Chakra Scarce, Forced into Desperate Straits

Chakra could invigorate the body's cells, enhancing a ninja's neural reflexes, muscular explosiveness, physical defenses, and more, allowing a mere mortal body to unleash extraordinary combat power.

Among the five elemental Chakra natures, Lightning Release Chakra provided the greatest enhancement to a ninja's body. Those burly men of Kumogakure had developed this trait of Lightning Release Chakra to its absolute limit.

Likewise, Hatake Sakumo, with his clan's inherited techniques, was also highly skilled in this area.

Though it was not as comprehensive as Kumogakure's secret Lightning Release Chakra Mode, it still reached an exceptionally high level in terms of physical speed, neural reflexes, and striking power.

Especially with the assistance of the seemingly toy-like White Light Blade, Hatake Sakumo's explosive attack power rose to another level!

In an instant, stimulated by Lightning Release Chakra, Hatake Sakumo's body cells were activated to the utmost limit he could currently endure and control.

At the same time, the Lightning Release Chakra within him surged rapidly along an exceptionally unique pathway through his meridians, violently erupting from the acupoints in his palm and swiftly pouring into the blade of the White Light Blade.

Whoosh.

The White Light Blade, only slightly longer than a dagger, suddenly extended by a great deal. Its rear remained the White Light Blade itself, while its front became a blade formed purely from Lightning Release Chakra, crackling brilliantly.

Boom.

His right foot stomped a small crater into the ground, fine spiderweb cracks spreading all around it as Hatake Sakumo charged forward.

At the same time, Hatake Sakumo violently swung one arm. The White Light Blade carved out a brilliant streak, and the lightning blade formed entirely of Lightning Release Chakra surged longer once more like sword light, becoming a lightning whip that fiercely swept away the dense Earth Release: Earth Spikes nearly as tall as a person before him.

That strike, so fast, so beautiful, and so violently powerful, left every spectator dazzled.

That blade truly resembled a crescent moon in the heavens.

"What an astonishing strike!"

Senju Tobirama's eyes lit up as he exclaimed in admiration, slapping down with one palm and nearly breaking the chair's armrest.

Likewise, Sarutobi Hiruzen involuntarily leaned forward, his eyes wide as he carefully watched Hatake Sakumo's performance, wishing he could move even closer.

"It truly is a powerful strike." Kagami Uchiha activated his Sharingan again, but after only a brief glance, he shut it off and shook his head regretfully. "It's just... Sakumo has a little too little Chakra. What a pity..."

"Hatake Sakumo's Chakra reserves are probably around average, but that flaw does not obscure his strengths," Shimura Danzō interjected. "Killing only takes one strike. As long as he precisely controls his Chakra expenditure, it cannot be considered a weakness."

"But Sakumo is facing that freakish brat Chiba." Kagami Uchiha shook his head. "That strike consumed one-third of Sakumo's Chakra just to clear the obstacles and get close to Chishima Chiba."

"Though judging by the current situation, Sakumo has succeeded. He only needs to identify his target and land a second strike, and Chiba will undoubtedly lose."

"But that brat Chiba is too crafty!" Kagami Uchiha pointed to his own eyes. "I can't tell which one is a Shadow Clone and which is Chiba's real body. And there aren't just four Shadow Clones in the Battle Arena."

As his words fell, Hatake Sakumo had already broken into Chishima Chiba's immediate vicinity.

Like Kagami Uchiha, Hatake Sakumo could not distinguish which one on the field was Chishima Chiba's real body and which was a Shadow Clone.

He could only guess!

Yet Chishima Chiba remained unflustered. He could completely exhaust Hatake Sakumo to death with his immense Chakra reserves.

But that was only if Hatake Sakumo did not catch Chishima Chiba's real body.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.

Once he got close, Hatake Sakumo unleashed astonishing swordsmanship. In just three strikes, he cut apart one of Chishima Chiba's Shadow Clones.

Yet he still frowned, abruptly rolling sideways to evade the straight line of fire attacking from behind.

