Don't Blame Me for Fighting Dirty

Nara Tsukimi leaned against the wall, breathing hard. The gap in age and numbers was more than his natural talent could overcome.

One against three? That was asking a bit much of him.

But surrender wasn't an option. Tsukimi gritted his teeth, forced down the pain, and quietly gathered a wisp of Chakra in his palm.

Seeing that he still refused to yield even when cornered, the two Sixth-Year Students scowled and advanced together, closing in from both sides.

"Still trying to tough it out? Looks like we'll have to teach you a lesson today!"

The one on the left reached straight for his shoulder, intending to pin him against the wall. The one on the right drove a knee toward his stomach, with no intention of holding back.

Tsukimi focused. He twisted sideways and ducked, narrowly avoiding the knee. At the same time, his right hand caught the student on the left by the wrist. He dropped his weight and threw him cleanly over his shoulder.

Thud!

The Sixth-Year Student slammed into the ground and was out of the fight. But before Tsukimi could recover, the third student kicked him in the chest, sending him flying.

Tsukimi hit the ground hard. The skin on both arms was scraped raw, stinging fiercely, and a trace of blood marked the corner of his mouth.

He lay there breathing fast, his whole body aching and weak. His six-year-old body had already reached its limit after taking two attacks from twelve-year-olds.

Under a nearby tree, a white-haired father and son watched the bullying. Kakashi Hatake leaned forward, ready to intervene.

Buzz!

Just then, dizziness struck deep within Tsukimi's mind. His consciousness went black, and in the next instant, a mysterious, eerie mask appeared in his mind.

Countless pieces of information flooded into his mind all at once.

The Tara Mask. The Nine Shadowkhan Armies...

In a daze, he remembered buying the mask from a roadside vendor while out for a meal in his previous life. He had picked it up on a whim to play with. He never imagined it would follow him into the world of the Hokage, much less finally awaken here.

Ninja Tribe initial progress +12%

Samurai Tribe initial progress +12%

Troll Tribe initial progress +12%

After absorbing the flood of information, Tsukimi's eyes lit up. The shadow of war that had weighed on him for two years vanished.

I knew it! How could someone who'd crossed into another world not have a cheat? I did good deeds in my last life. I earned this!

There was no time to explore the Tara Mask's other abilities. With two enemies bearing down on him, Tsukimi willed the shadows on the ground to move. They churned violently, like boiling water.

The next instant, six pitch-black figures rose from the shadows. They wore fitted black-and-red ninja outfits, with gray-blue skin and scarlet eyes. They were the Ninja Tribe of the Shadowkhan.

The six figures faced Tsukimi and knelt on one knee. In the setting sun, their cold, murderous presence filled the entire school entrance. The two remaining Sixth-Year Students froze.

The unknown was always frightening.

"Just now, it was three against one, and I won't call you cowards for that. Now it's three against one on my side. I hope you won't call me a coward either. After all, you're Sixth-Year Students!"

"Take them down."

Tsukimi pushed himself up from the ground and looked at them with a mocking smile.

The six figures sprang into action, three attacking each student. The one on the right tried to form Hand Seals, but the shadows were already upon him. One seized his throat while another pinned both his arms.

The student on the left threw a panicked punch, but a shadow slipped aside. A moment later, his legs were swept out from under him, and two shadows pinned him down.

Heh, heh, heh. My turn now.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

Four shadows held the two students fast while the other two stepped forward and rained punches on them. Their cries rang out without pause.

"No! We were wrong! Please let us go!"

"You can't do this to me! My brother's a Chunin. He'll make you pay!"

To Tsukimi, their endless wailing sounded like music.

"Oh, right. There's one more. Don't worry, I haven't forgotten you."

Tsukimi sent two Shadowkhan to fetch the student he had thrown earlier and put him with the other two.

Five minutes later, the Ninja Tribe had beaten all three black and blue. Even their sobs were fading. Tsukimi finally felt it was enough. He waved for the six shadows to stop, had them knock the students unconscious, and tossed them into a corner by the entrance.

Ninja Tribe (14%)

Samurai Tribe (12%)

Troll Tribe (12%)

Hm? The information appearing in his mind caught Tsukimi's interest.

Did the Shadowkhan Armies' progress increase through combat? Could training on my own raise it too?

Tsukimi stood there pondering how the Shadowkhan Armies worked. Beside him, Might Duy's eyes were wide with shock, while Might Guy looked at him with open admiration.

Might Duy recovered first. He gave Tsukimi a thumbs-up and flashed a gleaming, toothy grin that nearly blinded him.

"Young man! They're students, so I couldn't lay a hand on them. Thank you for stepping in today. That's the power of youth!"

But Might Guy did not come forward. His excitement gave way to guilt. "I-I'm sorry, Nara! This started because of me, but when you were losing against all three of them, I didn't help. Dad, I was a coward!"

He burst into tears. Might Duy walked over and gave him a rap on the head, his expression turning solemn.

"Guy, it's good that you recognize your weakness. That's exactly why you must face it. Be a man and apologize to Nara. Ask for his forgiveness!"

Might Guy wiped away his tears and nodded. He walked up to Tsukimi, bowed deeply, and apologized. "I'm sorry, Nara. I was a coward this time. Next time, I'll fight beside you."

"My name's Nara Tsukimi. And I forgive you for what happened." Tsukimi waved a hand, unconcerned.

"Yes! That's the power of youth! Remember it well, Guy!"

Might Duy pulled his son into a hug, and the two of them burst into tears again. Tears poured down their faces.

Tsukimi's mouth twitched. He just wanted to escape the awkward scene. Watching something like this in person was a lot to take.

At last, father and son finished crying. Might Guy turned to Tsukimi, his eyes burning with enthusiasm. "Tsukimi, you're amazing! Can we train in Taijutsu together from now on?"

Tsukimi nodded. Father and son gave him matching thumbs-ups and flashed their big white teeth.

"Thanks for the support!"

"Looks like it's over," Hatake Sakumo said quietly. Then he looked at Kakashi beside him.

"Go introduce yourself. Those two boys will make good rivals."

At Hatake Sakumo's prompting, Kakashi walked toward them.