Naruto: Eating Kaido's Azure Dragon Devil Fruit-Chapter 267: Ōnoki

The return of Kitsuchi was like a shot of adrenaline injected into a dying Iwagakure.

Morale, which had been somewhat low, instantly soared. After a brief rest and redeployment, the Iwagakure army set out once more, pressing towards the Konoha defensive line with an imposing momentum.

This time, however, was different from any before. A heavy, mountain-like pressure enveloped the Iwagakure forces.

Because, the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki of the Two Scales, had personally arrived at the front lines!

When the news reached the Konoha camp, Jiraiya’s expression instantly became much graver.

Inside the tent, he spoke solemnly to the several Jonin squad leaders and Sora, who wore the Azure Dragon mask, before him.

"This is troublesome. That old man Ōnoki actually came himself. It seems rescuing Kitsuchi has removed his worries from the rear. He’s going to get serious now."

A Jonin couldn’t help but speak up.

"Lord Jiraiya, Ōnoki’s Dust Release..."

His tone carried unconcealed apprehension. The power of the Kekkei Tōta, Dust Release, was something that instilled fear throughout the entire shinobi world. It was a terrifying force that could truly reduce matter to its atomic state.

Jiraiya nodded, his expression serious.

"I know. Dust Release is indeed tricky, but it’s not impossible to deal with. The key is we must withstand this wave of pressure. According to intelligence, on the battlefield against Kumogakure, Iwagakure seems to be barely holding on by deploying two Jinchūriki. That’s what allowed Ōnoki to free himself and come to our side."

He looked at everyone, his gaze finally settling on Sora.

"Everyone, this will be a tough battle! Hold your positions, adapt to the situation!"

...

On the vast battlefield, the shinobi of both sides were arrayed clearly.

At the front of the Konoha formation, Jiraiya stood with a grave expression.

Opposite him, above the Iwagakure formation, a small figure floated. It was the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki.

Though his stature was short, the aura he exuded at this moment was as heavy as a mountain, pressing down on many Konoha shinobi, making it hard for them to breathe.

Ōnoki crossed his arms, looking down upon the Konoha formation, his gaze filled with undisguised contempt.

"Hmph, Konoha’s youngsters."

Ōnoki’s voice, amplified by chakra, clearly spread across the entire battlefield.

"Why is only you, Jiraiya, here? Where is Sarutobi Hiruzen? That so called ’Professor’ Third Hokage, has he grown so old with age that he can’t walk anymore, and can only hide in the village giving orders?"

These words were extremely sharp, carrying clear provocation and humiliation.

Instantly, a stir and low murmurs arose within the Konoha ranks. Many shinobi showed indignation on their faces, but some also had flickering eyes, seemingly affected by these words.

Jiraiya also had some minor criticisms of Hiruzen’s conservative strategy in his heart, but facing an external enemy now, he must defend the village and the Hokage’s dignity.

He let out a hearty laugh, his voice equally loud, carrying a heroic air as he retorted.

"Ōnoki, to deal with an old stubborn fool like you, there’s no need for the Hokage to personally take action! I, Jiraiya, am more than enough! As for you, instead of staying in your Tsuchikage office, you come to the front lines. Aren’t you afraid of straining those old bones of yours?"

"Sharp-tongued brat!"

Ōnoki’s face darkened. "It seems Konoha is determined to be an enemy of Iwagakure! Since that’s the case, then let me show you what true despair is!"

"Sons of Iwagakure! Follow me and trample Konoha’s defenses!"

"Kill!!!"

With Ōnoki’s command, the Iwagakure shinobi surged towards the Konoha positions like a tide.

Ōnoki himself quickly formed hand seals, and vast chakra began to coalesce!

"Earth Release: Mountain Sandwich Technique!"

Rumble!

Two enormous hemispherical rocks materialized out of thin air, carrying the momentum to crush everything, slamming together fiercely towards the center of the Konoha formation!

"Don’t even think about it! Ninja Art: Wild Lion’s Mane Technique!"

Jiraiya’s white hair instantly grew wildly, like living white giant serpents, entangling one of the rock hemispheres, forcibly slowing its closing speed. Simultaneously, he spat out scorching flames from his mouth.

"Fire Release: Great Flame Bomb!"

A giant fireball struck the other rock hemisphere, exploding into a sky full of shattered stone!

The battle instantly turned white-hot!

At the edge of the battlefield, Sora stood quietly in the shadow of a large tree, observing the entire situation.

His gaze swept over that small figure floating in the air, radiating terrifying chakra. Ōnoki.

’Dust Release... Kekkei Tōta. It is indeed a bit troublesome.’

Sora assessed in his heart.

With his current defensive capabilities, taking Dust Release head-on would probably be tough. Unless he activated the complete Azure Dragon form, but that wasn’t necessary.

Then, his gaze fell upon a burly figure within the Iwagakure ranks, who had just recovered from his injuries and was directing his subordinates in the charge. Kitsuchi.

’It’s you, then.’

The corners of Sora’s mouth lifted slightly in a curve as he made a decision.

He did not choose to confront Ōnoki head-on.

Firstly, he had just indirectly caused Uchiha Madara’s intervention by capturing Kitsuchi alive, interfering with Madara’s plans to some extent. It wasn’t advisable to be too conspicuous now, lest he truly attract that old monster’s attention.

Secondly, it wasn’t as if Konoha had no one else.

His gaze swept subtly over a certain dark corner at the rear of the Konoha formation.

There, a cold, slimy chakra lurked like a venomous snake.

’Orochimaru... this guy is indeed here.’

Sora inwardly sneered.

Because of his presence, Orochimaru was clearly wary, not appearing on the main battlefield, but choosing to observe from the shadows.

But Sora believed that if Konoha truly reached a critical moment, or if sufficiently attractive "prey" appeared, this venomous snake would definitely strike without hesitation.

Since that was the case, why should he be the one to stick his neck out?

Slacking off, while incidentally teaching his old opponent Kitsuchi another lesson, wouldn’t that be great?

Having decided, Sora’s figure flickered. In a few leaps, he appeared on open ground not far in front of Kitsuchi.

"Kitsuchi, it seems the lesson from last time wasn’t enough."

Sora’s voice came through the Azure Dragon mask, carrying a trace of icy mockery.

Kitsuchi, who was just preparing to lead his team in an assault, stiffened upon hearing this voice and seeing that familiar Azure Dragon mask. Instantly, a mix of shock and fury appeared on his face.

"Konoha’s Azure Dragon!"

Kitsuchi practically spat the name through gritted teeth.

The humiliation and sense of powerlessness from being captured alive last time instantly surged in his heart, fueling his rage.

"This time, I will definitely reclaim my honor!"

"Earth Release: Rock Fist Technique!"

A giant rock fist instantly formed, carrying Kitsuchi’s fury as it smashed towards Sora.

Sora neither dodged nor evaded. His right fist, covered in dragon scales, punched out equally hard!

"Super Strength!" 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Boom!

The rock fist shattered once again. Kitsuchi was forced back several steps, his expression growing even uglier.

He realized that even though his injuries had healed, when facing this mysterious "Azure Dragon," he still felt a sense of powerlessness.

Sora gave him no chance to catch his breath, instantly closing the distance. Fists, feet, elbows, knees, every part of his body became a lethal weapon, attacking Kitsuchi like a storm.

Kitsuchi could only rely on his rich experience and solid Earth Release defenses to barely hold on, the situation appearing rather for a time.

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