Puff!
A gust of slicing wind tore through the air, but the target dissipated into a splash of water.
Asuma Sarutobi narrowed his eyes. "A water clone...?"
From the treetops, a voice rang out—cold and mocking.
"You're too slow, Sarutobi."
Suddenly, Wayne, a rogue Mist shinobi, launched a high-pressure water cannon from above. Kurenai Yuhi shouted, "Asuma, above you!"
BOOM!
The water cannon slammed into the earth, creating a crater several meters wide. Asuma, narrowly dodging, landed with a rough skid.
"That nearly took my head off..." he muttered.
Kurenai rushed to his side, concern evident. "We need to fight him together. He's no ordinary missing-nin."
But Asuma shook his head with a smirk. "I've got this, Kurenai. I'm not the Third Hokage's son for nothing."
He bit down on a chakra blade, channeling his signature technique. A humming, blue aura enveloped his forearms—Wind Style: Chakra Blade Technique.
With enhanced speed and cutting power, Asuma vanished in a blur.
Wayne's eyes widened. "Fast."
"Let's see how you handle this!" Asuma shouted, appearing behind him, chakra blades swinging.
Slash!
Wayne's head separated from his body, flying high into the air.
But before Asuma could relax—
BOOM!
The body exploded into a massive surge of water.
"A Water Clone again?!"
A tsunami of seawater surged toward Asuma, unnaturally massive for Water Style. Dozens of serpentine creatures writhed within it.
"What... are those?!" Kurenai gasped from a distance.
They were long, eel-like beasts crackling with electricity. Asuma, now surrounded in the middle of the aquatic maelstrom, was under attack from all sides.
"They're... electric eels?"
Wayne laughed maniacally from above. "You Konoha shinobi think you're untouchable. Let's see how Asuma handles my Storm Style: Eel Swarm Prison! I wonder how your Wind Style holds up underwater!"
Electricity coursed through the water, shocking Asuma violently. He gritted his teeth, muscles twitching uncontrollably as he tried to resist.
The water began to turn red.
"No!!" Kurenai screamed. She ran forward, despite the danger, diving into the water.
Zap!!
A jolt of electricity surged through her the moment she touched it, forcing her back.
"There's current in the water?!"
Wayne stood at the edge, arms crossed. "This ocean is mine. You stepped into the wrong battlefield."
Kurenai regained her footing and glared up. "You monster...!"
"Oh come on," Wayne smirked. "Don't be so cold, Kurenai. Once I'm done with Konoha, why not join me in Kirigakure?"
"I'd rather die!" she spat, raising her kunai.
Wayne's eyes narrowed. "So be it."
Kunai flew, fast and sharp. Steel clashed in midair as both sides engaged. Sparks flew, weapons whirled.
But suddenly, Wayne froze.
His pupils dilated. The trees, the battlefield, Kurenai—everything twisted.
"Genjutsu..." he growled. "You're a genjutsu specialist, aren't you?"
Kurenai's crimson eyes gleamed. "And you walked right into it."
Wayne smiled coldly, blood running down his cheek from earlier. "You'll regret using illusions on me…"