"Watch out!"
Ao's Byakugan caught the trajectory ahead of time, and he called out urgently.
The guard reacted quickly too, instantly turning to block with his blade.
Clang-!
The staff collided with the Ninja Blade, and corrosive chakra rapidly ate into the blade. The guard's expression changed, and he pulled back.
But Utakata was faster, thrusting out his left palm:
"Water Release: Water Gun!"
A high-pressure water bullet shot from his fingertips, instantly piercing the guard's chest!
"Ugh..."
The guard looked down at the bloody hole in his chest and crumpled to the ground.
"Bastard!"
The other guard charged forward with an angry roar, lightning coating the Ninja Blade in his hand:
"Lightning Release: Lightning Fang!"
Utakata sidestepped the blade and swept the staff in his right hand upward, its tip piercing the guard's throat with precision.
Shhk-!
Corrosive chakra surged in. The guard could not even scream before he fell, eyes wide.
In the blink of an eye, the two remaining Jōnin-level guards were dead!
"Damn it..."
Ao's eyes stretched wide with fury, but he had to stay calm.
Utakata already possessed Kage-level strength. With the chakra and regenerative power of the Six-Tails Jinchuriki, even Mei Terumi might not beat him one-on-one, let alone with a masked man with bizarre abilities beside him.
Mei Terumi's expression was grim as well.
She could tell that although Utakata was being controlled, his combat instincts and skills remained intact. With the Sharingan's assistance, his reactions and perception were even sharper.
And then there was that troublesome corrosive chakra...
"We can't drag this out."
Obito suddenly spoke. "Kirigakure's reinforcements may already be on their way."
He looked at Utakata. "Finish this quickly."
The Mangekyō pattern in Utakata's eyes slowly rotated, and he nodded.
The next second, the chakra around him began to run