Chapter 16: Cowardice Is the Confidence of the Weak!
Kamishiro was really angry now.
Really, if you don't provoke a tiger, you'll think it's a sick cat! (An idiom meaning not to underestimate someone)
Kakashi and Oishi Ueyama used Earth Release ninjutsu to withstand Kamishiro's Iron Sand Drizzle.
Oishi Ueyama, hiding behind a rock, looked at Kakashi with a solemn expression. He thought Kakashi was really an Iwa - nin sent to Ubau (seize) Kamishiro.
But when Kakashi looked at Oishi Ueyama on the left and said, "Cooperate with me and charge!"
Oishi Ueyama immediately realized that this 'Iwa - nin' was a comrade.
Kamishiro was ready for his next attack.
"Magnet Release 路 Iron Sand Spear!"
Kamishiro highly compressed the Iron Sand into sharp spear shapes floating in the air, and then suddenly shot them out.
The earthen wall in front of Oishi Ueyama and Kakashi was instantly pierced through.
The two quickly rolled to avoid being stabbed by the Iron Sand spears.
Oishi Ueyama formed hand seals with both hands and pressed his hands on the ground.
"Earth Release 路 Earth Dragon Bullet!"
Oishi Ueyama injected his chakra into the ground, creating an earth dragon that opened its mouth and spewed out an earth stream towards Kamishiro.
Kamishiro manipulated the Iron Sand to form an Iron Sand wall, blocking the earth stream ejected by the earth dragon.
Suddenly, the ground under Kamishiro's feet trembled. Just one step away from Kamishiro, Kakashi burst out from underground.
Kakashi used Earth Release 路 Splitting Fang to sneak into the ground and suddenly launched a surprise attack from below. He stabbed at Kamishiro with a kunai in his hand.
Kamishiro's fingers danced rapidly. In an instant, Kanna appeared in front of Kamishiro. Blades popped out from all the joints of its body, and it attacked Kakashi without any defense (i.e., without holding back).
If Kakashi continued to attack Kanna with his kunai, even if he hit Kanna, he would be attacked by the blades on Kanna's body.
These blades were all coated with poison.
Although the poison wasn't very potent, it took effect quickly. If he was poisoned, it would be quite a headache for Kakashi.
Kakashi didn't choose to continue the attack but retreated instead.
After all, it was very unwise to exchange injuries with a puppet.
After all, a puppet won't really get hurt. Even if his kunai stabs the puppet, it won't cause much damage.
Kamishiro quickly formed hand seals with both hands and finally clapped his hands together.
"Magnet Release! Iron Sand World Method!"
Kamishiro used the Iron Sand to form a large - scale spiked barrier in the air.
Kakashi's hair stood on end. He immediately dodged in an extremely contorted and extreme posture, barely avoiding it.
However, there were still many scratches on Kakashi's body.
Seeing this scene, Obito and Rin Nohara, who were watching the battle, both felt a sudden tightness in their hearts.
Obito almost rushed out but was stopped by Minato Namikaze.
"Don't worry. As long as I'm here, Kakashi will be fine."
Actually, Minato Namikaze almost rushed out just then.
However, seeing that Kakashi had already got into a defensive position, Minato held back from taking action.
Minato gazed at Kamishiro.
Undoubtedly, in Minato's eyes, Kamishiro was a genius.
Oishi Ueyama, an elite chunin, and Kakashi, also a chunin, couldn't gain any upper - hand over Kamishiro even when they joined forces.
That meant Kamishiro was stronger than Kakashi and Oishi Ueyama.
In Minato's view, Kamishiro should have the strength of a jounin.
However, Kamishiro couldn't fully unleash his strength.
Because it was obvious that Kamishiro had very little combat experience.
Kamishiro's Iron Sand World Method had completely restricted Kakashi's range of movement.
If Minato were in Kamishiro's shoes, he would definitely use the Puppet to chase after Kakashi or find other ways to attack him.
