"Yuzuki, attack with me!"
The one Kiyoshi called Yuzuki was the male jonin who had stood beside him from the start. Like Kiyoshi, he was also a rogue ninja from Kirigakure, and second only to him in strength.
He had already moved close to Mikoto's real body, and at Kiyoshi's command, he didn't hesitate, launching an assault in tandem.
Having defected from Kirigakure together, the two had developed excellent coordination, both understanding that they needed to take down Mikoto immediately.
But they had clearly underestimated her. Snapping out of her initial surprise, Mikoto swiftly hurled two shuriken.
The Uchiha clan was naturally gifted in shurikenjutsu; every member was adept in the art of throwing weapons.
Using the shuriken to force back the attackers, she then rapidly formed hand seals and unleashed a massive fireball from her mouth.
Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu.
As the Uchiha clan's signature fire technique, it was also their most frequently used jutsu. The massive fireball surged forward with scorching heat, aimed directly at Kiyoshi and Yuzuki.
A direct hit would mean death or serious injury. Feeling the sheer heat radiating from it, Kiyoshi and Yuzuki's expressions changed dramatically.
This was the Land of Rain, a place inherently disadvantageous to fire-style users—yet the power of her jutsu was still overwhelming.
As fellow jonin, they couldn't imagine what it would be like to fight her in a more favorable environment for her techniques.
They might've been wiped out within a few moves… perhaps even before she used the Sharingan. After all, the gap between jonin wasn't always small—sometimes it was wider than the gap between jonin and genin.
Fortunately for them, this was the Land of Rain.
And being originally from the Water Country, Kiyoshi was especially skilled in water-style jutsu. That was also why he had chosen this territory after defecting—its environment gave him an edge.
Though stunned by the power of the fireball, Kiyoshi wasn't slow to respond. Dodging to the side, he completed a set of hand seals and launched his own technique.
Water Style: Needles of Falling Rain
The falling rain transformed, turning into countless water needles that shot toward Mikoto at blinding speed. Each needle was sharp and piercing, capable of impaling a ninja's body with ease.
At the same time, Yuzuki, who had also avoided the fireball, cast his own jutsu.
Earth Style: Rock Pillar Spears!
Though a Mist ninja, it didn't mean he could only use water-style jutsu. There were a few Mist ninja proficient in other elements, but Yuzuki was one of them.
A rock pillar shot up from the ground beneath Mikoto's feet, flinging her into the air.
In midair, with nothing to support her, dodging Kiyoshi's attack was nearly impossible.
"Die!" Kiyoshi roared triumphantly.
This synchronized strike was the result of years of fighting together. They had once slain multiple jonin using this very combination.
Before the words even finished echoing, the water needles rained down and pierced Mikoto's body.
"Mikoto-sensei!" Watching this unfold, Ayame turned pale with shock.
She failed to dodge an enemy's attack in time, and her arm was slashed open with blood pouring out.
Though Mikoto's three shadow clones were doing their best to hold back the attackers, the enemy had sheer numbers on their side.
Eventually, some managed to break through and engage them in close combat.
Now injured, Ayame was in no shape to defend herself. The enemy sneered, showing no mercy, raising a weapon to strike the final blow.
Already weakened and with no means to resist, Ayame was kicked to the ground.
Tomoki was also caught up in a fight, unable to help. Though stronger than Ayame, he still struggled against an opponent with chūnin-level strength.
"Ayame!" His distraction cost him—he too got injured.
"Konoha ninja aren't so tough after all," the rogue ninja who injured them sneered. "Thought you were something special, but you're dying just like everyone else."
They had long harbored resentment from being hunted by the Five Great Villages, and now they wanted revenge.
Hearing this, Minato grew anxious.
He was the strongest among the three, but with three enemies locking him down, helping the others was easier said than done. The thought of losing comrades again—it was unbearable.
But he knew he couldn't let his emotions take control. The more he panicked, the more likely he'd make a fatal mistake.
Right now, Minato yearned for power. If only he were faster, stronger—he could protect everyone.
"Die, Konoha trash!" As Ayame and Tomoki stared in despair at their oncoming deaths—
The enemy's head suddenly flew off! The abrupt reversal left both of them stunned, frozen in disbelief.
"Hold on for a bit," a voice said calmly, "There are still enemies left. I'll heal you afterward."
It was Aoshi. His voice snapped them out of their shock. At the critical moment, it had been Aoshi who struck down the enemy and saved their lives.
Though he'd been surrounded by four enemies earlier, his current strength made handling them no real burden. Even without using sword techniques, just with his chakra scalpel alone, he could take them down.
It simply took time.
"I can't believe how strong Aoshi-senpai really is…" Tomoki stared blankly at Aoshi's back. It felt surreal.
The gentle medical ninja they had always thought lacked combat ability had just swiftly killed multiple chūnin-level enemies.
It defied all logic… and all ninja conventions.
Ayame wore the same shocked expression as Tomoki.
Without paying them any attention, Aoshi continued slashing his blade, moving to assist Minato, who was still under siege.
Minato had already been holding his own—now with Aoshi's help, the outcome was clear.
"Thanks, Aoshi-senpai. We're lucky you were with us." Minato exhaled, still shaken.
Though he'd only been on Mikoto's team for a month, Tomoki and Ayame had already become precious companions to him.
He couldn't bear to lose anyone else.
Aoshi patted his shoulder, then glanced at the remaining enemies, who were still being held back by Mikoto's shadow clones.
"Minato, protect Ayame and Tomoki. I'll go help Mikoto."
With that, he sprinted away.
Minato nodded and immediately rushed to his injured teammates' side.
"Sorry, Minato. We dragged you down…"
"You're both safe—that's what matters. Believe in Aoshi-senpai and Mikoto-senpai."
As a jonin, Mikoto wasn't going to go down that easily. Ayame had simply panicked earlier out of concern.