Live Combat Practice

Returning home, he continued practicing the Flying Raijin Jutsu.

There was no other way; he had to practice. If he didn't, he would never master it, though he could certainly improve his methods.

Sharingan, activate!

Lightning Release Chakra Mode, activate!

With everything prepared, Shinmoku gritted his teeth and launched the ninjutsu.

Displacement successful.

"Hah—huff—huff—huff."

His shoulders heaved as his body rose and fell. He remained standing, though his eyes were wide open, absorbing the pain.

If one could not draw experience from suffering, the pace of progress would be agonizingly slow.

After summarizing his thoughts, he collapsed onto his bed.

Waking up the next day, he stared blankly at the ceiling... Did I turn off the lights yesterday? No, wait, did I turn them off the day before? Or was it yesterday morning?

Forget it, it doesn't matter.

The scarf weaving training was effective, and Hinata didn't seem to mind.

Today, he was going to learn a new weaving technique, and the difficulty had spiked sharply.

Just as he was concentrating, an uninvited guest arrived.

"Wasn't I here first? How did you two end up together?"

The person who arrived was Anko Mitarashi, wearing an ugly smile that seemed to carry a murderous aura.

"Don't mess around, we're just training."

"Training?"

Anko watched for a while, then suddenly realized what was happening, her eyes lighting up with eagerness.

But the moment she tried it, she felt the difficulty of this training; she couldn't maintain her center of gravity at all.

"For you... you should go play with a yoga ball first," Shinmoku said after a glance.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"It's a training method I used in Cloud Hidden. You attach chakra to the soles of your feet—stepping with both feet, then one, running forward, running backward, handstands, using both hands, one hand, palms, fingers..."

Anko couldn't help but shiver. "Fine, I'll go back and try it."

"Don't go yet," Shinmoku looked up. "Do you have time this afternoon?"

"Oh? Is it today?" Anko flashed a seductive smile.

"Hm?" Shinmoku was confused for a second, then, "Oh! Right! Yes!"

"?"

After lunch, Hinata tactfully took her leave.

"Tell me, what are we doing?" Anko asked.

"Follow me."

Passing by the commercial district, the movie theater, and various other entertainment venues, Shinmoku led her to the small woods behind the mountain.

Anko clenched her fists, silently swearing to herself that if he dared to try anything improper, she would beat him until he couldn't take care of himself.

But the scene she had anticipated didn't happen. Passing through the woods, the view suddenly opened up, and they arrived at the riverbank.

"Come on." Shinmoku drew his blade.

"So, it's practice?"

"Yes."

"You'd better think this through. I only agreed to one date. Are you sure you want to use that opportunity on this?" Anko asked, annoyed.

"I'm sure."

What could you do on an ordinary date? Eat a meal? Watch a movie?

Compared to those, having a spar was much more cost-effective.

As a Special Jonin, Anko wasn't overwhelmingly powerful, but she was more than enough to serve as a sparring partner... He had wanted to find someone stronger, but everyone he knew was busy training their own students; who had time for him?

...Actually, there did seem to be one person.

Let's finish the training at hand first.

"Fine."

Anko pulled out a kunai with a grin.

The next moment, she transformed into a blur and lunged forward, full of killing intent.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The kunai and the short blade collided, producing a series of crisp sounds. Their speed increased, and several times, the tips of the blade and the kunai grazed past each other's throats and eyes.

Then came the clash of ninjutsu. Anko specialized in Fire Release, with a slight understanding of snake-style ninjutsu. Shinmoku countered with Water Release, though he had only recently learned it and lacked proficiency.

After two hours of high-intensity combat.

Anko panted, realizing Shinmoku's Water Release ninjutsu was either newly learned or copied with his Sharingan.

But during this time, he had grown increasingly familiar with it. Both his hand seal speed and his understanding of the ninjutsu had approached Shinnai's level, which was that of a Jonin.

She definitely couldn't win. He still had Fire Release, Lightning Release, and his Sharingan unused.

To be defeated by a child ten years her junior was truly disheartening!

"Aren't you tired?" Shinmoku asked, watching her intently from ten meters away. Anko couldn't help but inquire.

"This is nothing."

"True, you're the one who was chased by the Raikage and a Jinchuriki all night." As she spoke, Anko slowly straightened up from her defensive crouch. "One last move."

"Alright."

"Fire Release!" Anko formed hand seals. "Majestic Destroyer Flame!"

"Fire Release: Majestic Destroyer Flame!" Shinmoku responded with the same ninjutsu.

The ten-meter distance was instantly engulfed in flames, spreading from the center and even reaching the distant woods.

About two seconds later, the center point began to move towards Anko's direction. Shinmoku's Fire Release slowly consumed Anko's Fire Release.

"Hoo—"

Just as it was about to reach Anko, Shinmoku stopped the technique. Anko also stopped, her eyes vacant as she stumbled backward.

"Are you alright?"

Shinmoku approached and knelt down, only then noticing she wasn't wearing shorts but a skirt that resembled shorts. Her fishnet top was a one-piece, her chest still prominent. Beneath the fishnet, it seemed there was nothing, revealing faint shadows.

"What are you looking at?" Anko said irritably.

"Sorry, it's hard not to look."

"Heh!" Anko extended her hand.

Shinmoku helped her up.

She must have used her full strength, but not all her tactics. At the very least, she hadn't used any Summoning Techniques.

But it was enough. Although he hadn't tested his newly developed ninjutsu, it was good that he had practiced Water Release... practical combat was essential.

He strolled towards the shopping street.

"Treat me to some dango."

"You should eat less sweets, or you'll turn into a sweet potato, Anko," Shinmoku teased.

But it was just a jest. No one liked to be lectured, and he certainly wouldn't be the one to lecture others.

"Here." He handed Anko the dango he had bought.

"Will I really turn into a sweet potato?" She seemed a little troubled.

"I don't know."

"Never mind, it's not today anyway."

Anko quickly convinced herself. She parted her lips and popped a dango into her mouth, her cheeks puffing out.

"I'm going to continue my training. Bye~"

Shinmoku waved his hand and walked into the distance. There was still some time before dark, and it would be a shame to waste it like this.

"Bye-bye-bye-bye!"

She bit down on the wooden skewer, venting her dissatisfaction.

She had seen through this person. He used her and then discarded her, leaving no feelings behind.

Hmph! Men!

Shinmoku went to find the Jonin who was available—Guy.

Tenten was practicing with Neji. He had met her before. As for Guy, he was probably burning his youth with Lee. Given his personality, he wouldn't refuse one more person to burn with.

Of course, a full spandex suit was out of the question; that was his bottom line.