The Ice Blade clashed with the Adamantine Staff, ringing out with a sharp clang.
Esdeath took a few steps back, her hand numb from gripping the Ice Blade.
"Not bad strength..."
Esdeath was clearly not as physically strong as Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had trained in Immortal Breathing and Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
But Esdeath's greatest strength wasn't Taijutsu. It was the ice-based elemental abilities granted by her Teigu, Demon's Extract.
Esdeath swung her Ice Blade, and countless Ice Spikes formed out of thin air and shot toward him.
Sarutobi Hiruzen formed Hand Seals with one hand and raised an earthen wall to block them, sending dirt and rocks flying.
But Esdeath's power was clearly more than that. Hiruzen had barely looked up when he saw a massive Ice Spike blotting out the sky, hurtling straight down and smashing through the wall.
"You're using your big moves right from the start?!"
Hiruzen's expression changed, and he hurriedly used the Body Flicker Technique to dodge.
But somehow, Esdeath had appeared at his side. She slashed at him.
Hiruzen was struck, but turned into a wooden post, leaving Esdeath momentarily stunned.
"Fire Style: Great Flame Technique!"
A flood of flames surged up out of nowhere, and the scorching heat made Esdeath's skin sting.
But instead of being alarmed, Esdeath was delighted.
"Just what I wanted!"
She thrust her Ice Blade through the air. The blade met the torrent of flames, and in an instant, the flames froze into a magnificent icy waterfall.
Hiruzen somersaulted through the air. Just as he was about to land, his expression changed, and he hurriedly used the Adamantine Staff to brace himself.
"Grow!"
The Adamantine Staff lengthened by dozens of meters in an instant.
Countless sharp Ice Thorns suddenly erupted from the flat ground, their edges glinting in