Chapter 5: Kill and Counterkill
"Heh, you're quite the interesting brat. Your skills aren't bad, but you're too naive. Honestly, it's a shame your teammate died so meaninglessly," Kuroshin mocked, his calm demeanor unwavering despite the boy's impressive strength.
Beside him, the scarred ninja and the blond ninja joined in with cruel taunts.
"Exactly. A brat like you, who's nothing but a burden to your teammates—how did you even survive this long? Being your companion must have been a nightmare."
The boy, already consumed by fury, became even more enraged. His eyes blazed with a killing intent so intense it seemed to distort the air around him.
"Ahh—I'll kill you all!"
Chiba, watching from the sidelines, could see the situation clearly. While the boy seemed to have the upper hand, it was obvious Kuroshin's group wasn't fighting at full strength. They were toying with him, waiting for him to tire or make a mistake. It was a game of cat and mouse.
On the other side of the battlefield, Shadow's fight with the two remaining Konoha ninjas mirrored the main confrontation. The two ninjas attacked relentlessly but were clearly outmatched, with Shadow dominating them effortlessly.
However, the difference was evident. The numerous cuts on the Konoha ninjas and the sweat pouring down their faces showed that they were under genuine pressure.
Suddenly, Shadow's speed increased dramatically. Moments ago, Chiba could just barely make out his movements during pauses; now, he couldn't see anything at all.
"Shh—"
A muffled sound echoed, and the fight abruptly paused.
"Heh, weaklings."
With a sneer, Shadow yanked his hand from the chest of one Konoha ninja, pulling out a still-beating heart. The ninja stared blankly, disbelief etched on his face. His mouth opened as if to speak, but no words came out.
"Thud!"
The body fell lifelessly to the ground. Shadow turned to the remaining Konoha ninja, a cruel smile on his lips.
"You're next."
Even Chiba, as an observer, was stunned. The surviving ninja seemed paralyzed, staring at his fallen comrade in shock.
"Shh—"
Another muffled sound followed.
The second ninja shared the same fate, his heart torn from his chest. From Chiba's angle, he could see the heart still beating in Shadow's hand, alongside his twisted grin.
So this is what ninja battles look like… Life and death decided in an instant.
Before Chiba could dwell further on the brutality, the situation shifted again.
The supposedly defeated Konoha ninja suddenly lifted his head, revealing a sinister smile.
"Of course, I knew I couldn't beat you. Our speed difference is insurmountable. So…"
A strange, crackling sound came from the ninja's body.
"…I chose this method instead!"
Realizing something was wrong, Shadow tried to pull his hand back, but it seemed stuck, glued to the ninja's body.
"Heh, it's useless. As a member of the Spider Clan, my adhesive is something you can't escape in time."
Shadow frowned but didn't panic. Raising his other hand, he delivered a decisive strike.
The blow shattered half the ninja's chest, but Shadow still couldn't break free.
"I told you, it's useless," the ninja said, his face swelling grotesquely.
"Hahaha! Let's go to hell together!"
"Whoosh—"
A large, corrosive substance spewed from the ninja's mouth, splattering across Shadow's face.
Shadow didn't even have time to react. The substance ate through half his body, leaving him motionless.
The two stood frozen in a grotesque tableau, face to face, their fight silenced forever.
It took Chiba a long moment to process what had just occurred. They were both truly dead.
This… This is…
Chiba couldn't find the words to describe his amazement. Everything he had just witnessed exceeded his imagination. The kill and counterkill had happened in mere moments.
Compared to the drawn-out battles in the anime, where fights stretched for episodes, filled with speeches and unending resilience, this felt like the true essence of a ninja's combat: swift, ruthless, and final.
A mix of emotions churned within Chiba. Strangely, he even felt a hint of excitement.
"Damn it! That idiot Shadow fell into such a simple trap," Kuroshin cursed, his face dark with displeasure. What should have been an easy victory had now cost them one of their own.
"Forget it. If he's dead, he's dead," Kuroshin said coldly.
Pointing at the boy, Kuroshin commanded, "It's time. Finish him off quickly."
The scarred ninja and the blond ninja flanked the boy, closing in with accelerating speed.
But just then, the boy raised his head, his face devoid of emotion.
"You're right. It's time."
Kuroshin felt a sudden chill as he noticed the boy's anger and killing intent vanish entirely.
"Retreat—"
Before Kuroshin could finish, the boy formed a series of hand seals, releasing a jutsu.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Before the scarred ninja and the blond ninja could react, the boy and two shadow clones emerged from a cloud of white smoke.
"Leaf Secret Technique: Crescent Moon Dance!"
"Shh! Shh!"
Brilliant flashes of light filled
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