Naruto: Escape From Konoha

Chapter 150: 146: Air God Strike

Chapter 150: 146: Air God Strike

The barren hills in the Land of Grass were poised for battle.

The sounds of ninja clashes filled the air, resembling the thunderous galloping of thousands of troops. The battlefield echoed with hysterical roars, the release of jutsus, and the sharp hissing of projectiles piercing the atmosphere.

"Earth Release: Earthquake Core."

Kitsuchi took the lead in the battle, commanded the battlefield as he unleashed his earth release jutsu. With the jutsu he caused the ground beneath his feet to surge upward, drawing the attention of all.

He swiftly followed with his second jutsu.

"Earth Release: Rock Fist Jutsu."

This jutsu encased his right hand in an immense, solid rock formation, which he then used to strike forcefully against the raised ground. The massive stones crumbled at a terrifying pace, crashing into the besieging Konoha ninjas, sending them flying and causing them to cry out in pain.

Kitsuchi, as the Iwa Army's commander-in-chief in the Land of Grass, possessed not only strategic brilliance but also huge physical power, ranking among the elite ninja of Iwagakure.

Although there was a gap in power between him and Konoha's Sannin, given the right terrain and environment, the destructive potential of his jutsus should not be underestimated.

What further bolstered his might was a natural, strange power uncommon among regular ninja. Thus, when his earth release and rock fist jutsu unleashed a level of ferocity and brutality like divine intervention, leaving the enemies in pain.

After defeating the Konoha ninjas surrounding him, Kitsuchi led the Iwa ninjas forward, heading towards the upcoming battlefield, where one of Konoha's Sannin, Jiraiya, awaited him.

"Fire Release · Flame Bullet"

Jiraiya released a colossal fireball with the jutsu.

Naturally, Kitsuchi didn't need to fend off the attack himself, as the Iwa ninjas accompanying him swiftly erected a sturdy earth barrier to block the fireball.

"Today is the day you meet your end!" Kitsuchi taunted.

"I'll take your word for it." Jiraiya retorted, a smile on his face.

Following a brief exchange in close combat, Kitsuchi took advantage if his unique strength to momentarily overpower Jiraiya. He then retreated, maintaining a safe distance to avoid the next attack.

He squatted down, planting his hands on the ground. His gaze turned cold and sharp as he shouted,

"Earth Release - Moving Earth Core!"

The ground rumbled, as if a terrifying force was building beneath.

Jiraiya struggled to stay steady on the quaking ground and began forming hand seals when he sensed something strange.

Enormous shadows emerged from either side, two huge hemispherical rock masses closing in on him. Human flesh and blood would hardly withstand such pressure; without proper defenses, these large rocks could inflict fatal injuries.

"Summoning Jutsu!"

A dense white smoke erupted between the two massive rocks. As the smoke cleared, a huge animal shadow came into view.

"Jiraiya, you brat! You always summon me in the strangest places!"

It was a giant toad, holding a massive and sharp short sword while berating Jiraiya. Nevertheless, it efficiently wielded its huge sword to cleave the boulders on either side.

Jiraiya maintained his composure on the toad's head, ignoring the toad's scolding. His gaze remained fixed on Kitsuchi. So far, Kitsuchi had used large-scale earth release jutsu on the battlefield, an especially formidable weapon.

When such a ninja succeeded with this type of ninjutsu, it resulted in significant casualties.

"That troublesome giant toad again?"

While his execution of the Moving Earth Core Jutsu was somewhat lacking in power due to his limited proficiency, the quick response and strength of the giant toad could not be underestimated, especially considering its ability to intercept his attack so rapidly.

With the vast size of the toad, it appears it mist be restricted.

"Why this sudden provocation at this time by Konoha? Is there a hidden agenda?"

Kitsuchi abandoned his initial plan to attack directly, considering Iwagakure's current strategic positioning.

With Konoha in its current dire state, Iwagakure merely needed to apply steady pressure to force a continuous Konoha retreat, negating the need for risky offensive maneuvers. Compared to Konoha, Iwagakure could not afford further losses.

...

"Hmmm?"

Ayane, who had been running through the forest, suddenly stopped. Her attention was drawn to a particular direction, where she detected nine individuals.

Among them were two Root teams, totaling eight individuals, and their leaders. One of them was Shimura Danzo, the head of the Konoha's Shimura clan who had set a bounty of 100 million ryo on her in Iwagakure.

"Nine people, with a combined reward of 140 million ryo. As for this Danzo, I left him alive when I left Konoha last time. It seems I'll take revenge for that arrow from a few years ago."

