Chapter 344: Chapter 341 : A Close Call
Under the ground, the Iwa ninjas were hit by extremely sharp winds. Despite their defenses, a few cracks appeared on their hardened skin. Wanting to take advantage of the momentary distraction, Fujin's clone entered the ground.
However, the Iwa ninjas were aware of the danger they would face if Fujin's clone got close to them. A few ninjas immediately sensed the clone's location and weaved hand signs.
'Earth Release: Spear Trap jutsu'
In an instant, the surface walls of the entire crack that Fujin's clone was travelling through began transforming. Hundreds of spears appeared from both walls, leaving no space for a normal-sized person to move through. In addition, the walls themselves began moving closer to each other!
The clone frowned and immediately hardened his skin using the Iron Skin jutsu. He thought, 'I wanted to go closer and try using Vacuum jutsus underground. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like I can do that. My main body calculated correctly. That is why I was given so little chakra.'
Dozens of spears hit his hardened body and were stopped. But Fujin's clone wouldn't be able to travel normally. He weaved a hand seal and thought, 'Oh well. Time to do what I was created for.'
A thousand Explosion Tags appeared around him. A breeze appeared, carrying the explosion tags into all the cracks created by the Geyser Creation jutsu! Some also flew where the Iwagakure ninjas were. Their eyes widened. Without the need for any command, everyone took evasive actions focusing just on their own survival!
Kitsuchi saw Fujin flicker towards him and noticed his sword as well. Rock engulfed his right arm once again as he sent a punch at Fujin. The remaining Iwa ninjas, other than the ones engaged by the clones, also noticed the attack and immediately sprung into action.
Fujin observed the incoming Rock Fist, sidestepped it and shot a Vacuum Bullet at Kitsuchi. Kitsuchi barely managed to move to his right to dodge the attack. Fujin used that time to move around the Rock Fist and appeared on Kitsuchi's left!
Kitsuchi's left arm also started transforming into Rock, but he frowned and thought, 'Shit, there is not enough time!'
He immediately used Iron Skin jutsu to cover his body. Suddenly, two Iwa ninjas appeared next to Fujin, attracting his attention. At the same time, the remaining Iwa ninjas also launched jutsus at Kurogane and Fujin.
Fujin observed some lightning sparks on their bodies and thought, 'Lightning transformation jutsu... I will only get one attack.'
He immediately puffed his cheeks, preparing a few Vacuum Bullets and ignored the two ninjas who appeared using the Lightning jutsu and slashed his sword at Kitsuchi.
The two Iwa Jounins slashed their kunai at Fujin. However, before they could hit him, two large Air Bullets shot by Kurogane hit them at point blank! Since they were using enhancement from Lightning jutsus to enhance their speed, neither could use the Iron Skin jutsu. Numerous cuts appeared on both their bodies as both were sent flying to their deaths. The threat to Fujin was temporarily alleviated.
At the same time, Yugao, Fumito and Bunjiro used defensive jutsus to protect Kurogane from the incoming attacks. Kurogane flapped his wings as well and generated additional winds to knock off some of the attacks. However, due to being attacked by over 30 ninjas, their defenses were easily overwhelmed.
Fujin slashed his sword horizontally at Kitsuchi who kept moving backwards but wasn't in a position to dodge. He tried blocking with the Rock Fist on his left arm. However, Fujin cut through the partially formed Rock Fist and his sword landed on Kitsuchi's chest.
The Iwa Ninjas watched with their eyes widened as a long cut appeared on Kitsuchi's hardened chest! Kitsuchi gritted his teeth and endured the pain. He thought, 'This attack won't kill me. But if he uses Vacuum Bullets from such close range...'
Until now, Iwa ninjas took advantage of their large numbers and specialized training. They didn't provide Fujin or his clones with any opportunity to focus on and overwhelm a single ninja and ensured that they aided each other to reduce his danger. However, at such close range, Kitsuchi wouldn't be able to dodge a dozen or more Vacuum Bullets even if he saw them.
Fortunately for Kitsuchi, Fujin disappeared from his spot, leaving behind an afterimage. As soon as he disappeared, multiple stone pellets pierced through the afterimage. Fujin appeared on top of Kurogane and shot the Vacuum Bullets at the jutsus launched at Kurogane. The Vacuum Bullets pierced through stone pellets, spears and other jutsus that they hadn't managed to defend against, successfully stopping them.
