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Ishigami Hara's swordsmanship is a blend of Uchiha-style, Konoha-style, and techniques from the Senju and Uzumaki clans. He distilled the essence of each and developed his own unique style.
Despite his young age, every time he draws his sword and takes a step forward, there is a distinct rhythm to his movements.
When the female puppeteer first faced Ishigami Hara's assault, she was merely surprised. However, as she gradually fell into the rhythm of his strikes, her expression shifted repeatedly, growing more alarmed.
In this situation, the other Sunagakure Shinobi couldn't just stand by. They rushed to assist the female puppeteer, simultaneously launching an attack on Ishigami Hara.
But Ishigami Hara had anticipated this, showing no fear. He moved with fluidity, dodging their attacks effortlessly.
In any shinobi battle, ninjutsu plays a pivotal role. The Sunagakure Shinobi did not hold back, especially with their Wind Release techniques, which were particularly effective in this kind of engagement.
However, their opponent was Ishigami Hara, and they were destined to be disappointed.
Ishigami Hara's eyes darted back and forth, perceiving even the invisible wind blades with clarity. His body twisted at odd angles to dodge them, while his short blade moved with precision, maintaining his relentless rhythm.
The most astonishing scene was unfolding on Nawaki's side.
The male puppeteer had already retreated, and now the gecko puppet retracted its body, transforming into a wheel that barreled toward Nawaki.
Yet Nawaki dodged it with ease, all while forming hand seals to release his own ninjutsu.
It's important to note that at this moment, Nawaki was still under Ishigami Hara's control through a chakra string.
In other words, while Ishigami Hara was fending off multiple attackers, he simultaneously ensured that his control over Nawaki's battle remained intact. This multitasking ability was truly remarkable.
The more they fought, the more terrified she became in the face of Ishigami Hara. Each time she tried to act, her attempts were thwarted by his precise attacks, leaving her increasingly enraged.
Meanwhile, the Sunagakure Shinobi who were surrounding Ishigami Hara were equally shocked.
Who would have thought that such a young man could single-handedly hold off the elite forces of the Sunagakure Shinobi? It was a feat few would believe, even if told.
"The Konoha reinforcement team is arriving soon, head over there!"
The female puppeteer shouted urgently, her expression grim.
Hearing this, the besieging Sunagakure Shinobi swiftly adjusted their strategy, rushing toward the tent where the wounded were being sheltered.
The battle had drawn the attention of those in the tent, but the wounded couldn't join the fray. Among them were medical ninjas, invaluable on the battlefield, and their safety was paramount.
Thus far, Ishigami Hara and his team had been fighting without intervention from the wounded, their absence meant to reduce their visibility and protect the medics.
But now the enemy had turned their focus toward them, aiming to distract Ishigami Hara.
This strategy was both devious and effective.
Ishigami Hara's brow furrowed immediately.
In the next instant, a figure burst from the tent. It was a wounded man with his left arm in a sling. His bloodshot eyes held two rotating tomoe in each.
"You move, I'll stop them!"
The voice came from a young man, clearly from the Uchiha clan. As the Sunagakure Shinobi rushed forward, he stood his ground, forming a one-handed seal and releasing a massive Great Fireball, over two meters in diameter.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
The fireball crashed into the ground and exploded with a loud bang, sending dust and smoke billowing into the air.
Unfortunately, despite the smoke, no Sunagakure Shinobi were harmed—they had already evaded the attack. It seemed the Uchiha had expected this. His goal wasn't to kill, but to buy time.
Seeing this, Ishigami Hara increased his speed. Despite being mid-air, his body bent at an unnatural angle as he used his chakra threads to propel himself, moving closer to the tents.
The female puppeteer noticed his movement and sneered.
At that moment, sounds from the camp's perimeter grew louder. Several bloodied figures rushed in from the distance—Konoha Shinobi. They had broken off from the front lines to protect the rear camp. Upon seeing the chaos unfolding, their expressions turned anxious.
The Sunagakure Shinobi, too, became more frantic. Noticing the reinforcements, the female puppeteer barked, "Kill that guy, quickly!"
Understanding the urgency, the Sunagakure Shinobi wasted no time. Several of them converged on the wounded Uchiha, launching a coordinated attack.
"Ugh..."
The Uchiha groaned in pain but managed to slash one of the attackers' throats with a kunai. However, his strength was spent, and he collapsed. "Damn it!"
One enraged Sunagakure Shinobi, in a fit of anger, decapitated the fallen Uchiha with his sword and immediately turned to charge at the tents. "Damn it!"
This brutal scene enraged the Konoha Shinobi who had just arrived, their fury palpable.
Suddenly, a heavy pressure settled over everyone present. It appeared without warning and sent chills through the group.
The female puppeteer froze, realizing that at some point, the boy in front of her—Ishigami Hara—had stopped moving. His head was lowered, his body still.
"Now's my chance!" she thought. The female puppeteer twitched her fingers, and her bat puppet swooped down, its sharp claws aiming for Ishigami Hara.
"Hara!"
On the other side, Nawaki shouted. He had sensed something strange about his own body and narrowly avoided another attack from the male puppeteer. His voice was hurried and filled with concern.
The bat puppet's claws gleamed with a cold light, as if they could slice through steel. They were mere inches away from Ishigami Hara's head.
But just before the fatal strike, Ishigami Hara raised one hand. A strange, light red flame enveloped it, effortlessly blocking the claws that could have torn his body apart.
Simultaneously, a demonic, light red chakra surged from his body, exuding an ominous presence.
Ishigami Hara slowly looked up, his expression eerily calm.
"I know. I'll deal with them... you're so noisy."
It was unclear whom he was speaking to, but everyone from the Sunagakure Shinobi side found themselves unable to tear their eyes away from him.
More specifically, their attention was drawn to his right eye.
In his right socket was a scarlet eye, adorned with an intricate pattern—a three-pointed blade, arranged in a calyx-shaped, triangular symmetry.
His left eye, in contrast, was a pure, glowing white with faint traces of light blue.
One eye red, the other white. Ishigami Hara's long hair fluttered without wind, while the eerie light red chakra burned around him, making him appear otherworldly.
The female puppeteer felt her heart pound violently, an overwhelming sense of dread consuming her. She struggled to speak, disbelief written all over her face.
"The Sharingan... No! And the Byakugan?!"