At the same time, Chishima Chiba's "firepower coverage" came to an end. During the interval when Chishima Chiba and his Shadow Clones were preparing Ninjutsu, it was Hatake Sakumo's chance to counterattack and secure victory.

Now!

The Lightning Release Chakra racing through his meridians stimulated Hatake Sakumo's body. He accelerated at high speed once more and charged in a chosen direction.

In less than a second, Hatake Sakumo raised his blade and slashed at Chishima Chiba's Shadow Clone, except...

"I'm the real body!"

The Shadow Clone suddenly spoke. Hatake Sakumo's blade halted sharply, and his killing move restrained itself.

But...

Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!

The Shadow Clone rapidly retreated, but after spitting out only a few small fireballs, it was cut into smoke by two furious strikes from Hatake Sakumo.

The Shadow Clone had just as awful a personality as the real body!

With anger burning in his heart, Hatake Sakumo turned and charged in another direction.

But during that brief delay, the remaining three Chishima Chibas had already prepared their respective Ninjutsu—and they were all the same technique.

Earth Release: Earth Spikes!

It was the same few Ninjutsu over and over, but they were effective, capable of restricting the terrain and, by extension, Hatake Sakumo's advantage in speed.

Lightning Release: Hatake Sword Style: Lightning Fang Flash!

With no other choice, Hatake Sakumo's forward speed surged as he slashed another blade forward.

The dazzling blade light once again brought an intense visual shock to the spectators, but only Hatake Sakumo knew the bitterness behind it.

His Chakra was running dry...

Breaking into Chishima Chiba's vicinity again, Hatake Sakumo no longer cared whether it was a Shadow Clone or the real body. He swung his blade without hesitation.

Bang.

Smoke billowed as Chishima Chiba's Shadow Clone burst apart once more. But just as Hatake Sakumo tried to move again, he suddenly raised his right foot and bent down to stab the White Light Blade into the ground.

Bang.

Another soft sound rang out. The Shadow Clone lurking underground, waiting for a chance to ambush him, dispersed into smoke, while Hatake Sakumo locked onto his target again.

"Wait, I'm the real body!"

Hatake Sakumo ignored Chishima Chiba's Shadow Clone's nonsense and finished it off with three strikes. Only one visible Chishima Chiba remained on the field!

But was it the real body or a Shadow Clone?

Hatake Sakumo's mind was a mess. He could only follow his instincts and charge in that direction, unwilling to give Chishima Chiba a chance to use Ninjutsu.

"I'm a Shadow Clone, not the real body!"

Just as Hatake Sakumo swung his sword, Chishima Chiba said it again. But Hatake Sakumo had become immune to it and continued swinging without hesitation.

However, a hand suddenly reached out from underground and grabbed Hatake Sakumo's ankle. Black Sealing Formula markings rapidly spread up his calf, climbing to Hatake Sakumo's thigh in the blink of an eye.

Hatake Sakumo did not even think before bending down to stab his blade below, but just as he moved...

"Wait, that's the real body!"

Chaos. Everything was chaos!

And it was unbelievably irritating!

Which one was the real body? Which one was the clone? Should he hold back, or should he not?!

If this had been a fight to the death...

Hatake Sakumo froze, his face flushing red as the speed of his descending blade involuntarily slowed.

Slap.

A palm pressed onto Hatake Sakumo's right shoulder. Black Sealing Formula markings rapidly spread, occupying his entire right arm in an instant.

Sealing Jutsu: Four Limbs Heavy Seal!

"Do you surrender?" Chishima Chiba's Shadow Clone asked with a raised brow.

"Chishima Chiba, which one of these is your real body?!" Hatake Sakumo roared, red-faced and thick-necked.

"None of them..."

As his words fell, two clouds of smoke dispersed, while Chishima Chiba's real body appeared in the center of the battlefield—the very spot where Hatake Sakumo had stood before unleashing his first strike.

Chishima Chiba raised a hand and yawned, wearing an utterly punchable expression. "It's just hiding in plain sight. A very simple tactic."

"I... surrender!" Hatake Sakumo lowered his head, his face filled with frustration.

But he really wanted to settle this with Chishima Chiba offline!

The kind where they fought without caring whether they lived or died!