Trump Card (Part One)

Inside the Barrier, Gengetsu was moved when he heard the news about Uchiha Shinsui, but he could not help feeling a little awkward as well.

"That guy really is hardheaded!"

After silently grumbling, his gaze sharpened as he looked ahead. Though the dense mist obscured his vision, he could still sense what was happening within through Chakra.

Of the three Shadow Clones, one rushed at the highly skilled Wandering Samurai, one charged Bandage Man, while the last dealt with the other minor fodder.

The cannon-fodder lackeys were swiftly taken care of by the Shadow Clone, and there were no more hidden experts among them, making Gengetsu secretly breathe a sigh of relief. But his expression immediately changed. "Such speed... Lightning Release?"

One Shadow Clone was cut down by the Wandering Samurai!

This Wandering Samurai reminded Gengetsu of someone—Hatake Sakumo. A powerful Elite Jonin whom even Konoha's Sannin held in high regard, he had earned outstanding military achievements, was famed for his swordsmanship, and excelled in high-speed breakthroughs and precise assassinations!

This Wandering Samurai might have been far weaker than Hatake Sakumo, but their styles were exactly alike.

Within the dense mist, the cry of Chidori rang out as the third Shadow Clone fought the Wandering Samurai. The two figures flickered continuously through the churning fog like twin bolts of lightning. Strangely, despite their bodies constantly crossing paths, not a single sound could be heard except for the occasional crackle of electricity.

Suddenly, Gengetsu's Shadow Clone stumbled and dropped to one knee. Then its head rolled away, and amid a spray of blood, its body burst into smoke and vanished with a bang.

Not far away, the Wandering Samurai landed, blood seeping from his left flank. He took out a bandage and wrapped the wound, his expression darkening. "What a terrifying Kid. It's only a flesh wound, but not many nine-year-olds can reach this level..."

"He really is powerful!"

As Gengetsu's Main Body received the memories sent back by the Shadow Clone, the corner of his eye twitched. "The Shinobi World truly is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. It doesn't just have old monsters like Kakuzu!"

"But it wasn't without gains. And that Wandering Samurai is injured too!"

Gengetsu shifted his gaze to the final Shadow Clone fighting Bandage Man. Compared to the battle against the Wandering Samurai, this duel was far more explosive, with constant booms as all kinds of ninjutsu clashed.

"Wind Release, Earth Release, Water Release... Hm? They joined forces and took it out. What terrifying speed!"

The third Shadow Clone had also been killed. The mist within the Barrier began to disperse, gradually revealing Bandage Man and the Wandering Samurai.

"It seems the person who hired you really understands me well," Gengetsu said as he watched the two approach.

"Since you know that, you should understand that you won't escape today. So surrender obediently. Otherwise, if we start fighting, we might accidentally kill you. Your strength cannot be underestimated, after all, so we have no choice but to use our full power," Bandage Man said.

"That's what I should be saying to you. My greatest hobby is researching ninjutsu, not fighting and killing. But don't force me to lose my temper, or even I'll be afraid of myself!"

Gengetsu formed hand seals and created two more Shadow Clones, though he was somewhat annoyed inside. If the Barrier's space weren't so small, I would've used a big move to kill you all already!

"His strength may be decent, but those arrogant words are really irritating..."

Straw Hat Man, who was maintaining the Barrier, could not help grumbling to himself.

"Boss, stop wasting words on this Kid! Finish him quickly—the operation on the other side has already failed!" Scarface shouted. Then he snorted inwardly. What useless trash, getting beaten down by a Kid so quickly. Still, the Uchiha Clan truly cannot be underestimated!

"Understood!"

Inside the Barrier, Bandage Man raised his brows. Sweat formed on his forehead as he looked at Gengetsu's two Shadow Clones. "What enormous Chakra. But thinking you can still use Shadow Clones against us is far too naive!"

He stopped and rapidly formed hand seals. With a deep inhale and exhale, he spewed out a massive ball of wind that roared toward Gengetsu and his two Shadow Clones.

