Chapter 69: Resolution (Part One)
Baishi's actions were swift and decisive.
First, he exploited the enemy's lack of information, using the Flying Thunder God Jutsu to leap to Kamimura Takashi's position as a stepping stone and eliminate Ohisa Naoya.
Next, he hurled six kunai in different directions, and before the Mist ninja could react, he teleported between them in rapid succession, using overwhelming force to kill the six nearest chunin.
When Yumura Ki realized his tactics and alerted the others, Baishi avoided direct confrontation. He took advantage of the Mist ninja being preoccupied and used them as stepping stones to take down another seven opponents.
In mere moments, of the original 27 Mist ninjas, only 13 remained: three jonin, four special jonin, and six chunin.
Under different circumstances, such a force might have escaped with a few survivors even if they couldn't win. But unfortunately for them, they had encountered Baishi.
Though he wasn't sure whether they had stumbled upon Moonlight Island by chance or had been directed there by the Mist Village, Baishi had no intention of letting them leave alive.
He quickly created six wood clones, sending one directly toward the Mist Village's warship near the shoreline. Its mission was simple: eliminate the eight Mist ninjas stationed there.
Seeing the wood clone disappear toward the warship, Yumura Ki's expression turned grim.
He quickly realized Baishi's intent.
After a moment's hesitation, he glanced toward the special jonin and chunin still with him and issued a command:
"You must go immediately to support Aoki's and Yosuke's squads."
Though framed as support, the real order was for them to flee. Given the situation, it was clear the enemy intended to kill them all. Staying would only lead to death.
Understanding the gravity of their leader's decision, the Mist ninja hesitated only briefly before retreating.
Baishi gave a nod to three of his wood clones, and they vanished without a trace, following after the retreating Mist ninja.
Seeing this, Yumura Ki and the remaining jonin grimaced. They had hoped to intercept the fleeing clones but could do nothing when the clones simply disappeared.
"Let's just hope they're lucky enough to survive..." Yumura Ki muttered to himself before turning his focus back to Baishi.
Glaring at Baishi and the two remaining wood clones, he asked coldly, "Do you really think you can take us on?"
Baishi chuckled. "Three against three. Seems fair, doesn't it?"
One of the remaining Mist jonin snarled, "Kid, don't underestimate the ninjas of the Blood Mist Village!"
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the Mist jonin lunged at Baishi.
Baishi didn't move, but one of his wood clones leapt into action.
The clone quickly performed hand seals, activating Wood Release: Silent Strangling Binding, summoning a vine that shot toward the charging Mist jonin.
Each of Baishi's wood clones carried a portion of his immense chakra reserves—equivalent to several times the chakra of an ordinary jonin. While they lacked the durability of his real body, their strength and speed were more than enough to handle most opponents.
In just a few exchanges, the Mist jonin found himself overwhelmed, forced into a defensive position as the fight carried him farther from Baishi.
Baishi gestured to his remaining wood clone, which immediately engaged the second Mist jonin, also drawing the battle to another location.
Watching his allies fade into the distance, Yumura Ki turned his attention to Baishi.
"Alright, it's just us now," Baishi said casually. "Shall we begin?"
Yumura Ki's pupils contracted slightly, but he didn't respond. Instead, he rushed forward, attempting to close the distance.
Baishi smirked, recognizing the strategy. Yumura Ki had clearly wanted his allies to create some space, giving him room to face Baishi alone and buy time for the others to escape.
Baishi welcomed the challenge. Testing his raw combat strength against a formidable opponent was exactly what he wanted.
As Yumura Ki charged, Baishi braced himself and launched forward with explosive speed, closing the gap in the blink of an eye. His Leaf Strong Whirlwind lashed out in a devastating horizontal kick.
Caught off guard by Baishi's speed, Yumura Ki barely managed to cross his arms in front of him to block.
Even so, the impact sent him flying sideways, slamming into a tree with a resounding crack.
"Is that all you've got?" Baishi muttered, lowering his leg.
Coughing up blood, Yumura Ki staggered to his feet, one arm trembling from the blow. He glared at Baishi in disbelief. How could someone so young possess such monstrous strength?
It wasn't just Baishi's power that unsettled him—it was his speed as well. Even if he hadn't been completely caught off guard, dodging that kick would have been nearly impossible.
Realizing close combat was out of the question, Yumura Ki quickly formed hand seals and activated Water Release: Hidden Mist Jutsu.
Thick fog rolled across the battlefield, rapidly obscuring everything in sight.
Baishi sighed as Yumura Ki vanished into the mist.
"Figures. The usual Mist Village tactics," he muttered, unimpressed.
Yumura Ki was undoubtedly preparing to use the infamous Silent Killing Technique. This technique relied on the Hidden Mist Jutsu to obscure the opponent's vision while the user relied on finely honed senses to execute deadly ambushes.
But against Baishi, it was useless.
His Enhanced Senses (Level IV) made him acutely aware of Yumura Ki's every move. Coupled with his reflexes and combat instincts, any attempt at stealth was doomed to fail.
"Come on," Baishi murmured, his voice tinged with boredom.
(End of Chapter)
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