"Konoha's genius, Tengen." The Mist Jonin said hoarsely.
"That's right, it's me." Tengen replied, drawing his long blade. "Let's take care of you first."
"Konoha ninja, prepare for battle." Tengen commanded.
"Yes, Tengen-sama!" The Konoha ninja responded in unison.
"Tengen?" The Mist Jonin's words alerted the others, revealing the terrifying enemy before them.
A ninja rumored to wield both the Mangekyō Sharingan and Wood Release.
In past battles with Konoha, encountering Tengen meant certain death for most Kiri-nin. They knew meeting him now, during their retreat, was the worst possible outcome.
"Kill!" The Mist Jonin roared, and the others charged forward, driven by survival and duty.
"Kill." Tengen said calmly, his figure vanishing from sight.
When he reappeared, he was among the Kiri-nin's ranks, cutting them down swiftly. Many didn't even have time to perform ninjutsu.
Against ordinary foes, Tengen didn't need ninjutsu, its efficiency was too low.
"Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!" A massive dragon formed of water roared toward Tengen.
"Not bad timing." Tengen said coolly, swinging his blade. A burst of flames surged forth, meeting the Water Dragon Bullet.
Hiss… The water and fire clashed, producing a sizzling sound before the Water Dragon Bullet dissipated.
The one who seized the moment was, naturally, the Mist Jonin.
"But your strength is still too weak." Tengen said, flashing to the ninja's side and slashing downward.
Splash. The Kiri-nin was cleaved in two, only to turn into a wooden log.
"Hiding won't help." Tengen said, vanishing again. He reappeared on a tree, thrusting his blade into its trunk.
The tree shuddered, and the Mist Jonin emerged before Tengen.
Tengen's blade had pierced straight through the ninja's heart.
"How did you find me? And that speed…" The Kiri-nin's eyes were filled with shock and unwillingness.
His ability to conceal his presence was exceptional, which was why he'd been chosen for this resistance squad. Yet Tengen had cut him down so quickly.
He hadn't even had a chance to use ninjutsu.
For someone like Tengen, whose taijutsu had reached inhuman levels, enemies had no time to form hand signs. This was why seal-less ninjutsu held such an advantage.
Even Naruto, in the future, could carve out a path with his Rasengan.
"I just… sensed you." Tengen said, his sword erupting in blazing flames that enveloped the Kiri-nin, reducing him to ash.
As for how Tengen found him, beyond his keen sensitivity to chakra, his ki ability rendered transformations useless.
"One down." Tengen said, sheathing his blade. "Now, to the next battlefield."
In a nearby forest.
"Boil Release: Skilled Mist Technique!" Terumī Mei unleashed her strongest Kekkei Genkai, spewing a corrosive mist from her mouth.
"It's useless, Mei." Tengen said softly. "Armament Haki."
An invisible force formed before Tengen, blocking the Skilled Mist Technique from breaking through.
With the Saiyan Bloodline, Tengen's physical prowess had soared, and as his ki grew, so did his Armament Haki.
"It's pointless." Tengen said. Though the mist seemed to erode his Haki, it was as if his Armament Haki was endless, regenerating faster than it could be dissolved.
Tengen walked slowly toward Mei.
Mei gazed at Tengen, her expression calm. "Kill me. In just two years, Tengen, you've become even more terrifying. Thinking I could surpass you was foolish."
Her smile was bitter. She knew today was likely her end.
Konoha and the Kiri-nin were enemies now, unlike during the Chūnin Exams when their villages weren't at war. Back then, Tengen sparing her was understandable.
"Oh, if you want to die, I'll oblige." Tengen said evenly. Mei saw his blade pierce her heart, the shattering sound echoing as her life force began to fade.
She knew she didn't have long.
"Mei, do you remember what I said when we parted in Konoha?" Tengen asked slowly.
"You said I was your woman." Mei said with a smile. "But Tengen, you were such a rogue even at that young age."
"And you're just a little girl." Tengen said, glancing at her.
"It's a pity we're from opposing villages." Mei said, her small face beaming with a radiant smile. "So, let it end here."
She felt her life slipping away, her death imminent.
Tengen looked at her deeply. "Mei, you owe me two lives now. Next time we meet, it's up to you to decide."
With that, Tengen vanished from her sight.
Suddenly, Mei felt her life force return. She looked at her chest, no trace of a wound.
"An illusion?" Mei said, stunned.
"I owe him two lives." She murmured with a soft smile. "Tengen, don't disappoint me next time."
She quickly left to rejoin the main Kiri-nin force.
If she didn't hurry, they would leave without her.
As for the remaining captives, that was a matter for Konoha and the Kirigakure to negotiate later.
A discussion of reparations.
***
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