A Dire Situation (Part 2)

"Such a Chakra sensing technique requires exceptional sensory talent!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara took one look and shook his head, not pursuing the matter further. Uchiha Shinsui quickly lost interest as well. To him, the Sharingan was his true foundation. Kanzuki Chiba was very interested, but she lacked sensory talent too and could only watch.

"Shinsui, Chiba, get some rest early. You'll be standing watch during the second half of the night!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara said.

"Yes, Kazuhara-sensei!"

Uchiha Shinsui and Kanzuki Chiba immediately returned to their respective places and began conserving their energy. Gengetsu, meanwhile, focused all his attention on the scroll in his hands.

Although the Hidden Mist Technique had sensory effects, it was not purely a sensory ninjutsu. Moreover, using it was practically the same as exposing himself, and he did not know the Silent Killing Technique. Using this technique as a sensory ninjutsu was purely an act of desperation.

"The Second Hokage's Chakra sensing technique relies on the power of Earth's magnetic field, which is why its range is so vast. During the Fourth Shinobi War in the original story, he was in Konoha yet sensed Madara Uchiha's Chakra on the battlefield. Its power was no weaker than the Mind's Eye of the Kagura. Unfortunately, my sensory talent is average, and I still haven't mastered it."

"As for the Mind's Eye of the Kagura, its principles seem more akin to electromagnetic waves. It releases Yin Release Chakra in waves for sensing, much like radar. Unfortunately, I only have the principles and lack a specific training method..."

After reading it, Gengetsu could not help frowning. Without a doubt, the Mind's Eye of the Kagura was more suitable for him than the Second Hokage's technique.

"Either way, I'll try it first!"

Gengetsu gritted his teeth and began feeling his way through it.

The night passed without incident. The next day, the four of them set out in high spirits and continued their search. However, after searching three ruins marked on the map in succession, they found nothing. Two of those sites showed signs of intrusion and had most likely been reached first by the Mist Ninja.

"This is the last one. Once we search this ruin, our mission will be complete!"

Two days later, Sarutobi Kazuhara pointed at the final red marker on the map. Uchiha Shinsui and Kanzuki Chiba, both visibly fatigued, immediately perked up.

"Then let's get it done quickly. We can head back and train in peace!"

Gengetsu was invigorated as well.

Uchiha Shinsui and Kanzuki Chiba were speechless. This guy was practically inhuman. Three days had passed without him showing the slightest fatigue, and he had not even neglected his training during that time.

"The Uzumaki Clan's constitution really is... monstrous!"

Even Sarutobi Kazuhara could not help grumbling inwardly. After several consecutive days of constant tension, even he was beginning to feel tired, yet Gengetsu remained full of energy.

After making some preparations, the four set off.

Wind howled past his ears. Although they were traveling, Gengetsu's mind was still occupied with the Mind's Eye of the Kagura. Over the past few days, he had found a few clues, and he was now utterly absorbed in it.

"Careful, Mist Ninja!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara suddenly shouted from ahead. Gengetsu's focus snapped back, his eyes narrowing as he saw four figures rushing toward them.

"Gengetsu, Shinsui!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara shouted as he began slowing down.

Gengetsu quietly drew a breath, cast aside all distractions, and accelerated. Together with Uchiha Shinsui on his right, he overtook Sarutobi Kazuhara.

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!

Uchiha Shinsui activated his Sharingan and rapidly formed hand seals. Opening his mouth, he expelled a huge fireball that roared forward. At the same time, Gengetsu, who had already pressed his palms together in preparation, opened his mouth and unleashed a howling gale.

The wind fed the flames, instantly expanding the Great Fireball Technique's range severalfold and directly sealing off the Mist Ninja's path.

The instant Gengetsu came to a stop, he blew out a thick mist that spread outward. Sarutobi Kazuhara, who had followed close behind, also completed his hand seals. Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!

The mist rapidly spread, but Gengetsu frowned. "They used the Hidden Mist Technique too. It's interfering with my sensing. And Mist Ninja are more skilled at fighting in the mist!"

"Fall back first. I'll use Wind Release to clear out an open area!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara decisively said. They were in a rainforest, and fighting amid the mist would put them at a disadvantage.

"Kazuhara-sensei, I'm better suited for clearing the area!"

Gengetsu extended both hands. Ordered Chakra gathered and spun in his right hand. As Wind Release Chakra flowed in from his left hand, the spinning Chakra expanded into a funnel-shaped tornado, broad at the top and narrow at the bottom.

"Retreat!"

Gengetsu shouted, hurling the tornado in his hand forward. Then he and Sarutobi Kazuhara's group rapidly retreated the way they had come.

A mournful howl filled their ears. Kanzuki Chiba could not help looking back, only to see the tornado Gengetsu had thrown continuously expanding. After traveling more than ten meters, it completely slipped out of control and began swelling wildly, sweeping everything in its path. Grass and trees were uprooted, while the dense mist was completely sucked away by the tornado.

Gengetsu and the others retreated three to four hundred meters before stopping. When they looked back, the tornado was beginning to dissipate, but the mist had vanished completely, and a vast section of the rainforest had been cleared away.

"So powerful! This technique is very similar to that Water Release ninjutsu!"

Kanzuki Chiba exclaimed. Then she turned and glared at Gengetsu. "This is what you meant by being proficient in Water Release?"

Gengetsu spread his hands. "Compared to Water Release, I really can't be considered proficient in Wind Release!"

"Enough. Prepare for battle. Gengetsu's technique may be astonishing, but in terms of destructive power, it probably cannot compare to that incomplete Rasenshuriken from last time!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara interrupted Kanzuki Chiba before she could say more and advanced again.

