Preparations complete, jutsu released.
Swish swish swish!!
The Tree Shadow swayed, the Pool rippled, and countless dark figures descended from the sky, completely surrounding the small open space.
Tōka stared intently, only to see a series of fierce and ugly Oni Mask obscuring the face of the dark figure.
In Konoha, the Anbu directly under the Hokage wear animal masks, while Danzo's Root wears Oni Mask.
Wasn't it said that Root was disbanded by the Third Hokage? It turns out that was just fake news!
The Root still exists, at least its most elite core members; otherwise, it wouldn't have been able to rebuild so quickly after the deaths of the Third Hokage.
"That Fox, the Third Hokage, must have gotten something from Danzo." Tōka squinted, observing the nearby enemies.
There were twelve people in plain sight, forming three Elite Squad.
In the Woods not far away, the Tree Shadow swayed, and extremely strong chakra fluctuations flashed faintly, indicating that there were at least two Elite Squad.
In this way, Danzo sent nearly twenty Elite Ninja this time.
"It seems your target has always been me!" Tōka Geyao looked at Toneri, the "I" he referred to being Hanabi.
Toneri stood there expressionless, neither confirming nor denying.
In truth, his heart was not as calm as it appeared. Toneri was uncertain about how much of Tōka's strength remained, and how much power the Tenseigan still had.
The only thing that can be confirmed is that there is something wrong with Tōka's Original Body.
Whether the problem was serious or not, Toneri didn't know, and he didn't want to wait any longer. This was his only chance; if he couldn't turn the tables and redeem himself...
Once Tōka gets his body back, there won't be a second chance!
"Dead or alive, it doesn't matter!" The Toneri's voice deepened, and his tone turned cold.
Upon hearing this, the space froze, a chilling killing intent spread out, and all that could be heard was the thunderous roar of the Waterfall cascading down.
Call out!
A Shuriken pierced the air and struck Tōka, who was surrounded in the middle. It was a probing attack and also a signal of the first wave of attacks.
Tōka flicked his finger, and a piece of Kunai flew back towards the Shuriken.
With a soft clang, the Shuriken and the Bone Bullets collided violently, falling to the ground and disappearing into the sand and gravel.
"Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough Technique!"
The wind fanned the flames, causing the fireballs to double in size. The fireballs, secretly controlled by Root ninjas, flew through the air in arcs as they hurtled towards Tōka.
The dazzling Kakkō illuminated Tōka's face, and the frigid air seemed to warm up several degrees.
Splash!
The Waterfall cascaded down, splashing and plunging into the Pool, but its thunderous roar could not drown out the force of the fireball hurtling towards it.
"As expected of an elite member of the Root, he can perform combination Ninjutsu with ease." Tōka secretly focused his mind, One Flash glint of Ice Blue flames in his eyes.
The abundant chakra within his body gathered in his palm!
Tōka quickly raised both hands, arms out to the sides of her body, palms facing forward, and thrust them out forcefully.
Buzz!
A tremendous Repulsive Force surged forth, instantly transforming into a gale that whipped up sand and dust that filled the sky. The hazy yellow sand, swirling with dust and stones, crashed towards the fireballs like giant waves.
Puff puff puff!!
Wind can both fan a fire and extinguish it!
The Wind and Sand swept away, extinguishing the approaching fireballs almost instantly.
"Don't treat him like a brat!" Toneri, who was constantly watching the Battlefield, immediately shouted a warning when he saw that the Root members were still mainly launching probing attacks.
How vast is Tōka's chakra? It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say he's a humanoid Tailed Beast.
It's simply impossible to wear down Tōka by using ranged Ninjutsu in a direct confrontation.
"Hmph, you think you have a chance?" Tōka sneered, his eyes narrowing dangerously, exuding a suffocating aura.
They will scatter beyond time and space, decaying along with the bones!
Click click click...
The sound of bones cracking rang out. Tōka clasped his hands together, and sharp little bumps appeared on the surface of his body, as if his skin was being propped up with bamboo skewers.
Their appearance was unusually eerie and terrifying!
Puff!
His flesh could not withstand the strain and was pierced by the bones. The grayish-white bones were embedded in Tōka's body, making him look like a human-shaped hedgehog from a distance.
All-Killing Ash Bones - Earth Spear Pierce!
Puff puff puff!!
The earth shook, sand and stones churned, and countless gray Bone Spur burst forth from the ground, sweeping outwards in all directions like a tidal wave from where Tōka was located.
