Chapter 144: Confrontation
The three immediately sprang into action. Kaito asked,
"Are either of you injured?"
Both shook their heads. Neither had sustained injuries.
Hodaka chuckled. "My opponents never dared get close to me."
Mieko replied, "My opponent also kept his distance and used defensive tactics. He was just stalling for time."
Kaito looked at them. "That's good, but your chakra levels seem quite low."
Both sighed and nodded.
Mieko's chakra had dropped to only twenty percent! Hodaka's still had about forty-five percent remaining. In contrast, Kaito retained sixty percent.
If Renjiro's shadow clone had forced the enemy to consume significant chakra, Kaito's reserves might even exceed his.
Kaito said, "Don't use too much chakra. Hodaka, you're mainly responsible for close-range combat. Mieko, provide shuriken support. Save your chakra—we might need combination jutsu later. I'll provide ninjutsu support. Sensei's shadow clone can also back us up."
Hodaka immediately agreed. "Good!"
He could fight with taijutsu, which was most important to him.
Mieko also reluctantly agreed. She didn't have much chakra left for ninjutsu.
In terms of taijutsu, both Hodaka and Kaito surpassed her.
The three quickly arrived where Renjiro's shadow clone was battling Hayaji. They hid in the forest to observe.
The entire battlefield was devastated. Hundreds of earth spears littered the area. Rock spikes and thorns seemed countless! Many rock shields and earth walls were scattered throughout.
Renjiro's shadow clone and Hayaji stood about one hundred meters apart.
An earth wall stood before Hayaji, with several rock shields on his left and right.
Hayaji frowned, analyzing the situation. For the past fifteen minutes, I've tried everything to disperse this clone, but he always defends successfully. I wanted to create Water Clones and Earth Clones to help the others, but he intercepted them all.
Every single one of my clones was unexpectedly dispersed! And his shadow clone's chakra doesn't seem to be depleting. Do I have to wait for someone to help me before I can disperse him?
He looked at Renjiro's shadow clone and sighed. This is truly embarrassing. I hope it's not my younger brother who comes to help. However, three of the enemies are children—they should be dealt with quickly.
Renjiro's shadow clone had been observing and thinking. He hasn't moved for over a minute. Has he given up trying to break through and is waiting for reinforcements?
The clone analyzed briefly, then shrugged. It doesn't matter. This stalemate benefits me. Once my main body wins, we'll sweep the battlefield!
Kaito, Mieko, and Hodaka secretly watched. Mieko frowned. "Why aren't they fighting anymore?"
Hodaka said, "They seem to be in a standoff—they're probably both conserving chakra."
Kaito also frowned. "If they don't fight, a sneak attack will be very difficult."
Hodaka asked, "How should we launch a sneak attack?"
Kaito said, "There's no perfect approach. I'll try something."
Kaito formed several hand seals, creating a Vacuum Core in his mouth. Hodaka and Mieko Body Flickered away from him.
Kaito focused on Hayaji, but he made no move.
With no other option, Kaito proceeded with the technique and launched Wind Release: Vacuum Bullets.
When Kaito fired, even though he hadn't sensed anything, Hayaji became extremely wary.
He immediately retreated several steps. Unlike his younger brother and Danjuro, Hayaji was an elite jonin.
He'd participated in the Third Great Ninja War and earned his promotion through merit. Although he didn't see Kaito's attack, he still dodged.
The Vacuum Bullet struck the rock shield on his right, pierced through it, passed a foot in front of Hayaji's chest, and then pierced through another rock shield!
Kaito immediately used Body Flicker to another position, frowning. I need to learn how to create multiple Vacuum Cores. If I could fire four to five Vacuum Bullets, he'd be dead.
This attack caught both Hayaji's and Renjiro's attention. Both looked toward the attack's origin simultaneously.
Renjiro smiled. Hayaji's expression turned grim.
The penetration power was too high! He observed the attack's source, but no one was there.
Mieko looked at their opponent. "Seems a sneak attack won't work."
Hodaka nodded. "We'll have to attack head-on."
Hayaji thought grimly, What a powerful attack! Have Konoha reinforcements arrived so quickly? I must win immediately, otherwise if the others have to fight multiple enemies, they'll be defeated.
Hayaji formed several hand seals. Renjiro's shadow clone also smiled and formed a seal, then slammed his hands on the ground.
Hayaji used Water Release: Exploding Water Shockwave.
Renjiro's clone used Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet.
Hayaji directed the Exploding Water Shockwave toward the forest on his right. A massive wave appeared, crashing toward the trees.
Simultaneously, the ground began shaking. A huge stone dragon head emerged from underground, roaring. Behind the head stretched its long stone body. It then submerged again, heading toward Hayaji.
Mieko and Hodaka, standing together, watched with grim expressions as the massive wave approached them. Both prepared to use Body Flicker to retreat.
Kaito watched the huge wave approaching. Knowing Mieko and Hodaka couldn't defend against it, he also formed hand seals and unleashed Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
He blasted fierce wind that collided with the massive wave! The water was blocked. It began dispersing in the powerful wind, then fell as harmless rain.
Some water still passed through the wind, but not much—it passed through the forest while the three remained safe in the trees.
The commotion from this clash was extremely loud. Both Renjiro and Kazuki noticed.
Renjiro observed and thought, Is Kaito teaming up with my shadow clone?
Although Renjiro could use Wind Release, he rarely employed it in battle. Against Water Release, he always used Earth Release.
Kazuki observed with a grim expression. Have Konoha Wind Release reinforcements arrived? Or is it that kid who uses Great Breakthrough? What exactly are Hayaji and the others doing? How much longer do they need to defeat one clone, three children, and one Inuzuka?
Hayaji watched with a cold expression. My technique was countered so easily.
Sensing the approaching Earth Dragon, Hayaji immediately dodged. But Renjiro's clone controlled the Earth Dragon to pursue him.
Mieko and Hodaka observed with their dojutsu. Hodaka sighed. "How can I fight at close range when they're using such powerful techniques?"
Kaito channeled chakra into his eyes, carefully observing the Earth Dragon chasing Hayaji. He analyzed, If he defends against Renjiro's attack, I might have an opening.
Kaito quickly formed hand seals, preparing another Vacuum Bullet.
Although Hayaji moved quickly, the Earth Dragon was even faster.
Realizing he couldn't dodge, he formed a seal, pressed his hands on the ground, and used Earth Release: Earth Shore Return.
The ground beneath Hayaji immediately hardened. Additionally, a rock dome formed around him, enclosing him completely.
The Earth Dragon collided with the hardened surface, was blocked, and stopped. Unable to proceed further, it exploded.
Hayaji desperately poured chakra into the ground, reinforcing his defense.
Kaito, observing carefully, suddenly noticed an opening. Now!
He immediately fired a Vacuum Bullet at Hayaji. Hayaji's situation became dire!
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