CHAPTER 48

Unlike Orochimaru and the others, who had ample chakra reserves, the Genin on both sides refrained from using large-scale ninjutsu right away. Instead, they tested each other with thrown ninja tools.

As the six combatants spread out, they tacitly divided into three separate battles. Uchiha Kiyo found himself facing off against Kitsuchi.

The Uchiha clan was known for their mastery of shurikenjutsu, and although Kiyo lacked the Sharingan, his throwing technique was highly refined. Rather than initiating the attack, he waited for Kitsuchi to make the first move. The moment Kitsuchi threw his kunai, Kiyo countered with five of his own.

Five kunai traced elegant arcs through the air. Two intercepted Kitsuchi's projectiles, while the remaining three fanned out to attack from different angles.

"Impressive kunai-throwing technique."

Kitsuchi's pupils narrowed as he saw the incoming blades. But he wasn't caught off guard.

"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"

A sturdy earth wall rose around Kitsuchi, blocking the kunai. The wall wasn't thick, but it was enough to deflect basic attacks.

"Three hand seals for a defensive jutsu? And with minimal chakra consumption?"

Kiyo analyzed the jutsu, comparing it to his own Earth Shield Technique. Kitsuchi's version was more efficient in chakra usage and had stronger defensive properties. Kiyo memorized the hand seals, wondering if he could replicate it later.

"As expected of Kitsuchi, the future master of Iwagakure's earth-style jutsu. His defensive techniques are comprehensive, and I bet he has his own variation of Earth Flow Spears too."

Just as Kitsuchi's jutsu negated his kunai attack, Kiyo finished weaving his own hand seals.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

This time, Kiyo's fireball was not aimed directly at Kitsuchi but at the ground before him. Upon impact, the flames exploded, kicking up a thick cloud of dust.

This was a trick Kiyo had developed—detonating fireballs on contact to obscure vision. It was a tactic he had first used in his fight against Orochimaru after graduating from the Academy.

With visibility reduced, Kitsuchi hesitated before lowering his earth wall. By then, Kiyo had already prepared his next move.

When the dust settled, four identical Kiyos stood before Kitsuchi.

Although shadow clones would have been ideal, Kiyo lacked the chakra reserves to use them efficiently. Instead, he relied on basic Clone Jutsu, which created illusions without physical form. These clones had no substance but could still be moved manually to mislead opponents.

"This is troublesome," Kitsuchi muttered. He preferred straightforward battles, not ones requiring strategy and deception.

The four Kiyos lunged at him, kunai in hand. Kitsuchi remained calm, analyzing their movements. The first Kiyo slashed down at him, but he ignored it, instead swinging his blade at the Kiyo on the left, who had a subtle defensive posture.

"Clang!"

The kunai-wielding Kiyo staggered backward from the impact, confirming Kitsuchi's suspicion—it was the real one.

At the same moment, the three clones disappeared into thin air.

Kitsuchi smirked. "You're not bad, but this isn't enough to win."

He pressed the attack. His sheer strength gave him the advantage in close combat, forcing Kiyo on the defensive. With each swing of his blade, Kitsuchi's power threatened to break through Kiyo's guard.

Meanwhile, Sarutobi Shō faced one of the Iwagakure Genin, relying on taijutsu and kenjutsu to maintain the upper hand while conserving chakra. On the other side, Nawaki Senju overwhelmed his opponent with relentless ninjutsu.

The Iwagakure Genin cursed under his breath.

"How much chakra does this guy have?! He's been spamming ninjutsu non-stop!"

With the battle unfolding, Konoha's Third Squad maintained the advantage—except for Kiyo, who struggled against Kitsuchi's brute force.

Kiyo gritted his teeth. Kitsuchi's raw strength was overwhelming, and missing the first strike had placed him at a severe disadvantage.

Kitsuchi, however, was impressed. "No one my age has lasted this long in a direct fight against me. You're strong."

But that only made Kitsuchi fight harder. His swings grew heavier, targeting Kiyo's weak points with surgical precision. Kiyo was forced backward, struggling to keep up.

Then, Kitsuchi saw an opening. He infused chakra into his blade and lunged forward.

Kiyo, instead of looking panicked, smirked.

"Not good!"

Kitsuchi sensed danger too late. His attack landed, piercing Kiyo's chest—but something was off. There was no blood.

Kiyo gripped the blade with both hands, holding it in place.

Realizing the trick, Kitsuchi instantly let go and leaped backward, but it was too late.

From beneath him, a spike of solid earth shot upward. Even with his agility, he couldn't fully evade it. The attack grazed his leg and waist, leaving a deep, bleeding wound.

The Kiyo he had been fighting crumbled into soil.

The real Kiyo stepped out from behind a nearby tree, smirking.

"So that's how it is…" Kitsuchi chuckled bitterly, clutching his wounds. "I was fighting a mud clone the whole time."

Despite the pain, he grinned. "I don't do well in these kinds of fights. I prefer straightforward battles."

Before the battle could continue, an overwhelming pressure filled the air.

Orochimaru and the Iwagakure Jōnin, Tsuchi, had returned. Their fight had ended inconclusively—both were injured, but Orochimaru, being younger, still had more stamina left.

"We're leaving," Tsuchi ordered, sensing that continuing the fight would be unwise. "This is still Iwagakure's territory. If we escalate things, reinforcements could arrive."

Kiyo lowered his kunai. Seeing no reason to continue, Nawaki and Sarutobi Shō also disengaged.

Kitsuchi, still catching his breath, turned to look at Kiyo.

"A Konoha ninja, huh? A single mud clone was able to fight me to a standstill. Konoha really produces monsters."

With that, the Iwagakure squad withdrew.

As they disappeared into the forest, Kiyo walked over and picked up the weapon Kitsuchi had left behind.

"This blade withstood his monstrous strength… It's worth keeping."

Meanwhile, Kitsuchi limped toward Iwagakure, deep in thought.

"I hope we meet again in battle."