Sure enough, the Wind Release tornado looked impressive, but its destructive power still could not compare to the Rasenshuriken. Of the four Mist Ninja, only the one charging at the front was swept into the air, injured by the concealed wind blades, and rendered unable to move before falling to his death.

However, the other three were not in good shape either. Struck by the tornado, their bodies were covered in cuts and scrapes, and they looked thoroughly bedraggled.

"Damn it..."

"Retreat first!"

The three Mist Ninja decisively abandoned their companion's corpse and withdrew.

Gengetsu's group of four pursued without pause. Afterimages flashed continuously through the forest, accompanied from time to time by the clash of metal.

Suddenly, a scream rang out. A figure fell from a branch with a Kunai embedded in his calf. Seeing Uchiha Shinsui approach, terror appeared on his face. "The Sharingan..."

He had been disrupted by genjutsu, which was why he had been struck by the Kunai.

Uchiha Shinsui stopped without rashly approaching. Instead, he formed hand seals and expelled a massive fireball.

The Mist Ninja barely dodged it, but Uchiha Shinsui immediately threw a Shuriken that nailed itself into the man's forehead.

At the same time, Gengetsu smashed the oncoming water column apart with a punch, while Kanzuki Chiba at his side immediately unleashed a Great Fireball Technique.

Water spun around Gengetsu's body as he charged forward, bursting directly through the spreading wave of flames. As the water around him scattered, he brought down a powerful kick. With a thunderous crash, he split apart the water wall cast by the Mist Ninja and drove the man into the ground.

"Hm?"

Gengetsu looked up and was instantly startled. Sarutobi Kazuhara was being driven toward them by four Mist Ninja.

"They're clumping together again!"

"Chiba, join up with Shinsui. I'll go support Kazuhara-sensei!"

Gengetsu formed hand seals and created three Shadow Clones. Together with his main body, they leaped into the air, landing in trees and taking advantageous positions.

Kanzuki Chiba gave them a worried look, then turned to join Uchiha Shinsui.

When the pursuers behind Sarutobi Kazuhara were less than twenty meters away, Gengetsu's main body and his three Shadow Clones immediately pressed their palms together. The fleeing Sarutobi Kazuhara understood at once. He turned sharply, dropping toward the ground while forming hand seals. Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves!

Water Release: Water Severing Wave!

Four ultra-high-speed water blades shot forth. As Gengetsu and the Shadow Clones slightly turned their necks, the four water blades swept through the air. Coupled with the interference from Sarutobi Kazuhara's Vacuum Serial Waves, two Mist Ninja failed to evade in time. They screamed as their bodies were sliced into four pieces, blood and organs scattering across the ground.

"Careful, it's the Second Hokage of Konoha's Water Severing Wave. Damn it, that Kid is Uzumaki Gengetsu!"

One Mist Ninja roared while forming hand seals and blowing out a rapidly spreading mist. At the same time, another fired a signal flare, then merged into the mist with his blade and silently lunged at one of Gengetsu's Shadow Clones.

"I can use the Hidden Mist Technique too!"

Gengetsu inhaled and exhaled, spewing out a surge of mist that churned with the surrounding fog until they could barely see even a meter ahead.

"Gengetsu, retreat!"

Sarutobi Kazuhara's voice came from beside him. Gengetsu immediately withdrew, but his three Shadow Clones remained behind to cover their retreat.

The two joined Uchiha Shinsui and Kanzuki Chiba. Just as they were about to move, Gengetsu's expression changed. "What a fast blade!"

"What happened?"

Kanzuki Chiba hurriedly asked.

"I lost a Shadow Clone!"

Gengetsu's expression turned grave. Clearly, the two were Mist Ninja Jonin. One of them was proficient in the Silent Killing Technique, and his swordsmanship was incredibly fast.

The four set off, but before they had even left the mist-covered area, Gengetsu received another Shadow Clone's memories.

It had been taken out with a single slash again!

In this dense mist, he was at too great a disadvantage!

Behind them, within the thick mist, Gengetsu's final Shadow Clone sensed danger drawing near. Without hesitation, he clapped his hands together. Water appeared around his body and began spinning at tremendous speed.

The next instant, the mist behind him split apart, revealing a flash of blade light. A sharp Tachi cut into the rapidly spinning water surrounding the Shadow Clone.

Hard Vortex Tornado, activate!

The Shadow Clone roared, madly pouring out Chakra. The water around his body explosively expanded and spun at high speed, forming a tornado. The Tachi snapped with a crack, and the Mist Ninja was immediately hurled away. With a boom, he slammed into a tree trunk, coughed up blood, and was unable to move.

Panting lightly, the Shadow Clone turned around and pressed his hands together again. Suddenly, his body stiffened. Looking down, he saw the tip of a blade protruding through his chest.

"Damn, that hurts..."

The Shadow Clone opened his mouth, then exploded into a puff of smoke.

"Damn it, another Shadow Clone!"

The Mist Ninja cursed, then sneered. "But you won't escape!"

At the edge of the mist-covered area, Gengetsu's eye twitched. The last Shadow Clone was gone as well. Though it had severely injured one Mist Ninja Jonin, the other was completely unharmed.

And in an environment like that, his Monster Strength had almost no room to be used.

I have to improve my Sensing Ability, and my speed too!

Gengetsu made up his mind, but then his heart violently skipped a beat and he came to a stop.

Ahead of them, figures stood atop the trees. There were twelve Mist Ninja, blocking their path.

"This is really bad..."

ε=(ο｀*))) Sigh, I suddenly feel like the Wind Release tornado technique isn't very reliable... Also, please vote for me!!!