Ninjutsu's weakness

"Isn't it strange that I've become so strong?" Alili laughed.

He slowly unwrapped the bandage on his right hand, and as the bandage slid off, a thick, dark, and ferocious monster arm came into Chiba's view.

"After you were forced to leave, the village was taken over by the Shadow Skull. All the villagers were killed. I was unwilling to die like that, so they took a liking to me and transplanted Demon Factors into me. I succeeded, and then I joined them."

"I consider myself to have only average talent. Even with my magical awakening and the transplant of Demon Factors, I've only barely reached the A-Class level. Unlike you, even the Ten Wizard Saints praise you highly. But why... are you born stronger than me? You can decide my brother's life or death, yet you can tolerate a dark mage by your side?"

Alili glared at Chiba and roared.

"Once I joined the Shadow Skull, I realized that everything... was because I was too weak... Yes... In this world, might makes right. In the village, if I have the biggest fist, they listen to me; if you have the biggest fist, I listen to you. No matter what the Light Guild is like, they still compete with their fists. They haven't killed anyone, but they still have many dead souls on their hands."

"But things are different now! Chiba, I've surpassed you, so die!"

Alili roared and charged forward, dark magic swirling around his right hand.

"Lava Release: Lava Armor!"

The arm, enveloped in scorching lava, collided with the pitch-black arm. Dark magic eroded Chiba's arm, but was burned away by the scorching lava. The two were locked in a stalemate, evenly matched.

Chiba remained silent throughout.

He killed Bobbit, was he wrong?

Bobbit hurt Mira, so he was enraged, and coupled with the fact that his mind had been Dark Erosion, Chiba had no choice but to kill him.

But as Alili said, if he did nothing wrong, then why would he protect Ultear?

Ultear's mind is now also Dark Erosion.

Because he knew about Ultear's tragic past and experiences early on, he couldn't help but feel pity for her.

Or perhaps, Ultear played an indispensable role in the original story?

Chiba was somewhat confused.

Therefore, Isshiki move he made had flaws, and he was almost hit in a vital spot by Alili several times.

Ultear, who had been watching from the sidelines, had a worried look on her pretty face. She knew Chiba's strength. Logically speaking, someone like Alili, who had just entered the A-Class level, was no match for Chiba. But ever since the battle began, the latter had been distracted.

Meanwhile, the two mages who came with Alili watched the battle between the two with great interest.

"Tsk tsk tsk, I never imagined that this young lad could fight Alili to such an extent."

"Alili has awakened the magic of the Evil Spirit and infused it with Demon Factor. Even the guild master speaks highly of him. Hmph, just watch, in less than ten moves, this kid will be defeated by Alili."

"Hmph! You can't bring yourself to do it, so what are you thinking about? Isshiki your moves has a flaw!"

Alili punched Chiba in the arm and grinned menacingly.

Suddenly, Chiba grabbed Alili's arm with one hand, the immense force causing the latter's expression to change slightly.

"Listen carefully, the reason I killed Bobbit... was because he wanted to make Mira the demon's food, and after Mira Take Over the demon, he wanted to kill Mira, and me as well."

"After we left, we were caught in an avalanche. I fell off a cliff, but Ultear saved me."

"I never claim to be righteous, but if someone hurts my friend, I will not hesitate to kill him, no matter the consequences."

"I don't know what you've been through. Regarding the village, I can only apologize."

"I don't regret killing your brother, nor do I regret protecting Ultear. But, Alili, my friend."

"I will do everything in my power to save you; if I cannot, then I will send you to your death."

After saying that, his entire body began to be covered in Lava Armor, and his cold voice came from beneath the lava.

Just like I said when we parted, I'm waiting for the day you truly surpass me.

Alili laughed, his eyes blazing with fighting spirit. "Very good, this is the kind of fight I've been looking for!"

"Killing you is the purpose of my life!"

A surge of violent magic created an inexplicable pressure around them, and with a deafening roar, the two rushed towards each other at an incredibly fast speed.

Chiba began forming hand seals halfway through, but was interrupted by a sudden surge of magical energy.

"Bang!"

A kick came flying, and Chiba blocked with both hands, his body being knocked far away. Alili followed closely, striking Chiba's Lava Armor with wave after wave of magic.

"You're strong, I don't deny that. But your weakness in combat is also obvious: you need time to prepare. When you use hand seals, I can easily interrupt your preparation with magic."

Alili controlled the dark magic with one hand, and then a huge ball of dark energy attacked Chiba.

"Is that so?"

Chiba smiled.

With a flick of his right hand, a violent gust of wind surged forth. He then clasped his hands together, took a deep breath, and unleashed a massive fireball.

Indeed, if it's Ninjutsu like Earth Dragon Bullet or Fire Dragon Flame Bullet that someone isn't particularly skilled at, others can interrupt their hand seals with swift magic that doesn't require them. But! This only applies to Ninjutsu that currently require hand seals!

For Chiba, who was extremely familiar with techniques like the Great Fireball, Gale Palm, Water Formation Wall, and Phoenix Flower Fire, only one hand seal was needed to unleash the Ninjutsu.

The simplification of the hand seals comes from Feiyin's power. Although most of her power has been lost, as an existence similar to the Ten-Tails, she allows Chiba to use Ninjutsu with only one hand seal.

Perhaps when his strength is restored later, Chiba will be able to use Ninjutsu without hand seals.

But...

The black magic ball collided with the Great Fireball, producing a deafening roar. In the Kakkō, Chiba's figure rushed towards Alili at lightning speed, throwing a punch at his face.

The latter hurriedly wrapped his arm with magic and then blocked Chiba's attack.

Chiba's gaze sharpened, and he directly grabbed Alili's hand, forming a hand seal.

Not yet!

Alili quickly pulled his arm away, and with his other hand swept horizontally across Chiba.

With his Sharingan, Chiba saw through all of Alili's movements. Chiba dodged Alili's attack, then grabbed his other hand and formed another hand seal.

Noon!

In several Taijutsu duels, Alili was at a disadvantage throughout, so much so that when Chiba took a deep breath at the end, he realized that things were going badly.

Fire Style: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!