Toroi Dies, Kumogakure Routed

Uchiha Mai bent his knees, launched himself forward with all his strength, and swung his sword at the Eight-Part Light Wheel.

Screeeeech...

An earsplitting shriek rang out as the Eight-Part Light Wheel struck Izumi no Kami Kanesada, spraying dazzling sparks.

They hung locked together in midair for an instant. Then Toroi's greater strength won out, forcing Uchiha Mai back.

Just before he was driven to the ground, Uchiha Mai held his sword across his body and used Super Beast Imitating Drawing: Black-Gold Roc, Partial Manifestation.

A pair of black-and-gold wings, nearly ten meters across, spread wide. One beat carried Uchiha Mai gliding backward.

Toroi kept the Eight-Part Light Wheel pressed against Izumi no Kami Kanesada, driving forward after him.

With the blade heated to several hundred degrees, Uchiha Mai could only grip the hilt with both hands and block from a position that gave him little leverage.

He was already weaker. If he tried to hold his ground, the Eight-Part Light Wheel would smash him apart.

Retreating under his own power was different. It greatly reduced the pressure Toroi's strength could bring to bear.

Only after sliding back more than ten meters did Uchiha Mai strike a massive tree and stop.

The solid impact behind him sent his blood churning, but it also gave him something to brace against.

Leaning against the tree, Uchiha Mai raised his sword with all his might.

After another second of deadlock, the sparks faded. The Eight-Part Light Wheel stopped spinning, one of its bladed points buried in both the tree and Uchiha Mai's shoulder blade.

He had blocked it!

Uchiha Mai's mouth curled into a grin. Ignoring the pain in his shoulder, he knocked aside the millstone-sized shuriken and slashed diagonally across Toroi's chest.

Slash!

The Black Blade cut through, spraying blood into the