Tenshin had already anticipated this outcome. After all, he had read the original series and knew that extinguishing Pakura's fireball wouldn't be too difficult.
In the next moment, he directed the water dragon, which still had some energy left, to strike swiftly at Pakura.
However, just then, three Sand Ninja who had been pursuing him finally caught up.
They all flickered into position beside Tenshin and attacked with sharp kunai.
Facing this sudden assault, Tenshin had no choice but to abandon the Water Dragon Bullet technique, dodging to evade their attacks.
The thick water dragon dispersed abruptly, and an enraged Pakura burst through the watery mist, forming another fireball to launch at Tenshin.
As he dodged her attacks, Tenshin coldly sneered at the seemingly crazed Pakura, "Since you're going mad, then I'll join you all in this madness!"
As soon as he finished speaking, a sinister black aura surged upward, coiling around Tenshin's right hand and short blade.
Ever since he had escaped the courtyard and come here, Tenshin had already planned on using the power of the "Demon's Hand."
Copying Pakura's Scorch Release was only one of his objectives.
Noticing the sudden, eerie aura, Pakura immediately stopped in her tracks, carefully observing him.
Although she was furious, she hadn't lost her composure or her ninja instincts.
"Something's wrong; everyone, be careful," Pakura said, gritting her teeth, though her anger was far from subsiding.
Tenshin chuckled coldly, his voice chilling to the bone.
"The first slaughter begins now!"
His figure shot forward, no longer holding back any of his strength, cutting through the air with a whistling sound.
Although the Sand Ninja sensed something off, they didn't dwell on it, gripping their kunai as they charged at him.
Pakura, too, ignored the signs and formed another Scorch Release fireball, rushing forward with intense momentum.
With his blood-red eyes, Tenshin saw through all their movements, charging in without any pressure.
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
The sound of metal clashing echoed as Tenshin wielded his short blade, weaving through them effortlessly.
Even with the troublesome Pakura around, Tenshin moved as freely as a wolf among sheep, facing no real threat.
After a series of strikes, a glint of cold light flashed in Tenshin's eyes. His short blade pierced at an unusual angle, stabbing into one of the Sand Ninja's chest.
In an instant, the black aura coiled around the blade seemed to come to life, dragging a shadowy essence out of the body as he withdrew his blade.
Seeing the now lifeless Sand Ninja, Tenshin's eyes held a cold gleam, entirely unbothered.
As the shadowy essence merged into the Demon's Hand, a burst of information suddenly appeared in his mind.
It turned out that the Demon's Hand could be strengthened!
**1/1000**
It seemed that the shadowy essence he had absorbed was actually the soul of the deceased Sand Ninja.
The upgrade for the Demon's Hand required collecting souls?!
Tenshin was momentarily taken aback but quickly understood; given the extraordinary powers of the Demon's Hand, it made sense that it would have such an unusual upgrade method.
While it looked like he would need to kill a full thousand people, Tenshin felt no discomfort at the thought.
After all, from the first day he crossed into this world, he had accepted that he might need to kill.
In the world of Naruto, one couldn't become strong without blood on their hands.
As he pondered, the two remaining Sand Ninja stared at him in horror, trembling as they stammered, "De... demon! He's a demon!"
"He took Rock Iwa's soul!"
Beside them, Pakura was equally stunned. She had just witnessed Tenshin pulling a shadowy essence—resembling Rock Iwa's image—from his body.
Tenshin sneered coldly, casting an icy look at them. "Since I've shown this power in front of you, do you really think… you'll live to tell about it?"
As he spoke, Tenshin dashed forward, leaving a trail of shadowy afterimages in his wake.
"Run!" one of the Sand Ninja shouted, frantically fleeing toward the courtyard.
But Tenshin was faster, his blade, wrapped in black aura, slashed down before his opponent could escape.
*Shk!*
The sharp short blade pierced the Sand Ninja's body, mercilessly twisting to snuff out his life.
"Damn you, you monster!" Pakura shouted furiously, her fear barely contained, yet she had no intention of retreating.
Besides, she hadn't yet avenged her humiliation by him!
In an instant, she conjured two Scorch Release fireballs and hurled them fiercely toward Tenshin, the heatwave blazing forward.
Tenshin coldly pulled his short blade back, slicing one of the fireballs in two. The black aura rose up, consuming the flames entirely.
Pakura stared in shock. Her Scorch Release fireballs had previously only been countered by high-level jutsu. She had never imagined that Tenshin's dark aura could extinguish them as well!
And what happened next was even more astonishing.
Tenshin raised his left hand and held it up to the oncoming fireball.
"Idiot…?" Pakura muttered, momentarily confused. Though the fireball was about to hit, she had a feeling it wasn't that simple.
In the next moment, her eyes widened in shock, her worldview nearly shattered.
The Scorch Release fireball suddenly froze in front of Tenshin's left hand, severing all connection to her.
Tenshin shot her a cold look, then directed the fireball, hurtling it swiftly toward the last remaining Sand Ninja.
To the Sand Ninjas, Pakura's Scorch Release had always been a symbol of safety. Now, seeing it suddenly turned against them, the last Sand Ninja panicked and tried to flee.
But he was too slow; after only a few steps, the fireball struck him square in the back.
In an instant, searing flames erupted, burning him with intense heat.
Within less than five seconds, his body visibly shriveled as the flames consumed his moisture.
At that moment, the fireball dispersed, having lost all its energy.
With his current chakra level, this was the longest Tenshin could maintain the technique without affecting his combat abilities.
Though he hadn't managed to reduce the Sand Ninja to ashes, the fierce blaze had still claimed his life.
However, Tenshin quickly noticed that he hadn't gained any soul from this kill; the count in his mind remained unchanged.
**2/1000**
It seemed that the target had to be killed directly by the Demon's Hand.
Tenshin shook his head slightly in disappointment, then turned his cold gaze toward Pakura.
As she met his blood-red eyes, Pakura suddenly felt as though she was facing a demon, a chilling presence that took her breath away.
Her hands trembled slightly, all her anger drained, leaving only an icy fear.
A premonition filled her—she felt she was going to die.
*No! I won't die here! I still have revenge to take for my parents!*
In an instant, Pakura's eyes sharpened with determination, her hands clenched tightly as she conjured more Scorch Release fireballs.
This time, she summoned four of them.