Arc 22The Heart of the Enemy

Ruri let his Shadow Clones wear down the enemy force, then faced the transformed survivors himself. After discovering that Ninjutsu wounds healed slowly and the Forbidden Technique was harming its users, he killed one enemy with an ice blade through the heart.

  • Ring Butler Zero prescribed ankle-weight training for Ruri, who postponed missions to strengthen his legs before returning to the battlefield.
  • Ruri and Uchiha Itachi watched Ruri’s Shadow Clones defeat most of the enemies, while the last clone used Eight Trigrams Palms: Heavenly Spin against six attackers.
  • After the final Shadow Clone disappeared, Ruri confronted the remaining enemies and killed one with a direct strike to the chest.
  • Two enemies used a Forbidden Technique to transform into powerful, wolf-like forms, forcing Ruri to fight their strength and rapid healing.
  • Ruri discovered that his Lightning Blade wound healed slowly, then struck both transformed enemies with Big Ball Rasengan and disrupted their chakra.
  • As one enemy rested, Ruri waited for the other to charge, formed an ice blade, and stabbed him through the heart before explaining that their hearts were their weakest point.
Chapters 526–550 Vol. 6 Read

Ch. 526No way, 100 jin

Ruri learned that his legs were the only part of his physical metrics that fell short and received a weighted-ankle training plan. He was shocked by the target of one hundred jin in total, but admitted the plan made sense after rereading it.

  • Ring Butler Zero praised Ruri's sparring and said he could dominate Konoha if he kept training.
  • Ruri asked to see the training method formed by the huge cloud of smoke, which had already finished changing shape.
  • The smoke's message said Ruri's metrics met the standards except for his legs and prescribed gradually increasing ankle weights until he could walk freely with one hundred jin total.
  • Ruri was astonished by the required weight, then calmed down and said the plan made sense.

Ch. 527Only One Shadow Clone Left

Ruri left the Ring after considering how to train his legs, then returned to the battlefield to check on his Shadow Clones. He learned that six enemies had defeated two clones and were closing in on the last one.

  • Ruri decided to postpone missions while he trained his legs to bear more weight.
  • Ring Butler Zero let Ruri leave the Ring and encouraged him to keep training there.
  • Ruri returned to the real world and headed over to Uchiha Itachi.
  • Uchiha Itachi told Ruri that six enemies had taken out two Shadow Clones and were about to defeat the last one.
  • Ruri told Uchiha Itachi that an exciting life required learning not to fear trouble.

Ch. 528Get Some Proper Rest Once You Get Back

Ruri told Uchiha Itachi that experience and strength had taught him not to fear trouble. After discussing how tired he was from the mission, Ruri said he would properly rest when he got home, while Itachi praised his insight.

  • Ruri explained to Uchiha Itachi that facing enough trouble and becoming strong could overcome fear of it.
  • Ruri reflected that he had once been timid and isolated, but now valued having friends and felt confident handling trouble.
  • Ruri complained that the mission had left him tired and said he would get proper rest once he returned home.
  • Uchiha Itachi told Ruri that his advice made sense and was worth learning from.

Ch. 529You flatter me

Ruri and Uchiha Itachi praised each other’s understanding as Ruri’s Shadow Clones continued fighting the enemy force. With only six enemies left, they charged the last Ruri on the battlefield while their captain prepared to flee if the fight turned against them.

  • Ruri praised Uchiha Itachi’s comprehension, and Itachi modestly thanked him.
  • Ruri and Uchiha Itachi noted that the Shadow Clones had killed all but six of the enemies.
  • One enemy urged his remaining teammates to avenge their fallen companions and attack Ruri together.
  • The enemy captain considered abandoning his team and escaping if the battle went badly.
  • The six surviving enemies charged the last Ruri Shadow Clone, which worried that its stamina was nearly gone.

Ch. 530Outstanding Shadow Clones

Ruri watched his last Shadow Clone fight the remaining six enemies, while Uchiha Itachi recognized that the clone could counter their encirclement with the Hyuga Clan’s Rotation. The enemies launched their coordinated attack, and the clone prepared to defend with Eight Trigrams Palms: Heavenly Spin.

  • Ruri reflected that his three Shadow Clones had defeated all but six enemies and watched the last one continue fighting.
  • Ruri noted that his stamina and chakra had recovered and resolved to intervene if the Shadow Clone was in danger.
  • An enemy directed four fighters to attack the Shadow Clone from the sides while two attacked from the front.
  • Uchiha Itachi said the enemies’ tactic could trap a lone opponent, and Ruri pointed out that the Hyuga Clan had a counter.
  • Uchiha Itachi identified Rotation and praised Ruri’s Eight Trigrams Palms: Heavenly Spin as a way to repel attacks from every direction.