However, Kamishiro didn't do that. The Puppet still stayed beside Kamishiro.
Kamishiro just casually threw a few Kunai at Kakashi as a tentative attack.
In the face of just a few Kunai attacks, Kakashi easily blocked them by throwing Shuriken.
Minato felt pity for Kamishiro for missing such a great opportunity.
Moreover...
Minato looked at Kamishiro, who kept stepping back, feeling rather speechless.
What Kamishiro said before, 'I won't let you two get away today,' was totally a lie.
It was obvious that Kamishiro didn't want to fight Kakashi and Oishi Ueyama at all. Fleeing might still be his top option.
Minato really didn't know what to say. Wasn't it clear that Kamishiro had the advantage?
Minato guessed right. Running away was still Kamishiro's top choice.
Not to mention that Kamishiro was extremely nervous and frightened in The Battle, and he couldn't tell the difference between being at an advantage and at a disadvantage at all.
In Kamishiro's mind, he was at a disadvantage.
Because there were two Iwa - nin on the opposite side, while Kamishiro only had one and a half combatants.
Kanna, being a Puppet, counted as half of a combatant.
As the saying goes, there are perils in The Battle.
What if he got distracted during The Battle and got hurt? Getting hurt might be a minor matter. What if it was a life - threatening injury?
Moreover, Kakashi, who suddenly showed up just now, really scared Kamishiro badly.
Kamishiro couldn't be certain if there were any hidden Iwa - nin around. If there were, wouldn't it be like throwing his life away if he foolishly rushed up to fight these two Iwa - nin to the bitter end?
Even if he could beat these two Iwa - nin, so what?
These two Iwa - nin seemed like small fry and cannon fodder. Killing them would be pointless.
For safety's sake, avoid battle if possible. There's no need to take risks.
Right now, the most important thing is to find the Konoha ninjas and let them do the dangerous work.
Kamishiro also has his own ninja way.
'Only endure what ordinary folks can't, and you'll get what they can't!'
Since it's about the ninja way, being able to endure is the most basic requirement.
Although it might seem cowardly, Kamishiro is a weakling right now!
If you can't stand the small stuff, you're in for big trouble.
Cowardice is the weakling's shield!
So, although Kamishiro was really angry when he was attacked just now, after calming down, he still decided to run.
As long as he reaches Konoha's camp, the Iwa-nin won't dare to chase him.
Even if they do dare to chase, the Konoha ninjas will surely help him deal with the Iwa-nin.
Since the Konoha ninjas will fight for him, why should he exhaust himself and risk getting killed?
That would be stupid!
At this moment, Kakashi has managed to get out of the Iron Sand barrier with Oishi Ueyama's help.
Kakashi and Oishi Ueyama are now some distance away from Kamishiro.
A glint of light flashed in Kamishiro's eyes. Now was the chance!
Kamishiro immediately began to form hand seals.
Magnet Release: Iron Sand Giant Needles!
Kamishiro compressed the Iron Sand to a high density, forming multiple sharp spears. He then manipulated these spears and stabbed at Oishi Ueyama and Kakashi.
Oishi Ueyama and Kakashi dodged these spears.
However, these spears were magnetic and could be freely manipulated by Kamishiro.
While Oishi Ueyama and Kakashi were constantly dodging, Kamishiro manipulated Kanna (Kanna).
Kanna's left hand aimed at Oishi Ueyama and Kakashi, and her left arm began to quickly deform. Half of a Missile loaded in her left arm was exposed.
As Kamishiro hooked his finger, a Missile was directly shot out and blasted towards Oishi Ueyama and Kakashi.
Although Kakashi and Oishi Ueyama didn't know what this thing was, they felt it was extremely dangerous and immediately dodged.
The Missile hit the ground and exploded instantly, making a deafening explosion sound. The surrounding area was filled with smoke and dust.
And without looking back, Kamishiro immediately retreated and fled, disappearing into the woods.