92 Chapter 92
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As the younger brother of Chiyo, Ebizo was naturally an outstanding puppeteer. His black secret technique was derived from Chiyo's white secret techniques, and the puppets he used were crafted by Ebizo himself, imitating the puppets of the Ten Master Puppets created by Kajūra.
In terms of durability, the Ten Master Puppets could not compare to the puppets of the Ten Guardsmen, but in terms of function and utility, they were almost on par.
At the same time, Ebizo's skills were not limited to puppetry; he was also proficient in Wind Release ninjutsu and had a very high level of skill in taijutsu.
In this regard, Ebizo, like his sister Chiyo, did not possess the obvious weaknesses commonly found in puppeteers.
It was well known that puppeteers from the Sand Village excelled in offensive capabilities, control, and group combat operations, but their weakness lay in vulnerable situations when engaged at close range.
For example, Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law, though both skilled puppeteers, fell victim to Sakumo when engaged in close combat.
This fact was well understood by Kyomu, so he chose to engage in close combat with Ebizo.
However, as Kyomu saw himself being surrounded by ten puppets charging towards him, Ebizo couldn't help but smirk inwardly.
He was not your ordinary puppeteer by any means.
Moreover, breaking through the defense of the Ten Black Guardsmen to approach him from the side? Not a chance!
With a swift motion of his hands, each of the ten puppets took their respective actions, swiftly blocking all of Kyomu's avenues of advance, retreating, and maneuvering, trapping him tightly in the middle.
Meanwhile, the other Sand ninja closing in on Kyomu did not stand idly by. Engaging in one-on-one combat was not a principle that shinobi adhered to. The only behavior expected of a shinobi was to kill the enemy by any means necessary.
And after surrounding Kyomu, the Sand ninja did not rush in all at once. Instead, they maintained a distance of 500 meters from Kyomu and adjusted their distance accordingly as he advanced or retreated.
This tactic was quite obvious - to cover him with ninjutsu firepower!
Knowing well Kyomu's formidable close and mid-range combat abilities, only a fool without the strength would dare to engage him directly.
Fire Style: Flame Bullet!
Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!
Although both of these were low-level C-rank ninjutsu, lower-ranked techniques were more suitable for use on the battlefield.
The reason was simple: they were easy to learn, even for slightly talented low-ranking ninjas. And when used collectively by a group of people, their applicability became even broader.
Strength in numbers was not just an empty phrase.
"What the hell!" Kyomu couldn't help but curse inwardly. Here he was, feeling like he was being bombarded with Katyusha rockets in the ninja world.
No, not just a Katyusha, but the firepower of an entire battalion!
The number of Sand ninjas surrounding him wasn't vast, not a thousand, but there were still about four hundred.
Regardless of the number of low-ranking ninjas or the proportion of mid-ranking ninjas, at least two-thirds or more would be capable of using the C-rank Wind Style: Great Breakthrough and Fire Style: Flame Bullet.
This led to the wind fueling the flames caused the already large fireball of Flame Bullet to instantly swell three or four times in size, crashing towards Kyomu as if someone had thrown half a football field at him.
"Even though it's not as grand as the Great Fire Annihilation displayed by Uchiha Madara and his Susano'o, the oppressive force is just as strong."
Kyomu couldn't help but tighten his grip on the ninja sword in his hand as he watched the 'football field' crashing down, while also keeping an eye on Ebizo's puppets for any sneak attacks.
"I might be overreaching a bit, but my passive ability and Yoei in my hand are my only confidence!"
His eyes narrowed, and Kyomu took a half-step back, assuming a defensive stance against the impending impact and holding Yoei in front of him.
Seeing Kyomu's stance, Ebizo felt considerably relieved.
It was just as he expected.
"Using Earth Style to defend against ninjutsu attacks might still allow him to survive, but against a ninja sword... you either die or I do!"
Likewise, the Sand ninja who shared the same thought, along with those who were unaware of the truth, couldn't suppress their smirks.
"Aragami Kyomu, it's time to repay the debt you owe from two days ago!"
Whoosh.
The fireball, half the size of a football field, descended, its howling sound reminiscent of the wailing of ghosts and the howling of wolves.
But Kyomu stared firmly at the shadow, not moving an inch.
'Yoei, let's create another miracle together!'
