Chapter 86: Come Deceive and Ambush This Little Chunin!
"You guys go ahead, our squad will handle intercepting the pursuers!"
Uchiha Takashi leaped down from the top of the carriage, his eyes briefly glancing at his tactical belt.
Attached to it was a vial containing a shimmering jade-green liquid.
If everything goes as planned, today will be the day the Sage Mode makes its debut.
Uchiha Takashi never intended to keep the Sage Mode a secret.
It's not some shady forbidden technique that can't see the light of day, at most it would just attract a lot of envious eyes.
But as a 'Sage', he naturally has the ability to withstand those gazes.
In fact, he plans to rely on his Sage status to gain a 'voice'.
He doesn't want to remain a mere pawn or a nobody.
In the past, it didn't matter; he preferred it that way because he could lay low in peace.
But now that laying low is no longer an option, he naturally wants to fight for a voice.
"Yes!" All members responded in unison.
Aside from Squad 404 moving in the opposite direction, the convoy and the other three squads sped up towards the Land of Rivers.
"With the convoy around, we might not be able to fight freely!"
On the way back, Uchiha Takashi explained. He wasn't the type to speak in riddles.
A battle involving Kage-level strength would definitely affect the convoy, which would lead to mission failure. So it was better to turn back and intercept, taking the initiative and choosing the battlefield.
The three quickly stopped.
Because the pursuing team appeared before them.
Only seven of them.
Yet their aura was like scorching desert sand, overwhelming.
Especially the leader, a young man with short brown hair, dressed in a black ninja outfit, and sporting panda-like eyes.
Rasa!
Last time, he accompanied the Third Kazekage to Konoha, but due to his low-key personality and popularity far less than Pakura, he remained unnoticed.
But that doesn't mean he's weak.
In terms of strength and intellect, he's no less than Pakura.
He also possesses a 'Kekkei Genkai'.
Magnet Release: Gold Dust!
He can manipulate 'gold dust' using magnetic forces.
As they approached, he spoke.
"Kill them!"
Rasa commanded his six subordinates, his gaze fixed on Uchiha Takashi.
Wind Release: Super Gale Palm! Yamakawa Koji began forming hand seals.
This was an upgraded version of his previous C-rank jutsu, Gale Palm.
With increased output and chakra efficiency, it had undergone a qualitative change, now considered a B-rank jutsu.
Whoosh! A fierce wind kicked up a massive wave of yellow sand, obscuring the view between both sides.
At such a distance and with such a wide-range jutsu, it was unlikely to cause any real damage, serving mainly for control.
At the very least, it forced the six charging Sand Ninja to dodge and concealed their own movements.
The important thing was to coordinate with Hyuga Aotsuki.
With her Byakugan, her vision remained unaffected.
Swish, swish!
Several kunai flew through the swirling sand towards their targets.
Clang, clang!
The sound of metal clashing rang out as the kunai thrown by Hyuga Aotsuki were deflected by the Sand Ninja.
With preparation, even with their eyes closed, they could block, so achieving results with thrown tools wasn't easy, unless there was a special throwing technique.
But these were just a cover.
Hyuga Aotsuki seized the opportunity to close in on a Sand Ninja.
"Gentle Fist!"
She directly used the Hyuga clan's taijutsu.
However, her stance wasn't with her palm, but with her five fingers extended, like a divine weapon thrusting forward.
Thud! The Sand Ninja in front of her was pierced through, armor and all, by Hyuga Aotsuki's delicate, slender fingers.
Yes, this was the secret technique she developed under Uchiha Takashi's guidance.
The Razor's Edge!
By channeling chakra through the arm and rotating it, an unstoppable piercing force is created. It's like having the 'Rotation' technique fixed onto one's arm.
If it were a large-scale Rotation, it would consume a massive amount of stamina and chakra in just a few seconds.
However, by significantly reducing the coverage area, the difficulty of control increases, but the consumption is greatly reduced.
The high-speed rotating chakra turns Hyuga Aotsuki's five fingers into indestructible razors.
Piercing through armor and bodies is just basic operation.
Hmm, what Uchiha Takashi couldn't understand was that even though the Gentle Fist could hit dozens or even hundreds of strikes to seal an enemy's chakra, why not just use a weapon to finish them off?
Thus, this creative idea was born.
And this idea wasn't just a random thought.
At the very least, there was the example of 'Rotation', combined with the Hyuga clan's specialty in precise control, making the emergence of the 'Razor's Edge' secret technique a natural outcome.
The secret technique isn't flashy, but its power is incredibly concentrated.
After nearly shattering an enemy with one strike, Hyuga Aotsuki flung away the opponent's body and darted like lightning towards the next Sand Ninja.
On the other side.
Yamakawa Koji, who had just used a jutsu for cover, punched a Sand Ninja head-on.
Swoosh! However, his waist was also pierced.
Despite the severe injury, his expression remained calm, instead showing a dangerous look.
Crack!
He reached out and crushed the opponent's throat.
Trading injury for life!
His strong survival ability is his advantage, and he naturally uses it. As long as he avoids fatal injuries, he can create a chance for a decisive strike.
Facing these six Sand Ninjas, the biggest challenge wasn't how to win, but how to win without revealing too many special abilities.
As for Uchiha Takashi, he naturally faced off against Rasa directly.
"Flame Cloak!"
He immediately activated this core jutsu.
Whoosh! A large amount of golden-orange flames appeared, forming a thin veil that enveloped him.
"The genius of the Uchiha, last time you escaped, but this time you won't get away!"
Rasa advanced slowly, with the 'living' golden sand behind him.
Gold Dust!
Controlled by his kekkei genkai, these metallic sand particles were his weapon.
With this kekkei genkai, Rasa could even suppress a Tailed Beast in the desert.
In ninja battles, Pakura held her own, but when it came to dealing with large targets, it wasn't her forte.
Moreover, Rasa had another advantage that Pakura couldn't match.
Mining!
The finances of Sunagakure were barely supported by Rasa's use of Magnet Release for mining.
In the future, Sunagakure would choose Rasa as the Fourth Kazekage over the more popular Pakura for these two reasons.
In the original history, the father of Gaara and his siblings was backstabbed by Orochimaru and only appeared in flashbacks and during the Edo Tensei, with little opportunity to shine.
But now, Uchiha Takashi had the chance to face him alive.
Excitement!
This feeling made him 'ignite' with energy.
"Hmph, who says I'll be the one to run?"
He retorted, not backing down despite knowing the opponent was a Kage-level powerhouse (desert-specific).
"Watch out!"
Suddenly, Hyuga Aotsuki's warning rang out.
Whoosh! Upon hearing the warning, Uchiha Takashi instinctively rolled forward, dodging the attack from behind.
It turned out the one speaking to him was a 'Sand Clone'.
The real Rasa had already sneaked behind him to launch a surprise attack.
It could only be said that Rasa truly lived up to his reputation as a cunning strategist, showing no martial ethics by trying to trick and ambush a mere chunin.
Without Hyuga Aotsuki's warning, he might have been at a disadvantage.
However, the ambush was just the beginning.
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust!"
A tidal wave of golden sand surged towards Uchiha Takashi like a furious storm, marking Rasa's true attack.
An epic Kage-level battle had officially begun.
It was also the perfect opportunity for Uchiha Takashi to test his own strength.
(End of Chapter)