Fumori masaki smiled faintly at Onoki high in the sky, then his smile faded, and he leaped up, a powerful surge of chakra erupting and carrying him into the air.
His control over wind-style chakra and the use of natural energy were like a fish swimming with the current, with an additional push propelling him forward. As he rapidly approached Onoki, he threw two Eight-Divination Wind Wheels.
Onoki was somewhat surprised the moment he saw Fumori masaki charge up. Just leaping up wasn't an issue; with Fumori masaki's physical prowess, it certainly wouldn't be a problem. However, Fumori masaki couldn't fly. Once the upward momentum disappeared, he would inevitably stall, and that would be Onoki's chance.
Onoki didn't believe that someone with Fumori masaki's experience would make such a mistake, but at that moment, the two glowing Wind Wheels were already heading towards him. He could only set aside his doubts for now and begin flying at high speed, evading the attacks of the Eight-Divination Wind Wheels.
Unexpectedly, the Eight-Divination Wind Wheels seemed determined to hit Onoki, as they changed direction and chased after him. Onoki remained calm, noting that while controlling the direction of a ninjutsu was rare, it wasn't unheard of. However, the next scene shocked him.
Fumori masaki, whose speed was gradually slowing, twisted his body and kicked at the air, as if stepping on solid ground. His speed increased once again, and even his direction changed.
Onoki was truly shocked this time. Although he didn't understand the exact principle, having such a technique proved that Fumori masaki could also achieve flight. Honestly, if Fumori masaki were using Wind Release to float and fly, Onoki could understand it; Wind Release masters weren't without such methods. But Fumori masaki's approach left him utterly baffled.
Could it be that Fumori masaki's physical strength and speed were so great that he could literally kick the air to move? Onoki looked at the scene, and this was the only thought in his mind. Otherwise, it was difficult to explain. While using Wind Release could achieve similar results, Fumori masaki neither performed hand signs nor showed any traces of Wind Release.
Onoki didn't even sense any chakra. The only possibility was taijutsu. If that were the case, then Fumori masaki's physical abilities were truly terrifying.
Onoki naturally wouldn't know that this was Fumori masaki's use of natural energy. The pervasive natural energy in the world served as omnipresent footholds, providing Fumori masaki with propulsion and places to stand at any time. With his current level of Sage Art, he couldn't maintain flight for extended periods, but short-distance movements and transfers were no problem.
Unable to sense natural energy, Onoki could only conclude it was taijutsu. However, he had never intended to engage Fumori masaki in close combat. Fumori masaki was a typical fast-attack ninja. Once the distance was closed, Onoki didn't believe his own skills could match the opponent's high-speed exchanges. After all, even Ginkaku, at the height of his power, had lost to a young Fumori masaki.
At this moment, the Eight-Divination Wind Wheels had closed the distance with Onoki. Seeing this, Onoki no longer intended to dodge. The ninjutsu was very fast, and it was difficult to evade once the distance was closed. He also didn't plan to use Dust Release. Dust Release consumed a significant amount of chakra, and combining three types of chakra greatly affected its release speed.
However, Onoki wasn't without other options. He quickly performed hand signs while maneuvering in the high altitude, then spat out two fireballs, detonating the Eight-Divination Wind Wheels. A massive explosion instantly filled the sky. Although Onoki quickly distanced himself, he was still caught in it.
When the smoke gradually cleared, Onoki was seen covered in layers of shattered rock. Although he hadn't completely escaped the explosion's range, he had minimized the damage, fending it off with simple Earth Release.
The method Onoki used was almost identical to that of the Third Raikage. Despite not having the Third Raikage's powerful physique, Onoki still managed to defend himself with his own abilities.
Fumori masaki had to admit,
this method of defending against the Eight-Divination Wind Wheels was simple. The Eight-Divination Wind Wheels were easily detonated by Fire Release. However, most people couldn't escape the explosion's range, but methods like the Third Raikage's or Onoki's could prevent the side effects of this technique.
