Chapter 206: Effort.

Beneath a shroud of barriers.

In a bustling night market that shouldn't have existed here.

A massive Earth Release rock barrier stood tall among them.

"It seems Toshiro's situation isn't looking good!"

The surrounding illusions continually rippled, making Uchiha En realize that Toshiro was facing some troubles at this moment, furrowing her beautiful brows.

"But on our side..."

She looked at the defensive barrier in front of her, resembling a turtle shell. For a while, they were like mice trying to drag a turtle with no way to start.

These Iwa ninjas were investing too much to save their own lives. Their chakra, as if unconcerned with stamina, was frantically reinforcing the defense, increasing the thickness of the Earth Release barrier to nearly five meters.

After just one attempt, they lost the desire to continue trying.

Even Uchiha Asahi, after attempting Chidori Sharp Spear once, did not try again.

She was just fourteen years old and was already good at controlling this ninjutsu. Moreover, she had just used it to kill the Iwa ninjas attempting to ambush them.

It was truly exhausting!

"It looks like we'll have to wait for Toshiro to make progress and have him break this barrier!"

"But wouldn't that make us seem incompetent?"

Gritting her teeth, Miss Uchiha En's temper flared. She had to keep trying. She couldn't believe that without Toshiro, they couldn't handle such a small matter.

"Asahi, Dragonfire, Tetsu, let's all work together and think of a way to break this turtle shell!"

Though she was brimming with anger, Uchiha En wasn't foolish. If she recklessly charged in alone, she wouldn't solve anything and might even exhaust herself to death. She needed her companions' help.

"Alright! Together!"

"Yeah! Everyone together, we can definitely succeed!"

"Right! We can't always rely on Toshiro to do everything for us!"

It wasn't just Uchiha En; even Tetsu didn't have any intention of giving up.

No one wanted to always be the one lagging behind, especially among the Uchiha who had awakened the Sharingan.

Their pride was ingrained in their bones!

While Toshiro's companions were striving not to become the ones dragging everyone down, Toshiro's side of the battle also commenced.

"Brown Rock! Let's attack together!"

"Ryō, you cover us! Pay attention to our status at all times!"

As soon as he caught sight of Toshiro, the hilltop captain couldn't wait to start the attack. However, he hadn't lost his mind and still reminded his companions.

"Don't look directly into his eyes!"

After saying that, he rushed towards Toshiro, planning to engage in close combat.

Given Toshiro's demonstrated genjutsu skills, fighting at mid-to-long range risked falling into his illusions. Forcing close combat would leave the opponent with no time to cast genjutsu, the best strategy against illusionists!

But this meant inevitably facing his Sharingan. However, with the three of them, it shouldn't be an issue.

Plans often can't keep up with changes, just like now.

Thunk!

A sharp blade pierced through flesh from behind the hilltop captain.

Seeing the blade protruding from his chest, Ryō seemed to realize something, his expression turning bitter.

But it was too late! The opponent had been standing right behind him, too close.

Caught off guard, he couldn't dodge the ambush.

"Is it genjutsu..."

As Brown Rock pulled his ninja blade from his teammate's body, Ryō collapsed powerlessly, leaving a cry of regret.

Until his death, he couldn't figure out how Brown Rock fell into the genjutsu. The opponent's chakra had shown no abnormalities.

"You damned Konoha ninja, die!"

After assassinating his teammate, Brown Rock didn't stop. He crazily charged at his captain, shouting loudly without realizing he was still under genjutsu.

"Brown Rock! You bastard! Wake up already!"

"Do you even know what you've done?"

Facing this sudden turn of events, the hilltop jounin had no time for sorrow and had to fend off his controlled companion's relentless assault, shouting angrily. He knew such efforts wouldn't break the genjutsu.

"This is all your doing, isn't it!?"

Midway, he viciously yelled at Toshiro. In his agitation, veins throbbed on his forehead.

He never expected things to turn out this way. They had been vigilant, yet Brown Rock fell into their trap. The opponent's skills were too advanced.

"Right, but no reward for you."

Toshiro, unfazed by his opponent's eyes that wished to peel his skin and tear his tendons, drew out his jade flute and began playing.

This controlled Brown Rock was clearly weaker than the hilltop jounin. Without intervention, the hilltop jounin could regain control after paying a price, probably within ten or so rounds.

Seeing Toshiro's movements from the corner of his eye, an overwhelming sense of despair filled the hilltop jounin's heart.

His enemy's genjutsu was terrifying, silently taking control of Brown Rock, killing Ryō, and continuing to cast illusions while maintaining control.

Without his companions' help, breaking free from the genjutsu was impossible.

It seemed this time he wouldn't escape.

As expected, with the melodious flute resonating, in no time, only three corpses remained on the spot.

Toshiro's figure had also vanished~