Patrol Duty, Four

Kushina's Water Release was very strong.

Hiruzen praised this point. Her talent in ninjutsu was no less than her Fuinjutsu, and as a member of the Uzumaki Clan, plus her status as a Jinchuriki, she received many privileges. For example, the Third Hokage himself would occasionally guide her ninjutsu training, and the Senju Clan even provided Kushina with a copy of the Second Hokage's leftover Water Release cultivation insights.

To be honest, this move was very impressive and a generous gesture. It was no wonder the Senju could firmly suppress the Uchiha; it wasn't without reason.

With these conditions, Kushina's Water Release Technique improved greatly. Combined with the Uzumaki Clan's large chakra reserves, her combat power was quite formidable.

It wasn't just Kushina; Katsuki also had a similar self-assessment. The Uzumaki Clan were natural mobile fortresses, regardless of their will. As long as their ninjutsu talent was excellent enough and they mastered a few powerful offensive ninjutsu, they would be the most dominant life reapers.

Blocking the spraying poison needles, Otome and Otoha both stepped forward, quickly forming hand seals. When the Water Wall descended, following Tenzan's guidance, the two released their ninjutsu together.

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique.

The Uchiha's signature ninjutsu. Don't think of it as just a simple C-rank ninjutsu. The Uchiha were the ancestors of fire manipulation. Any Fire Release Technique used by them was far more powerful than when used by others.

Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.

Following Otoha and Otome, Minato released a Wind Release Technique to boost the flames' power.

As the Water Wall fell, Rasa and Chizuko saw a rolling stream of red flames approaching. It had completely surpassed the concept of a Great Fireball. At the very least, their vision was filled with crimson, and the heatwave hit them head-on!

Damn it! This isn't a Great Fireball at all!

Rasa only wanted to curse. What was going on with these brats? How could they all use ninjutsu? Had Konoha's geniuses become this common!

Normally, at the Genin level, combat was primarily Taijutsu. Among ten people, perhaps one or two geniuses would have mastered ninjutsu, and these geniuses were almost always disciples from major clans or disciples of Jonin.

Of Konoha's six brats, one was a disciple of the Hyuga Clan, but the other four could all use ninjutsu: Wind Release, Fire Release, Water Release. Rasa frowned unconsciously. He had originally felt he had an 80% chance of defeating Katsuki and the others, but after one round of engagement, his confidence wavered. Even with Chizuko assisting, he didn't think his chances were very high.

"Magnet Release: Gold Sand Wall."

While thinking, Rasa's movements were not slow at all. With a single hand gesture, the sand and stone flow he had previously created immediately churned and rolled. The flowing sand, dotted with flecks of gold, formed a tall sand wall. The semi-curved high wall protected Rasa and Chizuko in the center.

"Whoosh..."

The two Great Fireballs, merged by the strong wind, turned into a stream of red, scorching flames. Just as the sand wall took shape and the flame stream arrived, the red flame stream quickly collided with the sand wall and split into two, diverting along the curved sand wall.

Rasa's face was a little pale. Fortunately, he used Magnet Release and not Earth Release, otherwise, he and Chizuko would probably have already turned into a pile of black charcoal.

He could feel the scorching heat from the front and sides. The Great Fireball Technique was a jutsu that could instantly burn a person to a crisp, with astonishingly high temperatures. Just the heat radiating through the sand wall made him feel like he was back in a desert under the scorching sun.

So hot!

"Sizzle sizzle sizzle."

As the flames subsided, the sound of rushing water could be heard, followed by the sound of boiling water. White steam rose from the top of the wall, and large cracks appeared in the sand wall. Under Rasa's grim gaze, it collapsed with a roar in just one breath.

Water Release: Water Colliding Wave.

This was the advantage of having many people: continuous attacks seamlessly connected. If an opportunity was seized, the enemy would hardly get a moment to breathe.

Taking advantage of Otoha and Otome's attack, Kushina unleashed a Water Colliding Wave. The sand wall, scorched by the high temperature, was instantly cooled. Under the dual onslaught of ice and fire, the sturdy Gold Sand Wall became brittle and soft, and was pushed over by the not-so-powerful Water Colliding Wave.

"Chizuko, retreat quickly."

The moment the sand wall cracked, Rasa shouted. He quickly retreated, waving his hands. The soil beneath his feet instantly shattered, turning into flowing sand. Under his control, it formed layer upon layer of barriers, blocking the impact of the water waves.

Earth Release: Rock Rods.

Quietly, under the cover of the water vapor, Katsuki moved to Rasa and their left flank, launching a surprise attack.

Rock pillars rose from the ground, slanting sharply towards Rasa and Chizuko, fast and fierce.

"Magnet Release: Gold Sand Shield."

Magnet Release, it had to be said, was incredibly useful. Without forming hand seals, Rasa could control the vast flowing sand with one hand, forming layers of crudely shaped large shields in front of him. The rock pillars hit them like they were hitting a steel barrier. With a bang, the stone pillars shattered but couldn't break through the Gold Sand Shield.

Good heavens, Kekkei Genkai, truly a wonderful thing!

Katsuki didn't expect to defeat the future Fourth Kazekage with this. Gripping his short sword tightly, he stomped his feet hard on the ground and leaped over the not-so-tall Gold Sand Shield, appearing above Rasa and Chizuko. He swooped down like an eagle preying on its victim.

He descended rapidly, thin blue electrical arcs like silk threads dancing on his short sword, emitting a crackling sound. They dispersed the Gold Dust Cloud that Rasa had hastily gathered and thrust towards his forehead.

"Screech!"

The short sword sliced through Rasa's head, but there was no red and white fluid as he had hoped. Rasa's body dissolved into flowing sand.

Sand Clone.

At some point, Rasa had replaced his true body with a Sand Clone.

"Die, Konoha brat."

A sinister curse echoed. The Puppet Master named Chizuko's fingers danced like playing a piano. The one-horned, three-armed Kaka Duda charged forward, its tattered grey robe fluttering in the wind. Poisoned blades with purple halos shot out from the puppet's arm joints.

Three arms, nine poisoned blades, cutting like a whirlwind, forming a purple storm that instantly enveloped Katsuki, slicing him into pieces—white smoke drifted back and forth, stirred by the slashing poisoned blades.

Chizuko's expression changed. Without thinking, she controlled the puppet to rush back.

The weakness of a Puppet Master was obvious: they were too weak in close combat. All their means were on the puppet, especially for a Genin like Chizuko who could only control one puppet. Although she had also trained in Taijutsu, it was clear that 99% of Puppet Masters were more interested in puppet research and modification.

As for a Puppet Master's Taijutsu... Heh!