Onoki hastily searched for Fumori masaki's trace, then heard a moderate explosion. Following the sound, a dark shadow rapidly swept towards him.
"Tsk." Onoki saw that the opponent had already approached him. His usual speed was clearly insufficient, so he immediately applied a new jutsu to his body.
Onoki's ability to fly relied on the Earth Release: Light-Weight Rock Jutsu invented by his teacher, the Second Tsuchikage. This jutsu reduced his body weight, allowing him to float. Because he was extremely light, the buoyancy of the air could carry him, and simple chakra bursts allowed for rapid movement.
However, facing the current situation, Onoki instead applied the opposite, Earth Release: Added-Weight Rock Jutsu, to his body, rapidly increasing his weight. As gravity pulled him towards the ground, combined with a burst of chakra, his speed instantly surpassed his previous state, quickly widening the distance from Fumori masaki and forcing him to avoid a direct slash.
Then, Onoki once again switched to Light-Weight Rock Jutsu, allowing himself to float, then changed direction, returning to the sky, and facing Fumori masaki, who had also just changed direction, from afar.
Fumori masaki felt no surprise. A ninja of Onoki's caliber was not some nobody who could be easily defeated. Onoki's use of his own ninjutsu was also masterful. The Added-Weight Rock Jutsu, which normally hindered speed, was instead used to increase his dodging speed. This move was truly commendable.
"Long time no see, Onoki." Fumori masaki used natural energy to gently lower his body, giving him time to converse with his opponent. "How long has it been since we last met?"
"Charging over with a killing move and now you're greeting me?" Onoki took a breath, recovering from the fatigue of rapidly using chakra.
"Aren't you also planning to talk to me?" Fumori masaki said to him. "Actually, I don't intend to fight you to the death here. All I need to do is stall you. You must be thinking the same thing."
Onoki remained silent, but in his heart, he admitted that Fumori masaki was correct. Given Fumori masaki's troublesome nature, he wasn't an opponent that could be easily dealt with. Onoki believed that unless it was a life-or-death duel, and a one-on-one situation, it would be very difficult to determine a winner on this battlefield.
And with Fumori masaki watching from the sidelines, Onoki naturally couldn't continue to use Dust Release indiscriminately to destroy positions as he had before. He immediately understood that Fumori masaki was here to block the most troublesome opponent—himself. Fumori masaki only needed to stall him; there was no need to necessarily kill him.
Through their recent exchange, both parties knew that neither could be taken down in a short amount of time. Therefore, instead of a relentless deathmatch, Onoki felt it was better to wait quietly, at least allowing him to selectively assist his side. If he were completely tied down by Fumori masaki, he wouldn't be able to look after his own people.
Fumori masaki lightly jumped, returning to the same altitude as Onoki in the sky. As Fumori masaki slowly descended, Onoki also gradually lowered his altitude. Their gazes continuously clashed. Onoki's gaze was cold, while Fumori masaki's was very calm, yet held an unshakeable power.
A faint sweat beaded on Onoki's face. After not seeing Fumori masaki for many years, he felt the other party had become even more terrifying. The opponent's aura seemed to blend into the world itself; his eyes could clearly see him, but his chakra was difficult to perceive, almost imperceptible.
—If this guy were to ambush me right now... Onoki felt as if he could hear his own heartbeat. Ninjas were inherently skilled in ambushes. As far as he knew, while Fumori masaki was a righteous person on major issues, he wouldn't care about such things in battle. Perhaps he was preparing to ambush him right now.
Despite thinking this, Onoki dared not avert his gaze. Perhaps if he turned his head even slightly, the opponent would suddenly disappear, then reappear from somewhere unknown to attack him.
"Are you worried about something?" Fumori masaki seemed to read Onoki's thoughts, speaking calmly. This composed attitude only irritated Onoki more, and his doubts deepened. Whether it was Onoki's illusion or not, he always felt that Fumori masaki's demeanor was becoming less human, that ethereal aura like the deities described in myths.
