Kabuto's taijutsu style was very similar to Lin Chongshu's: precise, restrained, focused on defeating the enemy in a single blow, without wasting unnecessary strength.
Every one of Kabuto's strikes targeted joints and vital points—knees, elbow creases, wrist bones. Every blade strike aimed to rob Lin Chongshu of his ability to move.
Every one of Lin Chongshu's blocks landed perfectly on the point of exertion. The edge of his palm chopped at wrists, the back of his hand deflected elbows, neutralizing all of Kabuto's attacks within inches.
After several dozen exchanges, Kabuto was the first to change tactics. During a sidestep, he deliberately slowed by half a beat, making his left shoulder's recovery trajectory shorter than before.
Lin Chongshu seized the opening, and his Chakra Blade cut in smoothly, slicing precisely through Kabuto's flank.
But at the exact instant Lin Chongshu's blade pierced Kabuto's abdomen, Kabuto's right hand swept upward from below, stabbing into Lin Chongshu's left shoulder at an upward angle.
The two withdrew at the same time and slid backward.
Lin Chongshu clutched his left shoulder, his left arm hanging limply at his side.
Kabuto dropped to one knee, covering the wound in his flank with his left hand. His fingers were soaked in blood, and it looked as though he had suffered the greater loss.
Yet he let out a soft, smug laugh. The glare on his lenses hid his eyes, leaving only the curve of his mouth visible as he formed a hand seal.
"Medical Ninjutsu: Yin Healing Wound Destruction!"
The principle behind this technique was to predict the enemy's target in advance and begin healing that part before the attack arrived, reducing the damage to a minimum.
Kabuto slowly released the hand covering his abdomen. The wound Lin Chongshu had cut into his stomach visibly healed,