This move could be said to be Kitsuchi anticipating Ino's anticipation; with her limited combat experience, she suffered a disadvantage.
"Was that really the Flying Thunder God Technique?" Kitsuchi asked.
"Ah, yes, it was." Ino pointed to a third of the semi-circular boulder: "I left a jutsu formula here before, but I didn't expect to use it so soon."
Rasengan combined with the Flying Thunder God Technique, plus that head of golden hair—Iwagakure Ninja were undeniably shaken. The "Konohas Yellow Flash" who once dominated the battlefield had caused them too much psychological trauma.
Iwagakure Ninja have strong defenses, but this strength is relative. A Kunai plunged into the heart, piercing the throat, still leads to death! No amount of muscle on your body will help! Many Ninjutsu used by Ninja nowadays often have the problem of damage overflow. Facing a Big Ball Rasengan, even Kitsuchi didn't want to take it head-on.
His own defense was strong, but his reaction speed was very average. Kitsuchi mused that if he were to face the Fourth Hokage at his peak, he probably wouldn't last more than a few moves.
The Third Tsuchikage grumbled, "What are you afraid of? Her Flying Thunder God isn't fully mastered at all. Keep fighting!"
Ino looked at Tsunade, who nodded slightly at her.
They were here to probe Iwagakure's war intentions, not to challenge their dojo. Challenging Kurotsuchi was fine, but Kitsuchi?
Kitsuchi is 11 years younger than Tsunade, 3 years younger than the Fourth Raikage and Ōtsutsuki Ichiraku (scratch that), 1 year older than Ino's father Inoichi, and 3 years older than Minato Namikaze. In a Ninja World where 50 is considered old age, he is definitely a Ninja World senior.
If this senior were defeated by a Chunin like Ino, it would be a huge joke.
The Third Tsuchikage was old but still strong, and the older he got, the more he wanted to save face, so Konoha would give him that face.
Ino didn't want to be too high-profile; fighting for this win or loss was completely unnecessary.
She immediately raised her right hand: "Oh, I'm injured. Senior Kitsuchi is really amazing, I... huh?"
Before she finished speaking, a huge white pillar of smoke suddenly rose from the foot of North Mountain in Iwagakure. The thick smoke was filled with high temperatures and steam. She couldn't help but look over. This steam and smoke, why did it look a bit like her Steam Impurities Explosion?
Her match with Kitsuchi paused for about ten seconds, and three Ninja, dressed as Iwagakure Anbu, came before the Third Tsuchikage.
"Lord Tsuchikage, Lord Han, who was in seclusion at the foot of the mountain, has lost control!"
The Third Tsuchikage was very displeased and at the same time looked at Ino and Tsunade with great vigilance. How could it be such a coincidence? As soon as you arrived, our Village's Jinchuriki lost control? Do you have some kind of conspiracy?
He immediately made a decision: "Kitsuchi, you and I will go check. Kurotsuchi, Akatsuchi, you two escort our guests to rest for now and ensure their personal safety."
"Yes." x3
With the Tsuchikage father and son leaving, Ino's battle naturally couldn't continue.
She came to Tsunade's side, and the surrounding Iwagakure Ninja all looked at the three of them with the eyes of "despicable outsiders."
"Ladies, please come with me." Kurotsuchi's gaze towards Ino was still very unnatural, especially the golden bangs hairstyle. The more she looked, the stranger it seemed. Her emotions were particularly complex, with familiarity, confusion, and bewilderment. Her tone of voice now sounded very stiff, completely different from her usual cheerful and generous demeanor.
Akatsuchi's role was similar to Choji's on Ino's side—both were the chubby sidekicks next to the protagonist, a bit silly, only knowing how to follow the Tsuchikage's and his junior sister's orders.
More than twenty Iwagakure Ninja were dispatched, surrounding them completely.
Tsunade and the other two exchanged glances. They were about to concede, but how did such a situation suddenly arise?
"It must be caused by your terrible gambling luck, Teacher!" Ino was the first to shift the blame, an SSS-Rank Ninjutsu, Flying Thunder God of Blame!
Shizune and Tonton nodded vigorously. Her losing streak in gambling wasn't fake. You, why did you have to run your mouth? Why on earth did you make a bet with the Third Tsuchikage!
Tsunade knew her own situation and felt a bit guilty at this moment, her gaze wandering. Was it really her problem?
The three of them, escorted by Kurotsuchi and a large group of Iwagakure Ninja, went to rest in the Village. Along the way, Tsunade forcibly changed the subject, commenting on Ino's and Kitsuchi's battle.
If the fight had continued, it would be hard to say who would win or lose.
Ino's Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Chakra were all fine; what she lacked was a focused mind. Kitsuchi, on the other hand, was like a rock, his will unwavering.
Throughout the battle, Kitsuchi's heart never wavered, and his strength remained very stable.
Ino was a bit different. When she had the upper hand, she wanted to expand her advantage; when she fell behind, she wanted to turn the situation around. Her strength fluctuated. In fact, she didn't make any mistakes throughout the battle, but she just seemed not decisive enough, not focused enough.
Tsunade estimated that Kitsuchi didn't use his full strength, reserving about ten to twenty percent as a fallback for a comeback.
Aside from the very hate-inducing Explosive Clay and Steam Impurities Explosion, Ino had basically used all the conventional Ninjutsu she could use in battle.
Spirit Transformation Technique? If she dared to use it on the spot, Iwagakure would dare to kill her on the spot. Kato Dan died mysteriously back then, and Tsunade strictly forbade her from using this Ninjutsu in front of others.
Ino's mind was too scattered, and she wasn't focused enough during battle. This was actually a common problem for many transmigrators.
It wasn't noticeable when fighting ordinary Ninja, but against a strong enemy like Kitsuchi, whose personality was tougher than rock, her focus issue became a weakness.
Tsunade put on the air of a strict teacher: "This is absolutely unacceptable. How do I usually teach you? In battle, you must be calm, calm, carefully observe the enemy's moves, and look for weaknesses..."
Ino rolled her Byakugan. You were never calm when gambling, getting hot-headed more than once or twice. Now you're talking nonsense to me about being calm?
"Yes, yes, Teacher's lesson is right, I will definitely correct it." In front of so many people, she definitely had to save Tsunade's face, so she humbly accepted the criticism.
As the three followed the Iwagakure Ninja into the Village, they also exchanged glances.
Something must have happened in Iwagakure today, and no matter what, the three of them couldn't take the blame for it.
Reason with them? The Ninja profession is not one for talking!
The Third Tsuchikage was even less of a reasonable person.
If something really happened and Iwagakure wanted to make an example of them, they certainly wouldn't stand idly by waiting to be surrounded and killed; they would have to run.
Shizune chose to lie flat. Ino and Tsunade both knew a bit of Flying Thunder God. They had also made jutsu marks along the way. If they expended some Chakra, they could completely teleport to escape.
Tsunade quietly held up two fingers, meaning she could teleport twenty kilometers with the three people and one Tonton.
Ino, on the other hand, held up three fingers, meaning she could teleport thirty kilometers.
------------------------
I've posted 70+ chapters in advance on Patreon.
Webnovel updates will still be daily, as usual.
It might not seem tempting right now but who knows what the future holds?
[email protected]/SolyuraMT
"And If you're enjoying it, drop a Power Stone for me!"