Chapter 81

I would have been crushed if I hadn't removed the barrier a moment before. So the kunoichi had to use all her skill to avoid such a deadly rain that even hastily raised earth walls couldn't protect against. However, I wasn't aiming to win solely with that technique—simultaneously with the launched kunai, a thin shadow slid along the ground. Just at that moment, when the enraged kunoichi, mourning her fallen comrade, dodged the last projectile, she landed right on the waiting thread of shadow, which instantly began thickening. Anger is a poor advisor in battle.

Thank the gods Mito drilled that into me well. Without wasting time, I ran towards the opponent mirroring my movements and with a single touch to her forehead, ensured she lost consciousness. I grabbed a scroll, placed my hand on the fallen kunoichi to the seal, and channeled chakra, then quickly removed the scroll now sealed with the captive.

After that, I created a couple of clones to assist both teams, and I hurried towards where the frenzy of chakra from using fire and earth techniques didn't even allow determining the condition of the fighters—time to help the red-eyed commander, and something tells me the battle isn't going in his favor.

But before I could take a couple of steps, memories came from the destroyed Kage Bunshin that was with my team. Along with this, I barely restrained the desire to smack myself in the face—how could Rotaro fall for such a cheap trick, especially from the last opponent! As a result, a severed arm and the clone's life in exchange for a finishing blow.

Sighing—sent clones will help and patch up—I rushed towards the explosions and the roar of stones, freely pumping chakra into my muscles. Forget about stealth—any high-level fighter can feel me with two-thirds of my reserve even in the heat of battle.

So now I don't need to conserve chakra; the lack of speed in a battle with A-rank shinobi (and judging by the mentioned bounty in the wanted book of every village, Taicho and "butcher" fall into this category) can cost a life at any moment, especially if you get under not only enemy fire but friendly fire as well. Sparring with Mito taught me a lot.

Finding myself closer and breaking through the smoke spreading from the fire techniques into a larger scorched wasteland made by the brief battle, I spotted two Jounin who were currently some distance apart from each other. Without wasting time, I rushed towards the Uchiha who had begun to catch his breath, mentally pleased with the greatly improved control that allowed me to somewhat distinguish chakra signatures of individual personalities with unique Kekkei Genkai.

"Taicho, how are you?"

Taking a defensive position slightly in front and to the side of the commander, I allowed only a quick glance in his direction to assess his condition, almost entirely focused on the enemy who had interrupted the attack.

Unfortunately, the initial expectations were correct—Uchiha was significantly battered, visibly favoring his left side, alongside a noticeable gash along his left thigh. Clearly, he hadn't reacted in time to some Doton technique. The reinforced vest saved his torso, leaving him with bruises and possible rib cracks, but there was no such protection on his leg. Numerous small wounds and torn clothes suggested that the enemy Jounin excelled in taijutsu more than the proud bearer of the acclaimed Sharingan. Along with a high volume of chakra.

"It's been worse, but you arrived just in time," the shinobi replied evenly.

"So, it seems I shouldn't expect my teammates," the bald man shook his head, frowning at the clone I created, which began working on Uchiha's most serious wound. "Iryo-nin, who can handle the established pair of Jounin... letting you get close might be too dangerous, but what about ninjutsu!?"

Just as I felt the pressure of chakra from Goto increasing, I quickly began forming seals, sparing no effort in the process. Just when this ambal stomped the ground with force, sending a healthy chunk of earth flying up and then slamming into it with all his might, sending a heap of shrapnel our way, I spat water from my mouth, rapidly expanding it into a wall.

"Suijton: Mizudzunhekki."

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