Even the Uchiha clan, who held themselves in high regard, couldn't help but feel a sense of despair at the sight of the clay giant, as if a god had descended.
Is this a Ninjutsu a human can use?
Fugaku looked at the towering clay giant and, without hesitation, shouted, "Itachi! Take the clansmen and go! Head to the front lines as quickly as possible! This is a mission! No delays!"
Itachi's brows furrowed upon hearing this. He had originally intended to stay and resolve the situation himself. However, remembering the mission Hiruzen had entrusted him with, he didn't hesitate, turning and leaping away. He simultaneously motioned for his clansmen to follow.
"I told you! Today, not a single one of you will leave!"
Akatsuchi roared from atop the towering clay giant, clasping his hands together and spewing a massive torrent of mud from his mouth.
Earth Release: Mud Spore!
Fire Release: Great Dragon Fire Technique!
Fugaku formed the Tiger hand seal with one hand, spewing high-temperature flames from his mouth that condensed into several fire dragons, charging towards the mud torrent.
Rumble—
A massive explosion resounded.
The aggressive mud torrent was instantly blocked and evaporated by the fire dragons, completely losing its momentum.
Itachi, leading his clansmen away, looked back at this Fire Release. His father was indeed not to be underestimated.
Fugaku was even more troublesome than Akatsuchi had imagined.
Seeing this, he shouted to the remaining twenty-odd Iwa ninjas beside him, "The rest of you! Catch up!"
"Yes, Akatsuchi-sama!"
The remaining Iwa ninjas didn't hesitate and immediately gave chase.
"Uchiha clan head, you truly cannot be underestimated!"
Akatsuchi watched his mud river be resolved so easily, even though Fire Release wasn't supposed to counter Earth Release. Fugaku's move completely relied on extremely high temperature and a massive range to block the mud river.
Fugaku wanted to stop those Iwa ninjas, but—
He looked at Akatsuchi, who stood atop the clay giant. This fellow was staring intently at him.
Akatsuchi's already narrowed eyes became even more indistinct. A large portion of the Iwa ninjas he had brought had already been dealt with by the Uchiha. Although the Uchiha weren't in much better shape, their losses were relatively light compared to his own side.
The remaining Iwa ninjas had also gone to pursue the departing Uchiha. Now, he could only take down Fugaku in front of him. Then, he would catch up and deal with those Uchiha.
This way, once the war began, the Konoha forces, without the Uchiha clan, wouldn't be even stronger. Iwagakure would then have a greater chance of victory.
"Heh, today, not a single member of the Uchiha clan will reach the front lines." Akatsuchi looked at Fugaku and slowly said.
"The Uchiha are Konoha's strongest clan." Fugaku retorted Akatsuchi with a stern expression.
"Save those words for hell!" Akatsuchi finished speaking, raised his hands, and let out a loud shout.
The clay giant beneath his feet moved accordingly, shaking the ground with each step. The massive clay foot stomped towards Fugaku.
Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Flower Nail Crimson!
Fugaku leaped back, throwing multiple shuriken, and continuously spewed flames from his mouth to cover the shuriken. Then, with a slight flick of his hand, the burning shuriken changed direction and wrapped around the clay giant's foot.
Boom—!
The sharp threads carrying the burning shuriken severed the clay giant's foot.
"This guy—!"
Akatsuchi on the clay giant felt a moment of imbalance, and the entire clay giant lost its balance, falling backward.
Earth Release: Rising Earth Excavation!
He quickly formed hand seals, using the erupting mud flow to forcefully stabilize the clay giant's body, then raised his hand again and slapped the clay giant's body. The foot severed by Fugaku instantly regrew.
After doing all this, Akatsuchi looked at Fugaku's previous location. However, there was no sign of anyone there.
Fire Release: Dragon Flame Release Song Technique!
Behind the clay giant, Fugaku's figure leaped high, spewing several dragon-head flames from his mouth towards Akatsuchi's location.
Behind him!
Akatsuchi sensed the scorching heatwave and, without hesitation, submerged himself into the clay giant's body.
Rumble—
A massive flame instantly erupted on the clay giant, and its entire towering body crashed down into the dense forest below, raising a huge cloud of dust that enveloped the entire forest.
Fugaku executed a graceful flip, dissipating the force and landing on the ground. His scarlet Sharingan spun wildly, scanning the surroundings.
Earth Release Barrier: Earth Prison Dome of Magnificent Nothingness!
Two massive hemispheres abruptly clamped together, centered on Fugaku, instantly engulfing his figure.
"Hoo—"
This guy is truly troublesome.
Akatsuchi slowly emerged from the dust, panting heavily.
Having always fought by relying on the clay giant, he was, on the contrary, unable to deal with such high-mobility attack methods.
Clang!
Sparks from the kunai's impact splattered, and Fugaku's figure abruptly appeared in front of Akatsuchi.
So fast!
Akatsuchi, who blocked the attack with the Golem, and Fugaku, who launched the attack, both thought the same thing deep down at the same time.
Without hesitation, Fugaku leaped, using the Body Flicker Technique to appear behind Akatsuchi and attack again.
During their back-and-forth, Akatsuchi deliberately avoided Fugaku's eyes.
Fugaku, his Sharingan spinning wildly, frowned.
This guy!
Amidst the scattering sparks, Fugaku retreated and leaped away. He couldn't resolve it in close combat anymore. This guy's monstrous strength was inherently a counter to him. Moreover, he was also avoiding eye contact with his Sharingan.
"Hey, Uchiha, I actually wanted to ask earlier." Akatsuchi, regulating his breathing, spoke to Fugaku, who was not far away.
"How did you evade my earth dome?"
This was what Akatsuchi found strange. Even if Fugaku's reactions were fast, the wide range of his earth dome definitely couldn't be dodged with just a Body Flicker Technique.
"Perception is just one part of the Sharingan." Fugaku said calmly, but even Akatsuchi found these words laughable.
While perception could find openings for counterattacks, it didn't mean one could avoid his earth dome like that.
"Well, I'll take it that you're serious."
Akatsuchi covered his hands with Earth Chakra, hardening them. He wanted to seize the opportunity for close combat. As long as he could get close, relying on his monstrous strength and Hardening Technique, he could deliver continuous heavy blows. Then he would still have a chance of winning.
Thinking this, Akatsuchi charged, rushing towards Fugaku at his fastest speed.
Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!
Fugaku raised his hand and continuously released fireballs to interfere with Akatsuchi, while his entire body rapidly retreated. He had to resolve the battle quickly.
I wonder how Itachi is doing.
Thinking this, Fugaku's wildly spinning scarlet Sharingan showed a faint tendency to connect.
—
"You go first, I'll deal with them."
In the dense forest, Itachi stopped, turned, and spoke.
"Don't delay! The mission is paramount!"
Seeing that his clansmen still had the idea of stopping to help block, Itachi coldly interrupted them.
Upon hearing this, the clansmen who had stopped looked at each other.
"Itachi-sama! Please take care!" After speaking, an older Uchiha clansman led the remaining people away.