Path Of War

In an instant, Arthur launched himself backward and narrowly evaded a spike that shot from a nearby tree branch like an arrow. He landed gracefully on the ground, just in time to bend backward and dodge another spike that would have skewered him.

But Margaret was relentless, and she wasn't going easy.

"Wood style: wood clone jutsu!"

Before he could fully recover, five clones of her exact likeness sprang into existence. Each one was eager to engage him. They moved together and arranged themselves in a circle around him.

When they finally closed the gap, he fought them off by expertly dodging their punches and kicks—until one clone landed a jab to his chest. Another struck high with a kick aimed squarely at his neck, and two more delivered sharp elbows to his sides in perfect synchrony.

But despite their apparent success, each clone felt a sudden disbelief as they spotted the stoic expression on his face.

"Impressive," he remarked after straightening himself.

With a swift motion, he grabbed one of the clones by the wrist.

'Water style: water prison jutsu...'

A sphere of water enveloped all the wood clones and trapped them within. The real Margaret had never seen this technique effectively used like this before. And as her clones flailed helplessly, Arthur vanished from sight, swimming above the surface.

Breaking through the top of the water prison, he twirled mid-air, and in a flash, he revealed that strange long sword glowing in his hand. Margaret's eyes widened in shock—she had never seen anyone using that pulsing weapon before.