As the fireball plummeted like a meteor, it seemed to encounter an insurmountable obstacle the moment it touched the tip of the shadow. It was as if the meteor-like fireball had been split in half by an invisible barrier, leaving only a gap large enough for one person.
At the same moment, apart from the empty space in front of him, Kyomu was entirely engulfed by orange flames on his sides and even four to five meters behind him.
However, the flames couldn't advance and began to split, resembling the saint who once split a sea in two.
The flames surged, painting half the night sky red. But Kyomu stood in the center, holding the shadow motionless like a mountain!
"He blocked it!!!"
Someone roared, and the Sand ninja, momentarily stunned, took a step back.
Unbelievable!
Was there a more magical story than the one unfolding before their eyes?!
Although there was no uproar, the bulging eyeballs and slightly agape mouths betrayed the turmoil within their hearts.
This level of attack could easily destroy a smaller village, yet such an unfathomable situation unfolded before them.
"Water Style! Use Water Style and Lightning Style!"
Another voice chimed in, and the Sand ninja snapped out of their reverie, quickly forming hand seals.
However, the number of Sand ninjas capable of using Water Style and Lightning Style was significantly fewer. After all, the Sand Village primarily focused on Wind Release ninjutsu. Water Style and Lightning Style were beyond the reach of some lower-ranking ninjas, left only to be utilized in joint combat by mid-ranking and higher-ranking ninjas.
"I'm not just going to take a beating without fighting back!"
Kyomu shouted, his muscles tensing abruptly, his abdominal muscles taut like a drawn bowstring as he spun his body.
Suddenly, a gust of wind appeared out of nowhere, swirling around Yoei with a piercing hum.
At the same time, a massive blade formed from the wind pressure, attracting the surrounding flames towards Kyomu.
Seeing this, the foreheads of the Sand Ninja began to sweat.
What kind of monster was this!
But Kyomu didn't bother to explain. It was thanks to them that he was able to experience a leap in strength thanks to his passive ability.
"As thanks to your bombardment just now, you're going to feel a lot pain after this strike!"
The last syllable of his high-pitched shout had yet to fade when Yoei in Kyomu's hand began to whirl around him in a 180° arc.
Whoosh! The surrounding flames were entirely enveloped by the wind pressure blade, and the gigantic flame blade swept forward.
At the same time...
Water Style: Water Trumpet Technique! Lightning Style: Electric Weave!
A massive rush of water akin to a water trumpet surged towards the flame blade swung by Kyomu, while a gigantic electric net enveloped the water flow before quickly merging with it.
The originally white water turned instantly azure, crackling with electricity.
Boom! They collided.
Hiss hiss hiss.~
The water vaporized by the high temperature soared into the sky, and the gigantic flame blade rapidly cooled down.
Sizzle sizzle sizzle.~
At the same time, electricity crackled, accompanying the rising water flow and vapor, intertwining in the night sky to create a three-colored picture - striking, beautiful, and deadly.
With a tap of his toes, Kyomu soared into the air, simultaneously summoning a flowing Earth-style river beneath his feet.
Although Kyomu rarely used ninjutsu, it didn't mean he wasn't proficient in it. He learned them to use them in a situation like this.
You may think I only excel in close and mid-range combat, but I'm equally adept at long-range attacks and ambushes.
Earth Style: Earth Flow Rampart!
The muddy river beneath his feet propelled Kyomu seven to eight meters into the air, rapidly advancing him toward the pile of Sand ninjas.
Even if he could withstand composite ninjutsu attacks, who would willingly endure constant bombardment?
He had to break through. He must!
However, Ebizo couldn't allow Kyomu to have his way. With a swift pull of his hands backward, the ten puppets in front of him soared into the sky, heading towards Kyomu standing atop the earth rampart.
Black Secret Technique: Assault!
Black Secret Technique: Slash!
Black Secret Technique: Stab!
Black Secret Technique: Scatter!
Black Secret Technique: Absorption Seal!
In just an instant, each of the eight puppets took on their complex actions, while Ebizo's movements merely involved the twitching of eight fingers.
Four puppets, one holding an iron whip, lashed out at Kyomu. The second wielded a massive sickle, slashing fiercely. The third held a long spear, thrusting forward. The fourth opened a huge mouth and abdominal mechanism, saturating the air with countless kunai.
The four combined puppets formed a seal formation in the shape of a cross, with a wide coverage area that restrained Kyomu's movements.
