Battle Against Kitsuchi

Unlike Orochimaru and the others, who had ample Chakra, the group of Genin did not immediately unleash Ninjutsu. Instead, they began by testing 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 assistance, Uchiha Kiyoshi's throwing skills were formidable.

Rather than attacking first, Uchiha Kiyoshi waited for the instant Kitsuchi's ninja tools left his hand before throwing five Kunai of his own.

The five Kunai traced elegant arcs through the air. Two knocked down Kitsuchi's Kunai, while the remaining three came at him from three directions, surrounding him.

"Such incredible Kunai-throwing skill."

Facing Uchiha Kiyoshi's three Kunai, Kitsuchi's pupils contracted.

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 particularly thick, but it had no trouble blocking Kunai.

"A defensive Ninjutsu with only three hand seals? And it doesn't seem to consume much Chakra either. Its defense is a bit stronger than my Earth Shield."

Uchiha Kiyoshi's eyes lit up when he saw Kitsuchi's Earth Wall Technique. Comparing it with the Earth Shield he had developed himself, he found that it was far superior. He silently memorized Kitsuchi's hand seals, intending to see whether he could replicate it after returning. Still, he did not hold much hope.

Worthy of being Kitsuchi, who was praised as the man whose "iron fists could shake the world and command the earth to defeat 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 likely knew a simplified Earth Style Wall too, though it might not be the same as the simplified version Orochimaru had given him.

As Kitsuchi used Ninjutsu to block Uchiha Kiyoshi's Kunai, Uchiha Kiyoshi began forming hand seals as well.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu."

Unlike how he had used it before, Uchiha Kiyoshi's Fireball Jutsu was fairly normal this time. A large fireball a meter in diameter burst from his mouth and slammed into the ground before Kitsuchi.

Perhaps sensing something, Kitsuchi had yet to dismiss his Earth Wall. Uchiha Kiyoshi did not clash with it head-on. Instead, 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 worked out. Through special control techniques, he could make the fireball explode. He had used it before when fighting Orochimaru shortly after graduation.

Kitsuchi dismissed his Earth Wall then, but dust filled the surrounding area, and visibility was extremely poor.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Uchiha Kiyoshi used the Clone Technique and began setting up around Kitsuchi.

(I'll revise this here: Clones can be controlled to move, but they have no physical form and vanish upon contact.)

By the time the dust around Kitsuchi dispersed, Uchiha Kiyoshi had become four people.

Though he could control their movements, it required an enormous amount of concentration and even forced him to divide his attention. Maintaining three Clones at once was already Uchiha Kiyoshi's current limit.

Looking at the four identical Uchiha Kiyoshis, Kitsuchi felt a headache coming on. He disliked battles that required thinking. Wouldn't it be better to just fight head-on?

The four Uchiha Kiyoshis gripped Kunai and charged at Kitsuchi. Facing their attack without knowing which one was real, Kitsuchi forced himself to calm down.

The Uchiha Kiyoshi in front of Kitsuchi was the first to close in, raising his Kunai and slashing down.

But Kitsuchi ignored him. Instead, he drew a blade 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 regaining his footing.

"What strength!"

The other three Clones dissipated at that moment.

Kitsuchi did not pause. Seizing the opportunity, he launched a frenzied assault. Uchiha Kiyoshi was restrained at every turn by the difference in their strength and remained at a disadvantage, while the wounds on his body steadily increased.

Elsewhere, Nawaki and Sarutobi Saku were also fighting back and forth against the other two Iwagakure Genin.

Fighting alone, Sarutobi Saku refrained from using Ninjutsu to conserve Chakra. Relying solely on taijutsu and Swordsmanship, he barely managed to suppress his opponent.

Nawaki had it even easier. For Genin with little Chakra, facing someone who could cast large amounts of Ninjutsu put them at a considerable disadvantage. The Rock Shinobi facing him cursed inwardly. Just how much Chakra does this brat have? How many Ninjutsu has he used already? And he's still going? Is he trying to kill me? I only have enough Chakra for two or three Ninjutsu. Comparing people really is enough to drive one mad.

As the two teams fought, two members of Konoha's Team 3 held the advantage. In contrast, Uchiha Kiyoshi seemed to be struggling, pressed down by Kitsuchi's attacks.

Uchiha Kiyoshi had his own grievances. 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 encountered anyone his age who could fight him in close combat for so long. This was the first time. Thus, 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 blade drove Uchiha Kiyoshi back again and again.

Finally, Kitsuchi spotted an opening. Chakra flowed into both his hands as he thrust forward with all his might.

Unfortunately, instead of seeing panic on Uchiha Kiyoshi's face, Kitsuchi saw him raise his head and reveal a strange smile.

"Not good!"

An instinctive warning made Kitsuchi realize something was wrong, but it was already too late. A thrust delivered with all his strength was not so easy to stop.

Squelch.

The blade pierced Uchiha Kiyoshi's body, yet no blood flowed from the wound. Uchiha Kiyoshi grabbed the blade with both hands, preventing Kitsuchi from pulling it free.

Kitsuchi was decisive. He immediately abandoned the blade and leaped backward.

Unfortunately, it was already too late. Earth Spikes erupted from the ground. Though Kitsuchi moved nimbly, he was still pierced by them, leaving penetrating wounds in his leg and waist.

The Uchiha Kiyoshi holding the blade turned into a lump of mud and fell to the ground.

The real Uchiha Kiyoshi walked out from behind a large tree in the distance.

"I see. While the dust had yet to settle, you hid off to the side. The one who had been fighting me all along was merely an Earth Clone."

Enduring the pain in his left leg, Kitsuchi barely remained standing. One hand pressed against his waist as he watched Uchiha Kiyoshi walk out without a hint of haste, voicing his guess before giving a bitter smile.

"Sure enough, 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 Tsuchi Ishi, who had just left, rushed back. Neither seemed to have gained an advantage, but Orochimaru was ultimately more than twenty years younger. Since he had managed to fight Tsuchi Ishi to a draw, if one had to say who won, it would be Orochimaru.

"Let them go. This is the Land of Earth, Iwagakure's territory. If we truly fight to the death, we may not come out ahead."

Uchiha Kiyoshi stopped moving and did not continue attacking Kitsuchi. Nawaki and Sarutobi Saku likewise halted their battles upon seeing this.

Led by Tsuchi Ishi, Kitsuchi's team quickly left the area.

Uchiha Kiyoshi stepped forward, picked up the blade Kitsuchi had not had time to take, and happily put it away.

"This blade withstood Kitsuchi's ferocious swings, so it must be pretty good. It should be worth quite a bit of money. Even if it isn't, it would still be good to keep for myself."

Meanwhile, Kitsuchi returned to Iwagakure under Tsuchi Ishi's lead. All along the way, he thought about their battle. He turned back and looked in the direction they had fought.

"Konoha's ninja, huh? An Earth Clone alone was able to fight me in close combat for so long. As expected, Konoha produces geniuses. I don't know who you are, but I still look forward to fighting you again someday."