True Thousand Years of Death

At that thought, the Dark-Faced Special Jonin was filled with terror. He hurriedly scanned his surroundings for any trace of Umino Sasuke, but found nothing.

This only deepened his suspicion. It had to be an Elite Jonin using an advanced Body Flicker Technique.

Otherwise, there was no way he could fail to catch even the slightest trace of him. The Substitution Technique could not carry someone very far, so how could he not find him? It had to be an advanced Body Flicker Technique.

"Sakiya, watch out for the leaves! It's the Transformation Jutsu!"

The Hedgehog-Haired Jonin in the distance hurriedly warned his teammate, but it was already too late.

At that moment, scattered fallen leaves lay behind Special Jonin Sakiya. Among them was one utterly ordinary leaf, transformed by Umino Sasuke.

With the Sonic Radar Technique's perception, Umino Sasuke had long predicted Special Jonin Sakiya's prediction and pulled off a reverse tactical maneuver.

There was a soft pop.

Canceling the Transformation Technique, Umino Sasuke gripped a kunai tightly in both hands as though forming a Tiger Hand Seal, squatting directly behind Special Jonin Sakiya's backside.

"Konoha Secret Taijutsu: True Thousand Years of Death!"

Umino Sasuke gripped the kunai and viciously thrust it into dark-faced Sakiya's anus.

"A bag of rice has to carry several floors! (Feel pain!)"

With a muffled squelch, the kunai pierced his anus with terrifying precision. Even the entire handle disappeared inside.

It went straight to the hilt.

"AAAAAH..."

A heart-rending scream tore through the sky.

"Hiss..."

The Hedgehog-Haired Jonin had been about to finish off Gekko Yoru when his anus suddenly clenched, and he sucked in a cold breath.

The Hedgehog-Haired Jonin was so frightened that his soul nearly left his body. It was far too horrifying. If that Konoha Ninja had used the same tactic against him just now, he would probably have ended up like Sakiya.

Who could have imagined that after using the Substitution Technique, someone could take the opportunity to use the Transformation Jutsu, turn into an inconspicuous leaf, remain in the same spot, and launch a sneak attack?

Only a tactical master like this could have conceived of such a terrifying tactic, right?

Moreover, it was already rare for ordinary ninja to transform into a kunai. Yet this man could transform into a leaf. Just how far had he cultivated the Transformation Technique?

And that Konoha Secret Taijutsu: True Thousand Years of Death was truly terrifying. Even someone with exceptionally strong defenses would likely struggle to protect that crucial spot, wouldn't they?

The one silver lining was that Sakiya's sacrifice had not been without value. It had exposed this terrifying tactic, making it difficult for it to achieve the same effect again. Otherwise, anyone encountering this tactic for the first time would likely end up just like Sakiya.

Being stabbed in the anus like that and dying in agony was far worse than having one's head cleanly cut off.

"Kid Gekko, retreat first. I'll cover the rear."

Umino Sasuke drew the Unraveling Fish Tanto again and stood protectively before Gekko Yoru, staring intently at the Hedgehog-Haired Jonin.

"Gale Slash!"

The Hedgehog-Haired Jonin realized once more how terrifying Umino Sasuke's tactical ability was. He gave him no time to devise another tactic and directly unleashed an all-out strike.

With a clang, blade light flashed past, severing strands of hair by his temples and ears as they drifted down. Umino Sasuke had nearly had his throat slit on the spot.

Umino Sasuke clutched the Fish-Cutting Sword tightly, cold sweat beading on his forehead. He could not help feeling intimidated. As expected of a Jonin—he was so strong!

Even with the fingers of his Left Hand injured, leaving him unable to form seals and use ninjutsu, his swordsmanship alone was beyond what ordinary Chunin could match.

"You're no match for him. I'll cover the rear. Take them and retreat first."

