Unlike Orochimaru and the others, who had ample Chakra, the group of Genin did not immediately use Ninjutsu when they stepped forward. Instead, they tested each other with thrown ninja tools.
The six of them spread out, tacitly dividing into three battlefields. Uchiha Kiyoshi faced Kitsuchi.
When it came to Shurikenjutsu, the Uchiha Clan was the most proficient. Even without the Sharingan's aid, Uchiha Kiyoshi's throwing skills were formidable.
Rather than attacking first, he waited for the instant Kitsuchi's ninja tools left his hand before releasing five kunai of his own.
The five kunai traced graceful arcs through the air. Two knocked aside Kitsuchi's kunai, while the remaining three surrounded him from three directions.
"What incredible kunai throwing."
Kitsuchi's pupils shrank as he faced Uchiha Kiyoshi's three kunai.
However, Kitsuchi was no pushover.
He formed hand seals with both hands. "Earth Release: Earth Wall Technique."
An Earth Wall rose around Kitsuchi, enclosing him. It was not very thick, but it was more than enough to block the kunai.
"A defensive Ninjutsu with only three hand seals? And it doesn't seem to consume much Chakra either. Its defense is somewhat stronger than my Earth Shield."
Seeing Kitsuchi's Earth Wall Technique, Uchiha Kiyoshi's eyes lit up. He compared it with the Earth Shield he had developed and found it far superior to his own. He silently memorized Kitsuchi's hand seals, intending to see whether he could reproduce it when he returned. Still, Uchiha Kiyoshi did not hold much hope.
As expected of Kitsuchi, who was praised as the "Iron Fist That Shakes the World, Controller of Earth Who Defeats His Enemies." His Earth Release Ninjutsu was comprehensive as well. Uchiha Kiyoshi even believed that he had more than just this one defensive Ninjutsu. He should also possess a simplified Earth Style Wall, though it might not be the same as the simplified version Orochimaru had given him.
Just as Kitsuchi used Ninjutsu to block Uchiha Kiyoshi's kunai, Uchiha Kiyoshi began forming hand seals.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu."
Unlike how he had used it before, Uchiha Kiyoshi's Fireball Jutsu was fairly normal this time. A large fireball one meter in diameter burst from his mouth and blasted toward the ground before Kitsuchi.
Perhaps sensing something, Kitsuchi did not lower his Earth Wall. Uchiha Kiyoshi did not force a head-on clash either. The Fireball Jutsu exploded directly against the ground in front of Kitsuchi, kicking up dust that filled the sky.
This was a use of Fireball Jutsu Uchiha Kiyoshi had developed. With special control techniques, he could make the fireball explode. He had used it before when fighting Orochimaru shortly after graduation.
Kitsuchi dispelled the Earth Wall at this point. Dust filled the area around him, and visibility was extremely low.
Uchiha Kiyoshi took the chance to use the Clone Technique and began making arrangements around Kitsuchi.
(I'll change this here: clones can be controlled to move, but they have no physical form and disappear upon contact.)
By the time the dust around Kitsuchi had cleared, there were already four Uchiha Kiyoshis.
Although he could control their movements, it required a great deal of concentration and even demanded that he split his attention. Maintaining three clones at once was already Uchiha Kiyoshi's current limit.
Kitsuchi felt a headache coming on as he looked at the four identical Uchiha Kiyoshis. He disliked this kind of battle that required thinking. Wouldn't it be better to just clash head-on?
The four Uchiha Kiyoshis held kunai and charged at Kitsuchi. Facing the attacks of four Uchiha Kiyoshis, with no way to tell which was real, Kitsuchi forced himself to remain calm.
The Uchiha Kiyoshi in front of Kitsuchi was the first to approach him, raising his kunai and slashing down.
But Kitsuchi ignored him. Instead, he drew a sword and swept it toward the Uchiha Kiyoshi on his left, who had more openings.
The Uchiha Kiyoshi on the left was visibly shocked and hurriedly raised his kunai to block.
Clang!
The Uchiha Kiyoshi on the left was struck by Kitsuchi and staggered back three or four steps before finally steadying himself.
"What tremendous strength!"
The other three clones dissipated at that moment.
