Chapter 529: Tacit Understanding
Ōnoki suddenly felt an immense weight pressing down on him. The pressure bore down on his body like an invisible hand, forcing him closer to the ground with every passing moment. His knees buckled slightly, and his sharp eyes flickered with both surprise and realization.
The Third Hokage… could he truly master this technique?
The thought crossed Ōnoki's mind as he struggled to steady himself under the strain. The mere idea that Sarutobi Hiruzen could use the Weighted Rock Technique, a secret jutsu of Iwagakure, was both infuriating and awe-inspiring.
"To think he could learn this... and execute it so flawlessly," Ōnoki muttered, gritting his teeth as his trembling hands formed a series of seals.
"Light and Heavy Rock Technique!"
The pressure on his body eased almost instantly as the jutsu took effect, allowing him to straighten up and regain control. Ōnoki exhaled deeply, his chest rising and falling as he caught his breath.
But before he could ascend back into the air, two figures darted toward him with astonishing speed.
Ōnoki's eyes narrowed. So, the Third Hokage isn't just proficient in the Weighted Rock Technique—he's also mastered its counterpart.
The realization left him momentarily off-balance. He had severely underestimated Sarutobi Hiruzen, believing him to be limited to more traditional ninjutsu.
A sharp whistling sound tore through the air. A black shuriken shot toward Ōnoki, its edge glinting ominously.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
The single shuriken split into two, then four, and quickly multiplied into a storm of spinning black blades. The air was filled with their ominous hum as they hurtled toward Ōnoki.
Too close!
The Tsuchikage's instincts screamed at him to evade, but with his feet still on the ground, he couldn't move fast enough. His sharp mind worked quickly, forming seals as fast as his hands would allow.
"Earth Style: Rock Statue!"
Ōnoki opened his mouth, spewing forth a torrent of rocks. The jagged stones coalesced into a massive humanoid statue that stood between him and the incoming shuriken barrage.
"Ding ding ding!"
The shurikens struck the stone figure, bouncing off with metallic clangs before clattering harmlessly to the ground.
Ōnoki barely had time to breathe a sigh of relief when the sound of rushing air reached his ears.
"Bang!"
One of the shadows darting toward the rock statue transformed mid-flight into a long black staff. With a resounding crash, the staff swept across the stone figure, shattering it like brittle wood.
Impossible!
The massive rock statue crumbled into a heap of rubble. Ōnoki barely had time to react before the black staff barreled toward him.
But instead of retreating, the Tsuchikage reached out with his palms, meeting the staff head-on.
"Earth Style: Light and Heavy Rock Technique!"
As his hands touched the staff, the jutsu activated, redirecting the force of the attack. Even so, the impact sent Ōnoki flying backward, his arm trembling from the effort. He gritted his teeth, stabilizing himself in mid-air.
His serious expression betrayed no fear, but his mind was racing. This man… no, this Professor of Ninjutsu… he's playing me at my own game.
On the ground, Sarutobi Hiruzen stood firm, the black staff held securely in one hand. His calm, measured gaze remained locked on Ōnoki, studying his every move.
"I almost fell for your trap," Ōnoki admitted, his voice tinged with begrudging respect.
Hiruzen chuckled softly. "As expected of the Third Tsuchikage," he replied, his tone calm but confident. "But you underestimate the reach of my tactics."
The black staff suddenly shifted, its surface rippling as if alive. A single golden eye blinked open near the top of the staff, scanning the battlefield.
It was the eye of Enma, the Monkey King.
The staff pulsed with energy as Enma's deep voice echoed. "Shall we finish this, Hiruzen?"
The Third Hokage nodded. With a sharp motion, he raised the staff high before swinging it down with tremendous force.
"Extend!"
The staff elongated, stretching toward Ōnoki with incredible speed. The sound of rushing wind accompanied its trajectory, and for a moment, it seemed as though nothing could escape its path.
Ōnoki, still recovering, retreated as fast as he could. However, his earlier use of techniques had left him slightly slower than usual, and the staff gained on him rapidly.
The Tsuchikage barely managed to veer to the side, the staff grazing his shoulder as it passed. Enma's hand emerged from the staff's end, reaching out to grab Ōnoki.
But just as the Monkey King's claws were about to close around him, Ōnoki formed a seal with his trembling hands.
"Light and Heavy Rock Technique!"
His speed increased in an instant, allowing him to dodge at the last possible second. The black staff retracted swiftly, shrinking back into Hiruzen's grasp.
"Enma, return!" Hiruzen commanded.
With a puff of smoke, the Monkey King returned to his humanoid form, landing lightly beside Hiruzen despite the rocky terrain.
Ōnoki's expression darkened as he floated higher into the air, his body radiating chakra. The humiliation of being forced to retreat was etched into his features.
"I won't let you outwit me again, Sarutobi!" he growled, his hands moving to form seals.
Hiruzen and Enma exchanged a glance. The silent communication between them spoke volumes—a bond forged through years of combat.
As Ōnoki prepared his next move, Hiruzen's hands moved in perfect synchrony with Enma's.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
A powerful gust of wind erupted from Hiruzen, sweeping across the battlefield.
"Fire Style: Flame Bullet!"
Enma followed suit, releasing a blazing orb of fire that merged with the wind.
The combination of wind and fire created a raging inferno that consumed the air, its flames twisting and roaring with intensified fury.
Ōnoki's eyes widened. A coordinated combination attack?!
The blaze engulfed the sky, obscuring Ōnoki's vision and forcing him to retreat further. The heat was palpable even from a distance, and flames licked at the edges of the battlefield, sending embers raining down like fiery snow.
Ōnoki clenched his fists, his frustration mounting. He had to admit—Hiruzen's teamwork with Enma was exceptional. The precise timing and balance of their combined techniques exceeded even his expectations.
The Tsuchikage's hands faltered as he prepared Dust Release. It's pointless. My chakra would be wasted on a target I can't even pinpoint.
As the flames finally began to dissipate, the battlefield returned to an eerie silence. Hiruzen stood tall, his piercing gaze locked on Ōnoki. Beside him, Enma cracked his knuckles, ready for the next move.
The two warriors, old yet unyielding, had proven that their bond and understanding of each other's strengths could rival even the most dangerous adversaries.
Ōnoki, still floating above, glared down at them, his expression a mix of frustration and reluctant respect. The tension in the air was thick as both sides prepared for the next exchange.
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