Gekko Yoru picked up his long sword again with his left hand and stood before Umino Sasuke. An exceptionally resolute Ninja Will emanated from him.

Clearly, unlike his teammate Sarutobi Kagejiro, Gekko Yoru possessed a genuine Will of Fire. Knowing that even the two of them together were no match for this hedgehog-haired man, he did not think of running. Instead, he chose to cover the rear alone and sacrifice himself.

It seemed this man was worth befriending.

"Then let's fight!"

Umino Sasuke shook his head, his heart filled with mixed emotions. How could he possibly run away at a time like this? Maruboshi Kosuke's patrol squad was about to arrive. If he ran now, wouldn't the Will of Fire he had been pretending to possess for half a year be completely exposed?

Just hold on a little longer. As long as they held on a little longer, Maruboshi Kosuke and the others would reach the opposite bank.

Thus, under Umino Sasuke's repeated insistence, the two could only coordinate with each other, fighting as they retreated across the river's surface toward the opposite bank.

Another clang rang out.

Blade light swept across his chest, nearly cutting Umino Sasuke in half at the waist.

If not for the Water Bat interfering at the critical moment, that strike would not have hit his chest, but his neck.

The Hedgehog-Haired Jonin's swordsmanship truly was extraordinary, far beyond what a Genin-level Water Bat could challenge. The Water Bat had merely caused a slight interference before it was casually cut into two, not even getting the chance to flee.

"There are steel plates hidden beneath your vest? Hmph! Let's see how long you can keep blocking!"

The Hedgehog-Haired Jonin began gathering power. Clearly, he was preparing to unleash a major move and intended to take the two of them down in one stroke.

Yet at that moment, Umino Sasuke's tense heart finally relaxed. Through the Sonic Radar Technique, he sensed that Maruboshi Kosuke and the others' reinforcements had arrived.

Umino Sasuke was delighted. It was time to put on a display of his Will of Fire. Hopefully, this outstanding performance would carry news of his Will of Fire to the ears of the Konoha High Command.

Maruboshi Kosuke was an unregistered disciple of the Second Hokage, Senju Tobirama, and had close ties with Hiruzen Sarutobi. It would most likely reach them.

With the Will of Fire as his shield, life would be a little easier from now on.

At the very least, when it came time to sacrifice cannon fodder, this cannon fodder who possessed the Will of Fire would presumably be placed behind the others, right?

"Gekko Yoru, retreat first. I'll cover the rear."

Facing such a desperate situation, Umino Sasuke stopped fleeing. Wearing a resolute expression as though he regarded life and death lightly, he pulled seven or eight Explosive Tags from his Ninja Tool Bag and plastered them all over his body.

"Where Konoha's leaves dance, fire too burns without end."

Umino Sasuke's roar cracked as his Will of Fire surged to its peak. With utter disregard for death, he charged toward the Hedgehog-Haired Jonin.

"Senior!"

Tears filled Gekko Yoru's eyes as he was deeply moved.

"You want to die together? Dream on!"

With victory already in his grasp, how could the Hedgehog-Haired Jonin allow Umino Sasuke to get close? He immediately flicked two kunai out with his long sword and sent them flying toward him, intending to force Umino Sasuke back.

"Let's die together!"

Umino Sasuke paid no attention whatsoever, completely ignoring the incoming kunai as he continued charging at the Hedgehog-Haired Jonin, looking ready to die and determined to perish together.

"Captain! Don't!"

Tejudo and the other two, who had already retreated to the opposite bank, immediately burst into tears at the sight, their hearts filled with guilt.

In their eyes, the Captain had chosen to cover the rear in order to protect them, intending to perish together with the enemy.

Just as the kunai were about to pierce Umino Sasuke—

Suddenly—

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

A massive water dragon shot fiercely out of the river beneath Umino Sasuke's feet, effortlessly blocking the two kunai for him.

Without losing any momentum, it swept toward the Hedgehog-Haired Jonin.