After Sailing with the Pirate King, I Returned to Konoha - 210

Chapter 210: "Do You Want to Dance Too?"

Ōnoki, being hurled toward the ground by Naruto, didn't panic. At this speed, using Dust Release to sever the Adamantine Sealing Chains was impossible. The chains also restricted chakra flow, severely limiting his options. Simple techniques were all he could manage.

That's all I need.

"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld."

Ōnoki didn't need hand seals for such a basic jutsu. The ground transformed into mud, and he sank into it. The soft earth absorbed the impact entirely.

Of course, this was also thanks to Naruto holding back. If it were other ninja getting close to him, they'd inevitably have a few holes opened in them.

"Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique."

Iwagakure was the village most skilled in Earth Release, especially under its Kage's leadership. Even with a partially restricted chakra, Ōnoki still swam through the earth like a stubborn fish. Using the ground to obscure vision, he finally executed Dust Release. White beams shot from underground, severing the Adamantine Sealing Chain binding him.

When Ōnoki emerged from the ground, he found even more chains waiting for him. Naruto floated calmly in the air, sending out a wide net of chains to trap him.

During their earlier fight, Naruto had sensed that this old man's body wasn't as tough as the old monsters from his previous world. He also remembered they were here to cooperate, not destroy the village. What if I accidentally kill the Tsuchikage?

Besides, for this "high attack, low defense" artillery-type ninja, Naruto couldn't work up any enthusiasm. He'd originally thought the opponent would be a close-combat fighter like the Raikage.

"Don't underestimate me!"

Looking at those chains, Ōnoki knew he couldn't be caught. One chain already restricted so much chakra. Being completely wrapped up would leave him unable to access any chakra at all.

His palms thrust forward, chakra surging.

"Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique!"

Instantly, white light far brighter than before erupted, forming a cube. Everything enveloped within disintegrated into molecular dust. Even the chakra-formed Adamantine Sealing Chains weren't spared.

Dust Release, a Kekkei Tōta combining Wind, Earth, and Fire chakra nature transformations, ranked among the most devastating attacks in the current ninja world. Unfortunately, this ability required preparation time before activation, making it nearly impossible to hit Naruto, who possessed Observation Haki.

Events proved this correct. Watching the Adamantine Sealing Chains caught in Dust Release crumble to dust alongside Naruto, who vanished like a clone, Ōnoki's aged face went blank.

Can't escape, can't hit. What a pain.

This was the most frustrating situation Ōnoki had ever encountered.

"Old man, stop this pointless resistance, or I'm worried I'll accidentally kill you."

When Naruto said this, his tone held genuine concern. But to the surrounding listeners, it sounded like mockery mixed with threats. This was naturally a misunderstanding on their part.

"Naruto Uzumaki..."

By now, Ōnoki naturally understood the opponent's identity. This elder who'd survived from the era of the Second Tsuchikage until now considered many possibilities. He half-believed Konoha's warning, and regarding Naruto's purpose here, Ōnoki developed his own interpretation.

No one held a bigger grudge against Konoha from the last ninja war than the Hidden Cloud and Iwagakure. More precisely, a grudge against Naruto's father, Minato Namikaze.

The Hidden Cloud fared better, with just the AB Combination's narrow defeat to Minato. Iwagakure actually lost over a thousand ninja. This nearly destroyed Iwagakure's next generation, even forcing them to issue the order "Encountering Yellow Flash permits mission abandonment."

Because of this, after seeing his son beaten in combat, Ōnoki believed Kitsuchi's words without much thought.

"Seems you've already surpassed your father."

In terms of threat level alone, Ōnoki understood he couldn't restrain the opponent by himself. More crucially, this kid was still so young! When he died and Iwagakure faced talent gaps, Konoha would still possess such a formidable force.

"Hahaha, is that so?"

Hearing Ōnoki say he'd surpassed his father, Naruto just took it as praise, scratching his head sheepishly.

Just then, Iwagakure's other elite ninja finally reached the battlefield. Unable to fly, their legs practically smoked from sprinting.

"The Tsuchikage is under attack!"

"Long-range squad, prepare!"

"Explosive squad! Go!"

Seeing this, Ōnoki's face lit up. Hmph, foolish Konoha jinchūriki. I was waiting for reinforcements. What were you waiting for?

Seeing this, Karin, Killer Bee and others immediately assumed combat stances, ready to respond to the opposing ninjutsu barrage. Jiraiya, who'd watched everything unfold, felt a massive headache coming on. He didn't understand why things had turned out like this.

Fortunately, he knew the best approach to take.

"Naruto!"

When Naruto heard Jiraiya's voice, he turned toward him. The rock bullets, earth dragon projectiles and similar attacks flying at him were all ignored.

"Use that to knock them unconscious in one shot!"

Jiraiya meant Naruto's technique that could make those with weak wills pass out.

"Okay!"

Below, hearing this exchange, Ōnoki frowned with an ominous premonition. The next moment, infinite pressure spread from that airborne figure, instantly covering the entire battlefield. Faintly, pitch-black lightning seemed to crackle through the air.

Iwagakure ninja covered by this power rolled their eyes, their legs giving out as they collapsed unconscious.

"What is that?"

"Genjutsu?"

A few with stronger willpower resisted for several seconds. Unfortunately, no matter how they executed "Genjutsu Release," they couldn't escape that suffocating aura. Even Jiraiya's group, who weren't targeted, could still feel that terrifying momentum.

Gyūki and Matatabi, through their jinchūriki's senses, also experienced this feeling.

"That kid..."

"What intense aura."

Inside Naruto, Kurama seemed to hear these two's words, proudly raising his head with a hum.

Below, everyone including elite ninja like Kitsuchi and Akatsuchi resisted for just seconds before collapsing unconscious. It seemed that since Naruto broke free from his Nine-Tails' control, his Conqueror's Haki had risen another level.

Ōnoki's spirit was also affected, making it impossible to maintain stable chakra. He crouched low, barely sustaining his will while looking at that airborne figure.

Watching his reinforcements instantly taken down by Naruto, past shadows returned. This aura. This pressure. This despair. I've only felt it from one person.

Years ago, the hot-blooded young Ōnoki was directly crushed by that person's absolute strength. He still remembered what that person said:

"Seems you still want to dance, but you're not ready yet."

After several more seconds, Naruto retracted his Haki. Ōnoki, relying on his tenacious spirit and the so-called "Will of Stone," managed to stay conscious instead of fainting.

But this was useless.

Materializing behind Ōnoki unnoticed, Naruto delivered a hand chop, knocking the mentally exhausted Ōnoki unconscious.