One week later.
Thud.
With a dull thump, Shinji's body flew backward.
Just then, Karin's next attack came at him.
Shinji's gaze sharpened. He quickly formed hand seals. "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
Rumble!
A blazing fireball burst from his mouth, carrying a wave of heat as it shot toward Karin, who was charging straight at him.
Using the Great Fireball Technique as cover, he flashed away and leapt into the canopy of a large tree.
Whoosh, whoosh!
Suddenly, his ears twitched. Hearing the sound of something cutting through the air behind him, he hurriedly leapt high.
The instant his front foot left the ground, two senbon struck the branch he'd been standing on with a pair of sharp pings.
"That was close!"
Shinji glanced down from midair, alarmed.
But just then, Karin sprang out from somewhere and punched at him while he was still in the air, with nothing to push off against.
Shinji had no choice but to grit his teeth and take Karin's punch.
Thud.
Another muffled impact rang out. Unable to disperse the force, Shinji was knocked back and slammed into a large tree, only stopping at last against its trunk.
Karin dropped to the ground as well and eagerly asked him, "How was that? Have I improved this time?"
Shinji steadied himself against the slightly trembling tree trunk.
The tremor reached the canopy, making the leaves rustle as they slowly spiraled down through the air.
Shinji opened his mouth, unsure what to say.
Karin's transformation was plain to see.
The most obvious improvement was her speed and strength!
Karin was already an exceptionally talented Sensory Ninja. Once her speed and strength improved, combined with her keen sensory abilities, her combat power skyrocketed.
When he'd just traded punches with her, the impact had left his arm