Something's not right.
Seeing the Stone Ninja fighting Kazashiro ahead, Kakashi became alert and looked around warily.
"What's the meaning?"
Obito moved with Rin to Kakashi's side, and after confirming that the two of them were protecting Rin Obito, he pulled down his goggles, activated his Sharingan, and asked Kakashi about the meaning of what he had just said.
"The Iwa Stone Ninja said there were two more Stone Ninja stationed here, but only one fought Kazashiro. So where is the other one?"
Kakashi explained to Obito.
Before Obito could figure out what was going on, he felt a powerful kick to his back, and the scene before him began to turn upside down.
With Lin's scream, the Camouflage Concealment Technique to approach the Oishi behind them and easily captured her.
Seeing this, Hono showed joy and prepared to get rid of Kazashiro's entanglement and reunite with Oishi.
"Don't move, or I'll kill her."
With Kunai pointed at Rin's neck, Oishi threatened Kakashi, who was about to make a move.
Hearing Lin's scream, Kazashiro did not panic, but instantly disappeared from the Hono.
"Gone? No, could it be like before... Oishi, get out of the way!"
Just as he was thinking about how to get rid of Kazashiro's Hono, he saw the other party disappear on its own and adopted a defensive stance. Then, as if he understood something, he hurriedly called out in the direction of the Oishi.
The shouts from the Hono were clearly a step too late.
The instant Kazashiro disappeared, Oishi felt a numbness in his neck, followed by the sensation of warm liquid flowing down his chest. He wanted to Kunai in his hand, but his arm was completely out of his control.
"Hmph, luckily I had a backup plan."
Easily snatching Lin from the clutches of the Oishi whose throat had been slit, Kazashiro, without a moment's rest, activated Flying Thunder God once more and returned to Hono's side.
Obito and Kakashi rushed to Rin's side to check on her condition.
"This terrifying speed... could you be Yellow Flash? No, the age and hair color don't match at all!"
Watching helplessly as Oishi's throat was slit by Kazashiro, Hono lost his composure and began desperately searching his mind for information about the boy before him.
With a backbend to dodge the Hono, Kazashiro discarded his Kunai, used the momentum to pull out his White Fang from behind him, and then suddenly stood up. "Konoha Style: Bamboo!"
Despite its fancy name, this move is essentially just a horizontal slash.
He tightened his abdomen, barely dodging White Fang's blade. Hono's vest was cleaved open, almost slicing through his abdomen.
Taking a deep breath, Kazashiro imbued his White Fang with Wind Release Chakra and continued to slash forward.
"Konoha -ryu - Pine!"
The upward slash was dodged by the Hono once again, but the pain in his body made him stop in his tracks.
"Impossible, I clearly dodged the blade..."
Looking at the deep, bone-revealing wound on his body, Hono hadn't even figured out what had happened when Kazashiro pressed down on him.
"Konoha Style: Plum!"
The swift blade severed the last glimmer of Hono, and the spurting blood fell to the ground like plum blossoms.
"So that's how it is, it's imbued with wind-attribute Chakra..."
The Hono, realizing what had happened only in their dying moments, fell to the ground, carrying with them a deep sense of resentment.
Without the slightest carelessness, Kazashiro delivered a final blow to the opponent's back, and only sheathed his sword after confirming there were no further complications.
"This kid is indeed a bit troublesome."
Having witnessed the entire battle, Black Zetsu gained a preliminary understanding of Kazashiro's methods and began to consider how he should Obito from these individuals.
"Hmm? That guy seems to still be breathing..."
Turning his gaze to the Oishi's "corpse," Black Zetsu instantly came up with a plan.
Having detached itself from the White Zetsu, Black Zetsu transformed into a pool of black, muddy substance, burrowed underground, and then came to the base of the Oishi. Taking advantage of the rock's last breath, Black Zetsu possessed its body.
Earth Release: Explosive Extreme Thrust!
He conjured a sharp drill from earth and stone on his arm, and the Oishi, controlled by Black Zetsu, suddenly leaped up from the ground and rushed towards Lin.
He wanted to use this opportunity to force Kazashiro to use the Flying Thunder God again, while he could feint and kidnap Obito when Rin was rescued, and finally use the White Zetsu to cover their retreat.
"Lin!"
Upon realizing that Rin was being attacked, Obito's body acted before his mind, rushing to Rin's side at the fastest speed he had ever used and pushing her away, while he himself was completely exposed to the drill's attack range.
"No way, he's still alive?!"
Kazashiro, who had just sheathed his sword, heard Obito's voice and hurriedly turned around. He saw that Oishi, whose neck wound was so deep that the cross-section of his trachea was visible, was still able to move and was attacking Obito.
"Earth Release · Earth Style Wall!"
The earthen wall carved with a dog's head cut Obito and the Oishi apart, but the heavy and sharp drill easily pierced through the Earth Style Wall. Fortunately, Kakashi had already pulled Obito aside the moment the earthen wall rose, thus preventing the Oishi's black hand from piercing his chest.
Damn it, I overlooked that white-haired brat!
Unexpectedly, Kakashi reacted so quickly. Black Zetsu was not discouraged. Instead, he manipulated the Oishi to activate the Camouflage Concealment Technique, then quickly approached Obito and drew his Ninja Blade the moment he became visible.
Oishi doesn't have much time left. He must severely injure Obito in this attack and take him away!
Kakashi and Obito, assuming that the other party's target was still Rin, focused their attention on her.
When the Oishi appeared, the blade was only a few centimeters away from Obito's shoulder.
Warm blood sprayed onto Obito's face, obscuring his vision.
But the expected pain did not occur.
When Obito wiped the blood from his face and saw the situation clearly, he realized that there was a familiar figure standing in front of him.
Everyone was stunned.
Especially Black Zetsu, who racked his brains but still couldn't figure out that this brat named Kazashiro wouldn't teleport to the little girl's side as he expected, but instead appeared in front of Obito, and even took a knife for him?
No, how did you know that my target was actually Obito?
And why did you use your body to shield him from the knife?!
Black Zetsu bewildered by the situation, stood there, not yet deciding what to do next, when the sharp sound of thunder grew clearer in his ears.
"Damn it, Kazashiro!"
With a desperate roar, Kakashi charged towards the Oishi, wielding the Lightning Blade.
Seeing that Oishi's heart had been pierced, Black Zetsu knew that it was impossible to take Obito away this time, so he simply abandoned the body and turned back into black mud, sliding down Oishi's trouser leg.
It's like a huge Oishi being pulled down.
"Kazashiro, how are you?"
Rin forcefully pushed Obito and hurriedly began to treat Kazashiro, who had fallen to the ground.
When she saw Kazashiro's injuries clearly, she showed a strange expression.
"How are you, Lin?"
Kakashi, having confirmed that Oishi was dead, rushed over and anxiously inquired about Lin Kazashiro's condition, while also noticing Kazashiro's injuries.
"Well..."