A Master Worthy of Praise

Arc Gradual Sevenfold Rhythm, Second Rotation.

Ninjutsu: Self-Retribution Cursed Binding Chidori Stream.

Chakra intertwined with high-concentration Nature Energy began to flow within Yuhara's body. The Lightning Release on his person started to leak out uncontrollably, a blinding light forming a bright spot within the white mist. Immediately after, as he lightly stepped on the ground with alternating feet, Yuhara's lightning-flashing, high-speed figure instantly shot out from the dense mercury fog.

Moreover, his charging direction wasn't towards the rear of the dense forest, but towards the lake ahead.

His high-speed moving figure dragged large swathes of mist along behind him. Whether it was to pull or to control, Yuhara intended to use this mist to delay the four enemies from Kirigakure as much as possible. However, after he burst out of the mist, he discovered that Yagura, who should have been the most vigilant and possessed the greatest strength, had already disappeared.

Could it be... he had already given chase?

Yuhara's judgment had a slight misstep, but since he had already charged out like this, it wouldn't be easy to disengage now.

If that's the case...

Yuhara pursed his lips, then adjusted his direction and charged straight towards Juzo Biwa.

To him, Juzo Biwa was indeed a relatively easier opponent to handle.

"Water Release: Water Dragon... Too late!"

Juzo Biwa wanted to form hand seals to cast the jutsu, but it was impossible. Not only was Yuhara's speed and momentum incredibly fast, but his casting speed was even faster... Those who form hand seals can never compete with those who don't.

Under a windless sky, the clear lake water was azure and tranquil, yet while the clouds remained still, it didn't mean the water's surface was undisturbed.

White mist billowed, mercury dotted the surface, and ripples spread.

Adorning this natural scenery were the sword lights and blade shadows of opposing sides.

Here, the surface was as flat as a mirror, yet as perilous as a cliff.

Yuhara's figure flashed across the water's surface at high speed, leaving behind only a series of straight water ripples. Speckles of lightning light spread further along these trails. The high-speed figure and the visibly high-intensity chakra forced Juzo Biwa to stop the hand seals he had only half-formed.

Unable to cast his jutsu, Juzo Biwa could only grip Kubikiribōchō tightly and swing it fiercely at the enemy figure charging directly at him.

Under normal circumstances, even a Jonin would have to dodge such an attack, as Juzo Biwa possessed the wrist strength to cleave a person in two. However, facing such an attack, Yuhara showed no intention of slowing down.

When the great sword was about to slash his neck, Yuhara rapidly lowered his body. Simultaneously, he reached his right hand backward and grabbed, and a silver greatsword, far wider than Kubikiribōchō, appeared in his hand.

Then, he quickly flung a mercury ball with his left hand towards the direction where the other two enemies were coming to support:

Secret Technique: Frostflow Mercury Lamp!

A large, twenty-meter diameter mercury "dandelion" instantly unfurled and hovered over the lake surface. At this moment, Mangetsu Hozuki had already entered the spell formula's attack range, so in an instant, his body was pierced by countless fine threads.

Yuhara dodged Juzo Biwa's attack, then swung the greatsword in his right hand upwards towards the enemy's waist.

Juzo Biwa, as expected of a master swordsman, just as Kubikiribōchō missed and was about to sweep horizontally past Yuhara's head, he suddenly twisted his wrist, forcibly transforming the horizontal sweep into a vertical chop.

One might be cut in half at the waist, the other might have their head severed. It all depended on who was faster!

Going for broke? A life-or-death struggle? However, Yuhara had no intention of retreating. He raised his left hand, his palm once again meeting the blade of Kubikiribōchō.

Why say "again"? Because Juzo Biwa remembered that this person could parry with an empty hand.

He could only quickly retreat, stepping on the water's surface repeatedly, soon widening the distance between himself and Yuhara.

The mercury greatsword in Yuhara's right hand swung forward quietly and swiftly, but it hit nothing. Only an exaggerated semi-circular water ripple spread out rapidly.

As Juzo Biwa retreated, he attempted to form hand seals again, but before his hands could come together, a sharp whistling sound struck again:

Secret Technique: Seaweed God!

Two mercury arrows, hidden by the sunlight reflecting off the water's surface, shot towards Juzo Biwa's head and chest at an exaggerated speed.

This casting speed could no longer be described as merely fast!

Juzo Biwa quickly raised Kubikiribōchō with his right hand, using its broad blade to deflect one arrow, but the other arrow struck his left forearm.

The mercury arrow, instantly scattering into numerous branches, firmly embedded itself in Juzo Biwa's arm. The immense impact force instantly sent his arm flying, and his body was also pulled, rotating more than halfway around.

Afterward, Juzo Biwa smelled a peculiar burnt odor. He lowered his gaze and saw a palm-sized "little paper" hanging from the tail of the arrow...

Yes, a little paper that could explode.

BOOM!

At extremely close range, the explosive tag detonated. All Juzo Biwa could do at this moment was use Kubikiribōchō to shield most of his body, but his left arm was definitely beyond saving.

His entire left arm was blown off.

By this time, Yuhara had already charged in front of Juzo Biwa again. However, it was a pity that the injured Juzo wasn't weakened. On the contrary, the pain made him furious, and his fury made him more aggressive.

He swung Kubikiribōchō with one hand, slashing horizontally at Yuhara again.

This time, however, Yuhara didn't dodge. He directly met the blade with his body, and then...

CLANG!

Kubikiribōchō struck Yuhara's right side waist. However, his body wasn't cut; instead, a sharp metallic collision sound rang out, as if Kubikiribōchō had struck an iron pillar.

The impact from his waist caused Yuhara to shift slightly on the water's surface. Immediately after, he lowered his right arm, using his elbow and body to tightly clamp the greatsword.

In his left hand, the slender and light mercury longsword took shape again.

Yuhara, holding the sword with one hand, stabbed directly towards Juzo Biwa's heart.

Although this attack was lethal, Juzo Biwa could dodge it as long as he let go of Kubikiribōchō. But just as he was about to do so, something suddenly pierced his back.

Juzo Biwa couldn't see what it was, but Yuhara could tell him... it was the arrow he had just flicked away.

Yuhara not only knew sword manipulation, but even arrow manipulation.

BOOM!

The second explosive tag detonated, the powerful shockwave causing Juzo Biwa to lunge forward. Yuhara's Mercury Longsword then pierced directly through his heart.

Juzo Biwa looked dazedly at the longsword embedded in his chest. Although his back felt intensely hot, he felt himself rapidly losing warmth, becoming cold.

"Konoha... Genin..."

He muttered this, then suddenly roared. The muscles in his right arm bulged. His still-beating heart sprayed a large amount of blood, and immense strength surged towards Yuhara's waist again. Together with the Kubikiribōchō, Yuhara was swept flying.

He could still unleash such exaggerated strength even with his heart pierced?

As expected of a Jonin, their power is extraordinary.

While being swept away, Yuhara silently marveled. Then, just as he was about to hit the ground, he added:

"In short...

The weakest one died."