Wind Release: Pressure Damage!

At the same time, lightning crackled around the Wandering Samurai's body as he sprinted forward, circling in from the side.

"Go!"

Gengetsu gave a low shout and scattered with his Shadow Clones, dodging the wind sphere. After landing, the two Shadow Clones rushed toward Bandage Man and the Wandering Samurai. Meanwhile, while Gengetsu's Main Body was still airborne, his hands flashed through seals. He inhaled and exhaled, firing one air bullet after another with sharp whistles, blanketing Bandage Man and preventing him from calmly forming hand seals.

Meanwhile, the Shadow Clone facing the Wandering Samurai brought its hands together. Water gathered across the ground and formed four streams, dancing nimbly like four water snakes as they tried to capture the Wandering Samurai and keep him from closing in.

"Heh, trying to deal with me first? You really are looking down on me!"

Sensing Gengetsu's Shadow Clone's intentions, Bandage Man sneered and abandoned ninjutsu. He drew a Kunai and charged at the Shadow Clone.

"Hm? A specially made Kunai that can conduct Chakra—like the methods Asuma Sarutobi would use in the future? It seems he isn't merely proficient in Wind Release, Water Release, and Earth Release!"

"But that suits me perfectly!"

Gengetsu's Shadow Clone drew a Kunai. In the next instant, their figures crossed. With a clang, the Kunai in Gengetsu's Shadow Clone's hand was cut in two.

"So sharp!"

Startled, Gengetsu's Shadow Clone threw away the severed Kunai. Lightning gathered in both hands, and with the cry of Chidori, it charged Bandage Man once more.

"Kid, Wind Release restrains Lightning Release. Didn't your teacher teach you that?"

Their bodies crossed again as fists and kicks flew back and forth. Although Bandage Man's Kunai was incomparably sharp, Gengetsu was smaller but possessed astonishing strength, and Chidori's attacks could not be underestimated either. After several exchanges, neither side had managed to land a blow on the other.

"Though Wind Release restrains Lightning Release, they also generate and counter one another. Just like Water Release and Fire Release—Water Release will not necessarily defeat Fire Release!"

Chakra erupted continuously from beneath Gengetsu's Shadow Clone's feet. Its Monster Strength smashed crater after crater into the ground, sending up huge splashes of water.

"Generate and counter one another?"

It was the first time Bandage Man had heard such a claim, and he could not help laughing. "What kind of theory is that? Your teacher is truly incompetent!"

"Then let's test it!"

Gengetsu's Shadow Clone shouted, no longer dodging this time.

Is this Kid trying to lure me into a direct clash? Fine, that's exactly what I want too!

Bandage Man's expression hardened. He had already noticed that the Wandering Samurai was being held back. If he could not quickly eliminate this Shadow Clone, then once the other side's reinforcements arrived, their mission would fail—and the losses would be enormous!

Disappear!

Bandage Man roared inwardly as he thrust his Kunai at Gengetsu's Shadow Clone's right hand.

Gengetsu's Shadow Clone neither dodged nor evaded, instead meeting it with both hands.

Smack!

Bandage Man grabbed Gengetsu's Shadow Clone's left wrist, while the Shadow Clone's right hand caught the sharp Kunai.

The lightning dispersed, replaced by Wind Release Chakra coating its hand. It truly could not block the sharp Wind Release Chakra on the Kunai, yet its hand was not cut off as Bandage Man had expected.

"Hm? Wind Release! Wait, you're not a Shadow Clone!"

Bandage Man's expression changed drastically as he looked at Gengetsu, blood dripping from his hand but no smoke appearing around him.

"That's right. I'm not a Shadow Clone. I'm the Main Body!"

Gengetsu smiled.

"I see. But even so, your hand should have been severed. Wind Release Chakra applied on the spot cannot block my Kunai. Unless it's..."

Bandage Man seemed to realize something, and cold sweat began pouring down his face.

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