Seeing Takagi retreat, Taiichi didn't give him a chance to breathe. He lunged forward, swinging his tanto upward toward Takagi's groin, forcing the Jonin to stumble back. Taiichi followed up with horizontal slashes, trying to crack his defense.
But Takagi had recovered. His kunai defense was impenetrable, blocking every strike Taiichi threw.
After just a few exchanges, Taiichi realized he had made a mistake. This green-haired ninja was a Taijutsu specialist.
Earlier, Taiichi had the upper hand because he caught Takagi off guard. Now that the Jonin had adapted to his rhythm, fighting him in close quarters was suicidal.
Worse, the two Chunin subordinates were catching up.
Speak of the devil. Out of the corner of his eye, Taiichi saw two figures rushing toward them.
Taiichi didn't hesitate. He opened his Panel and dumped a skill point into One-Handed Seals.
> [One-Handed Seals Lv1 (78/100)]
Instantly, knowledge flooded his mind and muscles. The skill he had been researching with Minato was now fully mastered, surpassing his previous understanding.
Taiichi used his aggressive momentum to shift positions, putting Takagi between him and the approaching Chunin. His right hand kept up a flurry of slashes to occupy Takagi's attention, while his left hand secretly began weaving seals.
Another heavy slash aimed at Takagi's face. Takagi blocked it easily, having fully adapted to Taiichi's speed.
He had seen Asa and the other Chunin arriving. Just a little longer, and we can tear this kid apart together.
Suddenly, Takagi's instincts screamed. Goosebumps erupted all over his body. It was the premonition of death.
Without thinking, he leaped backward, trusting his gut.
In that split second, Taiichi, who was mid-swing, opened his mouth and spewed a massive stream of fireballs.
"Bastard! It's that move again! When did he weave the signs? I didn't see anything!" Then he remembered Taiichi switching to one-handed attacks. "Wait... One-handed seals?!"
Facing the carpet-bombing attack, Takagi retreated at full speed.
Asa and the other Chunin, who were rushing in to help, were caught completely off guard. They saw their captain suddenly jump back, followed by a wall of fire screaming toward them.
Thoughts of helping vanished. Survival was priority one. But they were too close, and their reaction was a beat too slow.
Takagi zipped past them. They tried to stop and retreat, but it was too late.
The fireballs exploded just in front of them. Even though they weren't direct hits, the shockwaves and heat blasted them backward. They vomited blood as they hit the ground.
When the explosions ceased, Takagi checked on them. They were alive, just concussed and bruised. He sighed in relief.
This chase was giving him PTSD. The kid wasn't stronger than him, but his bag of tricks was endless.
Looking at the empty battlefield again, Takagi's eyebrow twitched. "Are you dead? If not, get up and chase!"
Seeing them struggle to stand, Takagi's veins bulged. "Hurry up! Do you think I won't kill you myself?!"
The threat of an angry Jonin was effective. The two Chunin gritted their teeth and stood up. They had lost time. Takagi didn't wait; he took off first.
The two subordinates exchanged helpless glances and followed, though noticeably slower than before.
---
Taiichi, running ahead, didn't know the specifics, but he hoped Takagi was still furious. Rage made people predictable and sloppy.
Feeling his chakra reserves still high, Taiichi didn't skimp. He created another Shadow Clone to ambush the path while his main body continued the escape.
The clone used Earth Style: Underground Voyage to hide deep below the path. He waited for over five minutes until he sensed a fast figure pass overhead.
Once the Jonin was far enough away, the clone surfaced and hid in a tree.
Shortly after, he sensed two slower figures approaching. They looked battered and unenthusiastic. As they passed under the tree, the clone saw his chance and dove down, blade ready.
The sound of wind alerted the two Chunin. They turned in panic. Seeing Taiichi, they froze. Wasn't he being chased by Captain Takagi? Why is he here?
Before they could figure it out, Taiichi was on them.
Asa, staring death in the face, managed to block the strike with his kunai at the last second.
Knowing how dangerous this kid was, Asa had zero intention of attacking. He focused purely on defense, waving his kunai frantically to keep Taiichi at bay.
The other Chunin reacted and joined the fray.
The Taiichi clone realized they were fighting conservatively. They're scared. Good.
He was happy to stall. Keeping these two occupied here was the best possible outcome for the main body.