Kitsuchi did not pause. Seizing the opportunity, he launched a frenzied assault. Due to the disparity in their initial strength, Uchiha Kiyoshi was restrained at every turn and remained at a disadvantage. More wounds appeared across his body.
Meanwhile, Nawaki and Sarutobi Saku were locked in an even battle against the other two Iwagakure Genin.
Fighting alone, Sarutobi Saku refrained from using Ninjutsu in order to conserve Chakra. He relied solely on Taijutsu and Swordsmanship, barely managing to suppress his opponent.
Nawaki's side was even easier. For Genin with little Chakra, the constant use of large amounts of Ninjutsu gave him a considerable advantage. The Rock Shinobi opposite him cursed inwardly. How much Chakra does this brat have? How many Ninjutsu has he used already? He's still using them—does he even want to let people live? I only have enough Chakra for two or three Ninjutsu. Comparing people really is enough to make one furious.
As the two teams fought, two members of Konoha's Team 3 held the advantage. Uchiha Kiyoshi, on the other hand, seemed to be underperforming as Kitsuchi pressed him relentlessly.
Uchiha Kiyoshi had his own difficulties. Kitsuchi was simply too strong, and having lost the initiative, he could only barely defend himself.
Kitsuchi was surprised as well. Born with immense strength, he had never before encountered someone his own age who could fight him in close combat for so long. This was the first time. As a result, Kitsuchi grew fiercer with every exchange, each slash more ruthless than the last as he targeted the weak points in Uchiha Kiyoshi's defense.
The force behind Kitsuchi's sword drove Uchiha Kiyoshi steadily backward.
Finally, Kitsuchi saw an opening. He circulated Chakra into both hands and thrust forward with all his strength.
Unfortunately, instead of seeing Uchiha Kiyoshi panic, Kitsuchi saw him raise his head with a strange smile.
"Not good!"
An instinctive warning told Kitsuchi that something was wrong, but it was too late. A full-force thrust was not so easy to stop.
Squelch.
The sword pierced Uchiha Kiyoshi's body, but no blood flowed from the wound. Uchiha Kiyoshi gripped the sword with both hands, preventing Kitsuchi from pulling it free.
Kitsuchi acted decisively, abandoning the sword and leaping backward.
Unfortunately, it was already too late. Earth Spikes burst from the ground. Though Kitsuchi was agile, he was still pierced by them, leaving penetrating wounds in his leg and waist.
The Uchiha Kiyoshi holding the sword turned into a lump of earth and fell to the ground.
From behind a large tree in the distance, the real Uchiha Kiyoshi stepped out.
"So that's how it was. While the dust had yet to clear, you hid off to the side. The one fighting me all along was merely an Earth Clone."
Enduring the pain in his left leg, Kitsuchi barely remained standing. One hand covered his waist as he looked at Uchiha Kiyoshi, who walked out without the slightest hurry, and voiced his guess before giving a bitter smile.
"As expected, I'm not suited for this kind of battle that requires brains."
Just as Uchiha Kiyoshi was about to make his move and end the battle, two powerful auras erupted.
Orochimaru and Doseki, who had just gone far away, rushed back. Neither appeared to have gained an advantage, but Orochimaru was ultimately more than twenty years younger. Since he had fought Doseki to a draw, if one truly had to name a winner, it would be Orochimaru.
"Let them go. This is the Land of Earth's territory, Iwagakure's domain. If we truly fight to the death, we may not gain any advantage."
Uchiha Kiyoshi stopped moving and did not continue attacking Kitsuchi. Nawaki and Sarutobi Saku also stopped fighting when they saw this.
Under Doseki's lead, Kitsuchi's team quickly left the area.
Uchiha Kiyoshi stepped forward, picked up the sword Kitsuchi had not had time to take, and happily put it away.
"This sword withstood Kitsuchi's fierce swings, so it should be quite good. It must be worth a fair amount of money. Even if it isn't, keeping it for myself would still be useful."
Meanwhile, Kitsuchi returned to Iwagakure under Doseki's lead. Along the way, he kept thinking about this battle. He turned back and looked in the direction of their recent fight.
"Konoha's ninja, huh? An Earth Clone alone was able to fight me at close range for so long. As expected, Konoha produces geniuses. I don't know who you are, but I still look forward to fighting you again."
Before you continue