Clock Up

Danzo and Sarutobi Hiruzen were about the same age. The latter was nearing the end of his prime, and the former was no different.

Danzo's mastery of Wind Release Ninjutsu was exceptional. His strength had unquestionably surpassed the Jonin level.

What did Kage Level mean? What counted as combat power beyond the Jonin level? Everyone had a different answer.

There were too many chance factors in a ninja battle, not to mention abilities that countered one another. Uchiha Mai, for instance, was a perfect counter to Aburame Ryoma.

Aburame Ryoma was roughly as strong as Uchiha Mai, yet in a duel, he could only take a beating.

So even a ninja's dueling record could not truly prove whether he had surpassed the Jonin level.

To Uchiha Mai, Kage Level meant the ability to crush weaker opponents.

If someone could easily take on several Regular Jonin at once and win most of the time, that was Kage Level combat power.

How often did the Ninja World see evenly matched masters fighting one-on-one? Most battles were one-sided.

A local engagement had only a handful of Jonin at most. Being able to take them all down was enough to decide its outcome.

By that standard, Danzo had undoubtedly surpassed the Jonin level.

Vacuum Wave had almost no windup, moved at an unbelievable speed, and cut with terrifying force. A Regular Jonin had no chance of dodging it.

At such close range, even an elite Jonin who specialized in speed and explosive movement would struggle to evade it.

Uchiha Mai, of course, was no ordinary Jonin.

The moment his Two-Tomoe Sharingan caught the first hint of Danzo's attack, Uchiha Mai murmured and activated the ability he had only recently mastered: Innate Time Control.

"Clock Up."

Double speed!

Chakra surged out, forming a barrier around