Chapter 0049: Feint and Ambush
"Damn it! This kid's attacks are too strong, we can't stop him!"
"He's a monster! A complete monster!"
"What do we do now?!"
In the camp, the Sand ninja's assault had been entirely suppressed by me alone, wielding just one blade. My strength had surpassed everyone's expectations.
Thud.
Another Sand ninja fell under my sword. The pale moonlight reflected off the dark red blood, creating a beautiful yet tragic scene. The remaining Sand ninjas were gripped with fear.
Facing an unbeatable enemy and charging to their deaths—such a feeling wasn't easy to bear.
At that moment, a quick-witted Sand ninja suddenly shouted, "Split up! We'll flank him from both sides! Those two girls behind him must be important, or he wouldn't be dragging them along in a battle like this!"
This suggestion snapped the demoralized Sand ninja back to attention, and they instinctively split into two groups, preparing to close in from both sides. But before they could act, a pillar of fire suddenly erupted and scattered their formation.
"You won't get a chance," I said coldly, taking a deep breath, my gaze icy.
"Oh really?" A voice rang out suddenly, and in the blink of an eye, several swift figures rushed toward me with lightning speed.
Clang, clang, clang!
Sparks flew as I unsheathed my sword in an instant, blocking their attacks. The ones standing before me were the three Jonin who had been maintaining the Wind Demon barrier earlier.
Trouble!
For the first time, my expression became serious. With just one clash, I could tell these new opponents were far stronger than the Sand ninjas I had been cutting down one by one.
"Heh, he actually blocked it."
"This kid really is something."
"Lord Ryunosuke made the right call. We can't let him grow stronger!"
The three Jonin exchanged glances, seemingly coming to a decision. In a flash, they launched a coordinated attack from three different directions.
"Get back!" I called out to the two girls behind me. Facing three Jonin at once, even I had to give my full attention to the fight. In such a situation, I couldn't protect them as well.
"Be careful, Hiroto!" Shizune called out in concern.
"Don't worry about us," Kurenai said firmly. "If things get too dangerous, just retreat!"
In that moment, she understood. For me to be so cautious, these were formidable enemies. She realized that instead of helping, they were only becoming a burden to me, which is why she urged me to escape.
"Don't joke around," I replied with a smirk, shedding the mask of my age and speaking with a surprising calm. "A man never says 'I can't.'" I spun the hilt of my sword, drawing an intricate silver arc in the air.
Swish.
Jonin were Jonin for a reason. Despite my blade's deadly intent, they narrowly dodged my strike. Though a few cuts appeared on their bodies, they were still fully capable of fighting.
The one-on-three battle had fully begun. One Jonin focused on distracting my attacks, while the other two weaved hand signs. From their mouths, they unleashed waves of dark green wind blades.
"Wind Style: Gale Blade Barrage!"
I raised an eyebrow and quickly retreated. As I leaped back, I formed hand seals mid-air, slamming my hands onto the ground before I landed.
"Earth Style: Rising Earth Wall!"
Boom, boom!
Two earthen walls rose up on either side of me, shielding me from the wind blades. The sharp gusts collided with the walls, sending chunks of stone and earth flying in all directions.
Taking advantage of this brief moment, the Jonin who had been distracting me lunged forward again, thrusting a kunai straight toward my forehead without hesitation.
Pop.
The kunai pierced my head, but instead of the expected spray of blood, my entire body dissolved into water droplets, evaporating into the air.
"An illusion?" The Sand ninja's eyes widened in shock, disbelief all over his face. "When…?"
Thud.
A sickening sound rang out as my blood-stained sword pierced through his back, emerging from his chest, drops of blood falling slowly from the tip.
"Right when you charged at me," I explained quietly.
"Heh… haha…" The Sand ninja first froze, then let out a dry laugh. "Incredible… you're truly a terrifying little brat. But... this is as far as you go." With his last ounce of strength, he gripped the blade embedded in his chest.
Hmm?
I was confused by his sudden action. Was he stalling for time? Could it be…? A thought suddenly occurred to me, and I turned my gaze toward Kurenai and Shizune.
Sure enough, they were already surrounded by a large number of enemy ninja.
I could even see the cruel smiles on the faces of the Sand ninjas, as well as the black kunai they were launching toward the girls, like a rain of death.
Damn it!
My expression changed drastically. Abandoning my sword, I channeled all my chakra in a rush, planting my foot on the ground with a resounding bang. In an instant, I shot forward like a bullet, racing toward Kurenai and Shizune.
Note: For +30 chapters, check out p@treon: https://www.patreon.com/c/NarutoWriter