"Not good, retreat quickly!" The captain of the Root Squad's pupils shrank sharply. Although they had been silent for ten years, they still knew about the Bone Spur that could kill with a single blow!
As a key target of Danzo's attention, Tōka's intelligence analysis has already penetrated deep into the minds of the Root members.
Swish swish swish!!
Three Elite Squad, totaling twelve Elite Ninja, leaped into the air at the first moment. Although the Bone Spur were powerful, they were still limited.
The fact that it targets ground targets but not air targets is the biggest limitation of the All-Killing Ash Bones!
As long as you rise to a sufficient height, the Bone Spur cannot harm you. Not being injured means that the All-Killing Ash Bones property will not be activated, and therefore there is no danger to your life.
"Your reaction was pretty quick." Tōka tilted his head and looked up at the sky. Hanabi's body was too small, and she couldn't even reach half the expected height.
However, the actions of the Root Squad were within Tōka's calculations.
Since you love the heavens so much, then let's send you on your way!
Chou-shen-mao-zi-hai...
Tōka's hands flew across the screen, creating a blur of motion in front of him. For several breaths, no one could see exactly how many hand seals he formed.
Until...
Bang!
Tōka knelt on one knee and slammed his palm hard on the ground, causing the earth to crack and dark fissures to extend towards the Pool.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"
Suddenly, a huge column of water surged from the tranquil Pool. At first glance, it looked as if dozens of people would have to encircle it, radiating an immense amount of chakra.
The water surged and flowed, as if some terrifying creature was about to break through the surface and emerge.
The momentum had dissipated, and more than a dozen Elite Ninja steadied themselves as they fell, witnessing a shocking scene.
"Such terrifying chakra, is this even human?"
"What kind of monster are we fighting..."
Splash!
The waves were towering, as if they were trying to push the Waterfall's water into the sky.
The tranquil Pool began to churn as if boiling water, with countless waves crashing back into the Pool and bursting into crystal-clear droplets.
Glug glug...
The water column churned, revealing a ferocious-looking dragon head!
Then came the second one, the third one...
It wasn't until the fifth giant water dragon appeared that the water column seemed to lose all its power and slowly sank down.
Roar!!
The dragon's roar shook the heavens, its momentum immense. Five giant dragons, formed from water columns, howled and bared their teeth as they charged toward the group of dark figures still suspended in mid-air.
The spray of water blinded us, obscured the sun, and swallowed everyone's figures...
The water dragon exploded in the air, turning into a shower of water droplets that created a torrential downpour. The rain pounded on the ground, flooding the Forest within a hundred-meter radius.
A layer of fluorescent light swirled around Tōka's body, and large raindrops fell but could not wet his clothes.
Upon closer inspection, it was then noticed that Tōka's body seemed to be surrounded by an air shield, keeping all the rain out.
"You think you can deal with me with this level of skill?" Tōka glanced at the ninjas lying on the ground and couldn't help but sneer.
The secret of Water Release lies in compression. By using chakra to forcibly compress the water flow, High-Pressure Water Gun can cut through solid rock and steel plates!
Although the Water Dragon Bullet Technique attacks enemies in the form of a dragon, its principle is to compress water flow and then pour it onto the target.
Dedicate all your power to the enemy.
The bodies of the Root members who were hit head-on were like tofu, with huge, bloody holes that were too horrible to look at.
"And you? Do you have any other tricks up your sleeve?" Tōka didn't believe that Toneri would dare to deal with him with just these few people.
What Tōka was even more interested in was what kind of bargaining chips this guy had given Danzo and Orochimaru to get those two treacherous individuals to help him.
Toneri stood calmly at a distance, away from the Battlefield and the raging waves, looking as if victory was assured.
Suddenly, the sound of Water Walking water rang out. Tōka looked in the direction of the sound and saw two Root Squad, hidden in the Forest, rapidly approaching.
"Are there any experts among this group? "Tōka asked, a look of doubt on his face.
What on Danzo is Danzo up to? Danzo knows that a ninja of this caliber is no match for him.
If that's the case, why send people to their deaths?
"Do you know why I invited you here?" Toneri's low voice sounded as Tōka's gaze fell on him.
He then continued leisurely, "You are destined to fail because you are too arrogant. You underestimated them, and you underestimated me!"
"Is that so?" Tōka snorted out two words, her little face full of disbelief and sarcasm.
Tap tap tap!!
Two squads of Elite Ninja stood on the water, marking the eight directions: east, Northeast, north, northeast, northwest, southeast, and southwest.
