"Hmm, it's a decent jutsu. The only issue is that it's too flashy. It can easily mess up your own vision and give the enemy a chance to counterattack. It's quite similar to Father's Hell Thrust: Four-Finger Thrust. But your technique's flaw is obvious—if it's not combined with extreme speed and sharp vision, it might end up harming you instead. You'd best use it sparingly. When there's time, I'll teach you Father's Hell Thrust: Four-Finger Thrust. Compared to your Chidori, that one's far more refined," said A, giving a concise analysis of the Chidori and offering Killer Bee a better alternative.
"Got it, big bro," Killer Bee replied gratefully, while thinking to himself, As expected of big bro—he figured out all the pros and cons of Chidori with just a glance. His observational skills are amazing.
Whoosh.
Another figure suddenly appeared in front of the two—it was none other than Fukai.
"Yo, you guys are quick! Already done here. But now's not the time to relax. I just extracted some important intel from the enemy's mind. The defense routes around Sector C and other critical info have already been passed along by another sensory-type enemy ninja. If the three of us each pursue from different directions, we might still catch up," Fukai said, then turned to Killer Bee with a surprised look:
"My precious student! I can't believe you actually took down a Chūnin! And you don't even look hurt—seems like it was an easy win. If I didn't see it for myself, I wouldn't believe it."
Hearing that, Killer Bee couldn't help but recall the previous battle. He forced a bitter smile and said, "Teacher, please don't tease me. I was so scared back there I could barely move!"
"Really?" Fukai looked surprised. "Then how are you still in one piece?"
Seeing their skeptical looks, Killer Bee thought for a moment and then explained the battle in detail.
Swish! A blue flash of a blade suddenly streaked past.
Just as he finished talking, a flash of blue light appeared before him, and the next thing he knew, his arm had been sliced clean off.
"What the hell?!" Killer Bee yelled, staring at Fukai. "If I were lying, wouldn't I be a one-armed man now? Come on, could you not ambush me like that again?!"
Fukai ignored the glare from his student and said, "Relax, relax. Now I can rest easy. After this enemy attack, I was thinking of using a shadow clone to follow and protect you. But now it looks like that won't be necessary. Even if you run into that sensory-type Jōnin, they probably won't be able to do much to you."
"Hmph." Killer Bee snorted and turned away. His teacher was way too reckless.
At that moment, A looked at Bee's fully healed arm in surprise. "Is that a kekkei genkai? It's surprisingly similar to the abilities of the Hōzuki clan from the Land of Water."
"Sort of," Bee replied, noticing his brother's shocked expression. "When I use Lightning Release, aside from elementalization like before, I generally don't use chakra. I draw lightning elements directly from nature to attack."
"No wonder your control over Lightning Release is so good," Fukai said with a regretful look. "If I had known you had this ability, I wouldn't have taught you swordsmanship. With a kekkei genkai like this, practicing kenjutsu is such a waste."
A interrupted, "You can't think like that. Relying too much on a kekkei genkai isn't a good thing. Strengthening your personal skills is still most important."
"Is now really the time to be chatting?" Killer Bee reminded them with exasperation. "Big bro, teacher, if we keep talking, that enemy ninja will really get away."
"Oh, right!" Fukai snapped back to attention. "In that case, I'm heading out first!" With that, he vanished in a few quick leaps.
"Bee, even with your kekkei genkai, be careful," A said before dashing off in another direction.
"Got it, big bro." Killer Bee nodded and charged off in a third direction, lightning crackling around his body.
―――――――
Time ticked by, and dusk settled in. The forest, covered in thick greenery, was bathed in a vibrant glow from the setting sun.
Step. A blue figure darted between trees—it was none other than Killer Bee, surrounded by lightning.
Due to the urgency, all three had pushed their speed to the limit during the pursuit. At full speed, Killer Bee was moving with peak-Chūnin velocity. Less than half an hour into the chase, he finally got lucky.
Ninja Art: Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!
Whoosh whoosh whoosh! A sharp female shout rang out, and a hailstorm of shuriken whistled through the air toward Killer Bee.
Seeing the wave of shuriken flying at him, Killer Bee quickly drew his blade. Clang clang clang! He deflected several shuriken and twisted his body in quick evasive motions. Despite this, three or four cuts still appeared on his arms and torso.
"Not bad reflexes!" said a female Iwa-nin standing ten meters away. But when she saw who it was, her face filled with surprise.
"To think En actually lost to a brat like you—that's seriously shocking. Still, if you're here, I suppose the rest of your squad has already been wiped out?"
Though her tone was calm, she had already grown cautious. Anyone who could kill her captain that quickly was no ordinary opponent.
Once she confirmed that no one else was within 500 meters, she relaxed a bit but resolved inwardly: I have to take this kid down quickly. If the other two elite Jōnin catch up, I'll be the one who ends up dead.
Facing the shapely kunoichi, Killer Bee snorted, "Even if you're a woman, I'll still go all out. Prepare to die!" As he charged, lightning enveloped his body and he activated his mind-reading technique.
"Just a brat. Let me take care of you! Take this!" the Iwa-nin yelled, drawing a kunai and charging at Killer Bee.
Clang! Sparks flew as blade met kunai.
Slash! A spray of blood erupted from Killer Bee's shoulder.
Clang!
Ding, ding!
Sharp sounds rang out repeatedly.
They had exchanged barely a dozen blows, yet the female Iwa-nin already looked surprised. She hadn't expected such a young boy to have the strength and speed of a Chūnin. Although she was a Jōnin, she wasn't combat-type, so her strength and speed were only on par with a peak-Chūnin.
"Such power and battle reflexes at his age... What a shame he lacks experience. I'll just finish this with a jutsu!"
As she spoke, she shoved with her kunai, knocking Killer Bee's blade aside. Before he could react, she leapt back, creating distance. Even while in the air, she began forming hand signs.
"Not happening!"
Before she could land, Killer Bee shouted, planted a foot against a tree, and propelled himself forward like a lightning bolt, closing the gap instantly and not giving her any chance to finish the jutsu.