As soon as he felt Fujin on his back, Kurogane flew up in the sky once again and muttered, "They are good. Those attacks would have injured me to an extent."
Fujin replied, "Yeah. Be careful."
He thought, 'Though I could have landed a fatal blow on Kitsuchi, I would have been hit as well. Though I might have been able to defend against, if Kurogane got injured and was forced to return, then these three would have been goners.'
Kitsuchi also looked at Fujin who had gone back into the sky. He stopped using his Iron Skin jutsu. A sword slash was visible cutting across his chest. He felt a lot of pain in his rib cage. One of the Iwa Jounins, who could use Medical Ninjutsu, flickered next to him and said, "I will heal you."
However, Kitsuchi replied, "No need. I can still fight. Look out for attacks for now."
He looked at Fujin and thought, 'He could have landed a deadly attack on me. Even if I had survived, the injuries could have permanently decreased my capabilities. Fortunately, he wanted to save his teammates and his summon.
It looks like he isn't as heartless as Gin thought. Had he been like Danzo, he would have accepted the loss of three Anbu ninjas for the chance of killing or maiming me. Konoha would have heavily benefitted as a result.'
Fujin, of course, knew that. However, he didn't see the point of doing that. He thought, 'Sacrificing my teammates to kill Kitsuchi would have been more beneficial for the village from the point of view of other ninjas. But, I know that the next Great War won't be fought between the villages.
So I have no benefit to gain from killing or maiming him. Unlike Suna, Iwa won't be going to war against Konoha. Instead, we would lose a capable commander. And the drawbacks could be worse. After all, right Onoki only wants me dead due to my potential. But if I kill his son-in-law, then it would be personal. Though I could run away from him, it's better to not have a needless headache.
That is why I didn't try to hack his arm and instead just cut through the rock fist to leave a scar on his body. This should be enough to force Iwagakure to think multiple times before trying to pull off another stunt like this. They would be far less likely to send someone like Kitsuchi after me if it meant that they could lose them. As for Onoki and the two Jinchurikis, they won't move so easily.'
His eyes turned towards the village as he thought, 'Regardless, it should be about time!'
At the very next moment, a loud explosion rocked the entire place! The ground trembled, forcing the Iwa ninjas to turn their attention towards the source of the explosion. Fujin's clones, his teammates and Kurogane were surprised as well. However, the clones instantly received the memories and noticed an opportunity. For the first time since their clash began, the Iwa ninjas weren't focused entirely on them.
They wasted no time in shooting multiple Vacuum Bullets. The Elite Jounins immediately noticed and shouted, "Pay attention."
They got out of the way and counterattacked. Unfortunately, the short distraction was all Fujin's clones needed. Despite their quick reflexes, one clone managed to kill 4 and the other managed to kill 3 Jounins. Both clones were very low on chakra due to the intense combat. They didn't even attempt dodging the counterattacks and were dispelled.
At the same time, Fujin built up his chakra and instructed, "Kurogane, fly over there. You three support me."
The trio understood Fujin's intentions.
'Wind Release: Infinite Breakthrough jutsu'
'Fire Release: Great Fireball jutsu'
'Wind Release: Air Bullets jutsu'
'Wind Release: Wind Dragon jutsu'
Fujin exhaled strong and sharp winds at the Iwa ninjas below him. Yugao launched the fireball in the winds he generated, turning the windstorm into a firestorm! Bunjiro and Fumito added more attacks into the Wind to make life difficult for the Iwa ninjas.
The lethal combination attack forced the Iwagakure ninjas to use defensive moves. At the same time, they were on their guard. They had just seen 7 of their comrades die because they dropped their guard for a second. They didn't want to fall prey to Fujin's Vacuum bullets again.
However, their eyes soon widened. Instead of sensing Fujin's attacks, they sensed him moving away at a rapid speed. Kurogane flew towards the area where the blast had taken place and reached it in a few seconds. Kitsuchi understood Fujin's intentions and had an ugly expression.
[A/N : Bonus chapter on next Sunday if the fic gets 1000 Power Stones. Bonus chapter on next week's Saturday if the fic gets 2000 Power Stones.]
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