At close range, Akira Sarutobi was able to see the sword in greater detail.
The blade reflected faint frost-like patterns, like a pool of clear spring water, giving off a sharp, icy chill.
Weapons differed in quality and sharpness.
The Azure Edge Sword's blade had sunk into part of the greatsword's edge.
More accurately... the Azure Edge Sword had cut through the greatsword!
"What a sharp blade!"
Akira Sarutobi's eyes widened slightly. He became even more certain that this sword was no ordinary weapon.
Sarui's greatsword had been forged from refined steel. Cutting through ordinary kunai was no challenge for it.
Yet before this blade, it had been cut open with a small notch.
Whoosh!
Kitsuchi swiftly retreated.
Though he appeared to have the upper hand, the instant they clashed, he realized Akira Sarutobi's strength was astonishingly great.
"What incredible arm strength..."
That greatsword weighed at least several dozen kilograms, yet the Hokage's son wielded it as though it were a toy.
With his arm slightly numb, Kitsuchi immediately used a ninjutsu every Stone Ninja knew.
"Earth Style... Earth Style: Rock Fist Technique!"
Crack, crack, crack!
A layer of earthy brown rapidly spread over Kitsuchi's arm.
This technique could increase the user's defense and attack power.
It was equivalent to covering one's arm in a powerful suit of armor.
In the original story, this technique had appeared many times.
For instance, Ōnoki had used a Rock Fist to smash apart the Second Mizukage: Gengetsu Hozuki's summoned beast.
And Kitsuchi had once sent the six-tailed, tailed-beast-transformed Kinkaku flying with a single punch.
But Kitsuchi's Earth Style: Rock Fist Technique had undergone subtle adjustments and was somewhat different.
At this moment, his arm only seemed to be covered by a thin layer of arm guard.
Its boost to defense and attack might