Secret Technique

When Yuzuru restrained a large amount of Natural Energy within his body, it represented a certain change in his "life form."

Or, to be more precise, it should be called "evolution."

Under normal circumstances, he definitely wasn't someone with extraordinary Strength who excelled at defeating enemies through brute force... Previously, when fighting Iwagakure ninja, his kicks couldn't even budge the opponent.

Yet now, he could effortlessly send the Kazekage flying with a single kick.

The boost from Natural Energy was far from just talk.

Captain Kiba Inuzuka's mouth hung open in surprise. He felt dizzy, wondering if he had lost too much blood... Did Yuzuru really have this kind of strength?

Of course, being able to hit the enemy in one strike was also related to Yuzuru's attack being too unexpected. It was clear that the Kazekage's attention was primarily on Might Duy just now.

In a state saturated with Natural Energy, Yuzuru was slightly "clumsier" than usual, but he could still use the high-speed Body Flicker Technique...

With a single strike, the Second Kazekage was sent flying uncontrollably. He first took flight, then crashed to the ground, his figure leaving a deep gash in the earth.

The Kazekage had completely lost his composure from moments before.

Sneak attack plus beating up an old man, Yuzuru felt like he had done something bad. Judging by the feel of the impact, he believed his attack had landed true.

Yuzuru just hoped the opponent wouldn't get up again. This Kazekage was already at the age where he should be in a retirement home; why bother playing the role of an old man who refused to yield.

Because of Yuzuru's sudden intervention, Might Duy broke free from his restraints. He looked towards Yuzuru and instantly realized something was off about him.

"Yuzuru, your appearance..."

He had certainly noticed the black striped patterns on Yuzuru's body, but he couldn't quite understand what was going on. Did he need to put on makeup before a fight?

"This is a normal change. I'm using a kind of secret technique... Senior Duy, are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Yuzuru, thank you for the support."

Generally, commoner ninja didn't have the qualifications to use secret techniques. They lacked the channels and qualifications to learn them, nor did they possess the physique to withstand them.

Might Duy should have been confused here, but he wasn't, because he himself was an anomaly... He himself was not normal.

Might Duy shouldn't have been able to master techniques like the Eight Gates. Regardless of whether it was a forbidden or secret technique, it was too advanced for someone of Might Duy's background.

A euphemistic way of putting it would be that everyone has their own special circumstances and secrets. A more common saying is that people's physiques cannot be generalized.

In any case, Yuzuru was using some kind of special secret technique.

"Senior, this isn't the time for that."

The two turned their attention back to the enemy. Yuzuru's expectation of taking down the Kazekage with one blow did not come to pass. Next, they saw the Kazekage slowly stand up.

"Completely unharmed?"

As a top-tier expert in the Shinobi World, and skilled in using sand for attack and defense, it was normal for Yuzuru's single strike not to finish him. However, to be completely unharmed after taking a kick was beyond comprehension.

The Second Kazekage reached out and brushed the dirt off his body, then couldn't help but sigh, "Alas, I couldn't even dodge such a simple move... It seems I've truly gotten old."

Being hit by an unknown Konoha ninja didn't make him feel disgraced or angry. He only regretted his own aging, and his eyes even held a trace of reminiscence and longing for the past.

Well, he still didn't take the Konoha ninja here seriously.

"Continue!"

Might Duy didn't care what the enemy thought. The duration of the Eight Gates was limited, so after signaling Yuzuru to follow, he charged at the opponent again.

Yuzuru: "..."

Wasn't their objective supposed to be stalling for time? Since when did it become about directly killing the enemy?

Yuzuru didn't have such a strong offensive intent, because he knew that even in his transformed state, he wasn't a match for the enemy. His previous attempt had proven everything.

Unfortunately, Might Duy had already charged forward, and he had no choice but to follow.

Might Duy, who had opened the Sixth Gate of the Eight Gates, was very fast. Yuzuru, using the Body Flicker Technique, was also not slow. This time, as the two approached the Second Kazekage, for some reason, the opponent didn't use sand to obstruct or defend.

What did that mean? Where was the sand?

In terms of combat style, the Second Kazekage was more like a mage. Without using sand, did this mage also have a desire for close combat?

Might Duy and Yuzuru attacked the Kazekage from both sides. The opponent dodged Might Duy's side kick while trying to block Yuzuru's fist with one hand.

Chakra had already begun to gather in Yuzuru's outstretched palm, and the Rasengan was about to be unleashed. However, just as he was about to do so, he suddenly had an epiphany...

Yuzuru stopped his movement, changing his palm strike into a punch, and simply hit the opponent with brute force.

Bang!

With a direct hit, the Kazekage in front of him turned into a cloud of sand, as expected.

"A clone..."

When Yuzuru first kicked the opponent, it must have been the Kazekage's true body. However, when the opponent stood up again, it might have already been a clone.

So, the question was, where was the true body now?

"Can the ninja dogs find the target?" Shinnosuke Kohinata asked the captain, clearly having noticed that their side had lost track of the target.

The ninja dog sniffed hard, but it was unreliable. The Kazekage could very well be hiding in the sand, making a dog's nose useless in this situation.

Yuzuru frowned. This battle was too strange. The Kazekage wasn't fighting with all his might at all. What exactly did the enemy want to do?

If we're trying to buy time, wouldn't that be beneficial for Konoha? Is the Kazekage here acting as a paratrooper, preparing to stage a "born to be surrounded" act?

"Should we deal with these clones first?"

But what's the point?

"Senior Might Duy..."

"Sorry, I... I've reached my limit."

Might Duy's Eight Gates state quickly wore off. Yuzuru reached out to support him, it seemed the senior could no longer fight. At this point, only Yuzuru and Shinnosuke Kohinata were still in good condition within the squad.

More sand clones surrounded them.

"Captain, it's about time, we should retreat..." Shinnosuke Kohinata acted as Yuzuru's mouthpiece. Yuzuru also felt it was time for the squad to make a run for it.

However, the captain remained stubborn.

"No..."

Ugh, if he's this opinionated, the squad might just fall apart. A person's strength has its limits; what's the point of persisting further?

However, Kiba Inuzuka wasn't just being stubborn. He reminded them, "Didn't you hear? Our reinforcements have arrived."

"..."

Don't pause mid-sentence like that, Captain, you almost ruined the squad's unity.

As soon as Kiba Inuzuka finished speaking, Konoha's first wave of reinforcements indeed arrived on the battlefield.

Unexpectedly, the Second Kazekage, who had been hiding so well until now, chose to reveal himself.

How arrogant he was just moments ago, he now looked just as pathetic. Because he merely glanced at Konoha's main force before turning to flee.

"..."

Yuzuru seemed to understand something, but of course, he couldn't stop Konoha's ninja from pursuing at this moment.