The air crackled with a tension thicker than the humid jungle mist.
Ishiki, having downed the last drop of the concentrated food, felt a surge of adrenaline, his mind immediately sharpening as he wore the Genius Helmet.
The world slowed down, his analytical capabilities spiking, preparing him for the rapid-fire computations a battle of this calibre demanded.
He gripped Denkomaru, a weapon of unknown potential, in one hand, and wrapped the protective layers of the Reverse Cloak around his other arm.
Fully kitted out, every piece of technology and every ounce of resolve focused, he moved towards Shino, prepared to fight a duel to the death.
Shino observed Ishiki's approach with a cold, almost bored expression.
"Looks like you finally stopped playing games," he sneered, the contempt in his voice heavy.
Without preamble, Shino's sword flashed. He executed the Wind Release: Vacuum Sword, a razor-thin crescent of chakra-infused wind, tearing across the distance towards Ishiki.
But Ishiki was ready. With a precise movement aided by the Reverse Cloak, he absorbed the technique and instantly deflected the blade of wind back toward its originator.
Shino's eyes widened in surprise, a flicker of genuine shock crossing his face before he instinctively dodged the returned attack.
He recovered quickly, a condescending mask settling back into place.
Looks like my subordinate was right, boy.
Hand it over, and I will spare you.
This is your final chance.
Ishiki, fueled by defiance and the desperation of the fight, ignored the threat.
He closed the distance, attacking fiercely with Denkomaru.
The air filled with the clang of metal and the rush of powerful chakra.
Ishiki fought with a suicidal intensity, relying on the analysis provided by the Genius Helmet to predict and counter Shino's movements.
He gave Shino no breathing room, a relentless assault of blows and quick footwork, forcing the older man to remain purely defensive.
Ishiki was simultaneously fighting and analyzing, trying to find the single, exploitable flaw in Shino's impenetrable guard.
Sensing the fight tilting against him, Shino knew he needed to reset.
With a powerful expulsion of chakra, he unleashed the B-rank jutsu: Wind Release: Vacuum Wave, a massive burst of wind that slammed into Ishiki.
The force sent Ishiki hurtling high into the air, momentarily stunning him and giving Shino the crucial reprieve he needed.
While Ishiki was still suspended, struggling to regain his bearings, Shino immediately followed up with another devastating B-rank jutsu: Great Sickle Weasel Technique.
Multiple weasel-like blades of wind, sharp, numerous, and moving with blinding speed, filled the air, creating a cage of death with no clear escape route.
Ishiki twisted, desperately trying to parry and block the incoming storm with the Reverse Cloak, but the sheer volume of attacks overwhelmed the defense.
Blades sliced through his clothing, tearing gashes across his exposed skin. He was bleeding, battered, and rapidly running out of time.
Just as a killing blow seemed imminent, a figure surged from the ground.
A Shadow Clone, but not just any clone, it was clearly a Hashirama Wood Clone, solid and powerful, that intercepted the remaining blades and shielded Ishiki.
The clone absorbed the brunt of the attack, sacrificing itself to save the young warrior.
Ishiki landed roughly, leaning on his weary body, and looked up to see two more figures racing toward him: Hashirama and Madara, both showing signs of a recent, brutal engagement scrapes, torn clothes, and minor burns marking their recovery.
A weary smile touched Ishiki's lips.
He wasn't alone.
They positioned themselves on either side of Ishiki, supporting him and allowing him to stand, their gazes fixed on Shino.
Shino observed the trio, his expression darkening.
"Brats, what happened to my subordinates?"
Madara, his eyes narrowed into cold slits, answered with chilling finality.
"Dead. Now you will too."
Shino glanced with pure, seething anger at his subordinate, whose the only one alive now.
He believed was responsible for orchestrating the entire mess.
"I will deal with you later," he spat, refocusing his entire, deadly attention on the three formidable young men before him.
Unseen and unknown to Shino, the last surviving subordinate had quietly and wisely decided to abandon the fight, melting into the shadows and making his escape.
The three prepared for the final confrontation.
This was the most powerful enemy they had ever faced, a man who had effortlessly dominated Ishiki even with his high-tech gear.
Madara activated his One-Tomoe Sharingan, the crimson eye observing not just Shino's movements, but the subtle flow of chakra beneath his skin.
Hashirama, in his readiness, created an additional Wood Clone and adopted a precise, low taijutsu stance, prepared for a close-quarters brawl.
Ishiki took a deep, steadying breath, reviewing his own chakra reserves.
They were dangerously low, the previous fight having taken a heavier toll than he realized.
He made a quick, tactical decision.
He removed the Reverse Cloak and handed it to Madara.
The Concentrated Food , he passed to Hashirama.
He quickly articulated his plan.
"I will fight head-on with my sword. This will auto-parry the non-fatal blows.
You two try to break his defense and take him down. I will act as your shield."
Both Hashirama and Madara nodded instantly, trust implicit in their shared look.
Hashirama quickly ingested his chakra into the concentrated food.
The three men, in a silent pact, quickly drank it, feeling a small, vital surge of recovered energy and strength spread through their weary muscles.
Shino watched this display of teamwork and preparation, a confident, predatory smile stretching across his face.
Come at me with everything you have, he challenged, the true meaning of his words hanging in the air. "I will kill you all."