Chapter 107

Chapter 107When Mochizuki Hui made his bold declaration, a hush fell over the crowd.

Even the Uzumaki clan’s ninjas turned to him with a mix of astonishment and doubt in their eyes.

“Hahaha! Hahahaha! That’s hilarious! You actually think you can take down all four of us on your own?”

The Third Kazekage burst into laughter, finding Hui’s words utterly absurd.

After all, they were four Kage-level ninjas! And here was this fifteen-year-old brat, claiming he could beat them all single-handedly. 

Such arrogance!

“Oh? And who says you’re all that strong?”

Mochizuki Hui’s gaze shifted to the Third Kazekage, his voice dripping with disdain. Though he was only fifteen, he radiated an overpowering aura, a commanding presence that made everyone pause.

For a fleeting moment, Ōnoki’s eyes seemed to glaze over, as if he were looking at another figure—a shadow that had once haunted his nightmares: Uchiha Madara.

No. This kid couldn’t be allowed to grow any stronger. Absolutely not.

Breathing heavily, Ōnoki clenched his fists, the words resounding fiercely in his mind.

“I had expected the Ghost of Konoha to be a truly impressive ninja, but it turns out you’re just an arrogant brat. What a disappointment,” scoffed Chiyo, joining the fray. 

At this point in time, she was still a youthful, formidable shinobi—not yet the elder crone she would become in the future.

Currently an elite Jōnin, Chiyo had not yet reached the peak of her power.

“Enough talking with him. Can’t you all see he’s just stalling for time? Clearly, he’s waiting for reinforcements from Konoha. Let’s focus on breaking this barrier first. Once it’s down, we’ll have free rein to deal with this kid however we please!”

Ai barked out his observation, having easily seen through Mochizuki Hui’s strategy. His impatience stemmed partly from his own eagerness to get inside and battle Mochizuki Hui.

The others immediately understood his point, nodding in agreement. They would no longer let Mochizuki Hui delay them; their focus now turned to breaking through the Uzumaki clan’s barrier.

“Ah, looks like my stalling tactics didn’t work after all,” Mochizuki Hui muttered with a sigh. 

He had indeed been trying to buy time, even if only for a minute. Sometimes, a minute could completely shift the tide of battle.

But a few exchanged words were all the time he could manage to stall them.

No matter, though.

“Get ready, everyone! Attack together!” Ōnoki shouted, his hands already clasped in preparation.

In the next moment, a transparent, white Dust Release technique formed in Ōnoki’s palms, a crystalline shape aimed directly at Mochizuki Hui’s position.

“Ai, you go first. Use your One-Finger Thrust to create a fracture in the barrier. We’ll break it down together from there!” Ōnoki instructed, turning toward Ai. As a close-range fighter, Ay’s strongest move was his One-Finger Thrust, so Ōnoki’s plan was for him to crack the barrier first, allowing the others to follow up with additional strikes to shatter it.

At this suggestion, the expressions on the faces of the Third Kazekage and the Third Mizukage subtly shifted, though they remained silent. Ay, however, merely shot Ōnoki a glance before starting his hand seals.

Use his One-Finger Thrust to crack the barrier first? Hah, he wasn’t an idiot!

If any of them decided to attack him at the precise moment he used his One-Finger Thrust, he would likely be shattered along with the barrier.

These people were only allies for the time being. Once this incident was over, they would be enemies again. In fact, even before this incident was over, once the barrier was down, they would likely cease to be allies at all.

Such a fragile alliance was not something Ai would trust with his life.

If it were him in their position, he would have attacked without hesitation, killing a future enemy while simultaneously breaking the barrier. Only a fool would pass up an opportunity like that.

Seeing Ai ignore Ōnoki’s suggestion and proceed with his own hand seals, the Third Kazekage and Third Mizukage felt a faint sense of disappointment. They had hoped to exploit the moment as well. Sёarᴄh the ηovёlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Ōnoki, too, sighed with regret. Truthfully, he had intended to pull Ai into such a trap, but a part of him had hesitated. 

Breaking through the barrier wouldn’t necessarily mean the end of their mission; they would still have to deal with the Uzumaki clan’s ninjas and Mochizuki Hui.

The Uzumaki clan’s warriors didn’t appear overly powerful, but who could say what kind of trump cards they might be hiding?

And most importantly, there was Mochizuki Hui.

After his crushing defeat at Mochizuki Hui’s hands three years ago, Ōnoki had been haunted by a shadow of fear. 

He’d researched Hui’s history, realizing what an extraordinary talent and fearsome strength this boy possessed. Hui had defeated him three years prior, and Ōnoki had no idea how far he might have advanced since.

If he and the others killed Ai but then lost the battle as a result, it would be a disastrous mistake.

But now, it seemed he didn’t need to worry—Ai was too sharp to fall for their tricks.

Pushing these thoughts aside, Ōnoki called out, “Ready!”

At his command, the four of them prepared to unleash their attacks.

In Ōnoki’s hands, a transparent white cube formed.

Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!

Above the Third Kazekage’s head, a massive black cylinder materialized.

Magnet Release: Iron Sand Cylinder!

The Third Mizukage held aloft a huge, bone-white spear of ice. Perhaps he was from the Hōzuki clan, given his ability to wield Ice Release.

Ice Release: Giant Ice Spear!

Meanwhile, Ai’s body crackled with black lightning that took the shape of a panther.

Lightning Release: Black Lightning!

All four Kage-level attacks were ready.

“Go all out on the defences!” shouted Uzumaki Suihei from the other side of the barrier. He knew that this attack would be decisive. If they held, then the attackers would likely give up and withdraw. But if the barrier fell, they would be in serious trouble.

At that moment, Uzumaki Suihei and his comrades funnelled nearly all their chakra into maintaining the barrier.

Meanwhile, Mochizuki Hui, observing his setup, allowed himself a faint smile.

Everything was ready.

But there was no need to rush.

With that thought, he and the members of Squad Four, led by White Fang, swiftly retreated from the vicinity of the barrier. Hui was certain the barrier would be broken, making their position dangerously close to the blast zone.

“Attack!!!”

Ōnoki’s voice rang out, and in the next instant, the four Kage-level ninjas unleashed their full might.

Powerful waves of energy burst forth from their hands and collided with the Uzumaki barrier around the Whirlpool Village.

The Uzumaki ninjas poured their chakra into the barrier, desperately maintaining it against the onslaught.

For a moment, the clash of forces turned the world blindingly white.

Then, a sharp sound echoed in the air.

Crack!

The barrier surrounding Whirlpool Village... shattered.

join my patreon for 75+ advanced chapters: /HyppoTL