On this tense battlefield, Liuxia was like a god of war descending from the heavens. His swordsmanship and Water Release Ninjutsu displayed astonishing power. He didn't reveal his hidden Wood Release Kekkei Genkai. Instead, he moved like a dancer across the battlefield, combining swordsmanship and Water Release Ninjutsu in a deadly dance. Rasa and Pakura felt unprecedented pressure. Every flash of Liuxia's blade was accompanied by the roar of a water dragon, leaving them breathless.
Under Liuxia's fierce assault, Rasa felt pressure unlike anything he had experienced before. Liuxia's swordsmanship was not only fast, but every strike was incredibly precise, as though he could predict Rasa's every move. Rasa's Magnet Release: Gold Dust was a powerful means of defense, but under the unrelenting flashes of Liuxia's blade, his Gold Dust shield began to show its weakness.
Liuxia's sword tip traced streaks of cold light through the air, and every swing carried the force of thunder. He darted left and right, forward and back, making him impossible for Rasa to read. Rasa tried to counterattack with Gold Dust, but Liuxia's blade always struck the Gold Dust's weak points at the most crucial moments, forcing Rasa to devote more and more effort to defense.
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust!" Rasa roared, trying to strengthen his defenses. But Liuxia's sword tip seemed almost alive, finding gaps in the Gold Dust barrier. Every attack deepened the cracks in the shield.
Meanwhile, Pakura's Scorch Release: Intense Steam Murder was proving ineffective against Liuxia's nimble evasions. The fireballs she unleashed were hot enough to evaporate any moisture they touched instantly, but in the face of Liuxia's Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet, they no longer seemed so terrifying.
"This speed... this strength... How is it possible...?" Pakura's voice trembled, and she was overwhelmed by the pressure. She had never faced such a powerful opponent. Every one of Liuxia's attacks presented an unprecedented challenge.
Rasa's expression grew grimmer than ever. He knew his Magnet Release: Gold Dust could no longer protect him from Liuxia's sword. "We have to... We have to find a way, or else..." He never finished, because Liuxia's next attack was already upon him.
Meanwhile, Pakura's Scorch Release: Intense Steam Murder was proving ineffective against Liuxia's nimble evasions. The fireballs she unleashed were hot enough to evaporate any moisture they touched instantly, but against Liuxia's incredible speed and powerful Water Release, they no longer seemed so terrifying. What good was even the most powerful technique if it couldn't hit its target?
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!" Liuxia murmured. His chakra surged as streams of water swiftly gathered under his control, forming a series of water dragons. The dragons circled through the air, baring their fangs and claws as they charged at Pakura's fireballs.
The water dragons collided with the fireballs, producing massive clouds of steam. The fireballs were gradually extinguished under the dragons' assault. Pakura tried to adjust the angle of her attack, but Liuxia's Water Dragon Bullets seemed alive, always striking the fireballs with pinpoint accuracy and snuffing out their scorching attacks.
Beads of sweat began to form on Pakura's forehead, and a sense of helplessness rose within her. She had never faced such a powerful opponent. Every one of Liuxia's evasions and counterattacks presented an unprecedented challenge.
Unease began to grow in Rasa and Pakura. They had thought themselves among the rare geniuses of the Ninja World, valued by Lord Kazekage and regarded as future pillars of their village. But Liuxia's appearance had completely upended their understanding. He was so fast that their eyes could barely follow him, and his attacks were so fierce that their defenses seemed almost useless.
Elsewhere, Karura had originally been trying only to keep Hyuga Suzuran from joining up with Nawaki. Now, a fierce sense of urgency welled up inside her. She knew she had to break free of Hyuga Suzuran's entanglement quickly if she was to aid Rasa and Pakura, who were locked in a desperate struggle. She gripped her giant fan tightly, a resolute glint in her eyes, and began pushing her Wind Release Ninjutsu to its limits.
"Wind Release: Great Sickle Weasel!" Karura cried. Her movements were swift and precise as she swung the giant fan in her hands. Chakra surged with every motion, whipping the air into a violent storm. The currents compressed into countless razor-sharp sickle blades of wind. They circled around Karura, forming a deadly storm that then rushed toward Hyuga Suzuran with a piercing howl.
