Kamizuru Otto's Death

Nine people formed three swastika formations, and then, intentionally or unintentionally, the three smaller formations combined to form a larger swastika formation.

Maintaining their clover-like shape while moving at a steady speed, the Stone Ninja kept their nerves on edge, focusing their attention to the extreme, wary of Sakumo might suddenly appear from nowhere.

The surprise attack on Otto failed, and Sakumo was hiding underground again. This time, because of the deaths of the Senju ninja, the group could not detect Sakumo's movements and could only rely on their eyes, ears, noses, and intuition to be on guard.

However, Sakumo had no intention of attacking the Stone Ninja who were in formation. Jonin were different from Genin, and attacking a group of Jonin was too risky. If a group of Jonin fought to the death, even if he could win, he would have to pay a price. In the current situation, he was unwilling and unable to take such a huge risk.

He wasn't just a vanguard soldier charging into battle; he was the commander, the highest-ranking officer of the Konoha Ninja Army.

"The general is staying behind to cover the retreat? His courage is commendable!"

Another reason why Sakumo didn't pursue the retreating nine was Otto. This young commander of the Stone Ninja army stayed behind without hesitation. He was a piece of meat that Sakumo couldn't ignore. If he could kill this disciple of the Kamisumi clan, his value might not be less than that of the nine Jonin.

"Don't you think this is incredibly stupid? Not to mention I have so many subordinates around me, even if I were alone, do you think that just because you blocked one of my attacks you're my opponent? Or do you have some other trump card?" Sakumo emerged halfway from the ground.

"A trump card—? I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I don't have any earth-shattering trump cards." Otto shook his head, a smile on his face. "It's just that my bloodline prevents me from fleeing without a fight. Dying here is nothing; tarnishing the family's honor is worse than death."

"... Very good, although it's foolish, but... if it were me, I would probably make the same choice..." Sakumo stepped on the puddles, looking at Otto with a hint of appreciation in his eyes.

"Earth Release: Rock Pillar Spear"

Otto moved quickly. Compared to high-ranking Ninjutsu with great power but complicated Hand Seals, he chose a C-rank Ninjutsu with fewer hand seals. Against a speed-type opponent like Sakumo, being even a step slower could mean being separated by death forever.

As the Chakra within his body decreased, sharp rock spears sprang up from the ground like bamboo shoots after a spring rain, pointing straight upwards and shattering the glistening raindrops, but failing to catch their desired prey.

By the time the rock spear appeared at Sakumo's location, he had already vanished without a trace.

"White Lightning Strike."

The short knife, accompanied by a faint crackling sound, came from behind and plunged deep into Otto's spine.

"Huh--? Earth Clone? Ah, that was a beautiful move!" Sakumo exclaimed, looking at the Otto that had turned into a puddle of mud.

The Earth Clone used to switch places with the real body must have been done in the instant he went underground, otherwise it would have been impossible to hide it from his eyes.

"Earth Release, Ant Hell."

Suddenly, the earth sank, and the solid, thick soil rolled like flowing water. A huge vortex appeared beneath Sakumo's feet. The rapidly moving soil pulled Sakumo's feet down without warning, and an irresistible, enormous force dragged him continuously into the vortex.

However, Sakumo Hana, who also showed a surprised expression, turned into soft mud just like him and was quickly assimilated by the vortex of mud.

"Earth Clone?"

Otto peeked out to check the situation, widened his eyes.

Ten seconds later, the power of Ant Hell was exhausted, the mud vortex stopped its super-fast movement, and a huge crater appeared in the spot.

"Earth Release isn't just a patent of your Stone Ninja. Although it might be a bit shameless, I consider myself an expert in Earth Release!" Sakumo stood at the edge of the huge pit twisted and created by the power of the Ant Hell, peering out at the spiraling marks in the pit. The surrounding water was flowing rapidly towards the bottom of the pit along the spiral pattern. Although only two or three seconds had passed, the rising water level at the bottom of the pit was already visible.

"White Lightning Strike."

A silver-white blade flashed down from the sky, unable to retreat back underground. Otto swung his fist, which was as thick as an iron bowl, and clashed head-on with Sakumo's short sword!

"Swoosh--!"

With a crackling sound, blood splattered.

Otto's Hardening Technique was indeed first-rate, but he encountered none other than Konoha's White Fang, who was proficient in Dual Element Ninjutsu. White Fang, who claimed to be an expert in Earth Release, was also an expert in Lightning Release Technique. His Instant Kill technique was achieved by combining Lightning Release Technique and Earth Release.

White Lightning Strike is an original technique created by Sakumo. Initially, it was just an application of the nature transformation of Lightning Release Chakra. However, through his repeated improvements, White Lightning Strike has transcended the definition of ordinary Ninjutsu. Its attack power changes according to his will. Whether it is a low-level Ninjutsu or a high-level Ninjutsu, he can unleash the corresponding power as long as he needs it.

This perfectly embodies the saying that Sakumo reveres: to achieve the greatest results at the lowest cost.

Otto's Earth Release: Hardening Technique encountered Lightning Release Technique that had a counter, and it was Sakumo who had developed the penetrating properties of Lightning Release to an extremely high level. Sakumo hadn't used his full strength before, but it seemed that he had been underestimated, as Sakumo dared to catch his knife bare-handed. Naturally, Sakumo wouldn't be polite.

The short sword sliced through Otto's hand bones, leaping silver arcs of electricity tearing through the muscles and skin of his arm. The stench of blood mingled with the acrid smell of burning flesh, while Sakumo, unfazed, pressed down on the short sword, intending to sever Otto's head in one fell swoop.

"Pfft!!"

Before Sakumo's short sword could slice off his left arm and head together, Otto brutally severed his left arm at the shoulder with his right hand, then threw the severed arm to Sakumo, and used that instant to disappear underground.

Sakumo tossed his thick arm to the ground and stared at the dark earth.

"Wasting time? Troublesome guy, it would be better if you just died a quick death, instead you had to suffer for yourself." Sakumo shook his head as he looked at the severed arm that had been cut in two at his feet. To be able to cut off his own arm with his bare hands, that ruthlessness and decisiveness was truly extraordinary, but -- the result would not change because of it.

From the Otto stayed behind alone to delay Sakumo's advance, the outcome was already predetermined.

"It's almost over, Karin. Go and find the guy underground for Lord Sakumo."

"Huh? Is that all? Goto- senpai."

The young woman named Karin looked at the Goshima ninja in surprise.

"Of course, it should be said that it ended the moment it began, but this time the process took longer than I expected." Goto said, shaking his head. "That young man from Stone Ninja is quite strong. If he could train for a few more years, he would definitely be a big problem in the future. Fortunately, he has no future."