TSSITWON Chapter 243: Three Dragons

Seeing this, the rhino-masked man growled. Both of his palms pressed against the ground. "Doton Doton no Jutsu: Doryū Taiga (Earth Technique: River of Mud Flow)!"

The ground beneath Aoki's feet suddenly liquefied, transforming into a thick swirling current of mud like a living swamp. The mud pressed against Aoki's legs, pulling him in, intending to swallow him whole.

However, Aoki remained steadfast. His breathing was steady. He closed his eyes for a moment.

"Mizu no Kokyu: Roku no kata: Nejire Uzu (Water Breathing: Sixth Form: Water Whirl)!"

From Aoki's body, a whirlpool of water emerged, twisting and dancing, crashing into the muddy ground with tremendous force. The mud was flung away like a body tossed by a storm, splattering against tree trunks, leaves, and the faces of the two enemies standing frozen.

With a light movement, Aoki shot out of the trap, like a fish leaping from a torn net.

But the rhino-masked man was not finished. He bit his lip, then quickly formed hand seals. "Doton no Jutsu: Doryūdan (Earth Technique: Earth Dragon Bullet)!"

The muddy ground split apart, and from the gap, a giant dragon head made of thick mud emerged. The mud dragon's eyes seemed alive, and then it shot large mud balls at Aoki with a heavy roar.

The snake-masked man observed the gap. Without hesitation, he quickly formed hand seals with impressive speed. In an instant, he took a deep breath, and from his throat, fire began to blaze—roaring wildly like a dragon awakening—before finally bursting forth from the snake-masked man's mouth in a breath that scorched the night air.

"Katon no Jutsu: Karyudan (Fire Technique: Fire Dragon Bullet)!"

Fire shot from the snake-masked man's mouth, enveloping the mud balls in a merging blaze. The combination of earth and fire created a deadly projectile—a flaming mud ball like a hellish meteor, destroying the trees in its path, leaving behind charred remnants and embers.

Aoki snorted softly, lowering his body into a low stance. "Mizu no Kokyu: Jū no kata: Seisei Ruten (Water Breathing: Tenth Form: Dragon of Change)...!"

Aoki's body began to spin, slowly at first, then faster. Wind and water surrounded Aoki's body. Each swing of Aoki's sword formed a vortex stronger than before. The flashes of water around Aoki's blade created the illusion of a dragon twisting in the air.

As the flaming mud ball was just a few meters away, Aoki leaped, immediately swinging his sword with all his might. From that slash, a water dragon surged forth, roaring as if it had a spirit of its own.

The impact occurred.

"BOOOOMMMM!!!"

A massive explosion shook the night sky. Red and blue light merged in the air, forming a shockwave that spread over a wide radius. The sound of the explosion was deafening. Birds flew away in panic from their nests. Trees fell. Roots were uprooted. The ground trembled as if an ancient creature was rising from within the forest.

Smoke and dust enveloped the area within a radius of dozens of meters. Burning leaves fell like ash rain. Yet from behind the curtain of smoke and fog, Aoki emerged.

Aoki still stood.

His body was covered in dust and bloodstains. His clothes were torn in several places. Aoki's chest rose and fell, but his gaze remained calm. Unwavering. Unafraid. The night wind gently blew his hair, enhancing the terrifying aura surrounding Aoki.

The two Root ninjas froze. Their faces were pale. Cold sweat trickled down their temples. They knew this was not an ordinary enemy. This was a monster.

They tried to retreat. Their bodies trembled, their steps slightly unsteady.

But Aoki had vanished from sight.

"Kaze no Kokyū: Ichi no kata: Jin Senpū - Sogi (Wind Breathing: First Form: Dust Whirlwind Cutter)!"