Chapter 178: Ambush

Speaking of the five attributes, the earth attribute definitely has a place among those best suited for large-scale warfare.

These ninjas from the northwest plateau of the ninja world are all big and sturdy, not tall in stature, but each has a stubborn personality and also likes to stick together.

Once these rock ninjas reach a certain scale, they become quite difficult to deal with, and some characteristics of the earth attribute account for a large part of that.

They always stand behind the various earth-and-stone obstacles created by their ninjutsu, launching the Rock Iron Cannon Technique in groups of three or five to strike you from a distance.

Some of your attacks are easily blocked by their ninjutsu in front of them.

And that's not all!

When you try to approach them, you will also face the swampy area they create, forcing you to watch your step carefully while attacking, lest a moment's carelessness plunge you into the Yellow Spring Swamp.

Even if you get close to them, there is still an earth-flow wall in front of them that you must go around to reach their true bodies.

But then, after you go around that earth wall blocking your view, what you will face ahead could be an explosive tag or three burly men waiting for you—it's uncertain.

Even if none of those situations occur and you successfully begin a one-on-one duel, the opponent may very well choose another battlefield when they find themselves at a disadvantage.

This so-called other battlefield is easy to understand: it's simply the ground on which everyone stands!

Rock ninjas like to use Earth Release: Subterranean Travel when they can't win; at that point, whether you pursue them or not becomes quite a hassle.

Without sufficient perception ability, you may not detect the traces of enemies hidden underground; even if you do discover their trail, you must also be proficient in Earth Release ninjutsu to act.

Otherwise, you chasing underground could be either pursuing them or walking into a trap—it's uncertain. After all, they have the home-field advantage in such an environment, and you may not be able to defeat them.

And this is even when you still have the upper hand!

If the situation turns bad, they will greet you enthusiastically with Rock Fist and Earth Release Hardening Technique. Don't be fooled by their short stature; their sturdy limbs combined with Rock Fist mean you may not withstand their heavy punches.

As for some large-scale defensive works, to them they may not be easily destroyed with a flip of the hand, but opening a few gaps is still no problem.

Check out Earth Rising Excavation, Mountain Earth Technique, and Great Earth Core Technique!

This gives the Rock Ninja Village a relatively strong position among the Five Great Nations.

Even the talent-rich Leaf Village dares not harbor any contempt toward the rock ninjas.

Boom— Crack! Bang!

As the rock ninjas' Rock Iron Cannons fell, the small grove filled with booming sounds, followed by clouds of dust filling the sky.

When the smoke and dust cleared, the small grove that had been perfectly fine was now riddled with holes; stones and broken tree limbs littered the ground.

These are the results of those Rock Iron Cannons just now; although they didn't hit any agile enemies this time, the immobile trees and land suffered.

Except for a few giant trees embraced by individuals, anything else struck—branches, trees, vegetation—lost its original form.

Even the ground was left pitted and uneven by those Rock Iron Cannons, with earth and stones flying about, occasionally harming some Uchiha brats who couldn't dodge in time.

"Don't stop! Perception ninjas, keep watch on the enemy's movements at all times!"

Seeing one or two unlucky fellows injured by the flying stones, the Gangshan Jonin had no intention of stopping, but instead continued to order his subordinates to keep attacking.

How far have we gotten?

He won't stop until the opposition has burned half their chakra; if luck is on his side, a few unlucky souls who can't dodge getting hit by these stone pellets would be ideal.

That would make things much easier for him later!

Behind them, less than twenty meters away, Dong Shilang, who had no presence, could hardly wait any longer.

If he didn't act, he estimated his companions couldn't withstand even a few rounds of those Rock Iron Cannon bombardments.

Indeed, each attack by those rock ninjas vaguely covers an area of dozens to over a hundred square meters; even if they can't directly hit his comrades, the flying stones still cause considerable trouble.

Each time those stone pellets, after tracing a parabola, land with considerable momentum.

If the squad leaders Yan and Zhe didn't use Fire Release to slow those stones, the brats behind them might not all be able to dodge.

But doing so naturally leaves some high-temperature traces on those stone pellets, increasing their power when they scatter.

After another seven or eight rounds like that, they would likely lose most of their combat ability, making the upcoming melee highly disadvantageous.

Even the brats who have just entered the battlefield will expend considerable stamina dodging these attacks.

This makes it hard for Dong Shilang, who has been lying in ambush behind them, to keep waiting.

If he still doesn't act to stop them, he estimates that this whole group will have no chance of victory!

Narrowing his eyes, he used the corner of his vision to confirm each rock ninja's position, while the three black comma-shaped jewels in his eyes began to slowly rotate around his pupils.

He slowly formed several hand seals, then puffed out his chest, gathered a bit of power, and expelled the high-density chakra he had stored in his mouth.

"Fire Release: Phoenix Flower Flame Bomb!"

As Dong Shilang's jutsu completed, a large mass of high-density chakra before him transformed into a basketball-sized fireball.

Then it suddenly exploded, forming about thirty orange-red fireballs the size of ping-pong balls, which spun rapidly toward the target he had locked onto beforehand.

Meanwhile, those rock ninjas had their backs to Dong Shilang's direction, essentially unprepared.

Dong Shilang had used only the corner of his vision to lock onto those rock ninjas precisely to avoid them noticing any clue.

The slick veterans on the battlefield, once anything seems off, will arouse their suspicion~