https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-42-Preparing-to-Do-Some-Secret-Things-/12832034/
Chapter 41: Solo Against a High-Ranked Ninja!
Chapter 41: Solo Against a High-Ranked Ninja!
"Fire Release: Fire Mist Jutsu!"
East River shouted as he tossed lime powder behind him, where the third squad was being pressured by the 'Desert High-Ranked Ninja' who was overpowering Kakashi.
His role was that of a guardian!
Or so it seemed.
Hearing the voice behind him, Kakashi, who was blocking the attacks, immediately closed his eyes and took a direct hit from the opponent to create some distance.
Lime powder!
This substance, which had been used during the last bandit cleanup, had been introduced to the two of them by East River.
So now they knew how to deal with it.
This 'Desert High-Ranked Ninja,' though unfamiliar with the 'Fire Mist Jutsu,' instinctively avoided it due to his extensive combat experience.
His speed was astonishing!
Even if high-ranked ninjas have their specialties, they never have fatal weaknesses.
This ninja's Shadow Step Technique was excellent, and he quickly evaded the lime powder.
However, East River only used the lime powder to help Kakashi out; he didn't think it would be enough to take down a high-ranked ninja.
He formed hand seals.
"Fire Release: Flame Cloak!"
This wasn't the time to worry about secrecy; it was about survival. He didn't care if his trump card was revealed.
A thin, fiery cloak enveloped his body.
At the same time, he swallowed a soldier pill.
But before East River could launch an attack, he instinctively raised his right arm.
Thud!
A sharp kunai pierced his hand.
"Huh..."
A surprised gasp echoed.
Perhaps the high-ranked ninja didn't expect this potentially fatal strike to fail.
Bang!
East River was kicked away.
If his reaction had been a fraction slower, it might have been his neck instead of his hand that was pierced.
The brush with death left him mentally blank.
Though he had never shown it, East River had always harbored a sense of 'arrogance' due to his status as an Outsider.
For example, he had insisted on the idea that 'he was different from the people of the ninja world.'
In this twisted ninja world, maintaining a sense of distinct clarity was itself the greatest form of arrogance.
Arrogance isn't a sin... the problem is having the strength to back it up!
He wasn't a Hyuga, and he had no system or deep blue abilities. Wanting to 'aintain a distinct clarity' was nothing if not arrogance.
At the same time, East River realized that he wasn't as calm in the face of death as he had imagined.
He didn't want to die!
At that moment, this was the only thought in his mind.
With his left hand, he reached into his ninja tool pouch and drank a bottle of undiluted healing potion that he had saved.
Then, ignoring the pain in his right hand, he formed seals!
He didn't notice that his movements were faster and his focus sharper, a stark contrast from before.
It's like the difference between a rookie and a seasoned veteran; the data might not show much of a gap, but the performance is worlds apart.
"Fire Release: Flame Bullet!"
East River used this C-rank jutsu to stop the opponent's pursuit.
Even a high-ranked ninja is made of flesh and blood.
Whether a low-ranked ninja or a high-ranked ninja, getting hit would mean death.
The key was to 'hit' the target.
It was obvious that hitting a high-ranked ninja was impossible.
On the contrary, this action would only make the opponent realize he was a threat and choose to target him.
Boom!
The flames shattered the area where the 'Desert High-Ranked Ninja' stood.
East River was confident that this move would have taken down a low-ranked or mid-ranked ninja, at the very least causing significant damage.
But against a fully capable high-ranked ninja, the Flame Bullet was ineffective.
So he had other plans.
Bang!
He transformed into a wooden block.
Behind the block stood the high-ranked ninja wearing a Desert Village headband.
As expected, the opponent had recognized his threat and targeted him directly.
East River had anticipated this and used the Body Replacement Technique, or he would have been dead before he could react.
Rush!
Enveloped in the Flame Cloak, East River took the initiative to attack.
No way!
