Hozuki Mangetsu: Can't Win, Really Can't Win!

Grandmaster-level Body Flicker Technique!

Kyohiko released his blade and sat on the ground to contemplate.

"Meticulous, perfect control techniques, and experience in dealing with various combat scenarios..."

All sorts of memories flooded into his mind.

A wave of pain struck Kyohiko's head.

He endured it for a long while.

The pain gradually subsided.

Immediately after, Kyohiko felt somewhat bewildered.

The description of this improvement didn't seem very significant, did it?

What was the use of combat experience if he couldn't react in time?

After hesitating for a moment, he stood up and began to experiment.

First, the basics...

Body Flicker!

Whoosh!

In an instant, his figure appeared in another spot.

Kyohiko carefully sensed the difference.

The speed was very fast, likely reaching the limit of what his body and chakra could physically handle, but just like this, he couldn't feel much of a difference.

Wait...

Let me try again!

He grabbed a cloth to cover his eyes, then created a Shadow Clone and ordered it to attack him.

After many days of training, he had already achieved a basic level of sound-based positioning, and his body's instinctive reactions had also been significantly strengthened.

The moment the Shadow Clone lunged at him...

Kyohiko heard it instantly.

In a flash, he reacted and used the Body Flicker to evade.

What is this?

Kyohiko was incredibly shocked in his heart.

He could feel as if his body had undergone countless training sessions and realizations regarding this technique; in the blink of an eye, the moment he heard the sound, he immediately knew the enemy's location and instinctively responded.

He tried it several more times.

Then, Kyohiko confirmed that he had indeed mastered superior sound-based positioning, and his body's instinctive reactions were much stronger as well.

It was even to the point where...

By the time he had just formed a thought, his body had already moved.

This was a comprehensive improvement!

However.

Kyohiko was very clear.

This meant that he could not yet control such extreme speed, so he needed his body's instincts and various techniques to achieve instantaneous reactions.

If it were someone like Minato Namikaze, who already possessed the physical conditions to achieve such reactions, what would that evolution look like?

Perhaps it would be in a direction similar to Shisui, but for now, he had no way of knowing.

"It doesn't matter. I can develop the combined techniques myself; combat experience and reaction speed are the most precious assets!"

Kyohiko exhaled.

Afterward, he pondered his subsequent training direction.

The Grandmaster-level Body Flicker Technique was not invincible.

It required him to first obtain information, then have his consciousness formulate a response, with his body reacting almost simultaneously.

If an enemy could create a completely silent sneak attack, his body would not be able to evade it on its own.

In essence, it was still a technique, not a passive physical trait.

However.

Even if it were just an improvement in his awareness regarding dodging and evasion, it still brought him immense benefits.

Kyohiko let out a soft breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart as his thoughts gradually cleared.

The next step—

Continue training and strengthen his physique!

What he lacked right now was a stronger body.

Once his hardware improved, the upper limit of his Body Flicker would rise accordingly.

"Next, keep running, practice the blade."

Kyohiko packed up his things.

He cleared away the racks and equipment in the courtyard.

He stepped out the door and began to run!

Having not been out much for a long time in Konoha, Kyohiko felt quite unaccustomed to it.

Wearing his weights, he relied on his own raw strength to run laps around the perimeter of the village.

Before long, an acquaintance caught up from behind.

"Yo! My eternal rival, you've finally returned!"

After a moment, Might Guy quickly overtook him, running backward, "Why aren't you answering me?"

Kyohiko looked blank.

"Are you talking to me?"

"Damn it! Should I say, as expected of being on the same team? Your speaking styles are both so similar!"

Might Guy sighed with emotion.

"Isn't your eternal rival Kakashi?"

Kyohiko was surprised.

Might Guy chuckled and said, "Can I only have one rival? You and Kakashi are both my eternal rivals!"

Afterward, he suddenly resumed running normally.

"Speaking of which, are you participating in this year's Chunin Exams? This year is a bit special, so I wanted to ask if you're joining."

"Chunin Exams, special?"

Kyohiko was slightly stunned.

Might Guy nodded.

"Yeah, didn't Lord Jiraiya tell you?"

"I haven't seen my teacher for many days."

Even by the hot springs, Kyohiko hadn't seen Jiraiya; he assumed he had left Konoha for the sake of the "alliance."

Might Guy paused, then immediately understood.

"No wonder! Lord Jiraiya is indeed quite busy. Well, it's like this: for this year's Chunin Exams, my teacher said they are being held jointly with Kumogakure and Kirigakure. Currently, the envoys from Kirigakure have already arrived in the village."

As he was speaking.

A cold snort came from not far away.

"Kyohiko Yoshimine, I've finally found you!"

The voice was slightly familiar.

Kyohiko looked toward the source, then raised an eyebrow, a faint smile appearing on his face.

