No matter how weakened the shadow clone was, it still retained Uchiha Kiyo's combat experience and ninjutsu skills. Dealing with it was difficult, but not impossible—as long as its chakra didn't run out first.
The real challenge was time.
If the "Tetsuya" clone didn't reach the battlefield quickly, the shadow clone wouldn't last much longer.
---
The shadow clone had no numerical advantage.
So, it wisely adopted kite tactics—striking and retreating, keeping the enemy at bay while avoiding any prolonged engagement.
Instead of directly clashing with the Sand shinobi, the shadow clone moved swiftly across the battlefield, dodging their attacks while never stopping his hand seals.
Of course, the enemy eventually noticed the one-handed seals, realizing that the clone was continuously weaving jutsu while on the move.
But by the time they reacted—
"Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
Small but deadly fireballs rained down in an unpredictable spread.
After testing the Great Fireball Technique several times, the shadow clone realized that its power was insufficient to break through the Sand shinobi's defenses. Instead, he switched to a ranged scatter attack, maximizing efficiency.
While the flames weren't as powerful as a direct hit from a Great Fireball, they were still enough to burn and wound upon contact.
More importantly, the chakra cost was lower.
Still, this wasn't a long-term solution.
The shadow clone needed a way to reduce the enemy's numbers quickly before they overwhelmed him.
"If ants keep biting, even an elephant will fall. I need to eliminate the weaker ones first."
If he didn't, these mid- and lower-level shinobi would keep interfering when he fought the jōnin, making things troublesome.
---
The shadow clone kept moving, but his speed subtly decreased.
The Sand shinobi, thinking he was finally tiring, unconsciously closed the distance.
That was exactly what he wanted.
"Now!"
The moment they got close, the three tomoe in the shadow clone's Sharingan spun wildly.
A group of Sand shinobi suddenly froze, their bodies locking up under the effect of a well-timed genjutsu.
At the same time, chakra surged to the shadow clone's feet—
Using the Propulsion Technique and Body Flicker at full force, Uchiha Kiyo rushed in.
"Earth Release: Rising Thorns!"
Jagged spikes burst from the ground, impaling the feet of the immobilized shinobi.
While they screamed in pain, the shadow clone ignored them, instead targeting the ones still capable of fighting.
A kunai flashed.
In a few swift strikes, five chūnin fell, their throats slit before they could react.
"Damn it!"
One of the stronger Sand shinobi realized what was happening, but it was already too late.
The shadow clone had already retreated, widening the distance once again.
Another breath of flames.
Another flurry of kunai.
Two more shinobi collapsed.
Two minutes later—five more Sand shinobi were dead.
Adding those to his earlier kills, over twenty enemy shinobi had already been wiped out.
The battlefield was now much emptier.
Seeing their rapidly dwindling numbers, the elite jōnin of Sunagakure finally snapped.
"No more! Everyone, attack!"
---
The enemy's desperation was understandable.
Despite being outnumbered and outmatched, the Blood-Eyed Shura had turned the tide.
Even under overwhelming odds, he had systematically eliminated his enemies one by one.
Now, the remaining Sand shinobi had finally seen it for themselves—
The terror of Uchiha Kiyo.
The elite jōnin trembled slightly.
If this was how strong he was in a losing battle, what was he capable of when he held the advantage?
But what they didn't realize was…
This wasn't even the real Uchiha Kiyo.
---
The shadow clone had managed this feat through sheer tactics and precise counterplay.
Puppet masters were extremely vulnerable against fast, close-combat fighters.
Against someone who could easily weave through long-range attacks, counter mid-range jutsu, and close in for the kill—they stood no chance.
While they needed time to manipulate their puppets…
Kiyo needed only an instant to eliminate them.
Even worse—
His Sharingan allowed him to predict and counter the trajectory of thrown weapons, making traditional long-range attacks ineffective.
This was why the Sand shinobi had struggled for so long.
This was why they had already lost half their forces.
This was why Uchiha Kiyo had earned his title.
But even with all these advantages, a shadow clone could only do so much.
And the real battle was about to begin.
---
Meanwhile, the main body had finally completed its preparations.
Using the secondary chakra extraction method, Kiyo had successfully transformed Tetsuya's body into a clone and infused it with a large amount of chakra.
Now, "Tetsuya" was rushing toward the battlefield.
On the way, he encountered and joined up with additional Sand reinforcements heading toward the fight.
He even ran into a few wandering rogue ninjas, who had likely been drawn in by the battle.
---
When "Tetsuya" arrived at the battlefield, the shadow clone immediately recognized him.
To others, it looked as if Uchiha Kiyo had finally realized the seriousness of the situation.
His expression shifted, and instead of continuing to massacre Sand shinobi, he suddenly switched his objective.
Now, he was moving toward the supply station.
To any outside observer, it seemed as if—
Instead of rushing to complete his mission before, Kiyo had simply been killing Sand shinobi for fun.
But now that reinforcements had arrived, he had abandoned that plan and was finally getting serious.
---
"Tetsuya" was a well-known disciple of Elder Chiyo's brother, Ebizō.
The elite jōnin of Sunagakure, despite his earlier doubts, chose to trust him.
Especially since "Tetsuya" was radiating the exact same chakra signature as the real one.
If something were wrong, he would have noticed.
Or so he thought.
---
"Tetsuya" made his move.
With a swift motion, he summoned ten puppets and sent them charging toward "Uchiha Kiyo."
The battlefield suddenly erupted with massive-scale ninjutsu from both sides.
The fight had reached a whole new level.
For the first time, "Uchiha Kiyo" stopped holding back.
His large-scale jutsu tore through the battlefield, the sheer aftermath of his attacks enough to leave lesser shinobi crippled or dead.
The remaining chūnin and weaker jōnin hesitated.
The battle had escalated beyond their level.
Now, only the elite fighters dared to engage.
---
But Kiyo had no intention of letting them control the battlefield.
He controlled the battlefield.
With carefully calculated movement, he led the battle toward the supply station.
"Tetsuya" played along.
By the time the remaining Sand jōnin and puppet masters realized what was happening—
It was too late.
---
The final assault began.
"Wind Release: Blade of Wind!"
A high-speed, razor-sharp wind blade formed in Kiyo's hand.
With a sudden burst of propulsion, he darted between the puppets, slashing their limbs apart as he passed.
The Sand puppet masters watched in horror as their creations were disabled one by one.
Even "Tetsuya" wasn't spared.
His puppets were the first to be destroyed.
Then—
"Fire Release: Fire Annihilation!"
A sea of flames erupted across the battlefield, engulfing everything in sight.
For a brief moment—
Nothing could be seen.
No one knew what was happening inside.
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