The Escaped Shark

The rogue ninjas had already been battered and dazed by the lightning, and those who hadn't perished were left with little combat strength.

Now, having been struck by three consecutive Fire Release ninjutsu, there was naturally no chance of survival for them.

Although they were all rogue ninjas, unlike the S-rank rogue ninjas from the Five Great Shinobi Villages, many rogue ninjas from various villages were actually not that strong at all.

Some were even only at the level of a genin, and the reasons for their defection were bizarre and varied.

Ding, system notification: Hunt mission complete. Obtained Water Release: Water Formation Wall.
Triggered bonus reward: Obtained Body Flicker Technique LV1, Flash Step LV1.

Water Formation Wall was the intended reward for the mission, but the subsequent acquisition of the Body Flicker Technique and Flash Step came as a surprise to Chen.

The Body Flicker Technique was one of the fundamental skills for jonin in the Naruto World, while Flash Step was something from the Bleach World.

System, have you finally developed a conscience?

Two unexpected abilities; although their effects were somewhat similar, having them was better than not having them.

"What? Do you not want them? If you don't, I can take them back."

"I want them, why wouldn't I?"

Chen clearly didn't want to spit out what was already in his hands. Having already missed out on the Flying Thunder God once before, Chen didn't want to miss out on anything this time.

After learning Flash Step and the Body Flicker Technique, Chen discovered the differences between the two.

Flash Step was more precise, but the distance it could cover was relatively short, though it consumed less chakra.

The Body Flicker Technique was less precise, but it could reach anywhere within the user's line of sight, and the consumption increased the further one traveled.

If Chen were to evaluate them, Flash Step was better suited for combat, while the Body Flicker Technique was better suited for launching surprise attacks.

I wonder how my Body Flicker Technique compares to Body Flicker Shisui's?

"You're dreaming. Body Flicker Shisui earned his title for a reason. Even though you have the Body Flicker Technique at LV1, you're far behind him. If we were to rate it by level, Shisui's Body Flicker Technique would be around LV7."

Hearing Chen's self-talk, the system decisively jumped out to pour a bucket of cold water on him.

However, Chen didn't mind. After all, the Body Flicker Technique was something basically every jonin knew; even Guy, a taijutsu fanatic who barely used ninjutsu, knew it.

But looking across the Naruto World, Shisui was the only one famous for his Body Flicker Technique.

Chen prepared to leave after harvesting the heads of these rogue ninjas, but he didn't expect to sense someone approaching at that moment.

Could there still be a fish that slipped through the net? Forget it, I'll just finish everything off; after all, it's all money.

Chen didn't intend to leave; instead, he prepared to deal with the newcomer.

However, when Chen saw the other person's appearance, a million thoughts raced through his mind.

Silver hair, wearing an Anbu mask, and most importantly, carrying a ninja sword on his back.

No way? Encountering Hatake Kakashi in this situation?

That's right, the person who arrived was not a rogue ninja, but Konoha's Anbu, Hatake Kakashi.

Kakashi was also stunned when he saw Chen. His mission this time was to clear out the rogue ninjas gathered at the border of the Land of Fire.

However, before he even got close, he had seen that strange lightning. Suspicious, Kakashi had accelerated his approach, only to end up seeing Chen.

"Who are you, and why are you here?"

Kakashi looked ready for battle, as if he would launch an attack the very next second.

"Don't misunderstand, I'm just a bounty hunter, not one of the rogue ninjas here. I assume Konoha's Anbu wouldn't stop a bounty hunter from appearing, would they?"

Chen also understood that his strength couldn't compare to Kakashi's, unless this guy activated his own "cheat," then perhaps they could fight to a draw.

However, in all honesty, Chen didn't want to cross blades with Kakashi.

"Your target is the rogue ninjas here?"

"That's right. We bounty hunters don't have a village to support us like you do; we have to rely on our own hard work to make a living. So, can this Konoha Anbu let me leave? Come to think of it, I haven't done anything to harm Konoha; on the contrary, I've helped Konoha clear out some unstable elements."

Hearing Chen's words, Kakashi didn't say anything, but instead scanned his surroundings vigilantly.

"Was the previous lightning your ninjutsu?"

"No, how could I perform such a powerful ninjutsu? I just used some small tricks to guide the lightning from the sky to strike down."

"In that case, you may leave. I hope you don't do anything to harm Konoha."

Bounty hunting is inherently a gray area, and every ninja village tacitly permits the existence of bounty hunters.

Of course, the main point is that Hatake Kakashi determined the other party was here to kill these rogue ninjas, not to threaten Konoha.

Since that is the case, there is no need to make things difficult for him.

Ding, system notification: Challenge quest triggered. Challenge Hatake Kakashi.

Quest rewards will be calculated based on completion.

Failure penalty: Permanent forfeiture of Icha Icha Paradise to Hatake Kakashi.

Hearing the system's voice, Chen felt a bit confused; after all, that penalty was truly bizarre.

However, before Chen could react, he discovered a book in his hand—it was none other than Icha Icha Paradise.

Hatake Kakashi also sensed something amiss. He felt his ninja tool pouch being touched, and immediately afterward, he saw the Icha Icha Paradise in Chen's hand.

Seeing this, Hatake Kakashi immediately treated him like a formidable enemy.

After all, in Hatake Kakashi's view, this was clearly Chen's doing, and being able to take something from his ninja tool pouch without him barely noticing was definitely no simple feat.

"If I say it wasn't me, would you believe it?"

Chen was helpless; wasn't the system being a bit too much of a troll?

He was only a genin, for heaven's sake—was provoking Hatake Kakashi like this really a good idea?

One had to know that Icha Icha Paradise was something Hatake Kakashi held in his hands every single day; it was practically his wife.

Now that he was touching someone else's "wife," it would be a miracle if Hatake Kakashi didn't blow a fuse.

"Enough talk!"

"Lightning Release, Earth Flash!"

Hatake Kakashi launched the first attack, and he was already completely serious.

There was no helping it; because of Icha Icha Paradise, Hatake Kakashi had already concluded that Chen was an expert, perhaps even stronger than himself.

"Fire Release, Flame Bullet!"

Since it couldn't be resolved with words, Chen wouldn't just sit and wait for death. He formed hand seals to cast a ninjutsu while simultaneously thinking of a countermeasure.

The next second, a Shadow Clone appeared, and Chen and the Shadow Clone simultaneously formed hand seals again.

"Fire Release, Great Fireball Technique!"

"Fire Release, Great Fireball Technique!"

Two massive fireballs appeared, and Hatake Kakashi was extremely shocked.

Although the Great Fireball Technique wasn't exclusive to the Uchiha Clan, it was basically standard equipment for them.

Now that a technique of the Uchiha Clan had appeared in the hands of an unknown individual, Hatake Kakashi was undoubtedly even more vigilant.

"Water Release, Water Formation Wall!"

Hatake Kakashi intended to block with Water Release, but as the two ninjutsu collided, he once again wore an expression of astonishment.

"How is this possible!"