First Trial of Crystal Release

"Banben Jiro, it's been half an hour and the match has already begun. These three brats are already being targeted by two other groups. Do you think we should wait for an opportunity or strike first...?"

High atop a massive tree about two hundred meters away at the six o'clock position, three youths of around fourteen years old stood on a branch as thick as an adult's thigh, eight meters above the ground. Their gazes were locked onto a large boulder beneath a towering tree over twenty meters tall, where three seven-year-old brats were hiding near the shrubs and rocks.

The moment they entered the Forest of Death, they had noticed these three brats. The three small figures stood out like lighthouses in a crowd. What kind of strength could a team of that age possibly have? They were nothing more than walking scroll-delivery services. After some quick hand signals...

They decided to make these three brats their first target!

However, to their surprise, they weren't the only ones with the same idea. Two other teams had noticed the situation as well, trailing closely behind the three brats, one on each flank, seemingly intent on making them their target too.

"I think we should strike first. What do you think? Let's take a vote..."

Within the team, the youth who had spoken earlier wore an impatient expression. He turned back to the two standing guard on the branch and curled his lip.

"I agree. Dealing with these three brats will only take a moment. The problem is how to avoid the eyes of the other two teams. As long as we don't clash head-on with them, we still have a chance!" the youth known as Sakata Jiro nodded and said.

"Fine, we move now. The scroll is in my possession and cannot be snatched by the others. Cover me when we break out. If we get separated, we'll regroup at the ten-kilometer mark in the two o'clock direction after three hours."

The cold-faced youth standing at the very top of the branch said expressionlessly.

The two teammates below spat internally. The scroll is in your hands; if the other scroll happened to be the same type, that would be one thing—after all, three people acting together have more power—but if you end up with both different scrolls, who knows where you'll run off to? Regroup at a designated spot? Fat chance.

Whether the other scroll was the Yang Scroll or the Yin Scroll, both men secretly resolved to get their hands on it. Only by controlling the scroll themselves would it be safe and secure. Given the current situation, only a fool would entrust their fate to someone else's promise!

Because two other teams were lurking nearby, eyeing their target, the three planned to sneak to within fifty meters and finish the fight quickly before the others could react, then retreat immediately after securing the scroll...

Using the stealth techniques learned at the academy, the three moved silently through the bushes. They saw the three brats they had been monitoring sitting by the tree, leaning against the thick trunk, breathing evenly as if they were fast asleep!

"Tch, what absolute brats. Falling asleep in a place as dangerous as the Forest of Death?"

The two youths without a scroll felt a surge of joy. They hurried to the trio's side and began searching their bodies for the scroll. The cold-faced youth holding the scroll changed expression, as if realizing something, and quickly followed!

"Nothing? How can they not have a scroll on them??"

The three searched Sato Hideaka, Yuhi Kurenai, and Hyuga Ningxiang for a while, but couldn't find the scroll they had imagined. They couldn't help but curse in anger.

Just as they let their guard down, the three lying by the tree opened their eyes simultaneously. Those eyes were calm, devoid of any emotion. Taking advantage of the surprise, they suddenly reached out and grabbed the three youths!

"Damn it, what is wrong with these brats??"

"Hmph, get off! You think you can hold me with your strength?"

"Damn it, how are these brats so strong? There's no way to break free."

"Crystal Release: Crystal Encasement Technique!"

A cold, sharp voice came from behind them. The three youths suddenly realized that the brats holding them were slowly changing, shifting from human form into three bionic figures made of red crystal. They reflected dazzling red light under the faint sunlight, and the parts of their bodies in contact with them were rapidly covered by the red crystals...

The crystal structures continued to extend upward, spreading rapidly from their legs and waists toward their chests. Wherever the crystals touched, the flesh turned to crystal, leaving them unable to move—

"What kind of jutsu is this? Damn it, I can't move! We walked into these brats' trap!"

The three youths suddenly realized they had fallen into a trap, because the ones sleeping by the tree weren't the real brats, but a binding-type trap jutsu!

The three people lying by the tree were actually clones created by the Crystal Release: Crystal Clone Technique developed by Sato Hideaka, then transformed into the likenesses of Sato Hideaka, Yuhi Kurenai, and Hyuga Ningxiang using the Transformation Technique. Since the clones contained Crystal Release chakra, Sato Hideaka could release it by forming hand seals...

The air covered by the Crystal Release chakra solidified rapidly into crystals, trapping the captured creatures inside. In truth, this was Sato Hideaka showing mercy. If the crystal clones had used crystal kunai to pierce their skin, the Crystal Release chakra would have flowed through their blood into their entire bodies, cutting off their path to survival and turning them into lifeless human crystal statues!

Of course, this tactical success was the result of precise calculation. Hyuga Xiangning's Byakugan could accurately grasp the opponents' direction, movements, and positions. Through their actions, Sato Hideaka could formulate the most accurate and effective combat plan. This made Sato Hideaka feel very satisfied with his wise decision to recruit Hyuga Xiangning into the team.

"Ningxiang, who has the scroll?"

Sato Hideaka walked up to the three men and said calmly. Hyuga Ningxiang observed them with her Byakugan for a moment and pointed to the cold-faced man: "That scroll is hidden inside his chest!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the three men's expressions changed drastically. They realized that not only had their plan failed, but they were also likely to lose their own scroll. The three people before them were no lambs for the slaughter; they were gray wolves with blood-stained maws!

Sato Hideaka followed the direction of Hyuga Ningxiang's finger and placed his hand on the cold-faced man's chest. The incredibly hard red crystal seemed to melt and dissipate into the air, allowing him to retrieve the scroll from the man's chest...

Sato Hideaka opened the scroll and looked closely. The scroll was covered in various jutsu runes and seals, and in the center, drawn in ink-colored pigment, was a circle containing the character "Yang". This was a scroll marked "Yang", meaning that if they found one "Yin", they would have a complete set!

"Hideaka, the other two teams seem to have noticed something. They are rushing toward us; I'm afraid they'll be here in less than ten seconds. What should we do??"

Hyuga Ningxiang shouted urgently as if she had seen something, but her tone lacked the panicked helplessness from before. Sato Hideaka's plans and the strength he had displayed had given her a sense of security, making her much calmer when facing opponents.

"Don't panic, Ningxiang. Since we could handle this team, we can certainly handle the other two..."

Two sharp glints flashed in Sato Hideaka's eyes, and his tone was filled with confidence. From his young body, an astonishing aura erupted!