Explosion Release

Emerging from the collapsed Yamanaka, Shuichi increased his movement speed to the maximum and charged straight ahead in the general direction provided by Akiha, wanting to catch up with the fleeing Iwagakure as soon as possible.

However, this person was also decisive. When he realized that the Konoha Ninja could quickly defeat Iwa, who was of equal strength to him, he knew that things were hopeless and that staying would not turn the tide.

"Although I also know some Sensory Ninjutsu, the range is a bit short," Shuichi a hint of helplessness.

"Now I have to take a gamble. The opponent will definitely use Shadow Clone to interfere with me. Hopefully, he hasn't gotten too far."

After chasing for a short distance, Shuichi discovered that the terrain of the mountains was a great help to him, because now there were high mountains on both sides, and only one path in the middle.

If that Iwagakure dweller tries to run up the mountain, he will easily spot him.

Recalling the terrain of the area, Shuichi remembered that there was a fork in the road 3 kilometers ahead, and the opponent obviously planned to use Shadow Clone there.

"Come on, I still have a chance if I bet wrong once, but if you're unlucky, it'll be your death day right away."

In the rain, a tall figure could be seen running at breakneck speed.

When he saw two intersections ahead, he decisively used Shadow Clone, creating two figures that moved in unison to the sides, doing everything they could to conceal any flaws in their footwork.

Just over ten seconds later, a figure so fast that it was impossible to see clearly rushed over. While the person in front could still be seen in general outline, this one had become a dark shadow.

The shadowy figure split into two, seemingly multiplying, and chased after the target like mad dogs. A few kilometers from the next intersection, it successfully bit the target's rear end.

In the middle of the road, the figure running ahead slowed down, as if due to insufficient chakra, and was about to be caught by the pursuers.

"Is it the real body or Shadow Clone? It's possible that the Shadow Clone's chakra is running out. If it's the real body, then it must know it can't escape and is trying to fight back," Shuichi calmly analyzed.

He preferred the latter option, since he couldn't escape either way. Shadow Clone were to escape at full speed, they could at least create some confusion, but if they turned back, they would just be thrown away.

There's a high chance the opponent is the real person, so they'll definitely launch a sudden attack. If we can directly destroy Shuichi's Shadow Clone, we can successfully escape.

"Sorry, this is my true form, no need to rush." Although Shuichi was fast, his body was completely under control, ensuring he wouldn't overextend. "Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"

A barrage of ninja tools sliced through the raindrops and swept forward, but upon hearing the sound, Iwagakure's Hoga acted against all reason, immediately turning around and rushing into the attack range of the ninja tools.

Seeing this, Shuichi didn't stop moving at all and used the Body Flicker Technique to dodge to the side.

After a brief delay following being struck by the Shuriken, the Hoga's body transformed into a giant bomb, leveling an area of dozens of meters in radius. "Boom..."

"Your Explosion Release was exposed long ago. Two high-consumption Shadow Clone plus one Shadow Clone Bomb—you don't have much chakra left. Prepare to face my punishment, you Iwagakure ground rat!"

While verbally threatening to sow discord between the two sides, Shuichi remained cautious and prudent.

As he chased after them, he spotted a tree with huge leaves. He immediately used Super Beast Imitation Drawing to place a camera under the leaves. If the other party unexpectedly went in the opposite direction, he would spot it immediately.

After running a short distance after doing this, Shuichi noticed that the enemy's footprints had disappeared, indicating that Hoga was hiding nearby.

He slowly began to look around, when suddenly the fierce-looking Hoga appeared behind him, his fist glowing with a faint yellow light as he struck Shuichi the back.

"Explosion Release: Landmine Fist!"

Just as the fist was about to hit Shuichi, his figure disappeared like a ghost in front of him, and the punch caused a violent explosion after hitting the tree trunk.

"Where? To the left or to the right?" Seeing that his attack had missed, Hoga immediately began searching for Shuichi's location.

"Up there!" A hand pressed down on his shoulder, and a burst of electricity instantly flashed around them. "Chidori Stream!"

"Ugh..." Despite the numbness throughout his body, Hoga frantically channeled his chakra. He knew this Konoha Ninja wanted to capture him alive. "Don't underestimate the Stone Will of Stone Iwagakure!"

"Pfft!" A Kunai was plunged directly into the back of his head, and the surging chakra in Hoga's body immediately subsided.

"What's going on? Why is the resistance to Lightning Release so strong?" Shuichi wondered, somewhat puzzled.

In that instant, he sensed that Chidori Stream couldn't suppress the opponent's chakra at all; if he didn't kill him, the opponent would successfully self-destruct.

"Explosion Release is Kekkei Genkai formed by using Earth Release and Lightning Release simultaneously, so this Jonin is also a master of Lightning Element. This explanation makes sense, and his body has a strong ability to withstand Lightning Element."

"But what's with Deidara in the original work? He's rendered useless by Lightning Release, while I'm using Chidori Stream at super close range!" Shuichi felt this question was worth pondering.

The Iwagakure Explosion Corps is quite famous, and many of their methods are recorded in Konoha's intelligence files. Their Hoga style is indeed similar to that of the guy in front of us, but they don't have the same characteristics as Deidara.

Based on information about Kekkei Genkai the original work and records from the village, Shuichi deduced that Deidara was probably a mutated child, possibly an exception within Iwagakure, which is why he was accepted as a disciple by Iwagakure.

A normal Explosion Release should be similar to the one used by this Jonin. The explosion method is far less flexible than Deidara's clay technique, but it is not very afraid of Lightning Release.

If all the Explosion Release masters used white clay, then the Iwagakure Explosion Corps would have to be renamed the High-Altitude Bombardment Squad, and would definitely be feared by the Entire Ninja World. After all, everyone is afraid of a group of air force soldiers rushing into their village and carrying out a carpet bombing.

Just like the First Hokage's Wood Release was far Yamato's, it's estimated that Yang Release played a significant role in it.

Shuichi speculated that Deidara's parents might have had Explosion Release Bloodline Limit, which was then mixed with Yang Release during the inheritance process, creating a strange thing that formed a mutated Earth Release that could give life to clay, while also retaining the explosive function. However, because it is mainly based on earth, it is relatively vulnerable to Lightning Release.

"Very likely, but we can't capture Deidara for research now. This genuine Explosion Release bloodline is also valuable material!"

Shuichi solemnly took out a Scroll and opened it, revealing a large glass container filled with a transparent liquid, which looked very similar to the one used for swimming by Suigetsu in the original work.

First, draw a sample of warm blood with a syringe for occasional research. Then, place the corpse of Hoga into the blood and, after finishing, turn back to the collapsed hill.

"I'm back!"

Shuichi loudly reminded Hyuga Akiha, and made several of the team's signature hand gestures outside. He was confident that his Byakugan could see them, and then activated Earth Release to sneak into the place where they were trapped.

"Captain, is it resolved?"

"Okay, let's go out now." After drawing out a large amount of his chakra again, Shuichi muttered to himself, "Damn the Shinobi World War! Even I'm constantly being drained dry. I hope I don't stunt my growth!"

"Earth Release · Earth Release: Earth Flow Divide!"

"Boom..." A neat, large opening appeared in the collapsed hill, which was tens of meters high, and the view suddenly became bright.