Good at Math and Science, Fearless Anywhere

"Does it matter whether I'm a ninja from Kumogakure?" Uchiha Mai asked with a smile.

Toroi probably didn't know Master Minato had learned the Flying Thunder God and would arrive to reinforce them soon. He still thought Konoha's reinforcements were two days away at the earliest, so he kept talking.

Mai was happy to talk back. The longer he stalled, the better his chances.

"It means that if you were a ninja from Kumogakure, you wouldn't have to die here today."

Toroi pointed at the Izumi no Kami Kanesada in Mai's hand. "If I'm not mistaken, that sword conducts chakra.

"A ninja tool of such quality is rare even in Kumogakure. It deserves to be called a Famous Sword.

"It wasn't you who killed Nobuhiko and Shin'i. It was you and your sword.

"Without that sword, you might still fight at the level of a Jonin, but you'd never be as strong as you are now."

That was true. The Izumi no Kami Kanesada was made from the same material as Hatake Sakumo's short sword, and its chakra conductivity was exceptional.

"So?"

Mai raised his sword and blew across its edge. "The fact is, the sword is in my hand. Your hypothetical doesn't matter."

"In your hand, perhaps. But not under your control."

Toroi shook his head, putting on an air of superiority. "You know I possess the Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai.

"You planned this perfect ambush, so you must have spotted us long ago and gathered information on us.

"Then you should know what Magnet Release means for someone using metal ninja tools.

"Magnet Release takes many forms. There's the Third Kazekage's Iron Sand Technique, and Rasa of Sunagakure uses Gold Dust. Mine specializes in magnetic force and controlling steel.

"Your swordsmanship won't do you much good against me.