CHAPTER 112

At that moment, Kitsuchi—known as Loess to his comrades—narrowed his eyes in surprise and growing frustration.

The Uchiha brat—Kai, was it?—was completely different from the last time they'd crossed paths.

His speed was far beyond what Kitsuchi remembered. This wasn't the same genin who used to hesitate behind the others. Now, his movements were precise, seamless, and most alarming of all—fast enough to challenge Kitsuchi's hardened earth defenses.

If Kitsuchi hadn't anchored himself with Earth Release: Earth Spear and kept up a relentless offensive to suppress the Uchiha's counterattacks, he might've already been buried in his own grave.

That was a sobering thought.

He grudgingly acknowledged it—the Uchiha clan's physical and visual prowess was truly exceptional. No wonder this boy was the one who took down Kaori and dismantled Shishui Hiiragi's team. But even so—this wasn't Kitsuchi's limit.

He wasn't just a brawler; his mastery over Earth Release was on a level that even the elite of Iwagakure respected.

As Kai's hand shimmered with a crackling arc of lightning, Kitsuchi scoffed. This wasn't Might Guy he was facing, and he had no intention of making the same mistake others did—focusing only on the eyes.

The Chidori surged, but Kitsuchi stepped back coolly, his hands forming seals with experienced precision.

"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"

A massive wall erupted between them with a thunderous rumble.

Kai didn't hesitate. He rammed his left hand straight through the wall, Chidori flaring as it pierced—only for Kitsuchi's chakra to reinforce the wall in real-time. The lightning crackled, but the wall stood firm. The sparks fizzled out against the hardened earth.

A sharp pop, like a wet wire shorting in a rainstorm. Then silence.

Kai withdrew his hand slowly, shaking off the static. "Still not Chidori Stream," he muttered. "Kakashi hasn't finished developing that yet…"

Kitsuchi grunted, lips tightening.

He'd been baited—lured into reinforcing his own wall against a technique that lacked the necessary voltage to destroy it. Clever brat.

But the Uchiha's speed and pressure were real. Kitsuchi couldn't afford any more missteps.

Taking a deep breath, he lunged, chakra flaring. His stone-covered arm smashed through his own earth wall like paper.

Boom!

Stone fragments exploded outward in a storm of debris. Kai backstepped instinctively, Sharingan tracking every motion. His hands blurred.

"Fire Style: Dragon Fire Technique!"

A searing gout of flame burst from the ground like a lunging serpent, forcing Kitsuchi back. Kai didn't stop—his blade was out in a flash, chakra running along its edge in a humming, blue sheen.

He slashed at Kitsuchi's arm, but it struck solid stone—Earth Spear again. That hardened skin could repel most bladed attacks.

But Kai wasn't done.

"Lan-chi."

The blade screamed with electricity, a concentrated burst of lightning erupting from its edge.

The sudden jolt surged through Kitsuchi's body—partly burned from earlier, and now crackling with electricity. He staggered back, the stone armor on his arm cracking slightly under the stress.

Blood dripped, bright red against the dull brown of his armor. But Kitsuchi didn't flinch.

While retreating, he launched a wave of earthen spikes toward Kei, using the debris as cover.

Kai gritted his teeth. "Damn turtle."

He'd fought across every front in this war—clashed with Suna in the Land of Rivers, battled Kumo in the Land of Hot Water, and now was holding his ground against Iwa in the Land of Grass. And yet, among all Hidden Villages, Iwa's defense techniques were by far the most stubborn.

Still, Kai wasn't panicked. He had a trump card reserved for this kind of stubborn brute.

As he dodged the latest earth technique—Earth Release: Moving Earth Core, a terrain manipulation jutsu meant to collapse footing—Kai landed nimbly and readied his next move.

He glanced at the battlefield. Still no word from Kakashi… And if Obito's under Madara now… Black Zetsu could be watching. But he forced the thoughts aside. There was no time to hesitate.

Then he saw it—Kitsuchi's hands, forming seals—but slower. Was he tiring?

Kai narrowed his eyes. Something was off.

Without hesitation, he flicked three kunai toward Kitsuchi, angling them off rocks midair to target his blind spot.

But Kitsuchi had anticipated it. Reinforced by his chakra, the projectiles were deflected just enough.

The instant Kai landed again, his feet sunk—a swamp?!

"Earth Release: Quagmire (Swamp of the Underworld)!"

His instincts screamed. The entire ground turned to sludge beneath him, immobilizing his movements. Kai's eyes darted up—just in time to see stone fragments in the area merging, forming two massive rock domes.

"No way…"

Kitsuchi's grim smile widened.

"No one escapes the mountains. You'll rest in the crevice between the giants, Uchiha."

Kai recognized it immediately. "Earth Release: Mountain Jutsu…"

Massive chakra. Massive scale.

"You really planning to use that on a single opponent?" Kai muttered, eyes narrowing. "This jutsu—could even suppress a Tailed Beast…"

Kitsuchi's gaze hardened. "You should feel honored. You're worth it."

Kai, trapped, chakra surging around him, smirked.

"Uchiha Kai. Remember the name. And don't think you've won yet."