Ch. 531Eight Trigrams Palms: Heavenly Spin

Ruri’s Shadow Clone faced six enemies who surrounded and attacked him, then used Eight Trigrams Palms: Heavenly Spin to shield himself. Ruri told Uchiha Itachi that the fight appeared decided, barring anything unexpected.

  • Ruri and Uchiha Itachi watched as six enemies closed in on Ruri’s Shadow Clone.
  • The enemies surrounded the Shadow Clone and prepared to strike, confident they had trapped him.
  • The Shadow Clone took up the stance for Eight Trigrams Palms: Heavenly Spin and challenged the attackers to watch what happened.
  • The six enemies leaped at the Shadow Clone with their weapons, and he spun rapidly, forming an Eight Trigrams Palm barrier around himself.
  • Ruri told Uchiha Itachi that the battle seemed decided unless something unexpected occurred.

Ch. 532Far Too Ruthless

Ruri’s Shadow Clone used Eight Trigrams Palms: Heavenly Spin to overwhelm the six enemies while Ruri explained the enemies’ will to survive to Uchiha Itachi. One enemy used his teammate as a human shield, but the attack still left only two or three enemies able to fight.

  • Ruri’s Shadow Clone continued spinning with Eight Trigrams Palms: Heavenly Spin and sent several charging ninjas flying.
  • One enemy grabbed his teammate and pushed him in front of himself to use him as a human shield.
  • Uchiha Itachi condemned the move as ruthless, while Ruri told him that enemies would do anything to survive.
  • The teammate cursed the man who used him as a shield, but the man pushed him toward the spinning attack anyway.
  • The attack sent all six enemies flying, leaving only two or three able to fight while the others lay unable to move.

Ch. 533Something Still Went Wrong

Ruri's Shadow Clone fought the three remaining ninja, killing one and pressing another with a lightning-infused Kunai. Ruri watched the fight and suspected that something had gone wrong.

  • Ruri's Shadow Clone taunted the three surviving ninja, pointing out that one had killed his own teammate by using him as a shield.
  • Ruri's Shadow Clone appeared behind an angry enemy and attacked, but the enemy dodged.
  • Ruri's Shadow Clone charged with lightning infused into his Kunai, surprising the enemy with the technique.
  • The enemy blocked the thrust at the last moment by raising his weapon in front of his face.
  • Ruri frowned as he watched the clash and said that something had gone wrong.

Ch. 534Not Much Time Left

Ruri's Shadow Clone narrowly missed killing an enemy with a Lightning Blade released from his weapon and was nearing exhaustion. Ruri reassured Kakashi and Uchiha Itachi that he had a plan, then prepared to face the three remaining enemies and their captain.

  • Ruri's Shadow Clone released a Lightning Blade from his weapon, but an enemy dodged it by retreating quickly.
  • Ruri's Shadow Clone realized he could not hold out much longer against the three enemies remaining on the field.
  • Uchiha Itachi and Kakashi warned Ruri that his Shadow Clone was nearly out of stamina and asked whether he had a plan.
  • Ruri told Kakashi and Uchiha Itachi he would soon attack and try to defeat all four remaining enemies quickly.
  • Ruri looked at the three enemies on the field and their captain on the cliff as noon arrived and time grew short.

Ch. 535The Loosening Ground

Ruri's Shadow Clone struggled to fight three enemies as his stamina ran low, while Ruri watched with Kakashi and the others. An enemy used Earth Release to loosen the ground beneath the clone, leaving him trapped as Ruri recognized the technique as Earth Release: Earth Flow River.

  • Ruri's Shadow Clone taunted the enemy and charged into battle against all three enemies.
  • As the clone's stamina weakened, the enemies held him back while the enemy in front mocked his exhaustion.
  • The enemy used Earth Release to loosen the ground beneath the clone's feet.
  • Ruri's Shadow Clone realized he could not escape because the other two enemies were holding his arms, and Ruri identified the technique as Earth Release: Earth Flow River.

Ch. 536How Could It Be a Shadow Clone?

Ruri’s final Shadow Clone was swept away by an Earth Release mudslide and vanished, leaving the enemy fighters and their captain stunned to realize they had fought three Shadow Clones. Ruri watched from safety, having slipped away unnoticed.

  • Youli recognized the enemy’s Earth Release as a technique used by the Third Hokage, while Kakashi wondered how the enemy had learned it.
  • The Earth Release user turned the ground beneath Ruri’s Shadow Clone into a mudslide, and the clone was swept away as the two enemies beside him jumped clear.
  • Ruri’s Shadow Clone reflected that it had done enough before disappearing in a puff of smoke.
  • Ruri watched the clone vanish and silently praised the clones for killing many enemies and buying him time.
  • The Earth Release user, the three fighters, and the enemy captain realized that all three Ruri they had fought were Shadow Clones and wondered where the real Ruri had gone.