This secret technique was designed for close combat. Using it and then retreating would be a waste.
Whoosh, whoosh!
Several senbon needles shot from the side, simultaneously attacking the 'Desert High-Ranked Ninja.'
Kakashi made his move.
As for Sanjima Koji, he remained hidden in the shadows, ready to provide support.
With the Fire Cloak enhancing his melee capabilities, Douhei's combat effectiveness soared, especially with the ability to use flame bursts to alter his movement speed, making it nearly impossible for enemies to predict his actions.
"What kind of secret technique...?"
The 'Sand Jonin' exclaimed in shock, his kunai striking empty air several times.
It was unheard of for a genin to hold off a jonin's attack.
"Fire Mist Technique!"
Douhei swung his empty left hand, scattering a packet of lime powder.
He carried quite a bit of this stuff.
Shh!
The white lime powder enveloped the nearby space.
Close your eyes!
If you didn't want to be affected by the lime, the best course of action was to close your eyes.
Ninja taijutsu allowed one to fight even with their eyes closed. The future 'Mighty Guy' could even battle with his eyes shut.
And with the enemy's eyes closed, Kakashi would take the opportunity to launch a long-range attack.
Using the Fire Cloak and lime powder, Douhei managed to survive the assault of a jonin.
However, this 'Sand Jonin' was no pushover.
Even with his eyes closed, he dodged the senbon and shuriken Kakashi threw, showing no intention of retreating.
He was determined to kill Douhei!
The air was thick with the stench of blood being evaporated.
Roar!
The Fire Cloak on Douhei's body converged on his right fist, which had a bleeding wound.
His chakra was running low!
He wasn't a member of the Uzumaki clan or a jinchuriki, and even with the help of soldier pills, his chakra was nearly depleted. It was time for a final, decisive strike.
Throw caution to the wind and fight for survival!
Originally, close combat was his weakness, but now he was using it to stay alive.
If he tried to create distance, allowing the jonin to use jutsu, death was guaranteed.
Seemingly sensing the extraordinary nature of Douhei's attack, the 'Sand Jonin' quickly formed two seals, his right hand enveloped in blue lightning.
Zap!
It wasn't the Chidori, but a C-rank Lightning Release jutsu.
There wasn't enough time for a higher-level technique.
This highlighted the advantage of seal-less jutsu.
If Douhei had to form seals, the enemy would have had enough time to use a high-level jutsu. But with seal-less jutsu, the enemy, in a hurry, could only use a C-rank technique to counter.
Fire Release: Flame Fist!
Douhei thought to himself.
With his current chakra control, this was the best he could do. If he were stronger, he could have developed many more techniques.
There was no reason why he couldn't achieve what the future Kakashi's Chidori Stream could do.
The two fists collided.
Flame vs. Lightning!
Boom!
In the massive explosion, Douhei's body flew up like a rag doll.
"Douhei!!"
Before losing consciousness, the last thing he saw was Sanjima Koji rushing over and the face of the 'Sand Jonin,' whose cheek was scorched by the flames.
...
When he awoke, the surroundings had changed dramatically.
The room, predominantly white, and the disinfectant smell in the air all indicated where he was.
Konoha Hospital!
His body was free of wounds.
Even the hand that had been pierced by a kunai was smooth and unblemished. If not for the slight difference in skin color, one might think he had never been injured.
That undiluted original liquid hadn't been wasted.
"You're awake?"
The cold voice of a girl beside him brought light back to Douhei's eyes.
It was Uchiha Meiko!
She sat on a chair by the bed, her eyes hidden behind white bandages, but her sharp and beautiful face remained undiminished.
"What happened...?"
Douhei recalled the events leading up to his unconsciousness.
"The ANBU arrived just in time to save you and Koji. They also killed that 'Sand Jonin.' The village has been busy dealing with this for the past two days..."
Uchiha Meiko slowly recounted what had happened after Douhei lost consciousness.
(End of Chapter)
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