"Heh, what are you talking about?" Onoki said with a calm expression. No matter how flustered he was inside, his outward appearance remained steady. His experience was vast, and he understood the importance of not showing weakness in front of an enemy, both to stabilize his own side's morale and to sow doubt in the opponent. This was a psychological battle.
However, at this moment, Onoki felt that he was the one being swayed. The opponent truly seemed nonchalant, happy to stall for time with him, while he himself had no choice but to care about the war situation.
"I'm saying, why don't we stop the war? You guys can't win anyway, you know that, right?" Fumori masaki said.
"The outcome isn't known until the very last moment. Your Hidden Leaf Village is under no small amount of pressure," Onoki said coldly.
"But your allies don't seem to be doing so well, while ours are very effective." Fumori masaki calmly looked at Onoki. He remained expressionless, but Onoki felt that the guy was laughing at him. "The Hidden Sand Village and the Hidden Mist Village are irrelevant. The only real trouble is your Land of Earth. And facing the double blow from us and the Land of Lightning, can you really win?"
Onoki's face twitched slightly. He, of course, knew that his side was at a disadvantage, but he hadn't given up hope. He believed there was still a turning point. Even if they couldn't defeat the Land of Fire, weakening the opponent's strength and securing certain benefits for his own side would not be in vain.
"You know, your act of betrayal has made the people of our village very angry. Those young people used to always see you as allies of justice, but instead, you launched a war against us," Fumori masaki said.
"Justice? Do you really believe in such a thing yourself?" Onoki sneered. Although Fumori masaki was fighting under the banner of a just war, he didn't believe Fumori masaki truly believed in it.
"Absolute justice probably doesn't exist, but I think pursuing what is good should always be relatively just," Fumori masaki replied. "Compared to the actions of the Hidden Leaf Village over these years, and compared to you guys, it should be considered just, wouldn't you say?"
Onoki was speechless at this moment, and Fumori masaki continued: "But I also have to admit that all of this is done for the benefit of the village and the country. You are the same, I believe. There are no personal grievances between us. The reason we've reached this point is simply because our countries have conflicting interests, and not for any other reason."
"Since it's a conflict of national interests, I think there's room for discussion. Why not give up now? If you give up now, perhaps you can minimize your losses. You still have ample strength, and it should only require paying some money to settle the matter," Fumori masaki said.
"Reparations? What a joke?" Onoki secretly shook his head. He was indeed fighting for the interests of the Land of Earth, and precisely because of this, he couldn't return empty-handed. Even just maintaining their current territory would be difficult for the nobles in the Land of Earth to accept.
"You can choose not to accept. I'm just offering you advice from the standpoint of a friend—" Fumori masaki said, seeing Onoki's frown, "Ah, since it's a dispute between nations, I think we're still friends. I sincerely suggest you can stop the war now. Otherwise, once the battlefields in the Land of Wind and Land of Water are over, I can't guarantee that those young people who feel betrayed will spare your Land of Earth. At that time, the Land of Earth might have to pay an even greater price, and we'll also have to consider the Land of Lightning and give them something to appease them."
"Do you think you've got us cornered?!" Onoki's eyes widened in fury, looking as if he wanted to act immediately, yet he remained motionless.
"Hmm—" Fumori masaki thought for a moment, as if pondering something, then nodded: "Yes."
—Damn it, this bastard. Why did I ever think this guy was a good person, full of righteousness and morality? Now that I think about it, I truly believed a ghost. This guy is a bad guy, utterly terrible.
Onoki's thoughts raced. Not only did he have to pay attention to the battlefield situation, but he also had to be wary of a possible sneak attack from the opponent and ensure the opponent didn't leave his sight. He felt the pressure was almost enough to bend his back.
"Think about it. There's no point in continuing this fight now. You can go back and think about it slowly," Fumori masaki said, looking at the battlefield below.