If there were ranks for slacking off, Ling would definitely be max level. While over thirty Jonin surrounded Kuei Si, Ling always kept her distance, occasionally throwing Shuriken or finding an opening to lightly slash once before retreating.
This also created the illusion for Kuei Si that Uchiha Ling was a weakling. In battles before the Kage level, most victories could be achieved by the weak over the strong through information, so Kuei Si remained very cautious.
He maintained high mobility with his three Wood Clones, attacking any Jonin attempting to use Ninjutsu, forcing the Jonin to use only low-power but fast Ninjutsu or Taijutsu for their attacks.
Kuei Si subtly switched positions with his three Wood Clones, his main body slowly shifting towards Ling.
Although others couldn't tell his three Wood Clones apart, how could Ling not?
Wood Clones had no soul fluctuations, so Kuei Si's stealthy movements only seemed amusing to Ling.
However, Ling was a professional Ninja; no matter how amusing, she would not betray any emotion.
The distance between Kuei Si and Ling quickly closed to thirty or forty meters and was still decreasing. Ling couldn't let him get too close, and her various fancy Shuriken throwing techniques with their curved trajectories definitely annoyed Kuei Si to no end.
He again used a wooden spike to deflect the Shuriken aimed at the back of his head and certain joints. The ordinary force of the Shuriken did not arouse Kuei Si's suspicion.
Ling leaped backward to another large tree, formed hand seals, and unleashed the Great Fireball Technique.
This was also to create an illusion for Kuei Si, making him think that Uchiha Ling was merely a Ninja skilled in Ninjutsu.
As for the rumors of Uchiha Ling's great strength? It was indeed great, comparable to the force of a Shuriken thrown by a Jonin. Was that not great?
Kuei Si didn't even want to use Wood Release Ninjutsu to block such a slow Ninjutsu as Fire Release, as it would waste Chakra. He simply used Body Flicker Technique to dodge it, simultaneously weaving through the gaps in the Shuriken thrown by the Jonin.
The Jonin surrounding Kuei Si also didn't want him to get close, as they would be overwhelmed in just two or three moves, and a moment's inattention could lead to being pierced by a wooden spike.
This was even with other Jonin providing support. Slow Ninjutsu like Fire Release, Earth Release, and Water Release from a distance couldn't threaten Kuei Si.
Lightning Release and Wind Release, on the other hand, were prone to injuring teammates, so they were used with some hesitation. Kuei Si was very cunning; he always kept himself at a very close distance to one Jonin.
This way, he wouldn't be attacked by Ninjutsu. As for using Shadow Clone to lure and then focus fire, it could only be said that the Shadow Clone's strength was too poor; it would die in one encounter, leaving no time to focus fire before he found an opportunity to get close to another Jonin again.
It's amusing to note that Ling had never been approached by Kuei Si before. Firstly, because Ling was too cautious, always keeping others in front of her. Secondly, because the other Jonin's desire to attack was very strong, he had no opportunity.
Now he finally found an opportunity. He had to get within about ten meters of Ling to be confident of using Body Flicker Technique to instantly reach her and finish her off.
Otherwise, if the distance was too far, Ling's two-tomoe Sharingan could perceive and slow down the attack, allowing her to react, making a one-hit kill very difficult.
And this method could only be used once. If this attempt failed and alerted her, Uchiha Ling would likely keep her distance.
His own failure and delay of the battle were nothing; the most important thing was not eliminating this major threat and culprit for Lord Danzo.
Ling's retreating direction was actually the same direction Danzo was fleeing. She would occasionally throw a small Ninjutsu or Shuriken, fully drawing Kuei Si's hatred.
Because Ling's strength was inherently higher than those Jonin, her formidable physique combined with the insight of her two-tomoe Sharingan gave her near-Kage level dynamic vision.
Therefore, she could always pinpoint Kuei Si's weaknesses, making him feel extremely uncomfortable. For example, when he leaped to the next tree, she would pin a Shuriken precisely where he was about to land.
Would he step on it or not? To avoid falling off the tree and being surrounded, Kuei Si either had to change his landing spot, causing him to lose balance and then be met with a barrage of Shuriken and Kunai attacks.
Or, using Wood Release to extend a wooden vine and swing himself away would waste Chakra, and this was Chakra he acquired at the cost of his life!
Ling had many tricky maneuvers, such as using Wind Release to cut off tree branches beneath his feet, or ambushing him in unguarded spots like his lower body and heels when Kuei Si was fending off other attacks.
Although Wood Clones were much stronger than Shadow Clones, they were still only Jonin-level and were quickly shattered by the Jonin.
And his sole true body naturally stood out. The Uchiha Jonin noticed Kuei Si closing in within ten meters of Ling and their eyes immediately went red with fury.
Because before they came, the Elders and Uchiha Chiri had ordered them to protect Uchiha Ling well. If Ling was harmed, their future would be ruined.
Especially the three Jonin from the rescue faction, they wished they had four legs to catch up, but unfortunately, they were all too far away.
They could only shout loudly, telling Ling to create distance. Although they knew Ling was strong, they believed these Root Ninja, who had taken drugs, were even stronger.
Kuei Si naturally heard the shouts of those Uchiha Jonin, but he no longer cared, because at this distance, success was almost guaranteed. With his speed and methods, it was impossible to fail.
Ling also noticed, but she didn't care either, because she had already set up a trap, just waiting for Kuei Si to fall into it.
With Kuei Si's strength, if she had confronted him head-on from the start, it would have taken a considerable amount of time to defeat him. But now, it was no longer necessary.
The next instant, Kuei Si erupted with Body Flicker Technique, moving at extreme speed, appearing beside Uchiha Ling in a flash.
Kuei Si condensed a wooden spike from the Impaling Thorns Technique in his hand, his eyes shining with ruthless and cruel light. This adorable girl, like a porcelain doll, was about to die a tragic death.
He had already fantasized about the wooden spike piercing out of the loli's body, stained with blood and adorned with dismembered limbs, beautiful like a work of art.
It was a work of art he crafted with his own hands. The sound of the wooden spike piercing through flesh and blood was truly too wonderful. The loli's wails must be even more delightful than those of the burly Jonin, right?
Ling's face was filled with terror at this moment. She wanted to dodge but couldn't react in time, only able to haphazardly block the path of the incoming wooden spike with her hand.
The wooden spike pierced into Ling's outstretched arm, then pushed through, entering Ling's chest, and blood blossomed.
Kuei Si knew this was the feeling of piercing flesh. His distorted face beneath the mask was now filled with a perverted, cruel smile.
He listened to the roars of the Uchiha Jonin behind him, and the faint, painful wails from the girl's mouth, which were so delightful.
He admired the wooden spikes growing out of the girl's body, blood staining the spikes, and blood blossoms opening like crimson cherry petals on the spikes. Wait? Cherry petals?
Kuei Si didn't have time to react. He saw a dazzling sword light approaching, and then only felt an intense pain in half of his body, before losing sensation in his lower half.
"Ninja, don't blame me for being despicable. Hesitation leads to defeat!"
-------------------------------
I've already uploaded 40 chapters of this story on Patreon!
If you enjoy it, come check out the latest chapters in advance.
Here's the link:
[patreon.com/Greyhounds]
Thank you so much for your support!!
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"