For Danzo, as the leader of the Root, he and Ayane share a life-and-death enmity.

She will never forget the ordeal when she was betrayed by the Root, almost on the brink of death at the hands of that Suna Group.

If it weren't for the Root's miscalculation of their capabilities and a series of accidental factors, their survival and the ensuing battle for revenge against Konoha and Hyuga would likely not be happening today.

"I'm different from Shiraishi-kun. Women are petty creatures, they must always take their revenge."

However, with the nine people led by Danzo, and her own strength to consider, Ayane questioned whether her plan would succeed.

As the leader of the Root and a disciple of the previous generation's Hokage, Senju Tobirama, Danzo undoubtedly boasted powerful abilities among the Jonin. Additionally, the Root entourage comprised elite individuals, each possessing specialized skills in their respective fields.

She resolved to give it a shot, musing, "Test the waters first, and if it doesn't work, we'll consider a retreat."

While Ayane stood contemplating her next move, Danzo's group rapidly approached her.

"It appears there are sensory ninjas among them, with sensory abilities extending beyond the range of my Byakugan. The fact that they've found me couldn't have been a mere coincidence. Did they vanish earlier because they wanted to determine my approximate location?"

It seemed that Konoha's resolve to eliminate her was more difficult than anticipated. She pondered whether the Hyuga clan had a hand in this.

Overwhelmed by these questions, Ayane opted not to dwell on them for long. She rushed forth toward Danzo.

"Danzo-sama" one of the accompanying sensory ninjas whispered.

"Has the other party started moving?" Danzo inquired.

"Yes.".

"Despite her petite appearance, we must not underestimate her. Be cautious of her Byakugan and Gentle Fists."

Danzo cautioned, his gaze piercing.

"Understood."

"Proceed with the plan. The other party is unaware of our possession of crucial information regarding her. We must use this to our advantage." Danzo declared.

With those words, the eight Root ninjas accompanying him accelerated their pace to draw nearer.

One hundred meters... fifty meters... twenty meters... The gap between the two groups steadily closed until they could clearly discern each other's figures with the naked eye. There was no need for sensory jutsus or chakra perception; both sides could rely on their eyes to pinpoint their opponents' precise locations.

Ayane kept a mental count of the diminishing distance between her and Danzo's group.

In her sights, Danzo's cold and gloomy image was becoming more prominent.

His hands formed hand seals, chakra gathered in his mouth as he readied to execute a jutsu.

The rest of the Root ninjas likewise readied their chakra silently. When they were within ten meters, Ayane abruptly concentrated chakra in her legs, darting forward at an accelerated pace.

Five meters... This distance fell well within the range of her Byakugan. Ayane promptly channelled Senjutsu chakra into her Byakugan, sending forth an unseen, air-penetrating wave of coercion that silently advanced.

Her objective was clear: she needed to eliminate the two Root ninjas first and then leverage her Byakugan's advantage to outmaneuver her enemies within the complicated terrain. This was Ayane's strategic approach.

Her plan seemed to be progressing as intended when a Root ninja launched a ninjutsu attack.

Boom!

The explosion reverberated through the unseen air, creating a storm that widened Ayane's eyes in shock. Her coercion attack had been deflected.

"This guy's jutsu is..."

Ayane was shocked by this development. How could members of the Root be aware of her pupil jutsu's method and range? Konoha's intelligence network should not possess such information about her.

A brief moment of doubt crept into Ayane's mind.

"Could it be ...."

"Wind Release Vacuum Wave!"

A sharp wind, reminiscent of a sickle weasel, shot forth from Danzo's mouth, slicing through the trees on either side. It was a vicious wind that even solid rocks could not withstand, let alone the human flesh and blood.

Ayane had no intention of recklessly taking on such a powerful Wind Release ninjutsu head-on. But, she saw a thin shadow extending from a Root ninja's feet.

Almost instantaneously, a horde of black flying insects swarmed into the sky, obscuring the daylight as they filled the atmosphere.

One of the root ninjas swelled up his arms and pushed towards Ayane's body with his giant hands.

Ayane swiftly stepped back, placing her palms on the ground and raised her arms expressionlessly.

A large earth wall was erected by her palm.

The shadow connected with the earth wall and moved along its surface.

Both the piercing wind and the giant hand had managed to shatter the earth wall. As the swarm closed in, Ayane vanished from her position behind the earth wall.

"The tactical coordination used is good. Against an average ninja, such tactics would result in their defeat in an instant, but these tricks are meaningless before my eyes."

Ayane stood upon a tree branch, fixing her gaze on Danzo and his team.

Danzo remained silent, with only four Root ninjas standing alongside him.

