"Let's go. Retreat further, or you'll get caught in the crossfire... and you'll die." For once, Tobi (Ah Fei) spoke seriously to Uzuki Xiyang.
"Aren't you his companion? Aren't you going to help him? Even the Hokage would die if surrounded by the Seven Ninja Swordsmen!" Xiyang asked, frowning. Then she added hastily, "Don't get the wrong idea. I just don't understand... it's not like I care about him."
"Unless he wanted to die on purpose, I can't imagine anyone being able to kill him," Tobi replied with a mysterious tone.
Xiyang glanced deeply at Obito, then obediently followed Tobi farther back to observe the battle.
"Kisame, you're not strong enough yet. Just keep an eye on those two in the distance. The three of us will handle this." Suikazan Fuguki ordered the young Hoshigaki Kisame.
"Understood, Mr. Suikazan." Kisame responded respectfully and stepped back.
Then Suikazan stepped forward, wielding the massive Samehada. "Newcomer, if you get in my way, my Samehada won't show any mercy."
"You barely made it out alive against a Konoha genin, so maybe don't start throwing orders around," Ringo Ameyuri snapped, drawing her Thunder Sword: Kiba. Arcs of golden lightning immediately danced along its blades.
She was hailed as Kirigakure's genius of Lightning Release. In her hands, the Kiba blades had far surpassed the power of any previous user.
"You little brat..." Suikazan growled.
"Both of you shut up unless you want me to take those swords back," Ghost Lantern Mangetsu said coldly, stepping between them.
With a flick, Mangetsu unfurled his sealing scroll, revealing seven distinct slots labeled: "Beheading," "Greatsword," "Longsword," "Blunt," "Explosive," "Lightning," and "Twin," each corresponding to one of the Seven Ninja Swords.
Currently, the "Longsword," "Blunt," "Explosive," and "Twin" seals were active, meaning the respective blades were stored in the scroll.
Mangetsu dropped a bead of blood on the "Beheading" seal, formed a hand sign, and the seal glowed faintly. He stared across the field at Obito. "Return the sword."
Buzz! The Executioner's Blade in Obito's hand vibrated violently, seemingly trying to break free.
"There's no reason to return something I rightfully claimed."
Whoosh! Obito activated his right eye, pulling the massive blade into his Kamui dimension. The seal faded.
Mangetsu frowned. He'd confirmed it: Obito could transfer anything he touched into another dimension. If that was the case, even physical attacks would pass through him—so maybe ninjutsu?
Mangetsu raised his hand, forming a pistol gesture with his fingers. "Water Release: Water Gun Technique!"
Biu! Biu! High-pressure jets of water shot from his fingertips, tearing through Obito's body, ripping into trees behind him, and blasting deep holes into a boulder.
Xiyang flinched. Tobi muttered, "Yeah, maybe this spot isn't safe either. Let's back up a bit more."
Mangetsu narrowed his eyes. Even his Water Release attacks passed through. "So he has to materialize when he attacks... that's our only opening."
"Good analysis, but..."
Obito formed the Tiger seal. Fire chakra surged to his throat.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!"
A sea of flames erupted, sweeping toward the trio. The water-soaked ground instantly evaporated into steam.
Suikazan, Ringo, and Mangetsu responded simultaneously.
"Water Release: Triple Water Dragon Bullet!"
Boom! Boom! Boom! Three massive water dragons collided with the fire, creating clouds of thick steam.
Kisame shielded his eyes. "Is that the Fire Release Uchiha are famous for? Three masters of Water Release had to combine attacks just to stop it... Unreal."
Obito didn't stop. He flashed through hand signs.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Sphere!"
A slicing wind tore through the mist.
Clang! Suikazan swung Samehada, barely blocking the wind attack.
Crack! Lightning crackled. Ringo used her Lightning-style teleportation to strike Obito directly, twin blades lashing out.
Clang! Obito drew Madara's Uchiha Gunbai, absorbing the blow.
"This fan... it's absorbing my Lightning chakra?!" Ringo gasped.
Obito smirked. "Channeling Lightning chakra to your feet to boost speed, teleporting to strike the moment I materialize... very clever for a Lightning specialist. But..."
"Uchiha Rebound!"
Crack!! Lightning exploded back from the fan.
"Agh!" Ringo was flung backward, bleeding from her shoulder.
Obito looked at her. "Madara used this fan during the Fourth Great Ninja War. With it, even Naruto's miniature Tailed Beast Bombs were deflected."
Mangetsu moved, holding the Twin Swords: Hiramekarei.
"I'll create an opening. Ringo, prepare a long-range strike!"
"Got it!" Ringo planted both Kiba blades into the earth.
"Lightning Release: Natural Lightning Strike!"
Boom! Thunder roared as natural lightning gathered overhead.
Mangetsu stepped forward, forming hand signs.
"Water Release: Great Water Arm Technique!"
His arms swelled into massive, water-fortified limbs. With chakra flooding the twin blades, they expanded like hammers.
BOOM!! Hiramekarei smashed into the ground, narrowly missing Obito.
Obito turned and reached for Mangetsu's shoulder.
"Now, Ringo!" Mangetsu shouted.
But his body passed through Obito.
He gasped. He baited us... he knew Ringo was setting up an attack!
"Thunder Sword Style: Lightning Gate!"
Far behind them, Ringo stabbed her Kiba blades deep into the earth.
CRACK-CRACKLE! Natural lightning surged down and spread in a massive radius.
"Ahh!!" But the only one struck by the lightning... was Mangetsu.