---
Main Body Taiichi
Running ahead, Taiichi felt something was off. He hadn't received the memories from the Shadow Clone yet.
Then he smiled. If the clone hasn't popped, it means he's successfully stalling the two Chunin.
He made a decision. He kept running.
Having refreshed his stamina earlier, he was still full of energy. He ran for another thirty minutes.
Finally, he sensed the pursuer closing in. Before Takagi came into view, Taiichi created another Shadow Clone. This clone didn't stop; it sprinted ahead at full speed.
The main body stopped, turned around, and waited, panting heavily as if exhausted.
Takagi burst into the clearing and saw the kid standing there, gasping for air. He grinned viciously. "Damn brat! You were running so fast earlier! Why stop now?"
"Green Hat... why are you so obsessed with me? I don't even know which random grunt was your brother. Maybe you got the wrong guy?" Taiichi wheezed, still taunting him.
"You foul-mouthed little... I'm going to rip that tongue out!" Enraged, Takagi didn't even stop to catch his breath. He charged with his kunai.
Seeing Takagi take the bait and attack without resting, Taiichi's lips curled into an imperceptible smile. He raised his sword and engaged.
Clang! Clang!
In a direct clash, Taiichi was still disadvantaged.
Takagi used the shorter range of the kunai to his advantage, pressing in close, stabbing at Taiichi's vitals relentlessly.
Overpowered, Taiichi was forced on the defensive. His guard shrank. Soon, small cuts started appearing on his body.
Another stab. Taiichi barely parried, but his strength faltered. The kunai grazed his left arm, adding another wound.
"How much longer can you last, kid?" Takagi sneered.
Taiichi stayed silent. Seeing an opening while Takagi gloated, he tried to weave a seal.
"Haha! Not a chance!" Takagi saw it coming. He lunged, slashing his kunai at Taiichi's neck.
Taiichi blocked with his sword, sparks flying. Takagi stepped inside Taiichi's guard and punched him in the chest. Taiichi blocked with his forearm, but the heavy blow nearly made him drop his sword.
Capitalizing on the hit, Takagi spun and drove his elbow into Taiichi's right ribs.
CRACK.
The sound of breaking bone was crisp.
Taiichi stumbled back, blood leaking from his mouth. Takagi followed up instantly, driving a spear-like elbow straight into Taiichi's chest.
Taiichi barely crossed his arms to block.
BANG!
He was launched backward, flying through the air.
"Die!" Takagi didn't give him a second. He charged toward where Taiichi landed to finish him.
Taiichi rolled with the impact, clutching his sword with trembling hands. He didn't fight back; he turned and bolted into the trees, using the terrain to break line of sight.
"Run! Run while you can!" Takagi laughed maniacally, savoring the thrill of imminent revenge.
He followed the trail of blood and broken branches.
It was easy. A hundred meters later, he found Taiichi collapsed on the ground, curled up and trembling, looking like he was on death's door.
Takagi didn't doubt it. He had felt the ribs crack. Internal bleeding was a certainty.
With a twisted grin, Takagi raised his kunai and stabbed down at Taiichi's heart.
The fallen boy seemed to sense it. He struggled to turn his head, looking at the descending blade. Suddenly, he grinned.
"You fell for it."
---
Outpost No. 7
After an hour of frantic sprinting, Yohei arrived at the outpost. He burst into the camp, ignoring the strange looks.
"Captain Yamaguchi! Help! SOS!"
The shouting brought everyone out. Yamaguchi emerged from his tent. Seeing Yohei alone, his heart sank.
He grabbed Yohei and dragged him to the command tent. "Report. What happened?"
Commander Chiba was there too, staring at Yohei.
"We tailed the escapee to a cave..."
As Yohei recounted the events, Yamaguchi and Chiba realized the severity. This was a coordinated disruption campaign targeting Konoha's border defenses.
"I'll notify the village and alert nearby outposts," Chiba decided immediately.
"Captain! Please! You have to save Taiichi! He's going to die!" Yohei grabbed Yamaguchi's sleeve, pleading.
"Calm down, Yohei!" Yamaguchi snapped.
He turned to Chiba. "He's right. Can the outpost spare any men to help me with a rescue?"
Chiba thought for a second. "Most of us are injured from last night. But for a small team... I can spare two."
He shouted outside. "Yuka! Yuta! Get in here!"
Two brothers who were moving supplies dropped their crates and ran in. "Commander?"
