A flame suddenly appeared out of thin air, ready to engulf the Root ninja who had just used a sound-based ninjutsu.
But at that critical moment, the ninja lunged forward, narrowly avoiding the attack from the * Fire Release: Pure Combustion Jutsu*.
Seimei uttered a soft sound of surprise, immediately preparing to launch another attack.
However, before he could weave another set of hand seals, his sharp sensory abilities detected something unusual. The air around him was now tinged with chakra.
Seimei's eyes narrowed as a familiar sensation washed over him.
In an instant, he recognized the technique—it was the very same *Fire Release: Scorching Burn Technique* he had just performed moments ago!
Scanning the surroundings, he quickly spotted a Root ninja concealed behind a nearby tree, weaving hand seals.
It was clear that the enemy had replicated his technique.
Without hesitation, Seimei flapped his wings and swiftly left the area.
Almost immediately, a massive flame burst forth, consuming the spot he had just vacated.
Had he been even a fraction slower, he would have been engulfed in the inferno.
"Heh, impressive timing," Seimei sneered, swiftly forming hand seals. He unleashed *Wind Release: Blade of Wind*, aiming directly at the Root ninja.
A transparent wind blade, about a meter long, shot forward at incredible speed toward the enemy.
Even though the ninja was behind a tree, he felt an overwhelming sense of danger. The most update n0vels are published on novel•fire.net
Wasting no time, he leaped out from behind the tree, narrowly avoiding the blade.
The next moment, the wind blade sliced through the tree trunk with a sharp *swish*.
The massive tree, unable to withstand the force, toppled over, its branches and leaves crashing onto nearby trees, forcing several Root ninjas to scatter.
"Now's my chance!" Seimei thought, forming seals once again to execute *Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique*.
Dozens of fireballs, like seeds of a phoenix flower, scattered across the area, igniting the fallen tree and rapidly spreading flames in all directions.
The conflagration affected not only the ninja beneath the fallen tree but also those hidden nearby.
Ninjas, despite their offensive prowess, were still fragile in the face of overwhelming fire. Even ordinary flames could claim their lives if they burned long enough.
With this thought, Seimei formed another set of seals, unleashing *Wind Release: Great Breakthrough*.
A fierce gust of wind surged from his mouth, fanning the flames below into a raging inferno that consumed the forest.
Ordinary ninjas might have panicked in such a situation, but the Root operatives remained composed.
Five of them launched a coordinated assault on Seimei, drawing his attention and preventing him from escalating the destruction.
Meanwhile, four others simultaneously performed water-style techniques.
In an instant, a deluge of water swept over the blazing forest, dousing the flames.
Though the fire was fierce, it was still ordinary in nature, while the water was enhanced by chakra.
As a result, the water release techniques eventually overpowered the flames.
Moments later, the majority of the fire had been extinguished, leaving only smoldering remnants and thick black smoke.
Seimei evaded the attacks aimed at him and surveyed the scene below.
The once-thriving forest was now a damp wasteland. Reigniting it would not be easy.
He sighed inwardly, lamenting the missed opportunity, before turning his gaze to the remaining nine Root ninjas. With his Byakugan, he could clearly see their chakra levels.
Among them were two Jonin, six Special Jonin, and one Chunin.
Individually, such a group wasn't overly concerning to Seimei. He was confident he could take them head-on.
But these were Root operatives. Their true strength wasn't just about chakra levels—it lay in their meticulous preparation and ruthless tactics.
The fact that they dared to confront him meant they had a plan.
Although his ambush had disrupted their preparations, Seimei knew better than to assume they were out of tricks.
Thus, he resolved to maintain his distance, leveraging his flight advantage to wear them down. Engaging in close combat was too risky.
Seimei glanced toward the battlefield in the distance, where numerous Mist ninjas were still engaged. They could serve as a convenient backup for replenishing his chakra.
With this in mind, Seimei launched another series of long-range ninjutsu, raining destruction on the Root ninjas below.
For the next several minutes, he became an unstoppable force, unleashing one technique after another with pinpoint precision.
The Root ninjas, caught in his relentless barrage, scrambled to evade. Yet Seimei smirked coldly.
"Such a pathetic act," he muttered.
He knew the Root's modus operandi well. If they were serious about counterattacking, they wouldn't hesitate to sacrifice one of their own to create an opening.
But instead, these ninjas clung to their lives, dodging desperately. It was clear they were trying to lower his guard, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.
Unfortunately for them, Seimei had no intention of playing into their hands.
Relying solely on long-range attacks, he kept the advantage firmly in his grasp.
He didn't mind prolonging the fight. If the Root operatives wanted to put on a show, Seimei was happy to play along. After all, it was their lives on the line—not his.