Why did he think he would win?
Those words made Hiruzen Sarutobi stiffen slightly, but he remained exceptionally calm.
He knew that if Xia Yan truly wanted to kill him, he probably would not waste so many words on him. He would already be dead.
Xia Yan had always been decisive and ruthless in the Anbu, and that outstanding combat discipline had been the key to his becoming a squad leader years ago.
Understanding all this, Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his head slightly and looked toward the center of the explosion nearby.
The smoke was beginning to disperse, revealing an enormous shield with a fanged demon face, like an asura mask, standing there.
Hiruzen Sarutobi recognized it immediately, and the sight of that technique sent a ripple through his heart.
"The Adamantine Barrier?"
The Adamantine Barrier was undoubtedly one of Wood Release's strongest defensive ninjutsu. Although Hiruzen Sarutobi had never seen Hashirama Senju use it at full strength, he certainly knew a great deal about it.
Seeing that technique, Hiruzen Sarutobi already felt powerless. He probably had very few ways to break through a defense like that.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's assessment was entirely correct. The Adamantine Barrier's defenses were exceedingly difficult to breach, especially after Xia Yan used Senjutsu, which brought its defensive power to an incredible level.
It might not compare to Hashirama Senju using it at full strength to block a slash from Madara Uchiha's Majestic Attire: Susanoo without leaving a scratch on its surface.
But it had no trouble dealing with Hiruzen Sarutobi. Even a few more opponents would not have presented a problem.
Still, this technique really consumed quite a lot. Sensing the chakra inside his body, Xia Yan could not help shaking his head. Hiruzen Sarutobi's destructive power truly lived up to his title as Hokage.
But