Ōnoki and Kitsuchi naturally saw Kagetsu's actions. Seeing him dare to clash directly with Dust Release using an unknown sword, their first thought was that he had lost his mind.
Even the Kusanagi Sword would be disintegrated into molecules if hit by Dust Release.
But in just an instant, Ōnoki and Kitsuchi's expressions were filled with disbelief.
When the Dust Release light beam collided with the sword, it didn't cause the sword to be obliterated along with it, as they had expected.
Instead, as the blade slashed, the Dust Release was split into three parts, dispersing into pure chakra and vanishing into the air.
Tsunade stepped forward, intending to pull Kagetsu back, but her hand stopped mid-air. She stared at him in uncertainty before shifting her gaze to Orochimaru, who stood frozen beside her, her eyes filled with questions.
But soon, she recalled a similar scene from when the Five-Tails was captured. Back then, Kagetsu had also wielded a sword .
Orochimaru ignored Tsunade's questioning look. His attention was entirely on the sword in Kagetsu's hands.
Was it forged from the God Tree's trunk?
Orochimaru tightened his grip on the fan in his hand. As far as he knew, only weapons made from the God Tree's material could resist Dust Release and even act as a shield against it.
But from the sword, he also sensed something unusual—something akin to a soul's presence. That was completely unexpected.
Or rather, a sword with its own soul?
Was it like the fabled Totsuka Blade, a spiritual weapon that could choose its own wielder?
Watching the Dust Release get countered and destroyed, Ōnoki was hit with what was possibly the greatest shock of his entire life.
Since the emergence of Dust Release, it has been the sharpest spear in the hands of Iwagakure's Kage. Under Dust Release, nothing could escape being broken down into molecules.
Entities, ninjutsu, and even shinobi.
As long as one was struck by Dust Release, the only outcome was complete erasure from this world.
Then, Orochimaru shattered this deeply ingrained belief.
But that was only because of that special fan.
A sword had just sliced through Dust Release.
First, a fan. Now, a sword.
Has Konoha already mastered the ability to forge weapons from such a material?
These complex thoughts flashed through Ōnoki's mind in an instant. He wavered for a brief moment but quickly steadied himself again.
Even so, looking at the opposing lineup, Ōnoki sighed, already preparing himself for the possibility of defeat in this battle.
Earlier, Iwagakure's jōnin were cut down like weeds by Namikaze Minato. The First Iwa Division's commander, Higashi, had even died directly on the battlefield.
Both the Five-Tails and Four-Tails Jinchūriki had been captured.
Now, the only high-ranking Iwagakure shinobi left on the battlefield were himself and his son, Kitsuchi.
Two of the Three Sannin, Orochimaru and Tsunade.
Uchiha Shisui and Nara Kagetsu, the ones responsible for capturing the Four-Tails and Five-Tails.
The only good news among all the bad news was that Namikaze Minato wasn't here!
If he were on the battlefield, it would be a disaster for the remaining Iwagakure jōnin. No one in Iwagakure could keep up with his speed.
Especially these Iwagakure reinforcements in front of him—if their defensive jutsu wasn't strong enough, they could be taken down in an instant, their vital points struck by his kunai, turning them into lifeless corpses.
Additionally, Danzo from Root had yet to appear. Against that sinister "Darkness of the Shinobi World," Ōnoki had to reserve some strength to deal with him.
After analyzing the situation, Kitsuchi noticed Ōnoki's hesitation and quietly asked.
Ōnoki nodded and gave Kitsuchi a signal.
The enemy lineup was strong enough to pose a fatal threat to them.
Ōnoki wasn't afraid of dying on the battlefield, but only if there was a capable successor to carry the burden of Iwagakure after his death.
Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!
Ōnoki floated into the air, forming a Dust Release technique with both hands. Pouring all his chakra into it, the jutsu expanded into a massive cubic structure, as tall as a building.
Anything caught within its range would be forcibly disintegrated into nothingness.
Faced with this attack, Orochimaru's group had no intention of taking it head-on. Before the Dust Release could reach them, they instantly moved away.
While retreating, Kagetsu quickly formed hand seals, stretching his palm forward. A crimson beam of energy shot out from his palm, striking toward the Iwagakure forces from the side.
Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!
An Iwagakure jōnin swiftly formed hand seals, activating his jutsu almost simultaneously with Kagetsu. A thick stone wall erupted from the ground at his feet, shielding both himself and Ōnoki behind him.
The red fire cannon struck the earthen wall, and the thick wall instantly shattered under the explosive force, with rubble flying in all directions.
"An explosion-type Fire Style ninjutsu? Haven't seen one before!"
Even Onoki showed a surprised expression at the power of this Fire Style technique.
However, the moment he noticed Kagetsu's movements, the Iwa ninjas almost instinctively formed hand signs at the same time, summoning heavy stone walls in front of them as a shield.
Fire Style: Multiple Crimson Fire Cannons!
Kagetsu's foot hit the ground, and the shadow beneath him instantly split into multiple figures, like dark clones with no visible faces.
These shadows extended from Kagetsu's own shadow, performing hand signs alongside him.
One after another, red, spiraling, compressed flames appeared before Kagetsu, like blooming red flowers in the air.
Once the hand signs were complete, five red beams shot out, flashing toward Onoki's direction.
A grand explosion erupted in an instant, accompanied by dazzling flames and a shockwave that formed a mushroom cloud.
The stacked earth walls Iwa had used for defense were easily pierced, and then exploded from within.
The unprepared Iwa ninjas were immediately struck by the flying debris.
After the explosion, only a few Iwa ninjas were left standing near Onoki. Among them, Kitsuchi had used his body as a shield, blocking a large amount of flying rubble to protect Onoki.
"A multiple manifestation of one technique, that's an interesting jutsu!"
Seeing the Crimson Fire Cannon's focus on explosions and the subsequent penetrating explosion, Orochimaru couldn't help but feel excited.
Although the Multiple Crimson Fire Cannons disappeared in an instant, their immense power still made Orochimaru's eyes light up.
Based on his understanding, this technique must have incorporated natural energy to amplify its destructive force.
It was similar to the inferior Sage Mode he once tried to create. Kagetsu had also researched a simplified version of Sage Jutsu.
Ninjas with chakra can use jutsu that have similar power to Senjutsu and specific characteristics. From this Fire Release jutsu, it's clear that Kagetsu has already produced results.
Although its power doesn't compare to real Senjutsu, for ninjas who cannot practice Senjutsu or master Sage Mode, it will undoubtedly increase their strength.
In other words, whether it's a degraded version of Sage Mode or a stripped-down version of Senjutsu, both can raise a ninja's potential.
However, compared to the potentially life-threatening degraded Sage Mode, the stripped-down version of Senjutsu is better in terms of popularity and stability. Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by NoveIꜰire.net
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