"Such a meaningless question."
Ruri said coldly.
"Is that so?"
In other words, this is now an enemy.
And there's no need to show mercy to enemies.
Even if they were once companions.
A giant serpent charged forward, attacking the Genin from Konoha who had struck it with Taijutsu.
Thunk!
The dull sound of impact came to a halt, and with it, the massive body of the serpent also stopped.
The airwaves that descended caused ripples in the water flowing over the serpent.
A shudder that came from the soul.
With a frail human body, he blocked the charge of the gigantic serpent.
Hakushi looked down, his gaze on Might Duy became completely serious.
This Genin... is terrifying.
Compared to the Third Hokage, this Konoha Genin poses the greatest threat to his Water Clone.
"But... how long can this explosive power last?"
Hakushi saw through Might Duy's strength, recognizing it as the result of a Forbidden Technique, rather than his inherent power.
Relying on Forbidden Techniques to gain power carries immense risk and has limited duration.
"At least long enough to take you down!"
A heavy Air Cannon was launched with a swing of the fist, forcing the serpent to retreat with a hiss, its outer layer of water disintegrating.
"Well done!"
Danzo cheered for this attack and directed his Baku to assault the serpent.
With enormous hooves, the beast pinned the serpent beneath it, tearing into its body with its mouth, savagely thrashing it.
"Multiplication Jutsu!"
Akimichi Torifu transformed his hand into a giant fist and struck the serpent's body.
Hiruzen also used the enlarged Mind Stick to target the serpent for attack.
In an instant, the situation reversed.
The serpent, in disarray, scrambled back into the depths, preparing for a sneak attack.
Bang!
That was the effect of a punch from Might Duy, causing the water to part to each side and exposing the serpent's body.
"Even if it's Taijutsu, this is too much. Why is someone like this a Genin?"
Cold sweat trickled down Hakushi's face.
"That is the Eight Inner Gates. The body burning with blue steam, already opened to the Seventh Gate, not a simple guy."
Ruri understood Might Duy's current power. Though it was not enough to make her take her seriously, it was more than sufficient to participate in this level of battle.
"Then I'll join the fight too. Against a ninja of this caliber, relying solely on your Clone is too much."
With that, Ruri voluntarily broke free from the Water Prison, standing atop the serpent's head, using it as a fulcrum to leap to the surface of the water.
"Finally out, huh?"
Danzo squinted.
Ruri glanced at these people and finally locked his gaze onto the most threatening Hokage Hiruzen.
Might Duy's threat was temporary, Danzo and Akimichi Torifu were also not much of a threat, while Hiruzen Sarutobi, known as the 'Ninja Professor', was the greatest threat.
Must stop him here.
And also stop those accompanying Anbu and Jonin.
Coming alone? Hiruzen saw Ruri charging toward him alone, slightly surprised.
Unwilling to show weakness, he engaged Ruri head-on, swinging the Mind Stick in his hand.
Ruri knew the might of the Mind Stick, unable to resist with flesh and blood, he formed a seal with his hands, then bit down on his fingers and slapped them into the air beside him, as if pressing against something solid.
"Summoning Jutsu!"
Poof.
White smoke spread out.
A furry, slightly fat orange cat somersaulted in mid-air, about the height of an adult human, but much larger in size, landing heavily on the ground, crouching in a human-like stance, causing a tremor.
"It's up to you, Ubi."
"Leave it to me, Lord Ruri!"
With a chubby, round face showing a serious expression, it assumed a defensive posture.
"A cat?"
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes slightly.
Hiruzen then swung his now normal-sized Mind Stick, aiming at the Summoning Cat standing in front of Ruri.
"What?"
The plump Orange Cat Ubi remained unmoved, only taking a few steps back, as the staff of the Mind Stick sank into Ubi's belly, then rebounded with even more ferocious force.
Ubi's face twisted with pain, tears welling up in its eyes, but it held back from letting them flow.
Why is Lord Ruri fighting such a guy, my belly hurts so much! Ubi lamented in its heart.
The belly hit by the Mind Stick should have swollen, making it look even fatter than usual.
Hiruzen, due to the rebound force, couldn't help but stagger back, while Ruri had already leapt into the air, immediately forming a seal:
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
An enormous fireball, eight meters in diameter, crashed down.
The accompanying Anbu standing on the water immediately unleashed Water Style to counter.
However, under such a powerful Fire Style attack, the water turned to steam, transforming into a scorching inferno over the water's surface.
Falling Anbu Ninja masks were instantly incinerated and melted within.
The bedraggled Anbu Ninja scrambled out of the fireball's range of attack, Hiruzen also narrowly avoided the flames, scorch marks on his clothing.
"Her Fire Style Jutsu has a wide range, be careful!"
Those Anbu and Jonin began to guard against Ruri's Fire Style.
The Summoning Cat Ubi ran on the water's surface, appearing bulky but actually quite fast, using sharp claws to break through, forcing back the Konoha Ninja assailing it.
Soon after, these Konoha Ninja spat lightning and fire from their mouths, as Ubi dodged and then spewed fireballs from its mouth, attacking the Konoha Ninja.
"A cat's tongue can't be afraid of burns, can it?"