Shino's Miscalculation

Katsura U led Ying to a large room with its iron gate tightly closed.

"This is the women's changing room, and the bathroom is next to it," Katsura U stopped at the door, pointing to the bag Ying had just received. "I won't go in. You take a shower first, change into your uniform, and then I'll introduce you to your new teammates."

Sakura nodded and went inside.

Nothing erotic or steamy happened in the bathroom that viewers would love to see—it was a series of partitioned cubicles, and there were no naked women offering themselves to the public.

And even if she did see it... there's nothing to get excited about. After all, she's been to Konoha's women's bathhouse quite a few times over the years.

You might not believe it, but perhaps because few ninjas frequented the women's bathroom, Sakura felt there were mostly cringe-worthy scenes inside—such as various cylindrical or even spindle-shaped bodies, or layers of swimming rings piled up, which made her own slender figure stand out as a sight to behold.

It's better to look at yourself—although you're a bit poor, at least it's not an eyesore.

The girl showered quickly. Even without mentioning that there were people waiting for her outside, she wasn't the type to take an hour to shower.

The water from the showerhead was warm and plentiful, enough to immerse her completely in the warm water, making her feel very relaxed.

She casually used her Chakra to control the flow of water and wiped her body. Although she had just finished a battle, she hadn't sweated much or gotten dusty.

That Anbu Ninja, Shino, is quite strong. The girl thought to herself as she played in the warm, misty water.

This was the first time she had encountered a ninja who started a battle with Genjutsu.

The battle was short; in fact, it was over after only a brief probing.

Then.

"Genjutsu: Mist Servant Technique!"

Shino Hand Seals very quickly, almost the very next second after Katsura U announced the start of the battle, he had already completed the seals and cast a Genjutsu.

As he finished casting the Genjutsu, he casually tossed out a few Kunai and then charged towards the girl.

By using simple, instantaneous Genjutsu to momentarily disorient the enemy, one can then launch an attack. Weaker opponents will be defeated because they are too slow to dispel the Genjutsu and will not have time to dodge the subsequent attacks; even stronger enemies will be caught in Shino's wave after wave of attacks after dispelling the Genjutsu, thus losing the initiative and falling into a disadvantageous position.

However, if the opponent is Sakura Haruno, then it's a different story.

"The Genjutsu had absolutely no effect on the kite..." Katsura U, who was watching from the sidelines, was somewhat surprised.

The power of Genjutsu is inversely proportional to the mental strength of the target. With Sakura's mental strength being nearly seven times that of an ordinary person, this simple Genjutsu would not even make her feel a little disoriented.

Therefore, Katsura U saw that Shino's Genjutsu tactics had completely failed: the girl was not affected by the Genjutsu, easily deflected the Kunai that Shino shot at her, and then began a Taijutsu clash with Shino was rushing towards her.

Shino's Taijutsu is a culmination of his decades of experience as a ninja. It appears simple and unadorned, but in reality, it is full of surprises and seeks danger within stability. Like an undercurrent lurking in the deep sea, it appears calm on the surface, but beneath the surface, there is a turbulent undercurrent.

Katsura U was often in charge of guiding newcomers and had witnessed many battles between Shino and newcomers. Some newcomers, seeing that Shino's Taijutsu were mediocre, would assume that he was not skilled and launch a fierce attack. However, they would often catch off guard and Shino would seize the opportunity and weakness in their attack, and then launch a Hayate and fierce counterattack, instantly putting them at a disadvantage or even leading to their defeat.

The fight on the field was just like usual: the newcomer came on strong, but Shino was struggling to defend himself. He only showed defensive skills and had no chance to counterattack.

This is exactly the rhythm that Shino usually prefers: usually his defense looks like it's already stretched thin, but in reality Shino still has room to maneuver. Close-quarters Taijutsu is the most dangerous kind of combat for a ninja. A slight mistake can result in serious injury. But Shino has the confidence and ability to control this rhythm. In the midst of a dangerous Taijutsu exchange, he can observe his opponent's gaps with ease and seize the opportunity to launch a counterattack.

It's not about blindly pursuing strength or speed, but about skillfully controlling the rhythm of combat—something only true masters of Taijutsu can achieve.

