Chapter 316: The Uchiha Siblings

The moment Ye Zi's clone appeared, he killed three Konoha shinobi with lightning speed.

Just then, a shadow crept across the tree like a small snake, silently moving toward Ye Zi's clone's feet.

This was the Nara Clan's Shadow Technique, cast by Shiozumi Nara. Positioned nearby when Ye Zi arrived, he immediately attempted to bind Ye Zi's clone with his shadow.

Sensing the attack, Ye Zi's clone glanced down, then leapt into the air, avoiding the shadow and throwing a lightning-charged longsword at Shiozumi. The sword wasn't Chijin, it was just a regular blade, but it was still sharp, enhanced with lightning chakra and strength.

The sword, like a spear, shot toward Shiozumi, who was half-crouched, hands forming a seal, and his expression changed in shock as he couldn't dodge in time.

Without looking back to confirm the outcome, Ye Zi's clone landed on another tree branch and lunged toward a nearby sword-wielding ninja.

"Just showed my face and this happens," Shiozumi thought, his lament flashing through his mind even faster than the oncoming blade.

A swarm of black insects writhed under Shiozumi's tree branch and, at a critical moment, gnawed through the tree trunk.

The trunk cracked, sending Shiozumi tumbling down just in time to avoid the sword thrown by Ye Zi's clone, which shattered in mid-air before hitting anything.

"Though the rescue was a bit rough, I'm safe," Shiozumi thought, surprised as he glanced at the scattered black insects below. Smiling bitterly, he gestured a thank you to Shikuro, who adjusted his posture mid-air and landed safely.

Had Ye Zi's clone seen this, he would have taken note of Shikuro Aburame, cloaked in a robe and wearing sunglasses. Using insects to bite through the tree and drop Shiosui to dodge the thrown blade required precise foresight rather than on-the-spot reaction.

However, Ye Zi's clone was preoccupied; after throwing the sword, he approached the sword-wielding Konoha shinobi, evading a few slashes before grabbing and crushing the ninja's throat with one hand and seizing his sword.

This new sword was of better quality than the one he'd thrown and, most importantly… could conduct chakra.

Crackle!

Lightning rippled over Ye Zi's body, charging the blade as his cold, dark eyes fixed on his enemies.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

At that moment, the Rain ninja finally arrived, scattering through the forest.

On the other side, Sasori once again obstructed the Konoha shinobi who wanted to support Sakumo. Dodging their combined ninjutsu, he then backed away.

Now, the apparent difference in numbers was no longer significant.

The Konoha shinobi wanting to support Sakumo could only frown, regrouping with their companions to face the Rain ninja.

"I'll leave this to you."

Sasori's voice was firm as the poisoned spikes he had gathered sprayed toward the Konoha shinobi like a rain of needles. He then moved along the edge of the battle, preparing to go support Ye Zi.

Without a word, Ye Zi's clone, Jūzō, and the Rain shinobi responded with action.

The Konoha shinobi blocked the spikes once again, and the Rain shinobi engaged them head-on. Neither side held back, and a fierce battle broke out.

Various elemental jutsu clashed destructively throughout the forest, felling trees even before striking the fighters themselves.

Jūzō, wielding his Executioner's Blade, fought like a berserker, pressing several Konoha shinobi into close-quarters combat.

Both sides became entangled, each side intent on preventing the other from making any further moves.

"So, this is only a clone? Even so…" Ninashi's Sharingan focused on Ye Zi's clone, whom he had been watching closely since its appearance.

"Kōri, now!"

At his call, Kōri Uchiha nodded in understanding and charged at Ye Zi's clone.

With her Sharingan, Kōri felt confident in her ability to avoid Ye Zi's sword attacks in close combat.

Using pure taijutsu, she rushed forward and unleashed a powerful punch at Ye Zi, her fist glowing with chakra.

Though the punch was fast and forceful, it was nothing Ye Zi's clone couldn't handle. He had numerous ways to deflect her strike and kill her in one move.

With a cold expression, Ye Zi's clone raised his sword to slash at Kōri's fist, but she didn't falter in her strike.

From a short distance, Ninashi's Sharingan suddenly glinted, and Ye Zi's chakra flow faltered momentarily, causing his blade to pause mid-swing.

"Even with precautions, he still got caught."

Ye Zi's clone immediately realized he was under a genjutsu and quickly stabilized his chakra flow. But despite his rapid recovery, his blade had stalled just long enough to be unable to counter Kōri's punch, so he blocked it with his free hand instead.

Thud!

With a heavy blow, Kōri's punch connected with Ye Zi's hand, sending him flying back.

This was a standard tactic between the Uchiha siblings, and Ye Zi knew it well. Despite his awareness of the trap, he had still been ensnared by Ninashi's genjutsu, a testament to his skill.

If not for Ye Zi's resilience against genjutsu and his quick dispelling, a typical person would have taken Kōri's punch to a vital point, unlike Ye Zi, who could still defend.

After knocking Ye Zi's clone back, Kōri landed in his previous position, launched herself into the air, and pursued him relentlessly.

Smoke rose from her hand, which was visibly red and swollen, indicating her strength.

Seeing Kōri closing in, Ye Zi's clone's eyes flashed with cold intent as he prepared to dodge her next assault.

Kōri's kick aimed for Ye Zi's clone's neck with a loud thud, only to hit a log instead.

"A substitution…" Kōri muttered as the log shattered under her kick, and she landed on a lower branch.

"Kōri, he's at your two o'clock, forty meters out," Ninashi called out.

"Got it."

Without hesitation, Kōri dashed in the direction her brother indicated, and Ye Zi's clone appeared from behind a tree.

"You won't escape. I'm much stronger now!"

Kōri charged forward, her fist slicing through the air and striking Ye Zi's clone in the face.

"Die!"

Her black eyes were filled with icy determination. This was the mindset one should have when facing an enemy, and all the complicated feelings she'd once had for this man would dissipate with this punch—even if it was just a shadow clone, it symbolized her resolve.

Crackle!

Ye Zi's clone's head shattered, transforming into tendrils of lightning that clung to Kōri's body.

"A lightning clone! He avoided my brother's eyes," Kōri thought, pausing in surprise, unaware that the lightning tendrils from the clone hadn't dissipated yet.

"Kōri!"

Ninashi's brow furrowed as he realized he'd been deceived. His expression shifted as he dove forward, barely dodging a slash aimed at his back, then turned and quickly launched a fireball.

Ye Zi's clone had appeared behind him at some point, but Ninashi's sharp instincts helped him evade the ambush.

After the failed ambush, Ye Zi's clone charged into the fireball, slashing it apart as he advanced on Ninashi.

"A direct confrontation? Perfect!" Ninashi's face twisted with cold intent.

Fire Release: Hiding in Ash and Dust Technique!

Opening his mouth, he exhaled a dense gray smoke toward Ye Zi. The smoke, infused with chakra, was composed of tiny explosive particles.

Ye Zi's clone entered the smoke, which began to emit faint explosions and rapidly grew to intense heat.

During this moment, Ninashi's Sharingan darted around, continuously pulling back to distance himself and hoping to reunite with Kōri.

He didn't believe that this Fire Release alone would be enough to take down Ye Zi's clone.

Check out the patreon and get 55 chapters in advance -> SaintXI

Currently on Chapter 371 - Kisame Hoshigaki