Chapter 140

The white light at Uzumaki Chito's fingertips swelled rapidly, transforming into a white cube identical to Ōnoki's Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique.

In the next instant, the cube expanded suddenly, colliding head-on with Ōnoki's attack.

Ziiiii—

The two beams of white light met in mid-air with no grand explosion, no dramatic sound. They simply canceled each other out in eerie silence.

Yet, the ninjas observing the battle could feel the destructive power hidden within that calm.

At the intersection of the two Dust Release beams, all matter was annihilated, disassembled down to its atomic components. Nothing could survive within that space—not earth, not air, not even life itself.

"Terrifying," Jiraiya muttered, taking a deep breath. His gaze was locked on the clashing beams in the sky, his heart racing with unease.

Even his greatest defensive techniques—such as summoning Iwayado, the massive rock toad from Mount Myoboku—would be utterly useless against this level of power.

In his battles, Jiraiya had relied on the toad's immense durability to block attacks that could obliterate entire landscapes. The Swamp of the Underworld and Rashomon pale in comparison to this raw, unrelenting destruction.

Against these two beams of Dust Release, even his legendary defenses would crumble instantly.

If this was the reaction of one of the Sannin, it was no wonder the other tracking ninjas were utterly paralyzed. They didn't even have the courage to approach. All they could do was observe from a distance, fearful of being caught in the crossfire.

"Such power," one of the ninjas from Konoha murmured, hiding far behind Jiraiya. His thoughts raced as he stared at the spectacle.

"If even a small trace of that energy hits us, we'll be annihilated without a trace."

"But Uzumaki Chito's clone is incredible—this isn't even his real body, and yet he's holding his own against the Tsuchikage."

"No, more than that. He has the upper hand!"

The ninja, a member of the Nara Clan, crouched low, his shadow coiled like a spring ready to release. His expression remained calm, though his heart raced with adrenaline.

Not all reacted as calmly.

The Iwa ninjas cheered loudly for their Tsuchikage, shouting, "Keep going, Lord Ōnoki!"

Meanwhile, the Kumo ninjas glared at Uzumaki Chito's clone with fiery determination, their silence radiating hostility like a pack of wild dogs waiting to strike.

The ninja from Kirigakure, versed in the Silent Killing Technique, kept a low profile, their presence nearly imperceptible.

As for the Sunagakure ninjas, they were far less fortunate. The memory of their comrade's death at Mifune's hands lingered, leaving them unnerved and hesitant.

Up in the sky, Ōnoki gritted his teeth, sweat pouring down his wrinkled face. He pushed his Dust Release to its limits, pouring everything he had into the technique.

But even as he maintained the attack, his eyes were filled with shock and disbelief.

"This… how is this possible?!" Ōnoki growled, his voice low but trembling with fury.

"Uzumaki Chito!" he roared. "How did you steal the secret technique of Dust Release, the pinnacle of our Iwa Ninja Village?"

Uzumaki Chito chuckled, his faint shadow exuding an air of unshakable confidence.

"Steal?" he repeated, his voice dripping with disdain. "What a ridiculous accusation."

"This technique of yours is so basic, it doesn't even require effort to understand. Why would I need to steal something so… primitive?"

Ōnoki's face turned bright red, his fury boiling over. His round cheeks flushed until they resembled a monkey's.

"How dare you!" he shouted.

"Dust Release isn't some basic ninjutsu—it's the pinnacle of our Kekkei Tota, a supreme technique that combines three chakra natures!"

"You—you must have stolen it! There's no other explanation!"

Ōnoki's voice rose as he floated higher into the air, his frustration spilling over.

"You… you conniving thief! Admit it already!"

The Tsuchikage's outburst drew murmurs from the watching ninjas. Suspicious glances turned toward Uzumaki Chito's clone, even from Mifune, whose life had just been saved by the man.

After all, Dust Release was no ordinary technique—it was a signature ability of the Tsuchikage, one that had gained fame through three ninja wars.

For Uzumaki Chito to dismiss it as "primitive" and claim he had mastered it without effort seemed almost too arrogant to believe.

Even Jiraiya, who regarded Uzumaki Chito with the utmost respect, found himself uneasy at the accusation.

But Uzumaki Chito's clone simply smirked. His response was sharp and dismissive:

"Ignorance."

The single word cut through the air like a blade.

Ōnoki, already incensed, flared with a mixture of pride and fury. Meanwhile, the observing ninjas bristled at Uzumaki Chito's dismissive tone, their skepticism deepening.

Only Ōnoki, feeling a rare moment of triumph, quietly wiped the sweat from his forehead while the attention remained fixed on the shadow of Uzumaki Chito.