"Hozuki Mangetsu, you're looking for me—don't tell me it's to thank me for my teacher inviting you to visit Konoha?"

"Hmph!"

Hozuki Mangetsu snorted coldly.

He stared at Kyohiko with a chilling gaze.

"You will be participating in this Chunin Exam, right?"

"Who knows? Maybe I will, maybe I won't."

Kyohiko shrugged, "Have you been well lately?"

The corners of Hozuki Mangetsu's mouth curled into a cruel smile: "Thanks to you, I've had a very fulfilling time lately. If you don't participate in the Chunin Exams, I will make sure to return the favor to the other Konoha ninjas who do!"

As he finished speaking, his figure suddenly flickered.

However.

Just as Hozuki Mangetsu appeared, Kyohiko raised his fist and swung it behind him.

Splash!

With a sound, Hozuki Mangetsu's head burst apart, yet he still swung his fist toward Kyohiko.

The Hydrification Technique feared no fists!

However.

The next moment, Hozuki Mangetsu's punch hit nothing but air.

What?

In an instant, he could not hide the shock on his face.

By the time Hozuki Mangetsu reacted, he saw that the figure before him had already vanished.

Is this the Clone Technique?

No!

It was not a clone, but merely an afterimage created because the opponent's speed was too fast for his eyes to follow!

Hozuki Mangetsu's breath hitched.

The next moment, his head and lower body were blown apart once again.

Above was a flying kick from Might Guy.

Below...

Was a kick from Kyohiko.

Guy was surprised to discover that Kyohiko had appeared behind Hozuki Mangetsu before he even noticed.

Such incredible speed!

And.

It seemed the people from Kirigakure hadn't even reacted yet...

"Attacking a Konoha ninja—it seems you want to continue your stay in Konoha as a guest?"

Hozuki Mangetsu did not answer.

It wasn't out of arrogance, but because he was completely terrified.

This guy!

His reaction and striking speed were even faster than before!

After being studied by that pervert for over ten days, this person named Kyohiko Yoshimine had actually grown stronger again!

How is that possible?

Is this guy even human?

For the first time, Hozuki Mangetsu felt the sting of being outclassed in talent.

The only thing he was grateful for was that no matter how powerful the man before him was, he couldn't kill him—

If not for the Hydrification Secret Technique, he would definitely be dead by now!

At this moment, on a high platform of Konoha Hospital not far away.

"Tsunade."

"Hmm?"

"That person over there tangling with the one from Kirigakure seems to be your junior."

Orochimaru's voice was hoarse.

Tsunade immediately fixed her gaze on them, then let out a dumbfounded laugh.

Kyohiko!

This child...

Hm?

Tsunade suddenly narrowed her eyes, her focus sharpening.

She sensed a powerful burst of chakra erupting from Kyohiko, and immediately after, he punched the upper body of Hozuki Mangetsu, who had shunshinned behind him, into nothingness.

Such speed!

No way?

Has he really improved this quickly?

She was shocked to her core, her eyes unable to hide her astonishment.

Orochimaru narrowed his eyes.

"For his age, such speed is already remarkable. This child makes me think of the Second Hokage."

"The bloodline and talent of the Senju clan are shining once again through him; it is truly both amazing and nostalgic! No wonder you chose to return to the village and even want to vie for the position of Hokage!"

Even Orochimaru could not help but offer praise at this moment—

It was no wonder Jiraiya often boasted that this disciple of his was practically another Second Hokage.

He truly possessed the same terrifying talent!

"It's not about bloodline; it's just that he works hard enough himself. Talent only plays a small part."

Despite her words, Tsunade couldn't stop herself from smiling.

Then, her smile stiffened, and she let out a cold snort: "As for vying for the Hokage position, if it weren't for the Old Man and the others, this child's talent would have surely been discovered much sooner! I am fighting for the Hokage seat to ensure they can grow up healthy and safe!"

"Back in the day, the genjutsu of Tokah Senju was renowned throughout the ninja world; the scrolls she left behind are just as worthy of study as those of the Second Hokage."

Orochimaru remarked.

Tsunade let out a cold sneer: "After all these years, have you actually researched anything of note? Between the genjutsu scrolls of our great-uncle and our great-aunt, you've spent years studying them, yet there isn't a single person who can use the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique!"

Orochimaru fell silent.

Because in the current Konoha, there was indeed not a single ninja who had mastered the Bringer-of-Darkness Technique.

Just as Tsunade was about to continue mocking their incompetence, she suddenly paused, then vanished from the spot using the Body Flicker Technique.

The skill selection in the previous chapter was controversial; upon reflection, it was an oversight, so I have changed it to "Body Flicker Technique" and rewritten the content of this chapter accordingly.

I hope for your understanding, thank you!