So fast!
Genye was startled. He drew a kunai with his other hand and, with the help of his Byakugan, just barely managed to block the slash with it.
"Sword Technique: Shredding Slash!"
Asuma rushed over from the side, his blade slashing hard across Rin-to's neck.
Blood sprayed as Rin-to's artery was brutally severed.
"That really hurts, kid!"
Rin-to shouted, abandoning Genye and turning to swing his sword at Asuma.
Clang!
Asuma knocked the cleaver aside with his claw knives, then quickly retreated, refusing to get drawn into a prolonged fight.
"Gentle Fist: Double!"
Genye struck Rin-to in the back with his palm. The terrifying force pierced straight through Rin-to's heart and lungs, turning his organs to mush.
But this attack, enough to kill an ordinary person, not only failed to kill Rin-to—it actually got him excited.
"Ah, so this is what it feels like to have your heart and lungs torn apart! It's so good it makes me shiver!"
Though Genye had warned him beforehand, Asuma couldn't help cursing. "What a monster! He still won't die after that!"
"Die?"
Rin-to spat blood and sneered. "It's just a minor fatal wound. Do you think so little of me?"
With that, he raised his cleaver again and charged at the two of them, shouting at the top of his lungs.
"Haha! Wild Boar Charge! Charge! Charge!"
On one side was a monster who feared no death—and truly couldn't die. On the other were two flesh-and-blood boys, holding back for fear of getting hurt.
Even though the goal of the fight was only to buy time, Genye and Asuma still found themselves in constant danger.
This won't work. We have to find a way to cut off his limbs and restrict his movements!
Genye and Asuma exchanged a glance, both arriving at the same idea without a word.
"Upper right?"
"Upper right!"
Neither of them could sever Rin-to's limb in an instant on their own. They had to work together!
"Hey, brats! I don't understand any of that secret code you're talking in!"
Rin-to grumbled as he swung his cleaver horizontally at Asuma.
Screee—
The two claw knives scraped against the cleaver, sending a string of sparks flying and producing a sound that set their teeth on edge.
Asuma slid behind Rin-to, pulled back the claw knife that had knocked the cleaver off course, and slashed hard at Rin-to's left calf.
"Shredding Slash!"
The claw knife sank deep into Rin-to's flesh, caught against his shinbone. Asuma abandoned the weapon and rolled away.
"Eight Trigrams Vacuum Palm: Double!"
Genye gave a low shout. Taking aim at the claw knife embedded in Rin-to's leg, he used the technique he had just figured out.
Bang!
A cloud of blood burst open. The terrifying force instantly snapped the muscles and tendons connecting Rin-to's left leg.
"Ah, you damn brat!"
Rin-to screamed as his body separated from his lower leg. He lost his balance and toppled to the ground.
Strike while he's down!
After Genye and Asuma had risked everything to take Rin-to's left leg, he was no longer much of a threat.
"What are you going to do? Stay back! Don't come any closer~~!"
Five minutes later.
Rin-to had been cut into several pieces, yet the pieces were still trying to crawl toward one another. Asuma's face turned green.
"What kind of monster is this guy?"
He kicked Rin-to's cursing head away and looked at Genye.
"I've only heard stories," Genye said with a bitter smile. "Apparently, there's a group of cultists in the Land of Hot Water who take pleasure in killing. They're said to have immortal bodies and the ability to curse people through their blood."
"But I always thought those were just strange old legends. Who knew we'd actually run into one?"
"(#`O′) Hey, brat! Have some manners! How can you call me a—"
Before Rin-to could finish, his head rolled back over, and Genye kicked it away again.
"We should deal with him so he can't hurt anyone else!" Asuma said, brimming with righteousness.
"Okay." Genye nodded.
The two of them cut Rin-to into even smaller pieces, dug several pits, and buried the monster deep underground.
"Genye! Asuma!"
Outside the woods, Yuhi Kurenai saw the two of them emerge unharmed and, eyes red, threw her arms around them.
She knew that if she had stayed, she would only have been a burden. But being unable to face the danger alongside her teammates still left her feeling deeply guilty.
"Go on, go on! If you two want to hug, do it over there. Don't drag me into it."
As he spoke, Asuma wriggled out of Kurenai's embrace. He hated it when people got sentimental in front of him.
If I ever die, I'll make sure I go out cool. I won't say a word. I'll just have someone light me a cigarette.
"See? I told you C-rank missions were dangerous. Do you believe me now?" Genye said, comforting Kurenai as she held him and addressing Asuma, who was already imagining the future.
Asuma punched him in annoyance. "All right, quit hugging her. Let's get moving!"
After returning to Konoha, the three of them reported the details of their mission to Shimura Hofu.
"...I understand. I'll turn in the mission report for you. You can head back and get some rest."
Shimura Hofu waved the three of them away, his brows drawing together as he fell into thought.
He had vaguely heard that Jashin Cultists were active in the Land of Hot Water, but this was the first he'd heard of a monster that couldn't be killed.
It's worth sending someone to investigate. Perhaps it could offer some new inspiration for my father's and Orochimaru's research.
After returning, Team 8 was soon swamped with training and missions, with no time to rest at all.
It wasn't until the end of the year that Shimura Hofu finally gave them a week off.
Konoha Year 44, New Year's Day, just before dawn.
Genye had only just fallen asleep when the system's notification in his mind startled him awake.
[ Ding! Congratulations, host! You have received 5 copy uses! ]
"Holy crap?... Holy crap!"
Genye cried out and leaped out of bed. Ignoring the chilly wind, he went straight next door to visit Mei.
Who could resist pulling when they had chances to draw?
Even the Abstinence Bro would have to reward himself with a pull!
"Mei! Mei, open the door!"
Genye pounded on the door, knocking softly on her sleeping heart.
"( '-ωก̀ ) Mm, what's wrong, Genye? Is something the matter?"
Mei opened the door, bleary-eyed. She could barely keep her eyes open, but forced herself to talk to him.
"Nothing. I just wanted to be the first to give you New Year's wishes, Mei!" Genye said tenderly.
Before drawing, it was important to boost her affection for him!
"Huh?"
At that, Mei perked up. Her eyes flew open, and she began to stammer.
"Genye, you... you..."
"I know, Mei. You must be so touched by how I feel about you."
Genye put on what he considered a charming smile.
"No, Genye, you...!"
"I know, Mei. You don't have to be so touched. Really."
"No, Genye, you..."
"I know, Mei..."
"No, you don't!" Mei covered Genye's mouth with a delicate hand. "Genye, you're not wearing any clothes!"
"(ÒωÓױ)! Huh?!"
Genye looked down and froze in utter shock.
No wonder he'd felt so cold. He'd rushed out so quickly that he'd forgotten to get dressed!
Whoosh!
Genye vanished in the blink of an eye, moving so fast that anyone would have thought he'd mastered the Jonin-level Body Flicker Technique.
After a while, Genye appeared in front of Mei again, fully dressed.
Seeing Mei cover her mouth as she giggled, Genye felt a little dejected. He had a feeling he'd never be able to hold his head up around her again.
But by the law of karma, since I just embarrassed myself, I'm sure I'll draw something good!
After silently reassuring himself, Genye rubbed his hands together and opened the system interface.
"System, give me those copies!"
Before you continue