After Sailing with the Pirate King, I Returned to Konoha - 208

Chapter 208: Wow! A Flying Person!

Kitsuchi knew he was outmatched. He didn't know Naruto's strength, but Killer Bee, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki, stood among them. That was enough. After scanning the group, Kitsuchi formed one-handed seals.

"Earth Release: Sandwich Technique"

Massive rocks clamped onto Naruto from both sides like crab pincers. Though a B-rank jutsu, this technique had considerable potential. Since Kitsuchi reduced the seals, even using one hand, its range and power decreased significantly. But temporarily restraining one ninja? Still possible.

Watching Naruto maintain that interested expression even while completely encased in stone, Kitsuchi felt puzzled but relieved. Good, one down!

He didn't realize the others weren't taking it seriously. Even Yugito, who'd only recently joined, could easily break free from this level of technique.

"Konoha and Hidden Cloud ninja. I must ask you to stop here. Next!"

Confident, Kitsuchi charged forward with his rock-covered fists. Don't underestimate the Rock Fist Technique's simple appearance. Under high-concentration Earth Release chakra enhancement, these stones became terrifyingly hard and heavy. Combined with Kitsuchi's physique, this punch could send even the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki flying before full beast transformation.

This showed Iwagakure ninja's consistent fighting style. Those earth-shattering moves were often just positioning restrictions. The true killing blows hid in inconspicuous actions.

This punch targeted Killer Bee. But Sasuke jumped out first.

"Let me."

After so much team training, he'd digested the experience from the last battle. His three-tomoe Sharingan locked onto Kitsuchi's figure, clearly capturing every movement.

"Sharingan? An Uchiha?"

Though somewhat isolated, Kitsuchi had heard rumors of the Uchiha clan's massacre. But battle took priority. No time for distractions. Since you're blocking, let's see if you can withstand this.

His Earth Release chakra output increased. The fist wrapped in diamond-hard rock collided with Sasuke's noticeably smaller fist.

"Eight Impact Fist: Fang Wind!"

Sasuke's body flew backward uncontrollably, smashing into the nearby cliff. Kitsuchi appeared to have the upper hand. But his expression turned ugly.

At that instant of contact, countless biting forces penetrated the solid rock defense, striking into his arm. The Rock Fist Technique was forcibly terminated. Yellow stones fell, revealing an arm covered in countless dense, fine cracks. Blood dripped from the fissures. Kitsuchi clutched his right arm, staring with uncertain eyes toward where Sasuke had crashed.

What bizarre taijutsu! The usually invincible Rock Fist Technique had no effect on this style.

But fortunately, he'd also eliminated one more. Just as Kitsuchi thought this, the dispersing dust revealed beast-form Sasuke emerging, flexing his wrist. Black-red flames coiled around his arms. That wolf-like face showed a grin.

"Not bad. Let's begin. Round two."

""What technique is this?!" Kitsuchi involuntarily associated it with jinchūriki transformation. But did the Tailed Beasts include wolves?

Before he could ponder further, Sasuke's claw-fist already struck.

"Hey, Sasuke, don't be too rough..."

Behind him, the somewhat resigned Jiraiya called out weakly. He knew fighting was now inevitable. Though he wasn't very worried.

Look at their lineup: Two Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit users, three jinchūriki, plus myself as a Sage. Bluntly speaking, this force could flatten the Land of Earth with ease.

Of course, the most unstoppable was Naruto, whose power limit seemed perpetually invisible. Don't ask, just acknowledge we're all truly impressive.

Watching Naruto completely bound by Earth Release: Sandwich Technique with only his head exposed, spectating casually, Jiraiya sighed helplessly. He knew this kid had assessed the opponent's strength and was now waiting for someone worth his effort to appear.

Who in Iwagakure deserves this kid's attention? Besides Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki, who else...

Speak of the devil.

After receiving news of intruders, Ōnoki took flight, charging alone toward the village outskirts to block them. Upon arriving, he saw flame-wolf Sasuke unilaterally suppressing Kitsuchi.

Whatever Earth Release Kitsuchi used had little effect against that defense-penetrating taijutsu and organic-decaying flames. Forced to use one-handed seals due to an injured arm, Kitsuchi saw Ōnoki arrive and relaxed slightly. His movements lagged a beat.

Sasuke, who'd mastered Observation Haki, immediately detected this gap. Calamity Fire turned the blocking rock wall into crispy fragments. Then Sasuke coiled like a drawn bow, blazing claws aimed at a vulnerable position. If it hit, Kitsuchi wouldn't die but would be severely injured.

"Stop, brat!"

"Earth Release: Rock Arm!"

Floating in midair, Ōnoki casually formed seals. A massive rock arm emerged from the earth, lifting Kitsuchi. Sasuke's attack hit the forearm portion. Under Calamity Fire's influence, its structure immediately weakened.

Ōnoki proved his veteran combat experience. Sensing the rock arm was affected, he immediately increased chakra output. With chakra reinforcement, the structurally weakened rock arm solidified again.

Strange methods...

Ōnoki sensed those flames weren't ninjutsu. While carefully examining beast-form Sasuke, he didn't notice a head atop the rocks, also examining him.

"He's really flying!"

Watching Ōnoki's feet suspended in midair, Naruto's eyes lit up. This differed from his leg-kicking "pseudo-flight." That casual hovering and maneuvering in midair was truly enviable.

Ōnoki was probably the ninja world's only flying ninja besides the Sages and Ōtsutsuki clan members. Of course, at this timeline, he was that unique one.

Crack.

Naruto effortlessly broke free from the encasing rocks. The next moment, his figure appeared below Ōnoki, continuously approaching.

"Wow, old man, how do you fly?"

He looked earnest, like an elementary student asking teachers questions, his face full of curiosity.

So fast! When did...?

Ōnoki's pupils contracted sharply at this soundless approach. At this distance, executing Dust Release wouldn't come in time. Both he and Second Tsuchikage "Mu" needed time gathering power for Dust Release. That's why they executed Ultra-Light-Weight Rock Technique, maintaining safe positions to become output "turrets."

"Rock Fist Technique!"

Truly father and son. Identical reactions. Rock covered his fist, smashing toward Naruto. Ōnoki's Rock Fist far surpassed Kitsuchi's.

Naruto caught it barehanded.

Such strength! But it's not over!

Ōnoki was shocked by Naruto's monstrous power. Most crucially, this kid was still midair. Where did he borrow the force to resist? He didn't know Naruto's feet created explosive sounds, stamping the air below.

"Earth Release: Super Added-Weight Rock Technique!"

The jutsu activated. The already terrifying rock fist's weight increased again, forcibly pressing Naruto toward the ground.