Ch. 537Quite the temper

Ruri left his hiding place to confront the remaining enemies after his Shadow Clones had worn them down. He approached the furious ninja and challenged him as the fight resumed.

  • The Earth Release ninja raged at Ruri for hiding and cursed him after losing many teammates to the Shadow Clones.
  • Uchiha Itachi asked Ruri what he planned to do, and Ruri said he would quickly kill the remaining enemies before their front-line teammates were endangered.
  • Ruri vanished from the spot and hurried toward the battlefield while Uchiha Itachi and Kakashi remained behind.
  • Ruri arrived ten meters from the three enemies and called out to the ninja who had threatened to twist his head off.
  • The ninja shouted at Ruri to stop hiding, and Ruri walked toward the enemies, threatening to cut off the ninja’s head.

Ch. 538Never Would Have Expected It

Ruri emerged after his three Shadow Clones killed many of the enemy ninjas and taunted the three survivors. The furious enemies threatened to kill him, while Ruri warned them not to act rashly.

  • An enemy shouted at Ruri and threatened to twist his head off after Ruri had angered him.
  • The enemy who had used Earth Release threw Shuriken wildly in every direction while searching for Ruri.
  • Ruri dodged the Shuriken and appeared before the three remaining enemies.
  • Ruri mocked the enemies, saying his Shadow Clones had killed many of them while he rested.
  • One enemy threatened to kill Ruri, and Ruri warned him not to act rashly.

Ch. 539That's Easy

Ruri instantly killed an enemy who charged him, then taunted the two remaining enemies, who realized they were no match for his increased strength. He told them they could go die, setting up the next clash.

  • An enemy charged at Ruri with a weapon, but Ruri vanished and appeared behind him.
  • Ruri thrust his arm into the enemy's chest, killing him instantly, then wiped the blood from his hand.
  • The Earth Release ninja warned his remaining teammate that the two of them could not defeat Ruri.
  • Ruri smiled at the two enemies and told them they could go and die.

Ch. 540Swelling Up

Ruri watched two enemies begin a dangerous transformation after they decided to use an unstable move as their last chance to survive. Their bodies swelled and started changing, but the transformation was still underway.

  • One ninja urged his teammate to use their unstable move, and the teammate reluctantly agreed.
  • Ruri noticed the enemies’ smiles and prepared for another dangerous technique.
  • Both enemies’ bodies swelled until their clothes tore, and one warned Ruri that he would die that day.
  • Hair grew over their upper bodies and their heads protruded forward as both enemies cried out in pain.

Ch. 541So Disgusting

Ruri and Kakashi's team watched two enemies complete a dangerous Forbidden Technique that transformed them into enormous, terrifying forms and greatly increased their strength. Ruri prepared for their next attack as Uzuki Yugao recoiled at their appearance.

  • Ruri realized the enemies' Forbidden Technique was causing them severe pain and warned herself not to be careless.
  • Kakashi, Yamato, and Uchiha Itachi suspected the enemies had used a powerful Forbidden Technique that could cost them their lives.
  • Uzuki Yugao suggested that Ruri had cornered the enemies and forced them to stake everything on the technique.
  • After two or three minutes, the enemies finished transforming into enormous, frightening forms.
  • Ruri judged that the transformed enemies were stronger together than he was and readied himself for an attack.
  • Uzuki Yugao shut her eyes after seeing the enemies' disgusting new appearances.

Ch. 542A Little Stronger

Ruri faced two enemies who had transformed into wolf-like forms using a Forbidden Technique. He worried about their unknown abilities but resolved to keep fighting, while Kakashi judged that Ruri would struggle to defeat them.

  • The two enemies celebrated their successful transformation and claimed they were now stronger than Ruri.
  • Ruri observed their wolf-like bodies and worried that their animal instincts would make them dangerous.
  • Ruri asked whether the Forbidden Technique put their lives at risk, but one enemy dismissed his concern and challenged him.
  • Ruri decided to endure the difficulty and continue toward his goal of reaching the top.
  • Kakashi told his teammates that the transformed enemies were stronger than Ruri and would be difficult for him to kill.

Ch. 543Holy crap, this blood!

Ruri charged the two enemy ninja despite warnings that they were stronger than him. He sent one flying with a palm strike and cut the other across the waist, leaving the fight ongoing as his wounded opponent recoiled in shock.

  • Kakashi, Uchiha Itachi, and Uzuki Yugao worried that Ruri would struggle against the two enemies.
  • One enemy taunted Ruri and urged him to surrender, but Ruri charged at them with his weapon.
  • Ruri struck one enemy with a backhanded palm blow and sent him flying, though the impact made his hand tremble.
  • Ruri transformed his weapon into a long blade and slashed the second enemy across the waist.
  • The wounded enemy leaped back, clutched his bleeding waist, and cursed at the sight of his blood.

