Midori lay on the ground, with the immobile Ensui on her back. To prevent him from falling, a rope made of Parasitic Insects was used for securing him.
Midori used both her hands and feet to carry Ensui towards Akutami Hideyuki.
Swish, swish, swish!!!
Ensui threw Shurikens at Akutami Hideyuki. However, due to Ensui's awkward position and lack of strength, the Shurikens were poorly aimed, and Akutami Hideyuki easily dodged them while standing still.
"Water Clone Jutsu!"
Akutami Hideyuki created a Water Clone, intending to have it deal with Ensui. If the Shadow Imitation Jutsu hit, it would indeed be troublesome.
"I must learn how to counter Water Release Ninjutsu from Yumi-sensei!" Obito, feeling incredibly frustrated, shouted angrily in his mind.
He was indeed tormented by Water Release. After Akutami Hideyuki used a large-scale Water Release, he had no effective way to launch a Fire Release attack.
He felt that his current state was very good, and using Fire Release was smooth and effortless. However, he was completely repulsed by Akutami Hideyuki's Water Release and could only resort to Taijutsu, which, unfortunately, he could not use to defeat Akutami Hideyuki.
Obito didn't know how to win the battle. Guy and Kakashi were already exhausted, Rin used her last Chakra to heal him, losing her combat ability, and Genma and Ebisu were seriously injured.
The only potential breakthrough was the few severely injured Konoha Ninjas they had saved earlier.
The Water Clone, with only one-tenth of the original's strength, had its power increased in water, but even with this one-tenth strength, it made Midori flee desperately.
Normally, Midori would at least attempt to confront the Water Clone, but with her injuries and carrying Ensui, she was unable to fight and could only escape awkwardly while searching for an opportunity.
When the distance was almost closed, the Parasitic Insect ropes on Ensui disintegrated and rushed towards the Water Clone.
Taking this opportunity, Midori threw Ensui, who was on her back, towards Akutami Hideyuki.
In mid-air, Ensui quickly formed hand signs, preparing to use Ninjutsu.
The Water Clone tried to attack Ensui but was immediately tackled by Midori.
Akutami Hideyuki, noticing this, immediately pushed the injured Obito back and shot a large water column at Ensui to prevent being controlled by Shadow Imitation Jutsu.
However, to Akutami Hideyuki's surprise, after the Water Release hit, Ensui first transformed into Midori's appearance, then dissipated into white smoke.
"Haha, Midori's acting is impressive. I even used the same hand signs as Ensui's," Midori said with a proud smile.
The Water Clone, enraged, pounded Midori to the ground.
Akutami Hideyuki's expression changed drastically, and he wanted to use Water Body Flicker to move from his position. However, by the time he turned to attack Midori's Shadow Clone, Ensui had already transformed back from the Shuriken into human form and was rapidly forming hand signs to use Ninjutsu.
"Shadow Imitation Jutsu!"
Due to the proximity, Ensui's shadow quickly connected with Akutami Hideyuki's shadow, causing Akutami Hideyuki to fall to the ground under the control of Shadow Imitation Jutsu.
Seeing this, the Water Clone tried to go help the original, but Midori clung tightly to the Water Clone's leg, preventing it from moving. The Water Clone kicked Midori with all its strength, causing her to spit blood, but she still did not let go. Only after the second kick, which knocked Midori unconscious, did the Water Clone manage to break free and rapidly approach the original.
"Quickly use your fastest Ninjutsu! I can't hold on much longer!" Ensui shouted. Shadow Imitation Jutsu is very draining on Chakra, and he had very little Chakra left. Moreover, Akutami Hideyuki was stronger than him, so the control time was very short.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu!" Obito, originally planning to use the less consuming Great Fireball, immediately used Phoenix Sage Fire Jutsu upon hearing Ensui's words. With a single hand sign, he shot out more than ten small fireballs towards Akutami Hideyuki.
When the fireballs were just five centimeters away from Hideyuki, Ensui exhausted his Chakra and lost control over Akutami Hideyuki.
Boom!!!
The dazzling flames from the explosion enveloped the area around Akutami Hideyuki. Ensui, being close, instinctively squinted his eyes but couldn't see if Akutami Hideyuki had been killed through the firelight.
Obito, with his Sharingan, could see more and quickly pulled Ensui back.
The blinding flames were brief but intense, and soon Akutami Hideyuki, with burn marks on his body, appeared in front of them. He hadn't even had time to stand up and had crawled away at high speed, dodging and letting the Water Clone take some of the attacks, ultimately surviving.
"Damn it, if only I had a bit more Chakra," Ensui clenched his fists. Even the usually calm Ensui couldn't remain composed, as it was really just a matter of a little more time. If he could have held on for another two seconds, Akutami Hideyuki might not have survived.
"You guys are impressive. You almost really killed me," Akutami Hideyuki said with a sinister smile, gripping his short blade and charging at Ensui.
Obito set Ensui aside and charged alone into battle with Akutami Hideyuki.
