The ground beneath Ryoma's feet was instantly covered in huge, protruding rock spikes.
The Iwa-nin jonin who had been in close combat with Ryoma used the recoil to propel himself out of the technique's range, while Ryoma was directly pierced through.
Along with Ryoma, a number of Claw Corps soldiers who had been coordinating the attack on that Iwa-nin jonin were also wiped out.
Asuma and Kurenai noticed the situation over there and couldn't help but cry out in surprise, "Ryoma!!!"
But then they saw that Ryoma's body, which had been impaled on the spikes, gradually took on the color of mud, and his body slowly turned into earth, gently flowing down.
It was an Earth Clone!
Orochimaru indicated that when it comes to life-saving techniques, it's all thanks to him.
Asuma and Kurenai breathed a sigh of relief instantly.
Then, Ryoma suddenly appeared in front of the jonin with the broken foot. Forming hand seals, he extended his right hand towards him.
"Hidden Shadow Snake Hands!"
Several large snakes summoned from Ryoma's right hand shot out. A few of the large snakes coiled around the limbs of the jonin with the broken foot, while the rest opened their gaping jaws and lunged to bite at his vital points.
The jonin with the broken foot realized his attack had missed and immediately pulled back to dodge, but ultimately, due to the effect of his broken foot, his speed wasn't what it used to be.
The ninjutsu in his hands was intercepted by the large snakes before he could even activate it.
At the critical moment, another jonin rushed behind Ryoma, quickly forming hand seals. "Earth Release: Rock Pillar Gun!"
Another sharp earth spike shot up from beneath Ryoma's feet, rapidly thrusting towards him.
This was clearly an attempt to besiege Wei to rescue Zhao.
Ryoma, however, was even more ruthless at this moment, completely ignoring the situation beneath him as he manipulated the large snakes on his hand to continue attacking the jonin with the broken foot!
At the same time, under the cover of the Shadow Realm, several Shadow Corps soldiers' hands appeared at the feet of the jonin with the broken foot, firmly grasping his legs and rendering him unable to move.
The jonin with the broken foot looked down and was greatly shocked. He found that several blue hands had reached out from the shadows and were firmly holding onto him.
With no other choice, he could only steady his mind and form hand seals even more quickly. Finally, at the very last moment, he completed and released his ninjutsu. "Earth Release: Hardening Technique."
In an instant, the body of the jonin with the broken foot hardened to a degree surpassing even rock, and the large snakes' bites were ineffective.
Just as Ryoma's body was about to be pierced by the spike again, a Giant Corps soldier rose from the shadow beneath Ryoma's feet, lifted Ryoma clear over its head, and used its massive body to withstand the blow.
It was then dispersed, reverting to shadow and disappearing.
Ryoma flipped over and landed in an open space nearby, his eyes fixed intently on the two jonin.
He began calculating in his mind: "Based on my current visible strength, dealing with one Iwa-nin jonin is already a bit overwhelming, let alone two. Although one is already injured, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse; a jonin is still a jonin after all."
"If it really comes down to it, I'll have no choice but to reveal the existence of General Niga and General Samo. Although it will be troublesome to explain later, no matter what, surviving is the top priority!"
"Moreover, Asuma and Kurenai aren't in great shape either. Although Asuma is still holding on, his successive injuries have put him at a disadvantage. If we drag this out any longer, his defeat is only a matter of time."
Having thought this through, a determined glint flashed in Ryoma's eyes as he prepared to summon General Niga and General Samo to kill these two Iwa-nin jonin together!
The two jonin also sprang into action instantly, rapidly forming hand seals to the left and right, launching a pincer attack on Ryoma!
Both were well aware that this brat was definitely a genius of Konoha, possessing such strength at such a young age.
Combined with his bizarre abilities, if they didn't eliminate him now, he would surely become a major thorn in the side of Iwagakure in the future.
No! He would become a major thorn in the side of all villages except Konoha.
Taking out Ryoma would be doing the ninja world a good deed!
Furthermore, from the techniques used by this Konoha brat, they could tell that he wasn't just a special ninja from the Nara Clan, but also had an unusual relationship with one of the Three Legendary Sanin, Orochimaru. Many of the techniques he used were very close to Orochimaru's style.
Suspected of being a disciple of the Cold-Blooded Orochimaru, all of this only strengthened the two Iwa-nin jonin's resolve to kill Ryoma!
Just as Ryoma was about to summon Generals Niga and Samo to resolve the crisis before him, a loud voice rang out from behind the two jonin executing the pincer attack. "Dynamic Marking!"
The massive Chōza, transformed from a huge sphere, was completely wrapped in ropes strung with kunai. At the same time, his hair had become extremely hard, like needles, covering his entire body. He spun at tremendous speed, charging towards the two jonin in front of Ryoma.