With just this Taijutsu, Shino could be proud of himself, and it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call him a powerful Taijutsu ninja; however, Shino is actually a ninja who is well-rounded in ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu—his Ninjutsu is by no means inferior to his Taijutsu.

Shino certainly has reason to be proud. As an examiner for the Anbu, his skills are outstanding even within the Anbu!

It's very difficult for a newcomer to defeat him in the assessment. Even if he gains the upper hand for a while, it's often just a false impression created by Shino to lure his opponent into a strong attack.

But things seem different now.

"No... Shino seems to be really being suppressed by Tobi!" Katsura U's eyes narrowed as she noticed something amiss in the battle.

Indeed, just as Katsura U said, the examiner Shino was already teetering on the brink of defeat in the Taijutsu combat. This was not a decoy set up by Shino, but a genuine sign that he was at a disadvantage!

Cold sweat was already beading on his forehead, his features were contorted beneath the mask, and he gradually clenched his teeth, struggling to resist his opponent's attacks. He could never have imagined that the girl in front of him, who was a head and a half shorter than him, could be so ruthless in her punches and kicks.

The force emanating from that fist was terrifying, so much so that he couldn't breathe at all!

The immense force he just experienced was definitely not an illusion, nor was it the effect of any Ninjutsu!

"Damn it, is she really not Taijutsu- type ninja!?"

Shino, and instinctively crossed his arms to block Sakura's attack as she faced his opponent's charging punch.

"Monstrous Strength Technique: Star Cannon Hammer!"

Thud! A dull, suffocating sound came from the point where flesh and blood collided. For a moment, Shino thought he had been hit by an Earth Release: Meteorite Drop [Note]. Although he had blocked the punch accurately, the surging power from the fist, enough to split mountains and shatter rocks, completely overwhelmed him. His legs went weak, and he staggered back several steps uncontrollably before finally collapsing to the ground, dissipating the force.

What astonishing power! Even though he had blocked it, he was still knocked down by a single punch, as if he had been hit by a falling meteorite!

Shino felt that the places on his arms where the girl's fists had hit him were completely numb, so heavy that he couldn't lift his hands at all. No, it wasn't just his hands; his entire body had been numbed by the force of the blow!

Indeed, those who can enter the Anbu are not ordinary people. He has been completely defeated by powerful Taijutsu ninjas. Elite Jonin Taijutsu, could easily defeat him in a Taijutsu. But this young girl in front of him is Ninjutsu- type ninja!

When had he ever been so badly beaten by a Ninjutsu using Taijutsu?

Besides, the opponent was a young girl with blond hair—no, pink hair—who was just starting to develop.

Shino's breathing was erratic, and his thoughts were a jumbled mess.

He was completely defeated in terms of Taijutsu. His opponent's Taijutsu strength was beyond imagination; he was completely knocked down after merely taking a single tentative blow.

The Taijutsu strategy of feigning weakness and luring the enemy in deep was completely ineffective against this cat-faced ninja; he shouldn't have used close combat in the first place! He was very clear about this.

However, he didn't know that Sakura had already reduced the power of her Star Cannon Hammer by 95%. It was only because Shino didn't know Sakura's identity that he dared to take a punch using the Monstrous Strength Technique head-on!

The correct strategy at this moment is to immediately disengage from the battlefield, avoid the opponent's punches and kicks, and continue to maneuver using Ninjutsu and Genjutsu. However, Shino's body is completely out of his control, as heavy as a rock.

My hands were so numb and trembling that Hand Seals was difficult.

In ninja battles, close-quarters combat is undoubtedly the most brutal and dangerous fighting style. Once you are completely suppressed, it is very difficult to escape, and you can only be suppressed until you die!

Shino struggled to his feet, his limbs numb and aching from the girl's punches and kicks. His body was protesting against his mind, his rapid breathing resisting any further movement, leaving him almost unable to move.

Something needs to be done, but nothing can be done!

Shino could only stare intently at the girl, watching her leap high into the air, her long, straight legs arching above her head.

"Monstrous Strength Technique: Guarding Foot!"

Shino like a drum, his mind a complete blank.

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(This should be considered the first update of the 11th. The next update will be around 7 PM on the 11th.)

(Note: For a general idea of the effect, see the giant boulder that crashes down in the Kakashi Gaiden.)