At this moment, Haruno Sakura stood frozen in fear, petrified by the sudden attack. She didn't even question the fake Naruto, and had actually planned to hit him on the head with her fist. If Uchiha Sasuke hadn't noticed the details and spotted the imposter's flaws, the situation would have turned out much worse. Without his quick response, they could have been seriously injured or worse.
"Who has the scroll?" demanded the Rain Village Genin, his voice sharp and menacing. "Actually, never mind. I'll just kill you both and search for it myself."
Without another word, he launched himself at Sasuke and Sakura with kunai in hand, the blade glinting ominously as he closed in. His movements were swift and confident—a clear indication of someone who had been on the battlefield before and knew how to kill.
"Stay back, Sakura. Let me handle this," Sasuke shouted, his voice steady and determined as he prepared for the fight. Forming hand signs with practiced speed, Sasuke focused his chakra.
"Ninjutsu?" Lee, who was hiding in the trees, watched with interest, his eyes fixed on Sasuke's every movement.
"Fire Style! Phoenix Fire Technique!" Sasuke called out, completing his hand signs. In an instant, small, fiery orbs shot from his mouth, blazing toward the Rain Genin. Though each fireball was only slightly larger than a fist, together they created a powerful barrage.
Lee observed quietly. So this is Fire Style Ninjutsu, he thought, intrigued. The technique reminded him of the martial arts world he once knew, where fighters would harness inner power to unleash energy attacks. It was fascinating to see how ninjas used chakra to manipulate natural forces.
The Rain Genin, however, was clearly experienced. With agile movements, he dodged the fireballs, weaving between them like a shadow. Not a single flame touched him as he moved, completely unscathed.
"Not bad for a newcomer from Konoha," the Rain Genin sneered, lunging at Sasuke with kunai raised, aiming straight for Sasuke's throat.
Sasuke responded instantly, meeting the attack head-on. Their kunai clashed with a sharp "clang," sparks flying as each tried to overpower the other. They moved with impressive speed, their weapons colliding repeatedly as they fought.
Sakura stood nearby, watching in shock, her eyes wide as she witnessed Sasuke's skill in battle. He truly was one of Konoha's top rookies.
"Kid, you've got some skill," the Rain Genin admitted, stepping back momentarily. He had thought Sasuke would fall easily, but the Konoha Genin had matched him strike for strike. Now wary of Sasuke's abilities, the Rain Genin decided to reassess his strategy.
"Think you can escape?" Sasuke's eyes narrowed, and he advanced, determined to finish the fight.
"Sasuke! Hey!" Naruto's voice suddenly called out from the bushes nearby. Sasuke glanced over and saw Naruto struggling, tied up with rope and unable to break free.
"Ugh, this idiot," Sasuke muttered, irritated. Despite his frustration, he wasn't about to leave Naruto helpless. He threw his kunai to Naruto, allowing him to cut the ropes.
"Thanks, Sasuke!" Naruto grinned, grateful to be freed.
But Sasuke's moment of distraction gave the Rain Genin the chance he'd been waiting for. "Got you now!" he whispered, quickly pulling out three kunai, each tied with explosive tags, and hurling them at Sasuke.
Sasuke noticed them at the last second. With no kunai left to block, he had no choice but to dodge. He leapt behind a large tree just as the kunai embedded themselves into the trunk.
"Boom!"
The explosive tags detonated, flames and smoke billowing as the tree was blown apart. The force sent Sasuke flying, and though he managed to land on his feet, he was shaken, his clothing singed from the blast.
Seeing his chance, the Rain Genin pounced, aiming a kunai right at Sasuke's back. "Hand over the scroll, or I'll end you right here," he threatened.
Sasuke just glared, defiant.
Before the Rain Genin could react, another kunai shot through the air toward him. Forced to dodge, he jumped back, surprised. He turned to see Naruto glaring at him, ready to fight.
"You're always slow, Naruto," Sasuke muttered in frustration, though he was relieved.
Ignoring the comment, Naruto clenched his fists. "You're not getting away!" he shouted, his voice filled with determination.
Sasuke took advantage of the brief moment to gather his chakra. He shifted his weight onto his left foot, channeling power into his legs, and with a burst of speed, lunged forward with a kunai in hand.
Lee, watching from the trees, observed Sasuke's fluid use of chakra with keen interest. So that's how they manipulate chakra to boost their physical abilities. Fascinating.
The Rain Genin, now cornered, tried to dodge Sasuke's incoming attack, but it was too late. Sasuke's kunai struck his chest with a fierce blow, piercing through. The Genin let out a strangled gasp, blood pouring from the wound as he staggered back and collapsed, defeated.