Chapter 215: The Unparalleled Power of Dust Release
A ninjutsu of such a massive scale was impossible to avoid completely. Even Minato Namikaze, with his incredible speed, was caught in its effects, to say nothing of Kyosuke.
However, the "Mobile Core" technique was designed to alter the terrain and set up subsequent attacks, so it didn't cause any significant damage to either of them.
Kyosuke frowned, scanning the chaotic landscape for any sign of Onoki. "Be careful," he warned Minato. "The old man is about to get serious."
Minato nodded. "We can't just react to his moves. I'll find his location. You look for an opening to attack."
"Alright. But remember, don't get too close to him," Kyosuke added, a note of caution in his voice.
"I know. Dust Release has a ten-meter kill zone. I haven't forgotten," Minato replied with a reassuring smile. Then, he vanished.
The ten-meter range was a crucial piece of intel Kyosuke had gathered during his previous life-or-death battles with Onoki. Within that radius, Dust Release could ignore the normal rules of space and act directly on a target's body. Many of Kyosuke's shadow clones had been instantly annihilated by this surprise attack. Beyond ten meters, however, Onoki had to project the attack as a beam of light from his palms, which was much easier to dodge.
In a way, a speed-type shinobi like Minato was a natural counter to a "turret-style" fighter like Onoki. Although the advantage was slight at their level of power, it was still an advantage. As the saying goes, even the smallest advantage can be decisive. Thus, Minato posed a much greater threat to Onoki than Kyosuke did.
The "Super Mobile Core" technique had been specifically designed to counter Minato's speed.
Kyosuke, on the other hand, was countered by Onoki. While he was fast, he wasn't fast enough to completely outpace Onoki's reactions. And while his Sage Art and Susanoo were powerful, they were still vulnerable to the all-consuming power of Dust Release. That was why he had been so thoroughly suppressed in their previous encounters.
Swish!
Minato's form flickered in and out of existence among the newly formed stone pillars, but without any special sensory abilities, he couldn't pinpoint the Tsuchikage's location.
Suddenly, the entire makeshift canyon began to tremble violently. Then, as if drawn by an invisible force, the entire landmass began to rise into the sky.
"You've got to be kidding me," Kyosuke said, staring dumbfounded at the clouds that were now just a short distance away.
It was clear what was happening. For some reason, Onoki was lifting the entire canyon into the air, just as he had done with the meteor in the original story.
Just as Kyosuke was about to react, a golden flash appeared beside him, and Minato reappeared, a grim look on his face. He hadn't found him.
Kyosuke frowned, debating whether he should activate the sage chakra stored in his curse mark and take the fight to the air. But it was too risky. The wings formed by his snake shadows were far less maneuverable than Onoki. Once they were airborne, they would be nothing but sitting ducks.
"Can you still teleport us back to the ground?" he asked Minato.
Minato shook his head. "All of my kunai are on this rising landmass. I can't leave. And as for teleporting down without a marker..."
He had the same concerns as Kyosuke.
"This is bad..." Kyosuke sighed again, wondering if it was time to play his final trump card. He glanced at the silent Minato, quickly weighing the pros and cons.
Just then, the canyon's ascent began to slow, and Onoki's figure reappeared in the sky above them.
"What's wrong?" he taunted, a mocking smile on his face. "Can't teleport away without your little knives? Did you really think I wouldn't figure out the trick to your jutsu after fighting for so long?"
His words confirmed Kyosuke's suspicions. This was all a trap, designed to isolate them on this floating island. Which meant Onoki had another, even more powerful attack in store, one designed for a single, decisive blow.
Kyosuke's mind was made up. It was better to reveal his hand than to die here.
A sense of calm washed over him. He looked up at Onoki and smiled. "Whatever you have planned, bring it on."
Onoki looked at the two of them for a long moment, then let out a soft sigh. "The talent you two possess is the greatest I have ever seen. If things were different... but it's too late for that now. Allow me to send you on your way with my strongest technique."
With a sharp clap, Onoki brought his hands together. A faint white light began to glow between his palms.
"Grab on to me," Kyosuke said to Minato, his eyes fixed on the impending attack.
Without a word of question, Minato placed a hand on Kyosuke's shoulder, his expression one of complete trust.
Kyosuke gave him a complex look, then turned his gaze back to the sky, waiting.
It was another Dust Release attack, but the sheer amount of power radiating from Onoki and the long charge-up time told him this was on a completely different level.
Finally, the cubic Dust Release in Onoki's hands was fully charged. He gave the two of them one last look, and then unleashed his ultimate attack.
"Dust Release: Detachment from the Primitive World Technique!"
So it's that jutsu, Kyosuke thought, his expression calm as he watched the attack expand rapidly above them.
It was an upgraded version of the Atomic Dismantling Jutsu, with its power and range increased exponentially, and with a sustained effect. In the original story, he had used it to destroy twenty-five of Madara's wood clone Susanoo. Onoki hadn't been lying when he said it was his strongest attack.
The rapidly expanding dome of light quickly enveloped the entire floating canyon. Rock, earth, and grass were all disintegrated into their atomic components.
The power of a single jutsu was terrifying.
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