Since the Four-Fingered Hell Stab didn't work on the barrier, Ai decided to increase the attack's precision and penetration power.
This time, he raised his hand with only one finger extended.
With a surge of chakra, an even more intense blue glow radiated from his fingertip, enveloping his entire body in a layer of crackling energy.
Swoosh!
The sound of slicing through the air echoed as Ai launched himself forward, his speed so blinding that he seemed like a bolt of lightning streaking towards the barrier.
Crack!
This time, even more cracks splintered across the barrier's surface, spreading out like a massive spiderweb that stretched skyward.
"Break already!" Ai roared, pushing his finger forward with all his might. But despite his efforts, the barrier held, still intact though strained.
"Damn it!" Ai muttered in frustration as he stepped back, watching the barrier gradually begin to repair itself.
Inside Uzushiogakure, the Uzumaki shinobi erupted in cheers. The barrier had saved them once again.
"Just wait until the Leaf's reinforcements arrive, Ai! Then we'll see what you do!" an Uzumaki elder shouted confidently, seeing Ai forced to retreat.
"Cowards hiding behind a turtle shell! you think you're so safe, huh?!" Ai snarled, before taking another stab at the barrier, so fast it startled the Uzumaki elder into retreat.
"Keep trying if you want; your boasts mean nothing to me!" the elder retorted, annoyed.
He left, but not without a lingering sense of unease—the Cloud ninja attacking their barrier looked like anything but human.
"If this 'Konoha's Ghost' from the Leaf is here, why hasn't he shown himself?" Ai called out, hoping his voice would provoke someone within the village into coming out to fight him directly.
"Come inside by yourself if you want to meet him! Or are you too scared to break down the barrier?" the elder shouted back, pausing briefly before retreating.
The exchange only aggravated Ai further. No matter how much he pushed, it was clear the barrier wouldn't yield to him alone. He took a deep breath, his mind racing.
A few moments later, he saw a figure descending rapidly from the sky—Ōnoki. He'd encountered similar difficulties on his side of the barrier.
Even his Dust Release hadn't been enough to break through the defenses of Uzushiogakure.
"Having trouble too, huh?" Ai commented as Ōnoki landed beside him. As much as Ai didn't want to admit it, Ōnoki's Dust Release was arguably the most destructive attack in their group.
"The Uzumaki's barrier is more powerful than we anticipated. If we don't do this together, we'll be just wasting time," Ōnoki said, looking seriously at Ai.
"Fine, we'll break this turtle shell together," Ai replied, putting his irritation aside in favor of pragmatism. For the moment, he knew he needed to cooperate.
"Come on, let's join the others," Ōnoki said as he floated back up, and Ai followed along below.
Before long, their forces were assembled. The Third Tsuchikage-to-be Ōnoki, the Third Raikage Ai, the Third Kazekage, the Third Mizukage, Sunagakure's senior advisor Chiyo, and the future leader of Takigakure all stood together, ready to break the barrier.
Seeing this massive gathering of powerful shinobi, Uzumaki Suihei immediately summoned more clan members to help reinforce the barrier, taking his place at its core.
Meanwhile, Hui remained at a distance, accompanied by the Fourth Unit of the White Fang.
Even from afar, Ōnoki recognized him immediately.
"Konoha's Ghost… Hui," Ōnoki muttered with a hint of bitterness.
"It's been a while, Ōnoki," Hui replied, sizing up the group assembled outside the barrier. The sight took him by surprise—so many shinobi, each bound to become legendary figures in the future.
No wonder their combined chakra was so overwhelming.
"Is this the so-called Ghost of the Leaf? Doesn't look like much—he's just a kid," the Third Kazekage sneered, eying Hui with disinterest.
Now that Hui was here, their attention shifted from attacking the barrier to facing him. They had all heard tales of him and had studied his combat record.
Hui met the Third Kazekage's gaze, arching a brow.
This man, the so-called "strongest Kazekage," would one day end up as nothing more than a puppet in the hands of Sasori—a tragic fate for any shinobi.
"What's with that look?" the Kazekage demanded, sensing an unsettling mix of amusement and… pity?
"Oh, nothing," Hui replied, shaking his head as if lost in thought. "I was just thinking about certain people's fates. It's… well, not great."
The Kazekage's eye twitched in irritation.
"Predicting our futures now, are we? How amusing," the Mizukage chimed in. "Perhaps you should worry about your own future. As of today, you won't be having one."
Hui glanced over at the Mizukage, feeling a sense of curiosity.
This man's story in the original lore was sparse—almost nonexistent compared to the others. Yet here he was, standing alongside some of the most powerful ninja in the world.
"You're mistaken," Hui retorted, keeping his tone calm. "My future couldn't be brighter. It's you who might want to be thinking about what lies ahead."
"Bold words, kid," Ai replied with a scoff, his eyes blazing with excitement.
He wasn't one for careful observation, but he could sense the strength radiating from Hui, and it fueled his eagerness to fight.
"Cloud ninja, am I right?" Hui responded, lips curving in a slight smile. "Well, you're right about one thing—I intend to take all four of you down."
join my patreon for 75+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/HyppoTL