Chapter 214: The Pressure of a Jonin
Chapter 214: The Pressure of a Jonin
Whoosh!
Just as Kakashi and the others were sprinting northward with all their might, a figure with lightning flashing from his feet caught up to them.
Berkley was incredibly fast, and each time Obito looked back, he could see the pursuer gaining on them.
Shushushushushushu!
Both Obito and Kakashi drew shuriken from their ninja tool pouches and threw them at Berkley.
Berkley swiftly unsheathed the sword on his back, slicing through the incoming shuriken, and then, with a lightning-fast movement, he teleported past Kakashi's group, appearing in front of them.
"Be careful with this guy; he might be a Jonin." Kakashi unsheathed his White Fang and said gravely.
While the evaluation of ninja ranks considered more than just strength, typically, higher-ranked ninja possessed the power to crush those of lower ranks.
Of course, this was generally speaking. There were special cases like Obito and Might Guy, who, despite being only trainee ninja and not even genin, had strength surpassing that of many chunin.
Kakashi wouldn't be too worried if they were facing seven or eight chunin, but Jonin were different. Every ninja who achieved the rank of Jonin was exceptional, a pillar of strength in any ninja village. It was no exaggeration to say that a typical Jonin could slaughter a typical chunin without the slightest resistance.
Jonin were masters of the three fundamental ninja skills - ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu. They had no apparent weaknesses, boasting extensive mission experience and combat prowess. Each Jonin was an elite warrior.
"Hehe, indeed I am a Jonin of the Cloud Ninja Village. If you know what's good for you, surrender now, or else my Lightning Sword will bring you great pain." Berkley laughed arrogantly, looking down on Kakashi's group.
Although Kakashi and the others had used transformation techniques, they had only altered their appearances and not their heights, still appearing as children around nine years old.
Obito and Might Guy silently entered a breathing technique state, knowing that surrender was not an option. Since they couldn't escape, they had to fight!
With Berkley blocking their path, the Cloud Ninja Village's chunin quickly caught up, sandwiching Kakashi's group from both sides.
Kakashi's thoughts raced as he quickly whispered, "Guy, you handle the Cloud ninja from behind. I'll take on this stronger one with Obito. Do your best to finish off your opponent quickly and come help us."
Although they hadn't clashed yet, Kakashi guessed from the pursuit speeds that the one chasing them from behind was relatively weaker.
Kakashi's plan was for Might Guy, the physically strongest and most explosive among them, to swiftly take out one enemy, and then they would gang up on the suspected Cloud ninja Jonin.
"Conserve your chakra and stamina. Stall for time as much as possible until Guy finishes off his opponent, and then we'll strike together," Kakashi immediately whispered to Obito.
Even Obito had no objections to Kakashi's commanding tone, as Kakashi indeed had more experience when it came to being a ninja.
"Looks like you've chosen a painful death," Berkley said, seeing his reinforcements arrive. He raised his sword and charged forward. "Attack!"
Hearing Berkley's command, the Cloud ninja didn't hesitate and immediately rushed toward Kakashi and the others.
Might Guy, Asuma, and Kurenai shared a glance and nodded. Might Guy headed toward the Cloud ninja, while Kakashi and Obito prepared to face Berkley.
"Rock Breathing, Total Concentration Breathing!" Might Guy instantly entered the state of Total Concentration Breathing, inhaling a large amount of air into his body. The air, imbued with chakra, coursed through his body, strengthening and fortifying it.
"Eight Inner Gates, First Gate: Gate of Opening! Open!" Might Guy immediately activated the Eight Inner Gates, unleashing a surge of chakra within his body. He then used this enhanced chakra to empower his breathing technique, further augmenting his physical strength.
In just a single breath's time, Might Guy's aura skyrocketed, even causing the charging Cloud ninja to hesitate.
The Cloud Ninja Village's Chunin exploded with chakra and threw a punch to meet Guy's whirlwind kick.
Boom!
A dull thud reverberated as the Cloud ninja took half a step back, while Guy stumbled back two steps.
"To possess such strength at this age, you're indeed a genius." The Cloud ninja's eyes lit up with excitement; defeating a genius would be all the more satisfying.
"Damn, this opponent is stronger than I expected," Guy's expression grew solemn.
Although he hadn't put his full strength into that kick, the Cloud ninja before him hadn't exhibited any extraordinary techniques either.
Guy was confident in his abilities and believed he could defeat this opponent. However, Kakashi needed him to win quickly so he could provide backup.
Guy glanced sideways at Obito and Kakashi with his peripheral vision. Despite their two-on-one advantage, they were being relentlessly pushed back by Berkeley, completely overwhelmed.
Guy felt the weight of responsibility on his shoulders. If he didn't finish off his opponent soon, Obito and Kakashi would surely be injured; their opponent was just too strong.
Guy focused his breathing, his eyes hardening with determination. He sprinted forward, channeling all his power into his legs.
The stakes were higher now, and he would need to summon corresponding strength.
"Super Sand Hidden Strong Whirlwind!"
Guy roared, his eyes fixed on the Cloud ninja as he concentrated all his power into a single point. This strike was even more powerful than the kick that had defeated Kakashi!
"Thunderclap Kick!"
The Cloud ninja channeled a massive amount of chakra into his leg, infusing it with lightning-based nature transformation to enhance his kick's power, and then lashed out.
BOOM!!
The two powerful legs collided, creating a fierce storm that bent the nearest trees.
They each stumbled back four steps from the force of the impact.
Guy clenched his fists. The worst-case scenario had occurred; his opponent was no pushover, and he couldn't finish him off quickly.
The situation on Obito and Kakashi's side was already looking grim. Guy and the Cloud ninja were evenly matched, but Obito and Kakashi were being completely dominated.
Kakashi's swordsmanship was ineffective against Berkeley, who was just too fast. If it weren't for Obito entering the Total Concentration Breathing state to assist, Kakashi wouldn't be able to hold his ground at all.
Kakashi and Obito tried to buy time, but Berkeley's Ninjutsu was too swift, leaving them no choice but to grit their teeth and endure.
Kakashi barely managed to deflect a series of attacks and quickly glanced at Guy to assess his situation. What he saw filled him with despair—Guy's opponent was also strong, and Guy couldn't finish him off quickly.
"How can we win?" Kakashi wondered desperately.
But before his mind could wander further, Berkeley's sword was upon him again.
"Is this the power of a Jonin?" Obito felt the immense pressure emanating from Berkeley and gained a deeper understanding of Mu Yue's strength.
Even with their combined efforts, he and Kakashi could only barely hold their own against Berkeley. Meanwhile, Mu Yue had effortlessly defeated an opponent with a single ninjutsu.
Obito's worries shifted to Mu Yue. How formidable must her opponent be to cause her to look so grave?
The oppressive might of Berkeley snapped Obito out of his thoughts. Only now, facing a Jonin, did he truly grasp the extent of their power.
(End of Chapter)
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