Snap!
The eight people moved in unison, pressing their hands together abruptly.
A surge of powerful Water Release Chakra erupted, causing the floodwaters that had submerged the Forest to churn and boil once more.
But this time it wasn't because of Tōka.
"Are all eight Jonin Water Release?" Tōka stared warily at the group. Since it was Water Release Ninjutsu attack, he would use Earth Release to defend against it!
The thought flashed through his mind, Tōka clasped his hands together, interlacing his fingers tightly.
The Senjutsu Chakra within her body completely transformed into Earth Element, and Houtu's steady and solid aura spread out.
However...
The eight ninjas did not use Water Release Ninjutsu for attack.
The eyes beneath the Oni Mask grew deep and heavy, and the hand Jutsu Formula seemed to drain every last drop of chakra from their bodies.
Within seconds, the bodies of the Jonin Water Release techniques began to tremble uncontrollably.
It seems that he is about to suffer a backlash because he is unable to control the Jutsu Formula in his hand!
"Attack!" Knowing that he could no longer concentrate chakra to amplify the power of the Jutsu Formula, the squad leader shouted decisively.
Upon hearing this, the eight ninjas acted simultaneously, their hand seals changing rapidly!
Water Release: Drowning Prison!
Buzz!
Eight massive streams of chakra poured into the water, and the water seemed to gain a sense of self and rise into the air!
Centered on Tōka, the floodwaters covering the entire Forest transformed into eight enormous petals, seemingly moving slowly but rapidly towards the center.
"An enhanced version of the Water Prison Technique?"
Moreover, it was launched by eight Jonin who Jonin Water Release together!
Tōka's pale face was instantly clouded with gloom, and Ice Blue flames flickered in his eyes as he prepared to use Space-Time Ninjutsu to escape the encirclement of the drowning prison.
Sudden!
A feeling of tightness welled up in his chest, Tōka felt dizzy. He slipped and fell to his knees in the water.
Rapid ripples spread outwards, and Tōka clutched her chest, panting heavily.
Can't even withstand a single large-scale Water Release Ninjutsu?
If only this body could be a few years older!
It was precisely because the previous Water Dragon Bullet Technique exceeded Hanabi's body's capacity that Tōka is now finding it extremely difficult to even move a finger.
Time, Tōka needs time most right now, just enough time for him to catch his breath...
Glug glug...
The eight transparent, water-patterned petals closed together, and water surged in from all directions, instantly engulfing Tōka.
The group placed their palms on the giant water sphere, continuously channeling chakra into it.
As long as the chakra of the eight Jonin proficient Jonin Water Release continues, Tōka will be unable to escape. Within the drowning prison, the chakra of Water Release nature transformation increases the density of the water flow.
Tōka felt as if her body was being crushed by countless mountains, suspended in mid-air and enveloped by the water. Even moving her eyes hurt, let alone making any other movements.
At this moment, Toneri approached with elegant steps and stood in front of Tōka through the water curtain.
"Are you thinking that even if you catch me, you won't be able to do anything to me?" Toneri seemed to know what Tōka was thinking, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
Tōka didn't want to speak, because speaking would cause him to lose his breath. Surrounded by floodwaters, the only air left in his body was the key to his survival.
Therefore, Tōka not only cannot speak, but also has to keep her mouth tightly shut.
Although he didn't get a reply, Toneri wasn't angry. Instead, he pointed to the black line above the Waterfall.
"They say it's going to rain today, and with Thunderstorm!" The Toneri paused, then continued with a smile, "That Lightning Rod was specially prepared for you!"
They trapped Tōka with Water Release and used the electrical properties of water to attract heavenly lightning to attack Tōka.
That's why the agreed-upon location was near this secluded pool!
"So, you've got me cornered?" Tōka stared at Toneri expressionlessly, the Ice Blue aura long gone.
All that remained were a pair of cold, indifferent, Pure White eyes.
The Toneri frowned. How could he remain so calm under such circumstances?
On second thought, Toneri felt relieved. No one could escape the drowning prison, not even Tōka!
"What do you want to say?" Toneri decided to talk to Tōka while waiting for the Thunderstorm.
Speaking consumes oxygen in Tōka's body, and she might faint from oxygen deprivation even before Tōka Thunderstorm arrives.
"Oh!"
Kids are kids, even their methods are so childish.
Tōka laboriously clasped her hands together, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Next time we meet, I hope you'll have grown a bit."
Soul Transfer Technique, dispel!