Chapter 13: The Hunter and the Prey
Ding ding ding——
The sound of metal collision continued to echo.
A thin and short black shadow swiftly darted through the woods, stretching his body freely in the Hyuga clan's vast independent training ground.
Behind this black shadow trailed another tall and robust figure, calmly following, occasionally hurling kunai from his ninja tool pouch to disrupt his movements.
Similarly, kunai mixed with shurikens and various ninja tools were flung from Ryosuke's hands like bullets, aiming towards Hiashi who pursued him.
Attempting to impede his pursuit while simultaneously shooting down the ninja tools hurled by Hiashi.
Speed and strength were pushed to their limits in this moment. Ryosuke's spirit was taut, yet his mind remained clear.
All the internal organs in his body worked rapidly, adapting to the strain imposed by the intense movement. Apart from focusing on the battle, he expelled all other thoughts from his mind.
This was a type of combat he had never experienced in his previous life. Such confrontations with cold weapons, actual combat, were strictly forbidden in his former life.
Yet, this did not make Ryosuke uncomfortable; instead, he felt incredibly... exhilarated!
Scenes that previously existed only in anime or cinematic clips were now his reality.
This sensation was exquisite, and he relished the process immensely.
However, amidst his excitement, he remained composed, an extreme calmness born from the zenith of excitement.
An expressionless countenance, typical of solitary darkness, settled upon Ryosuke's face. He took this actual combat with utmost seriousness, relishing it while also being focused.
There was no need to glance back. With his back to the kunai or shurikens hurtling towards him, the Byakugan on Ryosuke's face enabled him to perceive all surrounding situations clearly from every direction.
His petite and nimble body deftly dodged the attacks of these ninja tools, resembling an elf dancing amidst the jungle.
However, Ryosuke did not pursue such aesthetic beauty deliberately. Rather, he prioritized practicality over form.
Each of his evasive movements was subtle, almost brushing past the attacks, narrowly avoiding them.
Yet, this was not merely for the thrill or adrenaline rush but to create a broader scope for maneuvering.
The subtler the movement, the greater the scope for changing his evasion tactics should the enemy alter their attack method.
Chasing behind with a stern visage,Hiashi was pleased with Ryosuke's performance. After just a few instances of actual combat, Ryosuke demonstrated remarkable proficiency in handling such intense battles, showcasing his exceptional talent.
It was time to elevate the challenge.
Hiashi resolved inwardly.
But at this juncture, as his strength surged once more and kunai were hurled at an even swifter pace, Ryosuke, in his eyes, appeared to slow down.
Ryosuke made an error!
And the kunai he had just unleashed was aimed at the back of Ryosuke's head!
In an instant, a fierce glint flickered in Hiashi's eyes; chakra surged beneath the soles of his feet, propelling him forward with accelerated agility.
His figure, originally distinct to Ryosuke, blurred into a mere shadow.
A gust of wind surged forth as he advanced, slicing fallen leaves obstructing his path in half.
In response to Ryosuke's blunder, Hyuga Hiashi endeavored to intercept the kunai hurtling towards him at a faster pace.
Just as he neared the kunai's edge and reached out to seize it firmly—
In the next moment, the Ryosuke before him, who had his back turned, abruptly pivoted and lunged at him, striking him with a palm infused with chakra, heedless of the kunai's impending strike.
Subsequently, much to Hiashi's gratification, the Ryosuke standing before him effortlessly sidestepped the kunai, and the palm that was intended to strike him similarly passed through.
This marked the first time, amidst their protracted actual combat training, that Ryosuke attempted to adopt the role of the hunter.
However, it was futile.
"I won't be deceived by the same tactic twice."
Hiashi's tone resonated with admiration as he abruptly pivoted and unleashed a palm strike behind him.
His previous deception stemmed from his perception of Ryosuke as a mere child.
Yet now, he no longer viewed Ryosuke through such a lens but recognized him as a bonafide ninja.
Combat among ninjas warranted no levity. Despite not activating his Byakugan and thus being unable to fully protect his entire body, Hiashi's astute awareness as a seasoned ninja enabled him to discern impending danger.
Sure enough, another Ryosuke materialized behind him, launching forward, poised to target the pressure points on his back and seal his chakra.
With a chuckle and a wave of his hands, Hiashi surged forward, seeking to counter Ryosuke's momentum.
This was the scion of their Hyuga clan, the scion of their main family.
Faced with such an exceptional junior,Hiashi's sense of reassurance and pride swelled, rendering him less rigid and serious than usual.
Ryosuke compensated for Hinata's prior disappointment.
Yet, in this moment, as Hyuga Hiashi hurtled forward, he suddenly halted. As a ninja, his innate alertness instinctively detected danger.
The source of danger unquestionably did not emanate from the Ryosuke before him .
His eyes widened, activate!
Without hesitation, Ryosuke, who was advancing towards him, unleashed an attack. Despite this, the palpable sense of peril in Hiashi's heart prompted him to activate his dojutsu.
Veins protruded around his eye sockets as chakra surged into his eyes.
To his astonishment, the world before Hiashi underwent a transformation, leaving him stunned, then incredulous.
Genjutsu!
The Ryosuke before him was no longer singular but duplicated.
One was the initial Ryosuke he perceived, wielding the gentle fist with an expressionless countenance.
The other stood mere steps away, smiling and brandishing a kunai aloft, poised to strike horizontally.
Had he not heeded the danger and surged forward, the sharp kunai would undoubtedly have struck him, though judging by its trajectory, it would merely graze his left shoulder.
Yet, if his left shoulder were to be grazed, it would signify Ryosuke's victory in the recent combat exercise.
Though a mere exercise, such an outcome would prove highly embarrassing.
"I believed that with my abilities, my attacks would not be silent, hence I devised this method to induce you to strike my kunai of your own volition."
"Only thus could I ensure there would be no discernible sound during the attack. However, I did not anticipate your perspicacity. Is this what is described as combat awareness? Even if unseen, your body instinctively senses danger."
Ryosuke smiled, retracting the kunai silently.
Following his acquisition of the gentle fist technique, Ryosuke engaged in weekly actual combat exercises with Hiashi.
Yet amidst numerous sessions, this marked his maiden attempt at assuming the role of the hunter, albeit ending in failure.
(End of this chapter)
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