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Watching Ōnoki ascend into the high sky, Hiruzen's expression grew notably somber. Recalling the ninjutsu Ōnoki had unleashed, he couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "To completely neutralize my Mixed Elemental Ninjutsu with that light... that's no ordinary technique."
"Named Dust Release, it likely incorporates at least two chakra nature transformations. Could it be a type of Kekkei Genkai?" Hiruzen pondered to himself, thoughts Ōnoki couldn't possibly hear.
Ōnoki floated midair, casting a serious glance toward Hiruzen. The ability of Hiruzen to counter his attack was a surprise. Ōnoki had come to respect a portion of Hiruzen's strength and did not deny his status as the Third Hokage.
"Your strength is commendable, being able to contend with me. Calling you the Third Hokage is not an overstatement," Ōnoki declared from afar, his gaze cold as he observed Hiruzen, his voice carrying a weighty tone.
Hearing Ōnoki's praise, Hiruzen maintained his calm demeanor, responding with a voice aged by wisdom, "The Leaf does not rely on others' judgments to define the role of Hokage. Those who stand in this position must deeply love our village, embodying the spirit of a Leaf ninja."
Ōnoki sneered slightly at Hiruzen's words, his heavily wrinkled face showing a trace of disdain as he retorted, "So... this is why Leaf ninjas are willing to lay down their lives?"
Each individual might interpret Hiruzen's words differently. Some ninjas might think about the sacrifices they've made for the village, including giving up personal time and the chance to be with family and friends, yet finding themselves distant from the position of Hokage. Others might believe that their contributions, which ensured their family's safety, justify their continuous, silent protection of their loved ones.
On the battlefield, the cycle of life and death persisted relentlessly. Every moment, ninjas sacrificed their lives, bidding farewell to this world forever.
"Ah!" Suddenly, amidst the chaos, a cry of agony echoed briefly before silencing.
At that moment, Ōnoki, hovering in the sky, fixed a piercing gaze on Hiruzen and declared, "Enough idle chatter. While I would have liked to witness more of the Third Hokage's prowess today, unfortunately, we are not today's main characters."
Hiruzen was momentarily puzzled by Ōnoki's statement.
As he pondered, Ōnoki let out a distinct whistle. The sharp sound of the whistle, cutting through the chaos of the battlefield, drew many eyes.
Yet, upon hearing this signal, several robust figures hidden among the Rock ninjas paused, then revealed cruel smiles.
"Shwoosh!" "Shwoosh!" "Shwoosh!"... Almost instantly after the whistle's echo faded, shadows leaped from the ranks of the Rock ninjas, gathering together.
Their imposing statures and fierce expressions made them appear more like butchers than ninjas. They huddled close, beginning to form complex hand seals.
"Swoosh!" "Swoosh!" "Swoosh!"... Observing their actions, some Leaf ninjas sensed something amiss and rallied their forces.
In an instant, a dazzling array of ninjutsu and countless shuriken, as if cost-free, were unleashed towards the gathered elite Rock ninjas.
The sight of myriad ninjutsu and shadows mingling in the air was indeed a spectacle to behold!
However, seeing this scene, the eyes of the gathered elite Rock ninjas did not waver in the slightest!
"Barrier: Earth Veil Barrier!"
The next moment, with a deep sound suddenly falling.
"Whoosh!"
A wall barrier suddenly rose from around the elite Rock ninjas, emanating a thick earthy yellow luster that gave off an extremely solid feeling.
Indeed, under the bombardment of countless ninjutsu, this earthy yellow barrier did not suffer the slightest damage.
The sturdiness was astounding!
Inside the barrier, the group of elite Rock ninjas did not pay attention to the somewhat dumbfounded Leaf ninjas outside; instead, each of their gazes was cold as they continuously formed hand seals.
Compared to the ordinary hand seals that could be completed in a few seconds, the extremely intricate seals that required several ninjas to perform together clearly demonstrated the terrifying degree of the ninjutsu!
"Swipe!" "Swipe!" "Swipe!"...
At that moment, from a shadowed area of the battlefield, dozens of dark figures suddenly appeared.
The slender figure leading them, wearing a Hannya ghost mask, withdrew her gaze from a worried distant direction and coldly stared at the group of elite Rock ninjas, declaring in a cold voice.
"The unsealing squad, move out immediately and dismantle those guys' protective layer!"
Hearing her command, the Root ninjas below responded respectfully and then "swished" away, disappearing on the spot.
The woman wearing the Hannya mask seemed lost in thought, sighing softly.
Her graceful and sexy posture, combined with her long ninja attire, and her purple hair fluttering slightly in the breeze, had a unique charm.
In the air, Ōnoki, with a smirk of triumph at the corner of his mouth, chuckled.
"Next, Third Hokage, let's watch together how the Rock ninja's special tactical squad - the Iwagakure ANBU - will perform."
Hearing his words, Hiruzen's slightly cloudy eyes suddenly tensed!
Is that the Iwagakure ANBU?
With that thought, his gaze filled with deep concern towards that direction.
Meanwhile, as many ninjas attacked that area.
On a flat area of the battlefield, a tall figure, with a light smile on his lips and an interested look in his eyes, watched the Rock ninja squad inside the barrier, murmuring softly.
"Is it that kind of coordinated ninjutsu again?"
"It seems... if I'm not mistaken... these guys in front of me are the famed Iwagakure ANBU from the Rock Village... Killing them would make for good material for the Reanimation Jutsu."
As Sōsuke spoke softly, the ninjutsu of the Iwagakure ANBU inside the barrier seemed about to be completed.