The Battle to Reclaim the Talismans (Part 2)

--Bang!

Facing the Rock Fist of Ōnoki, Shendu did not retreat, choosing instead to meet force with force! The two fists, one large and one small, collided with a thunderous impact that sent rock fragments flying, causing Ōnoki to furrow his brows.

"To think you could actually withstand my Rock Fist...?"

It seems you are someone of note, but how about this? "Earth Release: Added-Weight Rock Technique!"

A low rumble echoed out, and combined with the massive rock fist, Ōnoki pressed down upon Shendu with the weight of a mountain.

He had expected Shendu to be sent flying, but only a moment later, Ōnoki realized he had underestimated the strength of Shendu.

"Such immense power!"

Ōnoki had poured almost all his strength into the strike, his arm beginning to tremble violently and sweat beading on his forehead, yet the indifferent expression on the face of Shendu did not look like someone exerting his full effort.

"Ultra Added-Weight Rock Technique!"

A sharp pain shot through the waist of Ōnoki, but he could not afford to worry about it now; he forced his strength higher, driving the Rock Fist forward with even greater intensity.

"A frail human possessing such power, old man! You are quite impressive!"

"But only impressive!"

The blood-red pupils of Shendu flickered once more, and then Ōnoki felt a pressure dozens of times greater than before crushing the muscles of his arm—and the force was still rising!

--"Ah!"

After several seconds of stalemate, the arm of Ōnoki finally buckled under the strain; the rock encasing his hand shattered and fell away, and his sleeve was torn to shreds. He sensed that if he did not retreat now, his arm would likely be twisted like a rag and rendered useless.

--Bang!

A violent gust of wind from a punch struck, but Ōnoki used the high speed of the Rabbit Talisman to dodge at the last possible second. He spun around sharply, and the spot where he had just been standing now bore a massive fist imprint.

"Truly astonishing destructive power... and it seems he isn't using chakra; is this just ordinary taijutsu...?"

"Human, how dare you let your mind wander while fighting me?!"

In a heartbeat, Shendu was right in front of him, followed by a gale of wind rushing toward his face.

This time, it was a claw strike! The sharp talons felt like a heavy-duty truck; the moment Ōnoki regained his focus, he felt as if the world had come to a standstill.

"Oh no...! There's no time for Light-Weight Rock!"

--Boom!

An entire mountain peak was torn apart as easily as if it were made of tofu, leaving behind several massive and terrifying "scars." One could even see the buildings of Iwagakure through the gap, but there was no sign of Ōnoki.

"That was close...!"

At this moment, Ōnoki was hiding behind a raised mound of earth, contemplating a countermeasure.

From the current situation, the strength of Shendu was immense, and his defensive capabilities were formidable. He could also fly through the air using an unknown "ninjutsu," but his speed seemed slightly inferior, as he had been unable to dodge the Earth Pillar Explosion or his own Rock Fist.

"If that's the case... I shall win through speed!"

Ōnoki tucked the Rabbit Talisman inside his clothes, and immediately, the reflection of the Rabbit Talisman flickered in his eyes. Speed Force... activated!

With speed invisible to the naked eye, Ōnoki successfully managed to surround Shendu alone. The moment Shendu let out a surprised "Ah?", he rapidly gathered his energy, pressed his palms together, and opened a transparent cubic barrier between them:

"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"

Dust Release is a Kekkei Tōta that surpasses the "conventional Kekkei Genkai," capable of decomposing targets into an atomic state within a specific barrier; its power far exceeds that of ordinary Kekkei Genkai.

Except for those at the Six Paths level or those possessing the Rinnegan, no one dared to take a Dust Release head-on. Even the Wood Release of Senju Hashirama and the complete Susanoo of Uchiha Madara were no exception; it could be called the number one mechanism monster in Hokage below the Six Paths level.

"Be reduced to atoms!"

Under the control of Ōnoki, the dazzling white light transformed into a conical shape, rapidly engulfing the body of Shendu.

"Is it over?!"

Ōnoki stared at the smoke kicked up by the Dust Release, and the next moment, disbelief flashed in his eyes.

"Ho... how is this possible?!"

Shendu stood in place completely unscathed, having not suffered even the slightest bit of damage, as if the Dust Release had never been unleashed at all.

"A very nice attack, but it is a pity... I possess an immortal body!"

(Note: In the "Book of Ages" arc of the original Jackie Chan Adventures, Uncle once used the Dog Talisman to completely nullify the Fire Breath of Shendu, so the Dog Talisman, besides granting eternal life, can also nullify "lethal attacks.")

The moment Ōnoki felt stunned, the eyes of Shendu began to glow, "Eye Beam, Eye Beam!"

The laser beams tore through the earth, extending all the way forward into Iwagakure and leaving two massive trenches behind.

As the "leader of the village," Ōnoki looked at the village being destroyed by the Eye Beam and realized that "hiding won't work, and not hiding won't work either."

He could not stand idly by and watch his village be destroyed.

"Damn it! Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"

Ōnoki gathered the Dust Release once more, aiming at Shendu. He did not believe that there was truly an "immortal" existence in this world, nor did he believe that the techniques of Shendu had no cost.

Therefore... now he could only engage in a war of attrition!

Time and time again, the Dust Release attempted to decompose the body of Shendu, but the results were ultimately unsatisfactory. Although Ōnoki was able to dodge every attack from Shendu thanks to the Rabbit Talisman, as time passed, he gradually began to fall into a state of exhaustion.

"The playtime ends here!"

Ōnoki panted heavily, still attempting to condense his Dust Release, but the meager chakra remaining in his body rejected this decision. Shendu opened his maw, and a rolling torrent of flames erupted toward Iwagakure.

Shendu possessed intelligence; having confirmed that Iwagakure was of utmost importance to Ōnoki, he chose to open fire directly upon the village.

"Earth Release: Gōryūka Technique!"

Just as Shendu had anticipated, Ōnoki immediately stepped forward, weaving signs to summon a colossal rock monster to block the incoming high-temperature flames. However, in the blink of an eye, the stone giant was melted into slag.

"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"

Exhausting nearly all his remaining chakra, Ōnoki erected a massive stone wall, planting it firmly before Iwagakure.

To ensure the wall would not be breached by the flames, Ōnoki pressed his hands tightly against its back, pouring his dwindling chakra into it in a continuous stream.

He felt his palms searing; the burning sensation caused him excruciating pain, yet for the sake of the village, he did not let go until the dragon of fire completely tore through his defense, and a blinding glare of light consumed his vision.

"Aaaah!"

Ōnoki's body was sent flying uncontrollably. After smashing through the walls of several buildings, he slammed heavily into a pile of rubble. His consciousness faded entirely as he fell into a dead faint, and the Rabbit Talisman, tucked inside his clothes, fell to the ground as his garments were completely shredded.