Shrugging, Qingshan Liuyun said in a very relaxed tone,
"Of course it's boring! This kind of boring war should end as soon as possible!"
"You bastard!"
How dare you say it's boring! You think the Ninja World War is just a game? This is a real, serious war! Get your act together, you bastard!
Onoki could only glare at the flowing clouds over the green mountains; there was nothing else he could say. After all, given Qingshan Liuyun's strength, few would find it strange that he could speak so arrogantly. This was the difference in status that came from true power.
It took Onoki a while to calm his angry heart.
"Wait! Green Mountain Flowing Clouds, let's make a bet!"
"What do you want to bet?"
He turned his head and looked at the other person with some confusion. Aoyama Ryuun was curious; why was Onoki bringing up a bet at this moment?
"You won't use your sword; let's exchange a blow head-on. If you win, my Sand Village will withdraw. How about this bet?"
This was the last solution Onoki could come up with. If a full-scale war broke out, Iwagakure would inevitably lose. However, he was unwilling to surrender outright—after all, he had already invested so much manpower, resources, and money.
Without Aoyama Ryuun, Onoki didn't even consider the other Konoha ninja a threat.
"So, do you agree to this bet?"
At that moment, everyone's attention on the battlefield was focused on Aoyama Ryuun and Onoki. At least for Iwagakure, this gamble was reasonable. Regardless of the outcome, they could survive. But in Konoha's eyes, a head-on battle meant certain victory.
"Lord Liuyun! We—"
Before Hiashi Hyuga could finish his attempt to dissuade him, he was interrupted by Aoyama Ryuun.
"Although I don't think you can threaten me even in a direct confrontation, I will grant an old man's request!"
With that, Aoyama Ryuun sheathed the Withered Tree and Sakura Ju back into their swords. He looked at Onoki and the others with a relaxed expression.
"You—"
Even if what you said is true, couldn't you have put it more tactfully? Your words make it seem like my Hidden Stone Village is incompetent.
"Hey! Don't be angry."
Waving his hand, Qingshan Liuyun spoke in a tone that suggested he could bring the dead back to life.
"Even if you're angry, there's nothing you can do. Do you want to jump up and hit my knee?"
"I—"
Onoki's eyes widened in surprise. It's unbelievable—he actually dared to mock me like that? It had been so long since anyone dared speak like that to him. Even the Iwagakure ninja present started to laugh. Onoki was already short, and after Aoyama Ryuun had cut off his leg, he appeared even smaller. Without the ability to fly, he would truly be the type to jump up and hit someone's knee.
"Damn it! Stop talking nonsense and let's fight!"
Onoki was so angry he didn't want to say anything more. His face flushed red as he hovered in mid-air, his angry eyes fixed on Qingshan Liuyun.
Shrugging, Qingshan Liuyun said nothing more. He slightly flexed his right wrist and walked toward Onoki.
"Lord Liuyun!"
Hiashi Hyuga and his team were still somewhat worried. Although Qingshan Liuyun's strength was immense, it primarily lay in his swordsmanship. They felt that if he didn't rely on his sword now, something bad might happen.
However, Aoyama Ryuun himself remained calm.
"Watch closely. I'm using swordsmanship not because I'm the best swordsman, but simply because I enjoy it!"
"This…"
Speechless. That was such a pretentious thing to say! Qingshan Liuyun simply enjoyed using a sword, but that didn't mean swordsmanship was his only skill.
"You brat!"
Looking at the approaching Green Mountain Flowing Clouds, Onoki formed a hand seal. A white cube, representing Dust Release, appeared between his hands. A pair of eyes, fixed intently on Green Mountain Flowing Clouds, were filled with determination.
Although if they lost, Iwagakure would be forced to withdraw from the battlefield of the Third Shinobi World War, once they won, the obstacles of the green hills and flowing clouds would be gone, and Iwagakure could potentially defeat Konoha.
With that thought in mind, Onoki no longer hesitated and aimed his hands at Aoyama Ryuun.
"Come on, brat! Let's see how you deal with my Dust Release without swordsmanship!"
"Dust Release—Particle Style: Detachment Technique!"
A white cube, radiating a dazzling light and representing Dust Release, rapidly approached Green Mountain Flowing Clouds.
"Oh!"
With a slight smile, Qingshan Liuyun showed no intention of using Kumu and Ying Shi. Instead, he raised his arm, his face cold as he watched the approaching white cube.
"Arm up!" he whispered.
Strands of black, special energy floated along Qingshan Liuyun's right arm. The jet-black Armament Haki completely enveloped his arm. Ordinary Armament Haki was insufficient to counter Onoki's Dust Release—but Ryuo?
"Clang!"
Suddenly, streaks of red energy erupted from the jet-black Armament Haki. Then a punch was thrown, striking the Dust Release technique.
"Boom!"
A deafening roar erupted between Aoyama Ryuun's fist and Onoki's Dust Release.
"This… this is impossible!"
Onoki, using Dust Release, wore an expression of utter disbelief. Under the influence of Dust Escape, Qingshan Liuyun's fist had steadily caught the white cube. How was this possible? How could an ordinary fist withstand the power of Dust Release? Shouldn't it have been decomposed instantly?
Onoki could not believe it.
"Oh!"
Onoki's disbelief only made Aoyama Ryuun laugh.
"So even though he's the Tsuchikage, he's still a frog in a well!"
His right fist blocked the Dust Release. Green Mountain Flowing Clouds moved forward slowly, and the cube formed by Dust Release began to retreat gradually under Qingshan Liuyun's power. This proved one thing: even without using swordsmanship, Aoyama Ryuun had a method to counter Onoki's Dust Release.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Onoki had always been full of confidence in his Dust Release kekkei genkai technique.
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