Chakra Consumption

The force in Bai Dun's hand suddenly increased. Using the shuriken, he shoved Shen Ye away with all his might.

At the same time, he dropped the shuriken to the ground and rapidly began forming hand seals. Shen Ye could barely make out the movements of his hands.

His body moved backward, and Shen Ye had no time to react properly. All he could do was channel chakra into his feet to stop himself.

"Wind Release: Gale Palm!"

Two visible whirlwinds appeared in Bai Dun's palms. The moment they left his hands, they swelled enormously and surged toward Shen Ye.

"This guy can actually use ninjutsu with two different natures. No wonder he became a member of the Anbu."

Shen Ye furrowed his brow. It seemed he'd been underestimating this guy all along. Now, he wasn't at all confident he could take him down.

But it was too late to change what had happened. If he let Bai Dun escape, the fact that he possessed Wood Release would come to light immediately.

That old Third Hokage was always plotting something. If he found out, Shen Ye would be branded a lab rat for sure.

"Chakra Perception!"

He expanded his sensory range to its limit. Clear images of the tornadoes and their paths appeared in his mind.

Even after leaving Bai Dun's hands, the tornadoes were still made of chakra. Shen Ye could sense them and use their momentum to predict where he needed to dodge next.

But dodging alone wouldn't be enough to keep Bai Dun there. He needed to find a way to attack.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

He moved several steps to the side, just managing to avoid the tornadoes, and opened his mouth toward Bai Dun.

A huge volume of flames erupted in an instant. Bai Dun's vision was filled with nothing but endless fire.

"He can even use Uchiha Clan techniques with ease. Is he a freak, or has he been hiding his true strength on purpose?"

Bai Dun hurriedly retreated, trying to put some distance between himself and the flames, but he was soon completely engulfed.

The surrounding trees caught fire, but the flames stopped at a safe distance, enclosing Bai Dun.

"Water Release: Water Waterfall Technique!"

Suddenly, an enormous waterfall crashed down from above. The water met the fire, raising clouds of white steam.

The mist surrounded Shen Ye, blocking his view until he felt as if he were in some celestial realm.

"Partial Multi-Size Technique!"

With a bang, Shen Ye's arm grew enormous. He swung it through the air twice, and the gusts of wind gradually swept away the dense white mist.

Bai Dun reappeared in front of Shen Ye, his clothes dotted with burn marks.

It was clear that Bai Dun hadn't managed to avoid the flames at first. His body had taken a heavy hit.

With Chakra Perception active, Shen Ye could clearly see Bai Dun's condition. Half the chakra in his body was already gone.

By contrast, Sage Mode was continuously absorbing natural energy, and the chakra he'd spent on Wood Release techniques was gradually replenishing.

Even so, Bai Dun still had far more chakra than Shen Ye. After all, there was a huge difference between a Chunin and a little kid who hadn't even graduated.

"Wearing him down won't work. This guy has more tricks than I expected. If he uses a technique I can't handle, I'll be in trouble."

Shen Ye's eyes shifted as he considered how to defeat Bai Dun in one move and end this endless fight.

Bai Dun grinned. His initial nonchalance had given way to caution. Shen Ye was someone he had to take seriously.

With a swish, Bai Dun vanished from where he stood. When he appeared again, he was behind Shen Ye.

The light reflected off the shuriken glinted on a tree trunk in front of Shen Ye. He gently tilted his neck and dodged Bai Dun's deadly attack.

Then Shen Ye lifted his foot and kicked hard behind himself, concentrating Strength of a Hundred into his leg.

But the kick struck nothing. The force nearly sent Shen Ye tumbling to the ground.

He turned around. Bai Dun had already leaped onto a tree trunk, watching him with amusement.

"Kid, I'm a ninja who's faced life and death. You're just a flower grown in a greenhouse. How could you possibly be my match?"

"My experiences are things you'll never go through in your life. So don't try to intimidate me with your ignorant little stories."

Shen Ye closed in on Bai Dun, his movements wide and forceful, without any concern for finesse.

Against overwhelming strength, all fighting techniques were useless.

Bai Dun could only barely dodge. If Shen Ye landed a punch, Bai Dun might lose half his life even if it didn't kill him.

Only now did he understand why everyone in the village feared Tsunade so much. No one could withstand such monstrous strength.

Jiraiya was the exception, of course.

When he'd been Shen Ye's age, he'd already suffered beatings at Tsunade's hands. His body had long since adapted to that kind of strength.

Shen Ye swung his fists again and again, smashing countless tree trunks with his strength, but not one blow landed on Bai Dun.

"Is dodging all a Chunin can do? Like a rat?"

Those words stirred Bai Dun's fighting spirit. He stopped in place, waiting for Shen Ye's fist to hit him.

Just as the wind-charged fist was about to slam into his stomach, Bai Dun crossed his shuriken in front of himself.

With a boom, Bai Dun was blasted backward. He crashed through who knew how many trees before finally stopping, his shuriken bent out of shape.

"Cough, cough. That punch was terrifying. Good thing I used chakra flow to block it."

"You blocked one punch. Do you really think you can block a second?"

"Heh. I wonder how much chakra you have left. You've maintained such precise control for so long. Even Tsunade would be exhausted by now."

Shen Ye nodded inwardly. So this guy had been keeping track of his chakra all along.

In truth, Bai Dun had miscalculated. The moment Shen Ye mastered Strength of a Hundred, he'd been at his peak. His chakra control was so precise that he'd barely used any.

Bai Dun's words had given Shen Ye an opening. He would pretend to be exhausted, provoke an attack, and finish him off.

"You figured that out? But do you really think you can beat me—or even kill me—just because I'm out of chakra?"

A sheen of sweat appeared on Shen Ye's forehead. He made sure every detail of his exhaustion looked convincing, all to draw Bai Dun into attacking.

But Bai Dun did something completely unexpected.