The blast lit up the darkening sky with a blinding inferno, and the shockwave sent debris and bodies flying in every direction. The ground trembled beneath his feet as the explosion's roar drowned out all other sounds.
Chosuke's legs feltlke lead as he tried to comprehend what he was seeing 'No..NO! he screamed sprinting toward the inferno, ignoring the samurai's call to stop.
Chosuke stared at the aftermath of the explosion, his blood running cold as he saw the shredded remains of civilians strewn across the battlefield. His mind reeled. "How could this happen? How could I not notice someone this fast?"
The note on his headband felt like a mockery of his skills. All the confidence he had earlier vanished, replaced by dread.
The shinobi stationed in the village scrambled to salvage what they could, pulling survivors from the wreckage. One of them, a young man barely out of his teens, spotted a figure standing amidst the chaos.
The man's expression was chilling -he seemed to revel in the carnage, a twisted grin stretching across his face.
"Hey, you! Identify yourself, now." the shinobi called out, approaching cautiously. The man, unfazed, formed a quick hand seal. A sudden fireball erupted from his lips, striking nearby survivors and detonating with devastating force.
Screams filled the air as another explosion rocked the village, scattering debris and flames everywhere.
Chosuke sprinted toward the scene, his rock-coated fists ready, but before he could act, a teenage girl blured into view. She was fast-too fast. Her punch slammed into Chosuke's chest, sending him hurtling into a wall.
The impact cracked the stone behind him, and he gasped for air as pain radiated through his body. The girl darted forward to finish him, her speed making her a blur.
Just as her fist neared Chosuke's face, the samurai intervened, his katana intercepting her strike with a sharp clang. Sparks flew as the blade deflected
her punch, and she skidded back, glaring at him.
"Go after the one causing the explosions!" the samurai barked. gripping his sword tightly as he prepared to face the girl.
Chosuke nodded, clutching his chest as he stood. He turned toward the man responsible for the destruction and bolted. The shinobi already engaging him were struggling. The man--now identified as Hitosashi-moved with unnerving calm, weaving through their attacks effortlessly.
Chosuke joined the fray as one of the shinobi cried out, "He's using Explosion Release!"
Hitosashi smirked, his hands forming seals . "You children are so out of your depth." His chakra flared red as he unleashed Explosion Release: Blastwave.
A rippling wave of chakra erupted from his body, turning the air around him into a fiery storm.
The shinobi reacted instantly, forming defensive earth barriers. Chosuke expanded his arms and braced with his rock gloves, crossing them in front of him. The blastwave slammed into the group with ferocious force.
Chosuke gritted his teeth as the heat singed his skin despite his defenses. The shockwave pushed him back several meters, his feet carving trenches into the ground.
When the dust settled, the shinobi barriers were cracked but intact, though the defenders were visibly shaken. Hitosashi stepped forward, his grin mocking them.
Chosuke charged, his arms expanded and fists like boulders. He swung with all his might aiming for Hitosashi's torso. The man sidestepped with unnerving
grace, letting the massive fist crash into the ground and create a crater.
Hitosashi retaliated with a swift hand seal, firing a small but concentrated explosive sphere toward Chosuke.
It detonated on impact, sending Chosuke reeling. The shinobi rushed in to cover him, launching coordinated combination of kunai, shuriken, and low-level jutsu.
Hitosashi countered with another Blastwave, the crimson energy forcing the shinobi back. One of them tried to flank him, only for Hitosashi to slam a chakra-enhanced kick into his chest, sending him sprawling.
Chosuke got back to his feet, ignoring the pain. He coated his hands in rock again, expanding them even further. '"we need to work together!" he shouted to the remaining shinobi.
They nodded, forming a strategy on the spot One created a smokescreen with a wind jutsu, obscuring Hitosashi's vision. Another used an earth technique to trap his legs momentarily. Chosuke seized the opportunity, rushing forward and swinging both fists down like hammers.
But hitosashi reacted faster than they anticipated. His chakra flared as he broke free of the trap, dodging Chosuke's strike by inches. He countered with an explosive punch, the impact sending Chosuke flying again.
___
The samurai faced Kusuri, sweat dripping down his face as he struggled to keep up with her relentless speed. Her movements were a blur, each dash faster than the last. Every attack she launched came at angles he couldn't predict, forcing him to stay on the defensive.
His sword flashed as he parried strike after strike but her strength and speed were wearing him down. kusuri smirked as she landed a clean punch to his side, forcing him to stagger and spit blood. "You're too slow, old man. Focus on me instead of spacing out!" she mocked before vanishing from sight, reappearing
behind him.
He barely had time to twist his body, using the flat of his blade to block another strike aimed at his ribs. The sheer force of her punch sent vibrations up his arm. His grip on the hilt tightened. "She's powerful, but she's young. I need to out think her."
As she attacked again, the samurai sidestepped, but she adjusted mid-strike, grazing his shoulder and drawing blood. The pain was sharp but he pushed through it, keeping his eyes locked on her movements.
Between exchanges, he asked, "you're fast. unnaturally so. How do you move like this?"
Kusuri chuckled, pride evident in her voice. "It's my kekkei genkai-Swift Release. l'm faster than anyone you've ever faced, and the longer we fight, the faster I get. You don't stand a chance."
She dashed forward again, her fist a blur. He barely managed to deflect it, his katana vibrating from the impact."So, her speed increases over time. That's dangerous, but she's getting cocky."
