaro followed her line of sight.
There was Kaito, standing casually on a tree branch.
Before the match, Rintaro had asked Sakai Yumi to track Kaito's position for him—especially if he went underground or created multiple clones.
She'd agreed to help.
Rintaro's frown deepened. When did he get all the way over there? He's a hundred meters away! I thought I was supposed to keep distance from his sword. So why is he the one backing off?
The moment Kaito sensed Rintaro's chakra spike, he'd used the Body Flicker Technique to reach the forest behind him. Now he watched the water dragon approach and smirked.
A ten-meter water dragon. Pretty impressive for a Water Dragon Jutsu. Looks like he put about five percent of his chakra into it. I was hoping he'd dump even more in while angry.
Rintaro controlled the water dragon, sending it flying toward Kaito. As it traveled the long distance, its size gradually diminished.
Kaito raised his right hand and began forming a massive sphere of compressed wind. His smile grew wider.
Time to make him even angrier. Maybe he'll use an even bigger jutsu next.
He hurled the massive wind sphere directly at the water dragon's gaping maw. It exploded on impact, and the resulting gale completely dispersed the water technique.
Ibiki smiled at the display.
"Impressive. He neutralized a B-rank jutsu with a D-rank technique while simultaneously getting under his opponent's skin."
Just as Ibiki said, Rintaro looked furious. In an instant, even civilians in the crowd could feel the immense chakra radiating from him.
Hodaka and Mieko both activated their dojutsu to observe Rintaro more carefully. Kaito sneered.
Heh. Just as I expected.
However, contrary to what Kaito and most spectators thought, Rintaro hadn't actually lost his composure. He was thinking clearly. I spent an entire month practicing long-range attacks specifically for you. Since you've created distance yourself, I don't have to worry about that sword of yours.
Rintaro's hands blurred through hand seals. "Water Style: Violent Water Wave!"
A colossal wall of water materialized before him, rising twenty meters high! Every Konoha ninja watching was stunned. Genma's voice cracked slightly. "That's an A-rank jutsu! He's still a genin?!"
Even Kaito was caught off guard. Who the hell is this guy? Kisame's secret lovechild?
The massive wave surged toward Kaito at terrifying speed. Anyone watching felt like a tsunami was bearing down on them.
The wave stood fifteen meters tall and was wide enough to engulf every tree in the arena.
Four kunai appeared in Kaito's hand as he rapidly gathered chakra.
He threw all four kunai at equal intervals. They struck the wave about five meters above ground level and detonated simultaneously.
The explosions disrupted the wave's momentum, but it continued rushing toward Kaito.
Kaito formed a hand seal—more for show than necessity. "Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
Kaito poured three percent of his maximum chakra into the technique, producing a hurricane-force gale.
The powerful winds halted the massive wave completely and even began forcing it backward.
The winds also carried water droplets into the stands, giving most of the audience an unexpected cold shower.
Some spectators shouted angrily. Others cheered wildly at witnessing such massive jutsu.
Most of the Konoha chunin and jonin were speechless, seeing such powerful techniques executed and countered so casually.
Renjiro smiled proudly at Kaito's performance.
Rintaro, who'd been hiding within the wave planning a surprise attack under its cover, suddenly froze in shock. I expected this jutsu wouldn't hurt him badly, but I never imagined he'd stop it completely! The water didn't even reach the forest!
Rintaro remained concealed in the water until the wind died down. He frowned, strategizing his next move.
He'd already burned through more than a third of his chakra without landing a single hit. Stay alert. He could attack at any moment.
Kaito noticed Rintaro advancing while hidden in the water—his chakra signature was easy to detect.
He tracked Rintaro's position carefully. It'll be tough to attack him while he's surrounded by all that water. But I've broken his offensive momentum. Should I attack now and build my own momentum? Or stall for time and wait for his chakra to run out?
Kaito weighed his options as he waited for his technique to dissipate.
A month ago, before his intensive combat training with Renjiro, Kaito would have chosen the defensive option without hesitation.
However, Renjiro had successfully transformed Kaito's approach to combat during that month.
Renjiro couldn't change Kaito's cautious nature, but he'd taught Kaito numerous offensive tactics that didn't compromise his safety.
More importantly, Kaito's confidence had been forged through a month of fighting an elite jonin!
Kaito formed a hand seal and began channeling chakra into his next technique.
The moment the wind stopped, Kaito used Body Flicker!
He appeared ten meters directly above Rintaro. The water level in that area reached four meters above the ground, with Rintaro at its center.
Renjiro's smile widened as Kaito pressed his advantage.
Rintaro spotted Kaito the instant he appeared overhead. He also saw the hand seals Kaito was forming. His eyes widened. "Oh crap!"
Kaito unleashed an even more powerful Great Breakthrough technique.
Rintaro thrust his arms upward. The water surrounding him immediately gathered above him like a shield.
His mind raced. Can't dodge! If I leave the water's protection, I'll take the full force of that attack!
The violent winds tore through the water effortlessly, scattering most of it. Inoichi Yamanaka, who'd been observing closely, suddenly became alert. He shouted, "Kaito, stop!"
He rushed forward while forming hand seals. But he was too slow!
The devastating Great Breakthrough technique struck Rintaro head-on! Just before impact, Rintaro quickly formed a final hand seal.
Everyone watched in absolute horror as Rintaro was torn apart into dozens of pieces! Screams erupted from the crowd! Some people vomited, others fainted on the spot.
Even Kaito's eyes went wide with shock.
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