The remaining two puppets guarded Ebizo's flanks, serving as the final line of defense.
"So, this is the caliber of a Kage-level puppeteer!" Kyomu exclaimed inwardly, assessing his condition in an instant.
"The battle hasn't lasted long enough, the passive skill boost hasn't reached its peak, and I can't yet unleash my strongest move."
In the next moment, Kyomu devised a plan.
Sizzle.~
Electric arcs covered his body as the majestic lightning chakra within stimulated every cell, turbocharging his body's abilities to their maximum.
And this was still under the effect of the passive skill!
As the lightning illuminated the night sky, memories flashed through Ebizo's mind.
His nephew and niece-in-law had been ambushed by this move from Sakumo, breaking through the defensive puppets and killing them!
Hatred filled his eyes.
"Come on, then, hurry up and come!" Kyomu taunted.
The Wind Release ninjutsu he prepared was at its limit.
Call me, and I'll come. Who's afraid of whom!
Swish.~
With the Lightning Release enhancing his body and the Body Flicker Technique, Kyomu broke free from the grip of the eight puppets, closing in on Ebizo at the limit of his speed.
Ebizo pulled again, and the chakra threads reacted instantly.
The two guard puppets by his side moved, while the eight that had just pursued Kyomu quickly returned to defend.
Shadow Clone Technique!
When Kyomu appeared by Ebizo's side, his figure split into eight, a mix of illusions, shadow clones, and the real body.
But psychological illusion-type techniques were directly ignored by Ebizo, who instantly dispelled them.
The images left by Kyomu were reduced to three.
"Boring tricks!"
With a flick of his little finger, the guard puppet reacted violently.
Wind Release: Great Sickle Weasel! Wind Release: Vacuum Barrier!
Stylish wind blades swept through, while invisible walls of air blocked almost all attacks, and thwarted Kyomu's subsequent moves.
It could only be said that the speed of reaction and adaptability of a Kage-level ninja were incomparable.
Puff, puff, puff.~
As expected, Kyomu's clones were scattered, and the eight puppets summoned by Ebizo quickly regrouped, surrounding him tightly.
But Kyomu excelled in flexibility.
He might be at a disadvantage now, but there was no problem with brushing off the surrounding Sand Village ninjas.
Surrounded by enemies, the best strategy was to dive into the crowd; the ones at a disadvantage were them, not Kyomu.
Ebizo realized this and became furious instantly.
This pest Kyomu specifically targeted the weak among the Sand Village ninjas, and his efficiency was ridiculously high.
"Aragami Kyomu, you dare to call yourself a renowned ninja!" Ebizo pointed, and his chakra threads extended, saving a Sand Village ninja from Kyomu's blade.
"If you have the guts, face me yourself! What skill is there in targeting the weak!"
"I'm taking you all on by myself, and you won't let me use any strategy?" Kyomu's shadow clones spoke, but as soon as one slashed a Sand Village ninja, it was promptly blasted by the puppet thrown by Ebizo.
Meanwhile, Kyomu's main body kept working hard, like a tiger among wolves, switching between illusions, shadow clones, and the real body. Many Sand Village ninjas fell under his relentless assault.
In the past, he had faced similar situations at the school gate, always picking off the weak when at a disadvantage. This was all experience, and Kyomu naturally continued to apply it.
"He's mine, the rest of you set up defenses on the perimeter, don't let him escape!" Ebizo commanded.
Although low-ranking and middle-ranking ninjas were not very powerful, their strength in numbers should not be underestimated, and they shouldn't be depleted like this.
Hearing Ebizo's orders, the Sand Village ninjas breathed a sigh of relief and immediately regrouped to retreat.
Kyomu wanted to pursue, but Ebizo blocked his path single-handedly.
Puppeteers had an advantage in numbers; the more "people" there were, the more they restrained Kyomu's Shadow Clone Technique.
But Kyomu remained unfazed, instead, a smirk crept onto his lips.
His passive boost had reached a very high level.
"The time is up!"
Kyomu waved his blade, and a solid flame ignited in his left hand. With a flick, he coated the blade of Yoei with flames.
Ebizo was taken aback.
"Scorch Release kekkei genkai, how could he possibly have Scorch Release kekkei genkai! And this temperature... something's not right!!!"
(End of Chapter)