The remaining four took advantage of Ayane's evasion during the previous attack, leaping into the air. Each ninja brandished a kunai and hurled them at the four corners of a square.

The kunai touched the ground at these four points. As they did, a sequence of golden flashes occurred. Each flash was followed by the appearance of a Root ninja at the respective kunai's location.

They were well-prepared.

"Four Purple Flame Formation!"

A colossal cube-shaped barrier of translucent purple materialized, enclosing Ayane, Danzo, and the others within its confines.

Moments later, another golden flash appeared beside Danzo's group.

Namikaze Minato was among those who materialized.

Two other figures accompanied him.

One was Might Dai, instantly recognizable by his thick bushy eyebrows.

The other was a young man in his twenties, bearing the same white eyes as Ayane—Hyuga Hizashi.

"As expected, Sensei's jutsu has been invaluable in dealing with this traitor."

Danzo commented, glancing at Minato with approval.

Despite not being part of his faction, Minato's mastery of the Flying Thunder God Jutsu was the key capable of changing the tides of battle.

The battlefield's dynamics were shifting rapidly.

Ayane was caught off guard by how quickly Konoha's forces had assembled.

Her attention was drawn to the young man with blond hair, who appeared to be around her age. She regarded him thoughtfully and remarked,

"I see. Is this the Flying Thunder God Jutsu? It's indeed a highly convenient ninjutsu. It seems you've gone to great lengths to confront me. The root team sacrificed earlier was merely a bait, deliberately placed to deceive me."

The Byakugan had already revealed the truth to Ayane, making her realize that the root team she had previously eliminated was a deliberate ruse orchestrated by Danzo.

As for how they relayed this information, it was likely through the Yamanaka clan's Mind Transmission Jutsu. Ninjas from this clan were indeed prime candidates for Anbu and Root.

"Your basic fighting style is still the same as before."

Danzo remained composed despite Ayane's sarcastic attitude and responded,

"This was their own choice. They are committed to eliminating any threats to their existence. That is the root's purpose. Furthermore, their sacrifices were not in vain."

"So what? Do you think this can deal with me?"

"We have taken precautions against your pupil power and the power of the Gentle Fist."

The implication was clear: the net Danzo had woven was designed to leave Ayane, the traitor, with no escape.

"As a guest it seems like I need to check how well your preventive measures are working."

After saying these words, Ayane's body disappeared from the branch in an instant.

Danzo and his group promptly dispersed, understanding that Ayane excelled in close combat and would not simply await her opponent's attack.

"Rotation!"

Hyuga Hizashi spun around, forming a chakra ball, and collided with Ayane, who was descending.

The collision produced a resounding explosion, sending Hizashi tumbling through the air before falling down.

Blood flowed from the arms that had expelled the chakra ball vigorously. While this didn't drastically impact the battle, it significantly reduced the power of his Gentle Fist attacks.

But Hizashi understood that Ayane's attack was far more cunning than sheer brute force; she had identified the Rotations weakness, interrupted it in a single breath, and launched a second attack in quick succession.

Such a fierce offensive had surpassed not only him but also the entire Hyuga clan ninjas in terms of cognitive understanding.

The level of her Gentle Fist had reached a realm that was staggering.

Hizashi was shocked at this

"He's also a Jonin from the Hyuga clan, but the gap is so wide."

Seeing this scene, Danzo narrowed his eyes and gained a more concrete sense of the sheer destructive force wielded by Ayane's Gentle Fist.

Even a light brush against such an attack could prove dangerous.

"You're really lucky Hizashi-sama, if i hadn't been blocked, you would have left the stage directly."

Ayane looked at Might Dai, who had blocked her second attack, with a hint of surprise. His body was brimming with green energy that radiated and dissipated constantly. This powerful force could even lift the earth with ease.

"Although I've had heard of the Eight Inner Gates technique, this is the first time I'm seeing it in action." Ayane nodded in acknowledgment of the martial art.

"If you chose to leave this battle..."

The response Might Dai received was a resounding palm strike from Ayane.

The fierce wind generated blew dust and debris from the ground into the air, causing huge cracks to form in the earth from the sheer force.

The Root operatives positioned around responded by using their ninjutsu, coming to the aid of Taijutsu specialist Might Dai in their collective efforts to attack Ayane.

After all, Ayane's extraordinary physicality, superior strength, and speed made her a formidable opponent in the face of her Gentle Fist.

A booming, earth-shaking noise filled the air as the ambient atmosphere became densely compressed. Something was on the brink of being unleashed.

Then, Might Dai moved again, leaving from his original spot at speeds exceeding those of Jonin level Body Flicker. He launched a devastating kick at Ayane.

