In the battle against Raiga Kurosuki and Ranmaru, Shindai gradually took full control of the battlefield.
Ranmaru could no longer distinguish which of Shindai's attacks were genuine.
Meanwhile, Raiga Kurosuki was also slowly slipping into a disadvantageous position.
Surrounding him were multiple Iron Sand Body Clones of Shindai. Although the Red Eye had similar penetrative vision to the Byakugan, it couldn't perceive internal details such as meridians, pressure points, bones, or chakra flow with the same clarity.
Combined with Shindai's deceptive mix of real and feigned attacks, even Ranmaru struggled to tell truth from illusion.
Yet in reality, not a single true form of Shindai existed on the battlefield at all.
Shindai's actual body was currently in midair.
All those ninjutsu techniques released by the ninjutsu cards had been cast by his Iron Sand Body Clones.
→
All of the ninjutsu techniques unleashed by the ninja art cards had been performed by his Iron Sand Body Clones.
A Water Release and a Wind Release jutsu shot toward Raiga Kurosuki, who had just barely dodged another strike.
Raiga Kurosuki took a deep breath: "Since I can't determine which one is real, I'll include them all as targets!"
[Lightning Release: Dragon of Thunderous Winds!]
Raiga Kurosuki summoned lightning using his Lightning Sword and rapidly spun, creating a dragon-shaped electrical assault that attacked every one of Shindai's Iron Sand Body Clones across the battlefield.
This devastating move obliterated every one of Shindai's Iron Sand Body Clones across the battlefield.
However, this had absolutely no effect on Shindai—in fact, it played directly into his hands.
Iron filings from the shattered clones clung silently to Raiga Kurosuki and Ranmaru's bodies without their notice.
From above came Shindai's voice.
"It's finished."
[Magnetic Release: Gravitational Crush!]
Shindai manipulated the Earth's natural magnetic field through an immense surge of chakra. Instantly, Raiga Kurosuki and Ranmaru collapsed to the ground, firmly pinned to its surface by the magnetic force.
Raiga Kurosuki desperately tried to rise, but the pull of the magnetic gravity was simply too strong—he couldn't even lift his Lightning Sword, which was now stuck fast to the earth.
Shindai landed gently on the ground, hands in his pockets, and leisurely walked toward Raiga Kurosuki and Ranmaru.
Shindai scoffed mockingly, "Seven Swords of the Bloody Mist? Hardly impressive. Considering that, I've killed many Kirigakure ninja in the past. Since you know who I am, you should understand my puppet techniques differ from others'. Attempting to bypass my Kannazuki to reach my true form is utterly pointless.
"You've only ever fought my Kannazuki and those Iron Sand Body Clones. I've been watching from above the entire time. If you can't even defeat my Kannazuki and Iron Sand Body Clones, what makes you think you can fight me directly?"
Shindai stripped the Iron Sand from Ranmaru's body before seizing him.
Struggling violently in Shindai's grip, Ranmaru shouted, "Let me go!"
Shindai struck Ranmaru's neck area, instantly knocking him unconscious.
Raiga Kurosuki glared at Shindai with fury, "Let go of Ranmaru!"
Shindai kicked Raiga square in the face, "What right do you losers have to make demands? I've always hated people from Kirigakure. You even tried to mess with Pakura—that still pisses me off!"
Vengeful Shindai waved his hand, and four long iron needles pierced through Raiga Kurosuki's limbs.
Raiga immediately screamed in pain.
Shindai sat heavily on Raiga's back, stepping on his head with one foot, "Can't even handle a little pain? Where's your ninja discipline? Suck it up! When the battle ends, I'll give you a quick death."
Raiga's commotion caught Zabuza's attention.
Zabuza glanced over—the already narrow pupils in his tiny eyes constricted further.
Raiga had been defeated so quickly, and was now being humiliatingly sat upon by Shindai.
"You're distracted during a fight—do you really look down on me that much?"
A chill ran through Zabuza as he hastily raised his sword to block.
But it was too late—the blade crackling with Chidori lightning stabbed into Zabuza's left shoulder, splattering blood across Kakashi's face.
Twisting his waist, Zabuza swung Kubikiribocho around in an arc with his right hand, forcing Kakashi to retreat.
Shindai clapped sarcastically, "Oh wow, nice job~ Kakashi, hurry up and finish him off. Perfect opportunity to keep Raiga company. If you can't beat him though, feel free to ask me for help."
Kakashi rolled his visible eye at Shindai before launching another fierce assault against Zabuza.
The massive Kubikiribocho naturally forced Zabuza to attack with wide sweeping motions.
Kakashi, however, was extremely agile. Plus, with Zabuza's left arm already crippled, he could only wield his sword with his right hand.
Zabuza's disadvantage was becoming increasingly obvious.
Suddenly, Naruto's anguished cry echoed from the other battlefield: "Sasuke!"
Looking over, Shindai saw that Sasuke had been pierced like a porcupine while Hinata stood frozen in place, completely immobilized.
Haku's strength far surpassed Hinata's team. Although they managed to hold their own against Haku due to teamwork, this was only because Haku initially held no intent to kill.
After witnessing Kakashi pierce Zabuza's left shoulder with a blade, Haku finally felt some killing intent. Using the ice mirrors scattered across the battlefield, he rapidly moved. Unable to break through Hinata's Chakra Armor defense, he simply froze her in place.
Naruto attempted the same old trick—using numerous Shadow Clones to approach Haku stealthily under cover.
But Haku had already fallen for that once. When Naruto tried the exact same tactic again, Haku swiftly vanished into one of the standing ice mirrors, dodging Naruto's sneak attack. Then, from within the mirror, he launched a barrage of Senbon needles toward Naruto.
Faced with such a dense wave of Senbon attacks, there was no way Naruto could dodge.
Therefore, Sasuke rushed directly in front of Naruto and blocked his senbon attack.
Shindai saw what had happened but made no move to intervene.
Sasuke wasn't in any life-threatening danger—the damage caused by the senbon was minimal, and none hit vital points on his body.
The Eight Trigrams Sealing Style within Naruto was too strong, limiting his power. It was time to make a break.
At this moment, Naruto stood there, gazing at Sasuke in shock—the one who had just protected him.
Sasuke turned his head slightly, his eyes unfocused as he stared back at Naruto. "What... What's that look on your face? You... you absolute idiot."
With red eyes, Naruto cried out, "Why?! Why did you protect me? Didn't you always say you hated me?"
"I really hate you... But still... I've always thought of you as my best friend... You absolutely can't die... Naruto..."
Sasuke closed his eyes and fell unconscious.
Watching from afar, Shindai murmured in amazement, "That boost... it's stacked to the limit!"
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ **4 bonus chapters** this weekend if I get kind comments.
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>