Obito's Chakra was still not fully recovered. In this fight, to maintain his Sharingan and Breathing Technique, he didn't dare use Ninjutsu and could only enhance his punches with a bit of flame.
Even though Akutami Hideyuki was injured, Obito remained at a clear disadvantage.
"Is this really how it ends?" Kakashi, leaning against a tree, sighed.
Even he had to admit that Ensui's team's coordination was impressive, achieving such results under these conditions.
Watching Obito fight alone, Kakashi felt a pang of discomfort.
It had been similar in the Land of Rivers, where Guy had quickly dealt with a Chunin, and then Obito, after awakening his Sharingan, had worked with Guy to confront a Jonin. In the end, he had merely delivered the finishing blow.
Kakashi felt deeply dissatisfied. He was seen as a genius, regarded as someone hard to surpass, and now he could only rely on his companions to resolve the crisis.
Kakashi didn't want to be that kind of person. He wanted to be the one who turned the tide because he was recognized as a genius!
Obito's wounds were increasing, and as his blood loss worsened, his condition declined further. The balance of victory seemed to be tipping entirely in Akutami Hideyuki's favor.
Kakashi took a step towards Akutami Hideyuki, each part of his body sending pain signals as a warning.
Ignoring the pain, Kakashi took another step. This time, he attempted to enter Thunder Breathing state. Perhaps because he had rested for a few minutes and recovered a bit of stamina, he succeeded.
With the enhancement of Breathing Technique, Kakashi's steps became slightly faster.
Kakashi concentrated on his breathing. Ordinary breathing couldn't offer much help in such intense battles.
Whether it was the severity of his injuries causing illusions or something else, Kakashi felt as if his breathing was even more focused than before.
Kakashi didn't ponder this. He simply focused his breathing to the utmost limit, nothing more.
As his breathing became increasingly concentrated, Kakashi's pace quickened a bit more.
Such an unreserved display of effort was naturally not hidden from Akutami Hideyuki, but he paid it no mind. A normal nine-year-old child could easily outrun Kakashi at his current speed, so there was nothing to fear from this weakened appearance.
When Kakashi was just fifty meters away from Akutami Hideyuki, he tightened his grip on the white fang short blade in his hand and suddenly felt a surge of strength.
As he reached forty meters, Kakashi's breathing continued to change, and he began to notice that the world before him suddenly became much clearer.
At thirty meters, this sense of clarity grew even more pronounced. Kakashi could even vaguely see the muscles in Akutami Hideyuki's body.
This reminded Kakashi of his past training memories. He had been troubled by his inability to react to his own speed, a problem that had not yet been solved.
Mutsuki had offered two methods to address this issue: one was the ultimate state of Breathing Technique, Transparent World, and the other was enhancing reaction nerves through Lightning Release Chakra Nature Transformation.
"If one day you experience a sensation of transparency in your mind and can see and control every muscle and blood vessel in your body, then you have entered the state of Transparent World," Kakashi recalled Mutsuki's description of Transparent World. Accompanied by a sense of clarity, Kakashi saw it vividly.
He saw his own muscles, bones, blood vessels, and everything in his body. Not only could he see them, but he could also control them, instantly understanding how much power he had wasted with his previous moves.
"So, this is Transparent World," Kakashi murmured as he continued to close the distance to Akutami Hideyuki.
When he was just ten meters away from Akutami Hideyuki, Kakashi could see everything about Akutami Hideyuki as well.
Kakashi now understood just how powerful the Breathing Technique Mutsuki had taught them was. It was a magical power that words couldn't describe.
"When practicing with a sword, remember two things: speed must be fast, and power must be sufficient. Concentrate all your strength at one point for the attack."
He then recalled his father Sakumo Hatake's teachings on swordsmanship.
At this moment, Kakashi was only six meters away from Akutami Hideyuki.
Although Kakashi did not feel that he had much strength left, he was still a Ninja. Akutami Hideyuki remained cautious, temporarily abandoning the severely injured Obito and attacking the approaching Kakashi with his short blade.
"Kakashi, get out of the way! You should just lie down!" Obito shouted anxiously.
When Kakashi was coming over, he had shouted for him not to approach, but Kakashi ignored him and continued to move forward as if under a Genjutsu.
"Father, Yumi-sensei, thank you," Kakashi thought to himself, not paying attention to Akutami Hideyuki's attack. He was grateful to Mutsuki and his father for giving him the power to change everything.
"Die!" Akutami Hideyuki used Body Flicker Jutsu to appear in front of Kakashi and thrust his short blade towards Kakashi's chest.
Whoosh!
A flash of white light.
Crash.
Akutami Hideyuki's short blade, along with his arm, was severed in two. He displayed a look of fear and confusion, unable to see how Kakashi had swung his sword.
In the next moment, intense pain hit him, and before he could utter a single word of regret, his body was cut in half.
"Kakashi, you…" Obito watched in shock as the powerful Jonin, who had been giving everyone such a hard time, was defeated in an instant by Kakashi's single strike. Was this the result of Mutsuki Sage's power?
"I am the genius Kakashi." With these words, Kakashi fell.
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