With each movement of his legs, the ground beneath them bore witness to cracks resembling arcs.

Ayane remained undisturbed by the unseen airwaves exerting pressure on her body, maintaining her composure as this level of attack held no power over her.

With graceful ease, she evaded Dai's assault, disappearing from his line of sight and reappearing behind him. She swung her palm for another attack.

Might Dai reacted quickly, his fist enveloped in green energy colliding with Ayane's palm.

A sonic boom reverberated.

Both combatants stepped back, using the earth as a foothold to raise their heels, applying force to their toes, and engaging in a mirrored attack stance.

Dai couldn't help but think, "I can't break through her defense at all; I'm at a disadvantage."

He was aware that his ability to hold his own against Ayane was only possible because the Root operatives had contributed to their battle. In a one-on-one encounter, he would have already lost the battle.

"What a troublesome situation."

Ayane had two objectives in mind as she engaged in combat with Dai. She needed to keep an eye on the ninjutsu of the Root operatives. Jutsus like those involving insects and shadows could spell trouble once they came into contact.

"Wind Release: Vacuum Waves!"

Danzo seized the right moment and exhaled a substantial amount of Kamaitachi wind that raced along the ground toward Ayane. In comparison to the attacks from the Root operatives, Danzo's choice of timing and the jutsu's range were spot-on.

Ayane clenched her teeth.

"Rotation"

As the sharp wind approached, it was intercepted by her chakra sphere.

This momentary pause provided Dai with a favorable offensive chance. The huge chakra radiating from Ayane's entire body caused an explosive reaction on the spot.

Dai's expression twisted as he rolled backward. His eyes widened in disbelief as he observed Ayane standing unharmed in the field.

"Is this merely compensating for the stiffness after using the Rotation by using the One Body Blow?"

Hizashi discerned that Ayane's approach, involving releasing chakra throughout her entire body, closely resembled the fundamental 'One Body Blow' Taijutsu of the Hyuga clan.

This method involved utilizing one's entire body to emanate powerful chakra and could often serve as an alternative to the Rotation's absolute defense.

Hizashi was observing this approach for the first time. While it sounded simple, it was a challenging jutsu to execute.

Not every Hyuga ninja could mobilize chakra swiftly enough and seamlessly release the 'One Blow' in the brief interval of vulnerability following Rotation. A strong physique and precise chakra control were key requirements.

"Wasting chakra in this manner is a luxury I wouldn't indulge in if it weren't for this dire situation."

Ayane said. Her words underscored her level of commitment to this battle. The moment Ayane spoke, the tension in the air spiked as everyone within immediately became vigilant

"I won't play with you any longer; I intend to end this battle as quick as possible."

Ayane said as she amassed a huge amount of senjutsu chakra in the palm of her hand, a prelude to unleashing a certain jutsu.

"Don't bother!"

Might Dai, shrouded in steaming green energy, darted toward Ayane at a speed almost impossible for human eyes to follow.

"Too slow!"

The atmosphere resonated with a foreboding presence. Every inch of visible terrain was affected by this peculiar force, asif there would be no survivors.

The explosive shockwave, generated by the turbulent chakra flow, was even more deadly than an artillery shell.

Dust and debris filled the air.

As they awaited the dispersal of the smoke, they found that the terrain covered by the Four Purple Flame Formation was no longer suitable for footing.

Ayane stood on top of a rock raised from the earth, her posture nearly unscathed. She became the focal point in the field, amid battered Konoha ninjas.

Danzo retreated with injuries across his body, his arms and torso bleeding significantly. His injuries were severe, and he looked at Ayane with resentment.

Fear of Ayane had reached its peak. Although she had hidden her true abilities, no one had anticipated they were of this magnitude.

Ayane observed Danzo, who retreated without any action, and then scanned her surroundings. Having surveyed the area, she directed her attention to Minato, who had just risen from the rubble. He was the least injured among the Konoha ninjas.

Ayane had already discerned his attack patterns.

"There are a total of twenty-six time-space imprints here, with six on the Root operatives... I won't give you the chance for sneak attacks."

Although she could react with her own nerve response, but letting the other party approach her rashly was tantamount to a kind of gambling.

Compared to the others, Minato was the greatest threat to her.

Minato noticed Ayane's vigilance toward him. He recognized that using his space-time ninjutsu would undoubtedly make him a prime target. However, this was quite troublesome.

All the time-space imprints he left here have been discovered.

And just as Ayane prepared to act, something captured her attention. Her gaze locked onto a particular location.

