The Pursuit of the Elite Ninja Kongyoumaru

"Haa~ forget it. Everything's been blown to bits like this; I doubt there's anything left worth salvaging.

As for those three genin?

Forget it, better to just leave!"

Glancing at the unrecognizable remains of Luyuwan, then at the corpses of the other three Kirigakure genin not far away, Lin Cheng shook his head and turned to leave.

Snowflakes began to drift down from the sky.

The snow gradually covered the bodies on the ground, as if whispering about how expendable they were...

A long while later, a young man of about seventeen or eighteen, bearing a striking resemblance to Luyuwan, arrived at the scene.

Upon discovering Luyuwan's mangled corpse, he let out a roar of rage before immediately giving chase in the direction Lin Cheng had departed.

Name: Lin Cheng
Age: 5
Rank: Elite Genin
Strength: 10
Speed: 19
Stamina: 19
Mental Energy: 48
Chakra: 100
Affinity: Water
Skills:
Substitution Technique Lv.1, Transformation Technique Lv.1, Clone Technique Lv.1, Water Body Flicker Lv.1.
Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique Lv.1, Water Prison Technique Lv.1, Great Waterfall Technique Lv.1, Water Dragon Bullet Technique Lv.1, Water Clone Technique Lv.1.

Deep in a forest, Lin Cheng looked over his status panel while tearing into a rabbit leg, using the surrounding snow to cover the traces of his campfire.

He knew that once other Kirigakure ninja discovered their comrades had been killed, they would certainly send stronger enemies to hunt him down.

He was still very weak!

There were so many things he needed to do!

Increase his chakra storage limit, use the power of the system to learn more ninjutsu, and find reliable partners!

Finally, and most urgently, he had to shake off the pursuit from Kirigakure!

After some thought, unsure of when the enemy might arrive, Lin Cheng created a Water Clone.

He began walking forward, while the clone followed behind, stepping precisely into his footprints.

A long time later, feeling the snowfall intensifying, the clone parted ways with the original, continuing along the original path.

The original body, meanwhile, leaped off a nearby cliff.

He had already confirmed that the trees below would be enough to save his life.

And they would help him mask his tracks!

Most importantly, if the memories of this body's original owner were correct.

That direction led toward the territory of the Kaguya Clan.

In the moment he leaped, Lin Cheng's voice drifted out, his youthful tone carried away by the wind.

"There's still enough time! Kimimaro! My chosen partner, I'm coming..."

Half a month later, having reached the chakra levels of a chunin, Lin Cheng still hadn't managed to escape his pursuer.

Less than a hundred miles from the Kaguya Clan's gathering place, he was finally caught.

Seeing the pursuer's face, a flash of surprise crossed Lin Cheng's eyes.

"Brat! Are you surprised?"

Looking at the child before him, Kongyoumaru's eyes held a flicker of killing intent and arrogance.

"I am, actually! It seems you and that arrogant fool must be related."

Nodding, Lin Cheng admitted it readily.

And took the opportunity to throw in a jab.

"Arro~gant~ fool?! Is that how you interpret Luyuwan?"

Faced with Lin Cheng's provocation, Kongyoumaru's eyes narrowed sharply.

"At the spot where you killed Luyuwan, I detected the residual chakra fluctuations of the Hidden Mist Technique!"

"Not bad! That idiot did indeed use this ninjutsu!

He himself died precisely because he used this technique!

What? Do you wish to choose the same technique as him and die at my hands?"

Lifting his head slightly, Lin Cheng asked back with a calm expression.

"Heh! Arrogant brat!

Who gave you the courage to speak such bold words to a Jonin?"

After a dazzling series of hand seals from Kongyoumaru, the thick fog rose once more.

Kongyoumaru and Lin Cheng, who stood opposite him, were instantly swallowed by the dense mist.

"Brat! I will make you suffer the same death as Luyuwan!"

From within the invisible fog, Kongyoumaru's cold, murderous voice rang out.