Although the original plan for the three of them had been for Takei to sacrifice himself and temporarily hold off Killer B while Nakamura and Miki quickly dealt with the three Mist Village genin.
But plans could not keep up with changes. Killer B was soaking in the pool below, and with the binding force of the Thunder Pool, he probably would not be able to get up anytime soon. That made Araki and Zabuza, left alone on the shore, almost free prey in their eyes.
Thus, Takei decisively altered the original plan. Using his acting skills, he gained an opportunity to get close to Araki, preparing to claim the first kill.
Based on his past experience, although there were certainly absurdly powerful monsters among genin, most of their strength relied on bloodline abilities and secret techniques. In close-range taijutsu combat alone, limited by their age and physical conditioning—especially the enormous gap in strength—they generally could not be a match for an adult ninja.
After all, taijutsu required hard work. His twenty or thirty years of skill were not something mere talent could completely ignore.
So when he saw Araki hastily raise his sword in an attempt to block, a savage smile appeared on his face.
"Can you block this?!"
Clang!
The hammer struck the end of the scabbard and knocked it aside. But because Araki's hand gripping the middle of the scabbard did not move at all, the sword was not sent flying. Instead, using Araki's palm as a fulcrum, it transmitted that force to the blade in front like a lever.
At that instant, Araki flicked his thumb.
Shing!
A flash of cold light streaked past. [Wind Sword] slid halfway from its sheath, its glittering edge grazing Takei's wrist and spraying a bewitching burst of blood.
"Aah!!"
With