Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!
In a powerhouse like Ōnoki's hands, this A-rank earth technique came as easily as breathing; fueled by vast chakra, the ground beneath Kokugetsu turned into a dark-brown mire in an instant.
Seeing his legs sink, Kokugetsu smiled faintly, formed seals—faster than Ōnoki—and cast.
Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!
He spewed a vast torrent; the surging water flooded the swamp, diluting it into a turbid lake and sharply reducing its pull.
"Didn't expect his ninjutsu mastery to be this high. Troublesome—but it's not over yet!"
"I'm not afraid to trade jutsu. Once your chakra runs dry or you're pinned, that's when you die."
Ōnoki's hands flashed again, unleashing another high-grade Earth Release whose power scales with chakra.
Earth Release: Mountain Earth Technique!
Boom, boom, boom…
The ground heaved; two colossal, domed mountain walls rose on either side of the lake and began to close.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!
A dark, muddy water dragon coiled up beneath his feet and launched skyward; springing from its head, Kokugetsu vaulted atop the walls before they met.
Landing, he re-kicked off to avoid stone spikes thrusting up beneath him, formed seals, and pressed the air; black formulae spread in midair, and a golden hawk burst from white smoke…
Standing on the hawk's back, Kokugetsu shouted, "Ōnoki, maybe I can't beat you head-on, but you can't touch me either."
"If you don't believe it, try your signature Dust Release."
Ōnoki snorted. Without sufficient certainty, he had no wish to burn chakra on Dust Release.
"Don't speak too soon. In the sky, I still hold the edge."
"Heh—comparing flight against a natural raptor's wings?"
Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!
Kokugetsu spat a dozen orange-red firebursts, scattered like flower seeds.
Ōnoki didn't dodge; he spat dark-brown earth that hardened into a shield and blocked them all.
"Heh, let's see you block this." Kokugetsu inhaled deeply as his hands flashed.
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!
A continuous gale roared from his mouth—surging, savage, and strong—blasting Ōnoki away.
Tumbling midair like a helpless leaf, Ōnoki finally steadied himself, face dark. "Lightning, water, fire, wind—and per the dossier, earth as well. You know quite a lot."
Add in stealth and assassination arts, a Byakugan-like vision, and top-tier taijutsu—he was nearly as troublesome as Minato Namikaze.
"Hahaha, told you—I'm a genius. You can't judge a genius by common sense."
"Take this, old codger!"
Riding the golden hawk, Kokugetsu surged in, hands forming seals, again choosing the best aerial option.
Wind Release: Vacuum Great Sphere!
"Not good!"
Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World!
Ōnoki's face changed; his palms framed a cone of transparent space, white light flaring at its core before a pillar lanced forth…
The high-pressure wind orb was erased under Dust Release—and Kokugetsu was forced to give ground rather than play seal-absorption tricks.
Seeing it, Ōnoki dropped toward the earth, abandoning the air duel.
"Hey, old codger—weren't you 'still advantaged' up there?"
"Don't run!"
Mockery rang behind him; Ōnoki wanted to whirl and fight, but reason said an air battle favored the enemy. With that ninjutsu craft, it would be hard to close and land a Weighted Boulder Technique.
The ground was better. Near the earth, its strength was his to command.
"You run all you like—Kitsuchi can't."
Ōnoki's face tightened. If he let Kokugetsu go, Kitsuchi would be in real danger.
But being led by the nose was galling—and he was the Tsuchikage. Did he not have face to keep?
"Go if you like—then Konoha's camp is in danger."
Kokugetsu's mind turned; the hawk banked in a wide circle and came back.
"As expected—crafty old fox," Kokugetsu said with open disdain.
"Hmph—and you're a sly little fox," Ōnoki replied sourly, floating up to level.
"Mutual, mutual. Fine—how about a deal?"
"What?"
"Iwa withdraws. With me and Orochimaru here, you won't get anything out of this war."
Ōnoki pondered, then nodded as if agreeing. "You're right—so, naturally, I refuse to withdraw!"
"Not to mention this is a prime chance to bleed Konoha—I also won't hand you the great credit of ending this war."
"Men like you should climb slower."
So he'd seen through it. This old man really wasn't easy to fool.
Kokugetsu's face didn't change. "Then don't withdraw. Iwa's bleeding too—and worse."
"Doesn't matter, so long as the combined toll from two fronts hurts Konoha more," Ōnoki said, waving lightly.
"Stubborn old codger!"
"Vile brat!"
"Tell me—your jōnin are generally subpar. Could you be a bit stricter in selection?"
"Killing them gives no sense of achievement."
A vein jumped on Ōnoki's forehead as anger flared; it took effort to tamp it down.
"Strut while you can, Konoha. One day the great villages will join hands and erase you."
"Impossible. Of the shinobi world's fortune, ten parts—seven sit with Konoha."
"I think Iwa ought to merge into Konoha; together we wipe out the rest."
"You'd get a smaller cut, but it's still better than now."
"After the Third War you still couldn't sit still—besides picking Suna's bones and draining Konoha, I suspect you've got a surplus of shinobi and not enough missions, hm?"
"Cruel and heartless—those ninja trust you, and you burn them on purpose."
It's not lies that wound—truth is the sharpest blade.
Stabbed in the sore spot, Ōnoki nearly lost it.
"Nonsense!"
"Even if missions are scarce, the village can barely feed everyone."
"Tch—sure, and I totally believe you," Kokugetsu said, bored.
Ōnoki took a long breath. "Even if so—are you Konoha any better?"
"In the Third War, only Konoha forced Academy students to graduate early and fight."
"Plenty of your classmates never came back, did they?"
Kokugetsu smiled. "Yeah. Even if circumstances forced it, this world is rotten—all of us."
"All right, enough bickering—they're pulling back."
"Old man, best not wander about. One slip and you capsize."
Ōnoki shot back, "Don't be so cocky, youngster. You might end up like Minato—dead before your time."
"If I'm not cocky, am I still young?"
"When Iwagakure falls, I'll still be alive and kicking."
With that, the golden hawk snapped its wings and rocketed off, giving no chance to counter.
Ōnoki stomped and cursed; Kokugetsu, hands over ears, heard none of it.
When the hawk vanished, Ōnoki sighed. "Hah… Konoha truly has successors."
"To be Tsuchikage… Kitsuchi's ceiling isn't enough. I hope my granddaughter and Deidara won't let me down."
Composed again, hands folded behind his back, Ōnoki cruised unhurriedly toward the Iwa camp…
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