Tobirama's Weakness

The master and his former student sprang into action at once. For ninja of their caliber, keeping their distance offered no guarantee of safety.

"Ruyi Staff, extend!"

Halfway through his charge, Sarutobi Hiruzen aimed one end of the Ruyi Staff at Senju Tobirama.

The staff shot forward, struck Tobirama, and sent him flying backward.

But in midair, Tobirama vanished in a puff of white smoke.

It was a Shadow Clone.

Hiruzen showed no surprise. He would have been disappointed if such a simple move had defeated his teacher.

"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!"

More than a dozen Tobiramas appeared at once, making it impossible to tell which was the real one.

Or perhaps none of them was real. They might all be Shadow Clones serving as decoys.

Over a dozen dragons of water surged toward Hiruzen, jaws open. Tobirama held nothing back.

Forbidden techniques were not Tobirama's only strength. Water Release was one of his specialties, too.

And in his Impure World Reincarnation state, he had no need to worry about exhausting his Chakra. He could unleash attack after attack without restraint.

Hiruzen stopped forming Hand Seals and swung the Ruyi Staff across his body.

"Adamantine Prison Wall!"

The Adamantine Staff split into more than a dozen rods, which drove into the ground and enclosed Hiruzen.

Draw the Boundary as a Prison!

The technique normally surrounded an enemy on all sides to trap them. The Adamantine Staff formed by Enma was so hard it was nearly impossible to break head-on, making it an ideal cage.

But in a pinch, it also made a fine defense.

A torrent slammed into the Adamantine Prison Wall. The cage-like barrier was not airtight, and water poured through the gaps between its bars.

Still, it had absorbed the force of the first impact. What