Leaf Substitution Jutsu

Chapter 23: Leaf Substitution Jutsu

Puff, puff, puff...

The penetrating power of the Rain of Senbon was truly formidable. It easily pierced the small tornado without any obstruction, then spread over the rapidly spinning, binding water prison.

It was worthy of being a modified absolute defense Ninjutsu, simulating the Hyuga secret technique, Revolving Heaven. Under the effect of Advanced Water Release Nature Transformation, it already possessed some of the might of Water Release: Water Wall Formation, capable of easily blocking all these Rain of Senbon.

The Rain of Senbon came and went as quickly as it arrived, exploding in less than a breath. Umino Sasuke quickly dispelled the Revolving Water Prison.

The Revolving Water Prison had extremely strong defense, but its Chakra consumption was also immense.

In just a few breaths, more than half of the Chakra within him was gone.

The Revolving Water Prison dissipated, and the small tornado also scattered, causing the surrounding trees to rustle and a large number of leaves to fall, fluttering everywhere on the battlefield and dispelling some of the chilling killing intent that permeated the air.

"We're alive?!"

Inuzuka Ryo was overjoyed and quickly checked his limbs, further confirming if he was still dreaming or if he had been impaled like a hedgehog.

"That's great!"

"As expected of our captain, to master such a powerful defensive Water Release technique, he's truly amazing."

Tejudo and Xiao Xiao were also overjoyed, relieved to be alive, and even more in awe of their captain.

"Stop gawking and retreat quickly."

Umino Sasuke shielded the three of them, constantly on guard for the next attack.

"Well done, Konoha Jonin. You certainly had a trick up your sleeve. I thought you truly knew no Ninjutsu, but it turns out you were employing Tactical Deception the entire time."

The dark-faced Special Jonin had thought he had gauged the opponent's strength through his earlier probing. He believed the opponent was merely a Konoha Jonin skilled in mechanical tools, not proficient in elemental Ninjutsu or taijutsu. Now, it seemed the opponent was at least extremely proficient in Water Release.

The hand seal speed of five seals per second, combined with the current Advanced Water Release Nature Transformation, should have made him realize this was yet another instance of Tactical Deception.

If it weren't for the fact that this person clearly lacked Chakra and was restricted, his Water Release alone would have made him a solid Jonin-level combatant.

It seemed he would have to be extremely cautious of the opponent's low-to-mid-level Water Release techniques from now on. Fortunately, he had now taken control of a Black Ant Puppet; otherwise, he would not be this opponent's match.

He had to engage in close-quarters combat and absolutely not give him a chance to form hand seals and unleash Water Release. Moreover, this person's taijutsu was only at the level of an ordinary Chunin, which was his weakness.

"Kill!"

With this thought, the dark-faced Special Jonin controlled the Black Ant Puppet, abandoning the long-range attack advantage of a Puppeteer, and launched a series of close-quarters critical strikes against Umino Sasuke.

Under the dark-faced Special Jonin's series of coordinated puppet attacks, Umino Sasuke began to show signs of being at a disadvantage.

Even the tempo of the battle was gradually tilting towards the dark-faced Special Jonin, and Umino Sasuke's radar sensing technique finally lost its advantage.

Clearly, in close combat, the Sonic Radar Technique could still perceive all tactics, but perceiving them and being able to react were two different things.

Before losing his puppet, the dark-faced Special Jonin's combat strength was equivalent to an elite-level Chunin. With his poisoned state, he was only fighting Umino Sasuke to a draw.

Now that he had regained control of a puppet, his combat strength immediately returned to the Special Jonin level. If he hadn't actively abandoned his long-range attack advantage, Umino Sasuke would likely have been defeated by now.

To prevent Umino Sasuke from quickly forming hand seals and unleashing the Water Release Ninjutsu he imagined, the dark-faced Special Jonin used a relentless close-quarters combat tactic, desperately clinging to Umino Sasuke.

This prevented Umino Sasuke from breaking free and retreating to the other side of the river.

Umino Sasuke's mind stirred, and he finally seized a sliver of opportunity. He commanded the Water Bat hidden in his vest to attack the dark-faced Special Jonin's face.

Although the Water Bat's strength was only at the Genin level and it was a small summoning beast with very ordinary attack power, the sudden harassment still caused the dark-faced Special Jonin to reveal an opening.

"Damn it!"

An exaggerated look of panic appeared on the dark-faced Special Jonin's face.

"Unlocking Fish Slash!"

Umino Sasuke seized the opportunity to unleash a desperate attack, his killing intent chilling and his blade condensed into a single line, causing hearts to palpitate.

"Captain, be careful, that's a puppet clone!"

Inuzuka Ryo, who had already retreated to the other side of the river, sensed something unusual with his sense of smell and quickly issued a tactical warning to Umino Sasuke.

"Not good!"

Gekko Yoru, with his keen perception, also noticed the dangerous situation here, a hint of panic flashing in his eyes.

"Daring to be distracted at this moment, you're asking for death!" The Hedgehog-Haired Jonin seized this moment of weakness and unleashed his ultimate attack: "Gale Slash!"

Gekko Yoru quickly defended himself. Although he narrowly dodged it, he was still grazed on his right arm by the gale blade. His sleeve instantly turned crimson, the wound on his right arm deep enough to see bone. With a clang, the Moonlit Blade fell to the ground.

Gekko Yoru knelt on one knee, having lost his weapon, his defeat sealed.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Umino Sasuke seemed to just realize it was a trap, his eyes filled with panic as he tried to retract his Unlocking Fish Blade to defend.

"Too late!"

The dark-faced Special Jonin sneered, looking as if his scheme had succeeded.

Clang!

As Umino Sasuke's blade grazed the dark-faced Special Jonin's neck, a metallic slashing sound was heard.

The dark-faced Special Jonin had actually reverted into a Black Ant Puppet, while the Black Ant Puppet not far away had transformed back into human form and was launching a sneak attack on the seemingly defenseless Umino Sasuke.

"Die!"

The black-faced Special Jonin's eyes were filled with killing intent, as if he could already see the beautiful scene of a kunai piercing his heart.

The Water Release technique just now had blocked the Rain of Senbon attack and also obstructed his vision. It was at that moment that he had planned and brewed this sneak attack tactic.

He who hunts geese all day will eventually be pecked in the eye by a goose.

He who walks by the river often will eventually get his shoes wet.

You like Tactical Deception, so you'll eventually be deceived by Tactical Deception. Now, let me let you taste what it's like to be deceived by Tactical Deception yourself. It's fate's arrangement to die in your own specialty.

"Heh heh!" Under the perception of the Sonic Radar Technique, Umino Sasuke had anticipated this sneak attack long ago. From the very beginning, he had acted as if he had fallen into a trap, subtly cooperating in reverse.

"Leaf Substitution Jutsu!"

Umino Sasuke performed the Substitution Technique in advance, easily dodging the attack.

The kunai, however, pierced a wooden stake, which was directly cut in half by the sharp wind-attribute Chakra explosion.

"What? He dodged it? How is that possible?!"

The black-faced Special Jonin was utterly shocked. How could anyone's reaction speed be this fast?

Could this person be an Elite Jonin?

Could this be another Tactical Deception? Is this person's true identity an Elite Jonin who has been playing him for a fool, masquerading as a Tool Manipulation Jonin who is not good at taijutsu?