Chapter 3: The Escort
The water from the tornado coalesced instantly, morphing into a massive, roaring dragon that charged the two Cloud ninjas with terrifying force.
Witnessing ninjutsu from this close range, Akatsurugi was secretly stunned. It was far more impressive and visceral than any animation. The sheer physical presence of the water dragon carried a palpable, crushing pressure. And this was only a B-rank technique! He felt a sudden, sharp longing. Could I ever learn to do that?
"Hah! The Second Hokage's Water Style is indeed powerful," one Cloud ninja sneered, both of them leaping backward to avoid the dragon's charge. "But it's not enough to defeat us!"
Maruboshi's hands remained sealed. The water dragon didn't just dissipate upon impact. As it crashed into the ground, it shattered into countless streams that spread across the forest floor. The Cloud ninja laughed, thinking the technique had failed. One began forming hand seals on the spot while the other rushed forward at high speed.
But then, a massive dragon's head erupted from the pooled water on the ground, its maw snapping shut around the charging ninja. A sickening crunch echoed, and blood sprayed the damp earth. Maruboshi finally relaxed his stance slightly, his color improving.
The remaining Cloud ninja's face contorted in fury, but his hands never stopped moving. "Lightning Style: Earth-Spreading!" A web of crackling lightning raced across the ground.
Now replenished with some of his opponent's chakra, Maruboshi had enough energy to leap high into a nearby tree, easily avoiding the shocking current.
Akatsurugi cheered internally. The Eternal Genin is legit! One enemy was down, and the other seemed moments from defeat.
His celebration was premature. A muffled clang sounded right beside his ear. Maruboshi had spun around, blocking a sword strike from the second Cloud ninja, who had used the lightning as a diversion to close the distance.
The force of the blow sent Maruboshi flying backward. He crashed hard against a thick tree trunk, the impact jarring Akatsurugi so badly he nearly lost his grip. Had Maruboshi not braced himself to cushion the blow for the boy, the force alone would have shattered Akatsurugi's ribs.
"Are you okay?" Maruboshi grunted, not taking his eyes off the enemy.
Akatsurugi tightened his hold. "Focus on the fight! I'm fine!" he urged, his voice tight. The last thing he needed was for his protector to be distracted. The consequence of that would be a quick and messy end for both of them.
He had just been reborn into this world. He didn't want to die so soon. Not when the Second Hokage himself had granted him passage to Konoha. If he could just survive this, if he could deliver the scroll himself, he was sure Konoha would honor the promise. They would take in a civilian, giving him the time and safety he desperately needed to grow stronger.
After all, he had the Flame-Flame Fruit, however weak it seemed now. And he had the ultimate treasure, Ryūjin Jakka, sealed at his side. He just needed time.
Maruboshi gave a curt nod. While the logical move would be to abandon the civilian and secure the scroll, he would not break the final promise of his Hokage. He would see this through.
In truth, Akatsurugi was lucky it was Kosuke Maruboshi who found him. Another Konoha ninja might have simply taken the scroll and left him to his fate. Even a kinder one, under such relentless attack, would have likely prioritized the mission's success over the life of one strange boy.