Ch. 544Regenerative ability

Ruri discovered that one of his enemies could rapidly regenerate from a severe wound. Kakashi suspected the ability had a time limit that would end when the enemies returned to human form.

  • Uzuki Yugao praised Ruri for badly injuring the two enemies, but Kakashi warned her not to assume the fight was over.
  • The enemy Ruri had slashed stood up and smiled at him.
  • Ruri retreated as the enemy’s large waist wound rapidly healed without a trace.
  • Uchiha Itachi, Yamato, and Uzuki Yugao reacted with surprise and worried that the enemies’ regeneration would make them hard to defeat.
  • Kakashi said the enemies’ transformed state likely had a time limit and their injuries would return when they became human again.
  • The enemy told Ruri that he could not defeat them and boasted about their powerful healing ability.

Ch. 545Don't jump to conclusions

Ruri faced two enemies empowered by a Forbidden Technique, and his attacks no longer seemed able to stop them. After narrowly escaping their combined assault, he warned them not to jump to conclusions.

  • One enemy recovered from Ruri's palm strike and said it no longer affected him.
  • The two enemies attacked Ruri from both sides, forcing him to block their claws with two Kunai and drop to one knee.
  • Ruri pulled back his weapons and dodged forward, causing the enemies' claws to smash into the ground and leave two huge craters.
  • Ruri stood, brushed off the dirt, and told the enemies not to get cocky or jump to conclusions.

Ch. 546A wound that would not heal 1

Ruri fought an enemy who could move at incredible speed and hit with tremendous strength. Ruri wounded him with a Lightning Blade ninja tool, and the injury did not heal quickly.

  • An enemy vanished and struck Ruri, sending him flying about twenty meters and leaving his arm numb.
  • Ruri refused to show fear and charged at the enemy with a weapon infused with chakra and his Lightning Blade.
  • Ruri appeared behind the enemy, transformed his weapon into a large cleaver, and slashed his back.
  • Ruri retreated after cutting a deep wound, which did not heal quickly.

Ch. 547A wound that would not heal 2

Ruri discovered that wounds inflicted with Ninjutsu healed very slowly, unlike injuries from ordinary attacks. With the enemies’ weakness exposed, Ruri and his allies gained the advantage, while the enemies realized they had to kill him quickly to survive.

  • Ruri saw that the wound his Lightning Blade had inflicted on the enemy’s back showed no sign of healing.
  • The enemy realized the wound was not recovering, and Ruri concluded that Ninjutsu wounds healed extremely slowly.
  • Ruri announced that he had found the enemies’ weakness.
  • Uchiha Itachi, Kakashi, and Uzuki Yugao recognized that Ninjutsu damage could give their side a strong chance of victory.
  • The enemies agreed they had to kill Ruri before he could exploit their weakness and finish them off.

Ch. 548Rejection

Ruri attacked the two enemies with Big Ball Rasengan after realizing that damage caused by Ninjutsu was permanent. One enemy began coughing up blood, and Ruri suspected his body was rejecting its enhancements.

  • Ruri reasoned that Ninjutsu damage to the enemies would be permanent.
  • Ruri rushed the two enemies and struck both of their stomachs with Big Ball Rasengan before they could react.
  • The Rasengan sent the enemies flying and disrupted their chakra.
  • The frailer enemy coughed up blood, leaving both his teammate and Ruri puzzled.
  • Ruri suspected the frailer enemy's body had begun rejecting its enhancements, while the enemy could not explain what had happened.

Ch. 549Waiting for the Right Moment

Ruri faced one enemy after the other was forced to rest after coughing up blood, and he prepared a close-range attack as his remaining opponent charged. The enemy’s body began hardening as Ruri waited for the right moment to strike.

  • One enemy said Ruri’s Rasengan had disrupted his chakra and sealed several chakra points, and his teammate suspected the Forbidden Technique was causing his body to reject it.
  • The coughing enemy went to rest beneath a tree while his teammate chose to fight Ruri alone.
  • Ruri welcomed the one-on-one fight and silently gathered chakra in the center of his right palm.
  • The remaining enemy charged toward Ruri without noticing the gathered chakra, while his upper-body skin quietly hardened.
  • Ruri judged that he would be able to attack in three seconds and waited for the enemy to come closer.

Ch. 550One, two, three

Ruri defeated the enemy by driving an ice blade through his heart, though the enemy’s punch badly injured him. After the enemy died, Ruri concluded that their hearts were their weakest point.

  • Ruri timed the enemy’s charge and formed an ice blade in his palm.
  • Ruri stabbed the enemy through the heart, but the enemy struck him in the chest and sent him flying.
  • The enemy collapsed from his wound and cursed Ruri before dying.
  • Ruri stood, approached the enemy’s body, and said that their hearts were their weakest point.
Arc 22 of 40