The battle at Kirigakure's front line was deadlocked.
On the raging sea, Konoha's landing forces fought fiercely against the Kirigakure Ninja, who stubbornly resisted using the coastline and surrounding waters to their advantage.
Flashes of Water Release Ninjutsu erupted one after another. Massive Water Dragon Bullets collided with Exploding Water Colliding Waves, sending spray and mist billowing into the sky.
Though the Konoha Ninja were well trained, they still struggled in the aquatic battlefield where Kirigakure excelled.
With their mastery of Water Release and the abundant moisture by the sea reducing their chakra consumption and boosting their attacks, the Kirigakure Ninja held the beachhead firmly. Konoha's advance was agonizingly slow, and the brutal fight to land continued.
Konoha had already attempted several landings, only to be driven back each time.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Having just reached shore, Kakashi slammed both hands onto the ground. A sturdy earthen wall rose up, blocking several Water Guns hurtling toward him.
He had barely caught his breath when he noticed movement on the sea to his side.
"Water Release: Water Snake Bite Explosion!"
A massive snake formed from seawater, its fangs viciously exposed, suddenly shot out of the waves. Opening jaws large enough to swallow a person whole, it lunged at Kakashi with tremendous force!
Kakashi's pupils contracted. His Sharingan spun rapidly, searching for an opening, but the water snake was too fast and covered too wide an area for him to evade or defend against it completely on such short notice!
At that critical instant.
"Ice Release: Freezing Technique!"
A low shout rang out.
Bone-chilling cold appeared out of nowhere, sweeping past like an invisible storm of frost!
Starting from its head, the viciously lunging water snake froze at a visible speed, becoming encased in a thick layer of crystal-clear ice.
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