Faced with Karura's fierce assault, Hyuga Suzuran showed no trace of fear. Her Byakugan was active, granting her a near-360-degree field of vision that let her clearly track every blade in the storm. She moved through the chaos like an apparition, using Rotation, a defensive secret technique of the Gentle Fist Technique, to form a chakra-encircled barrier that repelled every blade of wind that came near.
"You think you can get away from me that easily?" Hyuga Suzuran replied coldly, her voice firm and unwavering. Karura had kept her from arriving in time to help before, but now she would show her that she wouldn't be shaken off so easily.
Hyuga Suzuran launched her counterattack. Her Gentle Fist strikes were precise and deadly, each one aimed directly at Karura's chakra points. Her punches packed immense power, and every hit sent a heavy shock through Karura. Under the pressure, Karura had to divide her attention to defend against Hyuga Suzuran's attacks, severely hindering her plan to provide support. Unease began to rise within her.
Meanwhile, Liuxia displayed his keen battle sense on the field. He cleverly combined Scorch Release and Water Release Ninjutsu to create vast amounts of steam, blanketing the area in a dense fog. It obscured their vision and disrupted their senses, creating the perfect opening for Liuxia's next attack.
Under cover of the steam, Liuxia held his breath and crept toward Rasa without a sound. His form flickered in and out of view, almost blending into the surroundings. Liuxia knew Rasa's Magnet Release: Gold Dust defense was formidable, but he also knew that every defense had a weakness.
"Rasengan!" Liuxia murmured. Chakra gathered in his palm, forming a rapidly spinning sphere. The Rasengan whirled in his hand, brimming with a power that made the heart tremble.
It flew toward Liuxia. Pakura hoped this attack would force him to split his attention, giving her an opening to break through and help Rasa.
Rasa sensed Liuxia approaching, and unease rose within him. The steam blocked his vision and disrupted his senses, preventing him from locating Liuxia accurately. He could only rely on instinct, reinforcing his Magnet Release: Gold Dust defense in an attempt to withstand the impending attack.
Pakura felt the powerful chakra fluctuations around her. She knew Liuxia must have launched a surprise attack on Rasa, and she had to act at once to support him. A determined glint flashed in her eyes as she began gathering chakra, preparing to unleash a powerful attack and break the stalemate.
"Scorch Release: Intense Steam Murder!" Pakura shouted. She formed hand seals and unleashed a barrage of fireballs that streaked through the air, blazing hot as they flew toward Liuxia. The storm of fireballs covered a wide area, meant to suppress Liuxia and force him to divide his attention.
However, just as Pakura was about to unleash her Scorch Release technique, the Shadow Clone Technique that Liuxia had cast earlier took effect on the other side of the battlefield. Three Shadow Clones identical to Liuxia suddenly appeared, surrounding Pakura.
Each Shadow Clone possessed the same combat ability as Liuxia. They moved quickly and in perfect coordination, attacking Pakura from different directions. Forced to deal with the sudden appearance of the Shadow Clones, Pakura had to stop releasing her Scorch Release technique.
Meanwhile, the real Liuxia was taking advantage of the chaos on the battlefield to approach Rasa without a sound. A Rasengan gathered in his palm, ready to deal Rasa a fatal blow. The steam severely limited Rasa's vision and senses, leaving him unable to detect Liuxia's true position.
Rasa sensed Liuxia approaching, and unease rose within him. The steam blocked his vision, while the many chakra fluctuations on the battlefield disrupted his senses, preventing him from locating Liuxia accurately. He could only rely on instinct, reinforcing his Magnet Release: Gold Dust defense in an attempt to withstand the impending attack.
However, it wasn't until Liuxia was right beside him that Rasa truly realized the danger. Liuxia pressed the Rasengan in his palm against Rasa's Gold Dust defense. The rapidly spinning chakra sphere slammed into it, and under the Rasengan's rotational force, the Gold Dust shield shattered instantly.
Rasa was struck by the Rasengan's force and sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground. Shock and self-doubt overwhelmed him. He had never imagined he could be defeated so completely.
"This... This can't be..." Rasa gasped, his heart filled with frustration and confusion. He began to question his strength and the confidence and pride he had always felt. Lying on the ground, he stared up at the sky, overcome by a crushing sense of defeat. Pakura watched Rasa fall, and helplessness washed over her. Could there really be a genius like this?
"It's over..."
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