"I would be defeated by something like this..."
He coughed and spat out blood, swallowing his words back into his stomach, unwillingly falling from mid-air to land beside Ruri's feet, his eyes closing powerlessly.
"Although it's a bit troublesome, it saves the effort of walking. Who's next?"
Ruri withdrew the Chakra Blade embedded in Akimichi Dodong's chest, flicked it lightly to shake off the blood, and held it in front of her. The red Sharingan coldly scanned the surrounding Konoha Ninjas.
"Dodong!"
A Jonin of the Nara Clan shouted loudly, but the fallen Akimichi Dodong at Ruri's feet could no longer respond to anyone's call, turning into a cold corpse.
"Damn!"
Yet, the Nara Clan Jonin did not let anger cloud his judgment and quickly retreated a safe distance from Ruri.
The surrounding Konoha Ninjas also watched Ruri with wary faces, not daring to let down their guard.
No one expected that just a probing attack would directly evolve into such a situation, resulting in Akimichi Dodong's sacrifice.
Moreover, the ability to condense Chakra Blades, if I recall the intelligence correctly, was supposed to emerge only after Susanoo was activated.
Now, the ability to effortlessly condense Chakra Blades, an ability not revealed in the intelligence reports, led the present Konoha Ninjas to speculate that this must be one of Ruri's hidden abilities.
Swoosh swoosh.
At this moment, two figures retreated to Ruri's side, two of the three Uchiha Ninjas who followed Ruri, with somewhat beleaguered postures and clothes covered in dust.
On Konoha's side, a man with thick eyebrows, somewhat similar to Guy, returned to the Konoha Ninja ranks. Judging by the lesser traces on his clothes, he seemed to have a slight upper hand in the battle against the two Uchiha Ninja Shadow Clones.
"Lady Ruri."
One Uchiha Ninja gasped slightly.
"You all can retreat. I'll handle the upcoming battle on my own."
Ruri never expected these three Shadow Clones to bring her much assistance anyway.
The reason for this arrangement was merely to make it look as if she and Hakushi were executing a strike mission.
Of course, on Hakushi's side, he might fully utilize these subordinate-created Shadow Clones and not waste their opportunity to be present.
"Yes."
Without hesitation, the two Uchiha Ninjas formed a seal with their hands, dispelling the Shadow Clone Jutsu, disappearing beside Ruri into a puff of smoke.
"As expected, those two were also Shadow Clones, feeling a little strange during the fight earlier."
Might Duy furrowed his brow slightly.
One way or another, his ability wasn't at the level where purely using Taijutsu, without employing the Eight Inner Gates, he could handle two Uchiha Clan Jonin.
But if they were Shadow Clones, then everything made sense.
However, with all three Uchiha Ninjas being Shadow Clones, it also brought some suspicion to the Konoha Ninjas regarding Ruri's presence here.
Could she be a Shadow Clone too?
A branch family Jonin of the Hyuga Clan in the team opened the Byakugan and observed for a while, shaking his head helplessly.
The Shadow Clone is a special clone Jutsu that even the Byakugan cannot distinguish between the clone and the real body.
No matter how closely observed, they couldn't confirm whether the Ruri present here was a clone or the real body.
Seemingly guessing the thoughts of the Konoha Ninjas, Ruri patiently explained:
"Rest assured, I'm not a Shadow Clone here. Your encirclement strategy was quite successful. However, from a certain perspective, you are also unlucky because the me here is not a Shadow Clone."
Standing in the midst of the Konoha Ninjas' encirclement, Ruri showed no fear, her cold and deadly aura exploding without warning from within her body, causing the surrounding air to momentarily stagnate.
The surrounding Konoha Ninjas felt suffocated, as if a massive stone were pressing on their shoulders, making it hard to breathe, and all stared at Ruri with heavy expressions.
Just the mere eruption of killing intent brought about a feeling of suffocation on their bodies; if engaged in actual combat, it would undoubtedly be terrifying and incomprehensible.
In the upcoming battle, if momentarily careless, heads might roll. This was the sincere thought in the minds of all present Konoha Ninjas.
"Guy, in the upcoming battle, do not hesitate, or you'll die."
Standing shoulder to shoulder with Guy, Might Duy warned his son with a deep tone.
Though knowing his son once shared a mentor-student bond with the opponent, in such circumstances, neither side could hold back; any hesitation could lead to death.
"I understand, Dad."
Guy clenched his fists, his thick eyebrows furrowing intensely, eyes filled with resolve.
Indeed, if he hesitated now, not only would it put his comrades in mortal danger, but he'd also be scorned by his former master.
In this battle, he must give his all.
"Then, let me attack first, while you and the others cover me! Battling such formidable ninjas will ignite my youthful spirit!"
With these words, Duy released his hands, giving his full strength a jolt.
Unrestrainedly, an unbelievably savage Chakra poured out from Duy's body, scattering the enveloping wind and sand, forming a vacuum-like area.
Through his green tight-fitting suit, Duy's muscles bulged vigorously, full of explosive power.