Iwa Ninja's Risky Ambush

On the battlefield, where yellow sand filled the sky, the wind howled and swept past, raising dust that blotted out the sun, as if to devour the entire world. The air was filled with the pungent smell of gunpowder and the strong scent of blood, intertwined, making one nauseous.

Hiruko's expression was as dark as the night before a storm, as if a single drop of water would trigger a downpour. His meticulously planned operation, which he thought was foolproof, was completely disrupted by these Iwa Ninja who appeared out of nowhere, shattering his carefully woven dream.

At this moment, Gari, standing before him, was tall and imposing, like an unshakeable mountain, exuding a chilling pressure. Each of Gari's attacks carried the force of a landslide, like a surging tsunami, making one almost suffocate.

Hiruko roared repeatedly, his voice filled with anger and unwillingness. The kunai in his hand swung wildly, like leaves in a gale. Though struggling desperately, he could only barely fend off Gari's fierce, storm-like offensive. Each clash of metal produced an unusually harsh sound, a sharp noise that seemed to cut through the air, making one's eardrums ache. At the same time, Hiruko's hand felt numb, the sensation spreading up his arm.

Gari's attacks were precise and deadly. Every punch, every kick seemed to have been calculated countless times, with no wasted movement, like a precision war machine, cold and efficient. In contrast, under Gari's relentless assault, Hiruko's movements became increasingly scattered and disorganized. His breathing grew heavier, his gasps for air conspicuously loud amidst the clamor of the battlefield.

Finally, after another violent collision of forces, Hiruko's body could no longer withstand it. He staggered, his footing unsteady. Gari seized the opportunity and delivered a powerful kick, sending Hiruko flying. Hiruko's body, like a kite with a broken string, arced through the air before crashing heavily against the earthen wall behind him with a dull, heavy thud, like a cannonball hitting its target.

Hiruko collapsed onto the ground, his body curled into a ball. He struggled to get up, but felt a sharp pain in his chest, as if pierced by thousands of steel needles. His vision swam, and stars danced before his eyes. His consciousness began to blur, but the unwillingness in his heart burned like a raging flame.

Gari stood over Hiruko, his eyes filled with contempt and disdain, as if looking at an insignificant ant. Then, like a hungry beast, he locked onto a new prey, his gaze instantly shifting to Haotian, who was trapped within the earthen wall.

Haotian bit his lower lip, his teeth grinding together. His fists were clenched tightly, his knuckles white from the strain. He knew very well that if he didn't step forward and do something now, everyone present might perish today, buried in this blood-soaked, murderous battlefield.

He slowly closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm his wildly beating heart. In an instant, the chakra within him surged like an awakened beast, rushing through his meridians. His hands moved rapidly, forming hand seals with fluid grace.

"Earth Style: Vibration Wave!" Haotian's eyes snapped open, and he shouted in a deep, powerful voice.

A powerful shockwave spread rapidly from him in all directions, like ripples on water. Rocks and dust on the ground were lifted high by this force, scattering like flowers thrown by a celestial maiden. The surrounding air seemed to be twisted and pulled by an invisible hand, becoming distorted and warped. Light refracted and reflected within it, making everything appear illusory and unreal.

However, this seemingly powerful attack was like an egg hitting a rock before Gari, appearing insignificant.

"Hmph, you think this level of attack can stop me? That's a fool's dream!" Gari sneered, his laughter filled with mockery and disdain. A strange luster instantly appeared on his body's surface, as if coated with hard steel.

"Steel Style: Harden!" Gari grunted. As his voice fell, his body was quickly covered in a thick, hard steel armor that gleamed with a cold metallic luster, like an impenetrable barrier. The shockwave from Haotian struck him, producing only dull thuds. It couldn't shake him in the slightest, as if striking an incredibly thick iron wall.

Gari, enduring the vibration wave, advanced like a high-speed, unstoppable heavy tank, breaking through the shockwave's blockade. He strode forward with steady, powerful steps, continuing to close in on Haotian. Each step left a deep footprint on the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.