I quickly assessed the rewards from the system. Without hesitation, I used all the Jutsu upgrade cards to enhance my Fireball Jutsu and Waterball Jutsu, elevating both techniques to C-rank. With the system points I had accumulated, I bought a recovery pill and swallowed it, feeling a surge of energy as it took effect.
As the pill worked its magic, I suddenly felt a pressure against my chest. I looked down to see Kara hugging me tightly, her tears soaking through my jacket. She was trembling uncontrollably, her fear evident in every shudder.
Gently, I placed a hand on her head, stroking her hair soothingly.
"It's okay, Kara," I whispered, trying to calm her. "I'm here."
Her Favorability increased as I comforted her.
[Favorability 50 --> 69]
Ding!
[New Target Found: Kara]
[Mission: Increase Kara's Favorability to 100]
[Reward: ???]
I glanced over at Nami and Juri. Both of them were clearly shaken, their eyes wide with fear.
"It's okay, I'm here," I repeated, this time loud enough for all of them to hear.
Kara looked up at me with tear-filled eyes. "I'm sorry," she murmured, her voice trembling.
I didn't say anything, just picked her up and carefully placed her beside a large boulder, ensuring she had something to support her back.
"Stay here," I instructed gently.
Nami and Juri were still injured but were valiantly fighting off the enemy. I called them over to my side, knowing we needed to regroup if we had any chance of surviving.
As if on cue, the entire force of over 100 Mist shinobi began charging towards us. If I had to guess, they would reach us in under six minutes.
For a brief moment, I kissed Nami-sensei, then hugged Kara, letting them both feel the reassurance in my touch. They needed to know that I wouldn't abandon them.
I could see the enemy force clearly from where we stood. There were not just Mist shinobi; Cloud shinobi had joined the fray as well. But that was something to worry about later.
With no time to waste, I turned to Juri, pulling her into my arms. "Don't worry, Juri. I'll protect you," I promised softly. She nodded, and I could see some of the fear in her eyes dissipate.
I carefully placed her next to Nami-sensei. Both girls leaned into her, finding comfort in each other's presence.
And then I ran. I ran towards the mass of shinobi with everything I had.
The first shinobi came at me with a wild swing. I threw a punch that connected with his chest, forcing him back three steps as he coughed up blood.
The second shinobi tried to ambush me from behind. I executed a quick backflip, slashing his throat with my kunai mid-air.
Ding!
[1/100]
The third and fourth shinobi attacked from my left and right simultaneously. I took down the right one with a swift kunai strike, then bent backward to dodge the left one's attack.
Ding!
[2/100]
Before I could regain my balance, the left shinobi kicked my knee, nearly forcing me to the ground. But I twisted my body just in time to avoid a fatal blow.
Four more shinobi rushed me from behind. I blocked one attack with my arm, then used my free hand to sever the arm of another shinobi who had been aiming for my chest.
A sickening thud echoed as the severed arm hit the ground, followed by a blood-curdling scream. The remaining three attacked without hesitation.
Two of them charged from the front while the last one tried to flank me from behind. I grabbed the arm of the front shinobi, throwing him into the one on the right. I quickly dispatched the left one with my kunai before the other two recovered.
It was a struggle, but I eventually managed to take them both down. My body was already aching, but I pushed through the pain.
Suddenly, I felt a surge of chakra. Before I could react, a jutsu came flying towards me with incredible speed. There was no time to dodge, no time to block. I had no choice but to take it head-on.
Boom!