The air thickened with tension as Ohashi Emi's chakra flared, his hands weaving through a series of rapid seals.
However, like most shinobi they crossed paths with, the Tanigakure shinobi underestimated the Kaito-Eiji-Aki trio. They had been raised as Taki's platoon's elites. Both talented and receiving resource investments from Jiya and the village, they were well above the standard level of elite genins. In fact, even among chunins, the trio would not be struggling much.
Aki's fans snapped open, wind chakra humming at their edges, while Eiji's blade traced a defensive arc.
Kaito's fingers twitched, threads of chakra linking him to Sand Serpent's hulking frame. The Sand Serpent, augmented with chakra and steam pressure, moved with incredible speed towards the Emi clansman.
"Emi Clan Secret Technique: Petrifying Smoke"
A dense, grayish fog erupted from Emi's mouth, billowing toward the Suna team. The mist hissed like a living thing, tendrils lashing hungrily. However, Aki anticipated this move and her eyes narrowed as she shouted:
Wind Style: Gale Surge [C]
Her fans swept forward, unleashing a torrent of air that split the smoke. Chunin-level chakra reserves and chunin-level chakra control allowed her to manipulate wind with her fans with utmost proficiency. Adding to that the boost received by her fans increasing wind jutsu effectiveness by 50%, Aki's sheer firepower exceeded anything the Tanigakure shinobi could expect.
Eiji smiled: "It's exactly the window we needed"
Kaito's mind raced, remembering the notes: 'The smoke hardens on contact, paralyzing muscles by calcifying chakra pathways. Weakness: wind—As expected, Aki is like the nemesis of the Emi clan'
"Eiji! Buy me ten seconds!" Kaito barked, his hands already darting to his scroll pouch. The puppet Sand Serpent lurched forward, its blades clashing against the Emi clansman's kunai.
Ohashi, the Emi clansman, sneered. "You think a puppet will save you? The Emi Clan's wrath burns hotter than—"
*SPLASH*
The Sand puppet was not a regular puppet.
[Sand Serpent - [C-rank]
A humanoid puppet wielding two swords at a time, and releasing steam through its ears and joint, making it very scary.
HP: 650 / 650
Defense Power: 40 | Strength - 50 (+20) | Agility - 35 (+20) | Vitality - 45 (+20)
Perk: Mechanic Steam Pressure (+20 Strength, +20 Agility, +20 Vitality) [C]
Skills: Sunagakure Taijutsu [D], Sand Serpent Swordsmanship [E], Burning Hands (E), Katonjtsu Fire Bullet (E), Kunai Tongue (E)
Item: Tanigakure Steel Sword [D]]
And Ohashi mistook it for a genin-level puppet, but its strength attribute was on par with jonins. While it was lacking in terms of technique, its raw attributes were far beyond what a regular elite genin could withstand, especially a ninjutsu specialist.
The blade twisted like a serpent, reflecting deep understanding of the Sand Serpent Swordsmanship. Ohashi's kunai failed to deflect the sword, and the result was quite shocking.
One strike
It's all it took for Ohashi, an elite genin praised as a shinobi genius from the main family line of the Emi clan, to fall. The blade did not just slash through Ohashi's torso. It effectively hit his heart, tearing muscle tissues like butter.
[You have successfully killed [Lv. 28 Tanigakure Shinobi]. You have earned 1480 EXP]
Without even looking at the victim, Eiji had long since charged towards the nearest enemy. Mistaken as a ninjutsu specialist from the Water bullet jutsu, once he reached close combat, the tanigakure shinobi fell in three clashes. Unlike the Sand Serpent's brutish swordsmanship, Eiji perfectly displayed the Sunagakure Swordsmanship Art.
It looked like a dance, his blade whitsling through the air, until it befell onto the shinobi's throat, beheading him in one strike.
Ryuga and Kirito did not stand still either. Kirito blocked the charge of the third Tanigakure shinobi, while Ryuga assisted him with basic genjutsu, although it had little effect due to the chakra difference. Still, it bought enough time for Aki to use a second jutsu.
[Wind Tornado [C]]
It did not just blast through the Tanigakure shinobi. It obliterated part of the ruins, causing commotions that reached the surface. Examiners, hidden throughout the area, felt the trembles with surprise.
This was not regular genin-level strength. Hell, even chunins were not supposed to display so much strength.
Years of hard work were finally paying off