Chapter 46 The Final Battle (Part 4)
Imai Kenta had indeed been holding back the entire time. Whether before or after teaming up with Uchiha启, he always appeared to be the weakest and most harmless one.
However, he also knew that Uchiha启 and the others could tell he was holding back. After all, 'Chunin' was just a rank; surviving eight years on the battlefield without any reservations was simply impossible.
But Imai Kenta believed they absolutely didn't know the specifics of the abilities he was concealing. Now, with no one to support him, he naturally couldn't continue to pretend if he wanted to live.
If he kept pretending, Uchiha启 might even skip burying his body. Knowing that guy's style, he'd probably hit his corpse with a Fire Release and happily leave.
"A bit interesting, kid." The Stone Ninja sneered, then charged forward again.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet." Imai Kenta's demeanor suddenly became more composed. As he dodged the Stone Ninja's attack, he immediately formed hand signs, and the next moment, a water dragon erupted from the water beneath the bridge!
Imai Kenta actually knew Ninjutsu!
If Uchiha启 had witnessed this, he would have been surprised, especially since Imai Kenta used it with such proficiency, not at all like someone who had only recently learned it!
Clearly, this guy's Ninjutsu had been learned and practiced over a long period, which completely contradicted Uchiha启's impression of Imai Kenta—a Civilian Ninja who had no opportunity to learn Ninjutsu.
The water dragon's head rapidly approached the Stone Ninja, who was not to be trifled with.
Without any flashy movements or using any Ninjutsu, he simply changed his grip on the Kunai slightly with one hand, then fiercely thrust it towards the water dragon's head.
The sharp Kunai, combined with terrifying strength, directly split Imai Kenta's water dragon in half with a single thrust!
His offensive didn't stop there; he continued his charge towards Imai Kenta's position.
Imai Kenta remained very calm. Although the Stone Ninja's aura was terrifying, it didn't intimidate Imai Kenta.
Imai Kenta quickly formed hand signs. The charging Stone Ninja's expression suddenly changed; he abruptly leaped into the air.
Unbeknownst to him, a large array of earthen spears had suddenly thrust out from the ground. These earthen spears were exceptionally sharp; if the Stone Ninja hadn't jumped, he would have been impaled by them.
Taking advantage of the Stone Ninja being forced into the air, Imai Kenta once again drew his ninja blade. His speed was like lightning, and in an instant, the Stone Ninja was cut in half at the waist!
Imai Kenta showed no change in expression. He looked as if he had done something incredibly insignificant, but the next second, his body turned into a puff of smoke.
Under the shroud of smoke, a flickering figure was very blurry, but this figure seemed to have frozen, stuck in place and unmoving.
"Drip, drop."
Drops of blood fell to the ground, and the smoke dissipated at that moment. The Stone Ninja looked incredulously at the blade in his chest. He felt his strength slowly draining away with the continuously dripping blood.
"Shadow... Shadow Clone?" The Stone Ninja weakly mumbled, "When? Could you see me?"
"When I released 'Earth Pillar Spear.'"
A cold voice sounded behind the Stone Ninja; it was Imai Kenta: "I couldn't see you; I'm not from the Uchiha Clan. But I could sense you. Did you think your first sneak attack being countered by me was just luck? I have to say, you put on a good act just now, but I'm sorry, I can sense your Chakra!"
The smoke completely cleared. Imai Kenta was now standing behind the Stone Ninja, his ninja blade plunged straight into the Stone Ninja's back.
The ninja blade entered from his back and emerged from his chest. Fresh blood continuously flowed along the blade. This strike was both swift and vicious!
Soon, Imai Kenta fiercely pulled out his ninja blade, and the Stone Ninja collapsed to the ground. Scarlet blood stained the bridge pier, and Imai Kenta also sat down on the ground.
"I'm exhausted. I really didn't expect to be so lucky as to encounter a Ninja with the Camouflage Hiding Technique. Uchiha启 must be furious right now."
Imai Kenta thought with a chuckle. If Uchiha启 had come to deal with this guy, he probably would have only needed to put on a show to trick him to his death.
Not to mention Uchiha启, even Hyuga Aya could probably handle it easily. The advantage of Dojutsu Clans was still very significant.
Taking a deep breath, Imai Kenta composed himself. Although the battle just now hadn't been very long, it had made Imai Kenta feel tired—a mental fatigue.
However, Imai Kenta quickly stood up. He knew his mission still continued. His mission was much easier compared to Minato Namikaze and Uchiha启's, but his mission was also the most important!
After quickly setting up the Exploding Tags, Imai Kenta prepared to climb up. He was currently under the bridge, and he didn't know what was happening above the bridge, but he knew there was likely still a fierce battle raging up there.
He had already felt huge tremors and heard explosions during his fight with the Stone Ninja. It was clear this battle was not easy.
"I hope Minato Namikaze is okay. How will I get back without him?"
Not only did Imai Kenta hope Minato Namikaze was okay, but Uchiha启 also hoped Minato Namikaze was okay.
However, compared to Imai Kenta's worry, Uchiha启 had no other thoughts. He knew just how strong Minato Namikaze truly was.
There weren't many Ninja who performed like gods during the Fourth Shinobi World War, and he was one of them.
Although he was severely beaten by Uchiha Madara and Obito, those two Uchiha were probably already on a much higher level by then, weren't they?
However, if Minato Namikaze hadn't died so early, his talent would probably have made his strength no weaker than Naruto's in the future, right?
At this moment, Minato Namikaze indeed felt no pressure. Although the Five-Tails had completely broken out, Minato Namikaze was still handling it relatively easily with his absolute speed advantage.
Especially with Minato Namikaze fighting unreservedly, not holding back his Chakra, he continuously unleashed various bizarre and head-scratching techniques based on the Rasengan, which he personally thought were quite good.
The Five-Tails, in front of him, was practically beaten without any chance to retaliate. After all, this wasn't the Land of Fire, nor was it close to Konoha.
The Five-Tails wasn't their Konoha Village's Tailed Beast, so he didn't need to seal it. Without any pressure, he naturally wouldn't hold back. The Five-Tails was already a bit out of breath from his attacks. If nothing unexpected happened, this battle would soon be over.
"I just wonder how other places are doing." Minato Namikaze thought to himself, "There was a battle fluctuation from under the bridge just now. It seems there were indeed enemies hidden down there. And how is Qi-kun doing now? Dealing with four Stone Ninja alone probably isn't easy either. It seems I need to act faster."
Thinking this, a Rasengan once again appeared in Minato Namikaze's hand, and this time, the Rasengan was even larger and its aura more terrifying than before.
Minato Namikaze died sealing the Nine-Tailed, and there's still a year until the novel's timeline, so his current strength shouldn't be low