Uchiha Kiyo had an idea early in the morning about the fusion of the five chakra natures.
Long before he established his foundation, he had put forward theories on this subject but had not delved into practical research.
"There is no so-called mutual generation of the five elements in the ninja world. What exists is only the mutual restraint among the five elements. According to my theory, if one wishes to integrate the five chakra attributes, it is necessary to understand the order of mutual generation."
"Wind overcomes thunder, thunder overcomes earth, earth overcomes water, water overcomes fire, and fire overcomes wind. It forms a cycle."
Uchiha Kiyo drew a pentagon on a piece of paper, writing the five attributes at each corner in the described order.
"The mutual generation and mutual restraint are like a pentagon and a five-pointed star overlapping each other. When the mutual restraints are mapped out, the pattern of mutual generation becomes much easier to deduce."
Saying that, Uchiha Kiyo drew a five-pointed star connecting the vertices of the pentagon.
"This should be the correct order, although the directional flow is unclear — which attribute on the line generates which attribute. However, verifying just one relationship, say between Thunder and Fire, would allow the rest to be inferred logically."
In truth, Uchiha Kiyo was not entirely confident. After all, these were concepts from his previous life. While the ninja world had concepts of elemental interaction, the chakra natures — Water, Fire, Earth, Wind, and Lightning — differed from traditional elements like Metal and Wood.
However, since advanced chakra natures like Wood Release and Metal Release were formed through elemental fusion — with Wood Release itself being a combination of Earth and Water, and Metal Release a rarer derivative — Kiyo felt a renewed confidence.
The basic elemental properties did seem to follow similar laws after all.
---
Meanwhile...
"Fire Release: Blasting Fist!"
A ball of fire burst into existence under Obito's feet, propelling his body forward, his right arm simultaneously being enveloped in swirling flames.
The flames spiraled around his arm and then focused onto his clenched fist.
Boom!
With a thunderous punch, flames erupted outward, and the Sand shinobi before him was struck viciously, blood spurting forth, filling the air with the scent of scorched flesh.
Huff, huff...
The technique came with a heavy toll. Obito's chakra was depleted rapidly, and his feet had suffered burns from the explosion's shockwave despite his improved chakra control.
Even as he gasped for air, Obito grinned at Kakashi, his expression filled with stubborn pride.
The Sand ninja he defeated was no pushover — a chunin, likely with the strength close to an elite chunin. Obito's ability to defeat him demonstrated his improving combat ability.
Of course, battlefield conditions contributed too. The enemy was already exhausted, having likely faced numerous fights before encountering Team Seven. In war, it was common for a weaker shinobi to slay a stronger one through sheer opportunism.
Kakashi simply rolled his eyes, offering no praise.
After continuous battles, Team Seven's reserves were severely depleted. Following the recent skirmish, the trio each retrieved a soldier pill from their pouches, swallowing them to quickly replenish chakra and stamina.
"Recover quickly! Another wave is incoming!" Kakashi warned between ragged breaths.
Huff! Huff!
Less than five minutes after they began recovery, another Sand squad located them.
Even though the recent battle had been small, the disturbance was clear, and Team Seven had no time to erase the evidence. Their location was practically marked for discovery.
Kakashi reacted first. He shoved Obito sideways and performed a swift backflip to dodge two kunai that zipped toward him.
Three Sand shinobi appeared, their chakra signatures strong and steady. Kakashi's heart sank.
Three chunin — and by sensing their chakra levels, they were stronger than the ones before. Worse yet, one of them radiated chakra on par with a Tokubetsu Jonin.
At present, Kakashi himself was still just a chunin, and not particularly close to jonin level yet. The pressure was suffocating.
"Obito, Rin! Take the two weaker ones! I'll handle the strongest!" Kakashi ordered crisply as he charged forward, sword drawn.
In close-quarters combat between chunin, taijutsu and reaction speed often decided outcomes. With chakra conservation vital on the battlefield, physical confrontations became essential.
Rin and Obito immediately followed, forming hand seals even before reaching their targets. They understood Kakashi's urgency — unless they finished quickly, Kakashi would be overwhelmed.
"Water Release: Water Arrow Technique!"
Rin summoned the humidity from the River Country's dense air, condensing it into a barrage of sharp water arrows aimed at the enemy.
Thanks to the region's abundant moisture, her Water Release techniques were significantly enhanced.
With Rin's attack serving as cover, Obito charged in.
As the enemy chunin dodged the water arrows, Obito unleashed his technique.
"Fire Release: Blasting Fist!"
Flames swirled and focused around Obito's right fist. This time, he poured everything into the attack.
A perfect, concentrated punch landed squarely on the Sand ninja's chest.
The flames detonated with a blast, carving a charred hole straight through his enemy.
Without hesitation, Obito endured the burning pain on his own arm, rechanneled chakra into his feet, and dashed toward the second Sand ninja.
Another spinning, fiery punch was launched.
But this time, the opponent had managed to recover from Rin's water attack.
"Earth Release: Hardening Technique!"
The Sand ninja hastily reinforced his body with hardened earth chakra.
Bang!
Obito's punch still blasted the opponent backward, but thanks to the Earth Release defense, the injuries were not fatal.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Seeing their comrades being taken out so fiercely, the Sand leader made his move.
He exhaled a powerful gale directly toward Team Seven, intending to disrupt and separate them.
"Wind Release: Gale Palm!"
Channeling wind chakra into his palm, he struck at Kakashi with explosive force.
Kakashi crossed his sword to block, but was still blown away, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
The opponent's strength was clear — a true Tokubetsu Jonin, superior in both physical might and ninjutsu.
"Kakashi!" Obito and Rin shouted anxiously, bracing themselves against the wind as they fought the two other Sand ninjas.
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"
Suddenly, a hardened spear of earth erupted from the ground beneath the wounded Kakashi.
Alerted by Obito's warning, Kakashi pushed off the ground with his hands, rolling to the side just in time.
Even so, his right arm and abdomen were grazed, blood staining his clothing.
Another enemy?!
Hidden among the Sand ninja, another figure flashed briefly.
Ma Jia, who had been observing from the shadows, immediately noticed the anomaly.
Root!
This intruder, though dressed as a Sand ninja, gave off no trace of battlefield exhaustion. Worse, his movements were too purposeful — he targeted Team Seven directly without hesitation.
Ma Jia's keen sensory abilities confirmed it: the attacker was from Konoha's Root division.
"Damn it! What the hell is Danzo doing now?!" Ma Jia cursed inwardly, clenching his fists.
Everywhere there was trouble, Danzo's shadow lurked.
Team Seven hadn't provoked him at all, yet here was Root, disguised as enemy shinobi, assassinating their own allies on the battlefield.
The rage in Ma Jia's chest burned.
Although this ambush wasn't as blatant as the large-scale Root attack that had once besieged Uchiha Kiyo, it was no less disgusting.
Danzo's tactic was simple — use his authority to track Konoha ninjas' movements, and send assassins disguised as enemy troops to eliminate them quietly.
In war, deaths were expected. Root operatives would leave no evidence behind.
Yet, in the end, it was still an act of betrayal: attacking comrades during wartime.
Danzo Shimura's methods truly knew no bottom.