"It's just a sparring match, just sparring…" The seven Kiritos took up fighting stances. "Please, Sister Anko, go easy on me!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, all seven rushed toward Anko in perfect sync.
Although Kirito lacked real combat experience, his chakra reserves were comparable to a Chūnin's.
Four of his clones swept in from the sides, while the remaining three targeted Anko's joints simultaneously.
Kakashi observed quietly, one eye half-closed. "Judging by his movements, he's still a novice… But to think he can use the Multi Shadow Clone Technique, that's impressive."
Guy crossed his arms, watching carefully. "He's one year younger than Lee, yet his form is clean and controlled. Not bad at all."
The two continued to watch as the spar intensified.
Bang!
In the next moment, sharp pain spread through the clones' limbs. With a burst of white smoke, all of them vanished. Kirito blinked in shock—he had struck nothing but wood.
"Body Replacement Technique!"
His heart tightened. Quickly, his eyes darted around the area.
"Over here, Kirito!"
Anko's voice echoed from above. Kirito looked up to see her perched high on a tree branch, her purple hair dancing in the wind.
"A shadow is just a shadow," she called down, smiling. "If that's all you've got, our little match ends here."
Then she leapt from the tree, hands flashing through hand seals so fast they blurred.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
"Oh no!"
Kirito's eyes widened as the massive fireball surged toward him. He immediately gathered chakra to form a barrier—
Boom!
The ground shook violently. The heat was overwhelming. One by one, the clones burst into clouds of smoke, leaving only Kirito struggling against the wave of fire.
Even pouring all his chakra into defense, he still felt the scorching heat claw at his skin.
Kakashi sighed, shaking his head. "It's over."
But there was a trace of surprise in his voice. "I didn't expect her to hold back."
Guy frowned slightly. "Kirito's only Genin level. Anko must be careful not to hurt him."
Kakashi gave him a sidelong glance. "Have you ever seen that woman hold back? She's Orochimaru's student—cold and precise."
Mitarashi Anko. The prodigy who graduated the Academy at ten and became a Chūnin at twelve. A gifted ninja… and one of Orochimaru's discarded pawns.
About ninety seconds had passed.
If I don't hang on, the Crazy Diamond reward will be wasted!
Gritting his teeth, Kirito let out a low growl. Something inside him snapped—he unleashed everything.
Anko had already gauged his strength, but suddenly her expression shifted. What's this surge…?
A massive shadow burst out of the flames, charging toward her at lightning speed!
Its movement was so fast, it rivaled a Jōnin's.
Caught off guard, Anko barely crossed her arms to block.
Bang!
The impact sent her crashing to the ground.
The three spectators froze in disbelief.
"Anko… got hit?" Guy muttered. "What kind of jutsu is that?"
Before Kakashi could answer, his visible eye narrowed. He lifted his forehead protector, revealing his scarlet Sharingan.
"Eh? Kakashi!" Guy exclaimed. "Why use your Sharingan now?"
Kakashi's tone was astonished. "Guy, this kid's chakra just multiplied fivefold. It's nearly equal to mine. Impossible…"
"Same as you?!" Guy was shocked. "He's barely ten years old! Unless… something's sealed inside him?"
Kakashi shook his head. "No. All nine tailed beasts already have hosts. Whatever this is, it's not a jinchūriki transformation."
He couldn't hide his curiosity. A boy with that much chakra—and multiple forbidden techniques—was far from ordinary.
Kirito dropped to all fours, his nails digging into the dirt. A guttural roar ripped from his throat as his chakra flared wildly. His body pulsed with energy, his veins bulging as blue light radiated from him.
Anko stood, dusting herself off, eyes bright with intrigue. "You're still Kirito, right? You're actually kind of cute like this."
Kirito ignored her, his mind locked on one thought—Five minutes. I just have to survive for five minutes!
Only halfway there.
If Anko got serious, he wouldn't last thirty seconds.
The overflowing chakra condensed into twin blue layers of energy swirling around his body like armor.
Anko's eyes sparkled. "Little Kirito, looks like Sister has to get serious too~"
She flashed through seals faster than before. "Shadow Snake Hand!"
Five white serpents shot from her sleeves, hissing as they lunged forward.
But the beast-like Kirito was faster. He darted away, claws slicing the air as he evaded the strike.
"Oh? You dodged? Let's see you handle this!"
He turned, only to find another Anko standing behind him. Two enormous pythons lunged, wrapping around his torso.
Five serpents in front, two pythons behind.
Acting on instinct, Kirito's form shrank—his body transforming halfway between man and beast. Before the snakes could close in, he slipped through the narrow gap and escaped.
Kakashi's Sharingan flickered. "His chakra just dropped by a fifth. This transformation technique… is unique."
Once clear, Kirito formed hand seals again. "Multi Shadow Clone Technique!"
Boom boom boom!
This time, more than twenty clones filled the field, surrounding Anko from all sides.
She grinned. "Running, are we?"
Snakes erupted from her sleeves again, striking at each clone.
Kirito knew he couldn't overpower her. He fought defensively, weaving between attacks, using his clones and newfound speed to stall for time.
Minute by minute passed until, finally, the snakes ensnared him completely.
By the time the smoke cleared, more than five minutes had gone by.
Kirito lay on the ground, panting heavily, his body returning to normal. "Sister Anko… please let me go."
Anko chuckled, dispelling her jutsu. "Alright, alright." She extended a hand and pulled him up. "Not bad, kid."
Guy and Kakashi walked over with Lee in tow. Guy laughed heartily. "To think Kirito could push you this far, Anko!"
Anko shrugged. "He's got potential. He needs money for his security deposit next month, so I'll take him on a high-level mission. We'll get it sorted in one go."
Guy grinned. "Now that's youth! Kakashi, I'm fired up! Let's have a showdown!"
Kakashi sighed. "Not again…"
End of the chapter