With the sound of explosions, a deluge of debris was hurled into the sky by the maelstrom of chakra-infused airflow. Meanwhile, the green steam enveloping Might Dai began to change color.

His fluctuating chakra waves expanded, while the dense steam wall gradually solidified, nearing materialization.

"Seventh Gate: Gate of Shock – Open!"

Roaring with an intensity almost like bellow, Dai generated an outward surge of turbulent air, repelling everything in its vicinity.

Minato was momentarily taken aback and marveled at the power of Dai's Taijutsu. No wonder he had been called in for this battle. He might be the only Taijutsu specialist capable of confronting Ayane head-on in this group.

Ayane used her slender body to withstand the sudden, violent airflow and frowned slightly.

There was a distinct shift in Dai's form, which appeared to tremble ever so slightly. At that moment, Ayane's expression changed, and she took a step back.

Dai vanished from view and, upon reappearing, was now before Ayane. A surging wave of air had been harnessed to form a dense shell around him.

A thunderous explosion resonated.

Boom!

While flying, Ayane managed to stabilize herself just before colliding with the barrier.

She narrowly averted being thrown backward. As she regained her balance, she noticed a fresh scratch on the back of her hand, and blood droplets began to emerge.

"Blocked, but not entirely."

The Root operatives watched Ayane in astonishment.

"This is different. Dai's Taijutsu attack was partially offset by Ayane's chakra release. Her body isn't as strong as it seems."

Hizashi, with his Byakugan, was capable of witnessing Ayane and Dai's battle in great detail. He understood that, although Dai currently surpassed Ayane in speed, her ability to expel the chakra air wall from her body at will largely negated Dai's power.

To be honest, a deawn out engagement was disadvantageous for Dai. The Eight Inner Gates was a form of self-harm, resulting in a burst of power over a brief period.

However, from Hizashi's perspective, Ayane was an all-around ninja, an impregnable fortress, and her defensive capabilities negated most of Dai's power, even after he had opened the Seventh Gate. The attacks that landed on her subsequently proved inconsequential.

"In these past few years, aside from the Sharingan woman, you're the first person who has made me bleed." Ayane said with a faint smile on her face, but her eyes remained as cold as ice.

Dai had activated the Seventh Gate, and speaking at this point would only waste energy. He was fully aware that he couldn't sustain this mode for long. Even his own attacks would be nullified by Ayane's Gentle Fist. He knew he had about three minutes before it would become life-threatening, so it wasn't the time to hesitate.

Without a second thought, Dai swiftly retrieved a yellow pill from his ninja pouch and swallowed it whole.

"Taking medicine?"

Ayane narrowed her eyes. She recognized the pill as a secret remedy from the Akimichi clan, known to enhance physical abilities, restore chakra and blood, and slow down physical deterioration.

After ingesting the pill, the blue steam enveloping Dai burned more intensely.

At that very moment, both Dai and Ayane vanished from sight, creating an explosion on the ground.

Ayane's frowned as she struggled to keep up with Dai's speed, realizing her strength was not dominant.

Dai was no better off, with bulging veins visible through his green tights and an unnatural crimson tint to his distorted face.

Even with the secret medicine from the Akimichi clan to mitigate physical strain, he found it challenging to endure the side effects of the Eight Inner Gates.

Ayane knew that if she could survive this round, victory was hers. Suddenly, Dai disappeared from sight. Under her Byakugans's watchful eye, he rapidly lowered his body.

Instinctively, Ayane crossed her arms, redirecting Dai's upward kick from her chin to her arm, but the force still sent her upwards.

Realizing the opportune moment, Minato and Danzo sprang into action. With Dai deprived of his leverage, he could only brace himself for the enemy's onslaught.

"Dai, focus on disrupting her attacks! Don't relax!"

Danzo yelled excitedly as a seal materialized on his palm. He leaped into action, charging towards the momentarily helpless Ayane.

Minato, on the other hand, condensed a small, rotating chakra ball in his hands. He had placed a space-time imprint on Danzo, ready to direct his attacks onto Ayane when Danzo got close.

The outcome of the battle seemed clear. Every move was meticulously observed by Ayane's white eyes. She parted her lips, revealing a serene smile tinged with blood.

Her fingers extended towards a moon-blue metal ring on her neck, which shattered into fragments that fell to the ground.

Her Senjutsu chakra surged within her, and her pure white pupils gazed at the bright blue sky.

'The sun is a bit harsh. Speaking of which, the weather today is also fine.'

In a low voice, she calmly uttered three words:

"Air God Strike."

It was a unique energy fluctuation, existing between the tangible and the intangible, capable of dying the world into shades of black and white.

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