[A/N: More info on Team 16 on my Patreon. So for more exclusive content and early releases check out my Patreon at patreon.com/Writing_when_bored]
Team 16—consisting of Hikari, Ryuu, and Daichi—headed into the forest, each step filled with determination as they searched for Daniel.
"Byakugan!" Hikari announced, her eyes focusing intensely as the others stood guard.
"Anything yet?" Daichi asked after a few minutes, his voice tinged with impatience.
"Shhh, wait a minute," Hikari replied, her concentration unwavering as she scanned the surroundings for any signs of their elusive target.
"This reminds me of a manga I once read," Daniel muttered to himself, observing them from a distance with his own Byakugan. "A guy who used some type of sensory magic but, due to his limited range, ran in an outward spiral to cover a large radius or something... I don't remember."
From his vantage point, Daniel could see them clearly, their meticulous search methodical but slow. "Will they find me at this pace?" he frowned, watching them take their time. They searched and searched, inching forward with caution.
"I haven't even moved. It's like watching a boring show," Daniel said, yawning, his patience wearing thin. He couldn't help but feel a mixture of amusement and frustration as he waited for them to close in.
As the trio continued their search, Hikari's focus remained sharp, but the tension between them was palpable. Ryuu and Daichi exchanged glances, their determination burning bright despite the slow progress.
"We need to keep pushing," Hikari said softly, sensing the frustration in her teammates.
"We will find him," Daichi replied, his voice steady, without a flicker of doubt crossed his mind.
After what felt like an eternity of searching, Team 16 finally stumbled upon Daniel, who appeared to be taking a nap up in a tree.
"Is he really asleep?" Hikari wondered aloud, her eyes narrowing with suspicion. "This must be a trap."
But impatience got the better of Daichi. "We don't have time for this," he muttered, charging ahead and climbing the tree swiftly. As he reached out to grab Daniel, Daniel's eyes snapped open, and he vanished before their very eyes.
"Now, now, it's rude to sneak up on a man who's sleeping," Daniel's voice came from behind Daichi, startling him. Daniel stood casually on a lower branch, a teasing smile on his face.
The others froze, confusion etched on their faces. "Be calm. We should expect this since he was made our leader," Hikari yelled, her voice steadying the team. She quickly assessed the situation, leading Ryuu and Daichi to focus.
Daichi, frustration fueling his determination, initiated the next attack. He weaved a series of hand signs, calling forth his Earth Release. "Earth Style: Stone Fist Jutsu!" he shouted, his fists encased in solid rock. He charged at Daniel, aiming to overpower him with brute force.
Daniel, effortlessly dodged Daichi's powerful punches. Each strike was met with a sidestep as he deflected the blow parrying it effortlessly. Daichi's frustration grew, but his resolve remained unbroken.
Meanwhile, Hikari activated her Byakugan, her vision piercing through the forest. Despite her struggles with the technique, she pushed herself to keep up with the battle. "We need to move more coordinately!" she yelled, directing Ryuu and Daichi.
Ryuu, nodded understanding the urgency, activated his Byakugan in short bursts to maximize its usage. He moved in swiftly, engaging Daniel in close combat. Ryuu's strikes were precise and relentless, his Byakugan aiding in predicting Daniel's movements, but his limited usage time made him falter in his movements.
Daniel, impressed by Ryuu's tenacity, skillfully blocked and redirected each blow. "You accepted your limited usage time and only use it to gather specific information on your opponent then act accordingly, what an interesting way to try and overcome your weakness. But" he mused, his voice calm amidst the flurry of attacks, he gave Ryuu a few jabs to show him the faults in his technique.
Hikari joined the fray, her taijutsu adding to the pressure on Daniel. Despite her struggle with the Byakugan, she moved with a determined grace, her strikes aimed to exploit any openings Ryuu and Daichi created.
Daniel shifted his stance, now fully on the defensive. He deflected Daichi's stone fists with fluid motions, redirected Ryuu's strikes with gentle pushes, and parried Hikari's blows with swift movements. He moved like water, adapting to their attacks with ease.
Seeing an opening, Ryuu timed his Byakugan activation perfectly, aiming a pinpoint strike at Daniel's chakra points. But Daniel anticipated the move, dodging just in time and countering with a light tap that sent Ryuu stumbling back.
"Patience, Ryuu. Timing is everything," Daniel advised, his tone both encouraging and challenging.
Daichi, not willing to give up, transitioned to Fire Release. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" he called out, launching a blazing sphere of fire at Daniel.
Daniel smiled, admiring Daichi's adaptability. He moved with lightning speed, creating a barrier with his own chakra to disperse the fireball harmlessly. "Impressive coordination," he commented, his eyes sparkling with amusement, "But you lack power".
The trio's teamwork was evident. They attacked with a synchronized rhythm, each move supporting the others. Despite their individual limitations, their combined efforts created a showed the results of their training.
"Keep it up," Daniel thought, his admiration growing. "They have some potential. I'll mold them to my liking" he smirked.
Daniel moved like a shadow, weaving through the coordinated attacks of Team 16. His eyes sparkled with a mixture of amusement and respect. Despite their limitations, Hikari, Ryuu, and Daichi were proving to be a formidable team well very hard trainers atleast.
Daichi, refusing to relent, executed another sequence of hand signs. "Earth Style: Mud Wall!" he commanded, raising a solid wall to block Daniel's path. With a swift movement, he transitioned to Fire Release. "Fire Style: Great Flame Jutsu!" A torrent of flames surged towards Daniel, the heat intense and unforgiving.
Daniel smiled, as he raised his hand, creating a barrier of chakra that absorbed the flames.
Hikari, seizing the opportunity, launched herself at Daniel. Her Byakugan activated, her vision sharp. She aimed a precise palm strike at Daniel's chakra points, hoping to immobilize him. Daniel, however, sidestepped gracefully, catching her wrist mid-strike.
"Keep your focus, Hikari," he advised, his tone encouraging. He released her wrist, allowing her to retreat and regroup.
Ryuu, observing the exchange, decided it was time to push his limits. With a burst of speed, he engaged Daniel in close combat. His strikes were rapid and relentless, each one aimed with precision.
Daniel blocked and redirected Ryuu's attacks with fluid motions. "Good, Ryuu. Use your Byakugan to its fullest," he said, his voice calm amidst the chaos. He could see the determination in Ryuu's eyes, the young shinobi pushing beyond his limits.
Daichi, meanwhile, used his Fire Release to create a diversion, launching fireballs around Daniel to restrict his movements. Hikari followed up with a flurry of taijutsu attacks, her Byakugan guiding her strikes.
Daniel, still on the defensive, admired their teamwork. "Impressive coordination," he commented, deflecting Hikari's blows while evading Daichi's fireballs.
Ryuu saw an opening and lunged forward, his Byakugan predicting Daniel's next move. He aimed a focused palm strike at Daniel's chest, hoping to disrupt his chakra flow. But Daniel anticipated the move, sidestepping and countering with a gentle yet firm push that sent Ryuu stumbling back.
The trio paused, catching their breath. Hikari, sensing the moment, rallied her team. "We can do this. Let's show him what we're made of!" With renewed determination, Team 16 regrouped, their resolve unshaken.