"Go with Jonin Yamaguchi. Taiichi is being hunted by the enemy because he stayed back to cover the intel delivery. You are to assist in his rescue."
"Yes, sir!" x2
"Don't worry, sir. Taiichi-san treated our wounds yesterday. We owe him," the older brother, Yuka, said solemnly.
Chiba nodded. "Jonin Yamaguchi, be careful. The enemy numbers are significant."
"Understood." Yamaguchi led the three out.
Outside, Yohei caught up. "Captain! What about Saori? We need more people!"
Yamaguchi looked at him like he was an idiot. "We are going on a rescue mission. Speed is everything. If I didn't need you to guide us, I wouldn't even bring you."
Yohei blushed, realizing his weakness. But then he activated his Sharingan. "Captain! I unlocked the second tomoe! I won't slow you down!"
The Yuka brothers were shocked. Two tomoe at that age? Another genius?
"Fine. Let's move." Yamaguchi picked up the pace, and the team sprinted into the forest.
---
Back in the Forest
"You fell for it."
Seeing that sneer, Takagi panicked. But his momentum was too great, and the distance too short. His kunai plunged into Taiichi's back.
POOF.
White smoke cleared to reveal a shimmering blue sphere of water. The Shadow Clone had been shielding it with its body.
The water sphere, released from its containment, churned violently.
Takagi knew instantly what it was. A trap.
Hair standing on end, he retreated at a speed he had never achieved before, his hands weaving signs in a blur.
"Water Style: Water Wall!"
It was his only defensive Jutsu. Just as the wall rose, the blue sphere detonated.
Water Style: Wild Water Dance.
Countless high-pressure water arrows exploded outward in all directions.
Since Taiichi hadn't mastered the Jutsu yet, he had used a Shadow Clone to compress the water beforehand to maximize the power.
The effect was devastating. Takagi's Water Wall, deployed too close to the blast, shattered in a second. With no cover left, Takagi concentrated all his chakra into his arms, shielding his head and vitals, trying to tank the barrage.
Thwack! Thwack! Thwack!
At least five water arrows punched through his defenses.
When the torrent ended, the real Taiichi stepped out from behind a tree fifty meters away.
The area was Swiss cheese. Even the tree Taiichi hid behind had taken damage. Takagi, who was at ground zero, was swaying on his feet. He looked like a leaking sieve, blood pouring from multiple holes in his body.
"Heh... Shadow Clone users... always have black hearts," Takagi wheezed, still stubborn. "Kid... you're hurt too. Ribs broken... internal bleeding..."
"Why don't we call it a draw?" Takagi tried to stall. He was terrified now.
"Damn it... where are those two idiots?" He remembered his subordinates were supposed to be here by now.
Taiichi looked at him with amusement. "Green Hat... yeah, my arm is broken."
He lifted his limp left arm, the one Takagi had snapped with his elbow strike earlier.
Takagi smiled, hope rising. Maybe they could walk away.
Then his eyes bulged.
Taiichi calmly snapped his broken bone back into place. Then, with his right hand, he wove a one-handed seal. Green light—Mystical Palm Technique—glowed on his hand as he pressed it to his injury.
"D-Dammit... You know Medical Ninjutsu too?!" Takagi broke. The despair was too much. He coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed to his knees.
"Yeah. I dabble in a bit of everything. Don't mind me," Taiichi said, continuing to heal himself.
"Oh, right. You're waiting for your subordinates?" Taiichi asked innocently.
Takagi looked up instinctively.
"Your boys are slacking. My Shadow Clone has been stalling them for over half an hour. It'll take them at least another thirty minutes to get here," Taiichi lied cheerfully.
Hearing this, Takagi trembled with rage. He had thought they were just slow. Turns out they were being toyed with by a clone.
Overcome by anger and blood loss, his vision went black, and he collapsed face-first into the dirt.
Taiichi didn't rush. He stood at a distance, finishing his self-treatment. He still had two Chunin to deal with, after all.
Once he was mostly patched up, he walked over to finish the job.
He raised his tanto, aiming for Takagi's heart.
Suddenly, the "unconscious" Jonin rolled over, slammed his hand on the ground, and sprang up. He lunged at Taiichi, impaling himself on Taiichi's sword just to get close enough to drive his kunai into Taiichi's heart.
SHLUCK.
Both blades found their marks.