As these thoughts ran through his mind, the Mist Shinobi ahead suddenly made their move.
A sharp command rang out: **"Fire!"**
The next instant, a dense barrage of kunai rained down upon them like a torrential storm, leaving no room to evade.
Seeing this, some of the Genin in the group turned pale, instinctively retreating a few steps.
The Chūnin and Jōnin were also tense, gripping their kunai tightly and preparing to block the incoming assault with intense focus.
It was clear that if these kunai hit their target, their formation would be thrown into complete disarray. Among the kunai, some carried explosive tags, ready to unleash chaos.
Their numbers were already inferior to the enemy's, and if their formation broke apart, the battle would only become more unwinnable.
**"No, we must stop this!"**
Within a split second, Seimei made his decision.
He stepped forward, raising both hands. In an instant, he formed hand seals and slammed his palms onto the ground, invoking the Earth Release technique: **Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!**
With a rumbling noise, the ground shook violently.
The next moment, a massive earthen wall, 50 meters long and 10 meters high, rose from the earth, cutting through the forest and shielding the Konoha ninja.
Previously, creating such a substantial barrier in such a short time would have been challenging for Seimei. However, now that his **Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall** had reached level 6 (2300/10000), it was almost effortless.
The earthen wall successfully blocked the Mist Shinobi's attack.
Kunai clattered against the wall, either bouncing off or embedding themselves within. Explosive tags detonated harmlessly, leaving the Konoha ninja unscathed.
What's more, the Mist Shinobi were caught off guard.
Standing atop the earthen wall, Seimei surveyed the dense formation of Mist Shinobi below. Ignoring the explosions around him, he formed seals again and unleashed another jutsu: **Earth Style: Earth Spears!**
Infusing Earth Release chakra through the wall and into the ground, Seimei caused numerous rock spikes, as thick as an infant's arm, to burst from the ground. The spikes shot upward like lightning, skewering several Mist Shinobi.
In a blink, the forest ahead was transformed into a forest of rock needles. Hundreds of jagged spikes jutted out, creating a grotesque landscape that made onlookers' skin crawl.
Most of the Mist Shinobi managed to evade, but a few weren't so fortunate. Whether due to lack of skill or bad luck, they became the focus of Seimei's attack and were pierced by multiple spikes.
The forest echoed with their anguished screams.
Though this sequence of events took time to describe, it happened in mere moments. The Mist Shinobi barely had time to react to Seimei's dual techniques.
However, Seimei's earthen wall soon began to crumble without chakra to sustain it, revealing the Konoha ninja once more.
A commanding voice roared from the Mist Shinobi ranks: **"Attack!"**
The enemy immediately charged, kunai in hand, rushing toward the Konoha group.
"Organize the defense," Seimei instructed a nearby Konoha Jōnin, not waiting for a response before activating **Wind Release: Wind Wings** to soar above the treetops and into the sky.
From above, he could see the Mist Shinobi charging through the forest below. Without hesitation, Seimei formed seals again, unleashing the **Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!**
A massive fireball, 30 meters in diameter, roared into existence, its brilliance and heat momentarily overshadowing the sun.
Everyone below, both Konoha and Mist Shinobi alike, froze in awe at the sight of the blazing inferno.
Taking advantage of their hesitation, Seimei directed the fireball to descend upon the Mist Shinobi.
As it fell, the forest beneath it began to wither and ignite, the heat searing everything in its path.
"Defend yourselves!"
"Evade!"
"Take it out!"
Panic spread among the Mist Shinobi, and the last command prevailed.
Three Mist Jōnin launched simultaneous attacks, each using **Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!**
Three colossal water dragons surged upward, colliding with the fireball.
**Boom!**
The impact seemed to freeze time. The water dragons met the fireball in a standstill, white steam billowing into the sky. The battlefield was like a boiling cauldron, ready to explode at any moment.
After only a brief stalemate, both the fireball and the water dragons exploded, scattering flames and water everywhere.
The resulting chaos disrupted the Mist Shinobi's advance, buying the Konoha forces some time.
Having delivered a decisive blow, Seimei prepared to continue his assault but noticed movement in the distance.
In the direction they had come from, he spotted shadowy figures moving.
Confirming that the Hyuga Clan wasn't part of their group on this mission, Seimei lifted the seal on his forehead and activated his **Byakugan**.
Through the veil of the forest, his enhanced vision revealed a group of Mist Shinobi blocking their retreat. However, among them was a figure that caught his attention.
This person's chakra pathways were unusual, resembling a web teeming with parasites feeding on their chakra.
They were **parasitic insects**, similar to those used by the Aburame Clan.
But why would an Aburame ninja be among the Mist Shinobi?
Seimei's expression darkened as suspicions filled his mind.
**"No, I must capture them!"**
Determined to uncover the truth, Seimei planned to confront the enemy directly.
Just as he was about to move, the sounds of battle drew his attention back below. The Mist Shinobi had engaged the Konoha forces in close combat.
Thinking quickly, Seimei formed a shadow clone.
**Poof!**
Two clones, both with wings, appeared beside him.
He sent one to the Blackstone Outpost to request reinforcements from Sano Nobunaga, while the other stayed to assist the Konoha forces.
As for Seimei himself, he headed toward the mysterious figure among the Mist Shinobi.
Uncovering their identity was now his top priority.