Chapter 24 – Battle Against Pakura
"The objective of this phase: each team will be given one of two scroll types—Heaven Scroll or Earth Scroll. Only teams that manage to gather both types will pass this stage," announced the Third Kazekage firmly.
"All participants, collect your assigned scrolls immediately!"
A number of Sunagakure shinobi quickly guided each team toward the scroll distribution area.
"This is Death Canyon. You'll all be entering this area, and your goal is to reach the designated point at the far end of the gorge."
Amid the noise, Hyūga Inaka leaned toward Yusuke and asked in a quiet voice, "Yusuke, what's the plan?"
"No need to overthink it. Let's set up traps along the main path to the final checkpoint," Yusuke replied calmly.
It was a strategy he had already considered. Rather than risk being ambushed by other villages in a chaotic free-for-all, it was smarter to take the initiative.
If they succeeded, not only could they eliminate threats early, but their chances of passing would increase significantly—without unnecessary complications.
Even if they couldn't eliminate everyone, reducing the competition would help a lot. And if luck was on their side, they might even snatch a decent sword from a fallen enemy.
"But… what if we're the ones who get ambushed?" Honda Kaori asked nervously.
"If things go south and you're in danger, just make a run for the checkpoint. Leave the rest to me. I have my own way of escaping," Yusuke replied.
"Got it." The two of them knew exactly how powerful Yusuke was. If he chose to retreat, there were few—if any—who could stop him.
"All right. Let's move out." The trio headed straight toward the main road.
"The bait has taken the hook," muttered a Kumogakure ninja who suddenly appeared from behind the rocks.
"Hand over your scrolls, and I might just let you walk away."
"You talk too much," Yusuke muttered lazily—and in a flash, he launched forward.
"One Sword Style: Lion's Song."
(Ittōryū: Shishi Sonson)
With a single fluid motion, he unsheathed a standard shinobi blade from his waist and slashed.
"Too fast...!" The Kumogakure ninja widened his eyes. He hadn't even formed a hand seal. As he attempted to jump back—
Yusuke didn't give him the chance. With Observation Haki, he could sense every subtle movement. Instantly adjusting his angle, he struck, severing the man's head cleanly.
The two Kumogakure teammates froze in shock. They never expected such a direct attack—let alone a lethal one delivered in a single strike.
Their original plan was to use traps, but seeing that the opponents were just three kids, they thought intimidation would be enough.
No need for a fight. Just scare them, grab the scrolls, and leave. After all, Death Canyon was dangerous enough—one wrong move and even a minor injury could prove fatal.
"Attack!" one of them shouted.
But it was already too late.
Yusuke had already detected their trap through Observation Haki. He moved swiftly.
Conqueror's Haki—an invisible pressure burst outward through the air.
The two remaining ninja froze in place, limbs trembling uncontrollably. In seconds, Yusuke finished them off without resistance.
From one of the fallen bodies, he recovered a Heaven Scroll. Unfortunately, it was the same type they already had—so it wouldn't help them clear the trial just yet.
"Yusuke, someone's approaching—fast. It's a squad from Sunagakure!" Inaka called out, activating his Byakugan.
"Hide. We'll use this trap against them," Yusuke ordered quickly.
They ducked into cover.
Moments later, an explosion echoed in the distance.
"Watch out—it's a trap!" a Sunagakure ninja shouted.
"Damn it! Scorch Release: Superheated Murder Steam!"
The trap melted instantly under a wave of searing heat. Yusuke narrowed his eyes. That technique could only belong to a Scorch Release user—someone like Pakura.
As host of this year's Chūnin Exams, Sunagakure was clearly gunning for victory.
Despite only being twelve or thirteen, Pakura was already a prodigy.
With her Kekkei Genkai, her strength rivaled—or even surpassed—many young Jōnin. Compared to Kakashi at his current level, she was far ahead.
"Stop right there! This road—and this scroll—belong to us. Hand yours over if you want to pass," Yusuke called out as he stepped from the shadows.
The Sunagakure shinobi were stunned, not just by his sudden appearance, but also by the odd mix of seriousness and sarcasm in his tone. It left them unsure whether to laugh or be annoyed.
"Hmph. Kid. Your trap didn't work. We're not wasting our energy. Just give us the scroll," Pakura said coldly.
"Looks like there's no avoiding a fight." Yusuke dropped his smirk and formed hand seals.
Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!
A blazing fireball, nearly five meters wide, launched from his mouth.
Wind Release: Thousand Faces Gale!
A barrage of wind blades countered from the enemy's side.
Inaka and Kaori jumped into the fray to support Yusuke.
"Scorch Release: …"
Pakura began forming seals again—but Yusuke suddenly kicked off the ground, unleashing a crescent-shaped air slash with his leg.
Tempest Kick.
"What the—?! A taijutsu technique? Without hand seals?" Pakura frowned and flung a kunai toward him.
Yusuke blocked it with Armament Haki, pressing forward into close quarters.
Pakura immediately pulled back, countering with a Wind Release: Gale Palm, a simple C-rank technique to push back her opponent. Then, without wasting a second—
Scorch Release: Superheated Murder Steam!
A blinding orb of white light shot toward Yusuke.
In that split second, Yusuke drew his blade—Enma.
Hatake Style: Chaotic Slashes – Lotus Form.
Petal-like slashes collided with the searing orb. Upon impact, the glowing sphere dissipated entirely.
"No way…" Pakura muttered in disbelief. Her Kekkei Genkai—something she thought unbeatable—had just been countered by someone even younger than her.
"This is bad… If I keep going like this, I won't win," Yusuke thought grimly.
He wasn't using his Gura Gura no Mi powers right now. A drawn-out fight against Pakura would only waste energy.
"But… I've got an idea."
Lightning Release: Thunder Orbs.
Spheres of crackling electricity flew toward Pakura.
Wind Release: Thousand Faces Gale!
Though wind was weak against lightning, Pakura tried to neutralize the threat. She managed to deflect some—but not all. The rest closed in fast, forcing her to dodge.
Meanwhile, a group of Sunagakure shinobi lunged at Yusuke from behind. He tried to evade, but—
His right arm was slashed off.
"Damn it…!" Yusuke let out a sharp grunt.
Inaka and Kaori panicked, but there was no time to freeze up. The enemies kept coming. In their panic over Yusuke's injury, they lost their focus.
"You brought this on yourself, brat. If you had just handed over the scroll, you wouldn't have lost that arm," Pakura sneered.
Yusuke's right arm was crippled. He couldn't form hand seals. Even if he could use some jutsu without them, his abilities were now significantly limited.
"Just give up the scroll. I'll let you live."
"So you really think… you've already won?" Yusuke muttered weakly.
"…What did you say?" Pakura narrowed her eyes.
Before she could finish her next sentence—
Yusuke's severed right arm suddenly reappeared behind her, gripping a blade to her throat.
"You lose," he said with a faint smile.
"No… Impossible… I… I was caught in a Genjutsu…?" Pakura whispered, her face turning pale.
"Don't move! If you want her to live, stay where you are!" Yusuke's voice turned cold.
A heavy killing intent spread through the air...
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