Fierce Head-On Clash

PS: Thanks to Sword Immortal Bai Yujing for the reward.

As Kumogakure's highest-ranking adviser, someone who had assisted the Third Raikage, Dodai could naturally see just how threatening Shōji was.

They were no longer willing to see Konohagakure produce more genius ninja. Thus, Dodai had specifically applied to the Fourth Raikage to transfer a group of elite Kumo Ninja to the Land of Hot Springs battlefield. Toroi was the key among them. If not for the concern that sending a Jinchuriki to the front lines could easily provoke Konoha's nerves and expand the war beyond what the Kumo Ninja could control—

Dodai would have directly asked Fourth Raikage A to dispatch the Two-Tailed Jinchuriki to assist in battle. But even without the Two-Tailed Jinchuriki, the elite Kumo Ninja unit led by Toroi would be enough to eliminate Uchiha Shōji while he was still growing. At least, Dodai had that confidence.

This was a plan he had personally devised. Unless Shōji stayed inside the outpost forever, he would surely fall into the trap. As the plan's executor, Toroi was equally confident in his own strength. Throughout his ninja career, he had killed countless enemies for the village. Though he had never truly faced an Uchiha Clan Jōnin, Toroi still possessed immense faith in himself. With Magnet Release, he was invincible under heaven!

Toroi, whose goal was to become the Fifth Raikage.

Naturally did not believe himself inferior to Uchiha Shōji.

"This truly is your honor, Uchiha Shōji. I originally planned to wait until you went deeper in before surrounding you completely and making a move. Looks like you're quite vigilant. But this is as far as you go. Today, this place, will be where you die!"

Toroi sneered.

"Boom!"

A terrifying surge erupted from his entire body. In the instant it burst forth, he lunged viciously at Uchiha Shōji before him.

He's coming!

A thunderous force exploded outward.

"Form up and withdraw first!"

"But—?"

"Follow orders. Retreat immediately!"

"Yes!"

He could block the enemy himself.

His companions might not be able to. Since he could not easily expose his Mangekyō Sharingan and would inevitably be restricted as a result, Shōji could only have his teammates retreat first. The enemy outnumbered them two to one. From what Toroi had said earlier, the Kumo Ninja had an ambush waiting ahead. In other words, once battle broke out here, Kumo Ninja reinforcements would arrive shortly. If they did not retreat immediately, they would be completely surrounded. However, his own village also had other squads scouting and searching nearby. It depended on whether their timing would line up.

If it truly came to that, he could only prepare himself mentally for the worst outcome in advance.

A cold glint surfaced in Shōji's eyes.

"Whoosh!"

His figure shot forward.

"Swish!"

"Clang!"

He directly activated his Sharingan.

Toroi's purple figure was completely reflected in his eyes.

With a turn of his body.

He easily blocked the incoming attack.

"Oh? So this is the famed Sharingan? You can grasp my position so easily? Then how about trying this move!"

Though this was only their first clash.

Toroi, who was very familiar with intelligence on the Sharingan, did not look directly into Shōji's eyes while confronting him head-on. Instead, he kept his gaze fixed on Shōji's feet, judging Shōji's movements from the motion of his legs.

"Magnet Release: Magnetic Pillar Technique!"

As they collided.

Their bodies pulled apart.

Then, with a thought.

"Rumble!"

From the surface of the earth.

A massive iron pillar abruptly emerged.

A chilling aura spread from it.

It targeted Shōji's back.

"Whoosh!"

A black shadow hurtled forward at extreme speed.

"Clang!"

As he twisted aside.

Shōji's pupils suddenly contracted.

"Swish!"

His arm swept downward to the side, and his blade descended in an instant.

"Thud!"

As he blocked it from the side.

A sharp, piercing screech rang out. Immediately afterward, intense sparks burst from the blade, and Shōji's expression twisted.

"Hah!"

With a low shout.

He forcibly knocked the massive black pillar away.

In the next instant.

Without giving Toroi a chance to press his assault further.

"Crackle, crackle, crackle!"

Beneath his feet.

Lightning flared brilliantly.

An extreme roar of thunder erupted.

"Whoosh!"

As his figure burst forth.

"!?"

From the angle of his flashing advance.

"Swish!"

From above.

Thunderous force coated the Tachi.

"Magnet Release: Magnetic Attraction Technique!"

Toroi remained unruffled.

He extended his right hand straight toward the Tachi in Shōji's right hand and clenched fiercely. A powerful suction force appeared out of nowhere. The Tachi seemed to be completely pulled away, causing Shōji to stagger violently. He nearly failed to keep his footing, barely restoring his posture through brute force. But Toroi had already seized this opportunity to pull himself to Shōji's vulnerable right side once more.

"Magnet Release: Sparrow Blade Technique!"

With a clap of both hands.

Two enormous specially made Shuriken abruptly appeared, whirling at high speed toward Shōji's side. Their incomparably sharp edges, along with the powerful magnetic force emanating from them, gave Shōji another sensation of being unable to control his own body.

This thing is really troublesome!

Although Toroi's mastery of Magnet Release had likely not reached the level of the Third Kazekage, there was no doubt that Magnet Release at this level could already affect the vast majority of ninja, as long as they carried equipment related to magnets.

They would inevitably be influenced by the attraction force of Magnet Release.

Even with Shōji's current strength, he was still affected.

And if he mishandled his force even slightly, he could end up getting hit directly.

He forcefully resisted the attraction force.

"Lightning Flash Strike!"

Lightning Release Chakra coated his body.

In a flash, Shōji drew his Tachi, pressing down with overwhelming force.

"Crack!"

The blade shattered roughly.

"Bang!"

The Magnet Release Shuriken exploded directly.

"Earth Release: Mudflow River Technique!"

At the same time.

He immediately formed hand seals.

And unleashed a surging river of mud and marsh.

"Ah!?"

It cut across the field.

Blocking a considerable number of Kumo Ninja, while also wrapping up two Kumo Ninja who had charged too far ahead. Before the others could rescue them, it overwhelmed them.

Burying them alive and killing them outright!

In an instant, he forcibly carved out an opening.

"Retreat, now!"

As he shouted sharply.

"Yes!"

Shōji's teammates, who had been in desperate danger moments earlier, suddenly found a gap through which to flee. Without the slightest hesitation, they immediately retreated.

"Lightning Release: Earth Run Technique!"

After flipping once more, Shōji directly used a Lightning Release technique to pressure the Kumo Ninja again, preventing them from pursuing his teammates immediately.

The next second, his figure surged forward again.

He once more pressed forcefully toward Toroi's position.

Thunderous power burst outward.

Toroi's expression turned extremely ugly.