"You're young," the samurai said, feigning exhaustion to bait her into talking more."Why work with bandits? Someone with your power could become a legend."
Kusuri scoffed, throwing another punch that grazed his side. "Why would I waste my time chasing glory? My only goal is to complete my master's orders."
As the battle continued, the samurai focused on her patterns.'She favors her right hand for jabs and uses her speed to circle left before striking, Her movements are linear when she's in a rush.'
He kept his observations to himself, asking more questions to buy time
But Kusuri grew suspicious. "You're stalling, she said, her tone sharper. She stopped talking altogether, her attacks becoming faster and more aggressive
The samurai winced as another punch connected with his stomach, sending him back a few steps.
'No more time to think.' He shifted his stance, preparing to counter, Kusuri rushed in for another strike, aiming a jab at his throat. But this time, he anticipated her move.
The samurai twisted his body at the last second, narrowly avoiding the attack, and swung his katana downward. The blade sliced through her leg at the knee, severing it cleanly.
Kusuri screamed, collapsing to the ground as blood poured from the wound. Her eyes widened in shock and pain as she clutched the stump where her leg used to be.
Before she could react further, the samurai drove his katana through her torso, pinning her to the ground.
"You're fast," he muttered, breathing heavily, "But speed alone isn't enough."
Kusuri gasped, blood bubbling from her mouth as she struggled to speak. The samurai didn't linger. He pulled a second katana from his belt and sprinted toward Chosuke, who was still locked in a fierce battle with Hitosashi.
Chosuke was visibly struggling, his rock-coated fists cracking under the strain of blocking Hitosashi's explosive attacks. The samurai analyzed the battlefield as he approached. Chosuke can't hold out much longer. I need to turn this fight around before it's too late.
___
Chosuke's burnt hands trembled as he fumbled with the small box from his pouch. His comrades lay in agony around him- -some dead, others too injured to fight. He glanced at them, guilt and despair swelling in his chest. 'Is this where it ends? He thought of his family, Will they mourn for me?'
His gaze shifted to Hitosashi, who stood a few meters away, grinning mockingly, his hands stuffed casually into his pockets.
Hitosashi's voice rang out, filled with disdain. "Come on, little Akimichi. Impress me, or will you just die like the rest of your pathetic friends?"
Determined, Chosuke popped open the box and retrieved a single green pill. His hands shook as he stared at it.'This wil kil me . . but if I can take him down with me, it'l be worth it.' With a deep breath, he swallowed the pill.
A faint green aura surrounded him as the pill began its work. His clothes hung looser on his frame as his body burned through calories at an alarming rate. The unintended activation of the first two gates of the Elght Gates flooded his body with power.
Hitosashi tilted his head, unimpressed. "Really? Soldier pills? You're desperate" He smirked, raising his hand to lazily weave seals. "I'll only use basic explosive jutsu for you."
But Chosuke was already in motion. The ground cracked beneath his feet as he lunged, his glowing fists smashing into Hitosashi's hastily formed defense of fireballs. The shockwave rippled out, scattering debris.
Hitosashi stumbled back, wiping dust from his face. "Not bad, fatso," he mocked. "But you'll need more than that." Chosuke roared, ignoring the insult. His speed and strength grew with each passing moment, his striked relentless. Hitosashi barely dodged a fist aimed at his head, countering with a quick explosion Release: Blast Sphere, The detonation forced Chosuke back, but he charged again, undeterred "Persistent!" Hitosashi muttered, finally pulling his hands from his pockets. He began weaving more seals launching a barrage of smaller explosions to keep Chosuke at bay.
But the Akimichi's glowing fists smashed through the fireballs, sending shockwaves with every swing.
Chosuke's attacks became faster, Hitosashi's smirk faltered as he blocked
blow with his forearm, feeling the bones crack from the force. "Damn it, he muttered, taking a step back "You're stronger than I thought."
The two became evenly matched - Chosuke's raw strength clashing with Hitosashi's destructive power.
But the toll on Chosuke's body was undeniable. His punches became slower, his breathing labored . The green aura around him dimmed. Hitosashi noticed, a cruel grin spreading across his face. "Looks like you're burning out," he sneered,
Before Hitosashi could capitalize, the samurai arrived katana in hand. His body was bruised and bloodied, "Rest, Chosuke;" he said , stepping forward.
"I'll handle this."
Chosuke collapsed to his knees, struggling to catch his breath. The samurai engaged Hitosashi, his blade weaving through the air as sparks flew from their clashes. Though fatigued, the samurai fought valiantly buying Chosuke precious moments to recover.
Suddenly, a sharp whistle cut through the chaos. The samurai and Chosuke tured toward the source-
Kusuri. Bloodied and pale, she stood at the edge of the battlefield, grinning maliciously. Her hand glowed with chakra as she launched her amputated leg toward Chosuke. The limb moved at hypersonic speeds, generating an ear-splitting boom.
The samurai's eyes widened as he saw the projectile hurtling toward the exhausted Akimichi.
"Nol" he shouted, throwing himself in front of Chosuke. The leg struck him squarely. triggering a massive explosion. The ground shattered, and a colossal crater formed at the point of impact.
Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring the battlefield, she howled, her voice dripping with glee. "Serves you right!"
But through the smoke, Chosuke's trembling figure loomed over the fallen samurai, tears streaming down his soot-covered face. "You didn't...have to do that.." he whispered, his voice choked with grief as the samurai's blood pooled around him.