That was close!
Hiruzen Sarutobi did not continue his attack, as Haruto Saito was surrounded by Tsunade, Hattori Ryuuno, and others, all of whom looked equally shocked. Especially Hattori Ryuuno, who also possessed all chakra attributes.
However, compared to Hiruzen Sarutobi, such combo attacks weren't impossible, just not as fast or as seamlessly connected. If Hattori Ryuuno had been the one fighting Haruto, even a half-second difference would have given Haruto enough time to dodge more easily.
*Whoosh!*
The Adamantine Staff spun through the air with a sharp sound before flying back into Hiruzen Sarutobi's hand.
*Boom!*
Hiruzen Sarutobi slammed the staff into the ground, giving Haruto a slight nod with an expressionless face. "Again!"
Haruto was feeling a little intimidated.
This was way too dangerous! If this went on, even if he didn't die, he'd be in serious trouble!
But he could only feel intimidated inside—he couldn't show any weakness on the surface.
The superheated steam in the night air gradually dissipated, revealing the battlefield with clearer visibility.
"Teacher, then I will…"
*Whoosh!*
Haruto's figure vanished! With Samurai Technique: Instant Step, he dashed directly in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi, drawing his Swift Blade! The Cursed Blade and Swift Blade slashed out together… close combat!
*Clang! Clang! Clang! Boom! Boom! Boom!*
Haruto changed his strategy. He had to limit Hiruzen Sarutobi's use of ninjutsu as much as possible. His mastery of ninjutsu was beyond ridiculous—his combos came effortlessly. Competing with ninjutsu was not an option; using taijutsu to decide the outcome was the better strategy!
Both figures became blurs!
The battlefield echoed with deafening clashes as their weapons met again and again, sending shockwaves rippling outward. The surrounding forest was torn apart, forcing Tsunade and the others to retreat multiple times to avoid the destruction…
*Boom!*
A sudden, earth-shaking explosion rang out as Hiruzen Sarutobi's staff struck the ground. Haruto knew he couldn't block it, so he swiftly dodged backward. The impact created a massive crater, sending a tidal wave of dirt and debris skyward!
The airborne debris surged toward Haruto like a giant earthen dragon.
Haruto continued his evasive maneuvers!
"Earth Style: Dragon Maw Technique!"
Hiruzen Sarutobi formed a single-hand seal!
The swirling debris erupted into hundreds of meter-long earth dragons, launching indiscriminate attacks in all directions like an earthen firework bursting into the sky!
Normally, this jutsu would erupt directly from the ground, limiting its range. But Hiruzen Sarutobi had used his Adamantine Staff to blast the earth upward, creating an airborne battlefield where his jutsu could take full effect!
Haruto was caught in the attack range!
"Damn it!" Haruto cursed.
How was this even possible?!
But he didn't dodge!
As the debris and dozens of small earth dragons closed in, Haruto disappeared within them. A second later, he reappeared right in front of Hiruzen Sarutobi, slashing with his blades!
He had used the Barrier-Breaking Technique!
Directly passing through the Earth Style attack!
Hiruzen Sarutobi was surprised!
Another close-combat exchange!
Both fighters moved at extreme speeds. Suddenly, Haruto leaped back and hurled dozens of Flying Thunder God kunai toward Hiruzen Sarutobi… then vanished, reappearing directly above him, forming hand seals!
"Water Style: Great Waterfall Technique!"
Eightfold Great Waterfall!
A monstrous flood roared down from above, crashing toward Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"Water Style: Water Spring Technique!"
*Boom!*
Hiruzen Sarutobi completed his hand seals, causing the ground beneath him to rupture violently. Massive columns of water surged skyward to counter the Great Waterfall… but they were no match for it. Haruto's technique had an eightfold multiplier!
Hiruzen Sarutobi's counterattack was instantly overwhelmed.
But at that moment, he vanished.
*Rumble!*
Although the Waterfall Technique had been somewhat hindered, it still crashed down onto the battlefield, forming an enormous lake. Powerful waves spread outward, continuously expanding the range of destruction!
Hiruzen Sarutobi flickered across the lake's surface, finally stopping on a relatively stable patch of water.
Haruto landed on the water, realizing what had just happened. Hiruzen Sarutobi hadn't just used his water technique to counter the attack—he had been creating a water environment around them…
Then he used the Water Instant Step!
A technique developed by the Second Hokage, allowing near-instantaneous movement across the water's surface, gliding at extreme speeds while also generating water blades for offense.
That meant Hiruzen Sarutobi had first moved away from the direct impact zone, then rapidly maneuvered across the water to evade the remaining force of the Great Waterfall. He hadn't even been touched!
Haruto was frustrated. *Damn it!*
The Great Waterfall Technique consumed a massive amount of chakra, while Hiruzen Sarutobi had countered it with minimal chakra use. If this fight dragged on, Haruto might run out of chakra first…
Haruto steadied himself on the water.
Hiruzen Sarutobi appeared before him again, swinging his Adamantine Staff downward with full force!
Haruto teleported away.
A moment later, he emerged underwater a hundred meters away, then leaped to the surface. Earlier, he had thrown many Flying Thunder God kunai, which were now scattered across the lakebed.
Hiruzen Sarutobi flickered toward him again!
Haruto teleported once more, this time appearing in another spot as water exploded outward!
"What are you doing?" Hiruzen Sarutobi asked. If Haruto just kept running, there was no point in continuing the fight—he couldn't catch Flying Thunder God.
"I'm thinking about how to defeat you, Teacher," Haruto replied. In a battle at such an extreme pace, he had no time to think properly.
"Heh." Hiruzen Sarutobi chuckled and instantly closed the distance again.
Haruto teleported once more!
At the same moment, Hiruzen Sarutobi pushed his hand onto the water's surface, executing a technique at his absolute fastest speed.
"Lightning Style: Thunder Explosion Flash!"
*Boom!*
A massive six-meter-wide sphere of lightning expanded from his palm.
Haruto, just having teleported underwater, began to swim upward—only for the lightning to instantly conduct through the entire lake!
*Boom! Crackle! Sizzle!*
Electricity surged across the water's surface.
Then, silence.
Hiruzen Sarutobi landed gracefully, scanning the lake before vanishing. A moment later, he reappeared, dragging an unconscious Haruto from the water.
He tossed him onto the ground near Tsunade and said indifferently, "We're heading back."
Tsunade looked down at Haruto, who had been electrocuted into unconsciousness, and let out a sigh.
*Sigh…*
Poor guy.
And what a dumb way to lose!