Chapter 6: Another Counterkill
Kuroshin carefully studied the boy in front of him. After a moment, his gaze settled on the boy's neck.
Noticing the bulging veins pulsing rhythmically with the boy's racing heartbeat, Kuroshin raised an eyebrow, understanding the situation.
"So that's it… I didn't expect you to have already mastered a forbidden technique to overdraw your body at such a young age."
For a ninja, techniques that overdraw the body's potential were rare and highly sought after. In critical situations, such techniques could turn the tide of battle.
Some of these forbidden techniques were powerful enough to allow a Genin to temporarily fight on par with a Jonin. The cost—reduced lifespan or severe, irreversible damage—was a concern only for those who survived.
A flash of envy crossed Kuroshin's eyes.
Yes, envy.
As a seasoned Jonin who had clawed his way to the top through countless bloody battles, Kuroshin had earned every one of his techniques through grueling effort and sacrifice.
He had endured unimaginable hardships, lost countless comrades, and faced death more times than he could count to achieve his current status.
Yet the boy before him had seemingly obtained these techniques with ease.
From the powerful Leaf Secret Technique to the forbidden body-overdraw jutsu, such skills shouldn't have been accessible to someone so young.
Kuroshin's lips curled into a mocking smile.
"Heh, so you're from a prestigious clan…"
He sneered, his eyes turning ice-cold.
"My favorite prey has always been these so-called geniuses from noble clans!"
With that, Kuroshin abandoned his previous defensive stance and charged at the boy with murderous intent.
The sheer force of Kuroshin's killing intent sent a chill down the boy's spine, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
In that moment, the boy truly felt the overwhelming presence of someone who had survived countless battles. This was the killing intent of a man who had emerged from mountains of corpses and rivers of blood.
Though the boy was strong, his young age meant he could never possess such a level of murderous aura.
Even Chiba, standing at a distance, felt his body go weak. Were he not immobilized, he doubted he'd even have the strength to stand.
So this is the power of ninjas…
For the first time, Chiba fully understood the vast gulf between an ordinary person and a ninja.
It's like a lion towering over a lamb… An absolute dominance that leaves no room for resistance.
Despite his fear, Chiba couldn't help but feel a burning desire for such power.
Meanwhile, the boy shook off his hesitation. His gaze grew colder as he focused on Kuroshin.
He found the man's sudden animosity toward him baffling.
Though he didn't understand the reason, the boy knew he needed to act decisively.
"Ha!"
With a fierce shout, the boy's already bulging veins swelled even more, his heartbeat echoing audibly.
"Thump, thump!"
His veins pulsed violently, his body showing the strain of overdrawing its potential further.
Kuroshin's expression darkened.
"You think you're the only one who can use such techniques?"
In an instant, Kuroshin's muscles erupted with explosive power, his body seemingly growing larger.
From a distance, it looked as if Kuroshin had doubled in size.
"Boom!"
The two clashed violently, the impact cracking the ground beneath their feet.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
With each exchange of blows, Chiba's perception of the world shattered further.
So this is the power of ninjas…
Chiba's eyes were glued to the fierce battle.
Though he could barely follow the blurry shadows of the combatants, he couldn't suppress the surge of excitement welling up inside him.
Even he couldn't fully understand why he felt this way.
"Bang! Bang!"
The sound of their clashes reverberated through the air, and the ground cracked under the pressure of their blows. Though Chiba couldn't see the fight clearly, the intensity was undeniable.
"Pfft!"
After a prolonged exchange, the fight reached a pause.
Kuroshin, blood dripping from his mouth, staggered back and collapsed onto the ground.
The boy, holding his blade, walked forward step by step with an icy demeanor.
Though his trembling hands betrayed his exhaustion, the outcome of the fight seemed clear—he was the victor.
"It seems… your so-called ninja way isn't as great as you claimed," the boy said coldly, raising his blade for the finishing blow.
But just as he was about to strike, his blade stopped mid-air.
"What…"
The boy's expression darkened as his grip slackened.
With a clatter, his blade fell to the ground, and he collapsed shortly after.
"How… How is this possible?"
Coughing up a mouthful of dark blood, the boy's face twisted in disbelief.
"When… When did you poison me? Don't tell me…"
Kuroshin's lips curled into a faint smirk.
"Not bad. You're not entirely stupid. Did you really think that kid was so easy to save?"
"Mixed poison…"
The boy's face filled with frustration and regret. But no matter how unwilling he was, his gaze gradually dimmed as he succumbed.
"Heh…"
Kuroshin let out a strained laugh, propping himself up against a tree. His body trembled with exhaustion.
"Looks like I win after all. I told you, naive brats like you don't belong on this battlefield…"
Glancing at his injuries, Kuroshin reached for his ninja pouch, his hand trembling.
After several attempts, he gave up. The fight had drained him completely, and the forbidden technique's aftereffects had torn his muscles apart. He wouldn't recover anytime soon.
Kuroshin quietly circulated his chakra, attempting to stabilize his injuries.
Though they were on the edge of the battlefield, there was no guarantee they wouldn't encounter enemies—or wild animals that could finish him off.
But just as he was at his weakest, he caught a figure out of the corner of his eye.
Chiba, feeling his body finally return to normal, was overwhelmed with excitement. However, his injured leg caused him to stumble.
Slowly, he made his way in front of Kuroshin, staring silently at the heavily breathing Jonin.
Kuroshin, in turn, fixed his gaze on Chiba.
For a moment, time seemed to freeze.
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