Pursuit Battle

Boom—!

The first wave of kunai strapped with Exploding Tags shot forth, and the Jōnin clashed in a chaotic melee.

Aside from the two who had just been instantly killed by White Fang, the remaining fourteen Iwa Ninja all pursued the eight retreating members of Shiraha's group.

Following their original team formations, Shiraha and the others split into groups of two, three, and three, retreating in three different directions.

Compared to the fourteen adult ninja pursuing them, although they were all elites among the Genin and each possessed strength no less than that of a Chunin, their ability to coordinate in group combat might not match the enemy's.

It was better to disperse according to their original team formations. That way, the enemy would also have to split up to pursue them.

Although they still faced enemies with the numerical advantage, this would prevent a massive melee involving more than a dozen people. Their own teammates would be able to coordinate more smoothly as well.

"Chiho, take Shiraha and go first. I'll draw the enemy away," Hyūga Hideto said swiftly. He intended to split up from Shiraha and Uchiha Chiho.

Because he had noticed that the enemy had sent three people after the members of Team 70. Of the remaining eleven, six were pursuing Team 1's Hyuga Toma and Sarutobi Keita, while the remaining five or six were heading straight for their team.

Clearly, the flames from the Exploding Tags had exposed their identities. Hyūga and Uchiha were always given special attention on the battlefield.

The Byakugan in particular held strategic value. During the First Shinobi World War, Kumogakure had once killed a ninja from the Hyuga Main Family, only for the Second Hokage to reclaim his eyes midway through their return journey.

Although eye-transplant technology was still immature, and neither the Byakugan nor the Sharingan was suitable for outsiders, the various nations' enthusiasm for obtaining them had not diminished in the slightest.

As long as they had the chance, the enemy would not give up any opportunity to kill Hyūga or Uchiha ninja.

Through his senses, Shiraha discovered that the five pursuing Chunin were all formidable. Reaching into his clothes, he pulled out two scrolls and threw them to Hyūga Hideto, who was leaping toward a tree on the right.

"Thanks. Be careful yourselves!" Hyūga Hideto caught the standard green scrolls and immediately understood that they were Medical Scrolls.

At that moment, the five pursuing enemies directly split off two men to chase Hyūga Hideto.

The remaining three continued pursuing Shiraha and Uchiha Chiho.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

All kinds of ninja tools continued flying at them from behind.

"Only three left?" Shiraha frowned slightly. Constantly evading was no solution. It would be better to counterattack, take out these three, and then reach the outpost as quickly as possible.

With that thought, Shiraha had just leaped from a tree trunk when he heard kunai slicing through the air behind him. He immediately increased his Magic Power output, strengthening the effects of Sensory Enhancement.

Supported by his powerful dynamic vision, Shiraha spun around and threw a kunai. The intercepted kunai struck the tree trunk below, and the Exploding Tag attached to it detonated instantly.

Boom!

The tree trunk exploded into fragments. Wood chips scattered in all directions under the force of the blast, and Shiraha sprang forward, landing in an open clearing ahead.

The explosive power of the Knight Breathing Technique was easier to unleash to its fullest on the ground.

"Lightning Release: Earth Run!"

One of the pursuers landed as well, rapidly forming hand seals. Several streaks of lightning raced across the ground toward Shiraha.

The other two attacked Uchiha Chiho.

Seeing Shiraha under attack, Uchiha Chiho did not hesitate and immediately moved to support him. However, the other two enemies gave her no chance, attacking her simultaneously.

Blocked off, Uchiha Chiho could only turn back to face them. She leaped down from the tree trunk and formed hand seals in midair.

Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!

Her cheeks puffed out as Fire Style Chakra rapidly gathered. In an instant, she unleashed a Great Fireball over five meters in diameter.

The fireball carried a terrifying heat wave as it blasted toward the enemy.

Then, as she landed, she threw six Shuriken in succession, sealing off the enemy's retreat.

Clang, clang, clang, clang!

One Iwa Ninja swiftly swung his kunai, deflecting the incoming Shuriken.

Meanwhile, the ninja forced back by the Great Fireball attacked from another direction, forming a pincer attack against Uchiha Chiho.