The two Iwa-nin jonin hurriedly dodged out of the way, redirecting their ninjutsu towards the spinning Chōza.
"Earth Release: Earth Flowing Wave!" "Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
The jonin with the broken foot, being closer to Chōza, created multiple earth walls to protect himself from Chōza's attack, while the other jonin controlled a river of rocks composed of boulders, attacking Chōza's high-speed rotating body.
Chōza swiftly bypassed Ryoma and headed straight for the struggling Asuma. He took out the two Iwa-nin chunin who were locked in a direct confrontation with Asuma and hadn't had time to react, helping Asuma out of the encirclement before reverting to his original size.
Ryoma quickly arrived beside Chōza, and Kurenai also made it there, escorted by the Shadow Corps.
Chōza's body bore many new wounds, and he was trembling all over, clearly having just endured a fierce battle.
At that moment, Egawa and the other Iwa-nin jonin, along with the remaining chunin who had been attacking Chōza, also returned to this battlefield.
Egawa's entire body was covered in many new wounds, but it was clearly not as severe as Chōza's. The other Iwa-nin jonin was built like a smaller version of Chōza, clearly a ninja extremely proficient in defense and hand-to-hand combat. It was obvious that Chōza had engaged in more close-quarters combat with him.
This Iwa-nin jonin's injuries seemed much more severe than Chōza's. His right arm was bent at a very strange angle, hanging limply from his shoulder, clearly broken by a tremendous force.
Just moments ago, Chōza had noticed the situation of Ryoma's group of three. Although anxious, there was nothing he could do about it. Most Iwa-nin were generally very skilled in Earth Release ninjutsu, and Earth Release typically formed a system where taijutsu was primary, with defense and ninjutsu as supplements.
Chōza's attack methods destined him to fight a protracted battle against the two Iwa-nin jonin and this group of chunin.
But as soon as the fight started, Chōza realized that Egawa was extremely formidable. This man was exceptionally skilled in offensive Earth Release ninjutsu, with an unending variety of attack methods.
The other burly Iwa-nin jonin, however, possessed astonishing defensive power. Coordinating with defensive Earth Release ninjutsu, he could actually withstand a full-powered punch from Chōza after he had used the Expansion Technique.
Under this combination of offense and defense, along with the coordination of the surrounding chunin, Chōza soon found himself in a tough battle.
When Ryoma was first surrounded and attacked by the two jonin, Chōza understood that he couldn't drag it out any longer.
If this continued, Ryoma's group of three would definitely be surrounded and killed by the enemy ninja.
But breaking the deadlock was easier said than done!
Without hesitation, Chōza took out the box containing his clan's secret medicine from his pocket and opened it. Three pills of different colors lay inside.
He picked up the green Spinach Pill among them and tossed it directly into his mouth.
Egawa noticed Chōza's action and quickly formed hand seals, trying to stop him. Instinct told him that thing might affect the battle, but it was already too late.
After eating the Spinach Pill, Chōza's strength and speed both increased by three times his own limit. He instantly dodged Egawa's ninjutsu attack and charged towards the burly Iwa-nin blocking his way, throwing a punch directly at him. Faint sonic booms could be heard where his fist passed.
The burly Iwa-nin hurriedly raised his fist to counter, but was sent flying by Chōza's punch, only stopping after breaking several trees.
The bones in his right hand were broken into several pieces, some even protruding from his arm, looking extremely horrifying.
Chōza looked at Ryoma's group of three and spoke quickly. "In a moment, I'm going to take another of the Akimichi clan's secret pills. The pill will give me a tremendous power boost, but the side effect is total physical exhaustion for a period of time afterward."
"After I take the pill, Ryoma, you take Asuma and Kurenai and deal with the remaining Iwa-nin genin on the outskirts. Be ready to withdraw at any moment. Leave all the jonin and other ninja at the center of the battlefield to me."
Having said that, Chōza once again took out the box containing the secret pills from his bosom. He opened it, took out the yellow Curry Pill, glanced at it, and then said to Ryoma, "Remember, after the battle is over, you must withdraw immediately. If I end up in a tough fight..."
Chōza paused for a moment. "I will take the last red Chili Pepper Pill. After that, you will be the new squad leader. Immediately take Asuma and Kurenai and retreat back to the Land of Fire border. Understood, Ryoma!"
Ryoma looked at the serious expression in Chōza's eyes and nodded firmly. He secretly made a decision in his heart: he absolutely would not let Chōza-sensei take the red Chili Pepper Pill.
Because Ryoma understood that taking it meant death!
Chōza nodded in satisfaction, then unhesitatingly tossed the yellow Curry Pill into his mouth.
Soon, wisps of steam began to appear around Chōza's body.
And Chōza's aura continued to climb, gradually reaching its peak!
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