Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic

Chapter 96 Tsuchikage Onoki

Onoki's technique was activated very quickly.

Caught off guard, Qingwu was lifted into the air by the earthquake core.

Immediately, Onoki's powerful chakra condensed into several huge rock spears behind him, which he thrust at Qingwu as soon as he reached the attack range.

"Click-clack—"

The thick roots caught up with the "platform" created by the earthquake core, pulling the aogu out of Onoki's attack range.

"Um?"

Onoki had to re-evaluate the tree-spirit-like summoning beast on the ground. "It actually possesses considerable combat intelligence?"

despair!

Qingwu landed on the head of the withered tree guardian and looked at Onoki with a solemn expression.

Strong, extremely strong!

These were just two ordinary Earth Release ninjutsu, but both the timing of their activation and the sheer amount of chakra contained within them far surpassed those of the previous Iwagakure techniques.

Moreover, Ōnoki's body did not move at all throughout the entire process.

A true master!

...Actually, Onoki also wanted to try. When he was young, his favorite way of fighting was to use Earth Release to control the enemy and then smash them to death with his hard fist rock.

However, his old back now "doesn't support" him doing that.

"A large-sized... summoning beast!?"

Onoki quickly formed hand seals: "Earth Release: Rock Arm!"

boom--!!

A giant rock hand emerged from the blasted ground and slapped the withered tree guardian.

"Wood Release: Wood Wall - Thousand Layers!"

Qingwu clapped his hands, and the withered wood guards he controlled made the same move.

Countless thick roots surged out from the withered tree guardian, piling up in layers in front of him, instantly forming a wooden wall ten meters thick.

This technique was inspired by Tenzo's Wood Release technique and was developed based on that.

Of course, this is on the premise that the Deadwood Guardian has been continuously upgraded after becoming a hero, and the energy it contains is now completely different from what it used to be.

Is this "improved" Wood Release defense technique theoretically strong enough to withstand a Tailed Beast Ball?

...Qingwu guessed.

"boom--!!"

A direct confrontation of techniques.

After the smoke and dust cleared, revealing the broken and tattered wooden roots, the withered tree guardian and the green parasol tree were completely unharmed.

Onoki's pupils contracted slightly... To be able to block a Kage-level chakra attack head-on, this kid... Has Konoha produced another prodigy?

At this moment, Onoki's murderous intent intensified.

However, while casting the spell, his figure had already fallen into Qingwu's attack range.

"Mumu!"

Qingwu shouted, and instantly cast a double [Slowness Technique] that enveloped Onoki.

"Hmm?" Feeling his body involuntarily descending, Onoki clapped his hands together, "Earth Release: Super Lightweight Rock Technique!"

—Thump!

An invisible ripple seemed to collide in mid-air.

In the battle of energy, Onoki emerged victorious, instantly breaking free from the control of the [Slowness Technique] and soaring high once more.

This time, however, his expression was even more solemn.

Because he can fly, he is rarely countered by his opponents.

If a mere brat could force him to use the "Super Lightweight Rock Technique," not only would he be ridiculed by the entire ninja world, but it would also consume a significant amount of his own chakra.

Thinking of this, Onoki narrowed his eyes and decided to finish the battle quickly.

He slowly raised his hand.

A miniature, semi-transparent cubic barrier condensed between his palms, with light and darkness intertwined inside... It looked completely harmless, but rather... a beautiful spell.

However, Qingwu's natural senses could detect the terrifying energy compressed to its extreme within it.

"Oh no, it's Dust Release!"

Qingwu turned around and shouted to the Konoha ninjas, "Scatter, everyone!"

He recalled all units except Mumu, and then he and Mumu used the improved version of the Wooden Ingot Wall - Thousand Layers again.

"You actually know about Dust Release, kid... you've got some knowledge."

After saying this, Onoki stopped talking and focused on locking onto Qingwu with his magic.

There was no way to avoid it. Qingwu could feel that the spell locked onto him and the withered wood guard beneath him the moment it was formed.

Therefore, they had no choice but to use roots to build up the wooden ingot walls even thicker, hoping to withstand the blow.

but……

Dust Release, a bloodline limit elimination technique, is in a sense no longer considered a ninjutsu.

"Dust Release: Particle Style - Detachment Technique!"

Once the cube barrier was released, it instantly descended from the sky and touched the wooden ingot wall.

At first, there were no explosions, no impacts; the wooden city walls looked like a pencil drawing erased by an eraser...

It's not destruction, it's decomposition—completely separated at the molecular level.

The defense, several meters thick, lasted for less than two seconds against Dust Release.

"It seems... we might not be able to stop the Tailed Beast Ball."

Cold sweat trickled down Qingwu's forehead. Compared to the energy level of Dust Escape, the magic [Root Entanglement] was clearly defeated.

The withered tree guardian's raised arms were also instantly obliterated by the dust.

"receive!"

Qingwu gritted his teeth and forcibly recalled the withered wood guards in an instant. Then, a winged horse appeared beneath him, carrying him into the sky.

"boom--!!"

The aftershocks of Dust Release exploded beneath him, and Qingwu had no time to worry about whether the Konoha ninjas around him had been killed.

"Um?!"

Ohnoki miscalculated.

He knew from intelligence that this kid from the Shadow Guard had the ability to fly, but he didn't expect the Pegasus to be so fast.

Bang, bang, bang!

The two exchanged blows in the air for several rounds, and Onoki, enduring the pain in his back, used his fist to knock back Seigo.

"Magic Arrow!"

The instantly cast magical arrow severed a section of Onoki's white hair.

"You wretched brat!"

Ōnoki realized that his speed in the air was not much greater than Pegasus's, and immediately changed his battle plan.

"Earth Release: Rigid Form Technique!"

The rock giant was assembled with a clatter, and Onoki stood on top of the giant's head, clutching his back.

Qingwu had seen a Jonin from Iwagakure use this technique before.

However, the rock giant at that time was far inferior to the one that Onoki used, both in terms of size and the level of chakra energy it contained.

Qingwu maneuvered the Pegasus to retreat swiftly.

Onoki's eyes flickered, and when he saw that he was missing a section of his hair, he became even angrier.

Today's battle, regardless of whether his old lumbar spine problem flared up and caused him to suffer, will make him a laughing stock in the entire ninja world—a dignified veteran Kage-level powerhouse was actually injured by a brat... his hair?

With this in mind, Onoki stopped thinking about conserving chakra, raised his hands, and began preparing Dust Release once again.

This time it's a cone-shaped dust escape with a smaller range but a faster speed.

"I'll see if your summoned beasts can hold them off!"

With his beard and hair flying wildly, Onoki roared, "Your Wood Release is nowhere near as good as Hashirama Senju's! It's over, brat!!"

Qingwu was drenched in cold sweat. Escape? The Dust Escape technique was too fast; he couldn't escape. Block? Even the withered tree guards couldn't stop him!

Just as the Dust Escape Cube was about to be launched—

"Lord Tsuchikage, it's not appropriate for the strong to bully the weak."

An aged, gentle yet undeniably authoritative voice came from the other side of the battlefield.

Whoosh!

A figure appeared out of thin air.

He wore a divine robe, a Hokage hat, and held a Vajra staff. He had a gentle smile on his face, but his eyes were undisguisedly sharp.

The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi!