That people from Sunagakure would arrive wasn't a surprise.
After all, they'd been making trouble at the border for a week.
However, the alliance between Konoha and Sunagakure was completely unexpected.
Kotsuchi appeared, his face calm as he walked, deep in thought.
" Pakura is the real danger. The Hokage's son is an unknown quantity …"
Because he hadn't fought Sarutobi Ryo, Kotsuchi didn't know how strong Sarutobi Ryo really was.
" I've only heard he can use Ice Release … Interesting…"
Besides the Sarutobi Clan's natural Divine Power and mastery of all Seven Chakra Attributes, the Hokage's son, Sarutobi Ryo, could also use Ice Release.
This was confirmed information.
"I'll fight him!"
Kotsuchi looked at his comrades, assigning positions for the fight.
----
On the other side.
Sarutobi Ryo and Pakura also led their teams into the oasis, killing the guard posted there. The guard triggered the alarm.
Looking at the Iwagakure teams gathering in the distance, and comparing the number of soldiers on each side.
Clearly, they had more people.
"A bunch of weaklings…" Pakura waved her hand. "Everyone, move out!"
"Ooh!"
The Sunagakure ninja shouted, rushing towards the enemy together.
Pakura led the charge, spearheading the attack.
Sarutobi Ryo's team moved out too, with Sarutobi Ryo at the front.
The first attack involved throwing ninja tools.
While running, both sides threw shuriken, kunai, and other sharp weapons at each other.
The tightly packed teams quickly spread out, the sounds of metal hitting metal echoing everywhere.
Unlike the fighting styles of samurai in the past.
Ninjas were very good at dodging, so formations were usually spread out.
Even though only two companies were fighting, the battle stretched across a wide area.
After a few bodies fell to the ground.
A figure that didn't even try to dodge caught Sarutobi Ryo's eye.
The man held a longsword, but hadn't even drawn it, casually blocking the thrown weapons.
"Hm?"
Soon, Sarutobi Ryo realized the man was coming for him.
Whump!
The sword was drawn, and the man threw the empty sword sheath hard towards Sarutobi Ryo.
Sarutobi Ryo easily slapped it away, sending it flying, and immediately started fighting the man.
"The Hokage's son?"
"The Tsuchikage's son?"
The two second-generation leaders recognized each other.
Both Children of the Kage represented their Kage's honor.
If they failed, they would not only shame their villages, but also embarrass their Fathers.
This meant Sarutobi Ryo and Kotsuchi had a surprisingly similar path to follow.
Both had become strong through hard training.
They didn't need to talk much; one look was enough to show their similarities.
Shwing!
The three-foot-long Blue Edge Sword was swung.
A cold energy came from it. Even under the hot desert sun, the cold air from the Blue Edge Sword made the air around it condense into water droplets.
From their first clash, Sarutobi Ryo knew this wasn't an ordinary sword.
Clang!
Sarutobi Ryo quickly grabbed the greatsword from his back.
This 1.2-meter-long greatsword was the prize he won from the Storm Release ninja, Sarui, last time.
It was thicker and wider than Kotsuchi's sword.
Clang!
The two swords collided, sending sparks flying.
Up close, Sarutobi Ryo saw the details of the sword clearly.
He saw the surface of the sword blade had faint frost patterns, like a clear spring, giving off a sharp, chilling feeling.
There were differences in quality and sharpness between weapons.
The Blue Edge Sword cut into the greatsword.
To be precise… the Blue Edge Sword cut open the greatsword!
"What a sharp sword!"
Sarutobi Ryo's eyes widened slightly; he knew the sword wasn't ordinary.
He knew Sarui's greatsword was made of strong steel, able to easily cut through normal kunai.
But the opponent's sword had cut it open, making a small crack.
Whoosh!
Kotsuchi quickly backed away.
Although it seemed like he had the advantage, as soon as they clashed, he realized Sarutobi Ryo was incredibly strong.
The greatsword probably weighed dozens of kilograms, but the Hokage's son swung it like a child's toy.
Kotsuchi's arm was slightly numb, and he immediately used the ninjutsu that every Iwagakure ninja knew.
"Earth Release… Rock Fist Technique!"
Clack clack clack!
A layer of earth-brown color quickly covered Kotsuchi's arm.
This technique increased the user's defense and attack power.
It was like covering the arm with strong armor.
In the original story, this technique was often used.
For example, Onoki used Rock Fist to smash the Second Mizukage Hozuki Gengetsu's Summoning Beast.
And Kitsuchi punched Kinkaku's six-tailed beast form, sending him flying.
But Kotsuchi's Rock Fist Technique had been slightly changed, and was a bit different.
His arm now looked like it was covered with a thin layer of armor.
The increase in defense and attack power might not be that great, but it had clay-like cushioning power.
It could weaken most of the opponent's force when fighting someone with great strength.
After using the Rock Fist Technique, Kotsuchi attacked again.
This time, the energy around him changed completely!
This meant… he was getting serious!
The sounds of fighting echoed across the battlefield.
Sarutobi Ryo and Kotsuchi ignored the battle around them.
The two exchanged blows again and again, constantly clashing.
Sarutobi Ryo had Hatake Sakumo as his Swordsmanship instructor.
Kotsuchi had been trained by many Iwagakure swordsmanship masters.
Both were very skilled in hand-to-hand combat.
Their powerful Killing Intent pushed others back.
"The Konoha White Fang isn't going to fight?"
Pakura, who was fighting the enemy, looked at Hatake Sakumo standing still, not making a move.
She immediately guessed what was happening.
She thought the Konoha White Fang wanted to test the Hokage's son.
Yes, for someone as strong as him, there was no need to bother him with simple tasks.
Giving the younger generation a chance to prove themselves was what he wanted to do.
On the other side, Namikaze Minato was constantly killing the weaker enemies.
He kept looking towards Sarutobi Ryo's battle.
" Young Master Ryo …"
Looking at Sarutobi Ryo, who was so different from what he remembered.
Namikaze Minato's eyes flickered, and his doubts began to disappear.
" Could it be that Young Master Ryo is like me?"
Having accepted the Sage's prediction from the sacred ground, he began his 'second life'.
That 's why he was acting so differently from the "original Future"...
Whether it was the title of Black Grim Reaper, or his completely changed strength.
" I'll figure it out during this mission!"
*
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[T/N:
Latest Chapter translated on Patreon - Chapter Access up to Ch 206 (Vol 2 Ch 148)
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Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
Here are the novels I'm currently translating:
-> Naruto Paradise: An Evil Uchiha's Rise
-> One Piece: I'm Destined to Be the Son-in-Law King!
-> Young Master, Please Become Hokage!
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]