On the other side, after evading the Lightning Release attack, Shiraha engaged the enemy at close quarters.

So fast! This was Shiraha's first time fighting a ninja in a life-and-death battle. Previously, he had barely had any opportunities to make a move.

This Iwa Chunin was incredibly strong and fast as well.

Shiraha appeared to be in constant danger under the enemy's assault, yet he held his ground throughout. This steadied Uchiha Chiho's mindset as she faced the siege of two Chunin, allowing her to focus on dealing with her enemies.

A ninja sword crackling with silver-white lightning repeatedly slashed toward him, cutting through the air with piercing whistles.

This Iwa Ninja seemed more like someone from Kumogakure. Both his Lightning Release and swordsmanship were formidable, making him far stronger than an ordinary Chunin.

"I'm a Medical Ninja. Don't kill me!" Shiraha blocked the enemy's attacks with a frightened expression, as though begging for mercy.

At that moment, the enemy noticed the medical kit at Shiraha's waist.

Although their mission was to kill Konoha Genin, trying to capture Medical Ninja alive during wartime had become a shared understanding among all the major ninja villages. Thus, upon hearing Shiraha beg for mercy, the Iwa Chunin instinctively hesitated for an instant.

And Shiraha seized that fleeting opportunity.

He drew a deep breath and fully activated his Breathing Technique. A powerful current of heat rose from his lower abdomen and flowed together with Chakra into his limbs and bones, instantly enhancing his physique and strength. It was as though flames had ignited in his eyes, and a pale red gleam flashed past.

Holding a kunai in each hand, Shiraha crossed them before his chest and caught the descending ninja sword.

The Iwa Chunin's arms went numb from Shiraha's sudden surge of strength, and tearing pain shot through the web between his thumb and forefinger.

At that moment, Shiraha accelerated sharply and charged directly into his range, driving a fist toward the Iwa Chunin's chest.

The Iwa Chunin had no time to dodge. He could only twist slightly and use his arm to shield the vital area around his heart.

"Argh!"

With the sound of bones breaking, the Iwa Chunin let out a scream. His entire left arm twisted grotesquely out of shape, and the excruciating pain made him unable to hold his ninja sword. He immediately retreated and fled.

Having landed the blow, Shiraha naturally intended to kill him. He unleashed his Breathing Technique once more and instantly caught up to him.

"*******"

Shiraha's lips trembled rapidly as he quietly recited an incantation, using the Acid Splash he had only recently learned at close range.

A fist-sized mass of green liquid shot from Shiraha's mouth and struck the Iwa Ninja in the face instantly.

The enemy's entire face seemed to melt away.

Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle.

"Argh—!" The Iwa Ninja's scream came to an abrupt halt as he died instantly.

Shiraha was startled as well. He had not expected this 0th-Level Spell recorded in the Book of the Ancient Warlock to be so powerful.

With that flight speed, if he became more proficient, then once he reached the Third-Class Apprentice stage and could cast spells instantly, a close-range sneak attack would likely be impossible for any Jōnin who did not specialize in speed to react to.

Shiraha stuck an Exploding Tag onto the Iwa Chunin's corpse, then kicked it away and ran toward the other side.

Boom—!

The Iwa Chunin's shrill scream had already drawn the attention of the three people fighting on the other side.

Because Uchiha Chiho had deliberately lured the enemies farther away, the three were fighting some distance from Shiraha. They had not seen how the Iwa Chunin died, but their attention was drawn by the scream and explosion.

Shiraha arrived swiftly.

Although Uchiha Chiho was being attacked by two people, she was not flustered.

Judging from their Chakra levels, Shiraha could roughly conclude that these three pursuers were all Chunin, since they were all wearing earth-yellow Chunin vests.

However, these three Chunin were all highly skilled in combat. Aside from having somewhat less Chakra, they were not much weaker than ordinary Jōnin in other respects.

Uchiha Chiho was only two years older than Shiraha. Being able to deal with two well-coordinated enemies at once already made her exceptionally strong.

As expected of a genius from the Uchiha Clan.

Seeing Shiraha eliminate his opponent and rush over, Uchiha Chiho immediately said:

"You go first. I'll hold them off."